WHISPERTOWN 2000 ADDED TO BLOOD BATH!
The Cannibal Cheerleader lineup for this year’s SXSW 09 Blood Bath keeps getting better with the introduction of
the Whispertown 2000 to the lineup. We’re also partnering with OverUnder Records to bring you several New York acts including
Howlies! Should be a rocking time, so be sure and be at the Peacock (515 Pedernales) on Wed. Mar. 18th at noon!
********************************************************************
NEW KYLESA ALBUM
With the opening riffs of
Kylesa’s latest effort
Static Tensions the band clearly has chosen to expand their horizons, dwelling on intense buildups, frighteningly intricate drumwork, and searing guitar lines, all as the songs dip, wrap around, go soft, explode and re-explode, all within ten tremendous tracks. Gone is the sameness of past Kylesa records which, while excellent, suffered at times from an unvaried metal formula – no longer! Utilizing Phillip Cope and Laura Pleasants’ voices equally and featuring their dueling guitarwork to maximum effect,
Static Tensions is a giant leap forward, a slow-burning metal monster that shows off the group’s development and maturity earned from years of touring. Truly the best metal release of 2009 so far, a blazing record and one not to be missed. Check out a few tracks below!
Posted: February 27th, 2009
Categories:
austin,
blood bath,
cannibal cheerleader,
howlies,
kylesa,
laura pleasants,
peacock,
phillip cope,
running red,
static tensions,
sxsw 09,
the whispertown 2000,
to walk alone
Tags:
Comments:
1 Comment.
EXCLUSIVE NEW PREY FOR SLEEP TRACK
Oh
Prey For Sleep, where have you been? Busy it would seem as the winter months have brought lineup changes to the Austin metal group but no less intensity as evidenced in this new track “Forever Dies Today”, an ultra-exclusive new track from a lost EP. Featuring an increase in brutality, searing drumwork, and the signature Hunter Townsend vocals, the new Prey For Sleep sounds just as good, if not better, than the old one. Check it.
********************************************************************
NEW BAND CHEER: DEATH IS NOT A JOYRIDE.
Another incredible recommendation from Naomi of
Southern Drama, Austin’s own
Death Is Not A Joyride combine the live antics of the Dresden Dolls, the big-band sound of an amped-up (and punked out) Arcade Fire, and Bjork-like vocals to create a frighteningly awesome display of avant pop meets theatrics. Performing in animal masks as if in a dark, Vaudevillian circus act, DINAJ balance between an incredible live performance group and a formidable indie rock troupe to create a wonderful combo of light and sound the likes of which one has never seen before. Definitely check these guys out during SXSW 09, as they’re an official showcasing band (the list keeps growing!). Check out some songs and their music video below.
********************************************************************
NEW BAND CHEER: THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART
So, how it works here at Cannibal Cheerleader is that we’ll plan out a week’s worth of updates in advance, so we actually were already planning on talking about this great New York act
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart way before
this actually. Still, even though we’re beaten to the punch, it just goes to show the searing vitality of this band’s music, which combines shoegazey strings a-la Asobi Seksu with soaring indie-pop a-la Stars to create a transcendant brand of pure pop-rock goodness. Sailing in on the backs of some successful EPs and splits, the band’s self-titled debut album pummels you with amazing melodies and fiery feedback for a listening experience like no other. Check them out (and if you already have, check them out again!).
Comments?
CANNIBAL CHEERLEADER SXSW PICKS
Late last week the latest round of South By Southwest lineup announcements inspired a lot of talk across the blogosphere. From world-renowned rockers like Primal Scream, to indie superstars like Ra Ra Riot, to little-known but still-fantastic bands like Fight Bite, the lineup is pretty stellar, albeit overwhelming. How is a SXSW attendee supposed to take in the 1000+ bands that will be descending on Austin in Mid-March? And how can we as a small Austin-based music blog hope to capture the fire and the fury that is this one week when our awesome little town becomes the center of the entire globe’s media frenzy? Some of the bigger music blogs will undoubtedly be sending droves of correspondents in order to cover every aspect of the proceedings, but we here at Cannibal Cheerleader have neither the desire nor the workforce to attempt such an undertaking. Instead, we feel its our responsibility as a small blog to talk about the acts that no one else will be talking about. That’s why we’ve chosen our top five, ‘must-see’, underground, and sinister acts for SXSW ‘09. We’ll add more as the big event approaches, but right now we feel that these are the bands not too many blogs will be talking about (but should be!) and that absolutely need to be seen. Without further ado…
1. ROLO TOMASSI
Ripping and snarling out of the UK with a hybrid shriek-meets-prog sound, Rolo Tomassi make their American debut this March in Austin when the quintet crash down in an explosion of Mars Volta-inspired riffs and Eva Spence’s signature howl. The band’s debut LP Hysterics deliver on the promise of some excellent LPs and their live show is much touted by UK rags like NME. If there’s one act we have to see at SXSW ‘09, it’s Rolo Tomassi, no question. Check out the video for their single “I Love Turbulence” below.
