DC Does TX 2010

Well, it's almost that time again...the most wonderful time of the year: SXSW. There are many things I love about living in Austin but SXSW is at the top of the list. Thousands of bands descend upon the city, play a fuck load of free shows (often w/ free beer), and turn all of Austin in one giant party. God I love it. This year will be extra magical-special because Jimbromski and family are coming down to partake in the activities. It'll be interesting as we balance time with the wives and kids riding the choo-choo train at Barton Springs with time drinking beers at Emo's with BabyStew Steve and Mr. Malitz. Fortunately, we have a lot of experience parenting while hungover.

As you might imagine, Sacklunch (remember him?) and Potsy are insanely jealous they won't be at SXSW. Jimbromski, being the devious and clever man that he is, surreptitiously made his trip plans w/o informing Potsy and Sacklunch, thereby ensuring free room and board at La Casa del Jumbo Slice. Once again proving that in a game of Rock Club Survivor, Jimbromski would win the million dollars.

As I mentioned there are more shows and parties than I can keep track of but one show I'm sure to attend is the DC Does TX party:



I'm especially excited to see Title Tracks for the first time (I missed their Austin show last month) and I always look forward to Deleted Scenes. Of course, it's a solid lineup from top to bottom. And if that's not reason enough to attend, there will be free beer compliments of Doghead Fish Craft Brewery. Here are the set times:

12-12:30 - Vandaveer
12:45-1:15 - Pree
1:30-2:00 - Deleted Scenes
2:15-2:45 - Title Tracks
3:00-3:30 - Le Loup
3:45-4:15 - US Royalty
4:25-4:55 - Middle Distance Runner

SXSW: Day One

I started the first day of SXSW the same way I began the night before: watching Carol Bui, this time at the DC Does Texas party. She delivered another great set. I was especially impressed with her new songs that have a strong middle eastern influence.


Middle Distance Runner was up next. I'm digging their new song, "The Unbeliever". It seems destined to be used in a commercial at some point.


After seeing MDR I left the DC Does Texas party for the Bitch Magazine/Kill Rock Stars party at Club Deville. I arrived in time to catch the end of Horse Feathers. I was in total fanboy mode for Thao and The Get Down Stay Down. I was hoping to hear some of their new stuff but wouldn't have cared if they played "Jazz Odyssey" by Spinal Tap. They started a little sloppy but really came together as the set progressed. They debuted one new song called "Body". Thao had almost a hip-hop delivery with the lyrics which was a new direction for her. The crowd loved the set and Thao's amusing stories about stealing soup from Whole Foods.


I caught only the very end of the Deleted Scenes set at DC Does Texas. So after Thao ended I walked over to see them play at the Tronco/Monstro Party, a party sponsored by the Brazilian government (I think). Two things all true Brazilians love (besides going pube-less): good music and alcohol and there was plenty of both at this party. The Brazilians also loved Deleted Scenes. It was a fun day party and the best set for Deleted Scenes at SXSW.


I ended the day parties by going back to the Kill Rock Stars gathering for The Thermals. Hutch Harris, the lead singer, is one funny dude. He took the stage wearing tiny speedos that had some unfortunate holes in them. This isn't to say he's merely a clown onstage. Their songs deliver a punch - often to the religious right. Their latest single, "Now We Can See" is another winner and has me thinking their upcoming album could be their best yet.

After a full day I took it easy at night. I met up with friends at Ace's Lounge to see Dignan before hitting 6th Street. I met up with other friends and since they didn't have a badge or wristband we needed to find an unofficial showcase. We decided to see The Harlem Shakes...but didn't. Instead of staying upstairs with the bands we grabbed a booth downstairs to rest up and talk. Next thing we know there's a huge line to get back upstairs. No worries. There were plenty of bands to see on Day 2...

SXSW Spotlight: Deleted Scenes

If indie bands were stocks I'd invest my money in Deleted Scenes, Inc. They're young, talented and have the right approach to music. They forge their own path and don't just ape their favorite groups. It seems simple but it takes creativity and hard work. Deleted Scenes got it done though and people are taking notice.

For those of you attending SXSW you have a couple opportunities to see them perform:

Wednesday, 3/18 at 1:20 PM: DC Does Texas (Friends Bar)
Wednesday, 3/18 at 4:30 PM: Tronco/Monstro Party (Beauty Bar)

For those in DC, don't miss their headlining show at the Black Cat mainstage on Saturday, March 28th.

