From most accounts, the contingent of Charlotte bands at this year’s South by Southwest hoedown represented the local side quite well — which might not have been the case given the speed bumps fate threw up before anybody even got to Austin.
For starters, MoRisen chief Chuck Morrison had a last-minute family emergency that kept him from making the trip and the label showcase, which featured the Sammies, the Houstons, the Alternative Champs, and recent Charlotte emigrants Elevator Action.
But the bands picked up the promotional slack at Wednesday’s co-sponsored Fuel-TV and Sentimentalist magazine party, as well as at the MoRisen showcase at the Light Bar later that night. In the end, all the elbow-rubbing that ensued may leave a more lasting mark, anyway.
“It was great to meet a lot of these contacts face-to-face,” says the Sammies’ Frank Backgammon, citing a meeting with Seattle radio station KEXP reps that may result in an upcoming live-show broadcast from New York.
Following last year’s script, the Wadesboro Four “sang for their supper” again, as Backgammon put it, playing an early-week party at a University of Texas apartment complex in exchange for room and board. The Sammies also played a Pirate-sponsored party along with Australian buzz band Youth Group.
“One of their guys was hanging all over the gear trying to high-five us during ‘Trainwreck,'” Backgammon laughed. “I think he might have been a little jacked up.”
Elevator Action’s gig nearly took a lethal hit before they arrived, too, as the trio’s Spinal Tap-like drummer drama continued when their skins-man quit on the Monday before the festival. Luckily, the Houstons’ Justin Faircloth was able to program EA’s drumbeats for the show into his computer on the 20-hour drive down to Austin, and they played as scheduled.
The Alternative Champs were down one player too, with bassist Brent Dunn out in California recording with Vetiver.
Having just wrapped up its 20th year, some sour-pusses claim SXSW has run its course and is played out. Don’t try that line with the local bands that made the trip this year, though.
“It’s a gas,” says Faircloth, who also attended in 2003 with the Goldenrods. “Part Bourbon Street and part Sunset Strip, and a great place to see a lot of great music.”
OVER THERE: Ramseur Records’ owner Dolph Ramseur calls the Avett Brothers’ recent 7-stop tour of England and Scotland a “huge success,” with highlights including a Glasgow sell-out and nearly 200 in London. The band also got a shout-out from The Guardian, one of England’s better dailies, as their Radio Pick of the Day.
Not bad for the band’s first British excursion. But the most lasting impression they may have made was in Sheffield, where former Pulp guitarist and velvet-voiced crooner Richard Hawley was singing their praises after their gig. “They were brilliant,” Hawley wrote on his fan site. “Top set of lads, too.”
Hawley was impressed enough to convince the End of the Road Festival in Salisbury to book the brothers. The inaugural festival featured sets by Ryan Adams, I’m From Barcelona, and Giant Sand’s Howe Gelb, among others. But Ramseur says the band may have a prior commitment they can’t get out of.
“We plan on going back, sooner rather than later,” he says.
Emotionalism, the Avetts’ next record, is due out May 15.
COZY FIT, NEW VENUE: Those of you still mourning the loss of the Steeple, take heart, for you’ll soon have a new port to dock in when Snug Harbor opens right across the street this spring. More details will follow, but for now the MySpace.com manifesto and mission statement will have to do: “Music every night — D.J.s & live bands, great bar, killer patio!” And who would they like to meet? “Badass bands, D.J.s, and people who enjoy booze and a good time!” Hmm. Count us in.
LOCALS AT WORK: Thursday, March 29 — CR Rollyson (ex-Talk) @ the Milestone; Noises Ten @ Amos’ SouthEnd; Friday, March 30 — 2013 Wolves @ Tremont; Bill Noonan Band @ The Evening Muse; Saturday, March 31 — 4th annual Fools Brigade benefit @ the Visulite; Tuesday, April 3 — Andy the Door Bum @ Tremont; Thursday, April 5 — Rayen Belchere Band @ Amos’ SouthEnd; Saturday, April 7 — The Sammies, with Dead Confederate, The Futurists and Birdmonster @ Visulite; Sunday, April 8 — David Childers & the Modern Don Juans @ the Milestone; Tuesday, April 10 — Secondhand Stories @ The Evening Muse; Lambhandler @ the Milestone.
This article appears in Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2007.
