Austin Sound

We almost missed this wonderfully bizarre new video from the Diagonals, released in conjunction with their new Monofonus album Valley of the Cyclops. Here the psychedelic quintet attempts to put up with itself, as head Diagonal Steve Garcia is forced to endure his schizophrenic others. And sex dolls! Especially be on the look out for Garcia going down on himself - stay classy, Diagonals!! Scope the Nick Smith vid below, and catch the Diagonals this Friday, May 22, at Club DeVille.

It’s been how many years since the 13th Floor Elevators released their debut? Over four decades, you say? How many years has it been since Roky Erickson resurfaced from the depths of some zombie movie? Five or ten? And how many Texas, nay how many Austin, bands have rehashed Roky’s influence to the point that everyone is sick of it? Well, fear not, because – like fellow Austin rockers Horse + Donkey – Diagonals have created an amazingly good psychedelic rock record. The 13th Floor Elevators’ influence is slapped all over the band’s new album, Valley of the Cyclops, and it’s eight twisting tunes offer a new way to view the enduring (sometimes interminable) legacy that Roky has had on Austin’s rock and roll sound.

The Diagonals slice an infectious cross between classic garage guitar jangle and Eighties underground dance beats. The quintet unloads more than their fair share of quirky anthems, and over the past year has solidified with a distinct sound that adds some welcome new textures to the familiar guitar and synth combination with their touches of surf licks and deadpan delivery. Diagonals are preparing the release of their debut EP this week and full-length in the fall, but you can catch them live any number of times this holiday weekend, including Saturday night July 5 at the new Monarch Events Center with Pataphysics, Silver Pines, Cari and Jason of Belaire, Hollywood Gossip, and Bear Claw, and again Sunday, July 6 with a free show at Red 7 alongside the Strange Boys and Strange Attractors.