Rival Schools Rock Spinner's Final SXSW Pop-Up Show

SXSW is all about surprises, and for around a hundred fans in East Austin, pop-punk band Rival Schools delivered a burning afternoon set on the patio of renowned Mexican restaurant, Juan in a Million, for Spinner's final SXSW pop-up show.

But Mother Nature had a surprise in store as well -- temperatures were in the low 40s throughout the afternoon, but lead Schooler Walter Schreifels came prepared. "Is this parka too much?" he asked the crowd right before the band opened with 'Everything Has Its Point' from 2001's 'United By Fate.' Turns out, it wasn't. Bassist Cache Tolman wore a scarf and guitarist Ian Love had on a pretty thick coat as well. It's good to be prepared -- even in Texas.

The location seemed to tickle Schreifels fancy, too, revealing a fascination with Juan in a Million's specialty, a taco called the "Don Juan" and how it's used by locals as a competitive eating item. "For those of you who are into over eating in public, the current record is 8.5," he informed the audience.

Rival Schools have been largely quiet over the last several years but are gearing up for a big 2010. They recently signed with Photo Finish/Atlantic for their upcoming untitled release and used their set at Juan's to showcase a few new tunes. '69 Guns' features frenetic drums from Sam Siegler, 'Sophia Loren' features a nice guitar back and forth between Schreifels and Love, and 'Choose Your Own Adventure' has a slower tempo, with the crux of the lyrics revolving around Schreifel repeating the phrase, "Sometimes it seems like the answer."

Coming out of the post-hardcore, emo scene that was alternative rock in the early '00s, Rival Schools are relatively the same, but the thing they have going for them is Love's frequent use of effects pedals. Their pop-punk takes on a psychedelic tinge on older songs like 'High Acetate' and 'Good Things.'

The weather may have been a bit on the damp side, but it didn't dampen any Rival School spirit.