Lynn's Pick
Dan Black had some success fronting the London rock band The Servant before they dissolved mid-decade. Solo since 2007, he's been working with more beats and beeps than guitars and drums. Two early singles landed him on the BBC's Sounds Of 2009 list of new up'n'comers, and last year saw dance club success with a take on Biggie Smalls' "Hypnotize", set to music partially lifted from Rihanna's "Umbrella." When Biggie's estate balked on letting the song be released as a single, Black wrote a new song to drop over the instrumental track, and that effort became "Symphonies", my staff pick. Along with those earlier singles, "Yours" and "Alone", "Symphonies" is on Black's debut album, UN, available stateside as of 2/16. Look for a new version of "Symphonies" on the way soon, with guest vocals from Kid Cudi, and also look for Black at SXSW this year, playing the first-ever official 101X-sanctioned showcase.
Toby's Pick
Hometown Hero and good friend to 101x, Alpha Rev has been plugging away since '05. You've heard some tuneage in the past with a track called "The Beauty of Falling Down". Now, in 2010 the band has gone from local indie fave to major label recording artist after inking a deal with Hollywood records and a new album to drop this spring. I ALWAYS like to support local music and this is what Alpha Rev is.....for now.... Catch these guys live, locally while you can because 2010 will be the year for one of Austins best kept secrets. Get the free download of "New Morning" at
www.alpharev.com
Here is a quick look at the band.
Chuck's Pick
They wear funny hats and make goofy entertaining songs, but are one serious band…at least when it come to making you laugh. Humor-core is a genre of metal that was invented by this band, on the assumption that everything is _____core nowadays anyway. Psychostick has the uncanny ability to play really good music, write extremely funny lyrics and poke fun at not only the establishment of metal, girlfriends, and ham, but also take care of the business musically. Hailing from the deserts of Arizona, the heat went to their heads and made them a little…off. That’s why I am a fan, and you should be too. Check out more information at
www.myspace.com/psychostick
Trevin's Pick
This is my new pick from The Big Pink out of the UK…They’ve been around since 07, but didn’t release anything til September 09. I dig this song for a coupla reasons; I like it’s texture and layers, the vocals are solid and best of all, it seems to me as if it’s all about chicks man…(chick’s man) Any “The Soup” fans out there? Anyway check out Dominoes and if you like it, check their show with A Place to Bury Strangers in support in April at The Parish.
Here’s the vid too.