The Current Music Blog: March 13, 2008 Archive

The Stream 03/13/08

Posted at 8:46 AM on March 13, 2008 by Barb Abney

Official SxSW audio/video streams.

Reveille Magazine's SxSW coverage.

Pitchfork's guide to SxSW.

SPIN's SxSW coverage.

Today In Music History:
1939 - Neil Sedaka was born.
1959 - Greg Norton (Husker Du) was born.
1960 - Adam Clayton (U2) was born.
1965 - Eric Clapton left The Yardbirds.
1975 - Tammy Wynette and George Jones divorced.
1998 - The Smashing Pumpkins filed suit against Sound And Media Ltd., alleging that they released a "book-with-CD" about the band without permission.
2002 - Marc Moreland (Wall Of Voodoo guitarist) died.

Bumping in Texas

Posted at 9:16 AM on March 13, 2008 by Christina Schmitt

Thurston Moore ran smack into Nate Kranz on 6th Street in Austin, TX, last night...Fact! Although Kranz and Sonia Grover see rock gods all the time booking bands at First Avenue, there's still nothing like running into your hero on the street. We briefly considered stalking him, but instead agreed to go see him, J. Mascis, etc. at a party later today doing a set of Lou Reed covers.

And so begins another awesome SXSW, running into stars plus everyone you know from Minneapolis. Before the Moore bump-in last night, we went to the Free Yr Radio party at La Zona Rosa. Times New Viking were playing (Nate loves them). They're a three piece - keyboards, surf guitar, drums. Sarah Askari from City Pages said she was amazed to discover there was a girl in the band. Apparently their records are just noisy enough to blur gender. I was there to see Yeasayer. Their vocals are so beautiful, and the hippy vibe was tolerable. It's a mystery, though, why the guitar player, who is really good, would spend half the set just standing there pushing a sample button. I'm kind of old school about that.

And so too begins the non-stop text messaging. Alison Stolpa, another TC pal who is co-hosting tomorrow's Modern Radio showcase, texted from The Slits show. Said it was "English girls doing reggae rock"--the focus now of the '70s punk girl group. They're playing a lot this festival.

Got to get to The Current's broadcast to see The Raveonettes at 11 a.m. yeah! And Motorhead is playing a show later today. I'll let you know if I score a Lemmy siting.

Local Music at SxSW

Posted at 9:06 AM on March 13, 2008 by Barb Abney (2 Comments)

THE ALARMISTS
March 15
Molotov Lounge - Bastards of Young Minneapolis Music Day Party - 1:30-2P

ARTIFACT SHORE
March 14
The Hideout - 11 pm

BIG DITCH ROAD
March 15
Molotov Lounge - Bastards of Young Minneapolis Music Day Party - 2:15-2:45P

THE BIRTHDAY SUITS
Mar 13 2008
Molotov Lounge - Crustacean Records Showcase - 8:00P
Mar 14 2008
The Dog and Duck Pub "Minnesota Migration" day show - 12:00P
Trailer Space Record Store w/ Dan Melchior Und Das Menace, Greg Ashley, Terrible Twos - 8:00P
Mar 15 2008
The Parlor (day show) w/ The Hex Dispensers, Manikin, Cococomas - 1:00P
Blind Pig SXSW "Blackout Booking Showcase" - 8:00P

CLOUD CULT
March 13
Planetary - Maggie Mae's, 323 E. Sixth Street - Day Show
The Current - 5pm set
March 14
Soundcheck Magazine @ Emo's Annex, Red River and 6th St - 4:45pm
Rebel Group - Night Show (official showcase) @ Red Eyed Fly, 715 Red River St 1am
March 15
MoreCowbell, @ Molotov Lounge, 719 W 6th St - 3 to 3:30pm
After the Jump @ Lucky Lounge, 209 W 5th St - 5pm

DOOMTREE
March 15
Molotov Lounge - Bastards of Young Minneapolis Music Day Party
4:30-5P

FOUR LETTER LIE
March 13
TAF PARTY @ Beso Cantina - w/ Drop Dead, Gorgeous, A Skylit Drive + More - 12 pm
Red 7 Showcase w/ BTBAM, Dead To Fall, theAUDTION, Secret Lives! Of The Freemasons - 9 pm

KID DAKOTA
Mar 15
The Molotov Lounge - 3:00P
The Thirsty Nickel - 7:00P

KNIFE WORLD
Mar 13
Maggie Mae's - 8:00P

MARK WALLMAN
Mar 13
The Wave - 9:00P

MYSTERY PALACE
March 14
The Hideout - 9:00P

OUIJI RADIO
Mar 13
Room 710 Voltage day party w/ Birthday Suits, White Light Riot, Alarmists, MC/VL and more - 10:00A
MOLOTOV LOUNGE - W/PEELANDER Z, THE BIRTHDAY SUITS, SCREAMIN CYN CYN & THE PONS, THE GUSTO - 8:00P
Mar 15
Room 710 w/ Chooglin, etc. - 10:00A

