How I spent SXSW 2005

With music wristbands starting at $110, I figured that any band I really wanted to see would have a day show — last year, I saw the Constantines and Broken Social Scene at free day shows. And so I vowed not to part with my hard-fought dough.

Then, after shaving Jinx Saturday afternoon (Polly Jean got it today), just as it was threatening to pour down Jen and I dashed out of the house to catch Clap Clap (link) at the Dizzy Rooster on Sixth Street. Clap Clap, who’s that, you may be wondering. Imagine, if you can, the lovechild of Q and Not U and Radio 4 in front of a 50+ crowd clapping in unison lead by three hipster girls. And they’re from San Marcos, Texas. Yeah, I know, get out.

They’ve got a theme song. Like the Monkees, like the Clash. “We are, we are … Clap Clap!” It gets stuck in your noggin’ and won’t let you go.

Then, we went to Platinum X to hear Ghostland Observatory. The tired rockers on-stage when we arrived were awful. Like at the intersection of Candlebox and LA Guns awful. But Ghostland was solid. It was a duo, one guy manning the electronics and the drum kit while the other guy — who danced like James Brown but looked like Ian Astbury (think of the Cult ’round the time of Ceremony). Their MySpace profile (link) describes them as, “An agreement between two friends to create something special and unique, that not only heals their beat driven hearts but pleases there rock n’ roll soles.” Souls or soles, I’m not sure, but either way it makes sense and it was a blast.

Oh. And Zimas were $.50 while at Platinum X. Not that I had one, I haven’t had a Zima since 1993. But I know a few girls who did.

SXSW, I may not have shelled out over a C-note for a SXSW wristband — and missed out seeing Go! Team, Idlewild and Bloc Party (I don’t think that they had day shows) — but I felt like I got my money’s worth. Thank you.