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sxsw09 Sat Mar 21 2009
Heading South to SXSW 2009: Blueblood, Day 6
[Our first couple of Austin updates from Thom of Blueblood regarding their Friday and Saturday shenanigans.]
The boys of Blueblood enjoy beer in a garden.
Austin, Day 1:
Left Denton early enough to drive 3 hours, check into our hotel and still have time to make it to the 14th annual Schubas party at Yard Dog on S. Congress.
This year's Schubas party was kind of weak in comparison to past parties. The line-up wasn't that exciting, and the attendance was down. The only band we wanted to see was our friends, Sybris.. But after downing what it seemed like 6 or 7 free vodka lemonades, we had to leave to make our first performance at the Co-Lab on the east side.
Thus missing Sybris, who went on after we left.
Aside from us four dudes, we squeezed Ryan from Catfish Haven and three of his friends into our van and dropped them off at another party on the way.
We were the first scheduled act at the Co-Lab party. They had huge tents set up, a bar with cases of vodka and a bunch of kegs. Because there was no one at the Co-Lab yet, we, now was there a bartender... So we made our drinks, walked around the compound, I got bit by their dog, and played a short set to a sparse crowd. And the proprietors of the party wouldn't even give us a free poster!?! Weirdo hippies commune types. Anyway.. Aside from the booze.. It was lame. Back in the van, and squeezing 4 more friends- we made our way to 6th street for pizza slices and bar hopping.
Our group split up, as half us walked 6th st in search of pizza and the other half met some other friends at Jackalope. I grabbed a slice from Hoek's Death Metal pizza. $5.50 for a thin slice, no different than the slice being sold across the street, but Hoek's played death metal. Who cares!?! So I got roped into the hype on that one. At this point, my left- contact lens, had dried up and popped out my eye. Leaving me half-blind!! And drunk!
As I made my way to Jackalope through the throngs, I inadvertantly shoulder butted a bunch of guys and girls.. All cuz I could not see!
Jackalope is an awesome bar! Drank Lone Star, met a weird group of people from Arkansas, and watched Michael participate in drinking from the world largest margarita. I felt twice as drunk... Due to my (even more) impaired sight. Drank drank and drank.
We then drove around looking for a whataburger before retreating back to the hotel.
--Thom
Austin, Day 2
Got up early, as my phone is ringing off the hook from texts, emails and calls. I co-hosting a party along with ConsequenceofSound.net, UnScene2 and Pabst. The headliner for this party was The Cringe, featuring Rachael Ray's husband on lead vocals. I had been dealing with their production manager, stage manager, tour manager, band manager, and any other kind of unimportant and unnecessary title, for about 3 weeks prior to the party.
Rich, The Cringe's stage manager, was at the venue before I even showed up. As soon as I walked in, he was on me, like stink on ... He was extremely demanding, and way over-professional, meaning... Its a small club, you plug in and play... Its small-time, and ther is no need to Rich or a stage managerof any kind. The sound guy I hired for the party, Eric (from Sybris) showed up, and got Rich and his prouction team off my ass. Thanks Eric.
The party got off to a slight late start, due in part to Rich being a nosey "pro" sound nerd. And also due to the first band. Princeton, playing longer than necessary. They drew a decent crowd, so I didn't mind. Sybris played next and slayed. Our friends, Black Diamond Heavies, consisting of an organist/ vocalist and a ripping drummer.. Tore the place apart! Some acts got moved aroud due to other commitments and being behind schedule. All bands that played mid-day were cool as hell and respectful of the other bands and time. This was until Atlanta's The Coathangers showed up and demanded to be moved up in the lineup, due to a prior commitment they needed to get to. I agreed to move them up. I told them all bands are sharing the drums and bass rig to save time setting up. They were abrasive and rude in their response to having to adhere to "rules" if you will. They over-played their slot, badmouthed me on stage, and kicked over mic stands. But they also cleared the room, leaving Catfish Haven to play to a half-empty room. I just want to go on the record to say... Avoid The Coathangers. They are what baffles me and depresses me about the music industry. They are a talentless group of hacks, who can't play their instruments. They just signed to Suicide Squeeze records. This could only lead anyone to think.. they must be sleeping with right people. And SS records must have expendable income, cuz they will take a financial bath on them.
Ok... Catfish played an awesome kick in the crotch set... As a 3 piece, tore through 6 hits, and brought the party attendance back up. Blueblood played a short set, due to time crunches. And we played surprisngly well, due to me being way stressed out by The Coathangers and The Cringe's staff, and my bandmates indulging in the free Pabst.
So.. After Blueblood's set, we got rushed off the stage by The Cringe's staff, bringing a bunch of rented top notch gear in full flight cases.
Just think of the kid on the little league team, who's rich dad buy awesome uniforms and gear for the team.
Well... That's The Cringe for ya. Basically, RRay's husband has dreams of being a rock star. So he bought the lifestyle, the gear, the band and the "staff." I mean, the singer had a wireless guitar cable! His amp was 2 feet behind him!! Wtf!?! But what they don't have are decent songs. Can't manufacture talent. They cleared the room. No sh•t. They were left with their staff watching and singing along, and no one else.
Aside from The Cringe's cringeworthy set, and The Coathanger's bitchy faux-punk bullsh*t, the party was a success!
We then walked to Magnolia Cafe on Congress and kinda relaxed the rest of the night. We met Eric at Casino El Camino on 6th street, grabbed a table and drank for a few hours, before grabbing some street food and going back to the hotel, where we watched Family Guy on our laptop.
--Thom
SXSW tour dates for Blueblood
March 13th- Milwaukee, WI, Frank's Power Plant
March 14th- Madison, WI, The Frequency
March 15th- Des Moines, IA, Vaudeville Mews
March 16th- Lincoln, NE, Box Awesome
March 17th- Kansas City, MO, (day off celebrating St. Pats.)
March 18th- Denton, TX, Dan's Silverleaf
March 19th- Austin, TX, Co-Lab Eastside Escape, 4pm
March 20th- Austin, TX, Brodown Hoedown II Day Party @ Back Alley Social, 2pm
March 21st- Austin, TX, Reggie's Chicago Day Party @ The Jackalope, 3pm