This Is Hardcore

Last year's Chaos in Tejas fest delivered garage rock legends Dead Moon, and that show still remains one of my top five ever. Austin got to see perhaps one of their last shows, as they recently announced their retirement after 20 years. This weekend's third Chaos in Tejas – featuring headlining spots from female-fronted French punks La Fraction tomorrow night, Belgian old-schoolers the Kids (only their second U.S. show) Friday, and renowned riot-inciters Gordon Solie Motherfuckers Saturday – offers similar I-was-there-when moments, along with a cast of other chaos-centric bands. Just look at the dudes on the poster here and you know what you're in for.

Kicking off the whole shebang with a steel-toed boot tonight is Chrissy Piper's photo exhibit at End of an Ear, which will be up for the next week. The 34-year-old has shot biggies like Aesop Rock and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but achieved road dog status touring with and documenting the live existence of hardcore and punk bands (Tragedy, Fugazi, and Quicksand to name a few) for more than a decade. She's also spent an ample chunk of time snapping Austin thrashers like Signal Lost and World Burns to Death. Span some time tonight, starting at 6pm with a performance by Manikin.