Invincible Czars’ Unorthodox Rendition of the Nutcracker Suite

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More About

• Josh Robins
• Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Fender Stratocaster
• Austin
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra

There’s nothing like strapping on a Stratocaster and rockin’ out to the sounds of Tchaikovsky, right? (Sit down, Trans-Siberian Orchestra – this is much cooler.) The Invincible Czars’ Unorthodox Rendition of the Nutcracker Suite combines all the beauty of the Tchaikovsky’s original opus and turns it up to 11. The seven-piece Austin band was a little hesitant about the ambitious undertaking, mainly because they didn’t know if their usual, hard-to-impress crowd would think it was awesome or totally cheesy. But once fans heard the Suite, it was all good. “The underground, weirdo rock world we exist in has been surprisingly accepting,” says guitarist Josh Robins. During a sound check before a performance, Robins says, a 75-year-old man told him he hadn’t heard any music that motivated him to come and see it performed live until he heard the Czars’ on the radio that morning. “And I’m up there with my guitar turned up to ten, crushing the ‘Chinese Dance,’” he said and laughed. The Czars’ rendition is like a metallic version of the Suite, with a little more thrown into the mix. Robins says, “Right in the middle of ‘Russian Dance’ we go into ‘Sleigh Ride.’” See what else the Czars’ add in after Two Star Symphony and Golden Arm start the night off at 9 p.m. Rudyard’s, 2010 Waugh Drive. For information, call 713-521-0521 or visit www.rudyards.com. $8.
Sat., Dec. 8, 9 p.m., 2007