Les Claypool SXSW Veteran - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer

by jeff barringer
club kingsnake staff

Ok by now everyone knows that Lou Reed has been announced as the keynote speaker at this years SXSW, however, somewhere a rumor has surfaced that their "might" emphasize "might" be a quasi Velvet Underground reunion in the works. While it is VERY unlikely, weirder things have been happening lately, especially with all the reunion fever and the potential big paydays for those "it'll never happen in a million years" shows we saw in 2007 (Police, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, New York Dolls). I have all my feelers out and will let the world know what develops.

In other SXSW rumor news, a very well connected birdy has given me a list of some very likely candidates to make official showcases OR very surprise appearances. His list includes the following bands...

R.E.M.
The Beastie Boys
Matisyahu
Les Claypool
The National
The Roots
STS9
The Wailers
Ozomatli
Blind Melon
Ghostland Observatory
Ani DiFranco

Since most, if not all, of these bands and artists have performed at SXSW in the past, and they have all been announced at other spring festivals, odds are high that this list is correct. Peter Buck of R.E.M. has done sets at Roky Erickson's Ice Cream Social which occurs during SXSW, including last years, and last year the rumor was that R.E.M. would make a surprise appearance. That rumor turned out to be wrong, though I don't think anyone was disappointed when Spoon played instead.

Les Claypool is a SXSW veteran and I would be surprised if he didn't play in some format. He was already on my rumor list, so consider this a double confirmation. Blind Melon was also on my list. The Beastie Boys did a surprise set at SXSW 06 and pal Matisyahu has a history at SXSW as well.

Keep those rumors and tips coming in!

Vaden Todd Lewis of The Toadies - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer

by jeff barringer
club kingsnake staff

The Toadies
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
http://www.myspace.com/toadies
Marky The Toadies Concert Photos
Friday December 14th, 2007
Austin Music Hall (Austin, Texas)
Also: Pleasant Grove, Baboon

The line wrapped around the parking garage and wending up to the venue had begun to move by the time I got there. I stopped on the way in to say hello to the security guys standing under the glare of kleig lights before heading up to will call, pausing to look up at the exterior of the new hall lit up under the harsh beams.

Though not finished, the brand new Austin Music Hall sparkled like a giant concrete and glass diamond under the lights, as an endless centipede of people worked their way into its front doors. Security people, staffers, and maybe a few construction workers buzzed about the outside like worker bees returning to the hive.

Making my way to will call, it was obvious that Direct Events had pulled out all stops to have extra staffing as I didn't recognize more than half the people working. I even had to show ID to get my photo pass, which is rare since most of the ticketing folk know me by sight now. Still I was glad to see that the passes had made it to will call already since I was a bit early, and since the show was way sold out it would be problematic to get in otherwise.

Toadies at the Austin Music Hall - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer

The re-united Toadies, out on the road for a sold out tour of Texas and regions southern, have posted a Christmas present for their fans on their MySpace page. Copies of their single "Santacide" can be downloaded FREE for a limited time.

We had a chance to talk with Toadies frontman Vaden Todd Lewis last month before the tour started and we caught their sold out set at the Austin Music Hall on Friday. Watch for a review shortly, and check out pics from the concert in the photo gallery. Download your copy of "Santacide" today, it makes a great stocking stuffer.

One person who just got a big lump of coal in her Christmas stocking is Amy Winehouse. The troubled troubadour was arrested yesterday, by appointment, in the investigation of her husband, who remains jailed in an "investigation into perverting the course of justice." Winehouse has been released and will be due back to answer more questions in March of 2008. That probably nixes any chance of a SXSW08 appearance.

Someone who WILL be making a SXSW 2008 appearance will be Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, who is now on the schedule for an interview. Could this lead to a Sonic Youth SXSW gig? It could indeed, or it could lead to a solo gig or side project gig. I got a chance to say hello to Thurston outside of Stubb's before the Sonic Youth gig earlier this year and would love to see them perform again.

A little birdy just flew in the window to let me know about an upcoming TV commercial starring one of our
favorite snake handling rock stars. Alice Cooper, and a very large jungle dwelling constricting snake, just got done shooting a commercial to be aired during the upcoming superbowl. Alice named the snake "Dumpling". I have more details, but why spoil the surprise :)

Finally, Dangerous Toys frontman Jason McMaster dropped more than one hint about some Dangerous Toys
reunion gigs in 2008 in an interview to be published here, later this week. Check back on Friday to listen to the whole interview.

Ike Turner at SXSW 2001 - photo by gary miller - contributing photographer

Legendary Ike Turner who along with wife Tina Turner won a Grammy in 1972 for the song "Proud Mary" and also had hits with "Nutbush City Limits" and "River Deep, Mountain High", passed away in his home in San Marcos California at the age of 76. Berated by critics and fans after claims of abuse by his ex, and crippled
by a cocaine addiction, he began a comeback and performed at Antone's in Austin at SXSW in 2001. Check out
Micheal Corcoran of the Austin 360's post about that show.

