The Spazmatics, an Austin 80s and 90s new wave tribute band, perform their kitschy, costume-clad show at Speakeasy.
The Spazmatics are back at Speakeasy on Wednesday, July 30, as part of their ongoing Wednesday night residency. They've been an Austin tradition since 2004, and they're still doing exactly what they started with: a full-on dive into the 1980s.
The four-member group bills itself as 'The Ultimate 80's & 90's Tribute Band' and 'The Ultimate New Wave 80's Band,' and the set lives up to the description. They play the best—and sometimes the worst—of 1980s new wave, and they lean hard into the kitsch of the era. The whole thing is built on a certain kind of 80s nostalgia that doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's where the real appeal is.
It's not just about the music, though. The band performs in period costume—suspenders, a pin-wheel hat, a helmet, and a neck brace—and they're joined on stage by an emotional-support chicken. Between songs, there's charmingly bad dance choreography and jokes that lean into the camp of it all, the kind of stuff that's meant to make you laugh while it takes you back to the decade. If you grew up on new wave, it's a familiar trip; if you didn't, it's a look at the era through a very specific, very Austin lens.
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Doors open at 8 PM and the show starts at 9:45 PM, so there's plenty of time to get a drink and settle in before they take the stage. The show is 18+, and VIP table reservations are available for groups of up to 50 people, which is a good call if you're bringing a crowd. You can find them at Speakeasy, 412 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701.
