Punk duo The Austerity Program opened the Red Cross Benefit show last Sunday night with a thirty minute set. While the band has been around for a number of years, Sunday night was the first time I had seen them live and I really enjoyed their set. Their sound is very basic and minimal -- just guitar, bass and a pounding drum machine. There were vocals on about half the songs.


The Austerity Program released a CD EP in 2003 on Hydra Head and is currently finalizing their next CD, which is also to be released on Hydra Head.