Former Creed frontman Scott Stapp beat a domestic battery charge after his wife accused him of throwing a bottle at her in May. Stapp struck a deal with prosecutors that required him to undergo anger and substance abuse counseling as well as ridding himself of any weapons in his possession and in return the charges were dropped. Now if he can just make up with 311...

Current Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland has been formally charged with a DUI after a Nov. 21 accident in California. Weiland refused to take a blood or urine test, showed "signs of impairment" and failed sobriety tests. The former frontman for Stone Temple Pilots has been convicted twice in the past of related crimes, and this time faces up to a year in jail. Of course with California's easy in, easy out celebrity jail system it's doubtful that the ink will dry on his fingertips before he is released due to "overcrowding" though that may only be for the girls, as 24 star Keifer Sutherland has found out. Sutherland is doing a 48 day stretch for his own repeat drunk driving conviction.

Finally, the Clark County coroners office has released the cause of death for Quite Riot frontman Kevin Dubrow. The singer was found dead of an accidental cocaine overdose on Nov. 25th at his Las Vegas home while taking a break from touring.

The Zico Chain at SXSW 2007 - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer

Post Grunge/Neo-Metalists The Zico Chain, two time SXSW veterans from the U.K. currently have their single "Where Would You Rather Be" from their debut album Food available for FREE on their MySpace. Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/zicochain

Fans of the band XTC have a chance to win the original artwork from frontman Andy Partridge's 2007 Christmas Card. All you have to do to enter is take a 20 question XTC trivia quiz before December 31, 2007. Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/xtcfans

Jesse Sublett and The Skunks in 2006 - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer

In what is becoming a Christmas tradition, seminal Austin punk/new wave band The Skunk's has announced a 1 night re-union show at one of Austin's infamous punk-meccas of the 70's and 80's, The Continental Club on December 21st..

Combining the avant garde sound of bands like the Talking Heads and Television with roaring guitarwork and a beat you could slam dance too, The Skunks set the bar high for other local Austin bands that few achieved. Rare for Austin's burgeoning punk scene, they could actually play their instruments and for years
was known infamously around town for being Austin's loudest band.

Mainstream success always seemingly right outside their grasp, during their heyday they filled Austin clubs like Raul's, Duke's Royal Coach, and toward the end even Liberty Lunch to capacity. Fronted by bass player and vocalist Jesse Sublett, the quintessential Skunks lineup and the one slated for the re-union show includes Billy Blackmon on drums and Austin Musician of the Year for 2006, Jon Dee Graham, on guitars.

Seeing Jon Dee Graham perform is worth the price of admission itself as his resume includes working with John Doe and Excene Cervenka of X, Ry Cooder, Kacy Crowley, Calvin Russell, Eliza Gilkyson, Kelly Willis, John Hiatt, Michelle Shocked, and Patty Griffin as well as countless others. After his original tenure with The Skunks, Jon went on to form the True Believers with Javier and Alejandro Escovedo.

With an audience guaranteed to be filled with old friends, fans will hope to hear classics like "Earthquake Shake", "Gimme Some", and perhaps even the crowd favorite "Cheap Girl", notably absent from last years set. No word on whether Jesse's ex-band mate Kathy Valentine of the Go Gos will be in the crowd, but certainly other luminaries from Austin's past present and future will be in attendance.

Tom Morello at SXSW 2007 - more photos... photo by clint gilders - staff photographer

The answer is it's never too early to talk about SXSW, and with March right around the corner the news will start to come fast and furious. Aside from Moby and Daryl Hall only a few other artists have been announced so far, like Rapper TECH N9NE and London based Avant-Dubbists Dokkebi Q. Other than that the folks at SXSW have been pretty tight lipped, and though I have heard no rumors as yet I will be happy to start a few, or maybe re-kindle some old ones.


Jeff's SXSW 2008 Rumors and Speculation

Morrissey is playing/Morrissey isn't playing/Morrissey is god, take your pick. Your probably 50/50 on this one as the morose meatless musician seems to play here a lot, and has played SXSW more than once in the past.

Any band with the word "Black" in their name has a 20% shot just based on percentages. Score an extra 30% if they have played SXSW in the past and an extra 10% if one of the band members has a hair color not found in nature.

The Zico Chain, probably not. Though I wish they were coming, they did the last 2 SXSW's in a row and to ask lightning to strike a third time so soon is probably pushing it. If they do show up I will be there.

Rage Against The Machine. If I were a betting man, and sometimes I am, I would say chances are good that Rage will play SXSW 2008. Tom Morello played SXSW last year and that was the rumor then, Now with a few more festivals under their belt the reformed Rage is ripe for the picking.

Slayer/Metallica, both probably not. Austin is not known for it's depth in the metal culture, nor is SXSW known for attracting a metal crowd. Slayer won't be touring til fall anyway and I just don't see Metallica on the bill.

