SXSW -- A List at Last!
Fri., Jan. 26, 1996
Okay, now, don't get too fired up about the list of bands you see
below, and especially don't panic if you're not on it. This is only a
partial list of bands who have been invited to showcase at this
year's Music Conference. The bands named below, culled from the complete list
in a frenzied rush of "They're cool!"s and "Ooh! That's a surprise!"s by my
editor and myself, may still not choose to appear: Archers of Loaf, Asylum
Street Spankers, Average White Band, The Blazers, Libbi Bosworth, Bottle
Rockets, BR5-49, Junior Brown, Richard Buckner, George Clinton & the P Funk
All-Stars, Edwyn Collins, Combustible Edison, The Derailers, 81/2
Souvenirs, El Vez, El Flaco, Euripides Pants, Jad Fair with Phono-comb, Fear,
Ben Folds Five, For Squirrels, Laurie Freelove, Friends of Dean Martinez, The
Fuckemos, The Geraldine Fibbers, Golden Smog, Gomez, The Grifters, Arlo
Guthrie, Michael Hall, Hamell on Trial, John Hammond, Joe Henry, Meg Hentges,
Hickoids, Susanna Hoffs, The Humpers, Jason & the Scorchers, Keb' Mo',
Wayne Kramer, Jon Langford/Waco Brothers, Frankie Lee, Lunachicks, Magnapop,
Fastball, Man... or Astroman, K. McCarty, Kris McKay, Meatmen, Medeski, Martin
& Wood, The Meices, The Mermen, Abra Moore, Elliott Murphy, Joan Osborne,
Pansy Division, Liz Phair, Poe, Iggy Pop, The Posies, Prescott Curlywolf, Toni
Price, Chuck Prophet, Red Aunts, Red Red Meat, Doug Sahm, Seaweed, Mem Shannon,
Jules Shear, Silkworm, Sincola, Six Finger Satellite, The Skatalites, Skunk
Anansie, Sky Cries Mary, Slobberbone, Sons of Hercules, Spacehog, The Spinanes,
Spoon, Starfish, Stiffs, Inc, The Stranglers, The Supersuckers, ¡TCHKUNG!
Tenderloin, Therapy?, Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments, Throwing Muses,
Tindersticks, Tripping Daisy, Velocity Girl, Vibrolux, Don Walser, Wannabes,
Dale Watson, Lucinda Williams, Kim Wilson, Smokey Wilson, The Young Fresh
Fellows. Whew! Now, if only half these bands do show up, it should be a hell of
a SXSW.
Our promotions departments tells me that the Chronicle has more
registrants for this year's "Musicians Register" than it knows what to do with,
but this issue has the last registration form for it anyway. If you want a
listing, your form has to be postmarked (or e-mail dated) January 26 or you can
last-minute register in person tonight (Thursday, January 25) at the Cactus
Cafe, 7-9pm. After that, all you have to do is come by the Chron offices
for your tickets to the "Seventh Annual Musicians' Appreciation Supper" at
Threadgill's on February 6. This year, the free meal is sponsored by The Austin
Music Network, KLBJ (which is doing a live broadcast), theChronicle,
and, of course, Eddie Wilson and Threadgill's. Also note that this issue marks
the last time the Music Poll runs.
Randall Jamail at Justice Records, which recently released both the Twisted
Willie album of cover versions of Willie Nelson's hits and the Red Headed
Stranger's own latest album, says that Justice artist Jesse Dayton has gotten
in good with Willie's pal Waylon. Dayton plays on 11 songs on Jennings' new
album and will be touring with the country legend. Austin's Kimmie Rhodes gets
writer's credit on one of those songs, by the way. And yes, a sequel of sorts
to Twisted Willie is in the works, but it's not Twisted Waylon.
No, the next compilation will be of songs made famous by Johnny Cash. I don't
know what the title will be, but my head is swimming with possibilities.
(Crippled Cash, Johnny Crashed, I Wreck the Line...)
