SXSW 2010 Wrap-Up and Review

[Frau_Blucher]

There have been more epic SXSWs with bigger bands, insanely great reunions, and combination sets where one couldn't believe how many great acts could be playing together in one night. This though was probably the best SXSW ever for me, and that's saying a lot considering I caught British Sea Power 4 times and Shout Out Louds 3 times at the one two years ago. This one had the most-consistent assembly of mid-level bands ever. In other years, there would be a drop-off after the first few top acts. Not so this year.

I added up all the bands I saw, and I was astounded that I had seen almost 20 more bands than I had ever before - a full 51 unique bands in 55 different showcases! I could not believe that number. I think it had a lot to do with us being able to crash at a single place and see many bands back-to-back rather than worry about sprinting here and there to see onesie-twosies. The other cool factor this year was just how many new and old friends we met. I figure about 6 run-ins with folks I'd met before and another 20 new transient acquaintances that made the whole experience a blast.

If you are a music fan, I don't know what's keeping you from at least one pilgrimage to this festival. Life is short. You're missing out!!! And now to my diatribe...erm...review and rankings in approximate order:

[b]Grade A+: Band of Horses at Stubb’s 3/18 Nite[/b]
This was the gig of the festival by far for me. Band of Horses jumped right into it with an absolutely VOLCANIC "Is There A Ghost" to open. I was left awestruck at their huge, shimmering sound and Ben Bridwell’s sparkling, epic vocals. I just have a feeling that these guys are going to continue to grow and be big for a long long time. They have broad audience appeal while still maintaining a rootsie indie edge. I would heartily recommend seeing them at any opportunity. They were electrifying and the audience was left gobsmacked!
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223141_6tbmZ-X3.jpg">
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223155_Mtmd4-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade A: Ume at The Music Gym 3/17 Day[/b]
I can’t remember just where I read a blurb about them. Some comment about not underestimating the lead Lauren’s talents just because of her pixie looks stuck in my head. We showed up to an outdoor patio with maybe 25 people tops. The band walks on and indeed Lauren is strikingly attractive, very diminutive, and introduced herself in an almost comically demur voice. Then she beat the absolute shit out of her guitar in a whirling dervish performance that left me agape. Wow. Totally won over. Bought their CD and 10" vinyl EP and looked up where else I could catch them again to verify they were for real and that I wasn’t just smitten.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222928_bz2Lc-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade A: Scissor Sisters at Stubb’s 3/20 Nite[/b]
Holy mackerel, what a party. An over-the-top, gay-it-up dance party. It reminded me of that Italian saying about the two different kinds of people - those who are Italian and those who wish they were Italian. On this night, substitute ‘gay’ for ‘Italian’ and you get the vibe of the place. These guys are impressive performers and they now have a great song repertoire to go along with it. The funnest gig of SXSW with enough energy to have me and the entire crowd jumping up and down even on the final hours of a very very long week. Fantastic. I’ll post a video later.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223464_yzHvY-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade A: Ume at Submerged 3/17 Nite[/b]
So was I just intoxicated by the afternoon performance or were Ume for real? Um yeah, they and especially Lauren are for freakin real. I got even more appreciation for her performance in this evening set. Holy crap is she an absolute guitar virtuoso. I can’t wait to hear more of their material. Afterwards, I’m not sure why she asked two old fatheads to take a picture with her, but who were we to argue??
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223011_PWVFq-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade A: Death at The Mohawk 3/20 Nite[/b]
Sprinting out of the extravagant Scissor Sisters gig to see Death was frankly psychologically challenging - talk about schizophrenic. No way I was going to miss these seminal godfathers of punk and garage though. Just how the fuck did three Black guys from Detroit make music like this in the early 70s? They played lights-out – virtuoso musicans who must have still been banging their guitars during all that time between 1975 and today. I got a great treat at the airport the next day when I saw them waiting for their plane. I introduced myself and thanked them for the incredible treat, privilege, and honor to have seen Death live.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223438_tAtbF-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade A-: Frightened Rabbit at Cedar St 3/20 Day[/b]
An impressive acoustic set in a hotel lobby earlier in the week and the general buzz about this band drew us to Cedar St where these guys headlined the daytime showcase here. Lead Scott Hutchison is a vocal and songwriting talent. They have a very accessible indie rock sound bolstered by some folky and bluesie undercurrents. They sound big and expressive. They had an album back in 2008, but it really feels like they’ll be a breakout band this year.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223420_DaHxa-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade A-: The Depreciation Guild at Waves Rooftop 3/17 Nite[/b]
