Music Felon, Austin, TX (2025)

10/28/2025

GBH Ignite 29th Street Ballroom with Pure Hardcore Vigor

Written and photos by Neal Cribb

On October 9, 2025, British punk veterans GBH stormed the stage at Austin’s 29th Street Ballroom, delivering an incendiary performance that reminded everyone why they’re pillars of the hardcore scene. From the opening chords to the final anthem, the band tore through their set with unrelenting speed and ferocious energy.

Frontman Colin “Jock” Blyth led with feral vocals and snarling intensity as GBH powered through classics like “Sick Boy,” “Give Me Fire,” and “City Baby Attacked by Rats,” while deep cuts and new material kept the fervor burning. The crowd responded in kind—mosh pits erupted, fists pumped, and sing-alongs rang out across the packed venue.

The venue’s high-charge atmosphere fueled the performance from start to finish. GBH left no doubt that punk’s heart still beats loud and hard—especially on a night when every beat of the drum and scrape of the guitar demanded to be heard. Austin witnessed not just a concert, but a full-on punk revival.

09/16/2025

Spike And The Gimme Gimmes Deliver Punk-Cover Brilliance at Radio/East

Written and photos by Neal Cribb

On August 23, 2025, the outdoor venue Radio/East in Austin became the playground for Spike & The Gimme Gimmes, the punk super-group famous for turning pop hits into high-octane sing-alongs. Doors opened at 7 PM, and by showtime, the band — led by the irrepressible Spike Slawson alongside an all-star cast of punk royalty — hit the stage with a grin and launched into cover tunes reimagined with skate-punk speed and humor.

From heartfelt ballads to cheesy chart‐toppers, nothing was safe from their treatment. Expect renditions packed with punch: acoustic openers twisted into fast drums and distorted guitars, choruses drenched in gang vocals, and breakdowns that incited unstoppable crowd movement. With costumes and stage banter peppered throughout, the band navigated the set in true Gimme Gimmes style — sharp, sincere, and shamelessly fun.

The open-air setting of Radio/East added to the communal feel, letting the heat of Austin mix with the heat of the mics. As fans sang lines they never expected to know, the band left no doubt: Spike & The Gimme Gimmes don’t just deliver covers — they transform them into punk anthems. It was a night of nostalgia, novelty, and nonstop joy, all wrapped up in a sweaty punk hug.

09/05/2025

Stick To Your Guns Fire Up Austin with Resolute Hardcore at Come And Take It Live

Written and photos by Neal Cribb

On August 17, 2025, Southern California’s hardcore-punk stalwarts Stick To Your Guns ascended the stage at Come And Take It Live as part of the Boundaries tour block, delivering a relentless and impassioned set that echoed their slogan—”Keep Planting Flowers”—with both ferocity and hope.

Frontman Jesse Barnett anchored the night with commanding vocals, leading the band through a dynamic performance that combined new material from Keep Planting Flowers—like “Invisible Rain” and “Spineless”—with anthemic staples such as “Amber” and “Against Them All.” Their blend of melodic hooks and hardcore drive had the crowd headbanging in unison and fueled circle pits that pulsed through the venue’s capacity floor.

The atmosphere inside Come And Take It Live amplified the communal intensity, creating a space where fans and band connected through shared conviction. Sweat, shouts, and sing-alongs filled the room, turning the performance into something more than just a show—it felt like a gathering of kindred spirits. Stick To Your Guns proved that at its core, hardcore punk isn’t just music—it’s a call to stand firm, stay hopeful, and keep planting seeds of resistance.

08/22/2025

Realprojectpat Packs the Mohawk Out with Memphis Hip Hop

Photos and written by Bang Ho

Project Pat served up some serious hip hop classics at Mohawk with decades of hits from his extensive catalogue. I honestly was not sure what the crowd would be like in the ever changing Austin zeitgeist, but the crowd showed nothing but love and one of the most energetic shows I've seen in some time. Pat even stopped during the show to acknowledge a Three 6 Mafia shirt from decades ago that a fan was wearing in the front. Performing timeless classics like Poppin' My Collar, Chickenhead, and Stay Fly --you knew Project Pat don't play. A personal highlight was Good Googly Moogly, even if it was cut short as Juicy J and DJ obviously were not on stage to perform.

08/21/2025

Less Than Jake Reignite Emo’s with a High-Energy Summer Circus Spectacle

Written and photos by Neal Cribb

On August 11, 2025, Emo’s Austin was transformed into a riotous celebration of ska-punk as Less Than Jake took the stage for their “Summer Circus 2025” tour stop. Opening with the explosive “Gainesville Rock City,” bassist Roger Lima’s cheeky banter and the thunderous brass of Buddy Schaub (trombone) and JR Wasilewski (saxophone) ignited the crowd from the very first note.

The setlist was a thriller for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike—blasting through fan-favorites like “Lie to Me,” “Walking Pipebomb,” “Brand New Day,” and the wildly anthemic “The Science of Selling Yourself Short.” In a delightful twist of nostalgia, the band even treated the crowd to a surprise “Animaniacs” theme cover before closing with classics like “Al’s War,” “Plastic Cup Politics,” and “History of a Boring Town,” followed by an encore that included “Last One Out of Liberty City,” “Help Save the Youth of America From Exploding,” and “Look What Happened”.

The vibrant energy of this high-octane performance left Emo’s buzzingly packed and visibly enlivened—proof that Less Than Jake’s infectious spirit and brass-fueled mania continue to stand the test of time. With each chorus becoming a communal anthem, the Summer Circus tour stop felt less like a concert and more like a jubilant reunion under the neon lights of Emo’s stage.

