SXSW '07 (i.e. The Fratellis and some other bands)
I think I did a little better than last year when it comes to the wristbands. Anyway, here we go.. I believe there are 130 photos (THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESIZED) sooo uhmmm that's your warning!
Flight over was much easier than last year, thank god. Waited for Rach to get in so we could take a cab together. Typical plane shots
Wednesday, March 14
We started off at the NME BBQ at Stubb's where 3/4 of Razorlight were milling around. I decided it'd be a good idea to talk to Andy Razorlight to find out where they were playing on Thursday. Of course he's the nicest man in rock and said if he had ANY idea what was going on, and how to, he'd try and sort me out but sadly he didn't have an idea. I introduced Rachel as just my sister, so he went "hello sister" to her which I thought was rather cute. After some free disgusting lunch we headed over to Emo's.
We meant to see this band called The M's but since there are about 329394 (just about the population of actual emo people) we were in the wrong one and missed them. BUT, we saw this band called Office instead and they were quite good! They can be defined as fun rock, they're OK GO but actually good, and the girl keyboardist who is really hard to see is so cute and bubbly!
After them we headed to Bourbon Rocks where we were then harassed by this band The Forward who were really REALLY funny but we never saw them and have yet to listen to them. They told us we were gonna make out with them after 2 shots but unfortunately that didn't happen :(
We then went to see this band Teenage Prayers at Bourbon Rocks but I don't have any pictures to prove this to myself or any recollection of what they sound like.. hmmmm
Up next were The Sights at the same venue. Little crazy Eddie was mad for some unknown reason (clearly him and Jack White Stripes are BFF). They were only supposed to play a couple of songs but ended up with a decent set list.
Crazy Eddie, I'm glad I finally got to see them again. They were suppose to play CMJ this year but got stuck in Detroit or something lame like that. From there we headed over to the Fader Fort, on the way over I spotted Carl Razorlight and told him that I ♥ his band and will see him later that night. He gave me a verrrry uncomfortable head nod and salute to that... Totez love creeping out musicians.
Anyway, we made it to the Fader Fort, grabbed a lot of free swag and waited.... AND WAITED for Hot Club de Paris to come on. When they finally did, I fell in love. They're like The Futureheads but more extreme. They're more a cappella and punky than The Futureheads. Whatever they're fucking brilliant listen to them if you like The Futureheads and don't come cryin' to me when they're playing Webster in like a day. Plussss the wee brother is adorable and wee (but he ruins like all my photos somehow)
Hot Club were the last day show for day one. Onto the night shows!
We went back to the NME showcase and were the on list, HOLLLLER not having to wait on line stupid people with badges OH BURN TO YOU. The first band we saw were The Sunshine Underground who absolutely ruined SXSW by being the BEST.FUCKING.BAND.I'VE.EVER.SEEN. Like, seriously. Absolutely amazing and they really fit the big stage at Stubb's. They said it was their first time in America which is SOOOOO ridiculous that they get to play such a big place, but whatever they were amazing and deserve it. They're like The Music but edgier. Forget all this Nu Rave shit and listen to them... PLEASE, do yourself that favor!
After they blew me out of the water we headed over to the Elysium to catch The Hourly Radio. Maybe because I just came from the best show of my life, but they didn't do it for me this time. They weren't as fun and dancey as I remembered. Tear drops. Plus the lead singer was being a big fat emo baby cause his in ears weren't working. Like it matters? There were like at most 10 of us there. Whatevs. Here's an attempt at a picture of them but cause they want to be all moody they like never have any lights on during their show!
After that disappointment we went over to Red 7 to see The Panda Band mainly because Rachel has an obsession with all things Pandas. The lead singer was also being a little bit of a baby but whatevs. I really didn't like them. They lacked a focus. Their songs just ended abruptly and the tempo of the songs changed immediately and it was all just too confusing. They could be something good if they just stuck with one thing but I don't think they have it in them. Anyway, Jim Shearer came to join us. Side story alert!!! Rachel of course, lucky bitch that she is, ended up being on the same flight as him. If you don't know who he is, he used to host 120 Minutes, Subterranean, etc. We met him like YEARS ago (according to him I was still in grade school but we all know that's not true) and have seen him here and there. He was coming to SXSW with Mountain Dew instead of MTV2 so he had no one there so on the plane he got Rachel's number and email so we could all hang out during SXSW. So he finally had a free moment and called her and joined us at the show. .
