Concert Central

They were fantastic until their psychedelic/prog noodling became never ending. The 80s throwback lead singer had the voice of Ric Ocasek though Rockboy disagrees. They were very uncharacteristic of the Hole which is a good thing.

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The woman is bizarrely ON – either on drugs or no separation between stage self and reality. She plays the sultry Southern bad girl. I did enjoy her voice, as well as the looks of her man or at least her co-vocalist. His voice, though, was average. Rockboy thought they were ‘vanilla,’ but I think [...]

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They’re from Phoenix and were in town for South by Southwest. Surf with a Nick Cave voice (at times). Bit rockabilly. Nice measured intensity. Sample lyric: “if you’re young and female you’re likely to get balled” at my shack. A touch misogynistic. They lack finish, especially in the vocals — definitely rooted in [...]

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They’re from Los Angeles — in town for South by Southwest. Like Bob Seger on speed or, as Rockboy says, a punk Van Morrison. The lead singer has a very distinct persona — dances in native-man circles howling like a wolf in his feather earring. Just a mystic cheese rocker in the end — [...]

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90s rockers from Boston — in town for SXSW. Might as well have been the godfathers of Counting Crows, i.e., they were horrid. Rockboy insists that they used to be grungier but I doubt. Their official SXSW showcase was at the Parish at 9pm on Friday — good day and location but embarrassing time.

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Hail from New York City and in Austin for SXSW. Lovely deep melodious voice. Country music with mystery. Per Rockboy, lead singer looks like Joe Strummer and Elvis Costello. Sometime noodly, as in My Morning Jacket but with a solemnous sonorious voice.

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An Austin band — looks like it’s made up of record store employees. Their name is literally their exclusive focus. Lead woman singer has a great persona going – robotic but pretty. The girl is much better vocalist than old man. Art punk. I totally buy their message (service jobs will suck the soul and [...]

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Detroit band in for SXSW. Grrrl voice with punk garage. Immediately striking and maintained the intensity with quality control. Just old school good rock a la Hole. A balls out girl, very much of my generation (Babes in Toyland). Character of a lead singer, Wendy Case — touched me with a comment reaching out to [...]

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They were big in the nineties, and are from Australia. Their official SXSW show was at 11:30pm at the Blender — the fairly late time indicates that their status. Punk Pink Floyd oldies and then Cramps, Cramps, Cramps. Charismatic lead singer who sucks the crowd in — weaves back and forth back and [...]

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Old hand at the sound (this was a rockabilly showcase). Didn’t try to win with loudness like the young guys – knew their stuff was good enough to play at regular volume. Bassist used to play with Reverend Horton Heat.

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