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When Juan-Carlos is not lounging with his Bichon Frise Bowser, eating jachiros, playing bass in one of the best punk bands in the world, driving other bands on tour, or telling people he’s comfortable with his masculinity when they ask him about the crop top he’s wearing, he’s probably playing Rocket League. And if he’s not doing that, he’s probably working on booking This Is Austin, Not That Great.

The festival is set to invade Austin’s small bars and DIY venues for its second annual installment in early January. Juan-Carlos has assembled the cream of the crop of the North American DIY punk scene. Other than Memphis hip hop legend Tommy Wright III playing the kick-off show, there are no obvious headliners on the bill. No reunion bands. Just a smorgasbord of the international community that is DIY punk, humble but explosive.

Can you introduce yourself?
Juan-Carlos:
I'm Juan-Carlos. I'm 23. I'm from Austin.

Who does this festival represent and cater to?
Sensitive artists. Angry youth. Nostalgic punk veterans. Really anyone with a similar taste in music or anyone who's curious to see what punk has been up to lately. It's not hard. It's all happening in one place. You only miss what you choose to. If this sounds like your thing then please come.

If someone doesn't know a single one of these bands, which one should they listen to?
I guess I would say Nosferatu. They deserve the most attention. They're my favorite local band, hands down. He's gonna hate me for this, but their singer Bert is basically responsible for the current Austin punk scene. He's a genius, a a poet, and a saint. It all started with his band Recide, who never got any hype or credit. Also if you're in the Midwest or East Coast go see Nosferatu on tour! But anyways, I can't not mention Secret Prostitutes, Haram, Patsy, D.L.I.M.C. and Tozcos. Those are the bands I'm most excited for.

Why are you booking this fest?
Since the final years of Chaos in Tejas there has been a renaissance of Texas punk and I wanted to showcase that to whoever might be so inclined to see it. Booking shows is one of the few things I've ever excelled at, so I wanted to put my skills and resources to good use I guess.

What did you learn from year one?
I learned there is a large demographic of punk lovers in North America that are geographically, professionally, and/or socially isolated from punk and it's respective scenes and their only connection to it is the internet. But they can brought together and find a common bond through a lineup that they think is worthy enough to travel for outside of their comfort zones.

What was your favorite moment from year one?
Seeing all of my favorite people and bands in the same place. Also Swervy introducing Glue and Impalers.

What was your least favorite moment from year one?
Finding out David Bowie died moments before Crazy Spirit closed out the fest. And also not getting to see L.O.T.I.O.N.'s special techno set at the aftershow because the PA blew out.

What is your biggest critique of punk in 2016?
The chorus pedal? Haha, just kidding. I don't know, I have too many. I guess the biggest thing for me is that there's hardly a message anymore besides "I hate myself, I hate the world, etc". Of course every privileged white boy from the suburbs is gonna hate themselves and everyone else. Boring. Clown shoes, even. People who have real reasons to be pissed off (women, POC, queer/trans/poor people) need to have a prominent voice in punk. If you got no life experience, I don't wanna hear what you have to say. Learn an instrument, eat some acid, listen to non-punk music, fall back, write some riffs, and let your friend who's been struggling their whole life tell a story that can give perspective to the world.

What is not so great about Austin?
Most cynical dweebs would probably talk shit about "hipsters" or other cliché buzzwords like craft cocktails, gringo ass breakfast tacos that tourists love or even cheesy facial hair contests, but those people probably moved here 8 years ago "when it was cool" and have never worried about being evicted. The real problem with Austin is obviously the extreme and rapid gentrification resulting in mass displacement of low income families and POC, as well as inherently racist and prejudice zoning laws that only benefit the rich. I also have a problem with the huge misconception that Austin is an "oasis of Blue in a sea of Red." The reality is that it is equally filled with homophobic-racist-shit kickers as well as delusional liberal weenies and hippies. I could go on and on but I just wanna conclude my response by stating my dissatisfaction with a city that claims to be the live music capital of the world when it tries its hardest to suppress DIY and all ages music venues that don't generate obscene amounts of cash.

How has Austin changed for the better over the years?
The most positive change I've seen is the heightened involvement of young people as well as women, queers, trans people, & POC who are gaining more representation within the scene.

Is your punk scene political?
I would say so. Over time we've all distanced ourselves from toxic and damaging aspects of aggressive music and have realized the aspect of using punk as a socio-political tool for revolution. As of late, there's been a lot of people organizing benefits for plenty of worthy causes. It's happening all over.