I was worried before these guys began their set with "Can I get more Laptop in my monitor? As much Laptop as you can give me." Cracked us up since musicians asking for more everything in their monitors has been a running joke every year – why can’t mixer guys just turn up everything to 11 on the freaking monitors?! But more Laptop?? All the sweeter the surprise when these guys delivered some fantastic MBV-like stylings. The South-Bys of pervasive New Wave influenced bands may have drawn to a close while Shoegaze takes over with a vengeance. Makes sense since these kids grew up with that while the Strokes grew up with New Wave. Anyway, really good stuff that I have to look up more of. Only downside was a somewhat weak voice that can be overcome with some more reinforcement I suppose.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222987_e4v98-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade A-: Solid Gold at Club de Ville 3/19 Nite[/b]
These guys were as new wave as this particular South-By got, and for them, that's not a bad thing at all - a great sound. They didn’t have the vibe of being from Minneapolis – very Euro feel. Nice beats and much rockier live than in their YouTubes I had seen. Still a good amount of synths and solid song-writing. I’ll look forward to more from them.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223361_prCXn-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade A-: We Are Scientists at The Mohawk 3/16 Nite[/b]
These guys’ hilarious running banter and energetic almost-punk playing style made them a real treat. It helped that they had some really good songs as well. The lead singer and guitarist is very talented…well, on guitar, maybe a bit less so on vocals, but good stuff anyway.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222830_N2sLB-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade A-: The Young Republic at Friends 3/19 Day[/b]
I’d been looking forward to these guys for awhile. I love their melodic songwriting. In person, Julian Saporiti’s voice is strong and almost bluesie. Fiddler Kristin Weber has possibly the most angelic face I’ve ever seen and a voice to almost match it. Some have compared them to Belle and Sebastien – possibly, but I actually like ‘em better. I didn’t even know they had a new album out.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223324_RJysy-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B+: The Boxer Rebellion at Cedar St 3/20 Day[/b]
This band is walking a fine line. They will either be great and leverage their sparkling performance capabilities and anthemic song constructions…or they will be get too enamored by the more-commercial angles of their sound and become the next Editors. That’s not a totally tragic thing I guess, especially monetarily, but musically, to be mocked as some major-label caricature isn’t a good thing in my book either. I’m gonna look up more of their material and follow them closely, hoping they stick to a determined post-punk sound.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223383_nhjAX-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B+: Frightened Rabbit at the Hilton 3/18 Day[/b]
Thursday began at a jarring 9:45am with an acoustic set by half of this band. It was enough to make me want to hear a lot more, thus making their Cedar St gig Saturday a must. They (and Surfer Blood) had to have been the busiest bands at the fest - we counted about 8 gigs for each. These guys can play some guitar and the lead has a fantastic voice – strong and rangy. I'll probably like them more as I listen to more material. Man, the Scottish scene has just been going nuts lately.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223048_h4BpT-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B+: Surfer Blood at Waves Rooftop 3/17 Nite[/b]
It’s going to be a shame when shitty music critics start the inevitable slagging off of Surfer Blood for being over-hyped and over-rated at some point later this year. They definitely had some hype at South-By. None of that is going to be their fault though. They don’t pretend to be creating something world-saving. They’re just young kids (really young!) who are very good musicians with some very good songs – end of story, good stuff. Enjoy them if they happen to be your thing.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223006_aE5nc-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B+: Kissaway Trail at Cedar St 3/18 Day[/b]
Like my friend Greg texted after another of their showcases, "Simultaneously the highlight and lowlight of SXSW." Well, not really highlight but a very good band with exactly the kind of musical style I like. Crushing thing is they could be great with a little fine tuning. For one, they seemed to have some spastic tambourine twat jumping all over the place while the rest of the band were being quite post-punk serious. Fucking pissed off about this. Hope he's not in the band on a permanent basis and is instead a mentally challenged cousin that their aunt asked to bring to the States for a therapeutic adventure.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223058_Q5uwd-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B+: The Temper Trap at Cedar St 3/19 Day[/b]
These Aussies were a blast. A really big, sometimes epic sound. The lead’s vocals would range from gutty to almost Jimmy Sommervillesque, but that wasn’t a bad thing. I’d bet that many people here would rate them higher than my grade. Very glad to catch up with them after missing them opening for Passion Pit earlier in the year.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223306_gFNVG-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B+: Codeine Velvet Club at Cedar St 3/20 Day[/b]
I had heard that these guys are overrated, riding on the name of co-lead Jon Lawler, AKA Jon Fratelli of The Fratellis. They weren’t overrated IMHO, and Jon brought much of the Fratellis' meatiness to a more-rounded sound that had flavors of smokey 50s club to it, especially because of Lou Hickey’s sweet (female) vocals.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223398_s9aP5-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B+: Mariachi El Bronx at The Mohawk 3/16 Nite[/b]
