1999 SXSW Music Festival
Fri., March 19, 1999
| SUNDAY PICKS All showcases subject to change |
THE PINE VALLEY COSMONAUTS: As reverent as Jon Langford's paintings of his country heroes, so are his Pine Valley Cosmonauts in their musical salute to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. The constellation of guest vocalists on last year's Bloodshot Records tribute -- Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Robbie Fulks, Neko Case, Edith Frost, Alejandro Escovedo, Kelly Hogan, Cherry Lou and Jo of The Meat Purveyors, and Brett Sparks of the Handsome Family, will be joined by Austin's Dale Watson and many more surprises. (La Zona Rosa, time TBA) -- Kim Mellen
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DUNG BEATLES: Screwing with rock & roll legends is nothing new, as the members of the Dung Beatles know full well; several of them double as players in the Diamond Smugglers, the obscene Neil Diamond tribute band. So, it would appear, they've taken on the challenge of finding the absolute lowest form of humor, creating an act whose entire purpose is to re-create the look and sound of the Beatles' live shows, only with all their lyrics altered to address the topic of poo-poo. All the early (s)hits are here, from "Love Me Doo-Doo" to "A Hard Day's Shite." (Emo's, 9pm) -- Ken Lieck
DEEP SOMBREROS: This Austin quintet combines acoustic guitars, bass, drums, and saxophone for a wild ride through old-world tongue-in-cheek ska and klezmer-flavored rock & roll. The songs are fast and the energy is contagious, and the only recorded song thus far, "Action," can be found on volume three of the KVRX compilations. (Hole in the Wall, 10pm) -- Christopher Hess
DIAMOND SMUGGLERS: It's important to recognize the Diamond Smugglers as the first breakout act from the 'burbs of Long Island, Texas. Not only that, but they have no album to shill or overpriced T-shirts to buy, only the memory of touching you, touching me. You'll just have to settle for being amazed at how many of the words to Neil Diamond songs you know in this good-natured tribute. Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies, the Diamond Smugglers are the only way to kiss off the last SXSW of the millennium. (Emo's, 11pm) -- Margaret Moser
SUPEREGO: Besides offering incontrovertible proof that nice guys rock, Superego deserves your respect for the often thankless, but just as often glorious, task of closing Hole in the Wall's Sunday Rock & Roll Free for All going on five years now. It's not easy reinventing yourself week in-week out, but the reason Paul Minor, Jon Sanchez, Andrew Duplantis, and Erik Conn pull it off is because whatever else they've got going on, they can just cut loose here for a couple of hours. It may only be rock & roll, but most Sunday nights it sounds close enough to heaven to at least sneak in the back gate. (Hole in the Wall, 11pm) -- Christopher Gray
THE MITTENS: With names like Lucas Van Lenten, Tobin Scroggins, Ryan Willis, and Carrie Contey, these four locals seemed fated to form a rock band before they even met. That they turned out to be such a good one is pure gravy. Swapping vocals and instruments by the song, the Mittens meander from rainy-day, four-track melancholia to go-for-broke instrumental sunbursts. Watching them work their magic on rapt Hole in the Wall audiences is one of Austin's hidden pleasures. (Hole in the Wall, Midnight) -- Christopher Gray
L'IL CAP'N TRAVIS: The most winsome side-project in Austin grabs the honorable closing slot of the conference at their regular Sunday Rock & Roll Free for All gig. Comprised of members of Earthpig & Fire, Pajamacus, Glowforce, and the Orange Mothers, the L'il Cap'n will charm your panties off with their Moog-backed alt.Amarillo silliness. (Hole in the Wall, 1am) -- Kim Mellen
