Destruction Unit photo by Steven Michael RuudI hate Jay-Z and Lady Gaga.OK, I really don't, but this past week in Austin during SXSW, I really, really thought I did. It has nothing to do with them as artists, or their work, or their ability to draw crowds, or what brand sponsored them to play what other brand's show. I'm not concerned with any that. What I do hate is when an artist of their profile swoops into a town bursting at the seams with industry sorts and music die-hards, and takes the attention off of the pulsing heartbeat of SXSW, young bands.As far back as I can remember, the process for SXSW was that a young band would play the festival as many times as they could, try to kill it at an early set, and as people began to talk about who they've seen and enjoyed, the buzz would build during the week. But in recent years, SXSW has grown by leaps and bounds, with labels, artists, and brands swooping in for a sort of arms race as to who can create the most attractive bill, which naturally lends itself to bigger and bigger artists. It's not the fault of any of these larger artists, it's a natural progression that unfortunately leads to natural selection, and neglects the crux of why many journalists go to SXSW (besides the, uh, networking, I mean beer).So my goal at SXSW this year, and every year, was to JUST see the young, buzzy and the hopeful, surpassing invites to many of the giant names that swooped into Austin. Of the over 50 bands that I saw (some several times), the following resonated the most and of those, many took place in odd spaces like the Beerland patio or South Lamar Pedestrian Bridge.WHO: Destruction UnitWHERE: The Owl, Beerland Patio, and virtually everywhere else in the worldWHY: With a new noise-guy in tow, the Arizona psychedelic punk team went after it at SXSW this year, playing such an obscene amount of shows that I saw them virtually every day without ever seeking them out. Except once… a "patio show" which had them facing the street and playing to the crowd walking on Red River. Incendiary.WHO: NothingWHERE: S. Lamar Pedestrian Bridge, Fader Fort, and every venue in AustinWHY: Following the D Unit school of booking, the Philadelphia shoegaze band also went for the jugular with shows and were probably at their best and with the strongest response at the Pedestrian Bridge.WHO: Tony MolinaWHERE: S. Lamar Pedestrian BridgeWHY: Arguably, Weezer's "Blue Album" is their best mix of punchy, almost-Slayer-y guitars with sugar-coated melody, and Molina follows that with solos straight out of the Thin Lizzy playbook. Fantastic.WHO: MigosWHERE: Brisk Bodega Showcase at The Jr.WHY: I have to admit, I wasn't much of a fan of Migos until I saw The Jr bursting with energy for hits like "Hannah Montana" and "Versace". The band's live show isn't exactly electric, but they make up for it with a quiet cool and rabid fans that bring the energy in the room.WHO: Perfect PussyWHERE: S. Lamar Pedestrian BridgeWHY: Meredith Graves was dressed in a ball gown for the occasion, and the band ripped through a short and highly illegal set within 300 yards of the cops, capping off the set with a bass toss into the river below.WHO: YautjaWHERE: Show No Mercy Showcase at MohawkWHY: I recently called them a band to look out for, and their live show is absolutely no fucking joke. Killer mix of grind, technical death metal and sludgy riffs that seem like they were conjured from Through Silver-era Neurosis.WHO: Cloud NothingsWHERE: Jansport Showcase at Cheer-Up Charlie'sWHY: Cloud Nothings have done good with their new LP, and their live show just drives home that fact.Ex-Hex (via)WHO: Ex HexWHERE: BrooklynVegan Party at Red 7WHY: Mary Timony, duh. Well, her amazing guitar work coupled with the excellent songs that meld disparate influences from Runaways to Fugazi.WHO: RadioactivityWHERE: Chaos in Tejas party at Beerland, S. Lamar Pedestrian BridgeWHY: As we've discussed several times, this new band featuring members of the Marked Men carries on their legacy, delivering perfectly crafted gems in easily swallowed pop-punk form.WHO: Power TripWHERE: Ground Control Day Party at Beerland, Show No Mercy at MohawkWHY: I'm convinced that Power Trip is not only one of the best metal bands going right now, but also one of the greatest young bands period. Their intensity and ability to command the room is beyond impressive.Other favorites: Sannhet, Pup, Ex-Cult, Eagulls, Obliteration, Viet Cong, YG, Windhand, Potty Mouth, Speedy OrtizWho I wish I saw: Bad Sports, Ty Segall, OBN IIIs, Young Thug, Coathangers, Cheetah Chrome, Unholy TwoFULL LIST OF BANDS I SAWAgainst Me!AlwaysAmanda XBack to BackBeth IsraelBlack LipsBlack TuskBleeding RainbowBronchosChristian MistressCoachwhipsCreative AdultDeniro FerrarDestruction UnitDiarrhea PlanetDoughbeezyEagullsEmpress Of…Ex HexEx-CultFucked UpFuture IslandsGardens & VillasGnawIndianIron ReaganKurt VileKylesaMigosNothingObliterationOverdozParquet CourtsPerfect PussyPotty MouthPower TripPrimitive ManPsalm ZeroPupRadioactivityRingwormRuby the HatchetSannhetSeahavenSick FeelingSophieSpeedy OrtizThe Front BottomsThe GotobedsTony MolinaTouche AmoreTrash TalkTrustTyvekTY $VideoViet CongVulgar DisplayWindhandYautjaYGYouth CodeSide note: the two most common topics at SXSW this year seemed to be both Future Islands and the unspeakable tragedy at Mohawk. My heart goes out to the families of those at Mohawk that fateful night.
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