AUSTIN PSYCHIC TACO ROCK: HUNDRED VISIONS

I first heard Hundred Visions on Dave Martens' excellent Hi-Tone/8 Flags Over Guadlajara radio show on KBGA. Dave's an invetarate rock and roller from the Harbor City of the north and had been going to Austin for years checking out new music. Hundred Visions were one of the bands he's come back with music from. I was driving into Missoula on I-90 and I still remember having to know who the band was. I guess there are lots of moments like that on KBGA.

Regardless of all that Hundred Visions were the band I heard that evening,  I called in to figure it out, and I set my sights on figuring out how to get 'em up to Total Fest. We started swapping email with the band and were stoked to hear they'd heard good things about Total TF and were all about hopping into a van and coming north. Musically, it's got some a big rocking surf gallop and the kind of fast-tempo driving perfectly executed pop of Buzzcocks or something. It gets me a little nostalgic for one of my all-time favorite bands the Joggers when I hear the big melodies and uber-tight execution and the overarching good-time-all-the-time vibe.

Here's a recent video.

The Be Helds: A Jangly Garage-Pop Explosion

As they were one of my absolute favorite bands to play in Missoula, I was pretty bummed when I learned that The Be Helds were venturing out of our little mountain hamlet for the greener pastures of Austin, TX. First seeing them at the Top Hat (opening for another MSLA favorite and TotalFest IX veterans Rooster Sauce) I was blown away by the uncomplicated, infectious energy that the garage rock duo brought to the stage. I don't do this often--especially with local bands-- but after dancing through their whole set, I immediately walked over the to merch table and plopped down a measly $10 for their LP, Vol. 1.

With their multi-layered, yet decided lo-fi sound, The Be Helds exemplify everything garage rock is supposed to be about. Jordon Lybeck's simple bass-snare-tambourine beats are the perfect backbone to Ralston Coorough's retro inspired jangly, fuzzed out guitars while both halves of the duo contribute to the rowdy, riotous vocal harmonies that really tie the band's slightly out-of-focus pop melodies together.

If it weren't enough that they make such terrific music, Lybeck and Coorough are also two of the nicest young gentlemen around, and both seasoned Totalfest veterans as spectators. But for Totalfest XI, we're really really excited to welcome them back to Missoula as performers.