As your Austin Music Minute maven, I’m never ashamed or embarrassed to admit when I’m late in the game. That’s how I learn about all kinds of music. Case in point: My knowledge of Memphis, TN ’90s garage punk/rock bands The Oblivians and Compulsive Gamblers was rather limited to whatever my college buddies gave me to listen to, back in the day. I knew the name Greg Cartwright mostly through my awareness of his connection with the late Jay Reatard. That’s when I delved into the massive Reigning Sound discography and lost myself in some massive, gritty, punk-bladed sounds that still managed to remind me of ’60s garage rock tangled up in soul and pop.
Cartwright first formed Reigning Sound in 2001, and hit the ground running with the debut three-song 7-inch Two Sides to Every Man, in May that year, followed by their first full-length Break Up, Break Down. He relocated with his family to Asheville, N.C. in 2004 and got a new line-up for the band – and thrived with several more releases from then on. These days, Cartwright plays and tours with bassist Benny Trokan, guitarist Mike Catanese, keyboardist Dave Amels and drummer Mikey Post.
Tonight, Reigning Sound will be in Austin for a show at Red 7, 611 E. 7th St. This, my friend, is what I’d call a MAJOR triple bill, because it’s rounded out very nicely with two superb local bands, The Crack Pipes and The Ugly Beats. Doors open at 9 p.m. A definite garage-rock must-see. Recommended.
