SXSW (Wednesday): Austin Music Awards

[03-18-2009]

The convention center in Austin is a terrifying meat grinder, turning gentle music fans into snotty poseurs and the unifying power of art into the separating power of fashion, of class. I’m referring, of course, to the classification system embedded in this event: wristband vs. badge. The badge holders prance around like dukes and ladies, having total first-tier access to anything and everything, while the wristbanders (like myself, dear reader) slouch and scowl, embarrassed of their economic deficiency.

And this disparity is wrong! As it applies here, as it applies to the world at large. And where do we thinkers and true-hearts go when we can take no more of the injustices embedded in the many systems of this world? We go to weep and scream with David Yow (often of The Jesus Lizard) performing with The Dicks at the Austin Music Hall at 208 Nueces Street.

Oh wait, this isn’t a loud, noisy punk rock show. This is the Austin Music Awards.

Punk rock heroes The Dicks are billed here with David Yow. A giant screen shouts: “The Dicks w/ David Yow” and we, The Jesus Lizard fans, await with baited breath. Soooo, after The Dicks play a fine, raucous set, David Yow appears (wearing a sport coat, FYI) and sings with The Dicks on their penultimate song.

And that’s it. A huge, old, punk-rockin’ grey-hair says, “Seems a little perfunctory doesn’t it?”

Yes, I agree. It’s a little weird. Frankly, I came out tonight to see David Yow, and I have to admit, I’m disappointed. So, the Austin Music Awards (riddled with all manner of local news camera, vans, etc.) goes on, announcing certainly important awards for an audience so bored that one of the award announcers says to the audience, “Are you all on Xanax or something?”

As I’m leaving, I note that the “Experimental Award” goes to Death is Not a Joyride.

An old man outside tells me a story about how the Austin Music Awards used to kick off SXSW and about how this is primarily a locals event. One year, he goes on, Lou Reed opened for this awards show, bringing in a bunch of non-locals, as confused as me about the whole thing. He recommends that I stick around for Rocky Erickson and Black Angels, but I do not stick around.

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