Megafauna
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Megafauna

Austin, Texas, United States | SELF

Austin, Texas, United States | SELF
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"The Top 25 Bands of 2012"

“Rock siren Dani Neff leads this white hot trio through math rock and prog stylings built on accessible hooks and big finishes. Her hypnotic live presence and skilled axemanship make repeated viewings hard to resist.” - Sonic Vault


"Eagle Claw, Tia Carrera, Megafauna, Flesh Lights, Smoke & Feathers, My Education"

“Another trio with a classically hard footprint is Megafauna, which reaches into a grab bag of progressive song skeletons over which guitarist Dani Neff shreds magnificently. ” - The Austin Chronicle


"Playback: 2012-2013 Music Poll Ballot"

"Best Austin Musicians, Electric Guitar: Dani Neff (Megafauna) ” - Austin Chronicle


"Energize your Megafauna Spirit"

“Dani Neff’s vocal cadence is reminiscent of Bjork, but she has ruthless characteristics that make her singing truly different. Zack Humphrey’s fluild handling of time switches and Greg Yancey’s black magic in his progressive bass lines give the group a sound that most rock bands just can’t get to.” - Austin Fusion Magazine


"Get Trampled by Megafauna Twice this Week"

“You can catch front-woman Dani Neff running from her rhythm section by alternately marching up and down the scales of her Stratocaster like a math rocker, playing Bo Diddley-esque blues, and corralling a herd of influences with Megafauna's brand of tar pit sticky garage alternative.” - The Stranger


"Megafauna embraces a loud, animal-like sound"

“Bringing out the beast from within, Megafauna has worked to define a booming and intricate style.” - The Daily Utah Chronicle


"Megafauna/Vox and the Hound"

The Austinites in Megafauna should not to be confused with Wisconsin psychedelics in Megafaun, because if fans to the latter ended up at a show of the former, they would come away baffled. Megafauna plays a riff-heavy, shred-friendly rock/punk/metal blend that was incredibly impressive. The power trio cranked out incredibly technical work that still retained melodic and rhythmic strength; this is rare for the genre, and made my ears perk up almost immediately.

The female guitarist/vocalist's instrumental chops were counterpointed excellently by the bassist's frantic bass runs, and the drums held it all together with a furious pound. The vocals were the least integrated part of the sound, used sparingly; I was mesmerized by their incredible instrumental interactions, and therefore didn't bother too much with the vocals. This seems also to be the band's strategy. I don't normally listen to this style of music, because it becomes monotonous quickly to me, but Megafauna kept the set varied and interesting for the duration. I highly, highly recommend them to fans of loud, heavy rock. - Oklahoma Gazette


"Megafauna - Love Project"

SOTO's own Dan Corbin gave this local band a nice mention last year, so I'm probably swiping a post out from under him by posting this song. It's not my fault, though, as I just couldn't wait to share it with you guys. Be sure to slap on some headphones so that all of the nifty guitar work in it can just go directly into your ears. Megafauna just released the Eric Wofford-produced Love Project EP for free on Bandcamp. - Side One Track One


"EP Review: Love Project EP"

Hailing from Austin, TX, Megafauna is a power trio led by vocalist/guitarist Dani Neff. Love Project EP, is a three track primer for the band’s sophomore full-length album due out later this summer. The EP mixes ‘90s fuzz guitar work with pounding bass and drums and Neff’s sultry vocals. Imagine if Garbage and Siouxsie and the Banshees had a Melvins inspired lovechild – Megafauna would be said offspring. Megafauna’s music is an interesting juxtaposition of the sultry and the heavy. It will be fascinating to see where this band goes. - Oklahoma Lefty


"The Good Music Club: Megafauna"

Today, we present local rock powerhouse trio Megafauna, a solid yet intricate mix of multiple influences – prog rock, punk, metal, and classic rock. Frontwoman Dani Neff’s vocals push it over the top. Yet, there’s also the unmistakable presence of a rock-goddess brutality, reminding you that the bone-rattling turbulence of Neff’s monster guitar riffs are not necessarily for the faint of heart. - KUT, Austin Music Minutea


"Megafauna EP Release Thursday Night at The ND"

Each time you see Megafauna frontwoman and guitarist Dani Neff perform, you’ll immediately be struck by two elements: Grace and power.

On the one hand, there are the details and subtleties that go into each Megafauna track – an intricate arrangement of textures, varying tempos, shoegaze and psych layers, and the intense, seductive power of Neff’s ethereal voice.

On the other hand, there’s the kind of sweltering rock-goddess brutality that is known for face-melting – again, if I may reiterate, an essential element of any rock show worth a damn. Everything is fair game: Classic rock, garage rock, punk, and metal, and the bone-rattling turbulence of Neff’s monster guitar riffs. From their first full-length release Larger Than Human (2010) to their new EP Love Project, Megafauna presents a balance of sounds that redefines whatever “indie-rock” was supposed to mean.

Megafauna is celebrating the release of their new EP with a release show tomorrow night at The ND, located at 5th and Brushy. This is going to be a pretty impressive show with psych/prog rock trio The Boxing Lesson headlining, and the youngest rockers on the block, Residual Kid, starting the show. Doors open at 10 p.m.

I’ll give my usual safety tip: Don’t leave the earplugs at home. Recommended. - KUT, Austin Music Minute


"Megafauna: Love Project EP"

If you’re anything like me (which appears highly unlikely) when you saw that Megafauna was playing in town, you thought of these guys. However, Austin’s Megafauna is not the roots-rock-y outfit that North Carolina’s Megafaun is. Instead, Megafauna takes its cues more from modern prog rock and math rock, while remaining fairly accessible. Guitarist/singer Dani Neff moved to Austin from Brooklyn a few years back and founded this power trio, which has toured relentlessly since then. Last month, they released their second EP, Love Project, which is not nearly as warm and fuzzy as the name implies. Instead, it’s a hard-rocking three-song set that confirms this is one of the hottest rock bands in town.
Megafauna - 'This Town'

Love Project kicks off with the frenetic “This Town,” which is representative of the rest of the album by never quite repeating the same thing. Even if the same basic section is repeated, the arrangement changes emphasis, for example, and there are dramatic rhythmic and tempo shifts that keep the listener guessing. In fact, there aren’t really any hooks on this album. There are certainly memorable moments with great riffs or melodic lines, but it’s a journey that keeps you guessing.

