Music, music everywhere and not enough time (or ears) to enjoy it all. Luckily for you, we’ve picked three can’t-miss shows to check out this weekend. This time around, we recommend ear-tingling pop punk, a master guitarist, and an upstart indie rock band less than a year old. Dig the music, dig the weekend, and always listen local!
Friday, August 31
Gold Steps w/Summer Wars, Broken Atlas, Commons, Moronic Behaviors
@ Dirty Dog Bar (505 E. 6th St.) – 7 p.m. – Facebook event
Discovering bands like Gold Steps is why I love doing this weekly series. Tightly crafted pop punk in the vein of Newfound Glory and Simple Plan (but much better), Gold Steps resurrects a genre relegated to early 2000s retro playlists.
Tunes like the unbelievably catchy “Toughen Up” balance vocalist Liz Mauritz’s angsty, earnest vocals with laser cut guitar lines and Travis Barker drums, while “Firestarter” blazes with finger-busting speed. Time to dust off my old JNCOs and get into an Ataris/Cartel/Saves the Day Spotify loop. Thanks, Gold Steps, for reminding me how fun and meaningful this genre can be.
Also playing: indie act Broken Atlas, fellow pop punkers in Commons and Moronic behaviors, and North Carolina’s Summer Wars.
Saturday, September 1
Jeff Plankenhorn
@ Oskar Blues Brewery (10420 Metric) – 6:30 p.m. – Event page
Classic Americana wrapped in soulful blues with a county bent, Jeff Plankenhorn has quickly risen to the level of Austin’s elite. One of our city’s finest guitarists, Mr. Plankenhorn’s brand of down and gritty rock-a-soul is as musical as it is groovy. And with a recent win of “Best Miscellaneous Instrument” at this year’s Austin Music Awards, this innovator is a must-listen, preferably with a tasty beer in hand.
Sunday, September 2
Mohawk Bends (Credit: Bridget Craig)
Mohawk Bends w/Shadow of Whales, Rummy
@ Mohawk (912 Red River) – Doors 8 p.m. – Tickets
Another hidden gem unearthed through my late night show searching, Mohawk Blends’ energetic folk indie sound is interesting and catchy. Relative newbies to the local music scene, the band’s debut single “Plaster Cast” wraps an up-tempo indie folk sound with expressive vocals and groove, uncommon in a genre accustomed to the down and dreary. The group also plays the “upbeat song with downbeat lyrics” to great effect.
Full of energy, chops, and the willingness to dredge serious emotion through the determination of power pop indie rock, I see nothing but great things in store for this fantastic four-piece.
Also playing: alternative indie pop act Shadow of Whales and Rummy.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
Who are you looking forward to hearing this weekend in Austin?
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