SXSW basically ruled for us this year.  We had two wonderful day shows at comfortable venues and got to see a lot of great bands all over Austin each day.  We'll have pictures of everything posted ASAP, but some of the highlight shows for me were: Mika Miko, Diplo (at a house party), the Carrots, Death Sentence Panda, New Bloods, Health, No Age (on the Lamar pedestrian bridge), Pissed Jeans, Jay Reatard, Atlas Sound at Ms. Bea's ( Bradford Cox claimed it was Atlas Sound's final show and that Deerhunter will be coming back to life soon), Dan Doyle, Karl Blau, Old Time Relijin, Yellow Fever, Crime Novels. What were some of your highlights?  Discover anything new?  



OVERHEARD AT SXSW:




1.  "My girlfriend tells me I'm too intense about fashion, but I'm a hipster, so I'm actually pretty chill about it."  -- completely serious comment from some dude watching Angelo Spencer at Ms. Bee's... he was wearing Von Dutch



2.  "I tried to take the SATs once, but I opened up the packet and looked at all those pages and was like 'nah uh!'"  -- some white trash chick in a bikini top and shorts at a gas station on South Congress... she more or less screamed the "nah uh" part



3.  "Man, the most important dude in the history of punk rock ain't me, it's Fat Mike from fuckin' NOFX man."  -- Keith Morris talking to the singer of Fucked Up at Waterloo Park 

So now that we're done planning shows for a little while, we can actually start writing reviews and articles and stuff again.  We hope to have something good for you this week.  Here's a video and some shows for the week:



SHOWS OF NOTE THIS WEEK:

MON: DIE! DIE! DIE!/Sian Alice Group/Terrordactyls/Mike Bones (The Cavern)

TUE:  Acid Mother's Temple/Danava (Hailey's)

WED: Gogol Bordello/Skindred (Granada)

WED: Peelander Z/Last of the Interceptors/The Lash Outs (Rubber Gloves)

THU: Scream Club/Rival Gang/Fire Nation/Sticky Buns (Rubber Gloves)

SAT: Dub Assembly feat. Parson (Planet Mu)/Mundo and Lifted MC/Keith P/Royal Highnuss ( Green Elephant)

SUN: Rocket for Ethiopia/The Potential Johns/The Wax Museums/Koji Kondo/Icarus Crane/Pools (Carrolton Arts Plaza)

We're having the best time here ya'll!  See you tomorrow.  This guy is going to be at the secret Vice Party tonight, and we can't wait:

Dude, we've been schoolin' Austin like it ain't no thing for the past couple of days, and now we'd like to have a contest.  The winner of the contest will receive free tickets to a local show of their choice once we get back in to town.  Just leave your answer in the comment section or something.


1. How many times have the members of WSJR collectively seen Mika Miko in the past 48 hours?



2.  How many times have the members of WSJR uttered the phrase "wake n bake" over the past 48 hours?



3.  How many times have the members of WSJR asked aloud whether they "need a change" in their lives over the past 48 hours?



4.  How many guys has Sally Glass made out with on the top of a tower in the past 24 hours?



OMG Keep chillin' y'all 

First of all, we wanted to say thanks to everyone who came out to the show at Strawberry Fields last night, and thanks to all the bands that played. Everyone was fantastic, and it was an honor to be involved with such a great line up.

A lot of us from WSJR HQ will be heading down to SXSW today to check out our day shows and have some fun. We're not sure what we'll be doing as far as posting for the rest of the week, but we do plan on getting a few It Lists together, posting pictures from our shows, and telling dumb stories about our adventures in Austin. We may post a lot, we may post a little. We don't know. But we'll have something for you over the next couple days, so stay tuned for.... uh, something.

Man, Denton's jumpin' with that hot shit tonight, yo. Respect:

We Shot J.R. Presents- Times New Viking | Psychedelic Horseshit | Fight Bite | Wax Museums (Strawberry Fields)
I'm really impressed with our blog yet again. Some time last November, I heard two new records on the same day, and both of them completely blew me away. That NEVER happens. One was Times New Viking's Present the Paisley Reich, and the other was Psychedelic Horseshit's Magic Flowers Droned. Both instantly swept me off my feet, and I couldn't decide which one I liked more. But luckily I won't have to make such a decision tonight, because I'll be able to see both bands at one of my favorite venues in the metroplex. I'm certainly glad we nabbed this show too, because after receiving Pitchfork's Best New Music tag in addition to tons of other positive press all over the blogosphere, Times New Viking could have totally big timed us. But they didn't. TNV's sound is simultaneously innocent pop and harsh, destructive noise, featuring the rare combo of sing-a-long lyrics and ear piercing feedback that gives the music a power that you don't often find in pop or avant rock. Taking cues from lo-fi and punk, TNV will probably please Guided by Voices and Shaggs fans alike. Psychedelic Horseshit takes this pop/noise combo to an even greater extreme in my mind, and the results are quite thrilling too. Their most recent full length is honestly one of the most adventurous yet cohesive rock records I've heard in a very long time, and I'm really excited to see how loud these people get. Our local openers are no slouches either, so get to this by 830 to catch them both. Oh yeah, it's $5, BYOB and All Ages, so bring the kids*. AND PS- PLEASE TREAT STRAWBERRY FIELDS WITH RESPECT. THROW YOUR DAMN TRASH AWAY, SMOKE OUTSIDE, AND DON'T PUKE INSIDE PLEASE. ANYONE CAUGHT STEALING WILL GET THE SHIT KICKED OUT OF THEM BY SALLY GLASS AND HER CAMERA.

