So ploughing through the list of bands showcasing at SXSW and listening to their audio interweb samples is officially not good for your sanity. So much DROSS.
Luckily, a few shining nuggets in amongst the shite. Here’s part two of my SXSW recommendations…
Photo by Frank Hamilton
So we’re deep in the Ds, and I’ve not turned up anything new and interesting so far. Only familiar and interesting. You can’t go wrong with The Deathset.
I’m guessing they won’t score enough cool points for Pitchfork et al to get behind them, but The Downbeat 5 is a show I would definitely go to. Featuring JJ from The Queers on geetar, they pump out excellent Muffs/Bel Rays garage rock n roll.
Nice Beefheart / Brendan Benson corkscrew pop, with an infectious manic energy making it sound all the more mental.
Pic by Hilary Harris
Beechwood Sparks / Pernice Brothers harmony laden folk, with a few dark undertones. On Subpop, which should give them a boost in the buzz stakes.
Bods from Shellac and The Fucking Champs are at the fringes of HANK IV, who as you might expect, play “hard-charging, primitive and visceral dual-guitar/tandem vocals rock punk that has been likened to ‘Crime meets Viletones meets Styrenes punk’”
Another important HANK IV fact - the band bear no relation whatsoever to the Hank Williams clan. I did wonder.
OK, so this is rapidly becoming a list of the best garage bands playing at SXSW. But The Hall Monitors are definitely deserving of your attention. Pumping Sonics / Standells style hooky garage rock n roll.
You know Heels Catch Fire right? They’re members of the ‘Post Hardcore Artrock Scene’ of course and play some mighty fine frenetic twist art pop.
ICP provided far and above the best track on a recent Artrocker Magazine covermount CD. Slightly camp hooky art pop.
"You only get to appreciate what you do when you're not doing it," says bassist Rob Canning, slurping on a tea. "and now we're back, we're buzzing to go."
PART ONE: WELCOME TO 2008
ARTROCKER:...
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Read the review of the night...
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Placebo pictures: just in - some photos of Placebo and Brian Molko from last week’s gig at the Glasgow SECC.
Also check out the review here
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my top 3 new faces @ sxsw picks
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Nice list
I’m liking Los Fancy Free a lot.hall monitors
The Hall Monitors are so awesome, I want to have their babies!
dave's picks
what about Death Is Not A Joyride?
Thanks!
Thanks ARTROCKER! We're lining up parties and organizing a few of our own, and we hope to see you in Austin!
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