This 7-piece sorta indie rock mariachi band were a fun surprise. Led by a seemingly always happy singer, the dudes all were very charismatic and looked like they could have walked straight off the set of a Roberto Rodriguez flick. The well-lubricated audience (from the free booz all night) really got into them and several lovely young ladies danced along on the not-full floor. They’re probably really not quite as good as their grade, but all the circumstances were right on this night.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222809_6r3Xo-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B+: The Soft Pack at Stubb’s 3/18 Nite[/b]
These guys were exactly as expected – good, driving garage rock with a wee bit of surf and Modern Lovers wryness mixed in. A lot of fun but it feels like they’ll unwaveringly be at pretty much a B+ for their career. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223198_5KZeX-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B+: The TaKorea vendor outside our hotel[/b]
We couldn't believe it. There’s this Mexican/Korean roach coach right outside our place! Kalbi (BBQ beef) and Daejigogi (pork) tacos with hot red bean paste sauce. Yum!!! Small mark-down for being closed by the time 2am munchies rolled around.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222895_FXuK5-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B: Minus the Bear at Stubb’s 3/20 Nite[/b]
It’s really hard for me to say exactly what this band is like. They don’t really have a big radio-friendly single. Their songs demand a lot of attention to discern between them, but those distinctions are there. They delivered a completely professional performance that nevertheless didn’t wow me. They’re really, um, nice. Oh, and pleasant.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223451_gVCL7-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B: Neon Indian at Club de Ville 3/19 Nite[/b]
This was really solid electropop from Denton TX of all places. It had the crowd moving nicely. Maybe not perfectly my thing, but I’m going to see how they sound in studio. I’ll likely dig a few of their tracks when in late-night chill (but not too chill) mode.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223350_kf5fb-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B: Built by Snow at Fado 3/19 Day[/b]
Some of their songs sound like the Cars – that’s why we were here. Really good little, almost garage rock band with a strong local following. Fun. Will have to hear more but likely worth hearing more.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223249_VeAAH-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B: Titus Andronicus at Emo’s 3/17 Day[/b]
A welcome reprieve after the drek of Japandroids (more on that later…much later). Good songwriting, great skill, very tight. In the end though, not really my kind of music so just a B for me but with an urging that if you do like their style, they do deserve your attention.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222909_5nri3-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B: The Constellations at Cedar St 3/20 Day[/b]
Yeah, that’s right, they’re dressed in coats. It dropped to a chilly 45 degrees Saturday after a storm blew through and kept on dropping into the night – bizarre! The wind made it downright bone-chilling, but the change in atmosphere seemed to put people into a groovy huddle-together and party mood. It was a cool mojo, and The Constellations perfectly matched this mood. They were a rousing party band. Up close, that one guitarist with the big fro looks exactly like John Belushi…with a big fro. Energetic lead, great guitars, great thumpy drums and lovely supporting singers.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223432_RMAKV-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B: We Are Scientists at Yard Dog Gallery 3/18 Day[/b]
A lot of what made their Mohawk gig during Tuesday’s preparty was missing from this showcase. It was the middle of the day, they didn’t really have their banter going, kind of an annoyingly young crowd, as if the local Austin High School let off early and showed up this this gig. Oh well, free food and beer, great weather, and they still had their good tunes.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223130_BJqjR-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B: Casiokids at Cedar St 3/18 Day[/b]
This gig confirmed that these Scandinavians do indeed play a fun-enough blend of electropop with some drum and base thrown in. I wasn’t looking to see them again after Tuesday’s gig, but they were up before Kissaway Trial. A better gig than at Mohawk Inside likely aided by the lovely sunny setting, brews, and patio seating near the side of the stage, but this is as high as I’ll ever rate them.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223034_NkXYD-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B-: The Drums at Stubb’s 3/20 Nite[/b]
It took about two songs to get over the complete "What the fuck are these guys about" head-scratching. If you don't see what they look like, these Brooklynites just sound like a lot of New York indie pop bands – edgy, catchy, etc. Live though, they have a penchant for bizarre hand gestures and flamboyant body movements. It’s like NYC performance art school visits YMCA. But again, it took about two songs to ‘get’ what was going on, but once we all got them, we were actually thankful that they were different and kinda weird amidst this orgy of indie rock that is SXSW.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223471_Z9Nmf-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B-: Bear In Heaven at Emo’s Annex 3/19 Nite[/b]
These ‘Bear’ bands confuse me almost as much as the ‘Crystal’ and ‘Antler’ bands. Who was I seeing again, Crystal Deer Antler Bears?? Confusion aside, these guys were actually fairly original – sort of psychedelic electro garage rock, but I don’t have a bead on who they really are quite yet. Good enough to follow up on though.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223342_TVBkc-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B-: Athlete at Cedar St 3/20 Day[/b]
