Austin’s Psychedelic Rock Scene is Thriving

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Austin is well known for its live music scene, but did you know that the city is also home to a thriving psychedelic rock scene? If you’re looking for mind-bending tunes, here are some of the best places to check out.

Austin’s Psychedelic Rock Scene

If you’re looking for a thriving psychedelic rock scene, look no further than Austin, Texas. The city is home to a number of great venues that host psychedelic rock bands from all over the world. In addition, there are a number of Austin-based bands that are making a name for themselves in the psychedelic rock world.

The history of the scene

The history of Austin’s psychedelic rock scene is long and storied. The city has been home to some of the biggest names in the genre, including Roky Erickson, the 13th Floor Elevators, and the Red Krayola. Austin has also been home to a number of smaller, lesser-known bands who have helped to keep the scene alive and thriving.

The scene reached its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but it has undergone a resurgence in recent years. A number of younger bands are keeping the spirit of psychedelic rock alive, and they are finding a receptive audience in Austin.

The history of the Austin psychedelic rock scene is an important part of the city’s musical history, and it is a story that is still being written.

The current state of the scene

In recent years, Austin has become a hotbed for psychedelic rock, playing host to a number of great bands and venues. The city’s vibrant music scene, combined with its proximity to a number of excellent universities, has made it an ideal place for new bands to spring up.

The current scene is thriving, with a number of great venues offering regular shows. The most famous of these is the Epsychedelia Festival, which takes place every year in March. This event showcases the best of the city’s psychedelic rock bands, and attracts visitors from all over the country.

Austin is also home to a number of excellent clubs and bars that feature regular psychedelic rock nights. These include the Blackheart, Cheer Up Charlie’s, and the Mohawk. If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, there are also a number of smaller venues that host regular shows.

So if you’re in the mood for some mind-bending music, Austin is definitely the place to be!

The Bands

There’s a thriving psychedelic rock scene in Austin, Texas. Bands like The Black Angels and The Bright Light Social Hour are gaining popularity both in the U.S. and internationally. If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, you need to check out these bands.

The Bright Light Social Hour

The Bright Light Social Hour is an American psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas. The band was formed in 2010 by cousins Curtis Roush and Jack O’Brien, along with A.J. Vincent and Edward Braund.

The band has released three albums, their self-titled debut album in 2011, Space is Still the Place in 2014, and Jamaica in 2017. The band has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Japan.

The Black Angels

The Black Angels are an American psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas. They have released five studio albums and one live album. Their name is derived from the Velvet Underground song “The Black Angel’s Death Song”. The band has been categorized as part of the garage rock, neo-psychedelia and stoner rock genres. Since their formation in 2004, the band has been influenced by the 13th Floor Elevators, William S. Burroughs, Kenneth Anger, Brian Wilson and Syd Barrett.

The Black Angels were formed in May 2004 by Alex Maas (vocals, keyboards), Christian Bland (guitar), Kyle Hunt (drums) and Stephanie Bailey (bass). They began performing shows around Austin the following month with Thomas Videlefsky on second guitar. Later that year, Videlefsky left the band and was replaced by Nathan Ryan Brown. After self-releasing two singles (“PeopleTalk” and “Resurrection Fern”), they caught the attention of Light in the Attic Records which released their debut album Passover on April 4, 2006 to positive reviews from music critics.

The band gained popularity after touring with Interpol in early 2007. They then toured with Queens of the Stone Age later that year in support of their second album Indigo Meadow which was released on April 2, 2013 via Blue Horizon Ventures/Red River Entertainment/Cooperative Music. The album peaked at number 35 on Billboard’s Alternative Albums chart and number 46 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart. The band’s fourth studio album Death Song was released on April 21, 2017 and debuted at number 9 on Billboard’s Alternative Albums chart and number 18 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart.

The Well

The Well is an Austin-based band that is at the forefront of the city’s psychedelic rock scene. The band has been praised for their inventive songwriting and energetic live performances, which often incorporate elements of improvisation.

The Well’s music is rooted in classic rock, but also draws from influences as diverse as krautrock, prog, and garage punk. This sonic mishmash results in a sound that is both familiar and otherworldly, and has earned the band a loyal following among fans of all ages.

If you’re looking for a mind-bending musical experience, be sure to catch The Well live. You won’t regret it.

The Venues

The Mohawk

The Mohawk is one of the most popular live music venues in Austin, Texas. The venue is located on Red River Street in downtown Austin. The Mohawk has a capacity of 1,500 people and features three stages: an indoor stage, an outdoor stage, and a patio stage. The venue is known for its extensive calendar of live music events, which includes both local and national acts. The Mohawk is also a popular destination for private events, such as weddings and corporate parties.