At various moments, Megafauna recalls other art-rock, female-fronted collectives, like Deerhoof on “This Town” or a heavier Thao and the Get Down Stay Down on “Scratch at the Latch.” It’s a good legacy to follow in, and Neff nails it well. On the title track, though, Neff solidifies a sound that is very much her own, mixing hard rock with sensuous vocals, colorful chords with rocking riffs, until she has something that is fairly unique. Some credit surely needs to be given to Erik Wofford (Octopus Project, Okkervil River, White Denim, Pure X, Black Angels) and his mixing and mastering job. But Dani Neff and her compatriots have put together compelling songs that only make me want to hear more.

- Ovlrd


"Megafauna: No Fear"

“The story of Surreal Estate, the new album by the prog-grunge locals Megafauna, begins with singer/guitarist Dani Neff finishing law school at UT. "The two things are so diametrically opposed: The law is rule-based and music is free and judged by emotion. I was living someone else's dream," she admits. That sense of being off-course inspired the new disc's lyrical themes, but more than that, Surreal Estate is a sea change album for the ocean-heavy trio. It favors seismic grooves over previous math rock angles and leaves more space for Neff's halcyon vocals, which are supersized by multi-tracked harmonies on this sophomore release. The hallmark of Megafauna's sound, Neff's raging guitar work, remains – though that may be all you recognize of the original trio. Standout bassist Will Krause left the band in early 2012 and longtime drummer Cameron Page laid down his sticks not long after. Megafauna's new-blood lineup features bassist Greg Yancey and drummer Zack Humphrey, both of whom helped slay a packed house at Mohawk's inside room two weeks back for the CD release show, slamming out old and new songs with precision while Neff shredded and sang about energizing your spirit and losing your fear." - Austin Chronicle


"The-Hitones/Yellow Fever/ Megafauna"

In its previous incarnation as Dans La Lune, The Hi-Tones recalled the heyday of Shindig! in both sound and personal style. And while frontman Johnny Flores seems to have retired his extensive collection of secondhand Carnaby Street threads, his band still captures all the slick-yet-gritty spirit of the British Invasion. Flores’ beefy voice is the band’s secret weapon, the shot of R&B adrenaline that sets The Hi-Tones’ bubblegum hooks into motion. The band is currently refining future sock-hop hits at The Bubble with producer Frenchie Smith—but fuzz this thick is always better bopped and twisted to live. The other acts rounding out this presentation by boutique party-starter Lucy The Poodle Productions each echo another period of rock gone by—Megafauna plays it ragged and reckless like the heroes of the ’90s alternative boom, while YellowFever comes from a lineage of soft-spoken, skeletal of Pacific Northwesterners that thrived in the ’80s. - The Onion AV Club Austin


"The-Hitones/Yellow Fever/ Megafauna"

In its previous incarnation as Dans La Lune, The Hi-Tones recalled the heyday of Shindig! in both sound and personal style. And while frontman Johnny Flores seems to have retired his extensive collection of secondhand Carnaby Street threads, his band still captures all the slick-yet-gritty spirit of the British Invasion. Flores’ beefy voice is the band’s secret weapon, the shot of R&B adrenaline that sets The Hi-Tones’ bubblegum hooks into motion. The band is currently refining future sock-hop hits at The Bubble with producer Frenchie Smith—but fuzz this thick is always better bopped and twisted to live. The other acts rounding out this presentation by boutique party-starter Lucy The Poodle Productions each echo another period of rock gone by—Megafauna plays it ragged and reckless like the heroes of the ’90s alternative boom, while YellowFever comes from a lineage of soft-spoken, skeletal of Pacific Northwesterners that thrived in the ’80s. - The Onion AV Club Austin


"Unsane, Ratking, Megafauna"

New York gore aficionados Unsane helped pioneer the late-’80s noise-rock movement, blending Sonic Youth-style sturm und drang with straightforward hardcore. The results: a small legion of fans, a short stint with Atlantic Records, one MTV hit (the grisly, extreme sports accident compilation “Scrape”), and nearly 20 years on the road. The band’s reign of terror has gone through several starts and stops since its 2003 reformation; this month, it followed three years of silence in the wake of 2007’s Visqueen with a surprise digital release. Emo’s has been around almost as long as Unsane, and here the band cranks the gain and ups the violence quotient on the club’s 19th anniversary party, with assistance from snarling metal supergroup Ratking and the caged hardcore heat of Women In Prison. The 120 Minutes-indebted fits and spurts of Megafauna further recall Emo’s early, scummy days. - The Onion AV Club Austin


"Megafauna"

Austin trio Megafauna do noise rock at its ’90s peak—singer Dani Neff hovers over barely controlled guitar/bass/drums like a chopper over a war zone, singing with the same paradoxically engaging detachment that Laetitia Sadier was so good at (“I woke up . . . without a history. . . . I forgot the fuel . . . on purpose”), while Will Krause and Cameron Page smash to pieces anything within a messy arm’s-length circle. There’s math in a lot of the music and space in lot of the vocals, but taken all together, it’s purely tension and energy. - OC Weekly


"Megafauna"

Austin trio Megafauna do noise rock at its ’90s peak—singer Dani Neff hovers over barely controlled guitar/bass/drums like a chopper over a war zone, singing with the same paradoxically engaging detachment that Laetitia Sadier was so good at (“I woke up . . . without a history. . . . I forgot the fuel . . . on purpose”), while Will Krause and Cameron Page smash to pieces anything within a messy arm’s-length circle. There’s math in a lot of the music and space in lot of the vocals, but taken all together, it’s purely tension and energy. - OC Weekly


"A short primer on telling the difference between Megafaun and Megafauna"

You might remember that we earmarked the June 15 Megafaun show at Club Garibaldi as one of the best concerts coming up this summer. What we didn’t mention is that this month also brings screechy Austin, Tex. trio Megafauna to Stonefly for a show Thursday night. We find this scheduling quirk incredibly hilarious, if also potentially confusing, even if Megafaun and Megafauna otherwise couldn’t be more different. To clear things up, we contacted both bands to help us (and you) tell them apart.

