People // PJ Brindisi // Blog

I am two very full days into SxSW Music, and I've gone to 25 bands so far. I am tired. Very very tired. And my feet hurt. But my eardrums crave live music like a zombie craves delicious braaaaaaaiiiins. Only two more days of this can satiate my unholy hunger.

I've got the full list of groups that I've seen so far at the end of this post. But SxSW Music is, to me, about discovery, so I'm only going to mention the bands that were under my radar, but played amazing shows.

Colossus - http://www.myspace.com/thecolossuswillcrushyou

One word: MASSIVE. They are speed metal from Raleigh, NC, and they are not kidding. Imagine a cross between Van Halen, Guns and Roses, Metallica, and Gandalf the Grey from Lord of the Rings. I picked up one of their epically titled CDs, "Colossus ...and the Rift of the Pan-Dimensional Undergods," and I can't wait to rock out to it when I get back to New York.  Go see them if they're playing near you. Go see them, go see them, go see them. The Colossus will crush you. Check out some pics of the show from Jesse's blog: http://www.indabamusic.com/people/jcn/blog/4133-what-is-sxsw-music-

Pete and the Pirates - http://www.myspace.com/peteandthepirate

Ethan (http://www.indabamusic.com/people/ethan), Jim, and I  (http://www.indabamusic.com/people/crayolalettuce) were walking around on Wednesday, and Jim said we should go check out Pete and the Pirates. What an awesome, awesome decision that was. I can't wait to see them again today and hopefully tomorrow too. Listen to "Blood Gets Thin" on their MySpace page and you'll see what I mean.

Medications - http://www.myspace.com/medications

I came down to Austin last Friday (WOW! A week ago! Time flies.), and I got an email from my roommate, Howie, shortly thereafter:

While you are at SXSW, you need to go see a band called Medications.  They're %@^!* fantastic.  I saw them last night and they kicked my ass. I know they're playing there.

Howie has great taste in music, and has never led me astray. As soon as I heard Medications I knew why he recommended them. They have elements of a mutual favorite, short-lived band from Boston called Wicked Farleys: harmonious punk, with lots of ninths, diminished fifths, and time signature changes. Medications brought a lot of energy to the stage and never left me wanting more. Go listen to their MySpace page and hear for yourself. And if you like them, I also highly recommend Wicked Farleys.

Geeks  - http://www.myspace.com/geeksjapan

Holy crap. Totally insane. You just cannot go wrong with Tokyo-based power pop/punk. I can't remember the last time I saw a band rock out so hard on stage. I wouldn't be surprised if anyone who had their windows open in New York City Thursday night heard some of their set echoing from down here. And they were ridiculously friendly and funny. I think I'd fly to Japan just to see them play a show on their own turf, because they absolutely destroyed Austin.

That's it for my roud-up of happy surprises at SxSW. The following is a full list of all the bands I've seen so far, and here's my rating system:
* = meh.
** = I'd see them again
*** = melted my face

Wednesday:
Deastro **
Max Tundra *** (an amazing, long-time favorite electronic musician)
The Thermals *** (just a great rock band. you will like them.)
Akron/Family *** (folk/experimental. another long-time favorite.)
Pete and the Pirates ***
The Uptown Bums *
Jucifer **
LAKE **
No Kids **
Dosh *** (another long-time favorite electronic/instrumental group.)
Annuals **
Echo and the Bunnymen * (classic, amazing band, but they're past their prime)
Colossus ************************************

Thursday:
Medications ***
Kinch **
Tumble Down **
Micachu ** (a very strange band, not for everybody, but I liked them)
Dirty Projectors *** (a long-time favorite band, see them live at all costs. AT ALL COSTS.)
Ocelot **
Designer Drugs ** (a shout-out is in order here: Designer Drugs had a killer Mariah Remix submission)
Chairlift *** (one my favorite shows of Thursday. I hope to see a few more while at SxSW)
Geeks ***
Freeland **
Hockey *** (I think this band is going to be huge in 2009. Find them and listen to them ASAP.)