The Cannibal Cheerleader Blood Bath recap continues with the Whispertown 2000, who put on an absolutely electric show last Wednesday at the Peacock in Downtown Austin. One of several stops on the band’s SXSW day party roundup, Morgan Nagler and company still managed to bring down the house with songs old and new, including several excellent cuts from their latest LP Swim. 

Speaking to Morgan at the bar before the band played, she revealed the band was operating on so little sleep that they were feeling a little delirious, albeit the good kind of delirious. After a whirlwind jaunt down to Texas that saw them renting motel rooms for all of three hours before hitting the road again, the group dashed into Austin and immediately began playing shows, fueled only by a passion for playing and a good deal of free alcohol. Here’s to you W2K, our favorite traveling troubadours! 

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.

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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.

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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!). 

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