The A.V. Club Have you heard of the other band with the strikingly similar name?

Bradley Cook (Megafaun): Yes, actually. They have been at a couple of our shows! Super nice dudes!

Dani Neff (Megafauna): Yes.

AVC: What's your opinion of the other band with the strikingly similar name?

BC: The music is rad; haven't fully dug in, but liked what I heard.

DN: They have admirable beards and awesome tunes.

MegafaunAVC: How do we tell the difference between your bands?

BC: We are waaay taller, hairier, older, married, and we chopped the last syllable.

DN: We are less bearded. They have fewer "A's" in their name. Overall, they have less vagina. Our name's an actual word. We ride fewer horses in our photos.

AVC: Have you already been asked these questions a million times?

BC: Not once! Weird, right?

DN: No, somewhere closer to pi. It's really strange having 14 percent of a person ask you that. But, seriously, closer to 57. - The Onion AV Club Milwaukee


"Megafauna, The Yeti Of Texas Prog-Rock Bands"

Sooooooo... Megafauna is this way trippy experimental rock act out of Austin who will be here annihilating Walter's tonight with their incredibly varied approach to music. Vacillating between angelic vocals and being punched in the breadbasket by a fist wrapped in tri-tones counts as variety, right?

Well, you can go to Walter's tonight and find out whether your innards will become your outtards from the mad phatness of Megafauna's music, but that's not what we're here to talk about. What sent Rocks Off into our typical blind and badly-spelled rage was their name. What the hell does Megafauna mean? The simple definition by Professor Wikipedia is that megafauna is any animal over 100 lbs.

At first we called bullshit that this designation deserved as awesome a term as megafauna. Hell, our three cats standing on each other's shoulders would count as megafauna, or at least a hit YouTube video. Then we started clicking around the links and found out, holy shit, yeti count as megafauna! So does an (allegedly) extinct 15-foot carnivorous duck from Australia!

Yeti jan27.jpg
?Standing corrected, we fired off an all-capslocked series of queries to Megafauna.

"Any animal roughly larger than a human is megafauna," said lead singer Dani Neff. "I think that music and taking time to go out and perform for people is a somewhat higher calling, and necessary to remind people that despite a lot of pressure to go out and find a comfortable job, it's important to have people going out and pushing self-directed endeavors.

"Thus what we are doing is larger than the average human, in my opinion."

That's throwing down a pretty hefty gauntlet made of giant ground-sloth hide there, little missy! Did you see that you're putting yourself in the same category as yeti? We admit, the music you make is pretty heavy.

It's definitely got brontosaurus balls, what with the wacky, all-over-the-place beats and combination of jam-band laid-backness with indie-pop appeal. What megafauna can you claim as your avatar? "I like the Condor," said Neff. "They perform vital functions for the ecosystem. They get a lot of help from high-minded people that keep them going. Their ancestor was 23 feet wide and flew. That's pretty nuts. I feel that way about Zeppelin and Sabbath and Lightning Bolt and Deerhoof and other great bands that predate us."

So, if you're not following along, not only is Neff comparing her group to legendary creatures of great size, but also legendary musicians of sizable greatness! The nerve of some people...

They'll still be singing Sabbath tunes after the apocalypse, and the remains of extinct megafauna spawned such mythological greatest hits as Odysseus and the Cyclops! Tell us, Neff, if the people of Earth a thousand years from the present day find your remains, what legends will spring up?

"I think it would be great if we were found with our instruments," said Neff, "and if their fossilized remains are confused as part of our bone structure, so these models of early humans with guitars and drum hardware incorporated into our bone structure start appearing in museums of the future.

"I would like them to also be confused by our love of the tri-tone if a copy of our CD survives."

"You know," we replied, "Most of those species were hunted to extinction by smaller, more adept hunters. Who's coming for you?"

"Small indie-pop hipster kids with their jangly guitars," said Neff, sadly.

FINAL DEFINITION

Megafauna (n): 1. Something of most excellent hugeness, e.g. Yeti. 2) The state of being bigger than you, shorty. 3) An Austin band capable of turning your innards into outtards. - Houston Press


"Megafauna, The Yeti Of Texas Prog-Rock Bands"

Sooooooo... Megafauna is this way trippy experimental rock act out of Austin who will be here annihilating Walter's tonight with their incredibly varied approach to music. Vacillating between angelic vocals and being punched in the breadbasket by a fist wrapped in tri-tones counts as variety, right?

Well, you can go to Walter's tonight and find out whether your innards will become your outtards from the mad phatness of Megafauna's music, but that's not what we're here to talk about. What sent Rocks Off into our typical blind and badly-spelled rage was their name. What the hell does Megafauna mean? The simple definition by Professor Wikipedia is that megafauna is any animal over 100 lbs.

At first we called bullshit that this designation deserved as awesome a term as megafauna. Hell, our three cats standing on each other's shoulders would count as megafauna, or at least a hit YouTube video. Then we started clicking around the links and found out, holy shit, yeti count as megafauna! So does an (allegedly) extinct 15-foot carnivorous duck from Australia!

Yeti jan27.jpg
?Standing corrected, we fired off an all-capslocked series of queries to Megafauna.

