SXSW2002 - The Desperation Derby

Wednesday, 13-March-2002

Wednesday used to be the day before the madness started. Until a few years ago the only official event on Wednesday was the Austin Music Awards ceremony, before SXSW started to add some official showcases. This year there were even day parties and in-stores.

Beaver Nelson @ Opal Divine’s Freehouse (upstairs) – Guitartown Party

“Nelson's marvelous third album, Undisturbed, isn't exactly unTexan -- something the Houston native and long-time Austin resident probably can't shrug -- but it sounds more like an LP from the catalog of Marshall Crenshaw or Graham Parker rather than from the Texas troubadour tradition. More importantly, it's a darn fine songcraft .” (Michael Bertin, Austin Chronicle)

Guitartown is a North Carolina-centric discussion group centered around alt.country/no depression/americana music. They threw an awesome SXSW Kickoff party with bands playing a tiny upstairs room at Opal Divine’s. When I arrived, Beaver and band were getting ready to play and delivered the usual solid set I‘ve come to expect from them.

The Two Dollar Pistols @ Opal Divine’s Freehouse (upstairs) – Guitartown Party

“Two Dollar Pistols play real country music. It's hardcore, drown in your sorrows, throw back another beer, honky-tonk music.” (SXSW Band Info)

 

Hardcore honky-tonk it was. Not exactly my favorite kind of music, but quite entertaining live.

Loose Diamonds @ Opal Divine’s Freehouse (upstairs) – Guitartown Party

“Roots-rockers Loose Diamonds got their start in Dayton, Ohio as the Highwaymen, but changed their name after arriving in Austin, Texas, in the late '80s; the group, which consisted of "Scrappy" Jud Newcomb (guitar and vocals), Troy Campbell (vocals, harmonica and acoustic guitar), Mike Campbell (bass) and Ian Bailey (drums), blended influences including Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen as well as a wide range of blues, R&B and country musicians. In 1993, Loose Diamonds issued their debut LP, Burning Daylight, followed two years later by New Location. Fresco Fiasco an all-acoustic, seven-song mini album, appeared in 1996.” (Richard Skelly, allmusic.com)

 

Wow. This was it. This was the moment when you realize why you made the trip to Austin . I didn’t even know that a Loose Diamonds reunion would happen until I came to the party, but this clearly was a perfect ending to the party. I’d seen this band play around Austin between 1995 and 1997, but shortly after they called it quits. Troy Campbell has since released a good solo album and Scrappy has played with and/or produced too many great Austin artists to mention. The band didn’t sound too rusty, and the audience was totally into it. Why on earth did they have to split up? I don’t know, but their 40 minute set was just perfect.

Say ZuZu @ Cheapo Discs

" Say Zuzu's ray of Alt Country sunshine warms the wayward hitchhiker into falling in love over coffee and biscuits at a truck stop in Middle America . The shimmering keys of a Hammond organ buoy the band's rose-colored lyrics to the surface, while the soft percussion and loose guitar rhythms catch listeners dancing in their headlights.” (Jennifer M., listen.com)

 

They didn’t get an official showcase. Again. But their un-official gig at Cheapo Records gathered more fans then some of the official showcases. Tentative at first, the guys eased into a rockin’ set showcasing many songs of the new album.

Trish Murphy @ Saxon Pub

“Possessing a voice that suggests cheerleader youth with added rust, Murphy has fashioned an impressive, melodic songbook mainly bound around stories worth telling.” ( Mojo)

 

The Saxon Pub is another venue which didn’t host official showcases, but still put on great shows every night. When I arrived at the Saxon, Trish was still playing – solo this time. The encore ("Blue Tattoo") was delivered totally unplugged and acoustic while walking through the crowd.

