SXSW Friday… And Into Saturday. Well into Saturday

I have to stop every so often and think real hard when things have happened. Friday seems like five days ago. That’s a good thing. Life is full this week.

I started things off by chatting up Star Death and The White Dwarf… aka the band comprised of The Flaming Lips road crew. The Lips are certainly an influence, but Star Death are into soul music too and work that into some of their music. I’m happy to report the fellas say Wayne Coyne is a good boss who treats them well. I tried to organize them into a union, but they politely declined.

From there it was Trophy’s on the south side for our pals The Lonely H. If you feel rock n roll needs saving, then here’s your saviors. It’s kick ass 70’s style rock n roll hold the pretension. The new stuff visits a bit in the country rock world and it all sounds confident. New album in June. Already on my Ipod neener neener big fat weener to you.

Using connections I’m not disposed to reveal (alright Jill Menze from Uwire got me in.) I was able to gain entry into The Spin Magazine throw down at Stubb’s Bar B Que. The Black Lips were loud as hell and I loved every second. Then it was backstage (which is actually dirt and some grass, not very glamorous). I spent some quality time with Will Sergeant of Echo & The Bunnymen. He’s a nice chap and we talked about old garage rock, and soul bands he plays on his weekly radio show. Then I salivated visibly as he mentioned his vintage tube stereo gear and juke box. Will revealed he has a businesslike relationship with Ian McCulloch and that he has a pint every Tuesday with retired Bunnyman Les Pattinson who now works on boats for fun.

Perry Farrell brought on the band. Perry needs to eat. It was a nice intro as The Janes Addiction leader seemed very excited to be bringing on one of his favorite bands.
Echo were great again, and I had a primo vantage point. (Note… Echo are one of my favorite bands. I will say pretty much anything they do is great.)

From there it was the priceless Theresa Andersson at Antone’s. Using an array of pedals the lovely Swede looped herself on violin, guitar, and drums. Before our eyes she assembled the parts she needed to build each song. And wait until you hear her sing! Quickly capturing herself on pedals, she brought forth a choir of Theresas, sendin the songs to their moving crescendo. I’m not doing it justice. You just have to see her. YOU HAVE TO! She’s utterly brilliant and left me speechless. We’ll have video up soon.

Dashing down to The Austin Music Hall I took my place with actual professional photographers and decided to take the Hunter S. Thompson approach to covering the story. That is I had the bartender pour me a few fingers of Bourbon. Holding their cameras and progressively more phallic lenses the pros eyed me with thinly veiled disgust. Tough turf people. I have an orange tag on my teeny tiny HD camera. I’ll put another tag on my cup of Jim Beam if it’ll help. Finishing my cocktail just in time I took position front and center. It’s good thing Devo was loud so I wouldn’t have to hear them mentally elbowing me to the ground. I did it all for you. Well except for the Jim Beam, that was for me. My video and a Billboard.com interview is up now with my shockingly steady handed footage.

After we were escorted from the photography pit I dashed across town for a few minutes of The New York Dolls. Solid, but…. I mean I wish Johnny Thunders were still alive.

I then crammed some food in my face and ducked into The Kid Sister show. Her brother is part of Flosstradamus and he was there. For some reason I was allowed to sit on stage and shoot. Everyone was having such a great time no one questioned my qualifications… unlike those guys at Devo.

Saturday wraps things…. I’ve got a powwow with Jon Langford from The Mekons. His band The Waco Brothers are playing and they kick major arse. Then it’s Modern Skirts, Langhorn Slim, live shooting at Tinted Windows, and Silversun Pickups. I’ll try to be more professional.

Tori Amos Talks “Abnormally Attracted to Sin”

Tori Amos’ 10th proper release “Abnormally Attracted to Sin” is due in stores May 19th. She was kind enough to chat with us about the new album here in Austin during SXSW 2009.

SXSW Thursday: From The Kitchen To The Rooftop

Wracked with guilt I report that I actually got some sleep last night… Like seven hours. I’m sorry I know I should have been at a secret Janes Addiction show or something (actually they headlined The Playboy party… figures.) Man I was beat though. I think I had the vapors. I’m not sure what that is, but women in the 19th century always had the vapors. Feel free to compare me to a corset crushed Victorian woman if you must, but I needed to sleep. Now refreshed I am ready to take on the second half of South By Southwest.

Best I can I’ll piece together Thursday. It was busy, and time to watch March Madness was fleeting. Started the morning talking to newly minted Universal signees Paper Route. Nice lads who stood up straight and tall. They looked like a 15th seed. Maybe Belmont from their hometown of Nashville. Five honkys with a bit of heighth, but not enough hops to play for Memphis. Their music is a generous helping of modern pop. Look for their first full length at the end of April.

I hunkered down at The Omni lobby next. I stole glances at Texas A&M ignoring my bracket and beating BYU. The fog of defeat lifted quickly though as I chatted up Erika Wennerstrom of Heartless Bastards. The woman is an ace singer and guitar player, but in keeping with her Ohio roots, is as humble as they come. Don’t miss their latest record.

Theresa Andersson took Erika’s seat next. I can’t tell you how impressive The Swedish ex-pat is. Andersson recorded her entire latest album in her kitchen using pop bottles and wine glasses as instruments. Her story about Allen Toussaint playing keys on a track…. in her kitchen no less…. is priceless. I can’t wait to see her set at Antone’s tonight.

