Review of Most of the SXSW shows

[rohan]

It was an amazing experiance and I wish all of you guys were there. FIRST it is important to note that the guitar player broke his finger and they had a friend(only 18) to play what he learned that week. This effected the setlist but since i like almost 100% of thier songs, its always a win-lose situation. Here is the common setlist that they played...

Pershing songs
-----------------------------------
Modern Mystery(always opened with this)
Dead Right
HEERS(new song that I promise will be a fan favorite)
Think I Wanna Die
You Could Write a Book
The Beach Song

Broom
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Travel Song
Gwyneth
Pangea
Oregon Girl
House Fire

B-Sides
------------------------------
Howard Johnson
Let's Get Tired


This is very impressive given they had pretty much a 3 piece the whole time. It really makes you appreciate Will's role in the band, yet how good 3/4 of the band really are. They need to sign Jonathan(bass/drums) to a contract because he is great at both instruments. THe first show was wednesday and they played a longer set with most of the songs above.

I got to meet them(wasn't hard, for now) and as you all know.. they are extremely nice, cool, and very real. It's funny because as much is it supposed to be about the music, the personality and nature of the members seems to be more of a non-factor these days. I mean i'm sorry but Of Montreal can draw legions of fans, and have LESS structure and about 100 doo doo-out albums which you really have to stretch to find something they like. I cpmpare them because they are similar(beatle-esque voices with an indie touch) They are that much bigger, in my opinion, because the dude wear's a dress on stage and they have a wierd monkey guy and some chick. If they were in a room with me hanging out, i would probably think they are a bunch of losers(metros) whatnot. People should realize music is art and is the reflection of someone's soul.

ITS SAD. THey played some shows with hardly any people, and i walked around and saw HUGE lines for bands that couldn't sing, play guitar, AND were not nice people.

I have never crossed my fingers so hard and wanted a band to succeed more than this band. They were the best thing at this huge festival. I missed thier showcase show because my girlfriend is not 21 and guilt tripped me(which is ridiculus) but i had 60 bucks left over to give to them and couldn't. I'll keep it around because i want them to fell good about touring. I dont want money to stop their drive, i want them to be RICH. THey are young and have time but it hurts. Fortunately people are liking indie-crap more than anything these days and they show people how it's supposed to be done, not just fitting in with a formula. I pre-ordered their album today and i can't wait to see them full band.

I wrote to much already, but let me know if yall want me to break down each show more specifically. I don't write much on boards b/c im lazy but im telling you... i really care for this band and thier future, even if they are strangers, i feel they are the freshest most powerful songwriters that are trying to embrace popularity, and i have full confidence that they will rep the mainstream better than EVERY BAND at sxsw or that didn't show up.

[saellys]

Wait, Will broke his finger again, or was this just leftover effects from breaking his hand during the "Think I Wanna Die" video shoot? That boy is terribly unlucky.

I'm assuming that by Jonathan, you're referring to Jonathan James. That dude's AMAZING, and he's in like a dozen Springfield bands. He tours with SSLYBY a lot and I'm sure they'd be thrilled to make him a permanent addition to the lineup, but I don't think he can devote the time.

Thanks for the report! I'm glad "HEERS" is getting played live, and I'm thrilled that they're starting their sets with "Modern Mystery". And it's awesome to see that "Let's Get Tired!" is getting put back into rotation. Wish I could've been there!

[rohan]

Hey Saellys,

I'm pretty sure it's the same incident that happened with the video shoot b/c they kept giving John crap for smashing it with a rock on accident. Yeah jonathan james seems amazing, he seemed a bit uncomfortable in Austin but I can understand that. Austin is full of kids, its like you are in a dorm EVERYWHERE and sometimes its nice to see a responsible adult around. Plus image and B.S. coversations, and beards, and all that are the majority there. Its a cool city and that probably why its beayty and concept gets ruined. I dont know Jonathan but maybe he feels the same vibes I always do when i go there. I am glad they played some new songs and and REALLY suprised and thankful for hearing Lets Get Tired, its in my top 5(hard to say tho). It was a great first live experiance of the band for me and I am completely sold on them. I will go to everything, and buy anything they make available.

[sara]

well worded rohan.

[ray m.]

hopefully popularity won't change these guys at all. I haven't met them ever (other than exchanging a few emails), but I love them more than anything.