Mary Cutrufello @ Saxon Pub

“Just a few short years ago, Mary Cutrufello was being groomed for rock ’n’ roll stadium superstardom. After storming out of the Texas bar scene (she was booted from Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s touring band for upstaging the star), the Connecticut-born, dreadlocked guitar slinger […] received rave press notices and even appeared in television commercials. Unfortunately, industry consolidation squeezed Cutrufello out of the Universal Music monolith and she was forced to retreat to Houston with her Stratocaster dragging between her legs. Much soul searching and head scratching has brought the unbowed rocker back to the grindstone, and the first product is this bittersweet collection of acoustic recordings rendered to a cassette machine in Room 223 of the Motel 6 in Goodlettsville, Tenn.” (Jeremy Tepper, Pulse)

 

If you are not familiar with Mary Cutrufello you should read this interesting article . Mary has a very different approach to both songwriting and performing than Trish, so it was interesting to see her play right after Trish. A good set, although I could image her songs to work even better with a full band.

Bubble @ Melagio

“Song of the year in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest + angst-ridden punk delivery + raspy-voiced chick singer + hook-dripping harmonies + UK & Japan tours + 2 DIY albums = Bubble. Rock 'n' roll. ” (SXSW band Info)

Melagio premiered as a SXSW venue this year. The bands played outside on the patio, which faced the street, so you could see them all very well without even entering the club. Bubble played a tight Girrrl PunkRock set. Original? No. Entertaining? Yes.

Tracy Shedd @ Rehab Lounge

“Lazy summer days, windows open, with nothing but the sound of the outside world seeping into your sleepy consciousness. That's Tracy Shedd's Teenbeat release, "Blue," but not her live show. Think amazing vocals and a killer backbeat.” (SXSW Band info)

Picture from artist webpage

Amazing vocals and a killer backbeat?  More like tentatively trying to find the right notes. This Throwing Muses/Belly clone played to an almost empty club and was just too depressing for me. The first miss of this year – fast forward to…

The Household Names @ Chile Pepper

“Though Kinks-flavored Brit-pop isn't the first genre that comes to mind when you think of Austin, Household Names has carved out a niche with charming, catchy tunes. Founded as a solo living room project by songwriter Jason Garcia, Household Names recorded 2000's The Trouble With Being Nice with producer Lars Goransson (The Cardigans). The project has since morphed into a full band with a crack live presence.” (Greg Beets, Austin Chronicle)

Picture from band webpage

Although I do like the Kinks, Brit-Pop is usually a term that makes me skip to the next band. However, as I walked down Sixth Street, the sounds spilling out of Chile Pepper piqued my interest. As I entered the club, I saw Beatle Bob dancing in front of the stage, which is usually a good sign, too. So I stayed around for a few songs. Yes, they are poppy, but delivered enough power to keep me interested. By the way - nice suits, guys…

Rochelle, Rochelle @ Melagio

“A must see live, this San Diego band has been called crushing and delicate. Alternative with pop, covered with a great edginess.” (SXSW Band Info)

Picture from band webpage

Good stuff. Young guys, loud and fast, yet melodic. Foo Fighters meets Rocket From The Crypt (without the horns). The singer has a good voice, and live they sounded even better than on the MP3’s I had heard.

Carolyn Wonderland @ Saxon Pub

" Whoppin' ya ass... That's Carolyn & company - small, sweet & seemingly shy at first, she'll unleash sounds that blow your mind... Any chance to see this band is an opportunity that must be taken... Comparisons abound to Janis Joplin, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt and so on, but the truth of the matter is that Carolyn's her own gal and she does her own thing. Some calls ' em blues, rock, Texas music, country flavored blues- boogie rock... Flat out good time music. That's what I call it. Every side of the stone is touched with tender ballads, comedic romps and hard-driving rock and roll." (Joe Swank)

Picture from 15-March-2002 - Saints & Sinners show

Carolyn is hard to categorize into a specific genre: Gospel, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Boogie – it’s all in there. What is easy to label is the voice - in two words: Janis Joplin - simply amazing. Starting at midnight, Carolyn played two equally compelling sets, and managed to keep the dance floor busy all evening. Listen to some of her songs at mp3.com .

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