Norwegian Band Grande Will Play At SXSW 2009 Photo: Tiril Hjelmeland

Norwegian psychobilly outfit Grande dropped us a note this week to let us know they will be snapping on the snowshoes to trek from their hometown of Oslo over to enjoy some barbq at SXSW 2009 in Austin in March. Buzzy, twangy, these guys sound more like some strange European spawn of Horton Heat than the light ultra-pop alternative bands or the shaggy Nordic viking metal I've come to expect from Norway. I bet they land over at Beerland for their gig. Beerland seems to be the epicenter of all things rockabilly in this town. Thanks for dropping us a note to let us know your coming!

I spent some of my Christmas eve tracking down rumors and confirmations and as of this morning the confirmed SXSW 2009 bands and artists list already stretches from A to Z (A Day To Remember to Zoroaster), with every letter except Q represented. With the total confirmed bands at 324 so far, it is a varied mix to say the least. There are already 6 bands with the word "black" in their name, 4 bands with "white", 1 band with "red". Some of the band names are odd, disturbing or intriguing. Hot Pink Delorean sounds neat, but I Set My Friends On Fire sounds, well, disconcerting.

Thanks to Erik and Ingrid for sending in their tips. Keep the tips coming and check out the SXSW 2009 Confirmed Band List at http://club.kingsnake.com/index.php/pages/SXSWBands09.html
If you know a band that's coming to SXSW 2009 click here to drop us a note.

John Dee Graham at the 2007 Skunks Reunion - more photos... photo by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer

It's been a tough year for Austin's legendary guitarist Jon Dee Graham, and Christmas hasn't helped. Not fully recovered from his July 31st car crash that left him hospitalized and under a surgeons care, Graham apparently fell from a ladder while hanging Christmas lights and injured himself further. According to a Facebook post made by Skunks bandmate Jesse Sublett the guitarist was "bleeding internally from cracked ribs puncturing his lung and liver".

Though it appears that Graham will not require further surgery, he has been hospitalized again and he will have to lie still for a while, and that has forced the band to cancel their reunion show at the Continental Club. The reunion show, which has become an annual holiday tradition, is a favorite among Austin's older punksters that still remember Raul's and Club Foot and draws lots of fans young and old to hear songs like "Earthquake Shake" and "Cheap Girl", long considered Austin punk classics.

Club Kingsnake would like to wish Jon Dee Graham a speedy recovery and hope that his injuries heal quickly. I always look forward to the reunion show, and it will be sad to miss it this year.

I started putting together our list of confirmed SXSW bands today and after a couple hours of searching have been able to confirm 175 artists and bands making the trip to Austin in 09 so far.

With only roughly 10% of the bands identified, we have a long way to go til March, but we will be searching daily for new listings to add. If your band is playing SXSW 2009 and you don't see your name on the list please drop us a line. If you have a tasty rumor (please, no more Brittney Spears rumors) send them my way. You might just get yourself a club kingsnake T-shirt! To check out our list of bands that are either rumored or confirmed for SXSW09 please go to http://club.kingsnake.com/index.php/pages/SXSWBands09.html

The Devil Wears Prada MIGHT be playing SXSW 2009 - more photos... photo by Clint Gilders - Staff Photographer

It's not just snow that has been fluttering around Austin over the last week, as flurries of more SXSW rumors blew into town as well.

All you Morrissey at SXSW rumor fans can take heart that the mighty meatless one has left space in his current tour schedule for a trip to Austin in March. On the prowl and with a new album to promote, and back from Europe as well, odds are running high that he will do a SXSW stop. Look for this to be a Stubb's show most likely.

It is true that I have heard rumors of both Elton John and Billy Joel making SXSW appearances in 2009, though others in the industry consider it "unlikely". Still if you review the tour schedule, they are touring together, and if you check closely they are in Houston on Thursday, then San Antonio on Saturday,which leaves them both free to do SXSW sets on Friday night. Elton already has a back end connection to Austin, being a regular performer at the Andy Roddick Charity Benefit down at the Four Seasons. Logistically all it would take is a piano and a hall big enough to hold them. Look for this to be an Austin Music Hall show, if it happens.

Finally some other bands that are known to be "penciling in" SXSW09 gigs include The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, and The Airborne Toxic Event.

Have you got a tasty SXSW snowflake you'd like to share? Drop me a note! Maybe we'll get enough to make a snowman.