Alex - guitars/vocals Jon - guitars/vocals Justin - drums Marc - bass/vocals
Influences
The Pixies . Dinosaur Jr . Pavement . The Cars . Punk rock . Indie rock . Surf rock . Arena rock . Cock rock . Alcohol . White collar jobs
Sounds Like
Four guys, fourteen degrees of feedback, forty beers, and forty-four minutes of fun rock.
The Show Pony Press:
Soundcheck Magazine - 06.11.2008 "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." [More]
AustinSound.net - 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. " [More]
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." [More]
Sometimes galloping and sometimes trotting, The Midgetmen – Austin's slop-punk mavens – finally bust out of the gate with the release of their third album: "Show Pony". Sixteen songs short, the album captures four years of The Midgetmen's unhealthy hobby through a hazy filter of feedback, beer, and confusion. Six years after forming following the tech sector collapse, The Midgetmen still sound fresh and comforting to everyone who loves late 80s/early 90s indie rock.
The Midgetmen sired "Show Pony" after self releasing two previous albums, touring throughout America, and realizing that they had to capture the energetic boozy charm of their live shows. Inspired by sharing bills with bands as diverse as The Wrens, Catfish Haven, and Joseph Arthur, The Midgetmen were determined to record the definitive document showing just how much the band enjoys where they've been and where they're going. Lighthearted, noisy and distorted, The Midgetmen are Austin's fun rock thoroughbred.
The Midgetmen pride themselves on having set the standard in Austin, TX for doing it all within the band. They don't ask anyone else to play their instruments or write their songs, and they won't pay someone else to design a logo to represent the fun they have. This devotion has consistently earned them recognition in the Austin Chronicle's Austin Music Awards for some of the city's best poster and album artwork.
Originally conceived as a foursome (Jon Loyens and Alex Victoria on guitars, Marc Perlman on bass, and Justin Petro on drums) in October 2001, the Midgetmen asked their friend Keith Shepherd to join them as lead vocalist. The Midgetmen entered their own studio to record their debut album "Pool Party Emergency" in mid-2002. Its release in November 2002 provided seventeen rocking songs, two of which Mike Watt (of Minutemen fame) featured on his online radio show.
The Midgetmen reverted to their original foursome when Keith moved from Texas to chase other dreams in mid 2003. Lacking a vocalist, Alex, Jon, and Marc took over singing responsibilities. The band re-entered their studio to record the followup to "Pool Party Emergency" in early 2004. Released in April 2004, "High Life" presented eleven songs by a more mature and talented band. It retained the band's smirking commentary on the nine to five grind, sobriety, hipsters, and pop punkers.
Hey Alex, Marc, Jon, and Justin. Aven from the Ex-Penguins here, just wanted to drop you guys a line and let you know how much we loved playin with you guys and hope we can do it again soon!! You guys are on heavy rotation on my iPod, Three Chords and a Cloud of Dust is probably my favorite track. Keep on rockin guys. Later.
Thanks for the add, great stuff! Just looking at the pic of you all in your bio, you’re not a bunch of IT guys are you? I like “Reunion”, it’s got a great retro punk feel to it, takes me back to the seventies. All the best,
