The Syndicate Blog » SXSW 2008

SXSW Live Blog | S! A! T-U-R! D-A-Y! NIGHT!

Matt — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 06:00:09 +0000

In between catching Phantom Planet and trying to complete the always elusive they-are-playing-at-the-same-time-but-at-different-venues bill of Two Gallants and The Spinto Band I decided that I was hungry. What should I get? I know! The Best Wurst!

Earlier in the week a record label client stated when he first started coming to Austin, he was certain these carts of pork stuffed goodness would immediatly give him Botulism upon eating. This same client followed that statement up by saying these carts seemed to have improved their habits over the years, even springing a few bucks and upgrading their signage.

While in line at the BW (as it will now on be referred to as) and it’s impossibly long lines, I somehow end up the middle man between a couple of clearly drunk Irish women behind me and the “you ladies would never talk to me if you were sober” guy in front of me. They go on and on about Irish things like shamrock shakes, Blarney Gtones, potatoes, Notre Dame and the proper pronunciation of the name “Geoff”.

While this conversation is happening, the man, “Geoff” in front of me does not realize that he should be inching forward in the BW line as he talks. But he’s so engrossed in this conversation, he does not realize that he’s next in line and officially stunting my direct need for pork-stuffed casings and onions on a roll. Finally realizing what he’s doing to my stomach, he places his order with the cook at the BW stand.

Then the most bizzare thing happens. The cook starts talking about Burning Man out of the blue while cooking bratwursts! I think what happened was some sort of stoner eye contact was made between “Geoff” and “Cook”, giving them carte blanche to start speaking stoner to each other! All I kept thinking was “I never gonna eat an Italian sausage tonight. “Geoff” likes to talk. And dude cooking my food looks like Criss Angel, Mindfreak.”

Even as I begin placing my order, “Geoff” stands off to the side still talking. I finally get to give my order (twice), pay the cashier and start walking away from the scene. As I get about 20 feet from the BW I take a bite of my food. Blam! Bratwurst with saurkraut! And I ordered Italian sausage with onions. Mindfreak 1, Matt 0. I’m glad I repeated my order.

Then 3 steps later I get visited by a Carnie asking me if I wanted to buy mushrooms…

Let the freak flag fly Austin, let it fly like an eagle over the desert at Burning Man.

SXSW Live Blog | Sleepercar

bill — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 03:50:31 +0000

Jim Ward’s (Sparta, At The Drive-In) new project Sleepercar.

For more SXSW photos, please visit our Flickr page.

SXSW Live Blog | There’s A Beatle Bob Sighting

Matt — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 03:45:01 +0000

I’m standing on Red River street talking to my co-worker Bram and who comes sauntering down the street at 10:30 at night wearing sunglasses!? None other than Beatle Bob! Someone who hours earlier I just learned about from an article written on him by Blender magazine. There is was in all his mop-topped glory!

SXSW Live Blog | The Features

Matt — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:30:27 +0000

THE FEATURES made one SXSW appearance, it was a bit off the beaten path at a Diesel Jeans party in a German VFW hall. No matter where they play, the band brought their jangly southern pop rock tunes to melt the stage as they debuted a few new tunes as well.

For more SXSW pictures, please visit our Flickr page.

SXSW Live Blog | Okkervil River

bill — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:30:12 +0000

For more SXSW pictures, please visit our Flickr page.

SXSW Live Blog | XYZ Affair

Matt — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:54:50 +0000

More SXSW pictures can be seen on our Flickr page.

SXSW Live Blog | What Do You Do When You Can’t Get In To See 2 Live Crew?

Matt — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:00:20 +0000

…you walk down the street and start talking to the hotel shuttle operator named Freddy. This dude was too cool! He started talking to me while I was sitting down checking messages and then next thing I know, I’m in his shuttle getting a ride to a venue 16 blocks away while getting the lowdown on where the best jalepeno cheeseburger in Austin is.

Big props to Freddy for getting me where I needed to go and not having me wait for a cab. Next time Ice Cube is in town, I’ll try to get you some tickets!

SXSW Live Blog | Lightspeed Champion

Matt — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:19:47 +0000

Guitar Hero seemed to be everywhere this year, sponsoring a ton of parties and even more places having the game available for people to play. We rolled to the official GH party thrown by Q Magazine at The Driskol Hotel and while there experienced a set from Lightspeed Champion.

More SXSW 2008 photos can be seen on our Flickr page.

SXSW Live Blog | The Most Fun

TheRev — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:10:09 +0000

The most fun I’ve had watching a band at SXSW? At Emo’s Jr. for the Warped Tour international stage during the Alternative Press Party;
Oreskaband – a 6 piece, all girl, Japanese traditional ska band with all lyrics in Japanese. And the lead singer / lead guitarist wails!

SXSW Live Blog | Tokyo Police Club

Matt — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:58:22 +0000

KCMP in Minneapolis has been holding a series of live broadcasts from Austin down on Red River. I rolled in after seeing the whip dude to catch TOKYO POLICE CLUB frontman David Monks perform some acoustic tunes live.

For more SXSW pictures, visit our Flickr page.