FREE WEEK January 1-9, 2011 in Austin, Texas

The first week of January is a special time for the Austin music scene, musicians and music lovers. "Free Week," January 1-9, 2011 is here. It's like an extension of the Christmas Holidays and if you're like me, I don't have a lot of money left over from all the gift giving. So Free Week comes at a perfect time. Free is the key word. "No Cover Charge" to get into many of the clubs or venues in downtown Austin, Texas, "The Live Music Capitol of the World." There are nine days of music, 100 plus local and regional bands playing nightly, all types of music to please every musical taste and it's FREE. It's like a mini-music festival which doesn't require standing in line for a costly wrist band or confined to a fenced in area. You have an open downtown area with most of, if not all, the clubs within walking distance of each other. The weather should be good, not like last year's freeze, and the atmosphere festive.

This will be my third Free Week and I have already planned the dates, times and the bands that I want to see for the week. So if you live in Austin, show your support or if you're outside of Austin, you're welcome to come for the music and fun.

The first year, one of the clubs I ventured into was Beerland and saw The Flame Trick Subs. I really liked them and their "psycho-billy." Check them out.


The second year, I was at Red 7 for some hard ass Punk. The Lower Class Brats was one of the bands that night. Hardcore, check it out.



An excellent link to see all the week's activity is do512.com. Check it out.

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Este Vato, The Raspas and Stars Collide at Trophy's

I went to Trophy's Bar and Grill, one of my favorite Austin music venues because of it's comfortable neighborhood bar atmosphere, on September 18, 2010. I specifically went to see three bands on the line-up that night. The first was my favorite Austin Latin Fusion band, Este Vato. The second band was The Raspas, a Reggae band I first saw about a year ago at The Amsterdam. Lastly, Stars Collide, a rock band I hadn't seen but has been on my "must see list." Frank "FAAR" Ramirez, drummer for Este Vato is also the drummer for Stars Collide.

It was a great night for music. There was a festive crowd, it's always friendly and there's a feel or a bond among the crowd because they all know and follow the same bands. They feel comfortable yelling, screaming encouragement at the bands and definitely like dancing to their music.

Check out Trophy's, it' on South Congress Ave., Este Vato, The Raspas and Star Collide soon. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Este Vato introduced two new songs. The first "Levántate," which they have worked on for about a month. The second song, with no title as of yet, they wrote the night before. I really like both songs because they have a strong solid sound and beat. The two songs are definitely Este Vato trademark songs.





The Raspas "Poor Man Style" a great Reggae song that has become a favorite.



Stars Collide has a strong Rock sound and singer. They perform the song, "Better."



For more videos on this and other performances go to: YouTube MannyGoCrazy Channel.

World Beat Cruise with Jai Roots

I had so much fun on the last World Beat Cruise that I again booked another passage. There are several reasons why I was back on the cruise. First, Bembe Entertainment knows how to throw a party. Second, you have a large Capital Cruises party boat on Lady Bird Lake in downtown scenic Austin, Texas. Third, you have liquor, food, DJ Jah Karma and live music. Fourth, Jai Roots & the Herb-n-Café Project was the band for the cruise. I had recently seen Jai Roots and the Project at Momo's and immediately liked them. Jai Roots is very charismatic and has a striking stage presence. The Project is strong musically and cranks up the Reggae and World Beat music. If I had to be on a party boat for "a three hour cruise," I would definitely pick Jai Roots and the Project.

Brandon Badillo welcomes the party people to the third of four Bemba Entertainment World Beat Cruises.



Picturesque view of party go-ers and scenic view from cruise boat.



Jai Roots & the Herb-n-Café Project perform "ChanChan" to get party started.



The final World Beat Cruise of the series will be on September 29, 2010. Don't miss out. You now have a pretty good idea of what the cruise will be like.

