Originally a father-son duo, Austin-based indie psychedelic musical group Molecular Steve comprises nine former members of esteemed Austin bands including Prescott Curlywolf, The Damnations and The Meat Puppets. Their debut self-titled album released July 19 through Athens, Georgia-based Strolling Bones Records. With an identity rooted in the Austin music scene, the group will perform at ACL Music Festival weekend two in September.

The Daily Texan sat down with Molecular Steve about their new album and journey performing in the Austin music scene. 

Daily Texan: How did “Molecular Steve” come about? 

Molecular Steve: It was not an intentional effort to write up an album and get a record deal. … I was involved in the music industry decades ago and saved a lot of songs and riffs that over the years stuck in my head. I really wanted to complete them and see them to fruition. My son composes music as well and so we were just having fun with new recording equipment — we were just doing it for entertainment. Then it turned out a lot better than we thought it would. That led us to get more people involved and then that ultimately led to me contacting a record label that I used to be on. 

DT: What is it like performing in the Austin music scene? 

MS: A great time to perform in Austin was definitely the 90s. South By Southwest was just kicking off and this was pre-ACL (Austin City Limits Festival) … I’ve played the ACL festival a couple of times with a couple different bands and it’s a fantastic experience to do that. 

DT: How has the Austin music scene changed in your opinion? 

MS: Unfortunately a lot of the classic venues that were such great laboratories for developing music have gone away, like the Electric Lounge and Liberty Lunch. But there’s a great scene (today). There are some fantastic bands that are coming out of this town constantly. I by no means allow myself to get stuck in 90s nostalgia. There’s a lot of it that was good and a lot of it that wasn’t very good. 

DT: How does it feel to now be making music with your son? 

MS: It’s unbelievable. We raised him, taking him to see indie rock shows. His comfort music from childhood was Guided by Voices and Gorillaz and stuff like that. … He’s super talented … it’s been all the world of difference. 

DT: Is there anything else you would like people to know?

MS: One thing about older songwriters is that … they talk about ‘back in the day.’ Those are the songs that get locked in this time capsule. I am always willing to listen (to new things). … There’s some music that inspires you to write. And then, there’s some music that is so good you’re just like ‘I’m going to stop because I could never match that kind of level of quality.’ That makes it easy to be passionate about learning new things and hearing (new) music. … I like the fact that (the record) can’t be pigeonholed. The next generation of songs are going to be even more diverse.