Live Review: The Cliks & Girl in a Coma @ Stubb's (Austin, TX) 12/12

I should probably start off by saying that I have been waiting for this show since the day it was announced. Two of my most favorite bands playing together in Austin at an intimate venue (Stubb's inside). It's a music lover's dream come true.

Couple that with The Cliks absolutely stealing the show and you've got a night to remember. Lucas Silveria, the Cliks' lead singer/guitarist, has always been a captivating figure. Soulful lyrics, a powerful unique voice and excellent audience rapport have made him one of my favorite indie frontmen. We arrived about 30 mins prior to showtime and witnessed The Cliks embroiled in a game of pool in the small side room inside at Stubb's. No rockstar attitudes, no hiding in a green room. The Cliks are very real people with a strong passion for their music. It's a passion that is evident both on recordings and at live shows.

Silveria's enthusiasm for the stage was evident during their encore Nobody Else Will. I hadn't really noticed this track much on their album Snakehouse, but the pain, angst and hurt in Silveria's voice drew me in. The ability to captivate attention and convey emotion while on stage is a rare talent and something that sets The Cliks apart.

The Cliks' lead guitarist, Nina Martinez, also proved to be particularly intriguing. She exhibits phenomenal guitarwork, but also a mysterious stage presence that engrossed quite a few of us standing near stage right. The way Martinez moved and carried herself on stage is something that more performers could learn from. She moved, but not in an overly cliche way. Her movements were not calculated, but the natural energy of a person who feels the emotion in their own music.

The Cliks owned the night. My favorite moment was during Oh Yeah, the crowd took lead vocals on the chorus, chanting "I want, I want, I want my baby.. I want, I want, I want my baby back." Incredible for an underground band, who gets no radio play in this part of the country, for an audience of 100+ to know every word to their songs. A true testament to the power of the internet, word of mouth and other alternate distribution methods that are gaining popularity.

Last, but certainly not least, was Girl in a Coma. The San Antonio-based three piece is currently signed to Joan Jett's Blackheart Records. Fresh off tour with Morrissey, these girls have been road warriors in 2007, and don't look to be letting up anytime soon. They will finish out the year on dates with fellow Texans The Toadies, and then cross the pond to take up with Morrissey for dates throughout Europe.

Girl In A Coma has been one of my local/regional favorites for well over a year now, and that is for the simple fact that their music is unique and true to who they are. Lead singer/guitar Nina Diaz writes lyrics that are deeply personal and yet universal at the same time. As a whole the band exudes the indie spirit, that drive and desire to make it big and make you dance and headbang along the way.

The crowd went absolutely crazy when they broke into the opening chords of Their Cell. Though I wouldn't consider Girl In A Coma the band most likely to induce a mosh pit, some fans were definitely whipped into a frenzy. My personal highlight of the night was their encore (which I believe was called) Do You Dance? The song is not on their CD, and this was the first time I'd heard it in the three GIAC shows I've seen. Definitely a catchy, danceable song, that reminded me of classic 50's rock tunes.

Needless to say, I was pretty bowled over by this show. Though next time, I expect to see these acts in much larger venues. A word to the wise... catch them while you can. The Cliks and Girl in A Coma are both on their way to major mainstream success.