Steve and I fly down to Austin on Tuesday for art, sleeping bags, and clothing. My normal clothes don't take up much space, but I found it challenging to compress the various prom dresses and crinolines into my suitcase.
Christian and Shane didn't have much to report about the drive so far. They said that Missouri is a fan of Shane's tattoos. He has The Shangri-Las around his forearm, and the conversation usually goes like this...
"Ooh, I like your tattoo. What is it?"
"The Shangri-Las"
"Who's that?"
"A girl group from the '60s."
"Oh. I've never heard of them."
"They sang 'Leader of the Pack.'"
"Oh. I know that song."
Shane had this conversation with a Subway employee and her friend in Missouri, while his Marilyn Monroe tattoo was commented on by a toll booth operator. (His tattoos can be seen in a Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School at the High Noon.) They also reported that the arch in St. Louis must frequently be the subject of trick photography, because it's really not that big or impressive.
Grace Lorentz is flying down on Tuesday with Sam Johnson and Andy to run the Firecracker booth at , we have another show added to our SXSW list. Screamin' Cyn Cyn and the Pons is now also playing a brunch on Saturday at Room 710. There's going to be a free breakfast taco bar and a cheap Bloody Mary bar.
Last Saturday, we held our tour kick-off show at the east side Glass Nickel with The Gusto, our label mates and fellow SXSW showcasers. It was uneventful and fun, and the people there were supportive and in high spirits. We always love playing the Nickel, since it's like a basement show that never runs out of beer.
It'll be a great memory to hold in mind as I survey the too-cool-for-school crowd that dominates many SXSW shows. Austin is great, but Madison can never be beat for genuine, fun-loving people. It's just too small to maintain a whole lot of snobbery.
We will get picked up from the airport on Wednesday, and will hopefully have time to see a show or two. My schedule for seeing bands is wide open, so if anyone knows of any super rad bands I should go see there, let me know.
Cyn Cyn will be checking in with reports from the Pons' performances, other live music shows, trips to taco shops, and other experiences at South By Southwest starting next week.