"Any animal roughly larger than a human is megafauna," said lead singer Dani Neff. "I think that music and taking time to go out and perform for people is a somewhat higher calling, and necessary to remind people that despite a lot of pressure to go out and find a comfortable job, it's important to have people going out and pushing self-directed endeavors.

"Thus what we are doing is larger than the average human, in my opinion."

That's throwing down a pretty hefty gauntlet made of giant ground-sloth hide there, little missy! Did you see that you're putting yourself in the same category as yeti? We admit, the music you make is pretty heavy.

It's definitely got brontosaurus balls, what with the wacky, all-over-the-place beats and combination of jam-band laid-backness with indie-pop appeal. What megafauna can you claim as your avatar? "I like the Condor," said Neff. "They perform vital functions for the ecosystem. They get a lot of help from high-minded people that keep them going. Their ancestor was 23 feet wide and flew. That's pretty nuts. I feel that way about Zeppelin and Sabbath and Lightning Bolt and Deerhoof and other great bands that predate us."

So, if you're not following along, not only is Neff comparing her group to legendary creatures of great size, but also legendary musicians of sizable greatness! The nerve of some people...

They'll still be singing Sabbath tunes after the apocalypse, and the remains of extinct megafauna spawned such mythological greatest hits as Odysseus and the Cyclops! Tell us, Neff, if the people of Earth a thousand years from the present day find your remains, what legends will spring up?

"I think it would be great if we were found with our instruments," said Neff, "and if their fossilized remains are confused as part of our bone structure, so these models of early humans with guitars and drum hardware incorporated into our bone structure start appearing in museums of the future.

"I would like them to also be confused by our love of the tri-tone if a copy of our CD survives."

"You know," we replied, "Most of those species were hunted to extinction by smaller, more adept hunters. Who's coming for you?"

"Small indie-pop hipster kids with their jangly guitars," said Neff, sadly.

FINAL DEFINITION

Megafauna (n): 1. Something of most excellent hugeness, e.g. Yeti. 2) The state of being bigger than you, shorty. 3) An Austin band capable of turning your innards into outtards. - Houston Press


"Texas Platters Music Reviews"

Megafauna's debut sits at the intersection of 1970s rock and 1990s noise, idling in the land of ice and snow and burnt rubber. Larger Than Human seats a wild ride of whiplash tempo changes and dizzying rhythms by the local trio, from the menacing thump of opener "Hug From a Robot" through shred-a-delic closer "Sign Says." In between, the more ethereal "Silver Lining" and "Speck" offer a change of scenery, but singer/guitarist Dani Neff never lets up on the throttle. For all the rhythmic cliffs and axe-grinding, her vocals don't match – they're more like smoke in the air – so she lets her solos melt faces instead, plus drummer Cameron Page and bassist Will Krause are the perfect net for Neff's guitar acrobatics. Larger Than Human's got lots of culs-de-sac and one-way streets, but it's best at high speeds. - Austin Chronicle


"Texas Platters Music Reviews"

Megafauna's debut sits at the intersection of 1970s rock and 1990s noise, idling in the land of ice and snow and burnt rubber. Larger Than Human seats a wild ride of whiplash tempo changes and dizzying rhythms by the local trio, from the menacing thump of opener "Hug From a Robot" through shred-a-delic closer "Sign Says." In between, the more ethereal "Silver Lining" and "Speck" offer a change of scenery, but singer/guitarist Dani Neff never lets up on the throttle. For all the rhythmic cliffs and axe-grinding, her vocals don't match – they're more like smoke in the air – so she lets her solos melt faces instead, plus drummer Cameron Page and bassist Will Krause are the perfect net for Neff's guitar acrobatics. Larger Than Human's got lots of culs-de-sac and one-way streets, but it's best at high speeds. - Austin Chronicle


"CD review: Megafauna 'Larger than Human''"

In zoology terms, megafauna are large animals. And, sure, that categorization includes commonplace mammals like humans, but it also encompasses everything from red kangaroos to gargantuan elephants. In rock terms, Megafauna is an Austin-based band with a huge sound, and with the title of their debut album, “Larger Than Human,” the members clearly identify themselves as a more exotic breed of musicians.

Luckily, the music follows suit. You get some ferocious, Zeppelin-esque shredding from guitarist and vocalist Dani Neff on “Wiretappers,” adrenaline-pumping beats from drummer Cameron Page on “Hug from a Robot” and plenty of fuzzed-out bass thumping throughout from Will Krause. But it’s not catchy melody that ties everything together. Instead, Neff usually drones through three or four whispery, high-register notes per song to create hard-edged, hypnotic rock meditations. So while “Larger Than Humans” probably isn’t for the “Party in the U.S.A.” inclined, it it should sit well with Austinites looking for some psychedelic, animalistic flavor in their independent music scene. - Austin Music Source


"CD review: Megafauna 'Larger than Human''"

In zoology terms, megafauna are large animals. And, sure, that categorization includes commonplace mammals like humans, but it also encompasses everything from red kangaroos to gargantuan elephants. In rock terms, Megafauna is an Austin-based band with a huge sound, and with the title of their debut album, “Larger Than Human,” the members clearly identify themselves as a more exotic breed of musicians.

