The Moog Gets Darker On The Boxing Lesson's Muerta EP

I remember being a fresh faced Austinite back in 2008; new to the city and trying to explore the famed local music scene. Having picked up the blogging gig, I ventured out to find Austin bands. One of the first that I stumbled upon was The Boxing Lesson. I still remember being blown away the first time I heard "Dark Side of the Moog." With it's grandiose guitars and synths, it sounded like a trip to outer space put on wax.

Now on their latest offering the Muerta EP, Paul and Jaylinn are revisiting that monster of a song with "Darker Side of the Moog." The reconstructed tune is a stripped down and sexed-up version of the original. Where the first was an extraterrestrial excursion, this is more of a psychological seduction. The duo's vocals are captivating. And while overall feeling of the song is different from its counterpart, the new track grips me the same way the original did.

The four songs that make up the Muerta EP chronicle a transition for The Boxing Lesson over several years of recording in Austin. This makes it an interesting follow-up to the band's last release Fur State, which consisted of their very first instrumental recordings in the ATX. The new EP with "Darker Side of the Moog" is currently available for streaming and download on bandcamp. Take a listen below.

The Boxing Lesson and Frenchie Smith Records will celebrate the vinyl release of the Muerta EP on Saturday, June 11 at ND at 501 Studios. As part of 101X's Homegrown Live series, the band will share the stage with Smoke and Feathers, Black Bone Child, and Scorpion Child. This show is pretty much a no brainer: You Should Be There! Right now you can RSVP on Do512 for discounted admission.

If I wasn't out of town that week, I would definitely be in attendance. I guess I have to wait until the next show. For now I'll just revel in the digital download of the EP.

Cats: The Sequel Comes To Austin In The Boxing Lesson "Three" Video

I bet you thought that the Boxing Lesson couldn't get any stranger after the alien sexed up video "Four." To those assumptions I have two words: Cat Masks!!

The Austin space-rock duo have been pushing their mini instrumental album Fur State for the last couple months and delivering some pretty spaced out videos in the process. The latest of which is for "Three,"as in the third track on the album. The clip features the band in the guise of cats romping through the streets of the city, along with some performance footage from Mohawk and the Astoria. It's a fun vid.



For those who haven't discovered the psychedelic nugget Fur State, pop over to bandcamp. The band recently reveled through twitter that they have a good amount of new material recorded and are exploring the releasing possibilities. I'm sure I'm not the only one eagerly awaiting a follow-up.

The Boxing Lesson Get Their Alien Freak On With "Four" Video

Who doesn't like animated alien sex? Well apparently The Boxing Lesson does. The Austin band has just unveiled a video for the track "Four" off their latest release Fur State, and if it doesn't grab your attention then you must be dead. The clip comes to us (no pun attended) animated and directed by Jeanne Hospod. It's described as "Alien woman seduces hapless human male involving a very unusual flower." Yeah, you're interested.



The Boxing Lesson - Four from The Boxing Lesson on Vimeo.

Fur State is available on bandcamp in several formats.

The Boxing Lesson - Fur State

It's always nice to check in with The Boxing Lesson from time to time. One of my first exposures to the Austin scene, this band continues to impress every time I see them live. It's been a while since Wild Streaks & Windy Days, but from what I've been reading the band is hard at work on their next full release. In the meantime they dropped a little experimental nugget on the world, Fur State. Click the link below to read my review.

[SSv Review: Fur State]

Fur State is available on their bandcamp site in several options including cassette. That's right... a Fuckin' Cassette Tape!

The Boxing Lesson also has a show date coming up for Austin's Free Week. So locals should kick the new year off on Jan 2nd at Mohawk with a little space boogie from Paul and Jaylinn.

Lucy The Poodle Productions presents... LUCY MAGAZINE

Lucy The Poodle Productions is an Austin based conglomerate that specializes in throwing one hell of a party and having fun. In between the partying and fun they found time to develop a new zine which will launch during SXSW.  It's a  a full-color, printed glossy magazine featuring  music, art, theatre, film and all that other good stuff. Most importantly (to me at least), the first issue of Lucy Magazine will feature an article I wrote about The Boxing Lesson. Yes, the wonderful folks at LTP set me up to interview the band back in January and commissioned me to write a brief piece on them. While you've seen me discuss a plenty about The Boxing Lesson before, this article gives a little in-depth look on their own perspectives regarding the year that was 2008 and the year that will be 2009. And truthfully I'm interested to see how my article looks within the magazine. So I'm super excited about it.

