A few weeks after ACL, Austin heated up again with the Fun Fun Fun Fest at Waterloo Park. The fest is very similar to the Mess With Texas party during SXSW in that, in addition to having the same layout, it presented up and comers as well as established groups. This year, we were able to bring a push cart and give away a bunch of free treats thanks to our last minute saviors Jakprints who bought all the ice cream we gave away.
Unfortunately, for the hardcore bands there was no photo pit so I stayed clear. I was really looking forward to covering Japanese band Peelander-Z if for no other reason they made themselves available to fans, were friendly and even manned the merch booth, but sometimes because of time constraints we have choices to make. Necessity being the mother of invention I did discover on the final night, after finding the photo pit full for Best Coast and Deerhunter, that it was possible to shoot on stage.
Without a doubt, my favorite band was Jeff the Brotherhood. I had previously caught the Infinity Cat Records duo three times including once upon my return home to Houston at Fitzgerald’s. They were just plain exciting! Think Ramones, Stooges and MC 5 with killer drums and a three string guitar. Jake’s vocals and the songs are just great songs to rock to. Their night show at Mohawk stimulated stage diving and crowd surfing. I discovered drummer Jamin Orrall was also a drummer for one of my all time favorites Be Your Own Pet, so no wonder I liked them so much. Also on the night show was Portland to New Orleans band Intelligence. This band would have scored big at CBGB’s in the late ’70s. Surf guitar accompanied Talking Heads like vocals, B-52s notes, keyboards and backing female vocals. I let everybody else cover MGMT since I went to get a prime spot in front of the stage at Mohawk for the group Kuroma, which was billed as members of MGMT and the Whigs. It seemed as if none of the other audience members recognized the players so the band had a tall order to fill. The vocals were good. Was it the former guitar player for MGMT? There was also a surprise headliner that turned out to be Deakin from Animal Collective.
The hip hop was high quality at Fun Fun Fun Fest. My faves were 18 year old Dominique Young Unique, Big Feedia and Jean Grae. Dominique was the real deal. She had the crowd in her hands and her rhymes were fluid and polished. Writing her own lyrics since age eight will do that. Jean Grae was theatrical as well as pumped with attitude. Big Feedia is no stranger to the New York club scene. A male singer who keeps you guessing as to gender preference, he was there to throw a party. His show had dancers who could shake it and simulate “behind closed door abilities.”
I was impressed with Indian Jewelry and Yelle. The former is electronic psychedelia with Bowie like attitude. Look for these Yeasayer labelmates to increase their fanbase nationally as well. In France and Europe Yelle is well known on the electro/dance scene. She was sassy and colorful. She came out draped in sniper camouflage and gradually discarded some of her attire but not near what some fans may have hoped.
There were several bands of note. The fans seemed to enjoy themselves. So, let the photos tell the rest of the story and make plans to catch Fun Fun Fest next year. A parking garage is directly across the street, and its easy walking distance to the clubs on Red River and 6th Street for the after parties. Special thanks to the Austinist and for taking care of us. By the way, we did have the push cart there and the ice cream went quick.
Again, a huge thanks to Jakprints for making it possible to sling. Thanks also to the fest and everybody who helped put it together.