El Tule and Radio la Chusma at Flamingo Cantina

Two great bands with two different sounds this Friday at Flamingo Cantina. First, Austin's favorite, El Tule specializes in Cumbia, Salsa and Merengue that lifts the spirit and moves the soul. El Tule has been very busy this summer with numerous performances throughout Central Texas and Austin. Second, Radio La Chusma, an El Paso, Texas band, "Representing the beauty and complexity of the border culture, the reggae, cumbia/rock....uplifting the people with their message and hard hitting rhymes."

I've seen both bands perform individually. I recently caught El Tule in San Antonio's Main Plaza and saw Radio la Chusma last September in San Antonio's Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center for Una Noche de Gloria: Barrio Massive En El Mero Hueso. Friday night should be "Una Noche de Gloria" as well with both bands a Flamingo Cantina in Austin, Texas.

Venue: Flamingo Cantina on 515 East 6th Street in downtown Austin, Texas

Date: July 30, 2010
Time: Doors open at 9:00 PM

Line-up: El Tule and Radio la Chusma

Cost: $5.00 21+

Austin Vida Showcase at Ruta Maya

If Manny Go Crazy were to put together a showcase, I would have picked the exact same bands. These four bands are on my "Top Favorite List" of Austin bands. I have seen these bands multiple times and look forward to seeing them again and again.

Event: Austin Vida showcase and La Guerrilla CD Release Show

Date: April 1, 2010

Location: Ruta Maya on 3601 S. Congress Ave. Austin, Texas

Musical Line Up and Times: El Tule @ 9 PM, Este Vato @ 10:15 PM, La Guerrilla @ 11:30 PM , and Headliner - Maneja Beto @ 12:30 AM

Cost: $5 for 21+ and $7 for Minors

Drink Special: Miller High Life $2; Harp, Red Stripe and Dos XX for $3

"Maneja Beto is an extremely popular Austin, Texas band. Their music is not easy to describe because it has elements of Mexican Cumbia, pop, rock, folk, "indie-en-Español" and some fusion, all blended into a mellow, upbeat, lounge and Latin sound" (Source: Rock y Roll Radio Blog). If you're familiar with Maneja then I'm sure I'll see you at Ruta Maya. On the other hand, if you've never seen Maneja Beto, here's a "don't miss" opportunity to also become a new fan of the best indie in Espanol band in Austin.



La Guerrilla is a band with a lot of charisma and energy. Their music is upbeat, happy and makes you want to dance. La Guerrilla combines Reggae, Ska and World Music influences and occasionally includes theatrics to enhance La Guerrilla experience. This show will be La Guerrilla's official CD release show. Come and check out La Guerrilla , you''ll love them and then you'll buy their CD to continue the party anytime, anywhere you want.



Este Vato is a band that I have followed since their debut at Flamingo Cantina in October 2008 and have seen them progress extremely well musically and in establishing the Este Vato name. They are a band that combines Rock, Cumbia, Latin, Fusion and recently Funk. Their songs convey a message of pride in heritage, the struggles of our fore fathers and families and the power that we have collectively. Although the subject matter is on the serious side, the music still rocks. Este Vato just released their new CD as well. Come see them perform and also get their CD.



El Tule is also a very popular and a well established band in Austin. "Musically the band projects the Latin soul that Cumbias, Salsa and Merengues were meant to have." (Source: Rock y Roll Radio Blog). They bring the party to any event or venue where they perform and you see their name everywhere. El Tule also released their second CD in November 2009 and you should also purchase their Volumen II to complete your music library.



This showcase is one you shouldn't miss. It offers four of the best Latin bands in Austin and regionally that have a broad appeal. This showcase is the event of the year and may not occur again anytime soon because getting four extremely popular bands together at one time is very difficult. Hope to see you there, I know I will.

