For
this week's New York Night Train show list go
here. For information about the venues go
here. Click the names in bold to learn more about
the artists.
SXSW
Live for Tuesday, March 16, 2006
I just
don't feel like writing about New York shows while I'm stuck
in the middle of this wild fest in Austin. So, for the next
few days, I'm going to tell you what I witnessed, show you
a few pictures, and give you a few picks for day parties and
evening showcases. New York'll be back next week...
Last
night I started out dropping by Antone’s just in time
to watch Damon McMahon walk off the stage at Antone’s.
Next I strolled down the gaudy sports bar-ridden strip, finding
myself in extended street conversations with long lost friends
from all over. Though I didn’t really get to hear any
music until late, I still wound up witnessing a bunch of amazing
shows.
I fell
into Headhunters just in time for Brooklyn’s Fresh Kills
as they started rolling into a set of pure hellbent intensity.
Members of the Giraffes claimed the front of the stage, even
singing along at points, as the Kills played every song as
if it was their last.
After
that there wasn’t much else to do except follow my plan
and check out one of my favorite bands going, Gris Gris, at
Club DeVille. While I saw Greg Ashley and gang setting up,
it was just a teaser - the entire band was backing Oakland’s
Brian Glaze. After a short break, I wandered back in for yet
another amazing Gris Gris performance. The lighting under
the tent was a bit too bright and didn’t quite lend
to the atmosphere but the mighty Gris Gris triumphed - gradually
intensifying into a rawer yet musically multi-dimensional
version of Spaceman 3 – they were the British legends
if they were dressed down - more informal, less pretetios
and physically Texas (I know they now live in Oakland but
you can take the Texan out of Texas, but…).
While
a number of folks fled to parties, I stayed true to my plan
to check out the Punkeroos and then GoGoGo Airheart. The Punkaroos,
again at Headhunters, were nothing less than five legendary
punk rockers who’ve all been doing the right thing alone
and together in all kinds of incarnations and projects for
more than two-and-a-half decades – Buff and Pat, the
rhythm section from the Dicks, Dottie and Mark from Randy
“Biscuit” Turner’s (R.I.P.) Swine King (and
before that Jaws of Life and many more), and Todd from Shoulders.
So I witnessed yet another sweaty and intense show layed down
hard by some of Austin’s most unsung heroes.
While
most people probably wouldn’t have been able to take
any more, I still made it down to see San Diego’s GoGoGo
Airheart at Room 710. GoGoGo again did not disappoint. They
were already banging hard by the time I walked in and didn’t
let up – even after they were told to stop – and
then even after they turned the house lights on. The highlight
of the set and of my evening was a defiantly long and soulful
dubby jam featuring noneother than Gold Standard Industries
weird rap king Subtitle.
I love
to complain, but tonight I got everything that I expected
and much more from a bunch of my favorite artists - everyone
was magnificent and I’m thrilled to go door to door
and find the best bands in the land going at it with all of
their hearts and souls. The bittersweet truth of it all was
that I found my taste more obscure than I imagined - there
was plenty of room, no lines, and no trouble getting in at
any of the shows. A lot of folks missed out, but on the other
hand. Maybe it’s best they stay at the big shows. Either
way, I totally got the fix I’ve been craving for a long
time.
Today
is insane and I honestly have no idea where to go. At free
day parties you can check out WuTang’s Ugod, GZA, and
Raekwon the Chef, The Old-Timerz, Awwesome Cool Dudes, Gil
Mantera’s Party Dream, Black Moses, Indain Jewelry,
Black Heart Procession, The Joggers, Magic Christian, Deadboy
and the Elephant Man, Psychic Ills, GoGoGo Airheart, Vietnam,
Ghengis Tron, Greg Ashley, Knife sSkills, Ted Leo, Islands,
Roky Erickson (twice), Goblin Cock, n0 things, An Albatross,
Awesome Cool Dudes, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Wofmother, Plastic
Constellations, Scout Niblett, Kris Kristofferson, DC Snipers,
Cheater Slicks, The Rebel, Mike Wexler, Helios Creed, Parts
and Labor, Holy Fuck, Presets, Yuppie Pricks, Scout Niblet,
Notekillers, Islands, Hopewell, Quintron and Ms. Pussycat,
Oh Beast, Hopewell, and hundreds of others. Go to the Austin
Show List for specifics.
For tonight
it’s a bit easier. If you like experimental music, and
want to stay put, and seated and get away from all the indy
mersh action, go to the Table of the Elements show at Central
Presbyterian Church features Thurston Moore, San Agustin,
Zeena Parkins, Tony Conrad, Jonathan Kane's, Arnold Dreyblatt
Ensembe, and Rhys Chatham "Guitar Army." The Goner
Records showcase at Beerland also is worth staying for –
starting out with NYNT favorites Harlan T. Bobo and King Louie
One Man Band. As is Rahim, The Plastic Constellations,Big
Bear, Fatal Flying Guilloteens, Part Chimp, and Thunderbirds
are Now! at the Soho Lounge. One of the only interesting of
the bigger bills of the fest is Deadboy & the Elephantmen,
Noisettes, The Fiery Furnaces, The Dresden Dolls, Gomez, and
Nickel Creek at Stubb’s. DeVotchKa, Pterodactyl, An
Albatross, and Measles Mumps Rubella are all up on The Velvet
Spade patio and n0 Things and Parts and Labor can be found
outdoors. Rock Brooklyn’s finest Vietnam hit the Emo’s
4 stage at 10:30, followed by We Are Wolves and Islands. Austin’s
brilliant Golden Arm Trio are at Habana Calle 6 at 8:00. Sun
City Girls guitar wizard Sir Richard Bishop hits The Hideout
stage at midnight. Honky headlines the Red Eye Fly at 1 AM.
Go
to NYNT's Live Archive here.
|