ATH Showcase Recap

So in case you didn’t hear, Austin Town Hall put on a little SXSW showcase last weekend.  We had 5 bands handpicked based on how much we like them and how much we wanted to hear them play live together.  All in all, the show turned off without a hitch and even ended on time for everyone to get their shit together and still get a beer afterward or make it to Auditorium Shores.  Follow the jump for a brief review of our bands and see some fancy photos.

Our evening started at 3pm with an oft covered band on our website Colourmusic, out of Stillwater.  The Oklahoma boys did what they do  best in bringing that psych driven distorted rock they are known for to the stage at Victory Grill.  Some of us may have been a little sleepy from the night before, but the loud rock from Colourmusic woke us all up and got the headbanging started.  Next time we’ll have to give the band more than 30 minutes, but that’s what happens when you play first.  To early for men in skirts?  I think not.

Next up was long time ATH favorite Whitman.  The Austin rockers gave us just what we’ve come to expect in terms of rocking after seeing and becoming more familiar with them over the past year or so.  A new twist to this show was a spot on cover of the all too familiar Elvis Costello hit “Radio Radio”.  This old school jam provided a nice moment for keyboard player Kyle Johnson to really show he could tickle the ivory and hang with some of the best.  Most in the crowd said that Whitman had never sounded this good and never rocked this hard before.  Keep it up gentleman.

Our third band brought Ruby Coast to the stage, who became our favorite new Canada band after their rowdy performance.  This set provided probably the most fan participation of the day when the guys jumped into the crowd and danced for a few songs.  Shortly thereafter, free CDs were thrown into the crowd with fans scrambling for their own copy.  When a band brings a Lite-Brite in for their stage show, you know shit is about to get real.

Hardly Art band Pretty & Nice took to the stage shortly after Ruby Coast finished their set.  The Boston band brought their own brand of poppy garage rock to the stage at Victory that complimented and fit in with our other bands nicely.  ATH favorite song of ’08 “Tora Tora” was the highlight of the set and got the crowd to their feet and moving on the dance floor.  Colorful amps and lots of jumping around made the band look nice too.

After much waiting around, headliners Dressy Bessy got to take the stage and bring the house down at Victory.  Punk rock with a badass lady lead singer marks the sound of the band and no one does it better than this Denver, Colorado outfit.  On top of that, no other front woman compares to lead singer Tammy Ealom as she left the stage completely drenched in sweat and obviously drained from her intense performance.  Dressy Bessy are the consumate professionals, as they used their tight musicianship to wow the largest crowd of the evening with their blend of infectious pop melodies.

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped with planning, carried a lot of heavy stuff, or just stood around looking hot.  Thanks also to all the new friends we made and we hope to see you all again real soon.  Photos are provided, as always, by the fabulous Jonathon Edwards.  Say hi to him on myspace.