Aug 31
AndrewReggae, Rock and Roll
Michael Franti and Spearhead managed a level of energy during their two abbreviated sets that was unmatched by either of the other bands. Playing a mix of rock and reggae, and playing the musician and the master of ceremonies of a wild dance party, Franti was a force of nature on stage. The highlight of the night was a full company run through of their track Hello Bonjour.
For what it’s worth, they seemed to stick to a hits-heavy set, Say Hey (I Love You) and rousing version of Yell Fire!. Probably most everyone in the venue had never heard of Spearhead, but they converted fans tonight by the masses. They were hugely entertaining.
Mar 21
DaraReggae, Singer/Songwriter
this venue immediately transports you to another place with irregular stadium seating, Mai Thai drinks, open-aired roofing, and the sweet smell of pot – the world of dub, ska, rocksteady and things reggae-beautiful – I was immediately soothed but was scrunching my brows once the music started – it was sounding like Lenny Kravitz to me which was not what I was looking for – UrbanBiker, a far more savvy consumer of the genre, stated in flat disdain “…this is not reggae… this is a Jamaican singer/songwriter” – all he needed to say… ‘singer/songwriter’ is the death knell no matter where you’re from – he islanded it up a little bit as songs progressed but never approached escape…
Mar 20
DaraDub, Pop, Reggae, Soul
this band has a gorgeous reggae-pop sound that I’ve come to crave – probably because of the touches of dub – singer’s voice is also a husky high-pitched delight – although my drunk compatriots were a bit of a distraction and my view was often blocked, the band did not disappoint a bit – music and lyrics can move from fun to more soulful and melancholy – they were a group of 3 to 5 clean-cut nice-looking white and black people – “Where’s your soul gone to?”
Mar 19
DaraElectronic, Pop, Reggae, Tribal
this band was a breath of fresh air after rock overload – tiny black boy with polo shirt and giant smile singing – another black boy with dreads, gapped teeth, and abercrombie-style clothes on ??? – silly white boy with plastic animals glued to his t-shirt and plastic sunglasses on the keyboard – they were electronic hipsters interlaced with warm authentic African touches – the singer was all positivity and would switch from African style hymns to reggae to pure pop – the first song sampled M.I.A. and I would say their sound is fairly comparable to hers – perhaps the best part of the band were the two black female dancers in rainbow-colored clothing – one was skinny but the big girl had all the moves and no shame – the crowd was all young awkward white hipster kids and, at one point, the big girl put her hands on the hips of a shy white girl in the front and made her move them – we agreed though that there’s something unsatisfying about a group without a single musician
Mar 18
DaraModern Rock, R&B, Ska
I couldn’t pin a genre on this band if I tried. Their boyish joie de vivre was incredibly infectious and we made the boys stay because we were infected. They progressed from R&B to ska to blues rock. The lead singer had the tight jeans on, like all the boys do (much to my 30-something friends’ dismay), and a mohawkesque haircut and small tattoos on his neck and grins all over the place. I googled them and got this urban definition: “A female on the snow who makes you crack a fat even in sub zero temperatures.” Maybe that helps you pin them down… Oh no, it wasn’t Ski Bunny – the band on MySpace is entirely different – the schedule must have changed – I hate when that happens. Ok, so more specifically, it was 4 to 5 very young males… that’s all I’ve got.
Mar 15
DaraSka
so darling the crowd could hardly stand it, 6-piece female ska group from Japan, all energy and high-skill, didn’t speak English except for a few tag shout-outs for the crowd, the top crowd response of every band I saw this year at SXSW – inspired an inspired mosh pit, I personally think it was more the novelty of gender and nation than the actual music, plus ska is just fun
Mar 15
DaraCollege Rock, Dub, Hard Rock, Reggae
Sublime-lite, similar sensibility to O.A.R. – actually stopped to give a motivational speech that he apologized for, rock that verged into pop-punk with reggae/dub undertones
Aug 01
DaraPunk, Rockabilly, Ska
from Apple Valley! or Hesperia!, and really really good, punk with only a little bit of rockabilly, lead singer was very reminiscent of Gwen Stefani and was an excellent showwoman – confident and full of weird faces, fantastic musicians as well, especially the upright bass player, their name comes from a Simpsons episode
Jul 26
DaraDub
“live dub!,” my new favorite music, a DJ who was good and not too obtrusive
Jul 20
DaraRock Steady
a bunch of old white guys acting like rastas and I loved them, mesmerizing happy drone bass of rock steady, “An all-star group of musicians that include founding members of Austin’s good vibes bands of the 80’s such as the Lotions, Pressure, Itex, and with a former Killer Bee or two thrown in as well” per website, two guitarists a saxophone a keyboard a drum, sweet smell of pot throughout, diverse crowd
Nov 11
DaraPunk, Roots Reggae, Ska
Maybe my favorite show ever. They were so excellent I take a deep breath now. British inflected reggae. Stupid crazy outfits – party girls but not “typical girls.” Then some punk. I do have a soft spot for girl rockers but these girls crafted such fine fine songs.
Nov 01
DaraPunk, Ska
punk ska, of the 2 Tone persuasion, from Liverpool
Sep 18
DaraDub, Reggae, Ska
loved them but they weren’t representing Bob Marley (his old band) or what I’d expect, played dub and then Jack Johnson (I think) joined them on stage and it was groove rap—a la Sublime
Sep 20
DaraLatin, Punk, Ska
BeautifulTeacher pick, Mexican, ska! (like old timey with skanking and all), punk!, ballads!, weird fantasy song with mask and a floaty group dance, excellent and energetic, little lead singer had an afro and a pink shirt with a tie on—ahhhh
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