Day 3, SXSW 2013. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, they did.
I started the day off with a little dance music that I could see myself working out to, Brooklyn-based electro/DJ duo No Way Josie at The Parish, followed by polar opposites, Austin-based folky, pop/rock trio, MARMALAKES. My Brooklyn favorite, Black Taxi, who have been calling Austin home for the last couple months while they write some new material and share their greatness with TX. These guys will be back in April for a residency at Rockwood Music Hall starting April 26 for three weeks. After a long power walk south of downtown, I finally arrived, sweating, to Doc Motorworks, where Fort Worth’s Ice Eater was breaking it down on stage with a experimental punky rock, featuring music from their aptly titled Don’t Care EP. In between sets, the audience was, quite frankly, punished with some stand up comedians , but thankfully, my favorite Fort Worthian trio, The Phuss, brought salavation to the afternoon (Vocalist/guitarist Josh Fleming even had some jokes up his sleeve that saved the inter-set banter.). The band slammed the stage with their no-apologies rock, pounding drums, swaggering bass, punky aggression, and undeniable attitude. Their current self titled record is a must, and you can grab it here.
Just down the street, at Guero’s Taco Bar (they have the most amazing fajitas, just as a side note), I was lucky to catch a set by Beaumont’s Purple, who was impressing the Tex-mex indulgers with heavy rock fusion led by vocalist/drummer, Hanna Brewer. The second daily dose of The Phuss followed, quaking the taco bar, bringing about some interpretive dancers and a guy dressed as The Pope, and making it pretty difficult to keep a straight face.
The day’s music came to an earlier close than usual, but I got a chance to explore late-night Austin a bit and get my fill of SXSW chaos for the remainder of the night.
Check out Part III of SXSW here!
No Way Josie
Marmalakes
BLACK TAXi
The Phuss
Purple
Rocker Stalker 