Black Tabs

"Highlights from the bill include".." The Black Tabs’ heavy, doomy blues-psych is downright nasty—in that sexy kinda way." -Paul Carrubba - Austinist

Top 25 Austin Bands of 2012

Black Tabs #11

The Black Tabs rain down reverb drenched Garage Psych riffs with the vocal prowess of Natasha Jean smoldering over the wreckage. As darlings of the East Austin Psych scene, The Black Tabs play in town frequently while continuing to expand their fan base abroad. - Sonic Vault Austin Blog

Black Tabs have been on the radar of the apes at least since early in 2012, when someone far smarter than ourselves hipped us to the video for “Can’t Fool Me,” an unforgettable, unassailable assault of buzz-saw guitar and vocal venom with all the subtly of a ball-peen hammer leveled against your temple. Something about the song – its snarl, swagger and simplicity – forced it to be lodged permanently in our brain, where it took its place as an imagined, alternate-dimension echo of an apocryphal B-side, a low-torqued reversal of the Pentagram classic, “Forever My Queen.” Or it may have just been the use of the word, “queen.” The latest from Black Tabs, however, bring to mind something more pentecostal than pentagram-esque – that something being in general the complete (and completely excellent) four-song recording now and forever known as, “Live at the ND,” and in particular, the lead-off attack, “Jesus Is A Dyin’ Bed Maker.” And though there are but three points (guitar, drums and howl) to the sigil of Black Tabs, each point is sharp enough to draw blood. There is a part of us that would love to philosophize over and pontificate on the importance and/or enduring influence of someone like sad-master General Patton, not to mention the transferal of that importance and/or enduring influence via the work of certain musically sophisticated, flare-wearing, guitar-wielding, quarter-calling adherents - perhaps both “born into fire, fear, darkness, and death.”
But there is another part of us that simply wants to turn the volume knob to “unconscionable” and listen for the exact moment when our brain begins to melt.
Ultimately, there will be time for both. Today, we only recommend Black Tabs, high volume and a flame-retardant soul. Check out Black Tabs music at their Bandcamp page. - Revolt of the Apes Blog

This week, The Good Music Club is featuring the thundering ’70s sounding hard rocking/psych band Black Tabs. The band, led by the simmering vocals of frontwoman Natasha Jean, is a true throwback to the glory days of heavy duty garage rock. - Shannon D from Blog.vivogig.com

I like a band that reminds me of 1975. And even 1995, for that matter. Austin trio Black Tabs gives you three reasons why being forward-thinking isn't always all it's cracked up to be. - Austin Chronicle-- Article BY RAOUL HERNANDEZ

Black Tabs is a heavy psychedelic rock trio based in Austin, TX. Singer Natasha Jean and guitarist Josh Nash met in art school while living in Boston, then moved down to Texas together after hearing so many good things about Austin and its music scene. With Jason Armstrong on drums, Black Tabs have been playing shows in Austin and around Texas for two years now. The trio recorded their debut EP last July at Cacophony Recorders with Erik Wofford, who has produced a long list of records from some of Austin's best bands.

Black Tabs is currently putting together their full length debut album and also releasing a live album recorded at their recent performance for the Good Music Club. Their music is gritty, psych-fueled rock and roll with a sinister vibe thanks to distorted guitar and that signature Natasha Jean howl.

You can buy their debut EP on iTunes here, and catch them live at the Psychedelic Light & Sound festival at the 29th Street Ballroom on September 7th. - Covert Curiosity Blog

The Good Music Club: Black Tabs
Mother Earth Rock
BY RAOUL HERNANDEZ, 3:39PM, THU. SEP. 13
I like a band that reminds me of 1975. And even 1995, for that matter. Austin trio Black Tabs gives you three reasons why being forward-thinking isn't always all it's cracked up to be.


- Austin Chronicle

So very pleased to be sharing so much amazing talent with you, music lover! It’s time once again for another edition of The Good Music Club, a live monthly music event and online video series highlighting local music artists making their mark on the Austin scene. Each time we record these performances, we share the videos with new fans and resources outside of Austin, which means across the country and worldwide.

This week, we feature local psych-rock and blues trio Black Tabs, fronted by smoldering vocalist Natasha Jean, and featuring guitarist Josh Nash and drummer Jason Armstrong. This is absolutely the heavy-duty ’70s hard rock/psych-inspired brew to jam out to. And Jean belts out those vocals like there’s no tomorrow. - KUT.org (University of Texas-Austin Radio)

Self proclaimed college drop outs who make a whole lot of noise, The Black Tabs are a raw blend of gritty rock and roll cloaked in the heavy sounds of psychedelic gloom. Based in Austin, TX, The Black Tabs formed in early 2011 and are Natasha Jean (vocals), Josh Nash (guitar) and Jason Armstrong (drums).

The trio released their first self-titled EP in May and have been playing gigs throughout Texas including the Psychedelic Light & Sound festival at Cheer Up Charlie’s in east Austin on June 17th. The group has quickly integrated themselves into the local music scene and has received praise from critics on their fuzzed out sound and belting vocals. They are a band to watch and you can check them out here:

https://www.facebook.com/blacktabs

https://twitter.com/#!/black_tabs

The Black Tabs play these upcoming shows:

July 2, 2012 – Charm School Vintage – Austin, TX

July 7, 2012 – Hotel Vegas – Austin, TX

July 14, 2012 – Cheer Up Charlie’s – Austin, TX

July 21, 2012 – The White Horse – Austin, TX
- The Process Records

With fuzzed-out, distorted rock guitar, almost tribal sounding drums, and a vocalist that could quite possibly be the love child of Layne Staley and Grace Slick (unconfirmed), the Black Tabs sound like an acid trip in some early ‘70s garage. It’s heavy, cathartic, raw, and even psychedelic. Head down to Frank’s on Colorado @ 4th on April 13th, crack open a Lone Star, and take a dose of the Black Tabs. They hit the stage around 11:15
- Erin O’Keefe - The Deli Magazine

Austin Music Minute, Music
Psych Night Thursday at Beerland
May 11, 2011 6:00 am by: Laurie Gallardo



Yes, Austin has its fair share of psychedelic music fans, spanning from aficionados of the original deal from the ’60s to fans of current artists taking their cue from their musical predecessors. We just had a massive festival chock full of bands dedicated, in one form or another, to that very vibe. A powerful reverence to behold.

And the love continues on a slightly smaller scale: An all-local show at Psych Night, presented by Beerland. On the bill are some very cool acts to check out: The Beta Rhythm, Black Tabs, Chris Catalena & The Native Americans (songwriter Catalena previously performed with The Tunnels and as The Ghost Songs, and continues to play as a solo artist), and The Janes, featuring members of Shapes Have Fangs. DJ Scorpio will be on hand to spin between sets.

Make time to check it all out this Thursday night at Beerland, 711 Red River. Things get started after 9 p.m. Support your local psych – and tell ‘em I sent you.


And the love continues on a slightly smaller scale: An all-local show at Psych Night, presented by Beerland. On the bill are some very cool acts to check out: The Beta Rhythm, Black Tabs, Chris Catalena & The Native Americans (songwriter Catalena previously performed with The Tunnels and as The Ghost Songs, and continues to play as a solo artist), and The Janes, featuring members of Shapes Have Fangs. DJ Scorpio will be on hand to spin between sets.

Make time to check it all out this Thursday night at Beerland, 711 Red River. Things get started after 9 p.m. Support your local psych – and tell ‘em I sent you. - kut.org, 90.5 FM Austin, TX