Thurston Moore, Japandroids and So On: Every Band I've Seen at SXSW

There are thousands of artists in Austin for SXSW, and I'll be seeing a lot of them. This year, I decided to challenge myself and write about every band I see, no matter how much of their set I caught, or even if I saw/heard them unintentionally. Most of these "reviews" are pieced together from my illegible notebook scribblings, but that's all I've got.

Enjoy, and out parts two, three and four of my adventure.

Day One: Tuesday, March 12
Best Coast

I "saw" Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino and crew setting up at some Red Bull stage while in a desperate search for food and beer with colleagues. We had just landed in Austin and met up, and we really, really wanted to sit down somewhere, have a meal and a couple Lone Stars. After finding out that our preferred spots were either closed or had a 90-minute wait, I saw that Red Bull was having a show and there was a taco stand in the back. The wait was too long here, so we found ourselves at a Cajun joint, sitting outside while Best Coast played a couple blocks away. The sound was actually pretty decent while we devoured gumbo, shrimp and sausage, and the 21+ fans at the show seemed like they were having a good time. So, yeah, Best Coast is pretty good dinner music, I guess.

Marnie Stern
After a brief separation from my colleagues, I met up with them again at the Mohawk for Pitchfork's something-something show (not the official title, believe it or not). They were trying to see another act whose name I can't recall in the smaller indoor room, but it was so packed that they were standing outside of the room listening when I arrived. Marnie Stern was on outside, so we opted to go out there because there was enough of space to actually see her. She had some problems with her amp and the sound guy complained of some buzzing, to which she responded "like the buzzing that comes out of my vagina when I'm feeling crazy?" The rest of her set was peppered with jokes about her lady parts and pornography, while her bassist lamented that he wanted to talk about current events instead. Her 30-minute performance ended with a heavy, complex song that made up for the technical difficulties.

Wavves
We departed the Mohawk for the Jansport Bonfire Session @ Viceland, an outdoor spot put on by -- you guessed it -- Vice. Wavves were on when we arrived, and there was plenty of stage diving and security issues. We could barely hear them despite being 40 feet away. The only thing I wrote in my notebook was "stupidity" and "shit sound."

Japandroids
The Canadian duo followed and we had to move to the very front of the stage to hear them. Not sure what was up with that. Japandroids begged the crowd to take care of each other while moshing -- some rookies didn't take that to heart -- and were greeted with plenty of enthusiasm. Singer/guitarist Brian King repeatedly taunted the audience, saying they were getting their asses kicked by a bunch of Canadians. "USA! USA!" chants ensued, and we all agreed in the end that we were all winners. Also, they served Corona tall boys, which was pretty awesome. My last note: "FUN!"

Divine Fits
I was there, but really didn't pay too much attention, because my wife had just arrived from New York after a repeatedly delayed flight. The sound was about 100 better for Divine Fits than it was for Japandroids, and luckily Britt Daniel is tall enough that he could be seen over the crowd, thanks to the really low stage. My notes: "Cool?" "Had fun with Tessa (wife)" and "good sound," which in my chicken-scratch handwriting looks like "good syrup."

Spinner's 2013 SXSW Showcase at ACL Live

Day Two: Wednesday, March 13

Fort Lean
The first band on the bill for Consequence of Sound's second annual CoSigns party. Fort Lean's peppy, somewhat early-'60s-yet-modern sound was a great way to kick off the day. I couldn't remember anything about them so I wrote "assume Brooklyn" in my notes, and I was right! Damn, I'm good. Anyway, they were really fun and their enthusiasm for playing in front of a small, early crowd was incredibly endearing. I'm definitely going to pay to see them back in our home borough.

Wampire
I was incredibly saddened to learn that Hunters, the top of my must-see bands at SXSW, had to cancel because frontwoman Isabel Almeida had to go to the hospital due to vocal issues. So, I kind of milled about for half an hour until Wampire took the stage to the sounds of the "Jurassic Park" film score. They admitted that they had just arrived and were all under the weather, so their vocals were "more nasally" than normal. They put on a solid set, but my biggest takeaways it that they looked like they were the geeks from "Freaks and Geeks," especially the lead singer, who looked like Harris. This is rock 'n' roll criticism at its finest, people.

Bear Ceuse
After having a Jameson margarita at the Chupacabra on 6th, which I read about in an interview with Austin native Gary Clark Jr., I went to the 311 club (so cleverly named for being located at 311 E. 6th) to catch Bear Ceuse, an up-and-coming New York band that happens to include two of my AOL Music colleagues, Cameron Matthew and Adam Horne. I'm biased, but they were great. Check them out this week if you like skronky guitars, songs about zombies and good times.

Pallbearer
We accidentally showed up at the Mohawk for Pitchfork's Show No Mercy metal concert, thinking we were going to catch a set by FIDLAR. Pallbearer are definitely a band I'm checking out again, sounding tight and heavy. This show wins for best beards, jean jackets and dudes with really long hair at SXSW.

The Thermals
Back at the CoSigns show, the Thermals kicked ass. My notes: "RAD!"

Thurston Moore's Chelsea Light Moving
Noisy. Thurston Moore is really tall. I've never been a huge Sonic Youth fan but I got into this as the set progressed. Also, Thurston's tallness fascinates me, because as a 6'3" dude I rarely encounter musicians larger than me. It's refreshing.

Spinner's Showcase at ACL
You can read the real review of our show with Family of the Year, Lord Huron, Natalie Maines with Ben Harper, Iron and Wine and Dawes. I had a great time, and I must say that ACL Live is one of the best venues I've ever had the pleasure of attending. The sound is impeccable no matter where you go, something I can't say for even my favorite New York spots. And I must admit that Natalie Maines was better than I expected she would be. Her covers of Pink Floyd's "Mother" and Jeff Buckley's "Lover You Should've Come Over" were bold choices, and she pulled them off exquisitely. Thanks to the venue, the staff and everyone who came out. Sincerely.

Charli XCX
After going our separates ways and trying reconnect with friends, I went on a fruitless search to see more music. I literally caught the last 15 seconds of Charli XCX, got denied entry into Ghostface Killah's show because he was on his last song, and walked back just in time to miss Jim James at the Hype Hotel. I also had my first-ever conversation with a woman while we were both peeing in an alley (I was there first!).

So, as of now, at 11:30 AM on Thursday, I've seen 16 bands (17 if you count Charli's 15 seconds). Much more to come!

AOL Music's Complete Coverage of SXSW

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