Wax Fang don’t just rule the school because they are my fellow Kentuckians. They rule the school because they are a power trio of bombastic rock greatness. Kevin, Scott and Jake are darling boys who I’ve seen put on great shows from Texas to California, and it’s not just Parker Gispert from The Whigs who thinks they’re awesome sauce. You will, too, if you catch their show on Wednesday at Maggie Mae’s at 10 pm.

Back in November, the band subjected themselves to The LP Questionnaire (and you should totally click through to see them in their scary New Year’s Eve cheerleader outfits).

Most excellent drummer Kevin Ratterman (of the Ratterman Funeral Home dynasty) made time for some Pick Three musings…

Elf Power: Athens based art/psyche rockers that get a lot of love in our van on those long trips. Excited about the new album cause they always keep you guessing what’s coming and rarely fail to deliver!

Kevin Shields: Always curious what Mr. Shields is up to since he created one of my favorite 90’s albums Loveless while ring-leading his band My Bloody Valentine. Always breaking new sonic territories be it producing or soundtrack work and always creating rich and unsettlingly beautiful textures through his music.

(Here’s where I break it to Kevin that this Kevin Shields isn’t that Kevin Shields. Easy mistake to make since I only sent him an alpha list of performing artists. No offense to the Eva Aguila Kevin Shields, but I’d like to see the other Kevin Shields, too.)

Dr. Dog: One of my favorite new bands that I discovered in 2007 via some good friends. Great recorded material that’s always fun to listen to and a live show that is completely different and sure to knock socks right outta yer shoes! A crime to miss…

Okay, now I must return to the other work this woman does. Hugh Forrest and I are the only ones left. It’s Death Match 2008. Who will be the last man standing?! Find out tomorrow! Wait, it IS tomorrow! I feel like you’re watching one woman’s descent into delirium. Hee hee. Email Bananarama songs to musicblog@sxsw.com. There’s nothing in my rearview mirror, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 3rd, 2008 under LP Questionnaire, Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: 1

It’s always a good time hanging out with English gentleman and crack agent Paul Buck. Just ask Jez Williams (pictured here looking like he’s not quite sure what hit him)!

Paul moved to the States three years ago and lives and works in Sausalito, CA. He just had a pre-season transfer from Golden Gate FC to West Tam United (apparently that’s some sort of English Footy speak).

His favorite film is Zulu and, interestingly enough, he’s another agent who can cook. His parsnip and apple soup is simply smashing!

Also smashing are his Pick Three choices…

White Rabbits: I formally retired from dancing almost 10 years ago but after seeing the White Rabbits for the first time I felt like Jeffrey Daniel from Shalamar had tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Come on, son, if I can do still do it at my age so can you.” I didn’t actually start popping and locking, but I did do this sort of march on the spot like I was Kevin Rowland. I am pretty sure I may have saluted someone, too. So, this band is magical. They make me feel 20 years younger when I watch them. It’s like this: when I was a kid it was always the bands that made you feel part of the gang that I loved, Dexy’s, the Clash, the Specials, the Pogues. Bands who’d be dragging the audience up on stage with them for the encore for some bedlam. White Rabbits make me feel all giddy like that. I love them.

Nick Lowe Is he playing? He’s probably the only person I’d steal myself away from my work commitments to see. His LP At My Age from last year is wonderful. So I’d love to see him. If you haven’t seen it, check out his concert from St Lukes last year. It was on BBC4, and if you are resourceful you’ll find it in some form or another, at worst on YouTube. Actually I don’t think he is playing. Can we start a petition or something to get him over?

(You’re right, Mr. B, he’s not playing. How’s that petition going?)

White Denim: Crikey. White Denim. The best bands are a three piece aren’t they? Motorhead, Cream, The Jam, Supergrass, the Minutemen.White Denim are a three piece, too, and not to put too much pressure on them but in a few years you’ll all be taking Supergrass out of that list above as they really are a four piece, what with the keyboard player who used to be hidden and is now on stage, and you’ll put White Denim in their place because they are that good. Does that make sense? You have an editor, right, who can make sense of this nonsense?

