Austin is truly a city of diversity. From Kinky Friedman the gubernatorial candidate to Leslie the thong-wearing street ‘tard, Austin’ uniqueness shines bright above the Lone Star State. The key to this one-of-a-kind city is its music. I’ve seen everything from death metal to jazz in one weekend, and this is just the beginning, kiddies… Momo’s on 6th Street was ground zero for the music explosion that happened this weekend. We started off the three-day weekend with Foolhardy. What a cool band! Foolhardy gave me a nice, relaxed vibe with a smooth sound accented by a very tight rhythm section. They had some great vocal harmonies and good work from the keyboard as well. I think I’d like to see more of the female vocals, as well, but the lead was very strong and groovy. In Another Life hit the stage next, bringing the heat with a heavy three-piece. I’m looking forward to seeing them in round two, after some months to grow! Housewrecker stepped up as our middle band of the night, and was another very solid three piece, with influences of dirty southern rock and iconic rock guitar spirits poured over them. Bus Stop Stallions brought the funk-infused blues and laid it on top of an outstanding heartbeat from the bassist and drummer. Their sound was rounded out with some outstanding sax work, too. We wrapped the first night with Nagaste. Their music is thought provoking and experimental, riding the same rails to unique and creative notoriety as pioneers like Radiohead, Cake, the Tone Def All-Stars, The Who, Mr. Bungle and Estradasphere. Very cool shit. Friday night started with the awesome sound of The Illustrated Band. Their progressive rock sound is full of dynamic writing, and their 25-minute set was gone in a flash. Pick up the CD next time; I assure you it’s great. iTEM84 hit the stage next, and despite the loss of the bass player, the 2-piece group played a great show and kept up a good face. Their stage presence was very entertaining, and the vocals were right on! Higher Than Why took the stage with the style of old school hip-hop mixed with a new school twist. The MC was tight and the keys laid out some funky sounds, too. David Ray Reed and his band were showing their southern rock and Americana roots when they came to the stage next. David’s vocals were solid and the band fits his sound like a glove on a hand. D.I.D.L.Y. did not D.I.S.A.P.P.O.I.N.T. Their set was a brick wall of rock-solid sound with powerful vocals and excellent work all-around. The style quickly flipped with our next band, Manteca Beat. This blues/jazz fusion group led by saxophonist Paul Klemperer was tight, well rehearsed and even ended the night with a nice twist on Caravan. Friday night was closed by the one, the only… Dead Bang Go! from Odessa, TX. They made the 6-hour haul, came out and supported all the bands, and then when it was time for their show, they rocked the house. A very stout alt-rock sound came off that stage at Momo’s and their vocals and guitars impressed the lot. It was a great band to wrap the night. In this festival I’ve seen bands that are at all levels of experience, and Saturday was fired off by a band that was playing their first show… ever. If you don’t count their bedrooms… Anyway, The New Ground set it off right with a great rock sound, and once they got warm they blew it up! Despite the Loss had a powerful rock sound accented by ravenous vocals and very energetic drums. Euphoria’s fresh mix of reggae, rock and pop lifted the crowd out of their funk and got heads nodding, feet tapping and hands clapping. The vocals were harmonious in a good way, and I really enjoyed the set. Bionic Gorilla Project’s solid but dreamish sound captured the crowd and held them throughout their set. The electronically infused hard rock was tight and outstanding! Carbide dropped a big set of brass balls on Momo’s stage.<