Further adventures in SXSW 2010
Part 1 of my SXSW 2010 adventures.
All of a sudden, the crowd stood, clapped, cheered and a good time was had by all.
Can old school thrash metal bands still bring it? As long as they mix it up and keep you on your toes they can.
A special evening of film, discussion, and most of all, heart-felt music
Burma plays the second of two nights to the hometown fans, featuring newer and older songs. Ears are left hanging and bleeding.
For the uninitiated, NEGATIVE APPROACH were possibly the greatest hardcore band ever.
Holly Golightly treads the lo-fi/no-fi line and delivers a raucous, lively set with counterpart Lawyer Dave.
As much as I enjoyed JAY REATARD’s set on this evening, SCREAMING FEMALES were so good that they may have stolen the show.
Whether you want to call Devo legends or not, their highly influential legacy is finally being given its due.
Stars ‘n’ Bars weren’t waving in the crowd, but the spirit of the deep south as defined by three blazing guitars was on full display.
For one night, it was like 1991 all over again. The Jesus Lizard stalk the stage like no other.
We were also treated to a cover of “The Godfather”, a song by singer PETER CORTNER’s late ’80s band DAG NASTY.
Neko Case and her big voice fills the airy Wilbur Theatre quite easily while a stripped down Calexico breezes through their songs.
SURFER BLOOD, on the other hand, were a complete revelation.
And the coup de grace was BLACK FLAG’s “My War” with guest vocalist TIM SINGER! Wow!
Punk rock Chicago-style never disappoints. When the pioneers come to town, take heed and join in the mosh pit.
Ex-Stranglers lead singer/guitarist Hugh Cornwell put on one of the most spirited performances I’ve ever seen by him.
Songwriter Joe Pernice puts down the guitar and picks up a pen to write his first novel. And not surprisingly, a recording comes out of the effort too.
A Chameleon makes a surprise appearance in Boston and delivers an incredible night of passionate music.
Australian and Welsh guitar power collide and create energy.
Judas Priest takes a look back, fondly remembering British Steel.
The Church continue to excel at lush, gauzy, guitar-driven music.
During the encore, TV SMITH proceeded to come out with Jay and his band and they proceeded to play a mini-set of four ADVERTS songs,
Prog rock lives, with emphasis on the rock…no Roger Dean-inspired fantasies here.
Sir Richard Bishop plays with a full band for the first time since the end of Sun City Girls.
PJ Harvey can singe your soul with a beautiful voice.
Phish is safe at home in Phenway Park.
Surf’s up, Sufi’s up – join the ride and feel your third eyelid flicker and open.
33 years and counting, the Damned remain an unstoppable force.
It was oriented a bit more towards their punk-era material than towards their ’80s post-punk/goth incarnations since I love both of those periods.
The Damned were too smart and too talented to stay in the punk cul-de-sac, and successfully mixed both psychedelia and goth along with punk and garage with the main reason of success being that they could write and perform a song much better than the average safety-pin victim.
Equal parts brute force and delicate beauty, Mogwai bring a velvet cudgel to the side of your head. And it feels so good.
Even better were selections from 2002’s Blacklisted, her career zenith.
The show really gained strength, however, when he switched to his trusted electric guitar.
Even Morrissey is subject to the House of Rules.
We got “The Town Halo”, arguably the finest song in A.C. NEWMAN’s solo catalog, as the closer.
Everything suddenly fit a little louder, a little more energetic and we were along for the ride!
Kristin Hersh jumpstarts Throwing Muses back into brief existence for a triumphant hometown reunion.
The Rose City’s Biltzen Trapper show off the best from last year’s excellent record, Furr.
The Roots and Antibalas work with rather than against each other in Red Bull’s Sound Clash.
Long-time jazz great Bill Frisell shows that the music form doesn’t need horns or keyboards for definition.
Kung Fu Necktie has a cozy size, selection of great beer on tap, terrific sound and a cozy vibe. I could definitely get used to this place.
THE DICKIES take absolutely nothing seriously, but still leave you humming their songs with hooks that last for days on end.
I can’t think of a single song from The Age of Quarrel that they didn’t play.
They played a cover of the SPARKS classic “Angst In My Pants” as a tribute to RUSSELL MAEL, curator of that evening’s mix CD.
This post-Christmas fix of the New York Dolls live at The Fillmore might just be the best show I’ve seen them play since the 2004 reunion.
SPEEDO knocks back Corona after Corona and is extremely obnoxious towards the audience, but in a really funny way.
TED LEO pours his soul into everything he does and this fact cements the connection with his rabid fanbase.