I’m the editor. I love nonsense! I am the Princess of Nonsense, but now I must go be the Princess of Shooting Schedules (what, you think I just write this gibberish all day?!) Also, I think I’ve met that fourth member of Supergrass. It’s a fine time to be at SXSW. 11 pm is when it finally gets quiet (oh the calm before the storm!) Email silence to musicblog@sxsw.com. I want to be the Incredible Hulk, and I’m listening to The Wonder Stuff! lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 3rd, 2008 under Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

One of the panels I’m most excited about seeing is 16 Magazine and the Birth of Music Journalism. I used to DEVOUR music magazines as a teen and thus my dreams of being a rock music journo were born. I got a bit derailed from that idea, but now that I’m a world famous blogger (okay, world famous is probably pushing it… rather a lot), I feel like I’m getting back to my adolescent roots of longing to know the deep down hopes and dreams of my favorite musicians (and what their favorite color is).

The 16 Mag panel will be moderated by Austin’s own Margaret Moser, and features Susan Cowsill, Danny Fields, Taylor Hanson and Jaan Uhelszki.

It’s going to be a fascinating trip down memory lane. Be sure to bring your laughter, and your good times, too.

Recently I was lucky enough to have Susan Cowsill do The LP Questionnaire and both she and Margaret Moser did the Pick Three.

Susan Cowsill (along with brother Bob who plays at 9 with The Cowsills) heads to SXSW this year for a show at Central Presbyterian on Thursday night at 8.

After a career as a young pop star, Ms. Cowsill forged an interesting career on her own with a ten year stint in The Continental Drifters as well as work with Dwight Tilley, Redd Kross, Giant Sand and Nanci Griffith along with her own solo efforts. She has been active in humanitarian efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and continues to work to maintain national awareness of conditions in New Orleans.

Please enjoy her LP Questionnaire/Pick Three…

1. Pretend you’re 15 (and tell us what year it is, if you don’t mind). Name three songs you’d put on a mix tape for your girlfriend/boyfriend.

1) “The First Time Ever I saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack. It has a great history. T was a 50’s folk song written by Ewan MacColl for his wife Peggy Seeger. The song first appeared on Flack’s 1969 album, First Take, and topped the Billboard Hot 100. BUT it won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year three years later.

2) “Your Song” by Elton John

3) “I Love You More Today Than Yesterday” by Spiral Staircase.

2. Which evil villain would make the best president? The evil villain who would make the WORST president is already in office.

3. What was your favorite cartoon as a child? Funny question to follow the evil villain! My all-time favorite cartoon would have to be Casper the Friendly Ghost. I had this absolutely huge crush on Casper and always wished I were Wendy the Good Witch. Now that I am thinking about it, Casper was no villain, but he would make a great president. Bush has been kind of a ghost president as far as New Orleans goes.

4. What superpower do you wish you had? I wish I had the power to heal everyone, anything and everything.

5. What would the title of your autobiography be? Spring is my favorite season, so full of hope and excitement for good things to come. With all the travel I do, I would have to name my auto-biography Spring Day in Ohio—and other States Along the Way. The Ohio reference will give the reviewers something to wonder about.

The three bands I want to see at SXSW are Blue Mountain, Bonnie Bramlett and Syd Straw.

The divine Ms. Margaret Moser has been a writer at the venerable Austin Chronicle since 1981. She grew up in New Orleans and San Antonio and was the leader of the Texas Blondes (our very own 80s version of Band-Aids). Moser has four chihuahuas, loves pre-WWII animation and dreams about writing historical romance novels.

Her favorite actors are Daniel Day Lewis and William Holden.

And her Pick Three choices are…

Caroline Herring: Her latest album Lantana easily places Herring in the ranks of Lucinda Williams without hesitation, but the sheer Gothic power of the murder ballad “Paper Gown” makes her a comer in her own right.

Shawn Sahm & the Tex Mex Experience: It’s not just the genes that fit so well, the #1 son of Texas musician Doug Sahm creates the most exciting hybrid of vibrant border rock since his father’s by fusing Latin rock with roots rock.

Flaming Arrows: Hurricane Katrina did untold damage to the community of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Indians but Big Chief Kevin Goodman kept his dazzling tribe going with funky percussive beats and chanted patois lyrics that are irresistible.

Thanks mucho bunches for coming by. Many apologies for the non-existent posting (today was really busy for some reason), but more to come tonight. The SXSW Panels are, each and every one, a gem in their own right. I know I’d much rather listen to the words of wisdom of, say, Steve Reich, than stand around in the hot sun watching people get drunk way too early in the day… but then I don’t drink… or like the sun. Email your first band crush to musicblog@sxsw.com. Cheerio! lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 3rd, 2008 under Panels, LP Questionnaire, Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: 1