This was an acoustic set and thus a bit of a disappointment. Without that disappointment, they probably would have rated higher because they’re quite talented. They had a great single "Hurricane" back in 2007.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223373_pCFep-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B-: Casiokids at The Mohawk Inside 3/16 Nite[/b]
I considered Norway's Casiokids a good find on my first night of South-By. They played a lot of, um, keyboards. Tons of fun, great personality. They had an ironic self-knowing nerd chic thing going on, a bit like Beck. Not great but enough to have sat through them again later in the festival.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222797_zWHtj-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B-: The Besnard Lakes at Stubb’s 3/18 Nite[/b]
I had high hopes for these guys based on pretty trippy album material. Instead of being a sort of indie prog revival, live they were just pretty much prog. It didn’t help that in-person, the two leads looked like Don Imus and Patti Smith while their stylings overwhelmed some pretty good guitar work by their other partner. Strong musicianship with a few highs mixed in but that’s about it.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223166_HtoTi-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B-: Delta Spirit at Cedar St 3/19 Day[/b]
Really good thumpy rock with a bit of soul flair to it. Not exactly my thing but great music to rock out to while enjoying perfect sunny weather and sharing sunscreen with the ridiculously attractive ladies here.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223262_m4NhK-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B-: Kitten at Submerged 3/17 Nite[/b]
We had no expectations for Kitten – just filler while we waiting to see Ume again I figured. They were quite good. Maybe a just cookie-cutter indie pop but with a sexy lead singer and tight playing. Cool enough.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222996_8BVXC-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade B-: The Morning Benders at Emo’s 3/17 Day[/b]
Really nice kids with clear talent on their instruments. Could use a stronger voice. Pleasant enough but really didn’t have any remarkable songs.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222873_LhG9X-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C+: Broken Social Scene at Stubb’s 3/18 Nite[/b]
These guys followed immediately after Band of Horses, and it was the proverbial thankless task. They just couldn’t match the energy, especially while trying out some new songs and playing with a new sequencer that left too many lulls between songs. It was a tough call between C+ and B- and in the end the negatives outweighed the positives. It was also a tease to have former mate Emily Hanes (Metric) stand stage-side and never come on. Good music, but they just weren’t dialed in this night.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223180_5R9Ei-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C+: Drive-By Truckers at Stubb’s 3/18 Nite[/b]
They sound exactly what you’d expect them to judging by their name – a bit of bar band and a bit of country rock. Fantastic musicians, so I can’t give them any lower, but not my thing. Still entertaining as I waited for other bands.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223186_djb9b-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C+: Band of Skulls at Cedar St 3/19 Day[/b]
These Brits are basically hard rock, even a bit of Southern rock. I don’t know how they’re exactly alternative. They do rock though, and for that they get a + despite not really being my thing.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223220_gtHAM-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C+: The Like at Stubb’s 3/20 Nite[/b]
Jeez, I thought, another all-girl band?? Didn’t I just see this in Cocktail Slippers? It must have been the party mood while we waited for Scissor Sisters because I enjoyed this LA outfit. Probably a bit better than Cocktail Slippers with more of a Sundays rather than Go-Gos feel to them. Still, kind of a throwaway, albeit a fun one.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223479_Mz7NQ-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C+: Cocktail Slippers at Submerged 3/17 Nite[/b]
Okay, they’re just sorta hot Norwegian Go-Gos…but they’re hot Norwegian Go-Gos! Two pictures for them because I couldn’t fit the keyboardist in on the wide stage and she just might have been the most stunning human being I’ve ever seen.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222950_ADRuV-X3.jpg">
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222969_AGA9j-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C+: Nini and Ben at Friends 3/19 Day[/b]
I sat through these guys while waiting for The Young Republic. They go well on the same bill as the latter, but are much more country and singer/songwriter. Pleasant and pleasant to look at but that’s it.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223276_ztVS5-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C+: The Sour Notes at The Mohawk 3/16 Nite[/b]
These Austin locals were pretty decent. It's hard for me not to like a keyboard and guitar outfits, especially one with an absolute knockout bassist. They had several almost-high notes, but in the end just lacked the personality to really engage.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222821_9KRsV-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C+: Nneka at Cedar St 3/19 Day[/b]
Back at my favorite place Cedar St for the second of third days in a row, we started with Nneka, who played a good long set while waiting for the more name bands to come on. Her mix of melodic rap plus some Afro Reggae influences was more palatable than I’d imagined it would be, but it still wasn’t my thing.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223281_5ou9w-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C+: Serena Maneesh at Cedar St 3/18 Day[/b]
Who knew Serena wasn’t a woman but a band? "Yeah, that Mazzy Star, she’s great." Ahem. Well, these guys aren’t great but not bad either. Not my thing but not their fault, so they get a plus.

