Monkey Fest 2012 dons gorilla-like muscle mass (and great music)

Four simultaneous venues, three days, and more than 30 bands for only $5. Too much? OK, the Thursday kick-off is free. Still not happy? What if I told you Friday and Saturday at the Mix will also be free for those not willing or able to pay the daily $5 all-access wristband?*  The sixth annual Monkey Fest is slowly but steadily becoming the Gorilla Fest. This year, Drunken Monkey Promotions joins forces with SATX Music, local label Texas is Funny Records, Austin label Neon Beard, and Broken Bones Zine (a new local fanzine) for what DMP's Anthony Trinidad promises will be the best yet.

"We are working together as a music scene to make a positive and enjoyable show," Trinidad told the Current. "We were talking about possibly adding film and other multimedia to next year's event."

Even without the extras, this year's lineup is strong. On Thursday, Broken Bones Zine (edited by "Tony Gnosis") celebrates its release with a stand-up comedy show hosted by Avery Moore and featuring Javier Bazaldúa, Raúl Sánchez, and Travis Thomson at Hi-Tones; on Friday, Neon Beard's Zlam Dunk will be at Hi-Tones, Trinidad's Disco Wasteland at the Mix, and Education and Sugar Skull (and this is the last time I'll mention they were formerly known as Vincent Vega; time to move on) at the White Rabbit; on Saturday, Heather Go Psycho will be at the Mix and The Grasshopper Lies Heavy at the Limelight.

But there's more, a lot more. Look up Monkey Fest 2012 on Facebook for a complete lineup and set times.

And please, buy the damn wristband.

* The original version mistakenly stated that the $5 wristband was good for three days.

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