SXSW METAL REPORT: DAY 3 (OR: “NOT METALLICA”)
Saturday, March 21st, 2009 at 1:21pm by Vince Neilstein
The big buzz on the street yesterday was that Metallica would be playing at the 2,100 capacity Stubb’s; was it worth getting there early to ensure a spot inside? The 8 semis parked outside the venue loomed large. Would us plebes even be able to get in? Some friends from the Relapse goon squad opted to try, and apparently getting in wasn’t quite the shit-show we’d anticipated. We opted for Whitechapel instead (bad decision), but did end up listening to three songs from outside the outdoor venue along with a few hundred other kindred souls.
While I was busy not seeing Metallica, I did catch Tia Carrera, Hesta Prynn, Jump Back Jake, Dance Gavin Dance, Whitechapel, Wolves in the Throne Room, Dredg, and then an epic DIY show/party on a bridge over the Colorado River with makeshift performances by Vivian Girls and Trash Talk. Highlights and lowlights after the jump.
Best surprise: Tia Carrera. Kip gets the credit for recommending this one. This three piece knew how to slam down the boogie/blues rawk grooves, and from their body-language seemed to be improvising all or most of their set. Great shit.
Biggest disappointment: Whitechapel. Garbage. Kip had never been to a deathcore show before; watching his reactions to the scene was the most amusing part.
Best BBQ eaten: brisket sandwich from a cart at the corner of Red River and 7th. Fuckin’ A right.
Best Metallica songs heard from outside of Stubb’s: Sad But True, Welcome Home Sanitarium, Master of Puppets.
Most epic performance: Wolves in the Throne Room. The music begged for invisible oranges the entire time.
Worst sound snafu: Buffalo Billiard’s at the Dredg show.
Still fucking rocked out anyway: Dredg. They nail it every time. Gavin Hayes is a captivating frontman and this band is just so damn unique.
Biggest WTF moment: Kip realizing he used to play in a band with Dredg’s bassist. Where o where did you go wrong, Kip?
Best non-metal show: Jump Back Jake. Buttery smooth, southern fried soul from Memphis.
Awesomest experience: Getting a text from MS Maniacs Pick-Axe Bobby and Toxteth O’Grady inviting us to a crazy late-night party on a pedestrian bridge over the Colorado River. Hundreds of people gathered, bands played, beer was drank, great times were had. Miraculously the cops never showed up.
Today’s schedule is light on the metal, but we’re journeying to the mythical Salt Lick BBQ this afternoon instead. Stay tuned for a full report.
-VN
Check out Monotonix at 1am. Insane three piece from Israel!
I really thought i just read a Wolves In The Throne Room interview that more or less said they really dont like to do events like this and that Scion= The Devil. I am going to assume that SXSW is not nearly as corporately sponsored as the Scion Fest or something, or was the money just to good to pass up again or something????
You drank too much haterade before Whitechapel, didn’t you?
Opted for Whitechapel? You fucking idiots. You deserved to miss Metallica.
SP420 speaks truth. Dumbasses. I would have at least tried. Even then, I wouldn’t settle for Whitechapel.
Wow you saw white chapel over metallica??? I just lost all respect for you and this site. Youre a fucking poser.
BloodGutter youre a fag. Whitechapel is the worst band in the history of heavy music. Go back to hot topic and buy a shirt from a decent band, you fucking new metal fag.
U are going to love the Salt Lick’s BBQ. Best EVER…in Texas.
So obviously Austin has better weed than Atlanta right?
I’m assuming you heard some of Dredg’s new stuff. What did you think?
This sight is usually a constant source for Metallibashing and now everyone is a fan all of the sudden. Message boards can be an interesting thing sometime.
Austin or anywhere in the state of texas will never have better green than Atlanta. Sorry TXn.
You guys are morons. Whitechapel is great… Did I say the best? No. But they are thoroughly enjoyable. The scene kids can be gay, but that’s no reason to bash fellow Metalheads. I’m sure everyone hates someone else’s choices, but that doesn’t make that band any less Metal. For instance, Gojira… CANNOT get into them, they don’t suck, but they’re aren’t that great in my opinion. That doesn’t mean I don’t think they are Metal and it doesn’t mean I don’t respect someone.
At least they don’t like Brokencyde like Metal Inquisition does. :) \m/
Guy above me has bad taste.
Guy above me thinks his choice in music is the only choice that is right.
Beastmaster knows where it’s at.
And the loser who dedicated his username to me clearly is a faggot. Go back to your life instead of posting “better-than-thou” opinions. Idiot.
go back to hot topic you poser.
I saw Whitechapel on St Patty’s day at the Suffocation show. They were ok, and the dethcore kids loved them. I was too blown away by Decrepit Birth to really give a shit about them though.
I had the pleasure of checking out Jump Back Jake’s CD a few weeks ago and they are great. D’Haine is another band that has that Rock And Soul feel to them.
You caught the Vivian Girls? Gross.
Yeah, BloodGutterIsAFag is the real poser here. But who gives a shit about his dumbfuck opinion?
Scott, I see where some people can’t get into Whitechapel, but I’m young and impressionable so I really loved them when I first heard them. That said, Decrepit Birth and Suffocation fucking rule. I really want to see Dying Fetus play as well… Which may come true at Summer Slaughter. Woot! \m/
whitechapel>metallica