Shoes Credit: Todd V. Wolfson

Guitartown/Conqueroo

Molotov/Dogwood, Wednesday, March 13

Publicist Cary Baker’s free shindig annually enlivens the day parties with a mix of vets and up-and-comers. Roaring through classics and tunes from the upcoming American Ride, Willie Nile served a potent reminder of the chills induced by a true believer. Temporarily eschewing the minichamber orchestra that powers Lovesick Blues, Chris Stamey plugged in for an electric take on its gorgeous tuneage. Playing its first out-of-town show in nearly two decades, power pop pioneers Shoes graced a packed house with faves and tunes from its great new LP, Ignition. In contrast to Shoes’ electric buzz, the Howlin’ Brothers conjured acoustic magic with rollicking garage-grass that challenged the slickness of contemporary Americana. Though allegedly promoting the long-gestating An Appointment with Mr. Yeats, Waterboys Mike Scott & Steve Wickham performed a “strange selection of songs” that included Celtic folk numbers, improvised fiddle tunes, and ‘boys classics. Austin soul mover Nakia showed off both the gritty vocal chops that got him on The Voice and the songs that make his music more than just retro ear candy. Emphasizing Bill Davis’ firebreathing guitar, New Orleans’ Dash Rip Rock dispensed with niceties for a nuclear assault on its patented punked-up hellbilly. Veteran rocker/actor Michael Des Barres provided an appropriate climax with a set of cocky, crunchy rock & roll that celebrated decadence past and the future with a wink and a power chord.

Artist / Band: Shoes | Mike Scott | Dash Rip Rock | Willie Nile | Nakia | Chris Stamey

This article appears in March 15 • 2013.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.