The road between Austin and San Antonio shortened recently when Roger Morgan
moved his Unclean Records label from here to there. He's been far from inactive
in S.A., and says that Unclean's star act Sons of Hercules will have its record
release for the "Spittin' Fire" 45 at Hole in the Wall on Sat., January 27 with
the Mullens from Dallas. They begin work on the video of "Spittin' Fire" in a
couple of weeks with John Spath directing. The Dumptruck "Bad Day" video should
also be available to television in a couple of weeks. Stretford and Sons of
Hercules will be included on the next Tales From the Edge compilation
produced by The Edge radio station in Dallas. The Sons also hope to have their
full album Hits for the Misses available by SXSW, and the Dropouts will
be recording their debut in February.
So all Austin's ablaze with rioting in the wake of the Chronicle's
coverage of Charlie Sexton's dismissal by MCA Records. Well, may I suggest that
people who didn't like what I said about Sexton last week should turn to the
February Texas Monthly for a nice, long, in-depth look at everything
wrong about the guitar whiz. Helen Thompson's "Little Boy Lost" makes last
week's "Dancing About Architecture" commentary look like a puff piece. And for
those of you seeking kind words about Sexton, turn to this week's "Live Shots"
for Mindy LaBernz's doe-eyed look at Mr. S.
That big hulking (but non-functional) parking garage over in the La Zona
Rosa/Austin Music Hall/Liberty Lunch area has finally opened, which should be a
huge boost to those clubs' accessibility and popularity. Not that the Music
Hall needs much help; industry magazine Performance just declared them
the "Nightclub of the Year." After the Night of the Living Bruce Springsteen,
what's next for the Nightclub of the Year? How to keep that title? Book
Neurotic Boy Outsiders -- that's the new group featuring members of Guns 'n'
Roses, the Sex Pistols and (gasp!) Duran Duran -- into La Zona Rosa instead
(Feb. 11).
Kathy McCarty has a new EP, Sorry Entertainer, out on Bar/None
featuring three new renditions of Daniel Johnston songs, along with three she
already did on her Dead Dog's Eyeball, and a previously unreleased Glass
Eye tune ("Exodus Song"). Glass Eye fans will further rejoice at this
announcement: Bar/None will be releasing Huge, the Marlo EP, and
the band's unreleased fourth and final album in a mass release within the next
year. McCarty has also been writing and demoing for her next solo release.
Meanwhile check out McCarty's videos for "Sorry Entertainer" and "Rocket Ship"
on the AM15.
Sincola have finished mixing their new album. Look for Crash Landing in
Teen Heaven in April, with "Rundown" a likely single... Kris McKay has been
back out to Matthew Sweet's place again. This time it's to write songs for a
project of hers...The Joan of Arkansas reunion at Gretchen Phillips
goodbye show was announced, but the Power Snatch reunion was kept a secret --
at least from Phillips -- until it happened. Truth to tell, nobody's absolutely
sure whether Phillips knew that the band would be appearing in her honor.
According to one friend of hers, "she's just so good at faking being excited"
under such circumstances... In-stores: Sixteen Deluxe will be playing at Sound
Exchange at 5:30 this Friday for their new single "Reactive" on Propellor
Records. The Motards (new release: Rock Kids) follow at 7pm. Das Efx
will be at MusicMania today (Thursday) at 5pm to "sign autographs and meet the
people." Sunflower will be playing at Waterloo Records this Friday at 5pm.
Under the Sun (5341 Burnet Rd.) starts a weekly series of Sunday afternoon
(noon-5pm) in-stores on the 28th with Dale Watson. Watson, by the way, has been
out at Arlyn Studios recording with Johnny Bush for a new album... Sangre de
Toro have a release party for Booglejasm at Emo's this Friday... The
members of Plum are getting started on their second album, with Dave McNair
producing. They have a release date on the tentatively-titled The Luxury of
Wings of March 11... Cotton Mather's tour of Japan was nothing short of
Beatlemania, I've heard (though their record company problems are not quite
over). I'm sure the band is eager for a change of pace and a chance to relax in
front of a batch of you unappreciative slackers this Friday at the Hole in the
Wall, where they'll open for the Wannabes... Miracle Drug, featuring current
and former members of the Flying Saucers, Do It Now Foundation and bo bud
greene, have their first "real" gigs this week, opening the show tonight at the
Hole, then playing with Sixteen Deluxe at the Lunch Saturday, and finally
hitting the old Free-For-All on Sunday... "Texas Pete" Blackstock passes on
this bit of trivia from the Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock &
Roll:the real name of one Barry Manilow is actually Barry Alan Pinkus. This
leads one to wonder if ex-Butthole Surfer and Daddy Longhead founder Jeff
Pinkus is related. Next time I see Jeff, I'll have to take a close look at his
schnozz...