[b]Grade C: Robert Francis at Stubb’s 3/18 Nite[/b]
Good voice. Not really my thing.

[b]Grade C: Freelance Whales at Yard Dog Gallery 3/18 Day[/b]
They had opened for Shout Out Louds in NYC and I can’t seem to remember much about them other than they made for a good background soundtrack to the evening. Same thing here, except this time I really came to see what they’re all about. Well, they make for a good background soundtrack to an afternoon out. Good enough but innocuous. I couldn’t even get excited enough to take a picture.

[b]Grade C: One Man Band Guy on the South Congress Sidewalk 3/18 Day[/b]
This guy was more interesting than Born Ruffians and Megaphonic Thrift earlier in the day. He gets a passing grade for effort and lending the town character.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223098_aDPND-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C-: Everybody Was In the French Resistance…Now! At Creekside Lounge 3/17 Day[/b]
The lead singer of Art Brut and an attractive new sidekick was an interesting enough proposition at a venue right by our hotel as dinner approached. If you’ve heard Art Brut and thought "Fun stuff…but okay, I get what they’re doing, and now I don’t know how much more I really need to revisit their material", then you’ve pretty much nailed French Resistance as well. I know what it’s about now. I don’t ever have to see them or Art Brut again because I get both of them now, no need to keep repeating it, done.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222836_GJvt7-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade C-: The Rural Alberta Advantage at Emo’s 3/17 Day[/b]
They were finishing up a couple of songs just as we came in. I honestly can’t remember a thing about them. I can’t totally diss them, but not being able to have any memory whatsoever of a band can’t be a good thing.