PAUL METZGER
March 15th - End of an Ear - 2 pm

THE PINES
March 13
The Driskill ­ Victorian Room - Red House Records Showcase - 10:00-10:45
March 14
Mother Egan's - SXSW Unofficial Showcase - 1:00 pm

THE PLASTIC CONSTELLATIONS
Mar 14
Dog and Duck Pub - Minnesota Migration SXSW Day Party - 5PM

RUBY ISLE
Mar 14
Light Bar - Kindercore Showcase - 12:00A

SOLID GOLD
Mar 14
The Thirsty Nickel (formely uncle flirty's) - 8:00P

ROMANTICA
March 15
Molotov Lounge Bastards of Young Minneapolis Music Day Party - 12:45-1:15P

HOJAS ROJAS
March 15
Molotov Lounge - Bastards of Young Minneapolis Music Day Party - 12-12:30

TAPES 'N' TAPES
Mar 13
EMOS ONION PARTY - 5:15P
Mar 14
CEDAR DOOR - 12:00A

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Ever heard of Rokkervil?

Posted at 11:41 AM on March 13, 2008 by Bill DeVille (3 Comments)

This place is crazy. Music is on every corner!

Music is in the air around here! on every street. I have never seen more rock-n-roll vans hauling a trailer in my life! Should mention a few of my highlights from yesterday...Van Morrison played a 1 hour set a really cool club called La Zona Rosa. It was awesome to see Van the man playing the ukulele up close and personal. He's now into his 60's and his vocal prowess is still amazing!

Also had a chance to attend a portion of the Austin Music Awards at the Austin Music Hall last night. Spoon cleaned house winning a bushel basket full of awards. Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top was in the house! He presented the legendary Roky Erickson with musician of the year award. Then it was my favorite set of the night! Ever heard of Rokkervil? The Austin band Okkervil River played a smoking little set including my favorite song of last year, "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe" & were joined by the king of the Austin psychedelic scene of the 60's, Mr. Roky Erickson! Rokkeril did several tunes including a blistering version of one of my "go to" songs, "Your Gonna Miss Me."
Now that was a once in a lifetime performance! The kind of thing that can only happen here in Austin!

Now it's off to see the Twin Cities own Alarmists.

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How 'bout that heat?

Posted at 12:53 PM on March 13, 2008 by Mary Lucia

There is something so comforting about roaming the streets of someone else's city and seeing so many faces from home.
Last night we got the lay of the land of our broadcast space and then promptly went out for Burritos and Margeritas.
Some opted to see Van "The Man" Morrison I sat at an outdoor table with half the staff of First Avenue.
Our favorite game is spot the non musician celebrity.
Last night we thought we saw Ben Stein, turned out to be somebody's dad.
I've still been smirking all day thinking of the music "expert" from Boston I sat next to on the plane telling his friend everything he knew about MN bands such as Walt Mink and Soul Asylum. No comment.
Things are running so smooth so far.
Lot's of excitement about our bands today...
Local music connections continues as we welcome Cloud Cult to the Current's stage at 4:45pm.
The big unknown for me today are The Rascals a young band from the UK that I dig but don't know much about as they are literally at the beginning of their careers.
I hope they don't drop kick me.
P.S did I mention Motorhead???!!

Rock-n-Roll never dies the jeans just keep getting skinnier

Posted at 7:21 PM on March 13, 2008 by Bill DeVille (2 Comments)

After checking out a fantastic set by Sons & Daughters on the Current Free Yr Radio Stage I headed off too the Fader/Levi's bash. A bunch of fun it was! My favorite new band at this very moment is Joe Lean & the Jing Jang Jong...got a nice ring to it, doesn't it? This band melds 1964 Rolling Stones with the mod-pop sound of the Jam. The guitar player looked a bit like the late Rolling Stones guitar player Brian Jones and the singer a little like this fellow named Jagger. It seems Rock-n-roll never dies the jeans just keep getting skinnier! Seems every gent you see around here is dressed in skinny jeans and Chuck Taylors including most of the bands.

I checked out a group called the Grand Ole Party. They are a trio from San Diego. The easy comparison would be that they sound sorta like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Pretty cool band. One of their tunes has a funky reggae groove. Sounded nice on this sunshiny day in Austin. Also was impressed with the San Francisco band Birdmonster. They have a really spirited and fresh twist on American music.

Wrapped up the afternoon a few minutes ago with a great set on the Current Free your radio stage from The Rascals!

Now it's time to bring on the Tex Mex food and to figure out tonight's game plan.

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