Luckily, the music follows suit. You get some ferocious, Zeppelin-esque shredding from guitarist and vocalist Dani Neff on “Wiretappers,” adrenaline-pumping beats from drummer Cameron Page on “Hug from a Robot” and plenty of fuzzed-out bass thumping throughout from Will Krause. But it’s not catchy melody that ties everything together. Instead, Neff usually drones through three or four whispery, high-register notes per song to create hard-edged, hypnotic rock meditations. So while “Larger Than Humans” probably isn’t for the “Party in the U.S.A.” inclined, it it should sit well with Austinites looking for some psychedelic, animalistic flavor in their independent music scene. - Austin Music Source


"Megafauna- Larger than Human"

Megafauna - Larger Than Human (SR)
By Chris Galis • Nov 1st, 2010 • Category: Featured Story, Sound Reviews •

Thax Douglas, Austin’s notorious rock poet who has introduced pretty much every band EVER, proclaimed Megafauna “one of the best bands on the planet.” Pretty high praise considering the man has shared stages with every band from Daniel Johnston to Destroyer. Perhaps he decided to stake his claim after hearing the opening tracks from Megafauna’s much-overdue debut CD, Larger Than Human. Touring at least as much — if not more — than they record, Megafauna has built a reputation on their fusion of delicate pop idioms and their reverent love for metal pastiche. Falling somewhere between the anxious enjambed rhythms of Deerhoof, and the siren-like airy vocals of English shoegazers My Bloody Valentine, Megafauna have a rounded sound that is hypnotic while still retaining a lot of physicality. The preliminary measures of solo drum in “Hug From a Robot”, the opening track, seem to say that this is an album with considerable mass behind it—and it intends to move.

But the music itself seems to defy expectation at every turn. Where you’d normally anticipate familiar melody, rhythmic variation takes hold and Dani Neff — lead singer and widely proclaimed guitar goddess— seems to dangle her smooth vocals comfortably on the edge of the Megafauna’s musical expanses. Her phrasing is particularly idiosyncratic to Megafauna’s frayed sound, keeping listeners falling back into measure after measure. To the credit of Neff’s over-abled rhythm section, Will Krause and Cameron Page’s, it helps to have two musicians so determined to provide a hard line for her meandering melodies.

“Silver Lining” is especially seductive, a track that evolves and envelopes over its 4-minute run. The band, Neff included, resigns itself to the song’s ambient and progressive nature, building with percussion through bare middle measures into second and third verses, until Neff sings, “And no one lost their pretty,” and the band echoes in amplified support. This goes to show that when Megafauna aren’t trying to split eardrums, they’re trying to entrance them. And they do a damn good job. When going through the track listing on Larger Than Human, it’s surprising the diversity a decidedly heavy group can show. They even manage to demonstrate an accurate ear for pop — most notably on “Butter Cookie” - but peppered throughout deeper cuts “Canada” and mid-album track “No Humans” as well. Neff and Co. saunter through their lighter repertoire with the practiced agility that would elude most “heavy” acts. It makes you wonder why anyone every pigeon-holed this band as “grunge-metal” in the first place.

Larger Than Human is a dense album, mostly in musical aesthetic. The band’s rigid formula is in place — one which they are unwilling to stray from — and Megafauna manages to manipulate it for a very diverse listening experience. They deftly shift from straight metal on “Monsters Sleeping” to the aforementioned buoyancy of “Canada”, right into “Fun at the Apocalypse” and the brooding “Sign Says.”

Megafauna has produced a loud, hard album that somehow allows time for the dust to settle a few times during its 13-track tenure, for some nice antithesis to the barrage of guitar and drums that populate much of the album. Perhaps the hard-rock aspect makes up so much of their aesthetic due to their time spent performing live, where, as a rule of thumb, it’s almost always better to rock hard than try to showcase your musicality. Not much can go wrong when you’re just blasting guitar solos over thick backbeats and bass lines. It’s an easy formula, but sometimes those moments don’t transpose well to the studio setting, and while Megafauna certainly still sound powerful, it’s their more genial, cultivated moments that will keep me spinning Larger Than Human. - Austin Sound


"Megafauna- Larger than Human"

Megafauna - Larger Than Human (SR)
By Chris Galis • Nov 1st, 2010 • Category: Featured Story, Sound Reviews •

Thax Douglas, Austin’s notorious rock poet who has introduced pretty much every band EVER, proclaimed Megafauna “one of the best bands on the planet.” Pretty high praise considering the man has shared stages with every band from Daniel Johnston to Destroyer. Perhaps he decided to stake his claim after hearing the opening tracks from Megafauna’s much-overdue debut CD, Larger Than Human. Touring at least as much — if not more — than they record, Megafauna has built a reputation on their fusion of delicate pop idioms and their reverent love for metal pastiche. Falling somewhere between the anxious enjambed rhythms of Deerhoof, and the siren-like airy vocals of English shoegazers My Bloody Valentine, Megafauna have a rounded sound that is hypnotic while still retaining a lot of physicality. The preliminary measures of solo drum in “Hug From a Robot”, the opening track, seem to say that this is an album with considerable mass behind it—and it intends to move.

But the music itself seems to defy expectation at every turn. Where you’d normally anticipate familiar melody, rhythmic variation takes hold and Dani Neff — lead singer and widely proclaimed guitar goddess— seems to dangle her smooth vocals comfortably on the edge of the Megafauna’s musical expanses. Her phrasing is particularly idiosyncratic to Megafauna’s frayed sound, keeping listeners falling back into measure after measure. To the credit of Neff’s over-abled rhythm section, Will Krause and Cameron Page’s, it helps to have two musicians so determined to provide a hard line for her meandering melodies.

“Silver Lining” is especially seductive, a track that evolves and envelopes over its 4-minute run. The band, Neff included, resigns itself to the song’s ambient and progressive nature, building with percussion through bare middle measures into second and third verses, until Neff sings, “And no one lost their pretty,” and the band echoes in amplified support. This goes to show that when Megafauna aren’t trying to split eardrums, they’re trying to entrance them. And they do a damn good job. When going through the track listing on Larger Than Human, it’s surprising the diversity a decidedly heavy group can show. They even manage to demonstrate an accurate ear for pop — most notably on “Butter Cookie” - but peppered throughout deeper cuts “Canada” and mid-album track “No Humans” as well. Neff and Co. saunter through their lighter repertoire with the practiced agility that would elude most “heavy” acts. It makes you wonder why anyone every pigeon-holed this band as “grunge-metal” in the first place.

Larger Than Human is a dense album, mostly in musical aesthetic. The band’s rigid formula is in place — one which they are unwilling to stray from — and Megafauna manages to manipulate it for a very diverse listening experience. They deftly shift from straight metal on “Monsters Sleeping” to the aforementioned buoyancy of “Canada”, right into “Fun at the Apocalypse” and the brooding “Sign Says.”

Megafauna has produced a loud, hard album that somehow allows time for the dust to settle a few times during its 13-track tenure, for some nice antithesis to the barrage of guitar and drums that populate much of the album. Perhaps the hard-rock aspect makes up so much of their aesthetic due to their time spent performing live, where, as a rule of thumb, it’s almost always better to rock hard than try to showcase your musicality. Not much can go wrong when you’re just blasting guitar solos over thick backbeats and bass lines. It’s an easy formula, but sometimes those moments don’t transpose well to the studio setting, and while Megafauna certainly still sound powerful, it’s their more genial, cultivated moments that will keep me spinning Larger Than Human. - Austin Sound


"Phasers on Funky"

Phasers on Funky

I haven't done a CD review in a long time. Good thing I have a stack of them here to work on. I still need to spend some more time with the new Megafauna, which is too expansive to summarize quickly. I will say that they're one of the most original bands in Austin and the record (Larger Than Human) sounds great. I've enjoyed seeing them live and I have a new appreciation for how they are wiring some far-flung references into a highly creative sound, listening to them documented on disc so sharply. You should go see them Saturday at Hole in the Wall, with Transmography and the Hi-Tones among others. Three bucks, free before nine. Will get an in-depth review up soon. - Big Western Flavor


"Megafauna CD Release"

Returning from their fifth national tour, Megafauna are back home in Austin and set to unveil their much anticipated debut full-length album Larger Than Human this Saturday night at Hole in The Wall. If you’re unfamiliar with the three-piece, don’t let lead songstress Dani Neff’s delicate voice fool you into grouping Megafauna with the softer side of the everyday indie band. Neff’s fragile vocals may set you in a trance, but she’ll quickly jolt you back to life with the snap of her axe.

Together with rhythm makers Will Krause and Cameron Page, the trio have a distinct garage-rock vibe that fluctuates from improvisational and to composed, but never shies away from a shredding guitar solo. They clearly enjoy experimenting with their sound, as demonstrated in the unique approach the band took in producing this album. Larger Than Human was produced by Megafauna at four notable local studios: Cacophony Recorders, Premium Recording, The Bubble, and Cucury Productions. Why not settle on one place? Well, conventional production and preconceived limitations are simply not an option.


Megafauna’s release party will be a sizable affair, kicking off at 7pm with performances by Transmography, Red Leaves, Dead is Not A Joyride, We The Granada, and The Hi-Tones. Local underground rock-poet and Mefafauna fan Thax Douglas is also expected to be in attendance.
- The Austinist


"Megafauna: Recommended Event"

The uneven rhythms of Megafauna shrug off any discernible genre tag, but there are still some mammoth rawk waves on the local trio’s debut, Larger Than Human. Led by the smooth vocals and jagged edge of guitarist Dani Neff, their “Fun at the Apocalypse” and “Machines in the Sky” ride the wild rails of early 1990s Austin punk more than anything. The release corrals a mess of locals like Transmography, Red Leaves, the Hi-Tones, Death Is Not a Joyride., and more. – Audra Schroeder - Austin Chronicle


"Lucy the Poodle's Back to School Party! Celebrating Megafauna's CD Release"

Lucy The Poodle Productions presents a two stage, Back-to-School party at Hole in The Wall on August 21st.
The lineup includes:
MEGAFAUNA (CD Release)- "erratic and inspiring and wonky and frightening and wonderful all at once. If you’re looking for something new, check ‘em out." -Cannibal Cheerleader
plus Transmography, We The Granada, Red Leaves, The Hi-Tones, Shapes Stars Make, Death Is Not A Joyride, Snowbyrd, The Great Nostalgic, Os Ovni and §§
- Austin 360


"Megafauna: Critic's Pick"

First off: Megafauna’s vocalist-guitarist Dani Neff is better than the condescending “lookee here, a girl playin’ guitar good” BS musicians (not to mention butchers, bankers, and candlestickmakers) of the Venusian persuasion have to endure. A lot better. We probably shouldn’t have even brought it up, in fact. It isn’t often, though, that you hear musicians willing to drown such gorgeous female vocals in waves of technically accomplished guitar chaos. “Fun at the Apocalypse “ lives up to its name — Neff’s haunted revelations and Will Krause and Cameron Page’s brimstone rhythm heed to solos that will melt the seals off seven scrolls. But “Butter Cookie,” with Neff’s delicate self-harmonizing, could be a Regina Spektor song, at least until it’s dunked in grunge. Krause’s bass buzzes hungrily, and Page’s sticks smack the finish from his cymbals while Neff pulls off several of the moves that eventually required Eddie Van Halen to undergo hand surgery. You’d be tempted to call it cock rock, except for one obvious reason: Megafauna’s material is too weird and original to compare to some ego-driven garbage like Ted Nugent. Since Neff writes the songs, you could analyze them through a feminist lens as an angry rebellion against the traditional testosterone-oozing rock-song structure, but we’ve spent too much time already attempting to justify the somewhat-misguided pseudo-liberal thrill we get from watching a pretty lady play the living shit out of an electric guitar. Call for price, 10pm Fri, Feb 19, Limelight , 2718 N. St. Mary’s, (210) 735-7775 , myspace.com/limelightsa — Jeremy Martin - San Antonio Current


"Megafauna"

Who knows if PJ's stage will be large enough to withstand the might of Austin's female-fronted trio Megafauna. If you're into that soft-loud dynamic — delicate vocals suddenly erupting into Pavement-esque bursts of noise, vintage metal riffs or fierce cascades of drum whammies — songs like "Butter Cookie" will make you question how your feminine side should sound. Vocalist/shredmaster Dani Neff and her gang of capable dudes are getting much critical acclaim in the Lone Star State, and we second that emotion. - Real Detroit Weekly


"Megafauna are Larger than Humans"

Austin’s a town of guitar-heroines, with Cannibal Cheerleader favorites like the Faceless Werewolves and Ume shredding and face-annihilating audiences up and down the blood-soaked streets with unimaginable licks and killer technique, and one of our favorite finds of 2010 Megafauna are no different, with Dani Neff wielding the axe like a instrument of torture. Still, what’s truly surprising about the band’s new LP Larger Than Human is not the guitar wizardry on display, formidable as it might be, but the depth with which the sound is incorporated into the group’s layered and mysterious sound. One moment Neff acts the chanteuse, lithe and nimble in her articulation, bubbling softly over waves of propelling rhythm care of bassist Will Krause and drummer Cameron Page, and the next the beast of her guitar roars to life, searing a certain passage or rip-roaring through a particular breakdown with hot wreckless abandon. The record delights in unusual song structure, strutting about with garage-rock forwardness on tracks like “No Humans” before dipping into a noodly-indie-rock lesson in guitar proficiency on songs like “Speck”. Then it’s back to a slow, heartfelt verse in the singer-songwriter style as on “Warm House” before once again smashing down in a grungey corpse-strewn mess as on “Butter Cookie”. To say that Megafauna defy simple definition would do Webster a disservice – the group has it all, wrapped in a small three-person-package, and its weird and haunting and erratic and inspiring and wonky and frightening and wonderful all at once. If you’re looking for something new, check ‘em out.

The band’s having a record release show at Hole in the Wall on August 21st here in Austin – be sure and make it down! - Cannibal Cheerleader, Austin blog


"Megafauna at PJ's Lager House"

Check out Megafauna and dig a track like “Fun at the Apocalypse,” which aptly captures their hard-driving math-rock meets erratic avant-garde indie-rock deconstructionists sensibilities, sets a great groove and loves to bend those solos into noise-pop glory, with hard-hitting rhythms. - Deep Cutz Music Blog, Detroit, Michigan


"From the Open Blog: Megafauna!"

Riding the recent wave of publicity from their fifth national tour, Megafauna is finally releasing its full-length debut album, Larger than Human. Fans and press alike are singing the praises of Megafauna, Austin’s newest rock sensation.

Megafauna features Dani Neff as vocalist/axe-wielding guitar goddess and Will Krause and Cameron Page as her rocking rhythm section. Neff has been called a "sexy maniac" and often comes on stage in a Tyrannosaurus Rex costume, which she then strips off to reveal a skintight leopard print unitard, tutu or a star track mini dress. Neff has been described as a “shredmaster” and consistently stuns audiences with one-million-notes-a-second blasts of power.

“Will Krause and Cameron Page’s brimstone rhythm heed to solos that will melt the seals off seven scrolls,” writes Jeremy Martin from the San Antonio Current. “Neff pulls off several of the moves that eventually required Van Halen to undergo hand surgery.” Austin blog, Big Western Flavor, described Neff’s solos as “blood-curdling, burning flesh.” Called “noise-pop glory” by Detroit blog Deep Cutz, and “grunge rock and metal-inspired madness” by Flagpole Magazine, Megafauna is making quite the impact around the country. One awe-struck fan said that it is a “shocking co-mingling of everything that matters.”

Underground poet Thax Douglas, who has introduced the likes of MGMT and Dirty Projectors, read a poem before Megafauna’s last show at Mohawkand then explained that Megafauna is “one of the best bands on the planet.”

Much like Megafauna’s music and live performances, their newest album Larger than Human is a pastiche. Larger than Human was recorded at four Austin recording studios: Cacophony Recorders, Premium Recording, The Bubble and Cucuy Productions. “It’s an unconventional approach,” Will Krause explains. “We wanted the album to have a unique texture. We thought that recording different kinds of songs at different studios would accentuate the area covered by the album.” “It remains cohesive though,” adds Neff. “We also wanted to offer listeners around the country a sampling of what Austin has to offer in the way of recording.” At Cacophony Recorders, Megafauna worked with Eric Wofford, the man behind the Black Angels’ first album. They also worked with Alex Lyon at The Bubble, a studio that has recorded And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Jet, and Explosions in the Sky.

Larger than Human is heroic and outlandish, at once heavy and poppy, improvisational and staunchly composed. It is Stereolab meets ACDC, featuring vintage metal riffs paired with gorgeous ethereal vocals. The album is epic yet fiercely catchy. One listener noted, “these songs are crazy, but they get stuck in your head.” “Not enough can be said about this band” said Austin blog Cannibal Cheerleader, “they supply a smorgasbord of indie-rock madness for all to enjoy.”

Hole in the Wall will be abuzz on the night of Saturday, August 21st in celebration of Larger than Human’s release. “We’re really excited,” guitarist/vocalist Dani Neff says of the new release, “It sounds fantastic.”

The party kicks off at seven and features eleven Austin indie-rock bands, including Transmography, Red Leaves, Death is Not a Joyride, We the Granada and The Hi-Tones. The event is free before 9:00pm and $3 after 9pm. “We try to make sure all of our shows are cheap,” says Neff. “We don’t want anyone to be turned away because of money.” Austin booking and promotion company, Lucy The Poodle Productions, is putting on the event. “There will probably be a special appearance by our favorite poet and good friend, Thax Douglas,” Neff assures.

Texas and Louisiana tour dates for August and September, as well as more information on buying the CD, can be found at www.myspace.com/mymegafauna. - The Deli Magazine


"Calendar Pick: Megafauna"

Remember the shock of seeing Jucifer for the first time? The adrenaline jolt of seeing lead singer Amber Valentine shred her guitar in a one-million-notes-a-second blast of power? If that experience is worth reliving, be sure to check out Austin’s Megafauna.

Megafauna

Megafauna lead singer and chief songwriter Dani Neff may not be the heavy metal hero that Valentine is, but she does share the dubious reputation for lulling the casual and presumptive listener into thinking that her band may be something a bit softer, a bit quieter and a bit more laid back than the grunge rock and metal-inspired guitar madness than it unleashes. And Neff is quite used to preconceived notions about being in a female-fronted band.

“There’s a stereotype with people assuming what kind of music we play. Actually, the paper in Chicago described us as a folk-pop band, and I don’t know how, but it’s great to mess with people’s expectations,” says Neff.

Megafauna’s roots aren’t in the flowery pop of Joni Mitchell or the angst-ridden dirges of Tori Amos, instead Neff and fellow bandmembers Will Krause and Cameron Page craft music with a bit more muscle and masculine influences.

For those who are in the know, expect a great evening of powerful guitar rock with ethereal vocals, and be sure not to ruin the surprise for those who have no idea. Music starts at 10 p.m., and the show costs $5 at the door. - Flagpole Magazine, Athens, GA


"Megafauna- PJs Lager House Detroit"

Megafauna is from Austin, Texas.
The group's development in a warm weather climate is discernible;
they are the perfect summertime band: chill, catchy and real
Disclaimer:
MCB really really really digs Megafauna so we are typing this up in all red letters so you have to read it and then listen to them thus forcing you to go the show and check them out live and buy them drinks - Motorcity Blog


"Megafauna + Frigates + The Postcards @ Empty Bottle, Chicago"

Not to be confused with North Carolina's twangy Megafaun, Austin trio Megafauna works in a decidedly darker vein mining postpunk and metal. - Time Out Chicago


"Miranda + Megafauna"

From the best show of SXSW 2010 to the greatest find of the festival, we turn to local act Megafauna who stunned the CCC at a house party on the East Side. Not to be confused with the Bon Iver associated act Megafaun, Megafauna is an Austin-based rock trio featuring riot grrrl extraordinaire Dani Neff as the axe-wielding guitar goddess in the vein of Marnie Stern and Ume’s Lauren Larsen with a taste for experimentalism and whip-crack heroics. While Stern relies chiefly on sheer speed and finger-picking, and Larsen throttles with waves of crushing sound, Neff pummels with pedal-less snarl, letting her Hendrix-inspired sensibilities do the talking as the group’s excellent rhythm section, featuring slap-bass and crashing drums, supply a smorgasbord of indie-rock madness for all to enjoy. Not enough can simply be said about this group whose loud-quiet-loud formula mixed with supremely satisfying and amazing guitarwork lead to a band that can kick out the jams with gusto while still granting themselves an experimental edge. Definitely check them out! - Cannibal Cheerleader, Austin blog


"Calendar Pick: Megafauna"

Remember the shock of seeing Jucifer for the first time? The adrenaline jolt of seeing lead singer Amber Valentine shred her guitar in a one-million-notes-a-second blast of power? If that experience is worth reliving, be sure to check out Austin’s Megafauna.

Megafauna

Megafauna lead singer and chief songwriter Dani Neff may not be the heavy metal hero that Valentine is, but she does share the dubious reputation for lulling the casual and presumptive listener into thinking that her band may be something a bit softer, a bit quieter and a bit more laid back than the grunge rock and metal-inspired guitar madness than it unleashes. And Neff is quite used to preconceived notions about being in a female-fronted band.

“There’s a stereotype with people assuming what kind of music we play. Actually, the paper in Chicago described us as a folk-pop band, and I don’t know how, but it’s great to mess with people’s expectations,” says Neff.

Megafauna’s roots aren’t in the flowery pop of Joni Mitchell or the angst-ridden dirges of Tori Amos, instead Neff and fellow bandmembers Will Krause and Cameron Page craft music with a bit more muscle and masculine influences.

For those who are in the know, expect a great evening of powerful guitar rock with ethereal vocals, and be sure not to ruin the surprise for those who have no idea. Music starts at 10 p.m., and the show costs $5 at the door. - Flagpole Magazine, Athens, GA


""A Fine Affair: Finding a Sound""

She looked demure when she sang, but turned into an axe-slinging demon when she stepped away from the microphone, shredding on guitar like Jimmy Page getting poked with a cattle prod. I didn't catch her name, but she's an unbelievable guitarist." --Eric Danton, Hartford Courant. - Hartford Courant


""A Fine Affair: Finding a Sound""

She looked demure when she sang, but turned into an axe-slinging demon when she stepped away from the microphone, shredding on guitar like Jimmy Page getting poked with a cattle prod. I didn't catch her name, but she's an unbelievable guitarist." --Eric Danton, Hartford Courant. - Hartford Courant


Discography

Already Born, 2013
Surreal Estate, 2012
Love Project, 2012
Larger than Human, 2010

Photos

Bio

Megafauna is the brainchild of Connecticut born shredder, Dani Neff. Dani moved to Austin, Texas in 2008, after graduating from Yale. Dani started Megafauna within weeks of moving to Austin. She then played and toured with Megafauna while attending the University of Texas Law School. She is now a practicing Entertainment lawyer as well as a favorite guitarist and front-woman in the national underground.

In 2009 and 2010, the band recorded their first LP, Larger than Human. The album was met with positive reviews here and in France, Switzerland and Belgium.

In 2011, Megafauna recorded their second LP, Surreal Estate, with Erik Wofford at Cacophony Recorders. Due to a lineup change, the album was never officially released.

In 2012, Dani recruited friend and drummer, Zack Humphrey and local bass legend, Greg Yancey. In his spare time, Greg constructs basses and is an electrical engineer who produces computer chips.

In June of 2013, the band recorded "Already Born" at Matchbox Studios. It is set to be released on Tuesday, October 8th.

Megafauna has teamed up with local label Eye in the Sky Collective and Team Clermont, an independent radio promotion company to promote the release. The band will be touring relentlessly for the next year in support of the album.