SXSW SATURDAY, MARCH 20 RECAP >>>

I think I need an IV. After three straight days of potent drinks in plastic cups, chain-smoked cigarettes and high-decibel rock ‘n' roll - this morning, the last official morning of SXSW 2010, it all came crashing down on me. Black saucers surround my eyes. Fits of hacking greet me at every staircase. Bright lights cause me to recoil. And, shit, I wasn't even here on Wednesday, the festival's official kickoff.

SXSW was great, but I'm ready to come home. A person can't live like this. Food from trucks, queso dip and margarita pitchers can only carry you so far.

And I'm not alone. Twitter space - which since Wednesday has been filled with up-to-the-minute reports from the eleventy-seventy shows happening simultaneously all over Austin - today is filled with stuff like, "Off to the airport," and "My liver hurts #SXSW."

People are spent. And Austin is ready to return to normalcy. The traffic once again filling Sixth Street - which is closed for the duration of SXSW - is a good sign.

Thankfully, we don't fly out until early tomorrow morning - giving the Weekly Volcano some much-needed time to recuperate and gather our thoughts. While the official SXSW closing barbecue and softball party happened this afternoon - one last chance for the "industry" types to pass out business card between at-bats, one last chance for those on the "inside" to share war stories and Lone Star beers before heading back to their respective regions of the world - my wife and I passed. We're not much for softball, plus we didn't pack our mitts. While something tells me Chevy and AT&T probably partnered to provide sponsored, logo filled gloves for all SXSW badge holders - that's not the point.

Instead, today has mainly been spent staring blankly at objects on the coffee table, and cursing the distance between us and coffee in the morning. It's nice to not be rushing off to another night of music industry excess.

Not that last night actually ended up turning into the SXSW I've previously described - Mother Nature wouldn't have it. After temperatures hovered in the 70s for the first three-fourths of the festival, a fierce wind and unexpected chill moved in to give SXSW a whole new, blanketed, bundled and icy feel Saturday. The streets were literally filled with underdressed scenesters, arms crossed - maybe a little snot in their beards - trying to fight of the chill and still look good in their skinny jeans. Every restaurant had an hour wait time, and people just kept jumping on the end of the list and crowding in waiting areas because it was better than being on the street.

We made it as long as we could. As the night crept toward 1 a.m., and the temperature stood at 37 degrees - we decided enough was enough, and headed back to the hotel. I don't think we fully shook the chill until morning - but the early retreat did give us a chance to see a wrapped up, and slightly miserable looking Kimya Dawson on the local news playing earlier on the SXSW day stage, a haggle of equally bundled, and equally miserable looking fans sticking it out with her.

Here's what we saw at SXSW on Saturday that wasn't on the local Austin news:

GUN OUTFIT

Olympia's Gun Outfit has been described as "intelligent, slacker rock" and "deliberately hi-tech lo-fi." While those are certainly fair assessments, there's also a hint of mystery to the band - accentuated live by the way they hunch over their instruments, and have a way of sounding present yet feeling - sometimes - a thousand miles away. Inside Barberella in Austin last night as darkness set in, to a crowd of 20 or so people, that's exactly the kind of vibe the band created.

Visually, in terms of stage performance, Gun Outfit leaves a lot to be desired - there's just no way to dance around it. While the music grabs you, the players on stage stand like beatnik pillars - and that's when they're being inviting. Most of the time they're curled around their guitars, hair covering their face - or simply standing with a back toward the crowd.

Gun Outfit is about the music - and that's OK. Luckily they have a sound to back it up. But amidst an orgy like SXSW - where the choices are almost endless - it's hard for such an understated spectacle to stand out.

Read more...

SXSW EXCLUSIVE: FRANCE'S DEAD SEXY INC. >>>

Bands come in all shapes and sizes - and they come from all over for the SXSW music festival.

For example, France's Dead Sexy Inc. - best described as a Euro-style mix of disco, electronic and Stooges style rock.

Never heard of Dead Sexy Inc.? Neither had I, until this week.

Described by their publicist as having a variance in styles similar to Love and Rockets, Dead Sexy Inc. arrived in Austin after doing five massive tour dates in Europe with Indochine - another band you may never have heard of - described as immensely popular and "like early Cure" by Dead Sexy Inc. frontman Stephane H. According to Dead Sexy Inc., Indochine has a major arena style following in France and a major area style stage show to match.

The smaller stages and anonymity of a French band in Austin had to be quite a shift for Stephane and Co. After finishing up three scheduled SXSW performances, the band is scheduled to head back to Europe for six more dates with Indochine.

"No one outside of France or French speaking countries has heard of them," says Dead Sexy Inc. drummer Alexis G.

"They're very big in France," says Stephane. "They have, like, 12 tour buses, and we follow behind in the Scooby Doo van."

Why does a band like Dead Sexy Inc. come to Austin for SXSW?

