popwreckoning updates

Posted: 20 Mar 2009 08:27 AM PDT

I hate to admit that it’s dudes like N.A.S.A. (North America South America) who fuck up everyone’s shit and put every other show behind schedule at South By Southwest, but when a band is good enough that they warrant the extra stage time, ain’t no thang. N.A.S.A. warrants the extra stage time. DJ Squeak E. Clean, one half of N.A.S.A., recognized this when he shouted out, “They [Emo's Annex] want us to get the fuck off stage. Do you want us to get the fuck off stage?” This was met with a resounding “NO!” from the crowd, to which Squeak E. Clean replied, “That’s what I thought!” and kept spinning.

Attitude alone is not what solidified N.A.S.A.’s worthiness of extra stage time, but the fervor in which they worked up the crowd with their inspired set. They kicked off the massive dance party with Kanye West’s introductory rap for “Gifted” off The Spirit of Apollo, which they melded with a sample of Busta Rhyme’s “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See”. Other samples included Snoop Dogg’s “Sensual Seduction”, Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2″ along with “Intergalactic” by the Beastie Boys and Nirvana’s “Teen Spirit”.

To [unnecessarily] pump up the crowd, N.A.S.A. had two “Martian” dancers decked out in silver bikinis with green skin gyrating on stage and motioning to the audience to make some noise. After a few songs, a couple of aliens joined the girls and Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon (the duo decked out in bright orange space suits) on stage, again to bring any sagging energy (there wasn’t any) up a notch. Towards the end of the set, all audience members were requested to join the duo and dancers on stage, a la Girl Talk. Half the crowd (as many as could fit on that stage, including this editor [asked me about my bangd up shin!]) obliged and tore up the stage. After only a few minutes, Emo’s bouncers had had enough of the antics and demanded everyone “Get off the stage, NOW!” Most complied with the rules, but not before high fiving (again, including this editor) Squeak E. Clean.

From the first moments of their set, N.A.S.A. had the crowd moving. Save for diehard and impatient The Asteroids Galaxy Tour fans, anyone in Emo’s Annex would be hardpressed to say that N.A.S.A. didn’t warrant extra stage time.

Check out N.A.S.A.’s remaining South By Southwest shows:
Mar 20 - Spin Magazine Party (3PM)
Mar 21 - Filter Magazine Party (4PM)

N.A.S.A.: website | myspace | The Spirit of Apollo review

Spirit of Apollo
Price: USD 8.99
30 used & new available from USD 7.09

February 18, 2009 — N.A.S.A. - The Spirit of Apollo (0)
February 5, 2009 — 2009 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Confirmed Artists (0)
March 5, 2009 — Listen to “True to the Game: vol. 1″ out March 24th (0)
February 17, 2009 — Sasquatch! Music Festival 2009 Line-Up, Ticket Info (0)
February 9, 2009 — Interview with: Cary Brothers (0)
February 7, 2009 — Girl Talk @ Newport Music Hall, Columbus (2)
February 4, 2009 — Under Cover - WTF!? Edition, Part II (0)
February 2, 2009 — Interview with: Amie Miriello (2)
December 31, 2008 — Top Concerts of 2008 (1)
December 30, 2008 — Top ‘Ten’ Albums of 2008 (0)

Loney Dear @ Radio Room, SXSW, Austin TX

Posted: 20 Mar 2009 08:07 AM PDT

The last time I saw the Swedish band Loney Dear, I thought it couldn’t get any better. I was wrong.

This time around Emil Svanängen was stripped down. In place of a drummer, Svanängen relied on his trust iPod. In another change from the previous performance I saw of him, he was joined by his friend Molly who supplied keys and beautiful harmonies to his already strong and ethereal vocals. With her addition, Loney Dear sounded more like an uptempo version of The Swell Season.

The highlight of the set was when the Svanängen tried to get the crowd involved in a singalong. All the audience had to do was sing, “Da da da da da,” but at first they seemed to struggle. “This isn’t going to work,” said Svanängen, insisting on his singalong. “Let’s try to make the impossible at SXSW.” He got his “impossible” and it made for a really fun show.

Loney Dear: website | myspace | @ Slowdown, Omaha | @ Orpheum, Boston | Dear John review

March 4, 2009 — Andrew Bird @ Slowdown, Omaha NE (1)
February 11, 2009 — Andrew Bird with Loney, Dear @ Orpheum Theatre, Boston (0)
February 5, 2009 — Loney, Dear - Dear John (1)
October 1, 2008 — Austin City Limits, Day 1 (5)
August 15, 2008 — Virgin Mobile Festival 2008, Day 1 (5)
June 16, 2008 — The Rock and Roll Geek Network (0)
May 6, 2008 — The Julia Dream’s Fan Directed Music Video Winner Announced (0)
May 6, 2008 — Cee-Lo to Perform "Hey Jude" as part of 500 Songs For Kids (0)
May 6, 2008 — The Crash Modern - Good Night Glamour, Good Morning Disaster (0)
May 5, 2008 — Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree (4)

Stream Kevin Devine’s SXSW Performance

Posted: 20 Mar 2009 01:48 AM PDT

On Saturday, March 21st, Kevin Devine is performing at 2:15 pm at The Belmont (305 W 6th). If you’re not in Austin, we’re sad for you, but fret not as Kevin Devine will be streaming his performance live on Ustream for anyone to watch. The live stream is free and allows you to enjoy the music while chatting with other fans once you register with Ustream for free!