Special SXSW media coverage will be provided by MTV`s Road Rulescast, who will cover the conference and Awards show as reporters for KTBC channel 7, the local Fox affiliate. Of course, the most important information I have for you bands out there is that the acceptance and rejection letters were mailed on Monday, and if you haven't gotten yours by the weekend, you should call SXSW (467-7979) next Monday and ask, "What's the deal?" Meanwhile, those of you who want to volunteer to work for SXSW, either in the film, music, or multi-media conferences, should've gone to one of the announced meetings. If you didn't though, you can drop by SXSW at 1000 E. 40th St. and fill out a volunteer sheet. There should be forms awaiting you on the front porch, but if there aren't, knock politely and ask for Darcie.
Free Meal, Anyone?
Our promotions departments tells me that the Chronicle has more
registrants for this year's "Musicians Register" than it knows what to do with,
but this issue has the last registration form for it anyway. If you want a
listing, your form has to be postmarked (or e-mail dated) January 26 or you can
last-minute register in person tonight (Thursday, January 25) at the Cactus
Cafe, 7-9pm. After that, all you have to do is come by the Chron offices
for your tickets to the "Seventh Annual Musicians' Appreciation Supper" at
Threadgill's on February 6. This year, the free meal is sponsored by The Austin
Music Network, KLBJ (which is doing a live broadcast), theChronicle,
and, of course, Eddie Wilson and Threadgill's. Also note that this issue marks
the last time the Music Poll runs.
Waylon & Willie & the Boys
Randall Jamail at Justice Records, which recently released both the Twisted
Willie album of cover versions of Willie Nelson's hits and the Red Headed
Stranger's own latest album, says that Justice artist Jesse Dayton has gotten
in good with Willie's pal Waylon. Dayton plays on 11 songs on Jennings' new
album and will be touring with the country legend. Austin's Kimmie Rhodes gets
writer's credit on one of those songs, by the way. And yes, a sequel of sorts
to Twisted Willie is in the works, but it's not Twisted Waylon.
No, the next compilation will be of songs made famous by Johnny Cash. I don't
know what the title will be, but my head is swimming with possibilities.
(Crippled Cash, Johnny Crashed, I Wreck the Line...)
Goin' to San Antone?
The road between Austin and San Antonio shortened recently when Roger Morgan
moved his Unclean Records label from here to there. He's been far from inactive
in S.A., and says that Unclean's star act Sons of Hercules will have its record
release for the "Spittin' Fire" 45 at Hole in the Wall on Sat., January 27 with
the Mullens from Dallas. They begin work on the video of "Spittin' Fire" in a
couple of weeks with John Spath directing. The Dumptruck "Bad Day" video should
also be available to television in a couple of weeks. Stretford and Sons of
Hercules will be included on the next Tales From the Edge compilation
produced by The Edge radio station in Dallas. The Sons also hope to have their
full album Hits for the Misses available by SXSW, and the Dropouts will
be recording their debut in February.
Sufferin' Sexton!
So all Austin's ablaze with rioting in the wake of the Chronicle's
coverage of Charlie Sexton's dismissal by MCA Records. Well, may I suggest that
people who didn't like what I said about Sexton last week should turn to the
February Texas Monthly for a nice, long, in-depth look at everything
wrong about the guitar whiz. Helen Thompson's "Little Boy Lost" makes last
week's "Dancing About Architecture" commentary look like a puff piece. And for
those of you seeking kind words about Sexton, turn to this week's "Live Shots"
for Mindy LaBernz's doe-eyed look at Mr. S.
Just in Time for Springsteen!
