THE ACTION DESIGN – BLOOD BATH Regular readers of Cannibal Cheerleader will be familiar with one of our favorite acts the Action Design who played our inaugural Blood Bath SXSW day party a week ago. The band rocketed through a seven song set of classics, even throwing in a Misfits cover for good measure! Seriously, this group bleeds cool in classic style and got the whole of the Peacock dancing in fine form. This group has come a long way since Tsunami Bomb and because of that we feel they’ll all the better for it, having improved their sound immeasurably to the tune of a dance-rock powerhouse. A funny story must be included about the group whose guitarist Jaycen woke up last Wednesday morning with a terrible stomach pain and had to be rushed to the hospital. We were called in the midst of the performance of opener Vermillion Lies with the news that the band’s attendance might have to be an acoustic set, if anything at all. That said, once Jaycen was freed from his IV tethers, the group raced up to Austin from San Antonio at breakneck speed and despite some delays managed to play a scorching last set of the day. Definitely worth the wait, and let it never be said that this band isn’t a troupe of troopers. Check out some videos and more pictures below!
SXSW LIVE REVIEW – THE HOLD STEADY/LUCERO Our Thursday at SXSW involved a wonderful stint at Red 7 where we were witness to an astounding double-bill of Lucero and the Hold Steady. Seems that this was the first time these two great and very similar acts were on the same bill and the set did not dissappoint, with classic tunes played by both bands. Still, it was the Hold Steady that took the cake, rampaging through songs old and new with a heavy concentration of rockers from Stay Positive including personal favorite “Slapped Actress” and barn-burning opener “Constructive Summer”. The crowd responded in kind to the band’s inclusive nature, featuring crowd-surfing, a surprising amount of moshing, and plenty of sing-along choruses. Definitely a sight to behold and worthy of the trip downtown during the busiest weekend in Austin.
NEW CRYSTAL CASTLES TRACK Long time fan-favorite and live-show standard “Baptism” from Crystal Castles has managed to weasel its way onto music sites over the past 24 hours. No one’s quite sure if this track is a result of any new recordings or if the wordless track (live the track is accompanied by Alice Glass’ trademark shouts) is off of a mysterious release. What we do know is the noodling synths and breakbeat riffs make this track a monster jam and we’re happy to finally have a real version swimming through our shuffler. Check it out below:
(turns out this mp3 was a fan-made cover – thanks Andy from Lies Records for clearing that up!)
THE ACTION DESIGN LIVE IN AUSTIN In what will probably go down as one of our favorite punk shows of the year, the Action Design, starring M formerly of one of our favorite bands of all time Tsunami Bomb, brought their powerful brand of pop-punk to an excited Red 7 audience who thrilled at seeing the gang in fine form. Whipping through a set that included four tracks from their Into a Sound EP and another seven from Never Say, the band rocketed between soul-wrenching classics like “Lounge in Formation” to balls-out rockers like “Landmines”. Dressed complete with her now famous elephant necklace and belting out tunes with all the fire we’ve come to expect, M and co. definitely recalled a time where punk meant more than askew haircuts, tight jeans, and a video on MTV. The Action Design is genuinely the real deal, punk at its finest in 2008, pop sensibility meshing wonderfully with fiery rock and roll. Definitely grab a ticket to the tour if they’re heading through your town, check out their Myspace for dates! More pictures below. The Action Design – “Empty Face” ******************************************************************** JENNY LEWIS FULL ALBUM STREAMING Over on our friend Jenny Lewis’ Myspace you can find the enirety of her new album Acid Tongue streaming right freaking now! Go now young son, and listen to the country-rock majesty of the Rilo Kiley frontwoman’s sophomore effort!
Jenny Lewis – “Acid Tongue” ******************************************************************** TRYOUTS: THE ACTION DESIGN’S NEVER SAY Having just picked up the new CD from the Action Design that is coincidentally only available right now from their tour merch table, we decided we’d right up a little review of what’s promising to be one of our favorite releases of the year. Right from the get-go, M and her TAD cohorts jump in with the soaring choruses that utilizes the lead vocals and churning guitar parts to masterful effect. Seriously, it’s as if a band has finally caught up with Emily Whitehurst’s incredible vocal delivery after all these years, creating a band that works as a cohesive whole. Standout tracks include “Landmines”, “Empty Face”, and “Tokyo Train”, though the album flows so well, working carefully through more dynamics than Tsunami Bomb’s whole discography in a single song, that to call out single songs is quite pointless. Definitely pick this one up if you can (I believe it’s available from Interpunk right now if TAD’s not swinging through your town) and buy some old Tsunami Bomb stuff while you’re at it. Definitely makes the team, though it probably spends more time skateboarding than practicing any cheers.
The Action Design – “Landmines” ******************************************************************** NEW BAND CHEER: THE BOXING LESSON If you’ve lived in Austin for any time at all you’ve probably at least heard of the Boxing Lesson, even if you haven’t heard their music directly. I moved here five years ago and in that time I’ve seen them all over the place, on every flyer on every bulletin board in town. Of course, this is not without just cause, as they’re one of the most exciting and innovative Austin acts that the capital city has to offer. With a sound that’s equal parts electronica-tinged atmospherics and chugging, psychedelic indie rock, the band has honed a unique sound over the years that coalesces perfectly on their new CD Wild Streaks & Windy Days. They’re playing tomorrow with Tokyo Police Club and the Whigs at Emo’s so be sure and check them out. We’ll be keeping track of these guys from now on!
VOTE ACTION DESIGN FOR LOLLAPALOOZA Here’s a video from M of the Action Design letting the world know that the band is taking part in a contest that could end up getting them a spot playing Lollapalooza this year. Watch this: Lollapalooza 08
Seems pretty straightforward. Just go to this site and vote for Action Design as many times as possible (once a day with each email you have, make sure to confirm in the email you voted). Tsunami Bomb were one of those great punk bands that never got the credit they deserve so let’s not let that happen with the Action Design, get out there and vote!
Regular readers of Cannibal Cheerleader will be familiar with one of our favorite acts the Action Design who played our inaugural Blood Bath SXSW day party a week ago. The band rocketed through a seven song set of classics, even throwing in a Misfits cover for good measure! Seriously, this group bleeds cool in classic style and got the whole of the Peacock dancing in fine form. This group has come a long way since Tsunami Bomb and because of that we feel they’ll all the better for it, having improved their sound immeasurably to the tune of a dance-rock powerhouse.
A funny story must be included about the group whose guitarist Jaycen woke up last Wednesday morning with a terrible stomach pain and had to be rushed to the hospital. We were called in the midst of the performance of opener Vermillion Lies with the news that the band’s attendance might have to be an acoustic set, if anything at all. That said, once Jaycen was freed from his IV tethers, the group raced up to Austin from San Antonio at breakneck speed and despite some delays managed to play a scorching last set of the day. Definitely worth the wait, and let it never be said that this band isn’t a troupe of troopers. Check out some videos and more pictures below!
The Action Design – “Half A World”
