Monotix
Monotonix (Bourbon Rocks Patio): Streams of flying beer, crowd surfing band members and an impressive feat which involved moving the entire drum set off stage, into the crowd and then back again without missing a beat made the Tel Aviv based bluesy rock trio’s Saturday night appearance at Bourbon Rocks one of the most memorable of the week. Performing songs off of this spring’s Body Language EP on Drag City including crowd favorite “Summers and Autumns” they lived up to their reputation as one hell of a live band. If I went all high school again, and threw a party at somebody else’s parents’ house, Monotonix would be the band I would want to play there. Plus they all looked a little bit like Sacha Baron Cohen in character as Borat.
Pissed Jeans
Pissed Jeans (Bourbon Rocks Patio): Writhing and prancing around like a hybrid of David Yow and overgrown child Stewart from MAD TV, singer Matt Korvette from Philadelphia’s Pissed Jeans gave an irreverent, raunchy performance during the Sub Pop label showcase which also featured performances by Americana quintet? Love as Laughter and Band of Horses Mat Brooke’s newest project, Grand Archives.Raveonettes (Rachel Ray BBQ at The Beauty Bar): We braved the down-the-street and around-the-block line to get in here as much to people watch as to see the Danish pop duo with plus drummer Leah Shapiro. Under the outside patio tent we sipped on complimentary mojitos and tried to not get our hair tangled up in someone’s plate of macaroni and cheese (I don’t care who cooked it- you gonna eat that outside in 90 degree heat? Yuck). Guitarist Sune Rose Wagner and bassist Sharrin Foo’s infectious music was well worth the wait and claustrophobia inducing crowds.
Russian Circles
Russian Circles (Red 7): We tried and tried not to see any Chicago acts while in Texas (We love you, Chicago bands, but you know…) but when we realized we were in town until Monday morning and that Russian Circles was headlining a Sunday night show with Coliseum (see above) we couldn’t resist. A half hour of their heavy, instrumental rock after Coliseum’s earsplitting hardcore was the perfect way to cap off the festival.
YACHT
YACHT(NME Party at Wave): You couldn’t not have fun watching Portland based electro-pop act YACHT. Front man Jona Bechtolt and collaborator Clair Evans sang and danced like there was no tomorrow. Things got nuts, objects were hurled, drinks were downed, and everyone danced their asses off and had a great time.
-Jamie Ludwig