LIVE REVIEW: Die Spitz at Paper Tiger
Photo Courtesy of Pooneh Ghana
SAN ANTONIO, TX | PAPER TIGER | DECEMBER 18, 2025 | WRITTEN BY AVERI VILLANUEVA
Die Spitz have built a reputation the old-fashioned way— by playing loud, fast, and sharp. This Austin-based punk band has steadily gained attention for their high-energy live shows, and their stop at the Paper Tiger reflected a group fully aware of the momentum behind them. The 4-piece is made up of Ava Schrobilgen, Chloe Andrews, Ellie Livingston, and Kate Halter. Fresh off the release of their debut album Something To Consume, the band is proving that their recorded work captures the same intensity that fans experience live, solidifying their status as one of the most exciting punk acts on the scene today.
Opening the night with a bang was the band Farmer’s Wife. Armed with a heart-shaped guitar and high-cutting vocals, the band was nothing short of captivating, drawing the crowd in within the first few chords. Frontwoman Molly Massen moved between airy melodies and sharp, full-bodied screams, anchoring a set that felt fun and intentional. My favorite song of the night had to be “Greg Abbott’s Maxi Pad,” which is exactly how it sounds—a cheeky song that managed to be both self-explanatory and impossible to forget.
After the 30-minute intermission between bands, the house lights faded, and the crowd began to scream with anticipation. The stage screen turned on, projecting the band's name in dark red letters— Die Spitz—before Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” unexpectedly started to play, producing a few laughs from the crowd, including myself. Playing a random song before coming out felt like a mood-setter, a quick joke before the plunge. As the band took their places on stage, the energy shifted almost instantly. As the cheering began to die down, Livingston's heavy breathing sounded, followed by the start of “I Hate When Girls Die,” a song mixed with heavy metal and punk, featuring raw vocals and distorted guitar, kicking the show off with full force.
As the crowd was coming down from the high that was moshing and crowd surfing to songs like “Monkey Song,” “American Porn,” and “Down On It,” the band took a moment to highlight important issues going on in the world and use their platform to support and lift one another. “We hope to use this platform for good, and spread shit,” they said, followed by, “Fuck ICE, protect your friends, and Free Palestine.” Their message was raw, direct, and infused with the same fire that lit up the room just minutes before, blending music and activism seamlessly.
From that point, the night unfolded like a wave of sound. Die Spitz dug into some of my personal favorites with “Voir Dire” and “Punishers,” which are just as incredible live as they are on the record. Between songs, Livingston made it clear how much she loved San Antonio, pointing out that it was a sold-out show and declaring the city “the best,” which only fueled the audience’s excitement more. The connection with the crowd was honest and electric, and when it came time for “Riding With My Girls,” she yelled, “Can we bring the girls to the front?” prompting a rush of fans forward, ready to participate in the empowered celebration.
As the set neared the end, the energy refused to die. The audience chanted relentlessly for an encore, and the band returned for three final songs, each one landing harder than the last. During their final song, “Throw Yourself To The Sword,” Livingston knelt at the edge of the stage with her sword and individually knighted the girls at the front, complimenting each one before moving on to the next. It was the perfect end to the night of chaos, camaraderie, and unapologetic empowerment.
Die Spitz really proved why they’re a live act you simply can’t miss—turning every show into a crazy, unforgettable experience. From their first heavy riff to their final shouted lyric, the band commands the stage with an energy that’s equal parts vicious and magnetic. As they continue to use their platform for good while also leaving a mark so honest and fierce, they are going to undeniably set the bar high for any act that follows.
