Local Austin band CorMae made an appearance this Friday, the 13th, at downtown Austin’s The 13th Floor. Their performance was part of an official SXSW showcase alongside other killer local bands.
CorMae is a 5-piece, femme-fronted, queer, garage/punk band from our very own Austin, Texas. Their music is inspired by the sound of late 90s riot grrrl bands, egg punk, and a bit of Brit punk.
A relatively new band, CorMae has been consistently producing music that blends unique experimental post-punk sounds with impeccably witty lyricism and an amazing animated energy.
With the commercialization of the music industry in the increasingly politicized and divided world we live in, it is hard to find music that ties back to the true roots of punk, which is rooted in its fight for equality, freedom, and individuality. CorMae addresses real-world problems of 2026, much like punk bands in the late 70s and early 80s.
Music is a powerful tool, and I love how CorMae utilizes this power to create fun sounds while simultaneously fighting for our rights. We’ve seen such a decline of political callouts in music since the 90s, but CorMae brings a revival.
Amber Miller, the band's lead vocalist and lyricist, has a fantastic, animated, engaged, and stand-out stage presence. Amber has an amazing ability to incorporate the impactful, politically charged lyrics into the fast-paced beats. This combination yields experimental post-punk songs with a fun, energetic sound ingrained with a deeper message.
The band played songs from their latest EP Hot Damn!, such as “Vacay” and “Sry Mom”, along with a couple of their “older” songs (2025) like “Hipsters in <3” and “Satisfactory Life Survivor”. Towards the end, the band teased a bit of new music and closed with their recent release “Purple People Eater”.
The energy of the band transferred to the crowd, creating a rowdy, fun night in the back of a little dive bar. CorMae is full of passion and love for the power that music holds of connection, creation, and change.
Every member of CorMae has an awesome vibe, and the band itself has such a unique, upbeat sound. A couple of their riffs have been stuck in my head for days! They hold the sound, stage presence, and power to do big things. I believe exciting experiences are on the horizon for them.