Anyway, picture of The Panda Band
After they ruined all things Pandas, Rachel, Jim and I headed over to Stubb's because Jim wanted to see Lily Allen and we wanted to see Razorlight later on in the evening.
Stubb's now had an even longer line than before and the shortest line was guestlist (which Rachel and I were on from earlier). Jim would've had to wait forever since he wasn't on the list so I told him to go on the guestlist line and say that he's Jenny Nolan (because I always put my name on guestlist's twice.. once as myself and another as Jenny who is the girl's ID I use to get into 21+ shows). So because I already used Sarah Pesin, Jenny was still there to be used. So we waited on line with Jim and told him to say he was Jimmy Nolan and there was just a miscommunication problem! So Rach and I are in no problem and then it comes to Jim and he does that and the lady asks him his affiliation and he didn't know what I put so he said NME and she was like NONONO but then Jim asked me so I told her and she let him in HAHAHHA. GOTTTTAAA love sxsw and the fact that we had to get Jim Shearer into a show.
Jim weaved us to a closer spot but it didn't matter cause we couldn't see from anywhere. While we were waiting for her to come on we took a 3 way picture. This picture is absolutely awful but it's the only one I got. Jim took 2 but he hasn't sent them to us yet.
Since we couldn't see we just made Jim narrate what Lily Allen was doing which was actually funnier than actually seeing it. Anyway I attempted taking a picture but it's quite terrible.
Once she finished ripping NME a new one (she's a very angry little lady) I weaved us to 2nd row for my little babiez Razorlight. I should be a professional crowd weaver, it's one of my better skills. Anyhooo, of COURSE Razorlight were late so we only stayed for 2 songs cause I had better places to be (read: SPOON) So we headed over to Antone's and split ways with Jim.
We got over just in time to Antone's for me to weave us to the front and see little babies Spoon. New bassist totally makes me want to cry cause he's so lame and not Josh Zarbo. Maybe because we were totally dead from the day’s events or because Britt Daniel was being psychotic, the show was probably one of my least favorites. The setlist was also quite weird. Either way, it's a Spoon show so I can't really complain.
OOOOH HIYA BRITT DANIEL
Thursday, March 15
I finally convinced Rachel to see The Films at Red 7 and because I'm a GENIUS she loved them. It'd be pretty hard not to, they're an absolutely amazing band. I saw them the week beforehand with The Horrors (who are HILARIOUS IN DAYLIGHT) so the drummer who I spoke to remembered me. He's a super sweet guy and likes Spoon, so BIGGGG plus on your side brov!
After Rachel formed a new crush on them, we headed to The Fader Fort to catch The Black Lips who sadly I don't have any photos of because I was sitting on some makeshift couch shit that made them not visible (or invisible) to my eyes. They're quite good, a little odder than I was expecting but when one of the guy’s goes "pshpshpshpshs" it's honestly the cutest thing I've ever seen.
We then went over to the Skewer BBQ cause a lot of bands we like were playing but we had of course already missed them. But on our way there we passed Bloc Party chatting it up with some people getting misted under this restaurant's outdoor seating. It was kinda funny. Since we missed the bands we wanted to see we decided to take it easy and grab a drink at the Fader Fort and check out Pete and the Pirates who were SOOOOOOO much better here than they were in London. Odd. They were apparently missing Pete though, he didn't make his flight or something. OH BURN.
Then it was Bonde do Role's turn on stage at The Fader Fort. All the hipsters went crazy for them. I. Don't. Get. It. Srsly, can someone explain them to me? No? Didn't think so.
