Bruce Springsteen unleashed his inner punk with special guest and Twangville fave Mike Ness of Social Distortion last week in L.A. This is the sound of four guitars a blazin’. Click here for a bigger fix of Social D. Thanks to Between Love and Like for the tip-off.
SXSW 2009: The Sounds (part 3)
The Damnwells The Damnwells burst right out of the gate with the rocking “55 Pictures†from their exceptional new release. The set was electric as the band veered from brawny rockers to moody ballads. Almost as entertaining was the young girl – I’m guessing 4 years-old – who jumped on stage to join the band. […]
Record Store Day This Saturday!
Get ready for Record Store Day this Saturday, April 18th. Started in 2007 to promote independent record stores, it has grown into a celebration of independent music and the hearty souls that support it. Across the country and around the world Independent Record Stores will be hosting special in-store performances. You’ll likely find me at […]
SXSW 2009: The Sounds (part 2)
The Right Ons The quintet from Madrid, Spain is like a party in a box. They’re well-studied students of the classic Detroit garage rock sound, with bits of Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone thrown in as well. They paid tribute to Stone with their intense cover of Sly’s “I Want to Take […]
Commander Cody – Dopers, Drunks and Everyday Losers
Some albums require several listenings to really get the subtlety and nuance of the music composition or the power of the thought in the lyrics. Commander Cody’s first studio effort in 20 years, Dopers, Drunks and Everyday Losers is not one of those albums. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a party album. If you don’t […]
SXSW 2009: The Sounds (part 1)
Low Anthem The Central Presbyterian Church, one of the more interesting SXSW venues, was the perfect room for the majestic songs of the Low Anthem. The talented trio moved swiftly through a range of instruments during the course of their set. It was completely captivating, albeit a bit ironic to hear songs about Charles Darwin […]
SXSW 2009: The Scene
If the economy is sick, then no one told the folks and attendees at SXSW. I, on the other hand, have a different story to tell. There’s nothing like attending a music conference with an ear ailment. Talk about a cruel, cruel irony. Not that I’m complaining. Like they say about golf or fishing, a […]
John’s Mega-Superior SXSW ’09 Show of the Year: The Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra
I’ve mentioned previously that one of the reasons I’ve been going to SXSW for 10 straight years (which is to say, 11 South-bys) now is in search of those only-at-South-by moments of pure magic. Of the magical South-by moments that I’ve been privileged to witness over the years, more than a few have involved the […]
John’s SXSW ’09 Showcase Highlights: Totally Michael
Having just had my mind expanded by Jaguar Love on the outside stage at the I Heart Comix showcase on Thursday night, I headed back inside Beauty Bar to discover that the set by Totally Michael, the artist I had arrived at the venue actually intending to see was already in progress. As it turned […]
John’s SXSW ’09 Day Party Highlights: The Wrens
I’m already on record as thinking that the Hold Steady are among the best live bands in the world. Well, I’m prepared to double down on that statement for the Wrens, who are happily back to performing live shows. This was the first of three sets the band was to play in Austin while on […]