Arts & Entertainment
 

Free shows, variety bring Austin's SXSW to close

By Dusti Rhodes
The Daily Cougar

AUSTIN -- The shows in Austin on Wednesday and Thursday were only a taste of what South by Southwest had to offer. While industry executives were recovering from their long nights of drinking or sitting through the day's forums, music lovers had their chance to enjoy an endless amount of free showcases at SXSW.

Many of the participating SXSW venues hosted free shows during the day that almost anyone in Austin could attend. Some shows were closed to VIP lists but many were open to everyone even if they weren't very important. The showcases gave those who did not purchase a wristband or a badge a chance to see just as much music as those who did. These opportunities seem to grow more numerous each year, making the wristband and the badge almost obsolete. All one really needs is a place to stay in Austin for the week and a place to sleep considering all the partying ends around 6 a.m. Many of the day shows are sponsored by beer companies, so anyone who is legal might also be able to drink for free too.

After the free festivities ended on Friday evening a long line began to twist around Emo's in Austin as the weekend came to SXSW. Eager punk rockers without the event badges or wristbands stood in one line hoping there would be room for them once the official SXSW participants, who waited on the opposite side of the entrance, were let in.

Once inside former Dead Kennedy, Jello Biafra, hosted the Rock Against Bush showcase sponsored by Fat Wreck Chords and Punkvoter.com, and after a few disparaging words about our president, Chicago pop-punkers The Lawrence Arms were introduced. The trio has a Jawbreaker-esque sound and has always given an energetic performance no matter how drunk they are. Singer/bassist Brendan Kelly almost fell off the stage at the beginning of their first song. 

Kelly took the time to thank everyone that came out from the show and dedicated a song to the out-of-towners.

"How many of you aren't from Texas and are not a record industry scumbag?" asked Kelly. A small number cheered in response and Kelly continued with "OK, well this song is for you."

Record executives were not the only ones mocked that evening. Kelly also took many opportunities between songs to express his more than dissatisfied feelings about the president. 

The Lawrence Arms was not the only act of the evening taking a stand against Bush, as comedian David Cross made his own contribution to the Rock Against Bush.

Cross's hour on stage covered the presidency, gay marriage and his seemingly favorite subject -- Catholic priests and child sodomy. Cross's performance was the highlight of the show for many that left after his performance to check out other bands playing SXSW that evening. 

The night continued at the Sub Pop Records showcase where Kinski, an instrumental act from Seattle delighted as many as they almost put to sleep. The night ended with Toronto's The Constantines who played a free show on Thursday at Emo's as well. This band may not have been responsible for hour-long waits at the door this year, but this band masters the classic rock sound so well that next year many will wish they caught them "before they were cool." 

Saturday Decahedron started off the last night of the showcase bringing the sounds of D.C. to Austin. Their sound was just a prelim to the nights solid line up at Bigsbys. Your Enemies friends took the stage later that evening using their anger fueled tunes to drive their intense performance presence. 

Across the street at Emo's, Annex Equal Vision Records hosted its showcase with the main act Coheed and Cambria bringing many to mock the venue set up just for SXSW. Although Coheed was the headlining band, Bear vs. Shark gave a great performance. Lead singer Scott Ross hardly ever remains on stage and would rather walk the crowd sometimes screaming his lyrics and leaving the microphone behind. 

The Liars Academy played after Bear and did not live up to past performances. Lead singer Ryan Shelkett seems to be trying to toy with the band's original sound but it seems unlikely Liars Academy's new album will be able to compete with the last one.

Local Austinites Brown Whorenet brought SXSW to an end at Room 710 with plenty more doses of criticism for the music industry. The lead singer, not only poked fun at the top dogs of the business but also at those wearing wristbands and badges. 

Brown Whornet is one of the best acts in Austin. Their spastic stage presence is made more interesting by the fact that they look like a bunch of washed up geeks. The lead singer pounces around on stage arching his back and sticking his pot belly out bellowing out the crazy lyrics or noises that make up part of Brown Whornet's unique sound. Opting for his mouth instead of a mic stand the lead singer usually holds the mic in his mouth while playing his synthesizer.

The rest of the band takes their lead from the front man, but all go off into their own odd dance sessions during the set. While the band broke out in their funk song "Sexy Shoes" the drummer left his set behind to do a little on stage grooving. 

These SXSW veterans proved to be one of the best and most sincere acts of the entire showcase, and even if they are silly, they made valid points about the conference during the on-stage banter. 

Although SXSW is a chance to see some of the greatest independent music each year, it seems to break down the grassroots that made it such an intriguing festival to begin with. As the conference grows and attracts new investors, the curators should not forget why SXSW was so intriguing in the first place -- it allowed the world to see what they were missing instead of directing them to the next big marketing scheme.

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