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No press is bad press. |
| Show Pony Reviews |
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Soundcheck Magazine 06.11.2008
"If you feel nostalgia for the bad old daysŠthe days before SUVs, non-ironic neon fabrics and skinny jeans, flannel shirts and Doc Martens, or are tired of the more-esoteric-than-thou-more-ironic-for-now personas of the kids these days, there just may be a remedy in the form of the quirky Austin quartet The Midgetmen. The militantly DIY foursome gallantly appropriate the sounds of 80s and 90s indie rock (think dirty guitars, strained vocals and short, very short, songs) and mix it with the kind of humor you're allowed when you've taken three chords, Epicurean humor, sworn never to tell the truth, and rocked crowds across the country. Their latest 'slop rock' release, Show Pony, was engineered to catch a piece of their legendary live mojo in all its rawness and delicious noise and, indeed, it delivers. In all of its catchy hooks and decadent humor, it's nothing but a damn good time, and that's just the point." - Justin Patch |
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AustinSound 06.10.2008
"The Midgetmen excel at pop-punk mayhem, beer-soaked bursts ripe with unapologetic arrested development: as they declare in 'Three Chords and a Cloud of Dust': 'Growing up is overrated!' The group's third album follows through on the sentiment, raucous and uninhibited. But Showpony also proves their most melodically controlled and, dare we say, mature offering yet. [read more]" - Doug Freeman |
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Things I Think About Music 05.29.2008
"Show Pony is a lot of fun! So many bands have the technical skill but no heart. You can tell that The Midgetmen, who you can hear have the tech skills in spades, bring their love of the music to the fore in Show Pony's collection of 16 short but sweet rock tracks. Each song has its own charmingly grubby, distinct personality, but nothing sounds too individual for its own good - everything works together to make a really enjoyable album. [read more]" - Scarlett H |
| Interviews, Features, and Nonsense |
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Neil Young's Living With War Songs Trickle Down |
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Austin-American Statesman A-List Awards (2008) #7 Best Punk Band |
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City of Austin Band of the Week: 05.25.2008-05.31.2008 |
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Austin Chronicle 2007 Austin Music Awards: #2 Best Punk Band #6 Best Concert Poster [August 3rd 2007 @ Emo's] |
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Austin Chronicle 2006 Austin Music Awards: #6 Best Punk Band #10 Best Indie Band #8 Best Novelty Band #3 Best Concert Poster [March 31st 2006 @ Flamingo Cantina] |
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Austin Chronicle 2005 Austin Music Awards: #4 Best Punk Band #3 Best Concert Poster [September 20th 2005 @ Emo's] |
Austin Chronicle 2004 Austin Music Awards: #2 Best Punk Band #3 Best Concert Poster |
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Austin Chronicle 2003 Austin Music Awards: #3 Best New Band #5 Best Alt-Punk Band #2 Best Album Artwork #10 Best Concert Poster [April 3rd 2003 @ Flamingo Cantina] |
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Austin Chronicle 2002 Austin Music Awards: #10 Best Concert Poster [July 3rd 2002 @ The Vibe] |
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2007 SoManyBands Awards: Most Entertaining Live Show |
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Austinist 05.01.2008 (6 Year Show/Show Pony Release Preview)
It seems like just yesterday we were honoring The Midgetmen's five year anniversary. Well, turns out it has been a year already and this weekend at Emo's Lounge, the local pop-punk act is celebrating its sixth birthday which conveniently coincides with the release of their third full-length album. The band's new record Show Pony is as eco-friendly as it gets -- per bassist / vocalist Marc Perlman, '100% post-consumer cardboard with environmentally friendly inks with no plastic shrink wrap. And, we just signed an agreement with our friends at MoveNeutral.com to carbon offset the CD release show as well as the entire tour!' Nice! [read more]" - Adi Anand |
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Austinist 05.14.2007 (5 Year Show Snapshot)