"It's the biggest," the band's Emmanuel H tells me, noting how difficult it is to play all 50 states. At SXSW, he says, you can reach all corners of America simply by playing Austin. "It's not just a couple stages. It's about meeting people and doing business."

Indeed, the draw of SXSW - especially for a band like Dead Sexy Inc., trying to make headway in the states - is as much about the connections as it is about finding new fans. You never know when you might run into someone that can help you book that next show, or produce that next record - and the massive influx of industry types during SXSW makes it all the more likely.

Still, at the end of the day, it's about playing live - a fact that seemed as relieving to the band as it did factual.

"It's the American Dream," says Stephane when asked why a successful French band such as Dead Sexy Inc. would harbor designs on U.S. success. "I think we're a good band, and I think people will like us."

Dead Sexy Inc. is currently in the preproduction stages of a new record - described as a rock and electronic effort with no in betweens - which they plan to push in the states as soon as it's released - all part of life in the music business.

It's that music business life that brings everyone to SXSW - French or not.

LINK: Matt Driscoll's SXSW Twitter log

Photography by Jennifer Driscoll

MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2010 >>>

1. Pennsylvania band CDC and Wolf City play an all-ages show at 7 p.m. inside the Viaduct club.

2. Animal Abecedary - colorful, whimsical, family friendly art from A-Z acrylic paintings by Lynne Farren, Sarah Utter and Karen Utter - are on display at the Handforth Gallery from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

3. Author Alvin J. Ziontz will discuss his book, A Lawyer in Indian Country: A Memoir, at noon inside the State Capital Museum.

4. DJ Jason Diamond spinning roots reggae at 9 p.m. inside O'Malley's Irish Pub.

5. Jazzbones' live band Rockaraoke at 9 p.m. attracts a large college crowd.

LINK: Movie showtimes n the South Sound

MONDAY, MARCH 22: FOUR BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>

Yesterday's Results

The voting yesterday in the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Tacos competition didn't have an upset such as Kansas falling in the NCAA Men's Basketball championship. Your votes matched our projected winners.

Here were the match-ups:

Taqueria Burrito Loco vs. Taqueria Las Torres

Dave's Meat and Produce vs. Tacoma Golf & Country Club

Anahua Mexican Restaurant vs. Tacos Guaymas (Lakewood)

Santa Fe Mexican Grill vs. Taqueria El Antojo

Taqueria Burrito Loco turned out the troops to propel it into the next round of the tournament, despite new comer Taqueria La Torres' exceptional traditional tacos. Although hidden in a strip mall, Burrito Loco treats diners like family, and that had to be a factor against the new Sixth Avenue taco truck. With 71.4 percent of the vote, Burrito Loco moves on.

North Tacoma loves Dave's Meat and Produce. And what's not to like? The meat is always fresh, the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and the selection is top notch. So it's a bit of a surprise that the plaid knicker-wearing taco lovers of the Tacoma Golf & Country Club came very close in beating Dave's Meats. Dave's moves to the next round by grabbing only 57 percent of the votes. Taco lovers might consider a TG &CC membership. Something good is going down behind those golden doors.

No surprise here. Tacos Guaymas in Lakewood destroyed Anahua Mexican restaurant with 87.5 percent of the votes. Very few will be surprised if T.G. isn't in the Final Cuatro.

Last, Taqueria El Antojo knocked off Santa Fe Mexican Grill by capturing 71.4 percent of the votes. Not surprising since El Antojo uses a full-court wooden press to make its tortillas. A wooden press always wears down opponents.

Let's get down to the hard shell facts. The following are advancing to the next round:

Taqueria Burrito Loco

Dave's Meat and Produce

Tacos Guaymas

Taqueria El Antojo

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.

Today's Competition

OK, time to move on to today's competition. ...

GAME 1: Taqueria El Guadalajara (7421 Custer Rd., Lakewood)  vs. Taqueria El Guadalajara (110 N Tacoma Ave. but moving to 3002 Sixth Ave., Tacoma)

It's a Guad off! El Guadalajara's North Tacoma and Lakewood restaurants square off today.  The result is sure to make this year's Christmas party a little strained.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 2: Duke's Chowder House (3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma) vs. Anthony's @ Point Defiance (5912 N Waterfront Dr., Tacoma)

In Mexico, tacos are generic, like sandwiches. Americans may expect flour tortillas stuffed with meat, salsa, shredded lettuce, cheese, and maybe a dollop of sour cream, but a true taco is defined only by its design. It requires a tortilla and a filling. In this match-up the filling is all about the fish.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 3: The Funky Iguana (2941 S 38^th St., Tacoma) vs. Taco Del Mar (various locations)

The soft chicken taco at The Funky Iguana comes with many Facebook recommendations. Can it beat out Taco Del Mar's marketing machine?

