Southbound again: Louisville bands raid Austin for SXSW
originally ran April 25, 2007 in Velocity (Louisville weekly entertainment magazine)
For 21 years, South by Southwest has brought bands from all over the world together for five days in Austin, Texas. This
year’s festival, from March 13-18, featured familiar performers such as veteran acts The Stooges and keynote speaker Pete
Townsend to a countless number of bands, using their 45 minute set to carve out 15 minutes of fame or just for a few days
of fun and exposure. Among them, eight Louisville-based bands, from experimental rock to hardcore punk, joined the
frenzy in Austin for showcases this year.
The Broadfield Marchers received some key forward press on their Wednesday night performance at Bourbon Rocks: the
music Web site Pitchfork.com named them in their “Guide to SXSW,” the band signed to Secretly Canadian, and their CD
“When The Lifted Connive” had received a positive review in the influential Philadelphia-based music magazine Magnet.
Unfortunately the band got stuck with a tough day and tougher timeslot: one hour before “it” performer of the moment
Lily Allen took the stage at major venue Stubb’s BBQ. While lines stretched down the road for Allen and headliners
Razorlight, Dustin Zdobylak and crew still played a lively collection of their Who/Kinks-inspired indie rock for a sparse,
but devout following. While the show was great, it suffered from a criminal lack of attendance.
Thursday night, Louisville bands fared better, with four bands playing shows at the Blender (as in Magazine) Balcony at
the Ritz. It also helped that the lineup played a similar style of hardcore punk and metal. The Balcony was packed for
most of the evening inside the unusual venue. While the stage stairways with tiny tables complete with candles,
reminiscent of a Las Vegas lounge. These groups had the floors buzzing all night long.
The evening began with The Phantom Family Halo, an experimental band with lead singer/drummer Dahm leading the
group through a Public Image Ltd style of haunting rock. A set from hardcore punk group Pusher followed. The band
powered through several one-or-two minute song explosions as the crowd head banged to its furious energy.
After a set from Cleveland’s This Moment In Black History, Phantom’s Dahm returned for vocal duties, this time fronting
Dead Child (which also features former Slint guitarist David Pajo and Lords bassist Tony Bailey playing drums). For his
Dead Child duties, Dahm adapted a more metal-appropriate howl for the Metallica-inspired band. The tight ensemble
wowed the crowd as they tore through songs from their debut EP. The night closed with metal-punks Lords, currently on
Jade Tree and New Jersey-based metal band SHAT.
On Saturday, Wax Fang played an early show at the Mohawk Patio. Problems getting people through the doors delayed
their start back by 30 minutes. Undeterred, Wax Fang played as the crowd slowly began to trickle in and finally packed
in after the first few songs. The band won the audience over with its classic meets modern rock style, unusual time
signatures and Scott Carney’s mix of unique vocals, guitar solos, and of course, ability to rock the theremin.
Wax Fang also managed to earn a bit of attention with cameras flashing constantly during their quick performance, and the
audience buzzing afterwards. The band’s enthusiastic performance was a great way to start the final night of the festival.
Other Louisville bands at the festival included experimental electronic artist Connor Bell performing as Shedding on
Wednesday; another Jade Tree band, Young Widows and COLISEUM playing on Thursday; and rock band the Glasspack
performing on Friday.