Born under the tech sector crash, The Midgetmen come bursting forth from the self proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World. Voted the Second Best Punk Band in the Austin Chronicle's 2004 Austin Music Awards, they're reawakening Texas' love of rock and roll. The Midgetmen are fresh and unlike anything ever heard before, yet instantly comforting and familiar to those bred on and fueled by the sounds of late 80s/early 90s underground rock. The Midgetmen pride themselves on their 110% DIY work ethic. Working with no outside booking agent, management firm, recording engineers, web consultants or graphic designers, The Midgetmen have set the standard in Austin, TX for doing it all within the band. They don't ask anyone else to play their instruments, write their songs, or tune their guitars; they never will pay someone else to design a branding concept or draw a logo to represent their passion. This devotion to all facets of their art earned them recognition in the Austin Chronicle's Austin Music Awards for 2006 (3rd Best Concert Poster), 2005 (3rd Best Concert Poster), 2004 (3rd Best Concert Poster), 2003 (2nd Best Album Artwork, 10th Best Concert Poster) and 2002 Austin Music Awards (10th Best Concert Poster). Originally conceived as a foursome (Jon Loyens and Alex Victoria on guitars, Marc Perlman on bass, and Justin Petro on drums) in October 2001, the Midgetmen asked their friend Keith Shepherd to join them as lead vocalist. The Midgetmen entered their own studio to record their debut album "Pool Party Emergency" in mid-2002. Its release in November 2002 provided 17 rocking songs "with a good mix of art influences such as Mission of Burma and Pavement... that somehow works" according to MaximumRocknroll. Austin's own 101x added the hit single "Can't Sleep" to Andy Langer's "Next Big Thing" playlist for over 11 months. Legendary punk forefather Mike Watt (of Minutemen/fIREHOSE fame) featured both "Ballad of a Midget Man" and "Someday" on his online radio show "The Watt From Pedro Show." After working as a quintet until mid 2003, The Midgetmen reverted to their original foursome when Keith moved from Texas to pursue other musical and career goals. Without a lead vocalist, Alex, Jon, and Marc took over singing responsibilities. In early 2004, The Midgetmen re-entered their studio to record the followup to "Pool Party Emergency." The resulting album, "High Life", presented 11 songs by a more mature and talented band. It retained the band's light hearted commentary on (and disdain for) the 9 to 5 grind, sobriety, cultural hipsters, pop punkers as well as past, present, and future sexual partners (who may or may not be sober, hip, or pop punkers). Released in late April 2004, "High Life" was supported with regional touring and a successful jaunt throughout the midwest.