Every band we saw yesterday was either great or at least interesting, right up until the Casiokids, who bored us. They were also the first band that was all dudes. Coincidence? You decide. We did go home during Casiokids, missing some midnight/1AM shows, but that’s because we had to preserve our energy for tonight’s big show: Devo. So perhaps the theme of the day would have fallen apart, except of course the shows I had scheduled if we could hang in were Rye Rye and Mika Miko. So, no. But, until the Casiokids, every band we saw yesterday (and most the day before) had some female members and either were awesome, or at least did not suck. Which is why I find this number—-388 out of 2,000 bands at SXSW with female members (hat tip to Ann from Feministing for the link)—-shocking, because that doesn’t fit my experience at all. But then again, we’re doing the indie rock circuit mostly, with some dabblings on the side. Perhaps there’s a more male-dominated, corporate SXSW that I’m ignorant of, possibly willfully. But the good news is that independents out there are female-friendly.
We got out around 4:30 to see Hot Panda at the Mint Records Hootenanny at Headhunter’s. Apparently, the entire Mint Records showcase was great, because my friend who was already there before us said that The Pack A.D. blew her socks off. The Handsome Family was playing when we got there, and they go straight into my file “bands I respect but don’t like”. Here’s The Pack A.D., and indeed, they rule:
We hung out to see Hot Panda, and they were awesome, and I got better pictures this time.
After that, we hung in to see the Phenomenal Handclap Band, which Marc saw Carrie Brownstein recommending on her panel. It was the last chance we had to Twitter before the networks got all clogged up, too, so we were able to register approval before we slipped into the Dark Ages, where iPhones work just like regular cell phones, in that you can call and do some text messaging, but that’s it. Phenomenal Handclap Band worried me initially, because the name seemed to indicate a Polyphonic Spree redo, but no, they were really great. They we funk filtered through Age of Aquarius hippy-dippy stuff, but with a smattering of influence from electronic and hip hop. I had a strong sense they’d studied their Sly & the Family Stone records.
They only did six songs, but we could have watched them for a couple of hours, for sure. After that, we caught half a set from Nellie McKay, and then wandered over to Maggie Mae’s to see a New Zealand punk/post-punk band called Bang Bang Eche. They’re young and super-energetic, which added a lot to the whole experience, and made sure that I’m sore yet again. I can’t say that their sound differs one bit from their post-punk inspiration, but then again, it’s a good sound so why fuck with it?
After that, we went to Aces Lounge, which used to be the Hard Rock Cafe. (Yes, Austin managed to put a Hard Rock Cafe out of business. It was a community effort, and I congratulate each and every one of you who joined by refusing to give them your money.) The Vivian Girls were supposed to be playing, but they seemed to be running an hour late, because another band called Rosie & The Goldbug played first. We were not fans, and perusing their YouTube stuff only confirms that they’re riding the less fun part of the 80s trend, the part that’s just not campy enough, though not for lack of trying. They did have an awesome drummer, though, and a woman who ran around in the audience in a gold leotard with a hood that I thought was a bear, but was apparently the Goldbug. She was awesome.
The Vivian Girls are quickly becoming a controversial band. You’re either in the “fuck yeah” camp or the “yeah, they’re okay, but nothing to write home about camp”. I’m somewhere in between. They’re not my favorite band, but I do think there’s something interesting there and hope they go places. I took a lot of pictures, because they were just awesome live.
As you can see, they’re deep into the early 90s aesthetic that will never not seem cool to me, since it’s part of my formative years. Which is no doubt why I’m a fan. I am still in love with the 90s, and particularly the breathing room female rock musicians made for themselves, and welcome its return with open arms. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I’m in the “fuck yeah” camp. Perhaps the doubters should give the album a deeper listen. I think they initially seem just okay because you feel you’ve heard this band before, but if you give the songs time to grow on you, they really do.
After that, we went to see the Casiokids. We lasted two songs of that all-dude band and then decided to go home. We were going to see Rye Rye, but knew that Aces Lounge was running way behind schedule, and decided not to get involved. Tonight, we’re breaking the Ladies Rule streak and seeing a bunch of dude bands in the run-up to Devo. But that’s okay, because it’s Devo.
------
Registration is now required! We're still in the process of getting it all squared away, so for the moment don't forget to Login or Register using the links in the upper left menu before starting to write your comment.
As a member of a band for 10 years that was a mixed gender organization (the lead singer happens to be my wife now), I can tell you that those numbers from SXSW look about right. It’s especially rare in corporate rock to find female members, and especially not female fronts. In Savannah, there’s a single rock station (corporate rock). I forced myself to listen to it for a month, and nearly lost my mind with how much testosterene induced macho rock crap was being broadcast. I never heard a single female lead singer, and if the band had a female muscian, I couldn’t tell. Almost all the adverts focused on “male” fun, like strip clubs. It was an exercise in futility to find good music (except the occassional flashback to some 90s rock that didn’t suck, but was still all-male) or any sense that women exist outside of sex clubs.
The music industry remains one of the most sexist, imho. Women who are “allowed” to have large audiences must be sex objects, must sing pop crap, and must appeal to 18-25 year old boys. Then, take a case like Rhianna, where her career might be ruined because SHE got beaten? wow. The women who were in my band were always treated like crap at clubs when we played, with promoters trying to flirt with them and do “business” with the male members, ignoring my wife, who was the person in absolute charge.
Sorry about the personal rant, but the state of the music industry is depressing to me. I’m glad to see all these bands that are really great showing up at places like SXSW. Thanks for keeping me up-to-date