Power Pop & Punk Supergroups at SXSW

Clem Burke

They are one part Blondie, with punk rock Most Valuable Player, drummer Clem Burke and one part Plimsouls with guitarist Eddie Munoz playing bass, forming with Clem a rhythm section with the purest power pop/punk pedigree ever. On the front lines, Paul Kopf and the legendary Flamin' Groovy, Cyril Jordan. "They" would be Magic Christian, who are filling the weekend days and nights at SXSW with their expertly crafted tunes.


Eddie Munoz

Here's the schedule of the hardest working band from California:

Magic Christian
Mar 14 2008 3:00P
Cheapo Records, In-Store Appearance!

Mar 14 2008 5:00P
The Ginger Man - The Dogfish Head Brewery Showcase

Mar 14 2008 11:00P
B.D Riley’s, SXSW Festival, With Muck And The Mires, Downbeat 5 and The Chevelles!!

Mar 15 2008 1:00P
Dog and Duck Pub - Pop Culture Press!

Mar 15 2008 4:00P
SpiderHouse Day Party!

Mar 16 2008 4:30P
Headhunters, John Warner’s Celebration Party!


Billy Bragg is another old pal who's making an appearance at SXSW. He's the most punk rock guy I know in this day and age. No one sticks to their guns the way Billy has.

His schedule:

Thursday, March 13 3:00 p.m.
SESAC Day Stage Cafe Austin Convention Center
(500 E Cesar Chavez St)

Thursday, March 13 1:00 a.m.
Cedar Street Courtyard
(208 W 4th St)

Carbon Silicon is the current project of Clash guitarist Mick Jones and my favorite member of Generation X, bass player Tony James. Surely I must have recounted in this blog over the years the way Billy Idol would tease me about my fondness for Tony... real teenage stuff (because we were that young when this happened) like calling him up and saying, "this bird I'm staying with fancies you" while I was aghast that he'd done so and all that kind of thing. Yes, people - Billy Idol may be a pop superstar in your eyes, but to me, he was just a big brother type who teased me.

But that shouldn't keep you from enjoying the latest project by these former flat-mates who went from Mick's Granny's apartment to punk rock success. Tony James has always been two steps ahead of any trend (remember Sigue Sigue Sputnik?)

Thursday, March 13 11:30 p.m.
Friends
(208 E 6th St)

Saturday, March 15 10:00 p.m.
SXSW Live (The Lone Star Lounge) Austin Convention Center
(500 E Cesar Chavez St)


There is so much going on that its hard to keep on top of who's playing where and when. I hope these recommendations help you. There's one last recommendation for you - Jay Reatard, who has worked hard for years and years, is still a young man and is making the world safe for punk rock in the most loud and obnoxious and compelling way. You can catch him here:

Thursday, March 13 10:30 p.m.
Vice
(302 E 6th St)

OR you can catch him at the Rob's House, Douchemaster & Die Slauterhaus Records Showcase (a very punk row show - and in the daytime & free!)
Saturday, March 15th 1-6pm
Beerland Free Day Show
21+, Free Admission!

1:00 - Slab City (Imperial Valley, CA) - http://www.myspace.com/beatbeatbeat
1:45 - Beat Beat Beat (Atlanta) - http://www.myspace.com/beatbeatbeat
2:30 - Jay Reatard - (Memphis) - www.myspace.com/jayreatard
3:15 - Coathangers (Atlanta) - http://www.myspace.com/fuckthecoathangers
4:00 - Baby Shakes (Atlanta) - http://www.myspace.com/babyshakes
4:45 - Wax Museums (Denton) - http://www.myspace.com/thewaxmuseums
5:30 - Gentleman Jesse (Atlanta) - http://www.myspace.com/gentlemanjesse



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