Blank Fritz (formerly Sunset), Missions, Spells, Sorne
Art installation by Vid Kidz and One of One
May 19th @ The Ghost Room
304 W. 4th Street
Doors at 8PM
$5, 21+
$1 Lonestar if by bike!
Photo-booth by Jimmy Kim

On Thursday, May 19th Knuckle Rumbler is teaming up with Vid Kidz to present a live art exhibit that will transform the Ghost Room into a digital landscape where geometric shapes float... [read more]

Blank Fritz (formerly Sunset), Missions, Spells, Sorne
Art installation by Vid Kidz and One of One
May 19th @ The Ghost Room
304 W. 4th Street
Doors at 8PM
$5, 21+
$1 Lonestar if by bike!
Photo-booth by Jimmy Kim

On Thursday, May 19th Knuckle Rumbler is teaming up with Vid Kidz to present a live art exhibit that will transform the Ghost Room into a digital landscape where geometric shapes float like clouds and encroaching cosmic portals appear right before your eyes. Only the most enthralling live acts could accompany such an intensive project, and Knuckle Rumbler does not disappoint, featuring performances by Blank Fritz, Missions, Spells and Sorne. At first glance a few of these artists may seem unfamiliar, but don’t let the illusion fool you, Blank Fritz is the new visage of Bill Baird’s ever-transgressing project Sunset. “I can't disclose too many specifics,” replies Baird when asked of the sudden change, “but I can say that there's an 80's hair metal band named Sunset who is not happy with me right now.” As seems to always be the case, leave it to some unknown, dead end band armed with nothing but a MySpace account and a slew of lawyers to ruin it for everyone else. How appropriate is it that the ‘original’ Sunset has an album entitled Forgotten Kingdom? “I was told that the song ‘Fantasy’ is the album’s highlight,” says Baird, “got to get my hands on that one.” Keeping his humor at bay (or attempting to) Baird does not seemed phased by the situation: “No matter to me… it’s about the music anyway.” Blank Fritz is now the newest chapter in Baird’s musical endeavors, the name drawing influence from a character in a musical he once wrote as well as from his grandfather, Fritz Holmstrom, a Swedish immigrant. Despite all the legal trouble Baird has not let it dampen his pace, recently recording with acclaimed engineer Quentin Stoltzfus (ex-Mazarin) and teaching a session of songwriting classes at the Esalen Institute, an educational foundation located in Big Sur, CA founded by Aldous Huxley and others. Needless to say, expect big things from Sunset reincarnate.

But don’t think Baird has been the only one making the most of his free time, throwback electronic trio Missions have been recording everywhere from the hills of West Austin to their own bedrooms in pursuit of the perfect ambiance for their next record. Armed without a laptop or digital interface in sight Missions is an analogue enthusiast’s dream come true, lining the stage with an array of drum pads, vintage synthesizers and MIDI triggers. They are sure to floor you with their incessant bass drops and enveloping vocal effects, so in the meantime look for a chopped and screwed version of an unreleased album track via their Soundcloud (soundlcoud.com/missionsinspace).

Sunset is not the only band on the bill with a new identity - Spells is the revamped project previously known as Moth Fight. So fresh they have yet to release a new record, Spells continues to experiment within the realm of quirky, electronic pop outfits highlighted by a charismatic use of horns, strings and auxiliary percussion. Check their MySpace (myspace.com/mothfight) for a new demo entitled ‘Hist Wist.’

And what better way to kick off the night than with a collective of musicians whose debut release is a concept album stemmed from the work of a visual artist? As House of Stone tells the post-apocalyptic story of five young siblings struggling to defend their heritage against the outside world, Sorne draws upon Japanese and African folk music inbred with virtuoso melodies à-la-Björk to convey the breadth of their journey. This is not a set you are going to want to miss, as even the Austin Chronicle has declared: “Morgan Sorne is here to haunt us.”

Austin Town Hall, Red River Noise, Waterloo Icehouse and Bike Texas all sponsor this one-of-a-kind event where video, music and art will all come together under one roof. Since May is bike month enjoy a $1 Lonestar if you travel by bike to the show! Other drink specials and giveaways will be offered throughout the night as well as an interesting take on a photo booth… $5 for 21+ only, doors at 8 show at 9, get there early as you’re not going to want to miss all that Knuckle Rumbler has in store for you!