Fiddle While You Burn™: 03.15 SXSW Day 2 (photos)

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(Note: click on any photo below to open the full photo set for that band)

Here's the best of the action from day two of my trip to SXSW:

Apostles of Hustle @ Red Eyed Fly (Little Radio)

My head was still buzzin' from the late night before so I decided to start off with something less heavy before the Vice show. Apostles of Hustle were really good playing some of the best Cuban tinged indie rock you'll ever hear coming from north of the border.

Watch & Listen:
Apostles of Hustle - video: "live @ SXSW '07"

Pelican @ Stubbs (Scion/Vice)

The jam-packed dirt yard at Stubbs was a complete 180 degree turn from the
relaxing vibe of the Little Radio show. I gotta give props to anyone who heads directly to the front row of a HEAVY metal show first thing in the morning and gets their mosh on (like pretty much every one at the front of the crowd during Pelican's set). The Chi-Town rockers always sound good but over the huge PA system at Stubbs, it was just incredible.

Watch & Listen:
Pelican - video: "Sirius"

Boris @ Stubbs (Scion/Vice)

The second half of an amazing one, two punch. Boris's set of primeval Japanese metal was so heavy that when I glanced down at the ground under my feet I could see the pebbles jumping around on the ground. Of course I couldn't understand what they were saying but didn't matter - the thunder coming from the stage was universal. The Melvins played after but I couldn't stay for the set.

Foreign Islands @ Fader Fort

NYC's Foreign Islands were hustlin' hard all week at SXSW promoting their debut LP "Restart Now!" by playing shows all over the festival, but they showed no signs of slowing down as they rolled through a hot set of dance-party rock for the early birds at the Fader party. People were buzzing positively about the band at after parties all week, but they keep comparing them to other bands that I think they actually sound a lot better than.

Watch & Listen:
Foreign Islands - audio: "Fine Dining With The Future"
Foreign Islands - video: "Fine Dining With the Future"

the Black Lips @ Fader Fort

After starting off by explaining they had to leave their bass player in Mexico (which makes sense since they just dropped a live album recorded in Tijuana "Los Valientes del Mundo Nuevo") Atlanta's Black Lips ripped into a spastic set of what they call "flower punk" and really got into the action flailing and jumping around spitting everywhere and even sharing a kiss at one point (which also makes sense from a band with a song called "Feeling Gay"). Is there such a thing as too much band chemistry? Sounded good as hell though.

Pete & the Pirates @ Fader Fort

Reading's Pete & the Pirates have been getting some positive buzz in the UK for their sunny brit-pop sound, but what doesn't really come across on their recordings I've heard is the band's powerhouse rhythm section - drummer Johnny Sanders was an absolute monster live. Granted I've only heard the myspace versions of the tunes - somebody send me a CD!

Watch & Listen:
Pete & the Pirates - video: "Disco"

Bonde Do Role @ Fader Fort

Another sonic shift of gears, Brazilian party rockers Bonde Do Role sent the crowd into a complete frenzy with an explosive set that was equal parts Fatboy Slim big beat, Yeah Yeah Yeahs punk, & Diplo Baile. Easily one of the best sets of the week - if you have ever danced to anything besides rock in your life you'll probably like this.

Watch & Listen:
Bonde Do Role - video: "Solta O Frango"

the Fratellis (acoustic) @ Fader Fort

Perhaps it's not fair since they had to follow Bonde De Role, but I was pretty underwhelmed with this set - unlike the ladies who rushed to the front as soon as the Fratellis hit the stage to play acoustic versions of their tunes. This band's getting huge hype thanks to their i-pod commercial tune "Flathead" but until I see 'em "plugged" I'm still on the fence.

Watch & Listen:
the Fratellis - video: "Flathead (live)"

Yellow Fever @ Monitor Records Mansion

Next I headed over to South Austin to check out the "Monitor Records Mansion". The scene there was pretty cool - there was a pool, hot tub, free beer, a nice view of the downtown Austin and multiple rooms of music. The first band I caught was Austin's Yellow Fever who played a nice set of relaxed pop with gentle vocals. For a band called Yellow Fever, I felt pretty rejuvenated after listening to them.

Watch & Listen:
Yellow Fever - video: "Alice (live at SXSW '07)"

Health @ Monitor Records Mansion

At the far opposite end of the sonic spectrum from Yellow Fever, LA's Health rattled the walls in the basement of the mansion with a fiery set of experimental electro punk.

Watch & Listen:
HEALTH - video: "Heaven" (Live in NYC)"

Giant Orange Spaceman @ Red Scoot Inn

Next up I headed back across the river to check out the NASA party. The Red Scoot Inn was another pretty cool setting- the inside room had djs spinning the latest beats from all over and outside there was a huge yard with a small stage, a couple of bars, various artists were offering their portrait services for a small fee, and a few guys in bright orange space suits were rolling around and mingling with the crowd.

Kid Sister & Flosstradamus @ Red Scoot Inn (Windows Vista / GBH/ NASA)

By the time I finally made it up to the front of the crowd Chicago's Kid Sister was burnin' up the stage with some help from the Flosstradamus crew. The girl is hot as hell, can rhyme her ass off & had some bouncy blip-hop party beats that got the crowd going' - the perfect way to set off the evening.

Watch & Listen:
Kid Sister & Flosstradamus - video: "Live @ IHeartcomix SXSW '07"

DJ A-Trak @ Red Scoot Inn (Windows Vista / GBH/ NASA)

9 outta 10 DJ shows I go to are boring and/or suck (if all you do is spin other people shit without creating your own this is probably you) but if you get someone who knows what they're doing it's on. A-Trak definitely gets the crowds jumpin' every time I see him spin & the Austin crowd was loving' his set despite a little technical difficulty with the electricity.

Watch & Listen:
A-Trak - video: "freestyle w/ Shortkut, Mixmaster Mike & Mista Sinista"

Bonde Do Role @ Red Scoot Inn (Windows Vista / GBH/ NASA)

Bonde Do Role ruled the day burning through the second of two amazing sets I saw them play. After this I called it a day with the music photos and concentrated on gettin' my party on for the rest of what turned out to be a long evening.

Watch & Listen:
Bonde Do Role - video: "Solta O Frango"