SXSW Night #1: Band Review
Zolof: the Rock n’ Roll Destroyer @ Maggie Maes
Lurple says:
Fun, upbeat rock and roll. The lead singer (Rachael Minton) is more charismatic than talented, but the show was still a lot of fun. Bonus: they have a pirate song.
Second most enjoyable band we saw this night.
StickyC say:
Total 80’s girl band feel, which is right up my alley. I totally fell in love with Rachel (then again, Keite says it’s all in the wig).
Fool’s Gold @ Dirty Dog
Lurple says:
Hewbrew spiritual/drug rock. The band is fairly skilled but the lead singer isn’t at their level. It includes band members like a guy who randomly hits a drum pad (there’s already a drummer) when he’s not shaking gourds.
Several of the band members seemed really high, and I found myself wondering if I would enjoy their music more if I was taking whatever they were on.
Repetitive and dull, in the end I didn’t enjoy the show. Sure, people will dance if you have a decent beat, but if it’s just the same thing over for 5-10 minutes in a row only the really high or really drunk will appreciate it. I was bored.
StickyC says:
Aww Lurple just doesnt have rhythm (or understand Hebrew?). I fully enjoyed the sound and energy through the entire set. Heavy on the percussion side, blending a little ska and Carribean/island vibe (not at all what I’d call drug rock).
Dananananaykroyd @ Dirty Dog
Lurple says:
Super-high energy band, very good live show. These guys work! At one point the lead singer unplugged his mic while running around in the crowd.
Extremely friendly and cool group. Being infectiously enthusiastic, obviously having fun performing, and having the skills to back it up paid off: the crowd really liked them. So did I.
One of the singers gave me a hug at the finale, too.
StickyC says:
Best show of the night- punk-pop with two drummers and a frontman that looks like Tilda Swinton. The frontman and one of the drummers swapped up drumming/singing duties several times, with both making frequent forays into the crowd. Feet still hurt from the pogo-ing.
The Gay Blades @ Dirty Dog
Lurple says:
Bluesy rock. Only two members; guitarist/singer and drummer. These were some of the hardest working folks I saw all night; passionate and high energy. I wasn’t able to stay for the whole show, unfortunately.
StickyC Says:
I love seeing shows where the enterainers hold nothing back, these guys were terrific. Being a duo, they had plenty of free stage and the singer/guitarist used all of it, losing himself completely in the music and delivering a very passionate performance.
Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head @ Dirty Dog
StickyC Says:
Just stuck around for the first two tracks of these guys before heading out - it’d been a long day. Also, I somehow ended up in the lead singer’s favorite pelvic thrust target zone. File under the blur of recent pop bands emerging from YouTube, GH/RB promos, and TV soundtracks.
Echo and the Bunnymen @ Emo’s
Lurple says:
Pretty damn good live show. I’ve known about this band for ages but never actually listened to them (don’ t shoot me, I mostly review movies), but I’ll definitely consider picking up one of their CDs based of this performance.
I guess I would call this alternative/indie rock. I am sure that they’ve already been conveniently labeled by many others.
By far the most technically impressive band I saw tonight.