Este Vato Debuts at the Flamingo Cantina

October 17, 2008-Went to the Flamingo Cantina to specifically see Este Vato, an Austin band just forming and plans to debut in 2009. I met Este Vato on myspace when they asked to be my friend. Shortly afterward, they put a song, El Poder, on their player and asked for feedback. I listened to the song and liked the combination cumbia/urban rap song but the tempo was just a little slow for my liking. A week or so past and they put an improved, more upbeat version of El Poder that I liked better. A bulletin followed later personally inviting me to come see them at the Flamingo Cantina. They explained that they hadn't planned on debuting so soon but an opportunity came up and they took it.

That night I met Rocky Reyna, leader and bassist for Este Vato and Exeter, plus a cool guy. He explained the band's visions and goals. Many times the vibe I get from the band members helps determine whether I like the band or support the band by attending their shows and more importantly whether I buy their merchandise or music/CD.

Este Vato opened the show with a short set if five songs. Rocky explained the band's situation and future plans to the audience . The five songs were good. They were a combination of cumbia, urban rap and rock with a heavy bass and drum beat. If you've ever been to a Mexican wedding or tejano dance you'll know what I mean. This beat is what carries your body around the dance floor. This effect was visible on the dance floor this night. The crowd was dancing, swinging and swaying to Este Vato's beat. Overall, the set was good considering the band and songs not being fully developed. I look forward to future shows and music.

The second band was Subrosa Union. A three piece band, originally from El Paso, Texas and now based in Austin, which plays rock/Latin funk/reggae music. This band really caught my attention. Subrosa Union is also a myspace friend and had not had an opportunity to see them up till now. This band rocked the house. Their music had a contagious energy and beat and you couldn't help but let the music take you. My favorite song was 24/7 4:20 Every Day. I bought their four song CD for a small donation and will put it into my music library. If you can catch a Subrosa Union show, I strongly recommend it and you will not be disappointed.

The third band was Bombasta from San Antonio. I first saw Bombasta at the Pachanga Music Festival at Waterloo Park in May during Latin Music Month sponsored by the Austin Latino Music Association. They blew me away with their music and sound. I'm a sucker for a musical group that has a horn section. Bombasta plays a combination of Latin, cumbia and funk music. They remind me of Ozomatli. I became an immediate fan. I met the bassist, JP Leal, a friendly guy, and told him I really liked their sound and asked JP what side of town he was from, since I'm originally for SA too. Now this night, I didn't feel Bombasta like I did for Panchaga. They were OK but didn't bring their A game. I was disappointed. Maybe there were outside factors the band faced before arriving at the Flamingo but I would still go see them again. I hope next time I see them they bring their merch/CD to sell because I wanted to buy.

The last band was Bubba Hernandez and the Super Vatos also from Austin. I had seen Bubba's name in the Austin Chronicle under club listings but didn't pay too much attention. So when I found out that they were also playing, I go excited because I was curious as to what they sounded like. At the club I saw this older guy, about my age, with long hair and derby hat walking around. I thought to myself, " I've seen this guy before at other shows and venues" and to my surprise that was Bubba. The Super Vatos were super. They played with a heavy base and percussion rhythm and beat. They describe their music as "Fiery Bilingual Cumbia-based Pop Rock Songs of Intrigue, Naughtiness, Heartbreak and Other Steamy Delights." Wow! Now I'll tell you who Wow-ed me that night and that was the conga/bongo player, Clemencia Zapata. If you get a chance to see Bubba Hernandez and the Super Vatos, go see them because you'll have a good time and feel like you're at a party. I did purchase their new CD "Dancing En Fuego" and my favorite songs are Hero and My Big Charanga.

This was my first time to the Flamingo Cantina and I found it a small venue but quaint. You can get really close, side view, to the band or further back, front view, depending on preference. I moved back and forth several time to get a different perspective of each band.The sound system was adequate. The club's sound system, for me, enhances or detracts from me appreciating the band and their music. One feature I liked about the Flamingo Cantina was that it had some place to seat. It had carpet covered stair like seating. Most clubs have no seating except maybe at the bar. I parked at the Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau parking lot which is lighted, covered and is one block south of 6th Street.