BETH BLACK
(Strike)
One thing’s for sure about local singer Beth Black — she’s no introvert. No
shuffling, no shoe-gazing, rather she’ll look you straight in the eye and sing
to you in clear, powerful tones. Melissa Etheridge, anyone? The only question
is: What’s she doing at the Saxon Pub instead of the Frank Erwin Center? — Raoul Hernandez
RED CHURCH MUSEUM
101 (Megabong)
Remember the story about the guy who put rocket boosters on his car? His
brakes melted and he died after running into something at a couple hundred
miles an hour. Red Church Museum is the same combination of velocity and
imbecility. Your disc player should hold up, but you best be able to handle
speed to survive the full-throttle bong rock on 101. The crummy DIY
production leaves the lyrics indecipherable, but who needs scenery at this
speed? — Michael Bertin
PLOW MONDAY
Societal Jive
This local trio makes some nice rhythmic strides with only mediocre material,
but the band’s recent switchover from metal — when they were known as Societal
Jive — is all to obvious on this EP’s overblown choruses, crunchy guitars, and
forced lyrical introspection. Jive indeed. — Andy Langer
“Bonus Tracks” reviews all local and Texas-based releases commercially
available. Send to: “Bonus Tracks,” The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 49066, Austin,
TX 78765
This article appears in November 22 • 1996 and November 22 • 1996 (Cover).