Credit: Photo by Jay West

The Black & White Years

Saturday, Sept. 27, Zilker Park

The Black & White Years’ high-noon showdown set Saturday’s tone with an electric, jittery jolt. Grinning and bopping about the stage, Scott Butler’s frantic vocals were accentuated by his convulsive shudders on “Hysterical Sickness,” the local quartet’s pulse throbbing like a more melodic version of !!!’s dance punk. “Everyone” grooved with easy lilt, while new tune “Smoke and Mirrors” contorted and trembled behind the band’s evolving complex lyrics. It was the anthemic bursts of “My Broken Hand” and “Power to Change” from this year’s eponymous debut that most inspired the crowd to move, the former jumping in raggedly shifting rhythms and a pummeling bass line, while the latter raced behind Butler’s irresistible pop swagger. Given a half-hour slot, the Black & White Years capitalized on the spotlight, proving as effective on the bigger stage as they are in the clubs.

This article appears in October 3 • 2008.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.