Can you talk more about that? It seems like the Trump election has made the punk community realize something about itself. Why did it take so long, and do you think it will last?
This is the type of thing has happened before in punk with figures like Reagan, Bush Sr. and Jr. and Thatcher. But this is the first time punks have been mobilized by an outright fascist political figure (at least in the US – there have been plenty of punk movements born out of fascist regimes like Luzemia in Peru, or La Movimienta in Spain). I think this is really important, and the next few years will be a true test to the spirit of punk. I hope punk's political involvement never ends. It would be kinda poetic if Austin's scene reverted to the "good ol days" when queer communists like The Dicks used to roll around town beating up redneck frats and scaring the shit out of the old world whites.

Is DIY important to you?
Of course. It's why I refused sponsors for the fest. I also declined all press on it last year. I'm only doing this because I know you're good people. DIY is a self sustaining thing. It's not just a social phenomenon sweeping the nation’s music and art scenes. It's a socio-economic platform which allows people to pool experience and resources for a common goal. It introduces artists and musicians to the idea of an artistic community to the fullest extent. It removes the idea of profit building and replaces it with experiences. It's more supportive of artists than any booking agency will ever be.

What are your thoughts on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. when it comes to booking a festival? Or just a stand-alone show for that matter?
It's definitely important for everyone to be represented when it comes to punk because it's supposed to be inclusive. Sometimes it may be hard to book a cohesive show that has a diverse group of people but if you're booking a show but in punk you should try your hardest. Although I will admit religion is definitely something I don't think about when it comes to punk. Something to consider...

Tell us the story of getting Tommy Wright III on this.
I was basically hanging out with my roommate Masum while trying to brainstorm the best unexpected-yet-doable act to book on the kick off show and he hit the nail on the head. So I just went to his page and bothered him on Facebook till he gave me his email and then I just hit him with an offer. He was skeptical at first but after talking to him on the phone he got really excited about it. I even worked out a merch deal between him and my roommate. Shout out to Sw8 Shop prints!

What else do you want to say?
Fuck Greg Abbot, fuck Ted Cruz, fuck Rick Perry, fuck the Texas Department of Health, and fuck the Texas Board of Education.

Schedule (TICKETS HERE):
Treasures of the Night Art Opening and Reading
@ ATM Studios and Gallery Space
Thursday, January 5th , 6pm

Thursday Kick Off Show @ Barracuda Austin
Tommy Wright III
Power Trip
Skourge
No Come
$15 Adv/ $20 Day of
Doors @ 8 PM

Friday Day Show @ Hotel Vegas
Burnt Skull
Wild Thing
Bad Example
Drool
The Leash
3-6 PM
$7 No Advance Tickets

Friday Main Show @ Barracuda Austin
The Secret Prostitutes
Green Beret
Exit Order
Tozcos
Firewalker
Krimewatch
Warm Bodies
Enemy One
Sex Pill
Doors @ 7 PM
$25 Adv/ $30 Day of

Friday After show @ Shirley's Temple
Migraine
Bondage
Army
Hiss
$5 No advance tickets
2:30 AM

Saturday Day show @ Hotel Vegas
Skeleton
Savage Blind God
Holder's Scar
Exotica
Acrylics
3-6 PM
$7 No Advance Tickets

Saturday Main show @ Barracuda Austin
Hank Wood & The Hammerheads
Blood Pressure
Pure Disgust
Agression Pact
Haram
Dame
Gaucho
Leather Daddy
Body Pressure
Doors @ 7 PM
$25 Adv/ $30 Day of

Saturday Aftershow @ Shirley's Temple
D.L.I.M.C.
Breakout
Strutter
Blue Dolphin
$5 No advance tickets
2:30 AM

Sunday Day show @ Hotel Vegas
Vaaska
Impalers
Cadenaxo
Gamezan
Prision Postumo
3-6 PM
$7 No Advance Tickets

Sunday Main Show @ Barracuda Austin
S.H.I.T.
Concealed Blade
Patsy
Mommy
Nosferatu
Elix-r
American Hate
Program
Laughter
Doors @ 7 PM
$25 Adv/ $30 Day of

ALL SALES FINAL. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS.
NO RE-ENTRY FOR MINORS @ HOTEL VEGAS AND BARRACUDA.

Hotel Vegas
1502 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

Barracuda
611 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
http://www.barracudaaustin.com/

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