2007 SXSW New Music Review

I decided this year in order to get the most out of the week I would do things a little different. Instead of viewing any legendary bands from the past like Willie Nelson, or Anthrax jamming with Public Enemy, I would search out new music. Primarily bands whose names I have never heard of. I have to admit my decision to go after rouge talent has to do in part with the fact that I have been spoiled recently while doing my time in Dallas. Both The Granada Theater, and soon to be no more, Gypsy tea Room have been fighting the good fight and bringing in great bands to the socially limited Dallas community. They have also been hooking up their friends and neighbors with free tickets to their great shows. On account of their generosity I feel as if I have been getting my share of legendary performers. With that in mind I felt that no other gathering in the world would I have a better chance to see bands that will be giving it everything they have, staring straight at the sun, in the back of a vintage store for free. Needless to say if you were one of the lucky few to ride into SXSW this year in your big comfy tour bus, bio diesel or not, I didn't bother. However if you were one of the thousand bands that rode in a stinky van with your equipment in a rental trailer in tow behind, playing one to three gigs a day in hopes that someone may notice you, well maybe I did.

Fist Off, Here is to New Music, Beats, Combos, Progression, and raw creative talent. The stage is no longer just a podium for 6 guys to ramble on in a impromptu ho-down, but a place where one to three artists can combine electric, digital, acoustic and analog, keys, notes and beats, mixed with poetic lyrics into a progressive experience. When we can leave the music of our fathers behind us, but take some of the meaning and freedom they left us, you get something like Three More Shallows. A harmonious melodic, three piece outfit out of Oakland, Ca. These guys are not about the pegged pants, and v-neck t-shirts side of being a rock star, but instead the creative chaos that comes out knowing how to make music.

Not far from the bay, but maybe on the other side of the bar Sugar and Gold borrow aggressive 70's & 80's dance beats combined with authentic rhythm sections making it difficult for even the most uptight yuppie frat boy to keep his penny loafers from tapping the floorboard of his mom's leased BMW. These guy's and gal are the real deal, as they seam ready to raise the bar at any club or party. Sugar and Gold have what it takes to get you off the couch and on the floor with original songs splashed with a Love Boat Cruise type feel. Check them out.

From The other side of this vast country, where the free masons drafted together a constitution, years later to be manipulated by ignorant Klan's Men, spawned The Teeth. Fortunately for us the only manipulating Philadelphia's The Teeth do, besides to their facial hair, is to their instruments. Thus generating a sound and experience they can honorably call their own. These four guys pack a punch with natural talent and a live performance that is really not worth missing under any circumstance.

There were so many great shows I saw but even so much more that I missed. I have to say thanks, to friends and family in Austin and thanks for putting up with us, Thanks to all the Great Raw Talent on their way to being rock stars, and a special thanks to Cream Vintage and their Day Parties. You can never get have to much of a good thing.