Austin Sound

Ah, we hate to see these guys go. We’ve been following and impressed by Peel from the beginning, and the band even kicked off our first Austin Sound compilation. The local pop slackers, though, are transforming into a new era as Josh Permenter heads off to San Francisco, where he’ll presumably hook up with fellow Tone Wheel Collective member and recent Bay area transplant Mark David Ashworth. Dakota Smith and Allison Moore will still be around, however, and working on other projects. At least they’re going to go out with the same laid back, communal attitude that they emerged from, playing their final show at Bill Baird’s new Baby Blue studio in East Austin (1522 East 12th St.). We assume, like the old Big Orange shows, this is a BYBO, sit on the floor kind of deal. Also helping Peel say goodbye are Baird’s phenomenal Sunset, and the song and dance darlings Little Stolen Moments. Party kicks off at 9:00pm.

UME - Photo: Anthony Rathbun

A day late but no less jam-packed with events, it’s Weekend Preview.

Two super lineups dominate the weekend beginning with UME, Ringo Deathstarr, Haunting Oboe Music and more at the Monarch Event Center. Then Sunday, KOOP plays host to a fundraiser where you have the chance of winning a scooter, and the guarantee of good music, compliments of The Bellfuries, La Snacks, Peel, and Foot Foot.

Peel’s eponymous debut was easily one of the best local releases of last year, shambling and slacker certified to perfection. The quintet has proven equally energetic and ramshackled live, Josh Permenter thrusting his guitar into the amps with distorted bliss while Dakota Smith and Allison Moore bounce about the stage in a poppish delight. The group’s new EP, August Exhaust Pipes, which will only be available at their shows, explodes with an even more lo-fi exuberance. The five songs feel joyously careless, the home recording sounding, for better or worse, like a demo. The title track picks up the banter in the background and “Trenchula” seems to even catch the mics being bumped around. In the hands of most bands, it would probably be considered a sloppy and half-assed set-up; for Peel, the intentionally loose aesthetic is the entire point.

Think of this show as your chance to give SXSW a warm farewell and get back into the swing of things. The days of international attention may be over, but local music continues in force this Friday with The Story Of, Peel and The Black. We took a closer look at the show just after the jump.

Is it me, or does the shadow of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah grow vectorially longer with the passage of time? When the rocket fuel of the internet launched their self-released debut from obscurity into the national consciousness in a few short 2005 weeks, it sure seemed as though they would revolutionize the way music and albums were produced and marketed. But I’m talking more about the actual sound and sensibility, for hot on the heels of splashsters The Laughing’s Clappish debut Tiger Cry comes Peel’s self-titled first album, also owing a heavy debt to CYHSY - just in time for their predecessor’s April 28 date with Stubb’s in promotion of their second album, also self-released in this country (they deigned to sign with a label in the UK) earlier this year.

3/1/07
Peel, our Sound Off artist of the week last week and band about to take Austin by storm, have been tapped to defend America alongside Captain Jesus against France, who is God. Confused? Well, that’s just the tip of the iceberg as the Yellow Tape Construction Co. presents I Am Not Tartuffe later this month.

For their latest production, Austin’s most interesting theater group employs Peel to play themselves - undoubtedly a dangerous proposition - and perform their own music to help thwart the threat of Frenchiness. The play, written by Jonathon Morgan, also features an “evil French art film” by Teacup Picto-Films.

Peel won’t officially drop their self-titled debut album until April, but already it’s being anticipated as one of the best local releases of 2007. And we’re inclined to agree. Not only does the album capture the notorious energy of their live shows (no small feat), but between the fuzzed out explosions that refuse to let the songs rest on their pop-perfect heels and Josh Permenter’s tight, smart lyrics, Peel could very well be a new Pavement for Double-0 decade. That is, of course, getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but there’s a lot to love here, and even more to look forward to. Peel plays this Thursday, February 22 at the Beauty Bar with All in the Golden Afternoon and past Sound Off vets For Those Who Know.