Thursday, April 23, 2026
The Cosmic Clash

Author: Case Cockrell

Killer Kaya press photo
AlbumCase CockrellReview

Album review: New Killer Kaya record Live at Wall of Fog a revelation

Case Cockrell 2818 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

With powerhouses in the realm of Osees, Ty Segall, The Warlocks, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre all still in prolific, touring machine form, Santa Barbara-tested, Austin-approved Killer Kaya has been a worthy entry into the vortex of whirling, reverberated uproar that continues a 60s legacy that is irreversibly alive and well. With the release of new LP Live At Wall Of Fog yesterday, the now-Austin residents have crafted an effort that further proves trippy expertise as well as genre-clashing, tasteful retro emulation.

Read More
Water Damage Ann-Marie Rijn
Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Seven more buzz bands to see at SXSW 2025

Case Cockrell 4017 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

The South By Southwest music festival is less than a week out, and the roster of artists can seem overwhelming at first glance. With a lineup that can satisfy every kind of music lover, The Cosmic Clash brings you another seven buzz bands you should put on your list for the upcoming long week of music in Austin. All set times and venues can be found on the SXSW website and SXSW GO mobile application. All listed acts are official SXSW artists. 

Read More
Frankie and the Witch Fingers mosh
Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: seven buzz bands to see at SXSW 2025

Case Cockrell 4224 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

The 2025 edition of South By Southwest is fast approaching, and the list of acts making their way to Austin for the six-day music festival spans multiple genres and geographic origins. With this in mind, the Cosmic Clash team has curated a group of seven buzz bands we think you should put on your list for the long week of around-the-clock music. All acts are Sx official artists. All set times, along with venues, can be found on the SXSW website and SXSW GO cell application. 

Read More
Helmet 4 Mohawk Casey Chumbley
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: metal titans Helmet led triple bill at Mohawk Sunday

Case Cockrell 3091 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Last Sunday night in the Red River Cultural District, beloved downtown venue Mohawk held a legacy show that presented a gracefully aging spectacle from alternative metal titans Helmet along with opening help with talent from different heavy music spheres worldwide. For a show where doors had to open at a move-your-ass 6 p.m., the triple-punch bill made the best use of its time through acts to warm up for the deafening drop-tuned explosion of the long-running New York headbangers.

Read More
BOCPURPLEWIDE Casey Chumbley
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: 50 years of Blue Oyster Cult at Paramount Theatre

Case Cockrell 3396 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

For Long Island’s Blue Oyster Cult, the heavy metal and hard rock foundations still burn through as an enormous source of inspiration for artists both past and present. At the historic Paramount Theatre, in a rapidly gentrifying Austin, fans of all different backgrounds made their way to Congress Avenue to witness a legacy over 50 years in the making.

Read More
Chat Pile 2 Troy Gonzales
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Sludge metal act Chat Pile pummeled Mohawk fans Sunday

Case Cockrell 3390 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

A lot of Austin residents consider Interstate 35 to be an existential crisis. If you drive far enough north, you might eventually hit the cursed town of Oklahoma City. Even though most of us would never make such a wretched trek, the Oklahoma noise rock quartet Chat Pile emerges from the depths, delivering their socially aware brand of sludge metal for fans that have been indoctrinated into the music blogosphere from their spotty at best college dorm WiFi. On yet another frigid Sunday night in Austin, fans of the outspoken loud rock act packed out the Red River Cultural District stronghold Mohawk for a thought-provoking excursion that pummeled attendees’ eardrums as well as giving a powerful message of social reform

Read More
Die Spitz mohawk Troy Gonzeles
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Cold rain could not stop Die Spitz fans on Valentine’s Day

Case Cockrell 2775 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Rain was sprinkling down on a cold February Friday night as the moshers and crowd-surfers at Austin Red River Cultural District staple Mohawk caused crisis-level pandemonium for a sold-out Valentine’s Day gig. For local rockers Die Spitz, the usual attendees are sure to bring their worst, punk rock behavior.

Read More
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: supergroup MIEN played 13th Floor ahead of sophomore album

Case Cockrell 2870 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

t The Black Angels-owned The 13th Floor in the Red River Cultural District on Friday evening, the stronghold of continuous overflow fusion of music for fans that dabble in the deep cuts in the realm of Primal Scream and The Jesus and the Mary Chain, Maas’ psychedelic supergroup MIEN graced the stage for the first time in seven years. Coming with an announced new sophomore full-length LP, a head-bobbing new single, and a tour overseas on deck to prove another busy year for Maas and a band with recruits from all over the globe.

Read More
Case CockrellPremiereSong

Song premiere: Austin power pop outfit Lola Tried dropped new single today

Case Cockrell 3754 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Austin power pop outfit Lola Tried has returned with a new single on January 31 that recaptures their mission statement of undeniable anthems, bombastic live appearances, and an inclusive atmosphere that they have cultivated over their near decade tenure as a local scene staple. With multiple releases already out in the music world, the Austin act is continuing to add triumphant tunes into their arsenal and the songs just keep coming.

Read More
Austin Psych Fest 2025 promo FOL 1
Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Austin Psych Fest announced masterfully curated lineup today

Case Cockrell 3316 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Levitation’s Austin Psych Fest will return to The Far Out Lounge & Stage in South Austin on April 25 – April 27 for yet another year of a masterfully curated lineup by famed booker Rob Fitzpatrick and Resound Presents. Since returning to a Spring edition on top of the regular Levitation Fall Edition, Austin Psych Fest has both stayed in touch with the current world of independent music at large and the roots of what made the festival the coveted phenomenon it is in the present day.

Read More
Rickshaw Billies 2 Antone's Troy Gonzales
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol sold-out Antone’s

Case Cockrell 2799 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

At the sold-out Austin staple Antone’s Nightclub on a frigid, Friday, January 17 evening, Austin heavy-hitters Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol kicked off their 2025 with an indoor, deafening statement-maker for their year that is sure to be massive as their upswing to fame has shown to have no conceivable ceiling.

Read More