As an added bonus, here’s a live in-studio version of “Living in Color”.

I only got one thing to say to that.

That means time to get my multi-platform web series back on track but first, allow me to take a look around the playing field. According to Mashable, these are among the most watched (and therefore the best, I guess) web series around.

I’ve mentioned The Guild before and am excited to see that I can watch episodes via Netflix streaming on my PS3 (when I’m not playing BORDERLANDS or GOD OF WAR 3).

What would the web be without violent cartoons?

Here’s a fairly typical “high concept” web idea.

Wait, you loved BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, right?

And this is the most watched web series out there.

No, seriously, 8 million people have watched this. EIGHT MILLION?!?!?!

Let me be honest and say that I don’t get the mass appeal of most of these. I’ll forgo skewering the technical shortcomings and simply point out that most employ terrible storytelling and awful acting. I can see why the internet has given “sketch” a bad name.

But I digress… back to grind stone… after a little more GOD OF WAR 3.

Oh, I really need a great digital point-n-shoot with a zoom and a super fast lens. Recommendations?

Man, this man and his band will always have space on my music shelf.

I then ran across town to catch The Boxer Rebellion.

As you can see from that pic, these guys were rocking the hell out of their last show.

And what SXSW would be complete without a Frightened Rabbit sighting.

So damn good. I’m pretty sure the plane ride home will feature lots of their tunes only interrupted by…

Visqueen.

This was my second time seeing them but now I’m completely in love with Rachel Flotard. Why? First, she saw me singing along and mentioned it. Second, the set was awesome and she even took an off-the-cuff request from the audience. Third, she referenced both Winger and “Pigs in Space“. Seriously, Rachel, when you’re in LA drop me a line and I’ll take you out for a dinner.

Next up was Minipop.

Why these guys? Because I like their song from the 1,038 MP3 SXSW music sampler I told you about. What an added bonus that the lead singer is such a cutie.

I then saw Best Coast because my friend Kate tole me to.

Since they’re a new band and the lead singer was whining about having played so many shows at the festival (who didn’t?) all I’ll say is that I should have checked out Surfer Blood instead.

And finally I braved the cold night to witness Death.

They were awesome and if you don’t know their story you should listen to this NPR story. And obviously they’re my pick-of-the-day.

And with the I say adios to SXSW. I hope to come back soon. LA, here I come.

BTW, the next stop on the Tony Music Express is Coachella!

The first act I caught at the party was F*cked Up.

Who knew metal still lived? Not I… and I’m okay with that.

Next was Miike Snow.

Very pretty but not quite made for the large, outdoor BBQ vibe.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings were next and they ripped it up.

Seriously, if you haven’t yet, no matter what kind of music you like, you have to check her out.

And finally, the return of Hole.

You know, I was never a fan but I can appreciate Courtney being a rock star (but I’m still not a fan).

I should also mention that although I didn’t see Frightened Rabbit this day I did meet Scott (I’d run into him 4 time this day and hear the band playing from afar twice).

Christ, I love this band.

Okay, it’s time to return to the always fun Japan Nite and first up was JennyOops.

What is it with the Japanese and rocking power pop/punk trios of ladies?

I then wandered over to see Band of Skulls.

Holy! These guys are a cross between blues rock and awesome. You much check them out.

Back to Japan night for Okamoto’s.

God bless these kids for watching too many videos of The Rolling Stone on Ed Sullivan.

Next was The Boxer Rebellion in a very odd venue.

Thank goodness they rocked it because this roof top bar turned stage was not conducive to rock magic.

Once again into the Japan Nite, this time for Omodaka.

A cross between dance music and performance art, this person rocked it with his portable gaming systems. BTW, Japan Nite is coming to LA (and a few other cities). You really should catch the show if you can.

Next on the same stage was Chatmonchy.

Another girl rock trio from Japan, they seems a bit jet-lagged, as if they just got off the plane (someone told me they had).

I then ran up the street to see Ra Ra Riot.

They went on late and were plagued by technical difficulties but how can I hold that against a band with two such cuties on strings?

Man, I’d love to be the meat in that love sandwich.

Finally, I ended the night with Les Savy Fav and they had even worse technical difficulties.

Bummer.

So, pick of the day has gotta be Omodaka.

Until tomorrow.

It was also good to hear that they changed up their set but a pity that a Seattle DJ fucked up one of their best songs off the new album.

Walking around, I dropped in to check out Sweet Baboo.

Yeah… moving on.

I then wandered away from downtown to check out a carnival and Cymbals Eat Guitars.

I didn’t know anything about them before but now I’m a wee bit curios.  Plus it was fun hearing them while I rode the tilt-a-whirl (video coming soon).

Feeling the urge to walk even further (man, did my feet regret that by the evening’s end), I drifted to the Levi’s Fader Fort (a well done pop-up venue) and caught Local Natives.

