Killa Dilla

Let's get this out there right now - Killa Dilla rocks, in that Ted Nugent, late 60s - early 70s, men+guitar&drums sense of the word.  I dunno, maybe their moniker gives it away.  You tell me.  

You've got 2 guys - Billy Leger, Eitel Colberg.  

That's Eitel on the left, pounding away on the drumkit.  That's Billy there on the right, his partner in rock worship, flailing away on his Flying V.  Both abusing their chosen weapon with furious, aggressive skill and fist-pumping passion (that these images can't do justice to), invoking a kind of post-flower-child adoration among fellow devotees, and evangelizing the rest of us; urging a repentant return to the Flock of Rock.  


Maybe that's a bit much, but these guys inspire hyperbole - Anybody with the chutzpah to take the stage with just 2 instruments and a mic deserve a look. 

 Now there are other great 2-member bands (Before Dawn comes immediately to mind), and we're tempted to make a comparison with We Aim To Try.  But the typical 2-person act bolsters their sound with computers and synths of various weight and purpose; nudging them into the experimental or electronic genre.  




It's a rare duo that's willing to do just straight-ahead rock, let alone go mano a mano with the iconic Hard Rock genre; just them and two instruments.


But that's what you get when you go Killa Dilla - Straight up, pump your fist, somebody-call-Jack-Black, Rock with a capital R.  Managed to see them at the last Catch the Breeze with 3 Degrees event at Venue 222, and the impression is that Billy simply cranks it to 11, and Eital bangs loud enough to be heard over it - When he brought out the mallets for one of their numbers, I feared for his Zildjians. 


Let's just say this.  If you've still got Tres Hombres in heavy rotation on your iPod or Zune, it's a safe bet you'll find some space on that thing for Killa Dilla.

[Photos by Rafael Rodriguez]

Hipnautica

Hipnautica is one of those (few) local indie bands that doesn't "gig" per se, with all of the connotations that that word includes.  Nope, these guys put the "show" back into show, bringing not just the jams, but performance, in various and sundry forms.  

Besides musicians, the "tribe" includes various performance artists, such as dancers and the occasional shaman:

The band hails back to 2003, but has morphed into various shapes and sizes over the years, with various acts augmenting the aura that is Hipnautica.  Some talented folks have come through the Hipnautica group, and have moved on to solo acts or more conventional bands.

Dig a bit into the website, and you find that Hipnautic isn't just about the music:  Unsurprisingly, the group takes a more holistic approach to their art (and presumably, lives); explaining the break from traditional rock and roll performances.


Their sound, as these pics imply, sport influences from all over the map; with primitive percussions bumping around violins, interwoven with the occasionally-complex electronica arpeggio, topped off with Reznor-ish vocals.  A little dub-step, a little industrial, a little steampunk, a little electronica; every number bulges with dramatic character.   


They seem to perform all over town, and you can catch 'em at Club 1808, the Prague, and Headhunters; their next show is a double-header at Venue 222 on the 22nd (of February).  All in all, they're cramming 9 shows into the next 24 days - Check your favorite venue, they're probably playing there next.

Though the sound is less than perfect, check out their YouTube channel to see more of the visual style of their shows.


Here's one off their latest CD, Thistle:

Murdocks

Murdocks' latest release, Distortionist - 

has raised a few heads in the press.  Check out the love from The Ripple Effect, Austin Music, Austin Sound, and Revolt.  And that's not the whole list. 

Though their earliest EP hit the public way back in '03, members have come and gone, as is the wont of musical entities the world over.  The current version has frontman and Murdock's CEO of Vision Franklin Morris on the guitar, with Kyle Robarge on bass, and David T. Jones (of Watch Out For Rockets fame) behind the drum kit.  They crank out their own signature form of alt-rockish, airtight punk.  Though they can deliver poppish, ABA structured, straight-ahead pieces ("OMG", "Bloodsicle", etc), they're not above busting into  harder-edged garage-jams for your listening pleasure ("Danger Goat", "Playhouse Down"). 
They just swept through Texas on a mini tour that included Houston, Laredo, San Antonio, San Marcos, and of course, Austin; but they'll be playing The Parish for the OxFam 2011 Benefit.  Get Distortionist now so you can sing along whilest they jam:

Chant

Chant (a.k.a. Bradley Bills) has been banging around Austin for quite some time; "some time" meaning since 2004 - that's 7+ years of pounding drums and other bangables; household items and satellite dishes and whathaveyou.   

Hanging out and performing Austin venues for that long gives rise to urban legends and whispered talk of mystical powers - They say the show is phenomenal - Being present for one is on my Austin todo list, as it should be yours.  Take a look at this stage setup -  

Now check out this promo clip for their/his latest release ("Strong Words for Strong People") to get a sense of the rampant bangage you'll witness, should you attend.  




Would anyone complain if just go ahead and call it "Industrialized Stomp"?  Here's a sampling from his latest, and we're not at all shocked to catch the Indie-till-I-die attitude: