Interviews with Ian ft. Chris Gates

Come hang out for an intimate live recording of Interviews with Ian featuring Austin rock staple Chris Gates.

Starting his journey at 18 as a founding member of The Big Boys, Chris helped define an era with one of Texas's most groundbreaking and influential bands. By fusing raw hardcore punk aggression with danceable funk grooves, The Big Boys broke all the rules and set the stage for generations of rock music to follow—a legacy now captured in the new documentary about the band, You Can Color Outside the Lines. Chris followed that momentum with Poison 13, cooking up a gritty, blues-soaked garage punk sound that Chunklet Magazine called the "shot heard round the world of grunge," directly shaping the Pacific Northwest scene and modern garage rock.

Chris later headed west to form Junkyard, signing to Geffen Records and cutting through the late-’80s Sunset Strip hair-metal scene with honest, Southern-fried hard rock, an MTV hit with “Hollywood,” and nearly a million records sold. Since returning home to Austin, he has kept writing and playing across genres—from Americana with Gatesville to playing in The Liars Club.

If you want a no-BS look into Austin punk history, the reality of '80s major-label rock, and a masterclass in songwriting longevity, this is a day you won't want to miss. Grab a ticket and come join the conversation!