Finalllly after them it was time for my little bebiez future children's daddies THE FRATELLIS. Sadly, they were setting up chairs which meant an acoustic show but whatevs I can deal. And they only seem to play Creepin Up the Backstairs acoustic. Plus we got to see Mince be totally white trash and play his Banjo. Hilarity times 4 billion.
uggggg drool
Sadly, I don't have a picture of Mince with his Banjo. I believe Rachel does though so check out her blog on The Big T's website whenever it goes up.
Fratz closed the day shows for Thursday. Grabbed some dinner, cleaned up my smelly self and headed to see The Cinematics but there was a fucking lengthy line for them. WTF mate when did they get a fan base? So a couple of tears were shed and we decided to go see The Shys at Exodus who were absolutely terrible! I don't know what happened to them, they used to be such a good time. Maybe it's the new members. I blame all problems on new members.
Climb those speakers bitch
After a very disappointing start to the night shows we headed over to Blender Bar to see The Sights again. This fella Scott from SCOTLAND (YAYAYA) came up to us to promote the band he manages (The Needles)
After their rawkin \m/ set we went over to The Rio (read: the old real world house) to FINALLY see Foals (We were suppose to see them at the Fader Fort but they came on too late so we had to leave). They. Are. So. GOOOOOOOOD. Plus they have the hottest ginger drummer evs. But that's besides the point. Their music, fucking amazing dance party. Definitely another band I'd HIGHLY recommend.
see, hot drummer:
While we were waiting for Hot Club to set up their shit, I saw the bassist (Daley) from The Sunshine Underground (I was to remember what he and the drummer looked like and Rachel was to remember the lead singer and guitarist so we could talk to them if we ever saw them since we liked them so much!). We went over to talk to him and he was AWWWEEESSOOME. Funny guy who actually gets our humor. Me and him are creating a side project where he plays Bass and I got cow bell and dance around (a la Bez) and we're gonna be on the cover of NME realllly soon. Look out for us. While we were talking with him SU's guitarist Stuart came over and only introduced himself to Rachel (she's got a badge) so I called him on that and he was like "awwww sorrry, no no, you get a hug" Hot. Hot Club de Paris were coming on so Rach and I went toward the front and said goodbye to Daley.
HCdP were even better than the day before! Although, they seemed a bit angry at the crowd's lack of enthusiasm. Short guitarist asked if anyone in the audience had questions so I asked if he and the drummer are brothers (yes) and if he really does believe in magic (he had a pin that said so) and he was very emotional about that and said he does in fact. I love them, but I don't know how nice they are but I suppose that doesn't really matter. Anyway, little guitarist boy really does ruin all my pictures but it's kinda funny.
brovers
We meant to see Shitdisco afterwards but Daley in SU told us they were playing at the Karma lounge at the same time so we opted to see them as they're super dance party.
We left one song short (which is like the best song ever.. of course) to head over to Dirty Dog to see The Fratellis showcase (i.e. the show EVERYONE was trying to get in to).
Rach got in, in like 5 minutes cause of her badge, I was probably on line for a good 30 or so minutes. While I was waiting the guy in The Forward (the band who wanted to make out w/us after 2 shots) was milling about so I told him to entertain me but he said he couldn't since his show was going on next door (oops) and I told him I was going to Fratz so he gave me a fuck you gesture but told me to listen for them anyway. There were 3 people ahead of me on line when The Fratellis took the stage. So I just stood outside and dance and sang along and the nice security guard saw this and smiled and let me in before he should've!
I got inside, saw Adam Films had a VERRRRRY brief chat with him and then weaved my way all the way up to Rachel in the front. I got there before Baby Fratelli (first song) was even over! The crowd was SOOOOOOS OSOSOSOSOS fucking lame. Rachel and I were honestly the only two people moving around. No one even moved during Chelsea. Like, I'm really glad I had to wait outside for over 30 minutes so the badge holders who just wanted to check them out and hate them could get there before me. Whatever, it didn't matter. Rachel and I had an absolutely great time by ourselves. Rachel took these pictures
They closed the second night of SXSW for us so we headed home and when we got home Rachel got a text from Jim Shearer saying "you guys really do love The Fratellis" meaning he saw us jumping around like fools at the show ooooy.