And furthermore, there will be a launch party this Friday, 03.13.09, at Stubb's (Lucy The Poodle throwing a party... you don't say). Austin bands Shapes Have Fangs, The Bubbles and Sheboygan will be performing. There will also be some film screenings that should keep your interests peeked. Plus all that attend will get a copy of the inagural issue of Lucy Magazine. That in itself is all the reason you need to attend.

UPDATE: Lucy Magazine can be read online. Flip to page 18 for my article on The Boxing Lesson. 

The Boxing Lesson Daytrotter Session

I've been singing the praises of Austin's The Boxing Lesson since I discovered them this past summer. The space-rockers released their mesmerizing album Wild Streaks and Windy Days early last year and have been frantically playing live ever since. Then the band achieved another great accomplishment in December when they recorded for Daytrotter. Their session just went up today, and having recently talked to the band, I know they are quite excited about the end result. The session even includes the new song "Room 17" that they've been testing out at recent live shows. It's a good one. So make sure head over to Daytrotter and get yourself a free download.  

The Boxing Lesson is currently wrapping up a short tour and will be playing Austin again on February 26th at Stubb's. They also have some big things going on for SXSW so keep an eye on their myspace for those details. In addition, I'll have some news around SXSW time about some stuff I did for the band  as well.  Until then... Live Long and Prosper!! 

Photo Clean-Up: William Elliott Whitmore, One-Eyed Doll, Holly Golightly and The Brokeoffs, The Boxing Lesson

Not every show I go to I write a review for. Mainly just because I don't get around to doing so. But I do take the pictures. I particularly don't like playing photog at shows since I've never been a good photographer. But I usually snap a couple for the blog. They are sitting on my hard drive taking up space so I figured it would be nice to share a couple. Here's a photo clean-up of shows I never wrote reviews for. They were all pretty awesome, and I definitely recommend checking them all out if you get the chance.   

William Elliott Whitmore @ Stubb's, 10.31.08

It's like Death learned how to play the banjo. That's not just because it was Halloween and he was in costume.  You seriously NEED to listen to this guy!

One-Eyed Doll @ Red Eyed Fly, 11.14.08

Record release show. Kimberly always puts on an epic performance. And she's just so damn cute.

Holly Golightly and The Brokeoffs @ Emo's, 12.06.08

Holly and Lawyer Dave's country-blues sounds even better live.  Plus you get fun stories about bar fights in Philadelphia.  Ahhhh, Philly... 

The Boxing Lesson @ Emo's, 12.12.08

12-minute rendition of "Wild Streaks & Windy Days" anyone?

101X The Next Big Thing @ Emo's, 7.18.08

The Next Big Thing showcase gave the stage to three up and coming bands with The Warlocks, The Vandelles, and Austin’s own The Boxing Lesson.

As I arrived The Boxing Lesson were kicking off their set, and what a wonderful greeting it was. This trio once again put on a show-stealing performance. They provide a hard rock, space age like soundscape, which kind of has a hypnotizing effect much thanks to their use of synthesizers. As they made way through the impressive songs “Lower” and “Dark Side of the Moog,” I found it hard to even look away from the stage. The Boxing Lesson’s next Austin show will be on August 17th at Emo’s. Do yourself a favor by going, and while you’re at it pick up their latest CD Wild Streaks & Windy Days. Both the live performance and album get the official stamp of approval.

Next to take the stage were The Vandelles out of Brooklyn, NY. This four-piece band definitely picked up momentum as their performance went on. With the guitars turned up and vocals turned slightly down, I couldn’t help but notice an inkling of influence from the legendary My Bloody Valentine. I would also compare them to the noir sound of The Raveonettes. And credit is due to drummer Honey who hits so steady her drums almost sound like they’re programmed.

Cranking up the smoke machine to full blast, Los Angeles’s The Warlocks closed the evening out. Like the other bands, The Warlocks were much on the experimental side in creating an atmosphere of sound full of reverb. They kept the night’s psychedelic feel going by seemingly appearing out of the fog to bring Emo’s the rock. It was an appropriate way to cap off the night.

The Warlocks and The Vandelles are continuing across the country on their summer tour.

-William Trinity

Photos by Mandy Russell.

This blog was first published on austinme.com.

101X The Next Big Thing @ Emo's, Preview 7.18.08

I’m really quite excited about 101X’s The Next Big Thing show at Emo’s on Friday, July 18th.  There will be three bands showcased with The Warlocks headlining. The Vandelles will also take the stage, but the band I’m most stoked about is The Boxing Lesson.  I saw their set at the Exit Music Festival not too long ago and in my opinion they put on the most impressive performance of those I caught that day.  They’re a little psychedelic, a little hard rock, and pretty much all awesome. So that is why this show is my pick of the week.

- William Trinity

This blog was first published on austinme.com.