SXSW Day 2: Of Montreal And Brakes Stand Out

ChartAttack's Steve McLean is in Austin, Texas this week for South By Southwest. Here is his continuing coverage, mildly soaked in free beer.

After filing Thursday's report, I sprinted eight blocks to catch a paddle wheel boat cruise sponsored by SOCAN. A beaming Matt Mays walked up to tell me that he was on a high because he had just met Neil Young, who had given a keynote address at the convention centre that morning. The cruise was relaxing, the conversation was interesting and the beer was free.

After docking, I walked to Antone's for a 1:30 p.m. set by Of Montreal. There were no costume changes like at their recent Mod Club show in Toronto, but there were hooks galore in their totally fun alternative pop tunes. It was a great way to start the day's music.

Next up was England's Brakes, fronted by British Sea Power's Eamon Hamilton. I liked last year's Give Blood album, but I have friends who rave about it and said I had to see the band live. After seeing the group in person, I was sold. Almost all of the songs were under two minutes long and some were under a minute, including one called "Cheney" about the American vice-president. The only lyric: "Stop being such a dick." Other highlights were "All Night Disco Party," "Ring A Ding Ding" and "What's In It For Me." The show ended with two performances of the six-second "Comma Comma Comma Full Stop." If you're into in-your-face indie rock with short and deadly hooks, hit the Brakes.

I walked up to Headhunters for the Mint/Six Shooter Records party with hostess Carolyn Mark. I walked in and Mint publicist Yvette Ray gave me a beer ticket. Then she gave me four more. The Leather Uppers had just gone on stage and Cuff The Duke followed with a short but right-on-target set. After downing a free, bland bean burrito, I went across the street to the New West Records party. Oh look, more free beer.

IV Thieves, formerly Nic Armstrong And The Thieves, played a great set of mod-inspired pop-rock. The Drams, fronted by ex-Slobberbone singer/guitarist Brent Best, showcased songs from their forthcoming debut. It wasn't as good as Slobberbone, but was still very solid. The Drive-By Truckers were next, and their southern country rock had the crowd at their mercy.

We had heard from Neil Young's agent that there was a good chance that Young would appear with his former Buffalo Springfield bandmate Richie Furay. Unfortunately, he didn't, but Furay ended up with a bigger crowd than he normally would have had.

I hopped on the bus to go to the Town Lake Stage for a 7 p.m. show by Spoon. There were thousands of people on hand for the free outdoor show and the Britt Daniel-fronted band didn't disappoint. Echo And The Bunnymen followed and played songs from last year's underrated Siberia album as well as some of their classics.I hopped back on the bus to go to Nuno's Upstairs to see Carolyn Mark. As always, her enthusiasm was infectious and her alt.country tunes put a smile on my face. Nardwuar showed highlights from his funny new DVD after her set.

Detroit's Deadstring Brothers were at Bourbon Rocks playing songs from their recent Bloodshot album, Starving Winter Report. The group meld Exile On Main Street-era Rolling Stones country rock with the best moments of The Band.

Glen Matlock And The Philistines were supposed to be at Friends, but the former Sex Pistol was nowhere to be found so I went to The Jackalope to catch The Black Hollies. The New Jersey psych/soul/garage rock band's Crimson Reflections debut will be out this spring and sounds promising.

I went to Eternal to see Dirty Pretty Things, the new band led by former Libertine Carl Barat. The music was fine but couldn't come close to The Libertines. But at least Barat showed up, which is something that Barat's former bandmate Pete Doherty doesn't always do with Babyshambles.

I ended the night at Elysium to see The Alarm. There were more new and unfamiliar songs than I would have liked, but at least I finally got to hear some old favourites from Mike Peters and company.