Drama Rocket

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

...waiting

http://christmassantaclaus.com/clock.asp

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Like Indie Music, Human Sacrifice, and Free Stuff?

Of course you do, and so do I, God Dammit.

All were to be had at South By South West 2010 this past weekend.

I can honestly say I'm a different person after everything I experienced from Thursday through Sunday...and to say I didn't pay for one show made it feel all the better.

I could try to summarize this overwhelmingly grand weekend...
But I feel like the only thing that would do it justice would be to show you what happened...in chronological order.

It happened fast...Too fast I might add...

Fresh off Interstate-10, I was dropped of at the hipster pizza parlor, Pie Guy's Pizza.

Was I hungry?

Was I thirsty on that fine Thirsty Thursday?

Well yes, but what entered my mouth was not near as satisfying as what entered my ear holes.

I Like Van Halen Because My Sister Says They Are Cool- El Ten Eleven by Drama Rocket

El Ten Eleven rocked me so hard, time stopped and I grew facial hair. (It actually took me 2 weeks to grow my mini-stache, but it feels great and looks good.)

The packed Pie Guy's Pizza was bouncing with their swaying beats and dreamy melodies. And the pizza...was too good...

Afterwards I cruised solo around Austin, as I anxiously waited for that time when it was right to buy a personal 6-pack.

That time came as I met up with my friends from Caddywhompus at what was easily one of the most interesting parties I've ever been to.

The 21st Street Co-Op, in Austin, provided itself as one of the coolest music venues/party pads I've seen.

Giant Cloud also played, and played well. Their light uplifting sound hit me like blown kisses as I kind of waltzed to a few songs.

From that point on, any bands or events I witnessed weren't properly registered.

The next day drew the daunting task of living up to the day before.

How can you beat driving through the Texas countryside, seeing El Ten Eleven at a pizza place, followed by a rager with some of your favorite New Orleans bands?

The day started at Emo's, with a line-up fit for even the smuggest indie rock fan

Swim- Surfer Blood by Drama Rocket

Surferblood had every drunk hipster hoisting their PBR's up in the air and rocking out...hard.

Surferblood was the best show of the day, but not far behind was Washed Out and Free Energy.

After Surferblood, I passed out on the bleachers in the back of Emo's only to wake up to Gwar walking through the bar in full costume. (more on Gwar later)

Upon leaving Emo's, it came time for me find more free shows.

I stumbled about 6th Street, hitting pretty much every bar on it.

I found bands of all types, backgrounds, shapes and sizes.

SXSW truly opened my eyes to our country's booming music scene.

Being American just feels so.......good

With all the amazing bands, I also found a nice camera that provided many of the pictures you're viewing.

Just by sitting on a curb and looking at my feet, I found something to help me document this epic weekend. (If you think it's your camera, just let me know...we'll talk)

As the night grew... less young, I met up with my friends from my hometown, CHICAGO, The Scott Wesley Band.

I didn't get to see them play, but we definitely chilled extremely hard.

They joined me on my aimless wandering about downtown Austin.

We conquered the city together

A beautiful night it was

The next day, we arrived at a massive line outside the Mohawk.

I was beginning to think my lack of a Week Pass might just keep me from entering...

But for some reason, the guy guarding the back door believed me when I told him I was with Freelance Whales, a folk band I had discovered earlier. (They're actually good too)

I entered the Mohawk to hear The Antlers playing a ghostly, but beautiful track off their latest album.

Kettering- The Antlers by Drama Rocket

After a few SoCo and Cokes to warm me in the freakishly cold downtown Austin, the Black Keys came on stage and flat out beat the s*%t out of me with their huge sound...and there's only two of them.

Thickfreakness- The Black Keys by Drama Rocket

There was no break for me after getting terrorized by Dan Auerbach's (of the black keys) guitar.

I went straight to GWAR...

Gwar sacrificing some sort of infant alien with a spear

Gwar sacrificing someone

After thinking about what had just happened, I ran 3 miles and crossed a highway to catch Tobacco...

...way worth it

Overall, one of the best weekends of my life, meet me there next year

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

- It's so happy you'll hate yourself for what you've become-

Ceiling Of Plankton by GIVERS

Monday, March 15, 2010

Foburg...even better than Pittsburgh? A Closer Look:

From what I remember, this past weekend in the Big Easy was as disgustingly fun as the others.

For those of you who decide to shelter yourself from the greater good, also known as the Underground New Orleans Indie Rock Movement (UNOIRM), you missed out on Foburg Fest.

Now, the acronym I used previously may not be real, but Foburg Fest was so REAL, it hurt.

Music and Frenchmen Street is just a lethal combination.

The Givers (Lafayette, LA) made me instantly forget that I lost $30 on Friday night.

photo by Kayla Dorion

Their upbeat happy-as-hell melodies just urged me to give less of a shit about money and had me dancing with a couch surfing Australian. Can a night get any better?

I couldn't tell you because I don't know what happened after I left the Blue Nile, but I'm sure it was just perfect.

The next night, at La Maison (downstairs), Sun Hotel stole my soul...again. (Download their EP for FREE you beer sluts)

After their show, I called every girl I knew, and I told them all to go to hell.

There are just so many realizations to be had at a Sun Hotel show. Plus, they give out free band koozies.