I’d give them another album before checking them out again.  They might not be my thing but maybe they’re still maturing too.

While there I also caught my country folk Bomba Estereo.

It’s easy to tell why everyone loves these perky, poppy Colombian dance-rockers (and she has a smile that’ll light up a room).

After dinner I drifted into Stubb’s to see The Soft Pack.

I really like their album but don’t think I need to see them live again.

Racing across downtown I dove into a tiny venue to see VV Brown.

Holy! When she played “Shark in the Water” I got goose bumps.

Riddle me this: if Meiko is just her and a back up guy why did she go on 20 minutes late?

I’ve seen her before at SXSW and she’s good but this time she played some new stuff and it’s obvious she still loves guys that are bad for her.

I caught the GZA because I wanted to see the act after him. Um, he lacked enthusiasm. So much so that he check his Blackberry twice while on stage.  Just sayin’.

Finally, The xx.

They sounded great while actually playing slower and softer than on their album.

And that was my day so it’s obviously time for my pick. How could I choose anyone other then my peeps from the home country. Soak in some Bomba Estereo.

Until mañana.

BTW, it sounded great.

After grabbing my badge and a quick bite at Stubb’s it was time to check out Visqueen.

Rachel Flotard sure can rock and man does she have a great set of pipes… and the rest of her ain’t bad neither. Rachel, if you’re ever in LA I’d be more than happy to treat ya to dinner and drinks.

Next up was The Walkmen.

Having seen them before, I knew they’d sound great but probably still feel as if they’re… I dunno, I’m not a fan of their stage presence.

I quickly ran up the block to see Here We Go Magic.

It wasn’t magic for me.

Two blocks down (gotta love these short sprints) I saw Power Solo at someone’s insistence.

It was different.

As I raced across 6th Street for my next show I stumbled across an awesome, mesmerizing voice and beat. Turned out to be The Asteroids Galaxy Tour.

.

Must check them out, give them a proper listen.

The room was packed for We Were Promised Jetpacks and it’s clear why.

These youngins from Scotland rocked it.

Finally I caught one of my favorite acts, Frightened Rabbit, and while I’m still warming up to the new album (it didn’t knock me out instantly like the last album did) their stage presence and musicianship is only that much better.

Fuck, they were awesome.

I tried to end the night with Surfer Blood but the room was so packed I was never gonna get in. I decided to stumble home but instead wandered in to see a bit of Spoon. They sounded great but I’ve seen them a few times and the siren song of a full night’s sleep was just too powerful.

That wraps my first day. That means it’s time for my pick-of-the-day. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to fall in love with We Were Promised Jetpacks.

Until next time.

Of all those listed, I’m most excited about…

• The Specials – Never seen them before.
• Public Image Limited – Ditto.
• Vampire Weekend – Saw them a few years ago, thought they were good but needed to mature as a live act. Let’s see how that’s progressing.
• Them Crooked Vultures – I keep hearing good things.
• LCD Soundsystem – Saw them a few years ago and I thought they sucked but I want to give them another chance.
• Jay-Z – How can I miss this? If past years have proven anything it’s that mainstream rap acts rock.
• Band of Skulls – Keep hearing good things.
• Frightened Rabbit – Absolutely seeing them at SXSW and I won’t miss them here.
• Tokyo Police Club – Missed them a few years ago and have been regretting it ever since. Won’t make the same mistake this year.
• Camera Obscura – I really hope their delicate sound survives the Coachella heat.
• The xx – Here’s hoping the live show holds up to the album.
• Dirty Projectors – Ditto.
• Devo – Put on a great show at SXSW, looking for them to rock the desert.
• The Dead Weather – The Kills are one of my favorite bands so I’m counting on Alison to cast a spell on me with her siren song.
• Faith No More – Last time I saw them was opening for Metallica so here’s hoping they rock just as hard.
• Muse – Missed them the last time they played Coachella and I won’t let that happen again.
• The Soft Pack – Heard a tune online, am curious to see them live.
• Yann Tiersen – Wait, is this the soundtrack guy?
• Florence and the Machine – I’m ready to fall in love with her (sorry Neko).
• The Big Pink – Love that one song; let’s see if they can rock it live.
• Matt & Kim – Am listening to them as I write this. I hope they put on a good show.
• Gary Numan – As in “Cars“? If so, sweet!
• Sly and the Family Stone – Um, how could I miss these guys?
• Phoenix – Did a phenomenal job playing a tent during daylight so I’m only expecting the best.
• Pavement – Got into them very late so I’m hoping to see what all the fuss was about.

As was the case last year, I’m kinda hoping it’s “the year of the old man act” but I’d love to mix that up with some “I never heard of those guys and they blew me away” action too. Also, there’s a good chance I’ll see most of these acts at SXSW in March but maybe some of them will be worth a 2nd whirl.

So who are you excited to see?