Archive for March, 2007

March 30, 2007–Summer Wardrobe–Hole in the Wall, Austin, Texas

Posted by Dara on 30th March 2007 in Prog Rock, Psychedelic

They were fantastic until their psychedelic/prog noodling became never ending. The 80s throwback lead singer had the voice of Ric Ocasek though Rockboy disagrees. They were very uncharacteristic of the Hole which is a good thing.

March 30, 2007–Jane Bond–Hole in the Wall, Austin, Texas

Posted by Dara on 30th March 2007 in Americana, Bluegrass

The woman is bizarrely ON – either on drugs or no separation between stage self and reality. She plays the sultry Southern bad girl. I did enjoy her voice, as well as the looks of her man or at least her co-vocalist. His voice, though, was average. Rockboy thought they were ‘vanilla,’ but I think they had a nice repertoire of oldish country stuff. They were recording this show. Jane Bond was a local show, but she is fairly established in the city.

March 17, 2007–Grave Danger–Hole in the Wall, Austin, Texas

Posted by Dara on 17th March 2007 in Rockabilly, Surf Rock

They’re from Phoenix and were in town for South by Southwest. Surf with a Nick Cave voice (at times). Bit rockabilly. Nice measured intensity. Sample lyric: “if you’re young and female you’re likely to get balled” at my shack. A touch misogynistic. They lack finish, especially in the vocals — definitely rooted in punk. Another sample lyric: “kill kill kill for the thrill thrill thrill, thrust thrust thrust for the lust lust lust.”

March 17, 2007–Todd and the Rank Outsiders–Hole in the Wall, Austin, Texas

Posted by Dara on 17th March 2007 in Adult Contemporary, Classic Rock, Punk

They’re from Los Angeles — in town for South by Southwest. Like Bob Seger on speed or, as Rockboy says, a punk Van Morrison. The lead singer has a very distinct persona — dances in native-man circles howling like a wolf in his feather earring. Just a mystic cheese rocker in the end — terrible but loveable. Seemed close to the young punk in the band. They sang one great blues song that was taught to him by an old Lousiana man named Percy.

March 16, 2007–Buffalo Tom–Dog and Duck Pub, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 16th March 2007 in College Rock, Grunge, Indie Rock

90s rockers from Boston — in town for SXSW. Might as well have been the godfathers of Counting Crows, i.e., they were horrid. Rockboy insists that they used to be grungier but I doubt. Their official SXSW showcase was at the Parish at 9pm on Friday — good day and location but embarrassing time.

March 16, 2007–Phonograph–Dog and Duck Pub, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 16th March 2007 in Alt-Country, Prog Rock, Psychedelic

Hail from New York City and in Austin for SXSW. Lovely deep melodious voice. Country music with mystery. Per Rockboy, lead singer looks like Joe Strummer and Elvis Costello. Sometime noodly, as in My Morning Jacket but with a solemnous sonorious voice. Nice diversity, trippy moments, alt country rockers on acid says Rockboy.

March 16, 2007–The Service Industry–Dog and Duck Pub, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 16th March 2007 in Art Rock

An Austin band — looks like it’s made up of record store employees. Their name is literally their exclusive focus. Lead woman singer has a great persona going – robotic but pretty. The girl is much better vocalist than old man. Art punk. I totally buy their message (service jobs will suck the soul and life out of you). Diverse and can\”t pin down their sound. People that know rock writing these songs, lots of influences, rich. Rockboy didn\”t like them.

March 16, 2007–The Paybacks–Dog and Duck Pub, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 16th March 2007 in Garage Rock, Punk

Detroit band in for SXSW. Grrrl voice with punk garage. Immediately striking and maintained the intensity with quality control. Just old school good rock a la Hole. A balls out girl, very much of my generation (Babes in Toyland). Character of a lead singer, Wendy Case — touched me with a comment reaching out to the misfit kids of America. There were times when she screeched a bit too much — Rockboy says she has a voice like Brody of the Distillers.

March 16, 2007–Hoodoo Gurus–Dog and Duck Pub, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 16th March 2007 in Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Psychedelic

They were big in the nineties, and are from Australia. Their official SXSW show was at 11:30pm at the Blender — the fairly late time indicates that their status. Punk Pink Floyd oldies and then Cramps, Cramps, Cramps. Charismatic lead singer who sucks the crowd in — weaves back and forth back and forth — possibly a visionary.

March 15, 2007–Hillbilly Hellcats–Headhunters, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 15th March 2007 in Rockabilly

Old hand at the sound (this was a rockabilly showcase). Didn\”t try to win with loudness like the young guys – knew their stuff was good enough to play at regular volume. Bassist used to play with Reverend Horton Heat.

March 15, 2007–Turbo 350–Headhunters, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 15th March 2007 in Outlaw Country, Punk, Rockabilly

Very good punk country. Upright bass player who looked the part. Short intense guitar/lead vocalist. Old friends from Tennessee who just moved to Austin. Rockboy compared them to locals, WT Special, though I would say they’re better and harder.

March 15, 2007–The Lonesome Spurs–Headhunters, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 15th March 2007 in Alt-Country, Americana

Winsome middle-aged rural Texas girl with all the spunk of her youth — very cute and knows it. Great full throaty voice. Played guitar and used a foot-pedal on a suitcase as the drum set. Creepy guitar partner with yellow hair and a red coat. Lonesome country and then rollicking country. Ended with a Cash Zeppelin medley.

March 15, 2007–Girl Fart–being pulled by a truck down Red River, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 15th March 2007 in Psychedelic, Southern Rock

Mostly exciting because set up on a piece of cardboard being pulled by a truck — inventive way to participate in South by Southwest? Seemed a good band as well — young, psychedelic. Experimental says Rockboy.

March 14, 2007–Midwest Monster–Canvas, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 14th March 2007 in Outlaw Country, Rockabilly

Straight rockabilly. Great look. Extremely glam rockabilly girl bassist. Rockboy describes as hopped up Johnny Cash. Varied from jumpy to slow to hard – I enjoyed the great dark country. All of them were good guitarists. rockboy also describes as Flat Duo Jets and Legendary Shackshakers and Gun Club (he had a bit of a thing for this band). The band livened up as show went on into darlings and even the ice princess smiled.

March 14, 2007–Catch Penny–Fado’s, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 14th March 2007 in College Rock, Emo

Really brassy and loud. They’re dull as shit. Candy pop with faux hard rock overtones. British mophead lead keyboard. Radio band — little bit power pop punk but mostly Rick Astley. Official SXSW showcase was for 9pm at Cheers on Friday. They’re from Minneapolis. Are they emo? Rockboy says they’re influenced by Fastlane from the 80s and are generally nonthreatening metal.

March 14, 2007–Gore Gore Girls–Fado’s, Austin, TX

Posted by Dara on 14th March 2007 in Garage Rock

Contemporary garage rockers from Detroit. 60s inspired and all female. Bad ass lead vocalist – very sexy with her strong facial features. Cutesy side guitarist in a white leather dress that rode up as she played to show ruffly black panties. Older plainer and wiser drummer. Curly haired round bassist. Intense and worked hard to put on a good show. Nobody yelled, “Show us your tits!”