The Sidewinder

The Sidewinder is one of the most popular music venues in Austin, Texas. The venue is located on Red River Street in downtown Austin. The Sidewinder has a capacity of 1,200 people and features two stages, a main stage and an upstairs stage. The venue also has a bar and a restaurant. The Sidewinder is known for its live music, and the venue hosts a variety of genres including rock, indie, punk, metal, and hip-hop.

The Lost Well

The Lost Well is one of Austin’s newest and most popular venues for live music. The intimate setting and top-notch sound system make it a great place to see a show, and the venue has quickly become a go-to spot for local and touring bands alike.

The Lost Well is located in the heart of Austin’s historic 6th Street district, and is just a short walk from some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. If you’re looking for a great place to catch a show, make sure to check out The Lost Well!

The Fans

Psychedelic music has always been a huge part of Austin’s music scene. The city is known for its eclectic taste, and the fans of psychedelic rock are some of the most dedicated around. They’re the ones who keep the scene alive, and they’re the ones who make it thrive.

The locals

The local psychedelic rock scene in Austin is thriving, with many talented bands and artists performing regularly. The fans are passionate and knowledgeable, and there is a strong sense of community among them. There are also several record labels and clubs that support the scene, making it one of the most vibrant in the country.

Psychedelic rock is a broad genre that encompasses many different styles, from classic 60s psychedelia to modern experimental sounds. Austin has a rich history of psychedelic music, dating back to the infamous Austin Psych Fest, which was started in 2008. Many of the bands that played at that festival, such as The 13th Floor Elevators and The Reversible Cords, went on to international acclaim.

Today, there are many different Austin-based psychedelic rock bands that are worth checking out. Some of the most popular include The Black Angels, Sixteen Deluxe, The Well, and Pureartz. Each band has its own unique take on the genre, and they all offer something special to fans.

If you’re interested in experiencing Austin’s psychedelic rock scene for yourself, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. There are several clubs and venues that host regular shows, and there are also several festivals that take place throughout the year. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’ll be sure to find something that interests you.

The out-of-towners

psychedelia is definitely thriving in Austin, mostly thanks to a growing number of out-of-town transplants who are bringing their own brand of mind-bending sounds to the city.

While the psychedelic rock scene in Austin may not be as big as it is in other cities like San Francisco or Seattle, there is no shortage of talented musicians and bands making some seriously trippy music. And with so many great venues to see live music, there’s always something happening on any given night.

Here are just a few of the out-of-towners who are making waves in Austin’s psychedelic rock scene:

The Buttertones – Hailing from Los Angeles, The Buttertones mix surf rock with garage and punk for a sound that is both retro and fresh. The band has been making a name for themselves with their high-energy live shows, and they’re definitely one to watch.

Moon Duo – Moon Duo is the project of Ripley Johnson (also of Wooden Shjips) and Sanae Yamada. The duo makes atmospheric and hypnotic music that is perfect for long drives or late nights. They recently released a new album called Occult Architecture Vol. 1, which is definitely worth checking out.

The Growlers – The Growlers are another LA-based band that makes sun-soaked psychedelic beach bum music. With their laid-back vibe and surfy guitars, they’re the perfect band to listen to on a hot summer day.

The Future

The Austin Psychedelic Rock Scene is heating up with new bands and new music venues. The scene is becoming more and more popular with music lovers of all ages. The future looks bright for the Austin Psychedelic Rock Scene.

The potential for growth

Austin’s psychedelic rock scene is currently thriving, with a number of local bands gaining national and international attention. This is no doubt due in part to the city’s reputation as a music Mecca, but it also reflects the hard work and talent of the musicians involved.

Looking to the future, it seems clear that the scene has tremendous potential for growth. With more and more people open to exploring psychedelic music, Austin is poised to become a key center for this fascinating and evolving genre.

The challenges faced

The challenges faced by Austin’s psychedelic rock scene are many and varied. Financial support for venues and promoters is often difficult to come by, and uncertain due to the volatile and ever-changing nature of the music industry. The city’s zoning laws are also a constant source of frustration for those trying to put on shows, as restrictions on noise levels and capacity often make it difficult to find suitable locations. Then there’s the challenge of simply getting people out to see the bands perform; with so many other options available on any given night, it can be tough to convince potential fans to take a chance on something new.

Despite all these challenges, however, Austin’s psychedelic rock scene continues to thrive. New bands are constantly emerging, old favorites are still packing houses, and the city remains one of the most important centers for this type of music in the country. In many ways, it feels like the scene is just getting started; with any luck, that will continue to be true for years to come.

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