And so we come to the last day of SXSW. My first show was none other than ’80s icon Echo & The Bunnymen.

This was everything I hoped it would be. They still sounded good and they played all the hit’s you’d hope.
Next was Gil Mantera’s Party Dream.

I’m not sure what kind of party they like to throw but I obviously hadn’t imbibed enough spirits to “get” it. Still, I’d give them another chance.
Have It told you yet that I love the Japanese night? So much so that I dropped by more than a few times? Well, I did. First I caught girl pop trio Stereo Pony

How can you not love hard rockin’ girls? You gotta!
On a friend’s suggestion, I checked out LA band The Little Ones.

Um, yeah, I was really feeling it. Maybe on a different day.
Part of the joy of SXSW is checking out some legends or notable acts you would see otherwise. So was the case with PJ Harvey.

I appreciate PJ. Now I can say that I saw her.
After ducking out early from that show, I wandered back into the Japanese night in order to catch The Emeralds.

Goddamn it, again the Japanese impress me with a power punk trio. I kid you not, these guys were really good.
I hung around for the next Japanese act, a rock-a-billy punk outfit called Sa.

While I was impressed with the lead singer’s pompadour, I still felt like taking a walk after a few tunes.
And so I stumbled into Silversun Pickups.

Now I wasn’t that impressed with their Coachella show last year (was it last year or was it longer?) but they rocked the s#!t out of a tiny venue. Unfortunately, the lead singer/guitarist can’t end a show properly. They don’t end on a strong song and they he gets all into his feedback. Dude, you ain’t Hendrix.
Again off a friend’s suggestion, I checked out Illinois.

I was assured they sounded better on their album. Hmm. So it was that I left to find the perfect cap to my SXSW experience.
Which is why I returned to the Japanese night. Thank God I didn’t listen to the ladies at the door that said, “too late, it’s over, go home” because then I would have missed Quaff.

Did I say I was impressed with the hair in Sa? It don’t compare to this band. After a quick version of the national anthem, the boys broke out into a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and I broke out into a smile because I found the perfect way to end SXSW.
Obviously, Quaff are my pick of the day.
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And as I lay my head to sleep I savor the memories while wondering if I’ll be back next year. I think so, if only to find the prefect brisket. Apparently Texas is famous for it but all the ones I’ve had have been dry and flavorless.
Good night.