The Ugly Beats pop quiz — Austin

The Ugly Beats are an Austin band that I first featured in a 5 Questions for interview at the beginning of the month.  We had some technical difficulties with the song featured in that post, so I’m re-presenting it below this post.  That means that you get a double doze of  ”ugly” with two songs and a music video to boot.  With their 1960s flavor I just have to say, “Right On.”

June 19, 2009

Name:   The Ugly Beats
Genre:   Rock and Roll Music
Latest Release:  Take a Stand with The Ugly Beats (GET HIP Records)
Release Date:   2006

This, That, or the Other
1. Underground OR Mainstream? Underground
2. Maintain Artistic Integrity and Vision OR Make a lot of Money? (or both)?? Maintain Artistic Integrity
3. Studio or Stage? STAGE – Have fun and make the people have fun.
4. Spirituality or Hedonism? Spirituality, Love
5. Make Love, Have Sex, OR %$*!? Make Love

Fill in the Blank
6. Music is my family.  The Beats are.
7. I’m musically inspired by living and playing with great musicians.
8. My favorite old school joint is “Bernadette” by The Four Tops.
9. If I was a super hero I’d be Super Buff.
10. Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll should change to Sex (is good), Wine, and Tasty Tortillas.

Short Answer
11. I make music because:  It keeps us sane and it’s a lot of fun to go places and eat their food and drink their wine.
12. I want my fans to:  Have a sweaty good time and yell at us.
13. If I could share one thing about myself it would be:  The Ugly Beats are nicer.
14. Wild Card!  Editor’s Note:  No Answer
15. I want my musical legacy to be:  Some kids covering our songs in the year 2525 and getting royalty checks for $300 every other day.   

Listen to “Light Comes On” from Take a Stand with The Ugly Beats.  Check out their MySpace Page for more.

The Ugly Beats favorite old school joint!

 

5 Questions for The Ugly Beats — Austin

June 19, 2009 UPDATE:   Due to some issues with the audio file I’m re-posting this today in addition to the new The Ugly Beats pop quiz above.

 

 

Originally posted Monday, June 1, 2009.
___________
The Ugly Beats are a local band that played SXSW this year.  They have a ’60s vibe going on, don’t take themselves too seriously, and have built a reputation around their live shows.  They’re currently working on their upcoming third release.

They have a couple of Austin shows coming up, too, at Beerland.
–June 27, 2009  10PM
–July 12, 2009   8PM

Listen to “Take a Stand” from Take a Stand with The Ugly Beats.  Go to their MySpace Page for more.

* * *
1. What is ”The Ugly Beats sound?” And why “ugly?” A little folk, a little garage, a little rock and roll, a little 60′s punk…put some lovely harmonies, fuzz guitar, acetone organ, hollow bass, and monster drums into a blender and there you go.

Ugly ‘cuz we’re not spit-shined into American Idol perfection. It lowers people’s expectations and then they say, “Y’all ain’t that ugly”; it’s perfect.

 2. You participated in SXSW in March.  How do you think the experience is different for a local band vs. a national or international band? It’s a hell of a lot cheaper.  We get to use our own backline (for the most part), which makes a big difference having your true sound and not borrowed equipment.  We know where to get the best tacos.  It’s kind of like having a vacation in your hometown!

3. One woman, four men.  Not a new model for bands.  Describe how that dynamic plays out for The Ugly Beats. Jeanine is pretty much one of the guys.  The coversations in the van or airplane would peel paint.   It’s one big happy family, though.  Everyone gets along really well and stuff.

4. You get the chance to work with any producer (that you haven’t worked with before) of your choice to “interpret” The Ugly Beats sound.  Who would it be and why? Not sure since we’ve been happy with how things turn out thus far in recordings.  We are going into the studio this month [in April] and some in the summer so we can make a new record for GET HIP.  This time we want to capture the LIVE energy that make people have fun at the show….

5. Not sure how long you’ve been in Austin, but, is there something about the Austin music scene you find enriching? Why here instead of anywhere else? The music “scene” here tends to be pretty open and not cut-throat.  Everyone we hang out with is generous and friendly to others.  Not a lot of back-stabbing or drama.  When you do see a band who obviouslly doesn’t get this and it’s clear that they’re into it for silly reasons, we say fuck ‘em.

It’s mostly postive here though — with different genres [that] aren’t afraid to put on shows together, though we have yet to be asked onto an Austin Symphony concert…Plus, there’s millions of bands, so we’ve made many friends across the board.  Feels like one giant family! 

 

Letter from the Editor

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 6:27 PM

To Whom It May Concern:

Two things are on my brain right at this moment — St. Patrick’s Day and SXSW.  So, Happy St. Patrick’s Day and for those in Austin for SXSW this week — Enjoy!

Right off the bat, we’ve had the most pop quizzes featured in March 2009 than any other month since popolio started in September 2008.  The reason being that in addition to our two March pop quiz artists, I also hosted a special SXSW Week (last week!) featuring a different SXSW Artist pop quiz daily.  That’s five (seven total) for those doing the math.  The last artist of the week is a 2009 Grammy Nominee as well.  Our first Grammy Nominated pop quiz Artist at that.  How exciting is that?

I tried to reach out to artists of different genres to have a nice variety and I think we achieved that.  R&B, Club, Folk, and Roots are all well-represented.  All their shows are tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2009, except for Clarence Bucaro’s whose show is this Saturday, March 20, 2009.  I didn’t plan it that way.  It’s just coincidence that the artists that were most receptive to popolio have shows on the same day.  And the other March Artist pop quiz is still coming up and will close out the month.  So, watch for that one.  Check out their pop quizzes by clicking below (and go see these SXSW Artists’ shows!):

• Our first March 2009 pop quiz Artist:  Soce, The Elemental Wizard (Hip Hop/Rap/Pop)

And the SXSW Artists featured last week –

• Kendra Ross (R&B/Soul/Jazz)
• The Wong Boys (Club Rock)
• Rod Thomas (Folk/Pop; Not to be mistaken with Rob Thomas)
• Clarence Bucaro (Pop/Roots)
• Wayna (R&B/Soul/Hip Hop/Singer-Songwriter; 2009 Grammy Nomineee)

 

• Our second March 2009 pop quiz Artist is coming (check for it)

So, I think that’s the biggest news for March 2009 at popolio.  All our other features are to be continued.  I will be bringing a new MY TOP 10 at the end of the month.  Check for that.

Enjoy our SXSW content; all of our March 2009 content; and to all those music fans, artists, and industry people alike in Austin for SXSW this week welcome to Austin and have a blast.

6:53PM

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                        Freddie Rodriguez aka freddie beat
popolio creator/editor