Recently Dan from Deleted Scenes agreed to answer a few questions for us:

DCRC: Previously I insinuated Deleted Scenes partakes in group masturbation. Privately (and now publicly) I've told you that you look like a retard on stage. My first question: Why are you still talking to me? I'm kind of a douchebag.

DS: I'm still talking to you because you bought me a Lone Star tallboy in Austin and won my heart. You also showed your soft side by kindly deciding not to publish the I Am Sam poster as our band photo. Being an ugly lead singer, which observation you nailed with the retarded Sean Penn comparison, may help explain why my self-esteem is so low as to continue talking to you.

Sorry Dan. I owe you at least a six-pack of tallboys now.

DCRC: During your last tour I saw you in both DC and in Austin. I was especially impressed at the Texas show. You played to a crowded room (on a Tuesday night no less) and received a great response. Was the rest of the tour as successful?

DS: Mohawk has always been a good spot for us. One of those great places, like the Slowdown in Omaha or the 5-Spot in Nashville, where people just seem to go. We'd come to anticipate about a 1-to-1 ratio of soul-crushingly empty shows to good ones like the one you saw. But this last tour was actually really inspiring. A lot more weeklies and blogs showed interest, and the shows were about 1-to-3 soul-crushingly empty. So, moving on up, I guess!

DCRC: What's been the response to the new album, Birdseed Shirt?

DS: Really great. Our girlfriends didn't dump us when they heard it, and they're all SERIOUS music snobs, so that was nice. All the DC press pissed themselves over it, to the extent that we're on the "banned" list at City Paper now, apparently. That whole month was like waking up to blowjobs every day. And other cities are slowly catching on. I'm told the Pitchfork review comes out tomorrow, so we'll find out then what the Universal Critical Opinion is.

Note: Since this interview the Pitchfork review was published and it was quite favorable. They gave Birdseed Shirt and 8.0 out of 10, the highest rating any band from DC has received from Pitchfork in years. I emailed Dan a quick follow up question:

DCRC: What was your reaction to the 8.0 Birdseed Shirt received from Pitchfork?

DS: This slays.

DCRC: What are your plans while in Austin, besides the festival, of course? I'd recommend a dip in Barton Springs (I go naked), breakfast at Magnolia's (also naked), Mexican Margarita's from the Cedar Door (Cowboy hat but no pants), and enough Lone Star beers to kill an armadillo. That's how I spend most weekends. You should give it a try.

DS: Is this a question? Oh, yeah, what are we going to do in Austin... Try not to spend any money, really. I've been couch surfing since we got off tour in February. Otherwise, go to free shows, try to get penitent journalists to buy me Lone Stars, catch up with some friends who will be down there, and give out 1000 cds. Jeez, that's not a fun answer at all! Take me to all these naked places!

DCRC: You have a headlining show at the Black Cat's mainstage on Saturday, March 28th. That's a goal that almost all DC indie rock bands aspire to but few realize. Was that a goal of yours? Any other goals you've set for the band?

DS: I'm not sure how much of an accomplishment it is. It's very scary. I've seen a lot of bands that fail to draw there, and it's one of the saddest things. That huge checkered floor just gapes at you when the place is empty. I hope people show up! We're pretty psyched about it though. We're releasing a cassingle at that show that is dubbed over old cassette singles I bought from Ebay. So people will be able to hear us with Gloria Estefan or Tag Team faintly audible in the background, which is really the way we've always intended our music be heard. Other goals? We want to stop working and be on tour for an indefinite number of months...maybe like 9 or something. And keep writing weirder and prettier songs.

DCRC: What are you plans for 2009? Another tour?

DS: Yes, we're playing on the west coast for the first time in June and July. This Brazilian promoter whose day party we're playing also wants to get us down to Brazil, which will be AWESOME. Ideally, I'd just like to stop booking our own tours. As romantic as DIY is, it's so time consuming.

DCRC: Finally, there's an ongoing debate within Rock Club on which band is better: Steely Dan or Boston. What's your opinion?

DS: Hm... I can't say I've got the critical distance to answer this question, since Boston's my favorite city, and Steely Dan is my favorite vibrator.