The Toadies I would bet will either do an official SXSW showcase or do their own show at one of the premier venues just prior. Either at Stubb's of the Austin Music Hall. Since their 2 sold out nights before SXSW at Stubb's last year they have booked a few more shows and word on the street is that there may be some new Toadies material in the pipeline.

I suspect Blind Melon will showcase. With Travis Warren taking over the reigns from the late Shannon Hoon in 2006, these guys have been polishing themselves up for the road. They are already booked into one festival in early March, it would be great to see them here as well.

Wilco MIGHT, MIGHT show up and showcase. They will be touring around then and have a week downtime before starting an Australian tour.

Led Zeppelin/The Police/Van Halen - keep dreaming. Unless they hold it in Zilker Park we don't have a venue that will hold the crowd they would draw, and the price on the wristbands would need a substantial increase just to cover the parking fee's for all the tour buses. While I would love to be wrong, I just don't see it happening.

Something with Les Claypool. Could be Primus, could be his Fancy Band, could be something we have never heard of yet. I just have a feeling.

Amy Winehouse? I'm takin odds that they will never let her in the country again, much less issue her a work visa.

Now for some Austin music news that's NOT speculation.

For all of you coming in early for SXSW Interactive, Canada's Protest the Hero will be playing at Emo's on Saturday March 8th. It's not a SXSW showcase but will be a good way to take a break from all the interactive activities.

Here are a few more picks of some of the bigger named road shows coming to Austin in 08.


Thu 01/10/08 George Strait Frank Erwin Center
Thu 01/10/08 Little Big Town Frank Erwin Center
Tue 01/15/08 As I Lay Dying La Zona Rosa
Sun 01/27/08 Robin Trower La Zona Rosa
Thu 01/31/08 The Bangles La Zona Rosa
Fri 02/01/08 Flogging Molly Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Mon 02/04/08 Go-Go's TBA
Thu 02/14/08 Sherwood Emo's
Wed 02/20/08 L.A. Guns Rock City Icehouse
Fri 02/22/08 Cobra Starship Emo's
Fri 02/29/08 Flatliners Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Fri 02/29/08 NOFX Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Fri 02/29/08 No Use For A Name Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Tue 03/04/08 Pat Metheny Paramount Theatre
Sat 03/08/08 Protest The Hero Emo's
Sat 03/08/08 The Devil Wears Prada Emo's
Mon 03/17/08 Acid Mother's Temple Emo's
Fri 03/21/08 The Moody Blues Austin Music Hall
Sun 04/06/08 B.B. King Austin Music Hall
Tue 04/15/08 Ministry La Zona Rosa
Sat 05/17/08 Reverend Horton Heat Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Sun 06/08/08 The Cure Austin Music Hall

Blue Man Group at the Frank Erwin Center photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer

Austin music venues have gone out of their way to bring a whole slew of great bands and musicians to town this December, and Saturday December 1st was just a start for what promises to be a busy holiday season.

Last night the Blue Man Group brought their huge "How To Be A Mega-Star Tour 2.1" show to the Frank Erwin Center, while over at La Zona Rosa metal fav's Avenged Sevenfold brought a whole troop of metal bands with them to entertain a sold out crowd.

Meanwhile over at Antone's Asleep At The Wheel's crowd was awake enough to recognize Late Night's Paul Shaffer when he stopped in to jam with Ray Benson and crew. No word on whether David Letterman was in the VIP room for the set, but Letterman and members of the Late Night team have been seen around town for the past couple days.

And that was just last night...

Avenged Sevenfold at La Zona Rosa photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer

On Tuesday the legendary Todd Rundgren, taking a break from The New Cars, will be performing at Antone's, on Wednesday Peter Case, formerly of the Plimsouls, and Texas music legend Gurf Morlix will perform down at the Cactus Cafe at UT's Student Union.

On Thursday Dinosaur Jr. will be performing at Emo's and if you have any strength left by Saturday you can check out The Bobby Bones Show Anniversary Bash with Lifehouse, Sean Kingston, Good Charlotte, Baby Bash, Three Days Grace, and Boys Like Girls at the brand new and recently re-opened Austin Music Hall.

On Tuesday Dec 11, multi-platinum recording artists and pioneer metro-sexuals Simon LeBon and Duran Duran will bring their show to the Austin Music Hall. Thursday Dec 13 SXSW veterans Silversun Pickups will be doing a set over at Emo's. On Friday Dec 14 you will find club kingsnake at the Toadies show over at the Austin Music Hall, hopefully we will get a shot at a video interview and put all those new album rumors to rest one way or another.

If you can work up post-turkey energy on Wednesday Dec 26 Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be at the Frank Erwin Center, and the Arc Angels have two re-union shows at Antone's on Thursday Dec. 27 and Saturday Dec. 29. Also having a re-union show the same night will be the Old 97's at La Zona Rosa.

That's just a few of the bands performing in Austin during December. For a more complete listing check out Pollstar.com

Avenged Sevenfold at La Zona Rosa - photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer