Pictured Above: Annihilation Time
As soon as I entered Austin’s Encore Records, I should have surrendered my credit card at the door. Whose great idea was it to leave me unattended in a record store for six hours? The Austin, Texas independent music retailer (and DVD rental location) has one of the country’s best selections of metal and hardcore, as well as an impressive selection of music from local artists. Of course “local” in these parts means Roky Erickson and Scratch Acid, but that’s a story for another time.
On the afternoon of March 13, Encore Records played host to a showcase of Tee Pee Records artists and friends, co-presented by yours truly at ALARM Magazine. In between sets bands and fans enjoyed the sunny weather, skateboarded in the parking lot, and provoked jealousy in the poor, unfortunate souls who were stuck working at the tax office next door.
First performance was by New York country act The Weight, who brought in several fans straight from the Big Apple (ever see those Pace Salsa commercials?) Up next Oakland thrash-punks Annihilation Time, brought everyone back to life after last night’s hangover. North Atlantic Sound recording artists Ancestors combined heavy metal and desert rock into a ferocious two-song, thirty minute set. Gothenberg Sweden’s Graveyard made their second ever US appearance, performing classic rock, doom laden songs off of their recent self-titled album. Vermont rockers Witch played a tight, yet abbreviated set due to an evening commitment, that left everyone wanting more. San Diego power trio, Earthless finished off the afternoon with a rousing set of non-stop, instrumental psychedelic rock.
The Weight
Ancestors
Graveyard
Witch
Earthless
-Jamie Ludwig
Tee Pee Records: www.teepeerecords.com