Adding to the night’s charm, lead singer Chris DeMakes spotted a stray dreadlock on stage mid-set. With his trademark humor, he held it aloft like a trophy, joking with the crowd and turning the odd find into another shared laugh. It was a small, quirky moment that perfectly captured the band’s ability to mix fun, spontaneity, and ska-punk chaos into one unforgettable night.

08/13/2025

Sleigh Bells Bring the Heat at Mohawk

Written and Photos by Bang Ho

It’s been a minute since I’ve seen Sleigh Bells live, but as soon as they danced onto stage to “Everlasting Love” I knew what kind of show it was going to be –a fun filled raucous cathartic event with the dial all the way up to 11. The setlist was a perfect blend of their perfectly blended noise pop classics like “A/B Machines”, “Bitter Rivals”, “Infinity Guitars” and new hits “Bunky Pop” and “Wanna Start a Band?” Even their slower songs were energy filled and loud. It was a blast finally getting to hear Locust Laced from the Texis album live in Texas. After all these years, Sleigh Bells still puts on a helluva show and are still down to earth, with Alexis taking time to chat and take photos with fans outside the venue immediately right after show.

08/13/2025

The Aquabats! Soar into Austin with Superhero Ska Spectacle at Radio/East

Written and photos by Neal Cribb

On August 2, 2025, The Aquabats landed their “Bats! Kats & Rats Tour” at Austin’s open-air Radio/East venue, launching into a kaleidoscopic set brimming with quirky, campy energy. This beloved superhero-themed ska-punk ensemble—known for their colorful ray-gun costumes and comic-book theatrics—turned the evening into a playful musical adventure.

The crowd erupted as The Aquabats unfurled a setlist that paid tribute to their eccentric catalog, featuring fan favorites such as “Cat with 2 Heads!,” “My Skateboard!,” “Super Rad!,” and “Burger Rain!” The performance blended surf-punk riffs, goofy lyrics, and interactive moments that made it feel like a superhero convention set to music.

Fans reveled in the band’s immersive fun: costumes, props, and stage antics all served to elevate the experience beyond a concert and into the realm of theatrical escapism. With generous doses of nostalgia and unabashed joy, The Aquabats reaffirmed that their exuberant brand of rock remains as delightfully anarchic—and uniquely memorable—as ever.

08/12/2025

Clutch Shakes Emo’s with Relentless Rock Power

Written and photos by Neal Cribb

On August 1, 2025, Clutch took over Emo’s Austin as part of their “Full Ahead Flank MMXXV” tour, delivering a no‑compromise set filled with heavy rock anthems and infectious groove. Launching into staples like “Earth Rocker,” and “Worm Drink,” and "The Mob Goes Wild", they immediately drew an intense reaction from the crowd. Fan favorites including “Slaughter Beach,” “X‑Ray Visions,” and “Firebirds!” followed, each maintaining the momentum with the band’s signature blend of riff-driven punch and soulful swagger.

The set also featured deeper tracks such as “Subtle Hustle,” “Skeletons on Mars,” and “Willie Nelson,” all delivered with sharp precision and commanding stage presence. Clutch closed the night strong with “Spacegrass,” leaving Emo’s full throttle and the audience soaked in the high-octane charge of experienced heavy rockers still at the top of their game.

The high-energy performance had the crowd swept up in a beautifully chaotic storm of chanting, fist-pumping, and horns-high headbanging —a testament to Clutch’s ability to turn every live show into a communal rock explosion.

08/12/2025

THE UNION UNDERGROUND Official Roar Through Come And Take It Live

Written and photos by Neal Cribb

On July 10, 2025, hard‑rock provocateurs The Union Underground commandeered the stage at Come And Take It Live in Austin, TX, as part of their “25 Years of Rebellion & Callousness” tour. From the opening riffs of “Turn Me On ‘Mr. Deadman’” to the thunderous depths of “South Texas Deathride,” the band delivered a relentless burst of industrial‑metal intensity that left the venue buzzing with energy.

Frontman Bryan Scott led the charge with raw, snarling vocals and commanding presence, driving each song with unapologetic aggression. The band tore through a set filled with both fan favorites and deeper cuts, including “Killing the Fly,” “Trip with Jesus,” and the blistering “Until You Crack.” Their signature fusion of industrial crunch, groove-laden riffs, and nu-metal defiance had the audience locked in from start to finish, each track hitting with the same urgency that defined their early 2000s rise. The band’s tight performance underscored their continued relevance in the modern heavy music scene.

Fueled by the crowd’s energy, The Union Underground delivered a high-octane experience that reminded longtime fans why their music still resonates. Heads banged and fists pumped throughout the venue, each song connecting with an intensity that few acts can replicate. With this triumphant Austin stop, the band proved their legacy isn’t just alive —it’s roaring louder than ever.

08/11/2025

Dayglo Abortions Skewer Austin with Hardcore Punk Carnage at Come And Take It Live

Written and photos by Neal Cribb

On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Dayglo Abortions stormed Come And Take It Live in Austin, TX, delivering a blistering set of politically charged hardcore punk. With doors at 7:00 PM, the Canadian vet band fronted by Murray “The Cretin” Acton shredded through decades of provocative, irreverent material —unflinching in their satire and raw energy.

The band’s performance leaned into their reputation for scabrous wit and sonic aggression. Songs like “America Eats Her Young,” “Christina Bin Laden,” and “Where’s Bin Laden?” underscored their fearless approach to taboo topics, while tracks from across their catalog upheld the abrasive crossover thrash sound they’ve championed since the early ’80s.

The open‑floor, no‑frills vibe of Come And Take It Live provided a charged atmosphere for fans to fully embrace the chaos. As the crowd fed off the band’s frenetic pace, Dayglo Abortions reaffirmed their place as hardcore icons —still edgy, still outspoken, and still committed to turning societal grimace into punk provocation.

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