Friday, March 16
We started off with a lengthy walk to the Dim Mak/Diesel house where The Sunshine Underground were playing their third and final show. The walk there was longer than their actual set but it was still worth it. The set was also acoustic which is an entirely different show than plugged in but the lead singer has an absolutely stunning voice which you fail to realize when they're playing electric. There were maybe 6 people there, 1 including the drummer and the others being people who HAD to be there working. So it was, uhm, interesting.
After their set we talked with Daley for a wee bit and then split ways as we had a lengthy walk to Club De Ville to see The Black Lips again, who once again, I have no pictures of cause I was planning my night shows while they were on. Whoops. After them were Walter Meego who Rachel was talkin up and boy did they fall short of awesome. Lead singer's kinda stuck in the early '90s and it's not cute...
After them we went to the Lava Lounge to catch the Scottish Showcase where The Fratellis were supposed to be playing and on the way there I saw Andy Razorlight hmmm ♥ him. Got inside, saw Scott (The Needles manager) and got a spot relatively close. The Twilight Sad were finishing up by the time we got inside
After them was suppose to be The Fratz but Paulo Nutini came on instead and we were informed the Fratz had canceled. We stuck around for one song to see his deal and he was actually quite good! Too bad The Fratellis controlled my SXSW life this year.
So we left and headed over to Bourbon Rocks to see, can you guess it? The Fratellis and standing outside was one Mr. Jim Shearer and friends. He was basically our biographer to these guys and told us that after college if he was in the position to hire people, he'd hire us! He said he saw us the night before at the Fratellis and that I actually weaved by him in a flash and before he could say anything I was gone! I told you I was good! We all went inside and watched the last song by The Rumble Strips and grabbed a good spot for Fratzzzz. This show was also lame crowd-ness but there were these two girls in front of us who were quite fun and requested For the Girl, but they didn't play it! After this I don't think I have any more Fratz pictures cause I was too busy DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DOing. Like I said, check Rachel's thing.
From there, we walked to a fucking clothing store called Octane to see this Scottish band Popup. I don't know if you see a theme occurring here but I’m ALL things Scottish now. They were sadly not as good as I was expecting them to be but they all seem like really nice guys. Maybe new best friends in Glasgow? Jkjk. Friday night had like NOOO shows to go to so we just sat round and ate and drank their free shit. There was this band walking around SXSW with all the same outfits on, black suits with gold stripes down the sides and they were roaming about so I asked them their deal. They're in a band called Solid Gold who were playing Octane next so we stuck around for them.
I'm not going to lie, they were pretty good, or at least better than Popup! Kinda dancey electro without a drummer style synth-ness. Chk the outfitz out that they totes wore the whole festival (smelllly)
After talking with them we headed over to BD Riley’s to see Victorian English Gentlemen’s Club. Once again, Rachel's choice and TOTALLY lame and weird. Occasionally they had a good song but that was occasionally.
From there Rachel and I split up and I walked the 2093840234 blocks to La Zona Rosa to see Razorlight while she headed somewhere to see The Pigeon Detectives. While I was walking there I see THE HORRORS in the street, high fiving each other. UHMMMMM HELLO HILARITY!!! That's an image burned into my head for life and you should ALL be jealous.
Anyway, Razorlight. While I was waiting this older Scottish gentleman stood next to me so of course I start bothering him and he was SUPERPPERPE nice but of course doesn't like Razorlight. He was just there to take photographs for BBC2 or something. Gave me some photos he took of The Chalets and Guillemots and his info to keep and they're really amazing ! New best friend. HOLr. So Razorlight came on (on time.. shock gasp horror) and I was literally one of the only people there who didn't hate them and actually knew who they were. These super tall people in front of me were being lamebots so I finally just went over to where the photographers pit was and went in there and had a dance party by myself. New Scottish best friend saw me and thought it was funny. Sadly, I got not extra special love from the light. But, I was able to actually see and Johnny and Andy had a lovely little moment where they held hands but Andy wasn't having it and that made Johnny sad. Totessss love it.