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 4: Mi Taqueria (8424 S Hosmer, Tacoma) vs. Puerto Del Sol (8045 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Mi Taqueria is getting some great play from its kitchen in the weeks leading up to the tournament. But now, the Mi T. are going to need strength from the front of the house against Puerto Del Sol, which is known for friendly service.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Tomorrow's Taco Battles

Game 1: Tijuana Taco (Lakewood) vs. Taco Time

Game 2: Taqueria La Sinaloense (Center Street) vs. Los Amigos (South Tacoma Way)

Game 3: Moctezuma's (56th Street) vs. Puerto Vallarta (Pacific Avenue)

Game 4: Taqueria El Rinconsito (72nd and Pacific) vs. El Patio Taqueria (145th and Pacific)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Here's how South Sound lawmakers voted on the health care proposal.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, after calling for Internet censorship in his country, says he is "pro-Internet" and will begin blogging from the presidential palace.

Similar to our Tournament of Tacos only with beer

Did the CIA dose a French village with LSD?

Chinese sandstorm strikes like dragon.

CONCERT ALERT >>>

Country singer/songwriter Justin Moore will perform in the KMPS Showcase Friday, April 16 during the Puyallup Spring Fair. The concert kicks off at 7:30 p.m. It's free after shelling out $7-$9 for gate admission.

SEE YOUR FUTURE, BE YOUR FUTURE >>>

The Warehouse Team has posted a survey notice on the TacomaArt listserv

As some are aware The Warehouse in Tacoma has been shut down. It was an underground venue that helped showcase many new artists and musicians and get their start in the city. We would like to see this place re-open again and continue to be a place where the community can support the arts and continue its growth. We'd like your help! We want to know what Tacoma needs in a venue, and to start that process we'd love to hear your voice in through a survey. It will only take 2 minutes and there is even space for you guys to added any extra thoughts or concerns. 

We want to continue fostering the arts in Tacoma. Please help us! 

Here is the link,

http://thewarehouse.wufoo.com/forms/the-warehouse-survey/

Thanks Again,

The Warehouse Team  

LINK: Weekly Volcano's story on Warehouse closure

MY GO TO KOREAN JOINT >>>

Most of Lakewood's Korean restaurants are housed along South Tacoma Way, and many of them serve a cookie-cutter menu of barbecue and soup dishes common to Korean restaurants in this country.

But Palace Restaurant and Cafe is a clean, open concept with a décor that mixes dark woods, purple and yellow halogen lighting, and modern touches with hokey red ribbons on plants, Korean advertisements and Korean programming on large plasma screens.

The Palace's menu is divided between noodle dishes, seafood, chicken, barbecue, lunch boxes and casseroles. The goat casserole - more of a soup with a marvelous sesame oil and chili paste brother (rather than served with fettuccine noodles and topped with crumbled potato chips) - takes 25 minutes to prepare so they prefer you call ahead.

My Palace favorites are the mandu guk, a rustic soup stocked with meat-filled dumplings, and dolsot bibimbap, a pot of crunchy baked rice in which colorful raw veggies, a pile of chopped beef sporting a fried egg.

The palace also houses modern-ish bar that features exotic cocktails, Korean liquor and beer.

[Palace Restaurant and Café, 8718 S. Tacoma Way, Lakewood, 253.581.0880]

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

When I was 10 years old, Bach was the bane of my existence. During childhood piano lessons, time spent struggling with the German composer's Inventions 1 through 5 forced me to miss out on crucial bike-riding time and numerous episodes of Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels.  But if anyone can help me overcome my aversion to the music of Johann Sebastian, it's the Northwest Sinfonietta.  Director Christophe Chagnard and company present "Back To The Future" Saturday night featuring Bach's Suite No. 2 and the immortal Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, as well as Georg Philipp Telemann's Don Quichotte and Heitor Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9. Telemann was a contemporary of Bach.A lover of Bach's music, Villa-Lobos paid the ultimate musical compliment to a past master with his series of nine "Bachianas Brasileiras" - works that weld Bach's baroque forms to 20th century Brazilian rhythms and melodies. His "Bachiana Brasileira No. 9," a prelude and fugue, is arresting music with sultry Brazilian inflections.

"No matter how often we play his music, it is always humbling and awe-inspiring," the Sinfonietta states on the Broadway Center's Web site. The Sinfonietta accomplishes something that I never could - they, in the words of my piano teacher, "make zeee music come aliiiive, dahling!" 

[Rialto Theater, Saturday, March 27, 7:30 p.m., $19-$49, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma, 253.591.5894]

TALK ABOUT OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE SPECTRUM >>>

While Editor Matt Driscoll froze his ass off at SXSW, I stopped by a couple local haunts Saturday night to snap a few shots. The Afrodisiacs' disco covers attracted an older dance crowd at Jazzbones. The band hooks them in with their disco-era stage antics.

Over at Hell's Kitchen, Post Stardom Depression reunited once again to deliver their amazing sex-drench rock on Tacoma.

View my shots in the nightlife album section on this Web site.