"The Midgetmen jam out at Emo's Lounge, covering David Bowie's 'Five Years' to help cap off a set spanning their 5 years as a band. Delivering one of their tightest sets in recent memory, drummer Justin Petro credited long hours spent rehearsing and the bands pledge of renewed sobriety professionalism...at least for the duration of the set. |
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Austinist 05.11.2007 (The Laurie Show)
"Congratulations are in order for a band celebrating its 5-year anniversary - and frankly, if your band is still together for even one year, I think you deserve accolades for not killing each other. The members of The Midgetmen are alive and well... [read more]" - Laurie Gallardo |
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Austinist 05.10.2007 (5 Year Show Preview)
"Sandwiched between the two are the Midgetmen who specialize in beer infused punk n' roll fit to kick off any weekend, or week-day for that matter. This weekend's gig marks their 5 Year Anniversary. Actually they prefer '5 Year Birthday' -- probably get more beer that way. [read more]" - Adi Anand |
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AustinSound 05.07.2007
"The end of a Midgetmen show is one of the best things to experience in Austin. That's worded badly, but they'll appreciate the jab. Exploding in a frenzy of sloppy, beer-fueled guitar excess, the Midgetmen's finale is a tough act to follow, and the energy of their live shows has consistently placed the group among the top punk acts in the Austin Music Awards. [read more]" |
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JANE Magazine March 2007
"Their band is called The Midgetmen for reasons unrelated to their penis size, and I promise I'll mention that right off the bat. [read more]" - Katy McColl (See the cover, See our bassist on p108) |
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Austinist 01.05.2007 (Show preview)
"A strong believer in its DIY ethics, the Midgetmen occupy the middle spot in the line-up. The band prides itself in its independence from recording engineers, agents and management, and has won numerous Austin Chronicle Austin Music Awards for their self-designed concert artwork. [read more]" - Adi Anand |
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So Many Bands November 2006
"I can't think of anything to say about this band. Just read their interview. [read more]" - Sarah Vasquez |
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SPIN Magazine October 2006
"October 27 - The Midgetmen - Stubb's: Drunk rock meets slop punk for an all-around messy affair. Previously, the local faves fed fans free fried chicken. Considering the occasion, expect pumpkin pie." [see p.114 of SPIN] |
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ATX Magazine 03.13.2006 Issue 2
"I've never seen The Midgetmen live, but if they bring half as much energy to the stage that they brought to a Thursday evening interview, I'm pretty sure it's a balls-out performance. [read more]" - Brittany Wilson |
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Wichita F5 10.20.2005 Issue 42, Volume 3
"The current members of the Midgetmen - bassist/vocalist Marc Perlman, guitarist/vocalists Jon Loyens and Alex Victoria, plus drummer Justin Petro - first met in mid-2000 while working at a software company in Austin. Petro and Perlman found themselves laid off toward the end of 2001 and eager to find a way to while away the time. Loyens and Petro would jam and before long Perlman decided that he would join in. [read more]" - Jedd Beaudoin |
| High Life Reviews |
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Austin Chronicle "Bonus Tracks" 09.16.2005 Volume 25, Number 3
"**... The second album from these Austin slop-punk mavens can't replicate the beery charms of 2002's Pool Party Emergency. Without departed vocalist Keith Shepherd around to keep the band's Twin/Tone-inspired roar on track, High Life disintegrates into a spiraling muddle of unevenness. You can hear closing time conviction trying to bust through on songs like 'Casino and Beer' and 'Fanfare (for the Common Man),' but it never quite falls together."- Greg Beets |
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MaximumRocknroll #257 October 2004
"The second LP from this Texas band. More of their tuneful punky indi-ish stuff with a heavy dose of Pixies and replacements vibe. A good release." -Ray Lujan |
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Punk Planet #63 September/October 2004
