Showing posts with label MOG Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MOG Party. Show all posts
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Black Keys "Everywhere I Go" 3-20-10
Dan Auerback and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys owned Austin last Saturday afternoon as they played their one and only SXSW show at MOG's Unofficial Day Party at Mohawk. The duo were in perfect form as they played their own brand of heavy blues rock to the packed courtyard. Fresh on the news of a new album in the works, the Keys ran through a set list of hit songs that spanned their entire career while the crowd understandably went nuts.
Broken Bells "The High Road" 3-20-10
A late addition to MOG's Unofficial SXSW Party, Broken Bells went on stage backed by a full band allowing Danger Mouse to bounce between the drums, bass and keyboard throughout the show. Along with Shins' frontman James Mercer, the group put on a great live show that perfectly captured the chemistry found on their debut album. For a band only a few months old they seem to have their stage show down. With all the positive buzz it won't be long before they hit the road on a national tour.
Broken Bells "Mongrel Heart" 3-20-10
"Hello, and welcome to Portland, Oregon," James Mercer joked as he and Danger Mouse greeted the frozen crowd at MOG's Unofficial Party on the final day of SXSW. The strange weather wasn't enough to stop hundreds of excited fans from converging on Mohawk early Saturday morning for a chance to see several amazing bands. The newly formed super group Broken Bells played several songs from their self-titled debut album including "Mongrel Heart." Enjoy!
MOG's SXSW Party at Mohawk - March 20, 2010
With a line-up featuring Broken Bells and The Black Keys, MOG's unofficial SXSW Party was the place to be Saturday afternoon in Austin. Despite the overnight drop in temperature I arrived at Mohawk to fine a quickly growing line of about 300+ shivering but excited people huddled together outside the bar. Spirits were still high an hour later as the crowd slowly entered the small courtyard where the Philadelphia band Free Energy was about to begin their set. I didn't know it at the time but this was going to be the best concert I would attend during my time in Austin, and arguably the best concert I have EVER been too so far.
The show started with a bang as Free Energy launched into their set. Jumping around on stage the band entertained with a collection of karate kicks, drumstick twirls and ham-fisted lyrics. "We're breaking out this time, making out with the wind this time," frontman Paul Sprangers sings, "and I'm so disconnected, I'm never gonna check back in." Like a strange Cheap Trick/Spoon love-child, Free Energy embrace all the cliches of 70s glam-rock while still giving their music a modern indie-rock edge. With songs like "Hope Child" and the catchy "Bang Pop" its only a matter of time before Free Energy invade mainstream radio stations nationwide. The group ended their show on a high note handing out free cassette tapes of their new debut album, Stuck On Nothing, to the excited but frozen crowd.
Next on stage was the strange super group Demolished Thoughts, a hilarious combination of hardcore punk sprinkled with comedic one-liners. "We need a place to crash tonight", Frontman Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth told the crowd in-between songs, "we'll be in the van in the back later tonight." The crowd began to mosh as the band shot off dozens of silly 45-second songs with names like "I Hate Kids" and "I Hate Sports," complete with matching lyrics. Formed as a side project with J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. and Andrew WK, Moore describes the group as a punk/hardcore tribute band. On this particular event Jonah Falco of Toronto band F--ed Up played bass for the missing Andrew WK and Moore took over vocals.
The James Mercer/Danger Mouse super group Broken Bells took the stage next backed by a full supporting band. Seriously this show was a treat for all music fans as Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, stepped away from the soundboards to jump between drums, bass and keyboard on various songs. "What amounts to a dream anymore," Mercer chimed on "Vaporize", "A crude device; A veil on our eyes." The chemistry onstage was perfect despite this only being Broken Bells sixth ever live performance. The group covered many of the tracks from their debut album including "The High Road," The Ghost Inside" and the uptempo psych-rock jam "Mongrel Heart." The highlight however was the synth accompanied "The Mall and the Misery," one of my favorite tracks from their self-titled album.
The Brooklyn indie-pop trio The Antlers were up next with a sound system so powerful my internal organs vibrated with every note. Known for soft keyboards and a very mellow sound on their albums I was surprised how much The Antlers rocked live. The band kicked it to eleven with screaming effect-heavy guitars, overlaying keyboards and hammering drums. While most of their songs call for delicate artistry what the crowd ended up with was a pulverizing wall of sound and feedback. The most dramatic shift from album to live performance I have ever seen, if The Antlers put out a live record in the near future I would pick it up in a heart beat.
