While Austin is known for its live music scene, it’s not always so friendly to venues that welcome underage fans of punk rock bands.
To fill the void, some punk rockers in Buda have created Toten House, which is their own DIY venue for local punk shows. Toten House welcomes everyone of all ages as long as they enjoy the music, show support, and follow the alternative subculture.
Toten House does not welcome racists, nazis, child predators, white supremacists or any problematic people with bad behavior. They also kick out anyone who wants to cause problems at the venue, including destroying or vandalizing things on the property. If you fall under any of these categories and you’re well known for it, someone will most likely report you to the owner and you will be kicked out.
Toten House is owned by Woowie. She does not publicly put her name out there so she goes by Woowie. Woowie started throwing local punk shows around 2021. Her first punk show was thrown on Oct. 19, 2021. She gathered a small crowd in the beginning since the alternative community was not big back then, but people started finding out about these local punk shows over the next couple of years.
Now the punk scene has grown a lot to this day. Toten House is a small building covered in graffiti, street signs, and baby dolls just sitting around. Unfortunately, there is no AC so it’s best to drink a lot of water on hot days. It is on Woowie’s home property so if you plan to visit Toten House ask me for the address.
Outside of Toten House, they have a small area with seats around a fire pit that they always start. One of Woowie’s friends will sometimes play with fire or do amazing tricks with fire for everyone to watch. You can have a great time at Toten and buy merch from the bands after they play or buy DIY accessories from Woowie’s friends.
Woowie will sometimes throw shows on holidays too, so if you’re stuck bored at home on a holiday you can come to Toten House. Sometimes at Toten House, they cook food for anyone to buy, so if you want it’s suggested to bring a bit of money in case you feel hungry.
Woowie does not like to throw shows often since she has a life to focus on too and it’d be exhausting having to clean up the property every week, so Toten House shows mostly happen once a month.
Toten House will sometimes have a fee at the entrance so if you see a flyer, make sure you look out for any fees. They will also check at the door if you are a minor, so if you are under the age of 18 they will mark an X on your hand with a marker.
A few rising bands that I know of that have visited Toten House are Bosh, Palefade, Crush, Empyrean, Born Savage, and Nocturnal Onslaught.
Senior Aiden Ramos, who is the guitarist in Nocturnal Onslaught, shared his experience with his band performing at Toten House on October 7, 2023. The band released a single titled “Inferno Purgatory” as a raw demo on YouTube on December 11, 2023.
“It was very fun and the vibe was nice. It wasn’t too packed but it was very hot when we played, especially inside but that’s the only downside,” Ramos said. “I remember I was like uncontrollably throwing up next to our friend’s car that day. It was so hot I was dehydrated and didn’t really eat that day.”
Ramos said it is still a cool place despite the hot temperatures that day.
“I liked the environment a lot and it was fun chilling after with the band and some of our friends,” he said.