Woods | Blues Control | Teenage Cool Kids (715 Panhandle)
If I didn't have my own totally sweet shit happening tonight, this is the place I would be for sure. For me, the highlight here is Blues Control. I first encountered Blues Control a few months ago when I downloaded the two most recent releases, Puff and Blues Control. Both are extremely captivating in a highly hypnotizing manner, as blues leaning psychedelic rock riffs float rather quietly in a background of dreamy haze, distant percussion, krautrock ambience and an array of samples. It's sort of like what it would sound like to fall asleep with video games and Physical Grafitti playing in the background at the same time. Very unique and a lot of fun, Blues Control's music seems to exist in a world of its own creation. Woods, featuring members of Meneguar, is a jangly, acoustic psyche-folk influenced band that does quite a bit with a fairly familiar set of influences, pulling from artists such as Six Organs of Admittance, Feathers, and even Sandy Bull, all with a rough around the edges and loose approach that really seems to work as pop music.

BLK JKS | PPT | The Party (Green Elephant)
You know what totally blows balls about SMU? The fact that you could put this show (featuring this month's Fader cover artists BLK JKS and a bunch free booze) at a college bar near pretty much any large campus in the country, and you'd be guaranteed a good party and a huge crowd. Stick it at a college bar near SMU, however, and you're forced to wonder a) how many young republicans have ever heard of Fader, and b) whether the ones who have are willing to park their cars on the east side of 75. But I guess if anyone could inspire such things in Dallas, it's Central Booking and Gorilla vs Bear, both of whom are sponsors of this show. Johannesburg's BLK JKS are a pretty unusual group to say the least, and I'm having a little trouble finding reference points to describe them. Ok, here's a try: take little bits of late 60's and early 70's African High Life pop, mix with Jeff Buckley (I know, whatever, right?), add a dash of really strange Ska, a touch of some guitar heavy traditional African music and blues, and a pinch of avant punk, and you'd be pretty close... to sounding like an idiot. Whatever, I tried. Interesting stuff though, and if you're kickin' cans around Dallas tonight, you might want to think about taking this opportunity to see some truly experimental and captivating music while drinking free booze and trying not to appear in a DON'T, as Vice Magazine will apparently be in the house as well. Do they still do those?

Neptune | Geistheistler (Fra House, Oak St., Denton)
Geistheistler is David and Justin, formerly of Notes from Underground, doing a two piece noise improv beginning at 930 this evening. Neptune will go on at 1030, and unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to hear them. However, you can use the miracle of technology to click on the damn link above and listen yourself.

Why?/Cryptacize | Sunburned Hand of the Man | Astronautalis | Bangs (Rubber Gloves)
I really can't get into Why? for a number of reasons that I don't have time to detail here, but I would definitely be interesting in checking out Sunburned, whose recent release Fire Escape (produced by Four Tet) is easily one of the best things they've ever done. The album focuses much more on rhythm and groove than most of their previous material, and a lot of it reminds me of some ungodly combination of Liquid Liquid, Can, and Miles Davis' On the Corner.

Sorry, No time for links on these:

Blue Cheer/ Blood of the Sun (Granada)

Evangelicals/Headlights/Gentleman Auction House (The Cavern)

And Check the Monday Morning Rock comments sections for the massive line up at 1919 hemphill

Disqo Disco (Fallout Lounge)
New underground and classic disco night featuring members of Syndney Confirm and Pretty Vacant spinning records.

* don't

Phosphorescent | Bowerbirds | Sarah Jaffe (the Cavern)
Discovering that I liked Phosphorescent was sort of a happy little accident. Typically, when I hear about some artist who is compared to Will Oldham and Band of Horses and stuff like that all the time, I tend to think "yeah, another dude with a beard, just what we need," and then I usually move on and forget about it. But for some reason, I downloaded Phosphorescent's Pride several months ago and happened to be in just the right mood when I listened to it for the first time. I don't know if it's the disorienting sunshine production values on some of the tracks or the cool, highly visual lyrics on others, but something about the record really struck me and continues to strike me as I listen right now. Most of the material feels very classic and immediately warm, drawing from the most basic blueprints of Americana and incorporating a kind of uneasy, post-industrial weariness in delivery that serves as both a line in the sand and a reminder of how little some things have changed over time. The tone throughout Pride often seems spiritual and resigned, tired yet wide-eyed and curious. Lot's of beautiful, hypnotizing background vocals sway in and out of simple melodic folk songs that seem to find the amazing in the little things, all with a touch of loneliness and yes, creepiness, that gives everything enough of an edge to keep listeners on their toes. Anyway, I'll be the first to tell you that this kind of quiet folk show usually isn't the most exciting, but if you've heard this record like I have, then you're probably not really giving a shit about past experiences with similar artists. Highly recommended.

