Continuing with our adventures at SXSW 09 – see what team Fused got up to whilst out in Texas.

Friday: Once again we headed out to the convention centre to catch up with two other West Midland Delegates Clare Edwards of Gigbeth and Vijay Kishore’s very busy manager Rob McKenzie to find out what they had been up to.

As it was Clare’s first day in Austin we took her hostage and went to the Fused and Dance Your Face Off ‘Backyard Blowout’ which was housed in a Austin native’s back garden – of course.

We stuck around as the guests arrived, the beer flowed out of a handy little pump and the DJ’s got busy in the sun but at SXSW there is no time to stop for long so it was off to hail a cab and back to 6th street.

West Midlands band The Culprit were playing their second gig at the event and having picked up second hand guitars at the local thrift stores they set about making a big noise on the rock stage.

Dinnertime soon swings round so the North-by-North East BBQ was where we went to eat. Taking at the same beautiful house as last year Bedouin Soundclash were the main act and as the sun set and the temperature dropped it was time to leave and head down to Mohawks to see Nashville band The Ettes. Playing to a packed crowd the band managed to squeeze in an extra song at the end of the set – much to the crowds delight.

Funny thing about SXSW is the amount of sponsors that are everywhere willing to give you free stuff so when non-smoking Fused headed to the ‘Smokin Lounge’ to see rock ‘n’ roll old timers the New York Dolls we ended coming out with 4 packets of fags a new 10 a day habit!

Finally last band for us on Friday night was the much anticipated viewing of King Khan and The Shrines at EMO’s. King Khan had been very busy doing the rounds over the event playing several times a day however he was in no way lacking in energy. Jumping around the stage in his crown and hailing his staff he kept the crowd truly entertained – especially when he stripped off to reveal his sizeable belly. What a nice man.

Primal Scream at the Cedar Courtyard

SXSW REVIEW THURSDAY: SXSW is no walk in the park let me to you – it’s more a walk down lots of streets but by-the-by it is really hard work. Endless standing around in the sun watching bands drinking free beer and eating fine BBQ food – phew! Someone has to do it right?

So Thursday started with us heading down to the Convention Centre to hand out CD’s and Flyers to the good and the great of the music industry – and it was all going fine until we passed the Smoking Lounge (heavily sponsored by a US tobacco brand who give away umpteen packets of fags) where Entertainment Magazine were having a littles soiree. “Come inside for free food and drink” said the girl on the door and who is going to turn that down? Not Fused! It may have only been noon but the drinks were flowing and we managed to catch a little bit of the Annuals and Laura Marling which was very pleasant indeed.

So we tore ourselves away and headed to meet our buddy Mikey from Dance Your Face Off at Buffalo Billiards. Now we were in for a treat – LA hair band Steel Panther were being interviewed by a local radio station. Imagine Motley Cru, Poison and 80’s Cher tossed in a blender and regurgitated out of a dog and you should have a good idea of what we are talking about. They did a little ‘turn’ of a song about something rude and we knew it was time to leave.

Next it was over to The Wave for Kerrrang Magazine’s party where we caught an excellent and lively set by The Bronx. All the action made us peckish so it was on to see what the Spanish have to offer – it was Paella and Sangria and some not so Spanish bands apparently.

NASA at Emo's Annex

The afternoon continued in to the evening with more bar hopping and a visit to EMO’s annex to catch the NASA boys doing their up-beat techno best to get everyone moving. $5 lap dancers painted green and a few aliens in the mix made for an eye-catching stage presence that really woke us up.

Finally it was over to the Cedar Courtyard to catch The Black Lips and the mighty Primal Scream. We managed to wiggle our way to near the front of the stage and were awarded with an amazing set from Bobby and the boys. Crowd surfing ensued and security got a little angry but a cracking set left the audience shouting for more a good 10 minutes after the band had departed stage right.

Fused is heading out to SXSW on Sunday for some Rock ‘n’ Roll action stateside. We’ve got a few parties on the go with our buddies Moshi Moshi and Dance Your Face Off so if you find yourself in Austin, Texas come and say Howdy Ya’ll!

On Saturday 20th Fused Magazine are throwing an electro-hip hop backyard party with Texan club kids ‘Dance Your Face Off’ with free beer, food and sunshine.

Dance Your Face Off & Fused Magazine Party
Le Castle Vania
Ocelot 
Vega 
Genova 
Damaged Good$
Eli Smith
Justin Bell & Richard Blake 
Sydney Confirm
Yeahdef
Blixaboy 
Teenage Wolf 
Ishi
Schwa 
Killtron 
T0MMYL33J0N3Z
Whack-A-Tone

Friday March 20th 11.am- till 8.pm 
2207 Eastside Dr. 
Free Beer for 21+ and free food. No cover.