One too many pictures I think, ya?
After that loveliness, I fucking booked it all the way to Club De Ville. Honestly, the two clubs couldn't have been further away. I finally got there and Rachel was chatting it up with winners (achem.. well, it wasn't her fault it was technically St. Patty's day so EVERYONE was totally gone). After a wee bit of a wait The Blood Arm took the stage and I made Rachel get up to experience them!
I DARE YOU TO GO TO A BLOOD ARM SHOW AND NOT HAVE FUN. You'd honestly have to be in a coma in order for that to occur. The crowd was amazing, I wish they were at The Fratellis. The lead singer is totally fucking insane and awesome to watch.
He went into the audience a lot, kissed this one guy and at one point made us all sit down. It's hard to tell, but this is him sitting in the crowd amongst everyone else sitting.
They came back out for an encore and only had time to play one song but decided to "fuck the police" and played two. The security at the venue freaked out and started pulling the mic away from the lead singer but he pulled harder and finished the song! It was suchchchchch a good way to end the third night of SXSW!
Saturday, March 17
The Fratellis had a couple of day shows lined up for the last day so of course that meant that we did to. They were playing the NY2LON party which just happened to be literally right outside of our hotel and was being sponsored by +1 (read: my new internship) so we went to see what time The Fratz were meant to play and Maile stamped Rach and I immediately so we didn't have to wait on the line and introduced me to Jonny Kaps (I suppose technically my new boss)! After getting stamped we decided to check out some other shows.
First up was The Holloways at Emo's Lounge. They weren't exactly what I was expecting. I think they may be a little too ska for me, but they really do know how to get an audience dancing and having a good time! Even if I don't like their music all that much, they're a terribly fun band to watch! The lead singer came down and kissed everyone in the front row and made everyone hold hands!
From there we went to FINALLLLLY see Shitdisco at beauty bar. Once again, Rachel totally LOVED them, as did I! Plus they're from Scotland :P They were a total adorable dance party and didn't care that no one else seemed to care. Sadly we had to leave a song early :(
Of course we left early to catch The Fratellis at NY2LON.
As we were walking I saw all of The Films again (they are so this years Ralfe band for me for how many times I ran into them). Had a good chat with Adam Films and told them where they were going was a lengthy walk and that I'd see them later on! We parted ways once we got to NY2LON.
While we were waiting we met a nice, and HOT photographer. Once again the show was acoustic so we at least got to hear Creeping and they finally played Cigarello. The hot nice photographer gave me future baby daddy's guitar pick which I don't quite care for but it was still a nice gesture!
We and The Fratellis finally had a second to talk so we finally said hello to Mince and Barry. I told them I'm moving to Scotland (of course I have to become BFF with them obvs) and Mince said he'd NEVER move out of Glasgow. It's nice to finally hear some NICE things about Glasgow instead of "you're going to get raped and mugged". They literally only had a second to talk and were escorted off to wherever they were suppose to be next.
Since Rachel and I are super douches, instead of seeing The Wombats we went to see The Fratellis, again, at the Filter House. Well, technically we should've been able to see both but OF COURSE the Filter House was about an hour late! Mew were playing when we got there and I really just don't get it? They're soo blaaaaaaaaaaaaahhasd//.../ Whatevs, everyone was there for them so I weaved RP and I pretty close to the front and saw NANCY LA! Totes love her cause she's so utterly ridiculous! Finally The Fratellis came on and played a totally crazy setlist. I think they were getting bored, you know playing the same setlist like 10 times in 4 days so they changed it up. They FINALLLLLLY played Cuntry boys, their Ooh La La cover, a couple songs I've never heard before and all the songs listed on the setlist were fake names! It was quite fun, but once again LAME crowd participation. I think we FINALLY got recognized by Jon Fratellis!