And Good Records will be hosting Phosphorescent for an in-store at 7pm.

Justice Yeldham And The Dynamic Ribbon Device | Atwa | Aunt's Analog | Dromez | White Bitch/Poisoned Birds (House Of Tinnitus)
Some familiar faces here with Austin's Aunt's Analog and Dromez making another welcome appearance. Special thanks to Dromez for helping WSJR with our second day show at The Opera House this Thursday. Atwa is the new project from the man behind Fort Worth noise act, Judas Cow. Poisoned Birds features a member of Animal Forces, a noise duo who terrified some of the crowd at And/Or last Saturday, who perhaps are a little more accustomed to wine and cheese as opposed to two women creating ungodly amounts of volume from behind what appeared to be voting booths. Genius idea and hats off to the person who decided to invite them to the gallery opening. I thought it was one of the more fun and interesting things I'd randomly caught in Dallas in some time.

Justice Yeldham's Youtube clips are frighteningly intense, and by all accounts the Australian noise and performance artist will put on an unforgettable show. His setup involves a contact microphone attached to a piece of plate glass which Yeldham rubs across his face, bites, pushes and just generally attacks. Though the expected consequence of blood loss has been sensationalized in regards to his work, more importantly the sound that is produced and manipulated is apocalyptic and convincing. I was going to write a long essay about why this is the only valid artist playing at SXSW, but I didn't have time. Too busy RSVP'ing to another shitty day party.-DL

Catfish Haven | Zest Of Yore | Explorer's Club | Mannequine Men's (Hailey's)

Foreign Islands | Modey Lemons | These Are Powers | Prince William (Pastime Tavern)

Cool Out (The Cavern)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12th @ The Parlor ( 100B East North Loop @ 53rd 1/2 and Ave. F, starts at 2:30)


The Mae Shi (Los Angeles, CA)
Make A Rising (High Two Records, Philadelphia, PA)
Crime Novels (New York, NY)
Daniel Francis Doyle (Furniture Records, Austin, TX)
Mittens on Strings (Chicago, IL)


THURSDAY, MARCH 13th @ The Opera House (2209K S. 1st St.)


Karl Blau (K Records, Anacortes, WA) 6:00
John Maus (Upset! The Rhythm Records) 4:45
Dana Falconberry (Austin, TX) 4:00
The Gang (New York, NY) 3:15
Slow/Dynamite (Brooklyn, NY) 2:30

And don't forget:

Times New Viking
Psychedelic Horseshit
Fight Bite
Wax Museums

TUESDAY, MARCH 11th, 830pm
@Strawberry Fields
$5
BYOB
All Ages

SHOWS OF NOTE THIS WEEK
MON: Justice Yeldham/ATWA/Poisoned Birds/Subsun/Aunt's Analog/Dromez (House of Tinnitus)
MON: Phosphorescent/Bowerbirds/Sarah Jaffe (The Cavern)MON: Foreign Islands/Modey Lemon/These Are Powers/Prince William (Pastime Tavern)
TUE: We Shot J.R. Presents- Times New Viking/Psychedelic Horseshit/Fight Bite/Wax Museums (Strawberry Fields)
TUE: Woods/Blues Control/Clock Hands Strangle/The Eastern Sea (715 Panhandle)
TUE: Blue Cheer/Blood of the Sun (Granada)
TUE: Why?/Crypticize/Sunburned Hand of the Man/Astronautalis (Rubber Gloves)
TUE: BLK JKS/PPT/The Party (Green Elephant)
WED: Islands/Supreeme/Bridges and Blinking Lights (Hailey's)THU: White Mice/The Coathangers/Pleasureboaters/Dj Scotch Egg (Pastime Tavern)
THU: Digitalism/Prince William (the Loft)
THU: Lemonheads/Airline/Last Days of April (Granada)SAT: Yo La Tengo (Dallas Museum of Art)
SUN: Jens Lekman/Hanne Hukkelberg (Granada)
SUN: Crystal Castles/Health/Faux Fox/Wolf Versus Bear (Hailey's)SUN: White Mice/Sightings/Rahdunes/God Willing/Secret Abuse (House of Tinnitus)
SUN: MSTRKRFT (The Loft)
SUN: An Albatross/Apes/Eat Avery's Bones (Rubber Gloves)
SUN: Parts and Labor/Torche/Pterodactyl/Shooting Spires (Doublewide)