SXSW 2016 Preview: Rock n Roll

With Obamageddon about to hit Austin and SXSW this coming Friday, I think the best thing for me to do is to go into hibernation until then just so I can be properly rested for the 10 day drug and alcohol binge that’s about to descend upon this city. I myself don’t do any drugs but after pounding 20 Red Bulls and eating 45 Ritalin laced breakfast tacos, I feel as though I’ll be ready to check myself into rehab just in time for Good Friday once the festival does actually end. This way you won’t find me stumbling alongside any fellow SXSW stragglers who will be shamelessly fighting kids for their eggs on their Easter egg hunts because they think they are getting the next clue to get into the Illmore party. What can I say? Cocaine is a hell of a drug!

Well in between all of this partying, you should do yourself a favor and check out a few of the talented acts that will be rolling through Austin in the next week or so. And to help you out a bit, I broke down some of the best rock bands I discovered while sifting through all of the scrubbiness that also comes along with this fest.

First up is the Canadian rock band Dilly Dally. If Courtney Love wasn’t such a douchebag, this is the kind of music she’d make. It’s 90’s grunge that’s drenched in distorted guitars and whiny vocals, and when they want it to be, their music can certainly be punishing (in a good way) with their overpowering sound. As far as hard rock bands go, I’m really excited to see how they’ll deliver live. They are playing everywhere over the next ten days, so be sure to pop in on them as they get a rating of FRESH!
https://soundcloud.com/dilly-dally

Next up is Tennis System, a trio from LA who is trying their best to keep reverb heavy music alive. They are known for their live shows and their noisy sound takes you back to the days the Mary Chain and Nirvana. You should definitely give these guys a shot as I think they are pretty FRESH.
https://soundcloud.com/tennissystem

After them is the loud anthem pop rock band Pretty City. Let me say up front that they are the very definition of a guilty pleasure but that doesn’t mean they don’t rock! I guess this is what it feels like to be a Kiss fan. The only thing these Aussies are missing is the makeup. I rate them as FRESH!
https://soundcloud.com/pretty-city

Next up is Acid Dad. These New Yorkers play no nonsense punkish rock. They utilize stripped down guitars to give you a feel of what punk was like in the late 70’s. And while you’re listening to their music, you can’t help but feel as though you’re in an episode of the TV show Vinyl. I’m not completely sold on them as they appear to be a bit inconsistent at this point; when they hit they really hit but when they miss, they’ll have you going to the beer and bathroom line. For now I give them a rating of kind of WEAK.
 https://soundcloud.com/aciddadnyc

The last artist to check out is actually an electronic artist but whatever, his music is so good that I had to give him a preview. I’m talking about Jack Garratt. This British singer-songwriter is an electronic artist who happens to be a healthy mix between Sohn and Miike Snow. He has definitely grown on me as I can’t help but find myself dancing to his grooves. He gets a rating of FRESH!
https://soundcloud.com/jackgarratt