Local Music Options For Early SXSW Arrivals

Some of you may have arrived a day or two before SXSW to partake of all that Austin has to offer before things get crazy. We’re not called the Live Music Capital fer nuthin’ brother! Check out some cool stuff available over the next few nights. These are pretty much all local Austin artists and this is a chance to see a longer set with a smaller crowd than next week. It’s a pretty eclectic mix.

Tonight 

• The Dicks at Room 710 – They lost original guitarist Glen Taylor in 1997, but the reunited Dicks are still worth checking out. See some real honest-to-goodness Austin punk history.
• Elliott Smith Tribute Night at Emo’s – Zykos, Lions, Lalaland, Rite Fylers & others
• Mystic Knights of the Sea at Continental Club – Hear Charlie Sexton (yes, of “Beat’s So Lonely” and Bob Dylan backing fame) do roots rock covers with his brother Will and Mike Buck on drums. You can’t say you’ve been to Austin if you haven’t seen a band at the Continental even if it means paying for their overpriced cover and drinks. At least you’re supporting the local economy.
• Dale Watson – Ginny’s Little Longhorn – A hike from downtown, but you won’t get any more real country than Dale Watson at Ginny’s. Just don’t piss anyone off while you’re there.

Friday Night 

• Faceless Werewolves at Waterloo Records – CD Release Party at 5pm
• Sons of Hercules with Pat Todd & the Rank Outsiders and Jesus Christ Superfly at Lambert’s – San Antonio’s garage punk purveyors will push their wares. If you’ve never seen them (and most locals have), they’re a must…if only to see towering frontman Frank Pugilese channeling Iggy Pop among others. He’s got the street cred. His band opened for the Sex Pistols when they swung through San Antonio on that infamous American tour when I was still watching Krofft Superstars.
• Asylum Street Spankers at Momo’s – They of “Stick Magnetic Ribbons” and gospel brunch fame. Made up of many longtime Austin musicians.
• Grupo Fantasma at The Parish