Rolo Tomassi – “I Love Turbulence”
The closest thing the rest of the world has to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Australia’s
the Grates pour on the same art-rock glaze as the New York spaz-masters with a little bit of their own unique pop flair to create a punky confection that’s as wild to watch as it is to listen to. With the release of their sophomore LP
Teeth Lost, Hearts Won the Grates have ramped up their audio assault with an arsenal of rock-ready barn burners that swing between ultra-cutesy to fiery bloodshed, and with their much touted live show garnering praise worldwide, one can only imagine what they’re going to bring to the table for SXSW ‘09. Definitely a necessity to check this trio out.
The Grates – “Aw Yeah”
********************************************************************
3. TAT
After the quiet release of their debut album Soho Lights last year, which delivered on the promise of innumerable EPs, singles, and relentless touring, Tat have kept the volume knob firmly placed on ‘12′, continuing their takeover of the auditory sense with a slew of excellent tracks and a live show that’s as electric as it is engaging. Tat reel you in with Distillers comparisons and keep you interested with impressive hooks and stellar pop-punk leanings. Definitely one of the most underrated touring groups today, check out Tat if for nothing more than their excellent single “I Don’t Want To Love You” at SXSW ‘09.
********************************************************************
4. KILLOLA
We had our
Killola cherry popped (more like ripped to shreds) when we saw these guys open for the Action Design back in September. Since then we’ve been racking our brains thinking of the right time to ‘New Band Cheer’ this excellent foursome, but now that they’ve been announced as a SXSW ‘09 showcase band, we can’t help but champion this fantastic act. With alt-rock licks and the most rabid frontwoman to ever rip off all her clothes onstage, Killola bring the goods live, pounding through dancey barn-burners and clearing the floor with dazzling pop heroics. Sounding like a cross between Paramore and Be Your Own Pet, Killola deserve to be filling stadiums so get a close look while you still can at SXSW.
Killola – “I Don’t Know Who”
********************************************************************
5. THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES
Hardcore heavyweights from way back when,
These Arms are Snakes have been touring relentlessly since before your average screamo kid was born, and they show no sign of slowing down now, as the release of their newest LP
Tail, Swallower, and Dove revealed they have a few more tricks up their sleeve. With a live show that features maddening most pits and acrobatic stage-diving, a sound that pulls from equal parts rudimentary punk and mathcore metal, and a lead singer whose distinctive wail puts him at the top of the scene’s crooner list, TAAS have proven time and time again to be a live band worth reckoning with, and they definitely should be added to your SXSW ‘09 itinerary.
These Arms are Snakes – “Horse Girl”
********************************************************************
BONUS: HEARTSCHALLENGER
While not an official SXSW ‘09 showcased artist (or at least not announced as such!) Heartsrevolution will be bringing their Heartschallenger ice cream truck down to Austin anyway, delivering fresh electro-clash beats and tasty treats/funky toys to all the sweaty downtown Austinites all week. Be on the lookout for a pink truck racing up and down sixth street, because our friends Ben and Lo will undoubtedly be driving this bad boy all around the city. Be on the lookout friends!Heartsrevolution – “C.Y.O.A.”
Comments? Any fellow bloggers need a place to stay during the festival? My house isn’t too comfortable, but hey, it’s free!
Posted: January 20th, 2009
Categories:
austin,
cannibal cheerleader,
heartschallenger,
heartsrevolution,
killola,
rolo tomassi,
sxsw 09,
tat,
the grates,
these arms are snakes
Tags:
Comments:
No Comments.
SXSW 2009 – ‘09 BEST EAT
The lineup for the
SXSW 2009 is slowly building, with a recent announcement naming Cannibal Cheerleader favorites like Ben Harper, the Courteneers, Beach House, White Lies, and the awesome
Ra Ra Riot.
Check out the rest of the released lineup
here and be prepared for an awesome SXSW 2009. Any other blogs out there want to do a joint Cannibal Cheerleader/OtherBlog party? Let me know!
Comments?