[b]Grade C-: Crystal Antlers at Emo’s Annex 3/19 Nite[/b]
When I met up at a later gig with lovely new acquaintance Darcy (she of an encyclopedic indie musical knowledge) and told of my disappointment with these guys, her response was "Oh, unfortunately you saw the worst of the ‘Crystal’ bands – Crystal Castles is great electropop, Crystal Stilts is nice trippy avante garde, but Crystal Antlers are kind of just a bar band." Um, yup.

[b]Grade C-: Born Ruffians at Yard Dog Gallery 3/18 Day[/b]
Not really my kind of music. Though not their fault, they really didn’t have much personality either. Can’t really remember what they even sounded like now.

[b]Grade D+: Circa Survive at Stubb’s 3/20 Nite[/b]
Basically just screamo. They get the plus for the lead singers earnestness, and goshdarnit, he just tired really really hard.

[b]Grade D: Shout Out Out Out at Creekside Patio 3/17 Day[/b]
Not really D awful musically. Fun enough DJ rig plus drum and guitar outfit. Just kinda dorks with dorky fans who think this is good music. Okay, maybe I’m just bitter they’re here instead of Shout Out Louds.

[b]Grade D: Tanlines at Club de Ville 3/19 Nite[/b]
My friend Greg texted me from another venue, curious as to what Tanlines were like. I said "A Jewish men’s Miami Sound Machine." Awful.

[b]Grade D: The Yes Way at Fado 3/19 Day[/b]
Caught them while waiting for Built By Snow at the wonderful Irish Pub Fado’s. The food here is great, and a fine Guinness is poured. Oh, the band. Whatever. The food prevents them from getting an F.

[b]Grade D-: Washed Out at Klub Krucial 3/19 Nite:[/b]
Some newfound friends wanted to finish the evening with some dancing. This place was steaming hot, but the good company kept me there for awhile…until the act actually came on. Washed Out indeed. What the F is the attraction to seeing basically a DJ pretending to play something (it’s a soundboard, not an instrument!) when he’s actually just twiddling a bunch of knobs and singing gibberish into a mic? Awful…and it’s after 2am! Grrrr.

[b]Grade D-: Megaphonic Thrift at Cedar St 3/18 Day[/b]
I don’t want to give these guys an F because that should be deserved solely for Japandroids, but these guys were close. I really can’t remember if their music was any good, because I got distracted while constantly thinking that their singer missed the memo about appropriate attire for an indie rock band – what a tool. I guess their music was kinda bouncy and served as only marginally offending background music for good drink and conversation.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816223077_rZywg-X3.jpg">

[b]Grade F: Japandroids at Emo’s 3/17 Day[/b]
I thought their album had lots of energy and in theory might have been something I should like. I tried repeatedly to try to find something on that album that stuck but nothing. Maybe then they might still be a good live act I thought. Oh hell no. This duet is like White Stripes without the songs, voice, and musicianship. Utter shit with as much screaming as possible to mask the complete lack of talent. This pic says it all.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/816222851_Yjkao-X3.jpg">

[MikeP]

Damn Blir ... amazing recap! I can't thank you enough. I don't know how you do it, recreational pharmaceuticals notwithstanding. Thanks, man ... I practically feel like I was there.