That big hulking (but non-functional) parking garage over in the La Zona
Rosa/Austin Music Hall/Liberty Lunch area has finally opened, which should be a
huge boost to those clubs' accessibility and popularity. Not that the Music
Hall needs much help; industry magazine Performance just declared them
the "Nightclub of the Year." After the Night of the Living Bruce Springsteen,
what's next for the Nightclub of the Year? How to keep that title? Book
Neurotic Boy Outsiders -- that's the new group featuring members of Guns 'n'
Roses, the Sex Pistols and (gasp!) Duran Duran -- into La Zona Rosa instead
(Feb. 11). Elsewhere in the club business, the Chicago House benefit at the Electric Lounge is still on for tonight (Thursday), and Peg Miller, owner of the currently homeless Chicago House, says that "We're slowly but surely raising our heads out of the muck and mire," though she's nowhere near finding a new location for the club. Meanwhile, the "New Back Room" continues to change its look to go with its new sound. Pop down there and check out the murals-in-progress. And yes, Paul Sessums' Split Rail is open for business. Booker Peter Turner wanted me to clarify to you (or the TABC) that he's not the co-owner, as I implied recently.
Glass Johnston Continued
Kathy McCarty has a new EP, Sorry Entertainer, out on Bar/None
featuring three new renditions of Daniel Johnston songs, along with three she
already did on her Dead Dog's Eyeball, and a previously unreleased Glass
Eye tune ("Exodus Song"). Glass Eye fans will further rejoice at this
announcement: Bar/None will be releasing Huge, the Marlo EP, and
the band's unreleased fourth and final album in a mass release within the next
year. McCarty has also been writing and demoing for her next solo release.
Meanwhile check out McCarty's videos for "Sorry Entertainer" and "Rocket Ship"
on the AM15.
Mixed Notes
Sincola have finished mixing their new album. Look for Crash Landing in
Teen Heaven in April, with "Rundown" a likely single... Kris McKay has been
back out to Matthew Sweet's place again. This time it's to write songs for a
project of hers...The Joan of Arkansas reunion at Gretchen Phillips
goodbye show was announced, but the Power Snatch reunion was kept a secret --
at least from Phillips -- until it happened. Truth to tell, nobody's absolutely
sure whether Phillips knew that the band would be appearing in her honor.
According to one friend of hers, "she's just so good at faking being excited"
under such circumstances... In-stores: Sixteen Deluxe will be playing at Sound
Exchange at 5:30 this Friday for their new single "Reactive" on Propellor
Records. The Motards (new release: Rock Kids) follow at 7pm. Das Efx
will be at MusicMania today (Thursday) at 5pm to "sign autographs and meet the
people." Sunflower will be playing at Waterloo Records this Friday at 5pm.
Under the Sun (5341 Burnet Rd.) starts a weekly series of Sunday afternoon
(noon-5pm) in-stores on the 28th with Dale Watson. Watson, by the way, has been
out at Arlyn Studios recording with Johnny Bush for a new album... Sangre de
Toro have a release party for Booglejasm at Emo's this Friday... The
members of Plum are getting started on their second album, with Dave McNair
producing. They have a release date on the tentatively-titled The Luxury of
Wings of March 11... Cotton Mather's tour of Japan was nothing short of
Beatlemania, I've heard (though their record company problems are not quite
over). I'm sure the band is eager for a change of pace and a chance to relax in
front of a batch of you unappreciative slackers this Friday at the Hole in the
Wall, where they'll open for the Wannabes... Miracle Drug, featuring current
and former members of the Flying Saucers, Do It Now Foundation and bo bud
greene, have their first "real" gigs this week, opening the show tonight at the
Hole, then playing with Sixteen Deluxe at the Lunch Saturday, and finally
hitting the old Free-For-All on Sunday... "Texas Pete" Blackstock passes on
this bit of trivia from the Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock &
Roll:the real name of one Barry Manilow is actually Barry Alan Pinkus. This
leads one to wonder if ex-Butthole Surfer and Daddy Longhead founder Jeff
Pinkus is related. Next time I see Jeff, I'll have to take a close look at his
schnozz...-- Contributors: Raoul Hernandez, Andy Langer, Margaret Moser
