#daniel fried

Newest US sanctions against Russia hit an economic nerve

WASHINGTON: Russia typically brushes off new US sanctions. Not this time.

The Trump administration announcement of export restrictions in response to accusations Moscow used a nerve agent to poison a former Russian spy in Britain sent the ruble tumbling to a two-year low and drew a stern warning from its prime minister. While the initial sanctions may have a limited impact, a second batch…

Ambassador Daniel Fried is starting this week as the department's sanctions coordinator, according to an internal notice, focusing on governments like Iran and Syria.

Mind Spiders

As one of the earliest acts of Friday, Mind Spiders had a tough job of entertaining the rough, eager, black stage crowd in a venue space very different than what they're used to. This Fort Worth based act, led by frontman Mark Ryan, managed to captivate this rather small crowd, and even had some onlookers dancing with maximum enthusiasm by the end of the set. With help from Daniel Fried (Bad Sports, Video) on bass and Stephen Svacina (Uptown Bums) on guitar, the stage was littered with staple musicians in the North Texas music scene. In addition to this already intensely talented set of performers sits two drummers creating an intense wall of loudness that helps translate Mind Spiders' garage rock tracks into full blown 70s punk, noise songs you can dance, or even mosh, to.

Playing newest hit, "Don't Let Her Go" earlier in the set, the band immediately warmed up the crowd for more fierce, energetic tracks to follow. At times, the size of the stage seemed sort of intimidating for this 6 piece used to playing smaller, dark venues. The stage set-up did not allow for as much fan interaction, something Daniel Fried and other members have definitely mastered and are more accustomed to.

Ultimately, Mind Spiders overcame any scheduling challenges and set a strong tone for the rest of the day on the black stage.

Ty Segall

Ty Segall hit at the stage at 5:00 accompanied by a live band containing Mikal Cronin on bass, Emily Rose Epstein on drums, Shayde Sartin on guitar, and a random stagehand in the back already setting up for the Danzig set. Upon seeing the giant tarp with the signature skull on it, Ty greeted the crowd by sneered something along the lines of, "Hey we're Danzig. It's been a while since we've been to Austin. So long that we've got the Legacy with us now. Thanks for coming." From the stage next door, someone, most likely a member of Thee Oh Sees, fondly protested his identity fraud, to which Ty Segall responded, "Dude, they fucking put it up!" And to that tune, the garage-rock began.

Opening with slower and steadier hits, Segall's live band set out to differentiate themselves from the rest of the guitar-noise that would fill the Black Stage throughout the weekend. But when they did finally take the inevitable plunge into dance-enducing punk jams, the didn't keep their thrilling individuality close to their chest, but released it onto the crowd. Fortunately, Segall is still a unique treat within this over-tread territory, with bluesly guitar and folky drums adding to his distinctive sound. While the beginning tunes like "Goodbye Bread," and "You Make The Sun Dry," might have just had the crowd playing patty-cake with the earth, faster riffs in songs like "The Drag," and "You're Not Me," commanded stampedes wild enough to kill your lion-father and cake your mouth with dirt. After his last song, Segall dropped his guitar into the crowd as a final sacrificial offering, explaining that he "never wanted to see it again." 23-year old Ty Segall hit the bullseye at offering an honest-to-dog rock n' roll show, and met the many expectations that are being set for this rising punk-star.

The Thermals

It’s always something to put in mind when comparing a band’s recordings to their live performances. The Thermals’ music is energetic as ever on record, with electric guitar solos and drum beats that could keep you going for days. Live, take the tracks’ energy and multiply by ten.

Their 45 minute set yesterday afternoon consisted of tracks from 2010’s Personal Life including “Never Listen To Me” and “I Don’t Believe You.” Foster’s improvisation with howls and shouts during various songs added to the energy she, Harris, and Glass shared onstage. Though playing an earlier set, the heat and time meant nothing when it came to the trio’s delivery.

The dust of Auditorium Shores rose quickly as the center stage crowd moved along to the music, or moreso, jumped up and down along to it. Hand claps were repeatedly shared, leaving the Orange Stage by the end packed and ready for the night ahead.