"The Midgetmen play a mix of guitar-driven indie rock with poppy leanings. A couple of songs made me think of a cross between Sonic Youth and The Cars, and I know that sounds crazy, but there you go. The record is rough around the edges and I like it that way" - Jay Castaldi |
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The Austin Chronicle "Bonus Tracks" 06.11.2004 Volume 23, Number 41
"Small in stature, big on hooks, the Midgetmen aim for the heart-on-sleeve melodipunk of Alkaline Trio or New Found Glory, but the expansive choruses and winking lyrics of High Life suggest they're having too fun much to feel all that bad.." -Chris Gray |
| Pool Party Emergency Reviews |
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The Gazette 01.14.2002 Volume 96, Issue 58
"****... The Midgetmen proudly proclaim their love for punk rock throughout this album. Sharp, fast guitars are coupled with driving bass lines and I-don't-give-a-fuck vocals. The lyrics on songs such as 'True Friend' are surprisingly sunny in comparison to the darker music. Tracks such as 'Optimistic' are, well, optimistic but without being schmaltzy or overly sentimental..." -Maggie Wrobel |
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The Austin Chronicle 02.07.2002 Volume 22, Number 23
"Breathe deeply and you'll get a whiff of the stale PBR and overheated tube amps in the Midgetmen's practice space. Plenty of toil, sweat, and beer has gone into this band, it's obvious. Songs like 'Someday,' 'True Friend,' and 'Sick Day' bounce off the walls with abundant indie rock energy. Unlike many of their latter-day punk contemporaries, the Midgetmen change things up from time to time, with plenty of dynamics and tempo changes, plus guitar tones that contrast enough to lend some texture to their songs..." -Jerry Renshaw |
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MaximumRocknroll #239 April 2003
"A punky release with a good mix of art influences such as Mission of Burma and Pavement. Some out-of-key vocals and some primal playing make this a nice change of pace. These guys do crank them out when they wanna. Do I hear some New York Dolls? A strange mix that somehow works." -Ray Lujan (PPE was also one of Mr. Lujan's "Top 10 Album Picks" for April 2003) |
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Punk Planet #55 May/June 2003
"A little bit old school rock 'n' roll, a little bit saucy Ramones. The Midgetmen manage to create a record that skips all over the sidewalk-- sometimes at a triumphant, happy gait and other times in a sort of pathetic, drunken stupor. The vocals are probably this band's strong suit." - Jason Gitzlaff |
| Live Reviews |
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Austin Chronicle "99 Bands" 07.08.2005 Volume 24, Number 45
"Back at 710, the Midgetmen create a cranky din. Although not punk rock by a length, the fourpiece won't hesitate to remind you that they were voted second-best punk rock band in the Austin Music Awards."- Darcie Stevens |
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Rank and Revue "The Midgetmen Live @ Flamingo Cantina 04.03.2003" Volume 1, Issue 6:
"The next band, the Midgetmen could be described as tongue in cheek. Current.Singer, Moyste Towelette (guitar), Pabst Smear (bass), White Cotton Panties (drums), and Jonny Lightning (guitar) purvay a mix of rock genres. The Midgetmen's opening song 'Sick Day' blasted from the stage fast and furious, an ode to staying home from work. This being the night of their one year anniversary gig, the Midgetmen meant business. Coupled with 'Railslide High' the first two songs made for a good one-two punk double roundhouse. Midgetmen's fifth song 'Past Has Gone Away' was a standout with Jonny Lightning's wah drenched guitar solo. The song 'Cock Rock', brought a smile to my face, poking fun at 'bands with big hair.' The band finished out their set by bringing two friends from the crowd up on stage to play guitar with them for a mega one year celebration jam. The crowd cheered appreciatively as the band and friends launched into The Cars 'My Best Friends Girl.' Halfway through the raucous rendering, a third friend joined on stage, adding more chaos to an already hectic stage. The cover of the Cars classic brought home the fact that the Midgetmen are five guys having fun on stage, that's what rock is all about. If you can't wait for their next show May 1st at The Red Eyed Fly, check out their website at www.themidgetmen.com and order a copy of their self produced album 'Pool Party Emergency'." - James E. Marquadt |
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