Smoked Out
The City Council made history last Thursday when it approved a measure overturning the smoking ban passed in June. Under the new plan, bars and live music venues can allow smoking if more than 70% of their revenues come from alcohol sales and they purchase a $300 permit. In so doing, Austin becomes the first major city to repeal previously passed anti-smoking legislation. Part of the compromise was a plan to make the first Monday of each month smoke-free. This might actually have a chance to succeed because it doesn’t take effect until the spring — long after Monday Night Football has gone off the air.
The Son Also Rises
Local label Perverted Son is fast becoming the Kill Rock Stars of demented, semi-improvisational noise-rock — or, in local terms, a long-awaited successor to Trance Syndicate. Besides stoner jamlords Tia Carrera, who release their maiden offering this Friday at Room 710, Tia evil twin Gorch Fock and Oh, Beast! (the band of PervSon masterminds Josh Chalmers and Brandon Crowe) release their own CDs next Thursday, Nov. 16, again at 710. “Think Big,” a short film from filmmaker Tom Alter, will precede the show. Alter has also been filming the label’s bands for a future DVD.
Dead to Rights
Attention bands: it’s time to put up or shut up. That’s because the final date to submit a packet for SXSW 04 consideration is this Tuesday, Nov. 11. To help facilitate procrastinators, SXSW is hosting a “Drop Dead Drop-Off Party” from 6pm-midnight at Ruby’s BBQ, 512 W. 29th St. Packets should include a CD or cassette of at least three original songs, the $30 processing fee, and if possible, a press kit of bio, photo, and clippings. Showcase applications will be available at Ruby’s or online at SXSW.com — but hurry, because the mail-in deadline is Nov. 7. As in Friday.
This article appears in November 7 • 2003.