Many thanks to Dan for answering my questions. If you haven't heard the new album read the Pitchfork review. Embedded on the page is a player where you can listen to the album from start to finish. Give it a try - you won't regret it.

Let's end this with a video of Deleted Scenes performing "Ithaca":

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SXSW Spotlight: Middle Distance Runner

In August of 2006 we saw Middle Distance Runner (henceforth known as MDR) headline a show at the Velvet Lounge. It was only the 7th show Rock Club had reviewed. We've since reviewed over 150 shows and looking back we didn't give them enough credit. All the mediocre indie rock bands we've seen have made me appreciate MDR a lot more.

Considering how much I listen to their first album it's surprising I never made it to another one of their shows. I plan to remedy that at SXSW. MDR (along with These United States) are playing the two parties I'm sure to attend: DC Does Texas and A Blog and A Band. Here are the details:

Wednesday, 3/18 at 2:50 PM: DC Does Texas (Friends Bar)
Saturday, 3/21 at 3:30 PM: A Blog and A Band (Club Primos)

If you're unfamiliar with MDR here are my five favorite songs off of their first album:



I should probably note that MDR's appearance at SXSW coincides with the release of their new 7" "The Unbeliever". Here's the video for the new song:

DC Does Texas Details - FINALLY

Today I emailed the rest of Rock Club an open letter I'd written to the organizers of DC Does Texas. I criticized the party planners for not promoting the show and failing to even release the set list or announce which bands were playing. I mean, they haven't even updated their web site. My letter was very sarcastic and kind of dickish. Before I started an online bitch fight I wanted the go ahead from the rest of the guys. The unanimous response: post that shit.

Well, before I could post the letter, the poster and set list were sent to me! Finally! Here are the bands playing DC Does Texas on Wednesday, March 18th at Friends Bar from 12:30 to 5:00:

12:30 Laura Burhenn
1:20 Deleted Scenes
2:00 Carol Bui
2:50 Middle Distance Runner
3:40 U.S. Royalty
4:30 These United States

That's a great line-up! I give the organizers credit for putting together such a solid bill. However, I have to call them out on a few things.

I work on 6th Street in downtown Austin. That's ground zero for SXSW. Everyday I talk with different people about what parties and showcases they're looking forward to the most. Unfortunately, no one is mentioning DC Does Texas. Perhaps the best site for SXSW planning, do512, lists over FIVE HUNDRED parties and showcases. The DC Does Texas party isn't even one of them. Let's hope that doesn't mean a poor turnout because the bands who schlep their asses all the way to Texas deserve better.

SXSW 2009 : The Basics

SXSW is almost here. Over the next few weeks I'll be writing on the parties I'm attending and the bands I'm most looking forward to seeing. However, let's start with some background on the festival. SXSW is a gathering of people from the Film, Interactive, and Music industries. We're only concerned with the music so let's focus on that. This will be my first SXSW and the following is what I've gathered from friends (let me know if I get something wrong):

First, it's massive. Over 2,000 bands descend on the city to play as many gigs as they can book. Bands play everywhere - bars, grocery stores, clothing shops, warehouses, taco stands, random backyards, street corners, etc. You can't escape them.

The festival runs from Wednesday, March 18th through Sunday, March 22nd. The day parties are from 11 AM - 6 PM, evening showcases from 8 PM - 2 AM, and the overnight parties that last until 5 AM. It's almost 24 hours of music and drinking for 5 days. A recipe for disaster if you don't pace yourself.

How much does all this costs? There are three options:

A. Buy a badge for $650 and get priority access to all the official showcases.

B. Buy a wristband for $165 and get access to the official showcases but you'll have to wait in line for the more popular shows (if you get in at all).

C. Pay nothing and just attend the countless free parties and unofficial showcases.

I opted, as I usually do, for Plan B. Considering I'll go to a lot of the free day parties and fewer of the evening showcases, it didn't make sense for me to shell out the big bucks. Plus, they were selling wristbands to Austin residents for only $129. That's a no-brainer.


A while back I listed some of the DC bands I hoped would make it to SXSW. Of those on my list, only These United States is playing. However, that doesn't mean DC won't be well represented. Others performing include Carol Bui, Middle Distance Runner, Deleted Scenes, and The Hall Monitors (if I missed some please let me know in the comments). I'm told that there will be another DC Does TX showcase but I'm still waiting to hear the official band list.