Day Party Crawl
By Darcie Stevens, Fri., March 18, 2005
Filter Party, Insound Party, etc.
Everywhere, Friday, March 18
This is how you do it: Roll out of bed at 11am and chase after seven bands, not a single one like the last. At the crack of noon, not too many rockers are raring to go, but those who were made the trek to Cedar Street Courtyard, where they were bounced into the early afternoon by Austin's own Sound Team opening at the Filter party. The sixpiece spun the best parts of an indie rock ELP, serving up their own version of rock with a big smile and an elastic heart: songs of obsession, redemption, rapture, and hurt sincerely felt by all six. There's a reason why Capitol swooped up our red-faced indie rockers. "Could somebody please turn those lights down?" jested singer Matt Oliver to the sun. The daylight sure does a number. A quick ride downtown met the Stubb's Spin party, an annual groove that many anticipate as much as its headliners, the New York Dolls. The Hold Steady trampled the modest crowd, and not pleasantly. Perhaps they should change their name to the Hold on Already. A block down, Austin's Nervous Exits showed their classic punk roots, not as simple as the Ramones, but not as complicated as the Stones. Eschewing the stage for the floor of Beerland, where familiar faces bobbed to the beat, the Exits sweat and bled. The tune changed a bit farther south as This Microwave World brought the synth beat to Austin's favorite dance club, Elysium. A couple of tracks off their upcoming LP teased with synthetic texture and genuine throb. I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness warmed up the Insound party at Club de Ville with a patented dose of dark, bassy dance hits, including highlight "According to the Plan" off their brand-new 12-inch. Soon after, Canada speed-rock duo Death From Above 1979 happily begged for earplugs before American Analog Set mellowed the near-capacity crowd. Slowly the sun set, and I swear the night winked at me caustically.
