Off the Record

Illustration by Nathan Jensen

There's a Riot Goin' On

Talk about biting the hand that feeds. Local socialist street punks Slowly Truth Dies incited a small riot last Saturday night at Conans Pizza on Stassney Lane during the last of four monthly benefits for KAOS Radio. Owner Scott Leist estimates the damage, which included a smashed window, table, and chairs, at $1,500 and suspects that the attack was premeditated. "We try to support live music, and this is the thanks we get?" Leist asks, adding that the restaurant is looking into pressing charges. Guitarist Jesse Greenstone says the situation was beyond the band's control and denies accountability, but here's a word of advice to aspiring criminals: If you're going to damage other people's property, don't brag about it on MySpace, especially if you "are out on bail at the moment." STD is scheduled to appear at Red 7 on Wednesday. "They have always been real respectful of our club," says venue manager Jared Cannon, "but if they're fucking with local businesses, I don't want anything to do with them."

Ironically, the American idiots' attempt to "kill the New World Order" only served to reiterate why the Austin City Council unanimously passed an ordinance earlier this month to regulate bring-your-own-bottle establishments. The controversy dates back to the fatal June shooting of Kevin Alexander Brown by the Austin Police Department, which occurred in the parking lot of the now-defunct Chester's Club, an Eastside BYOB venue long-plagued by neighborhood complaints. Leist acknowledges the pizzeria's inability to manage the crowd or monitor the age of patrons KAOS Radio was providing alcohol to. Manager John Davis even described the crowd as "a bunch of drunk 15-year-olds." Under the ordinance, BYOB venues, which would include events like Snake Eyes Vinyl's in-store performances, must now obtain a permit to operate from the city, provide security, and set a minimum age of 18 for attendance or face a $1,000 fine per day.