[marie3]

WOW! Thanks so much for the re-cap Blir. I don't know how you remember everything.
It's much appreciated. [:D]

[Frau_Blucher]

Believe it or not, the pharmaceuticals were mostly relegated to anti-inflammatories for my feet...along with icing. I think it made a difference because I really don't feel that damaged. i'm a little perplexed actually at how I made it through all that still feeling pretty good.

The memory part is kinda weird. I guess it's easier to remember things when the name and music are all wrapped together experientially.

And a couple of videos I shot:

The Boxer Rebellion:
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Frightened Rabbit:
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And one with terrible audio for Scissor Sisters (freaking loud!), but you get the picture:
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[tileboy]

Thanks for the great review. You've got me wanting to check out more from Solid Gold,Ume,the Soft Pack, Boxer Rebellion and Titus Andronicus. I'm glad to hear The Temper Trap are more than just "Sweet Disposition." No older bands this year?

[schwenko]

[quote][i]Originally posted by tileboy[/i]
<br>Thanks for the great review. You've got me wanting to check out more from Solid Gold,Ume,the Soft Pack, Boxer Rebellion and Titus Andronicus. I'm glad to hear The Temper Trap are more than just "Sweet Disposition." No older bands this year?
[/quote]

yeah- what happened to the DBs, Members?

[i_like_lectric_motors]

Holy Crap! Nice recap. But just what the Hell is that thing in the bottom left of the Casiokids picture???

-----------------------------------
Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it.

[coop41]

[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
<br>Holy Crap! Nice recap. But just what the Hell is that thing in the bottom left of the Casiokids picture???

-----------------------------------
Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it.
[/quote]

that, my friend, is one bad haircut!


I will be getting to my reviews this week, my camera broke so I don't have as many pictures and I am not the indie hipster like blir so I did see a few "older" bands [:)]

[Frau_Blucher]

There has been a cool reunion band every year at South-By. I would say that Death qualifies this year! That's about as old school as you can get and still be somewhat in this genre. Bummer about the Db's and the Members, but neither could get their shit together in time for the festival. Also canceling were !!!, White Rose Movement, Low Frequency In Stereo, 65daysofstatic, Raveonettes, and Violens.

I honestly don't know how or where I would have fit them in. As it was, we even booted Cheap Trick because that simply would have meant too many other missed showcases while trekking to the Auditorium Shores venue. But we actually talked about the lack of any new wave reunion gigs and how that might be a hidden bonus so as not to distract.

Coincidentally, as I was moving my office to another room, I stumbled upon this setlist from the Plimsouls gig a few years ago at SXSW. Signed by Peter Case and Eddie Munoz. [8D]

<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/817005751_TiP3K-X3.jpg">

[bigwavedave]

That Plimsouls setlist is making me drool! I wonder if they'll tour again?

[Frau_Blucher]

I forgot that I even shot video of The Young Republic. Not typical of their material - this is more blues - but it gives a peek into the band...and Kristin Weber. [:p]

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[cubby]

WOW, Blir, thanks for the recap. I gotta get down there one of these yrs. Definitely agree with you on Band of Horses. They are fantastic live. Looking forward to their new disc. And Scissor Sisters are always a lot of fun live.

[harleytexas]

Damn.....missed takorea, the one thing that I would have gone to see.......lol

[mojowkn]

Thanks -- these recaps are always enjoyable and point me to stuff I need to check out (and away from stuff I shouldn't). Thanks for taking the time to write it all up!

[shred]

Been following the Boxer Rebellion since '04. Great band! I like how Nathan (singer) and Adam (bass) look like they could be in Interpol and Todd (guitar) and Piers (drums) look like they could be in Motorhead.[:D]