Theres 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 Tchaikovskys original opus and turns it up to 11. The seven-piece Austin band was a little hesitant about the ambitious undertaking, mainly because they didnt 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 hadnt heard any music that motivated him to come and see it performed live until he heard the Czars on the radio that morning. And Im 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. Rudyards, 2010 Waugh Drive. For information, call 713-521-0521 or visit www.rudyards.com. $8.
Sat., Dec. 8, 9 p.m., 2007
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.