After their FINAL T_T set I basically booked it to the Purevolume Tejas House to catch The Films final show. I was sadly only able to catch a couple of songs since The Fratz ran so late :(
After their set we grabbed some dinner and cleaned up and got ready for the night shows!
First, on Rachel's suggestion we went to see The Summer Wardrobe at Latitude 30. HELLLLLOOOO BORING. Rach totes sucked this year with new bands, whereas I totally rocked it. We decided against staying there and would go see Scott's band, The Needles forever away.
Fate's a kind of wonderful thing cause as we're walking to Lambert’s who else but Mince Fratellis is buying 2 hotdogs at some random street vendor!! He recognized Rach and I so we started talking. He's an awfully sweet guy! We told them we're glad they finally played Cuntry boys and he said they normally do at home, so I don't know why they were gypping us! I told him about NY and he said if I showed up he'd help me out, but they know NOTHING bout the studio B show, so I don't know if it's legitimate/will ever happen! He asked us where we were headed to so I told him to see another Glaswegian band since I want to see them all while I'm here so I can have a lot of new best friends once I move there and his friend started nodding excitedly and gave me the thumbs up! I asked him who he was going to see and he said his hotel.. awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. So my goal for SXSW to be known by a Fratelli was completed!!
Finally got to Lambert’s and saw Scott and The Needle's. They were SOOOOOOO much better than I was expecting. Kinda American pop punk but not annoying or twee and it was just a lot of fun, as well as funny and they literally tore the place up (the bassist hit the ceiling above him and it kinda fell down)
After their set I said hello to Scott and told him I'd be in touch. I then walked over to Stubb's to try and get into the Spoon/Iggy Pop show. When I got there I was told it was badge only and the badge only line was like a good mile so I was like uhhh no thanks and waited for Rachel to come. While I was waiting of course The Films show up so I told them it was badge only and one of them thought their wristband meant the same thing... but it doesn't. So they were left outside just like me.. HA!
Then Rachel saw Joe Shitdisco so we went up to them. He was super nice and gave me a high five when I told him my Glaswegian friends told me to see them. He also knows our friend Dave P and told me to get in touch with them if they're in NY.
Finally we decided to actually go to a show and went to see Blanche at Eternal and Little Jack my bf now of The Raconteurs was actually there! They're soo good. I love how this SXSW was a mixture of Detroit music and dance/nu rave. SO weird!
After their wonderful oddness we went to our last sxsw 07 show :(:( but thankfully it was one of he fucking best. It was this band Mumm-Ra at the Red 7 Patio. The lead singer is just a fireball of energy and running all around and into the audience, climbing whatever's near by, doing magic tricks, spinning ducks, and conducting all the while rocking. Fucking hilarious but at the same time, great, GREAT music as well! I think I have the most pictures of them...
stage invasion? sorta...
After their set we went to sit outside and of course Jim Shearer comes by us so he invites us along with him to go see Girl Talk since they're from his home town. He was definitely stir crazy from the past 4 day’s events and was hilarious to watch! Here he is admiring them for like 3 seconds
Girl Talk are uhmm kinda weird. I'm sure they'd be fun times listening to them at a bar but actually seeing them is kinda weird.
Pretty disco ball
Then after 2 songs of Girl Talk, Jim ran us back over to see the last 2 songs of Cursive and while we were outside all of Mumm-Ra came by us so we made the lead singer give us a high five, but he was REALLY confused about it.
AND that concluded sxsw 07. Although, at the airport IGGY POP was spotted getting onto his plane and all of The Holloways were on Rachel's flight and were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO fucking comical just watching them. Especially the lead singer, he looked so rough and had this dainty pillow with him. OOOOOH amazing.
So next time, come to fucking SXSW cause it's going to be the best 4 days of your life.
I'm sure I've missed a lot of stuff, but I'm also sure you didn't read all this (I wouldn't either) Sorry bebieeeez this is terribly lengthy. SXSW 08, WHO'S COMING?????