Caught part of R&B saviors Black Joe Lewis & The Honey Bears at The Cedar Street Courtyard. When I say R&B I don’t mean Luther Vandross style makin’ sweet love music. I’m talking horn section, funky, groove pounding James Brown sweaty sex music. Don’t miss em when they come your way.

Austin institution Waterloo Records is known for an endless selection and friendly staff… They’re also known for placing a keg of local brew Shiner Bock in the aisle next to the Merle Haggard records (ok I’m not sure about that, but it sounds good) and drawing up complimentary cups for the people. I was there to see Howe Gelb of Giant Sand doing an in store. I could have done without the free beer, but that would be crazy, it’s free beer. Gelb was just as I imagined him. Laid back, gracious, and a hell of a picker.

Kuroma was next at Opal Divine’s. The band is Hank Sullivant’s brainchild. Sullivant was in The Whigs and MGMT. In high school he was in a jam band with MGMT member Andrew VanWyngarden. Sullivant is happy to talk about the band, unlike Vanwyngarden who has disowned any connection.

Leeds, England singer/songwriter Paul Marshall was next on my calendar. I found Paul quite randomly while looking for artists to cover. Marshall almost quit music 18 months ago in frustration. After you hear him sing you’ll wonder why he’s not already a star. It’s only a matter of time. He has one of those voices that make the world stop spinning. Flat out brilliant. He’s a hell of a guitar player too. Remember that name, Paul Marshall.

Wandering east again I was able to catch just a whisp of whistling man of the people Andrew Bird. Duty called however. One of my favorite bands Lucero was showcasing at The Dirty Dog. Anyone who misses The Replacements would be well served to see Lucero. All their albums are great too. Just signed to Universal, lets hope their first major label album is as great as The Mats debut for Sire “Tim.”

Today…. A chat with The Flaming Lips road crew turned band Star Death & The White Dwarf. I’ll catch up with fellow Port Angeles, Washington escapees The Lonely H (I would be a fan even if they weren’t from my Godforsaken hometown.) Rapper Sage Francis and whoever he can round up from his essential Strange Famous label roster. The Spin Party and Echo & the Bunnymen part 2. Then it’s Star Death Live, Theresa Andersson, and Devo! (By the way I saw Devo wandering the halls at The Convention Center in their jumpsuits and red plastic hats yesterday. Yay!

SXSW Wednesday Night: A Young Old Lady, And An Old Young Man

What a night! I arrived just in time for Jessica Lea Mayfield at The Parish. The 19 year old from Kent, Ohio is an old soul. Drawing from the classic country of Lorretta and Patsy, Mayfield was much more understated than I expected. I think that’s because of some publicity shots I saw that made her look like an emo girl hanging out at The Dairy Queen. She’s an amazing talent.

From there it was Emo’s. The line snaked down sixth street and it didn’t seem possible I would get in to see So. Cal punk legends Circle Jerks. They managed to cram us in there somehow though. A few years back Keith Morris was on death’s door as I understand it. Today balding but unbowed with confused ass length dread locks swinging Morris was in top form. Joined by Zander Schloss on bass and fellow founding Jerk Greg Hetson on guitar the band rolled one boulder down the mountain after the other. I have to say I was shocked at how great they were. Morris was one of Black Flag’s pre Henry Rollins frontmen and The Jerks even treated us to an encore of Black Flag classics including the essential “Gimme Gimme Gimme!” I didn’t partake, but I could tell many punk rock vets in the audience slam danced for the first time since the 80’s. That show is not to be forgotten.

Only one thing stood in the way of seeing Echo & The Bunnymen late night at Emo’s, and that was Julliete Lewis. The Licks are gone now along with the her spandex. These days Lewis seems to have ripped off a costume from the Minot Community Players Production of “Chicago” and is doing an alarming combination of Janis Joplin, Bette Midler and Cher. Her band The New Romantiques was fine, but they looked bored. Here’s the deal. Musicians can dabble in acting and enhance their reputations. (Tom Waits, John Doe, hell even Dave Matthews) but when actors like Lewis (who seems to have abandoned movies) make records and perform I can’t escape the suspicion that it’s all a put on, and that I am being acted all over. Probably not fair, but tough shit right.

After Lewis Echo & The Bunnymen’s crew fussed and prodded. I imagine working for a diva like Ian McCulloch ain’t easy. Echo are one of my all time favorite bands and I actually enjoy Mac’s insufferability. It’s part of the package. He did not disappoint. Dressed in a zip up sweater topped with a dark wool sailor coat the lights were kept so low that the pouty frontman could not possibly sweat.

The Bunnymen are now two with slashing guitarist Will Sergeant alongside. The three sidemen were able fill-ins for long departed bass player Les Pattinson and the late drummer Pete de Freitas. The band kept to their best loved songs, hitting tracks from Crocodiles, Porcupine, and Ocean Rain mostly…. with “Lips Like Sugar” in the encore and only one new song in the whole set. Aside from Mac’s between song mumbling it was a great show.

Brian Phillips

SXSW Preview: Barcelona

Seattle Alt Rock band Barcelona has three showcases in Austin this year. We hung out with them before a show in Columbus, Ohio last fall.