Finally, what I consider the best show of the week, The Black Keys took the stage to play their one and only SXSW performance. The crowd surged forward as drummer Patrick Carney and guitarist/singer Dan Auerbach filled the courtyard with their classic blues-heavy sound. Covering the gamut of their entire career, the band played many of the songs that have made them world famous. Like a best of hit list they ran through personal favorites such as "Strange Times," "Stack Shot Billy," "Your Touch" and one from their very first album "The Breaks." The place was completely packed as people crammed into every corner of the bar trying to catch a glimpse of the Ohio band. The music even pulled in celebrities such as Mary-Louise Parker who was seen rocking out next to the stage with James Mercer and Danger Mouse who stayed behind for the show. I've been to a lot of concerts over the years but I have to say, hands down, this one takes the cake.
There is more video from the Broken Bells and Black Keys sets on YouTube, the show was so great that anyone with a recording device probably got some footage.
The show started with a bang as Free Energy launched into their set. Jumping around on stage the band entertained with a collection of karate kicks, drumstick twirls and ham-fisted lyrics. "We're breaking out this time, making out with the wind this time," frontman Paul Sprangers sings, "and I'm so disconnected, I'm never gonna check back in." Like a strange Cheap Trick/Spoon love-child, Free Energy embrace all the cliches of 70s glam-rock while still giving their music a modern indie-rock edge. With songs like "Hope Child" and the catchy "Bang Pop" its only a matter of time before Free Energy invade mainstream radio stations nationwide. The group ended their show on a high note handing out free cassette tapes of their new debut album, Stuck On Nothing, to the excited but frozen crowd.
Next on stage was the strange super group Demolished Thoughts, a hilarious combination of hardcore punk sprinkled with comedic one-liners. "We need a place to crash tonight", Frontman Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth told the crowd in-between songs, "we'll be in the van in the back later tonight." The crowd began to mosh as the band shot off dozens of silly 45-second songs with names like "I Hate Kids" and "I Hate Sports," complete with matching lyrics. Formed as a side project with J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. and Andrew WK, Moore describes the group as a punk/hardcore tribute band. On this particular event Jonah Falco of Toronto band F--ed Up played bass for the missing Andrew WK and Moore took over vocals.
The James Mercer/Danger Mouse super group Broken Bells took the stage next backed by a full supporting band. Seriously this show was a treat for all music fans as Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, stepped away from the soundboards to jump between drums, bass and keyboard on various songs. "What amounts to a dream anymore," Mercer chimed on "Vaporize", "A crude device; A veil on our eyes." The chemistry onstage was perfect despite this only being Broken Bells sixth ever live performance. The group covered many of the tracks from their debut album including "The High Road," The Ghost Inside" and the uptempo psych-rock jam "Mongrel Heart." The highlight however was the synth accompanied "The Mall and the Misery," one of my favorite tracks from their self-titled album.
The Brooklyn indie-pop trio The Antlers were up next with a sound system so powerful my internal organs vibrated with every note. Known for soft keyboards and a very mellow sound on their albums I was surprised how much The Antlers rocked live. The band kicked it to eleven with screaming effect-heavy guitars, overlaying keyboards and hammering drums. While most of their songs call for delicate artistry what the crowd ended up with was a pulverizing wall of sound and feedback. The most dramatic shift from album to live performance I have ever seen, if The Antlers put out a live record in the near future I would pick it up in a heart beat.
Finally, what I consider the best show of the week, The Black Keys took the stage to play their one and only SXSW performance. The crowd surged forward as drummer Patrick Carney and guitarist/singer Dan Auerbach filled the courtyard with their classic blues-heavy sound. Covering the gamut of their entire career, the band played many of the songs that have made them world famous. Like a best of hit list they ran through personal favorites such as "Strange Times," "Stack Shot Billy," "Your Touch" and one from their very first album "The Breaks." The place was completely packed as people crammed into every corner of the bar trying to catch a glimpse of the Ohio band. The music even pulled in celebrities such as Mary-Louise Parker who was seen rocking out next to the stage with James Mercer and Danger Mouse who stayed behind for the show. I've been to a lot of concerts over the years but I have to say, hands down, this one takes the cake.There is more video from the Broken Bells and Black Keys sets on YouTube, the show was so great that anyone with a recording device probably got some footage.
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