SXSW '08 -- Friday -- The Raven Tree's First Show

Last Friday was culmination day for The Raven Tree, who finally played their first show. And stole it.

The show at J Black's sounded great, guys, and just imagine what you can do when you get to play a real venue with a real sound system. I'd estimate that at least 40-50 folks were actively listening to the set at the bar. And there wasn't room for many more.

I was told that Goodnight Goddess had built up a following, and since they were slated to go on after my dogs, I figured they'd have a pretty nice cheering section. The show was all Raven Tree, though.

Loudest applause, most (beautiful) women, more general rockstar appeal than anyone else on the bill. And, to boot, D-Bomb's (the dummer) dad won the pair of H-Town Radiohead tix that were raffled off. Always a good time when Randy shows up.

Savvy hooked it up with a few free drinks, it was mixed with some free purple juices, and it was three 'o' clock in the afternoon. Could you really ask for more? I was there, you most likely weren't, and that means you need to get your ass to the next one: I hear whispers of something in late April or May (shhh)...

Here's the setlist:
1. Own Life
2. Panther(s)
3. Demons*
4. Organa*
5. Pray*
6. 78
7. Salame

The ones with * are not on the myspace and you meatheads can't hear 'em UNLESS YOU COME TO A SHOW


Here's Pics! Photo creds to Robert Casanova/AP (just kidding)

What is this, somebody's living room?


Tyler and AJ... and the blur monster.


That's it! I'm taking the pics next time...

HOLLALALALALALALALA (even though it's not the Holidays)

SXSW '08 -- Thursday -- The Scoot Inn

Thursday's SXSWing was also ridiculous. Del, Devin, El-P, Jammer, Newham Generals and Dizzee Rascal. Wow. How did this get put together? This was for sure a once in a lifetime show.

After opening acts Perseph1 and Bisc 1, Del went on. This was before 10 p.m. if I remember correctly. Dude was faded hard, but the execution was still flawless. Personally, I was really glad he gave us primarily classics. 11th Hour isn't really my cup of tea.

Here's his setlist:
1. Virus
2. No Need For Alarm
3. Phony Franchise
4. Dr. Bombay
5. Powers that Be
6. Foot Down
7. Workin It
8. If You Must
9. Clint Eastwood

Here's Pics!

Zac Hendrix, Del's personal DJ


Del, A-Plus and Zac could have stayed on all night at this point.


Things Del can do, Some can't be done...


A-Plus rocxxed the Scoot with one of his joints...

Then came Devin the Dude and the Coughee Brothaz. Even though we may have seen these dudes before, there's just no better atmosphere to smoke joints than a Devin show. Mad respect was shown by Del going on first (he did the same when Devin and Del both came in November).

As usual, you had a few joints by some of the Cougheez, which were more than welcome. I love the party scene Devin puts on when 124587 of his friends are on stage with him. Bushwick Bill made an appearance (I hear he made appearances errvrywhurre this Southby) as well. Much love.

Partial Setlist:
1. To Tha X-Treme
2. Sticky Green
3. Do What You Wanna Do
4. On the Road
5. Lacville '79
6. Boo Boo'n
7. Fuck You (from Chronic 2001)
8. Somebody Else's Wife
9. Fa Sho
10. Doobie Ashtray

Here's Pics!

Rob Quest - one of HollaHub's favorites...


I know you got some weed up there, D...


Who is that nigga, with no inspection sticka...


Would all the Coughee Brothaz please report to the stage???


Crowd = Amazing. Great Job!


Soulful in that ridiculously perverse way... greatness.


Bushwick is a legend, a pioneer of rap in TX, ya heard?

Then El Producto went on. Honestly, I'm not the biggest El-P fan in the world, but I definitely support everything he is doing with his label, Definitive Jux. I've been an Aesop Rock fan for as long as I've listened to hip-hop and I think the thing that sets Aes apart is that he's not doing that whole angst-ridden white rapper thing. But I do love a lot of El-P's beats and I did manage a few pics.

El-P is the angst-ridden white dude...


Hey! There's Percee P! I had seen him the night before at the Stonesthrow show and the man right there came to check this show as well as the Blue Scholars/Cunninglynguists show on Saturday.

Now on to the dirtiest, stankiest section of any show you or I will ever see. That's the name of the record label, too. Dirtee Stank. Wogwon. These cats came from across the pond and as hype as the crowd was for Devin and Del, this was for sure a Dizzee Rascal crowd.

They just do it so different in London. You can't even say they're nice with it, because it's rude, son! I'll probably never see anything like that again in my life.

First up was Jammer. I love his shirt.

Any more British rap and, yes, I'll have lost a lot of brain tissue out my ears.

Up next were The Newham Generals. Again, first time I've ever heard these dudes, but they were so much fun. Each London opener got almost a half hour of stage time. Great exposure.

Footsie and D Double E...


Um, I am in love with Footsie's watch. How can I get one?

If there were any doubts in anyone's mind if they could handle anymore throbbing bass, Dizzee came out next and put that all to rest. Absolutely untouchable performance.

Very abbreviated setlist:
1. I Luv You
2. Sirens
3. Jus a Rascal
4. G.H.E.T.T.O.
5. Where's Da G's
6. Fix Up, Look Sharp (encore)

Here's pics!

Are you seeing this jacket?


Love is a Trap, bitches!!!


B-Boys invaded the stage for a minute...


Aaron LaCrate DJed for Dizzee.

Holler at total exhaustion...

SXSW '08 -- Wednesday -- StonesThrow X DuckDown SoundClash

So, I'm finally getting around to telling everyone what a great time I had at Southby. It was absolutely amazing, and the organizers did a great job of making sure that folks without the expensive wristbands could still get in to see some great music.

For me it started on Wednesday night, after I went to cover a public forum on public access for the Chronicle (watch out for that one in print this Thursday). Stonesthrow Records and Duckdown Entaprizes were throwing a party at the Habana Annex Backyard, and I left City Hall just in time to see it warm up.


Right before DJ Rhettmatic went on stage, I got a chance to meet Percee P. Nice photo op, but I think in the future I'll refrain from taking any more pictures with emcees I admire. I have a knack for ruining them.

Wow, Martinez... but in my defense I was also taking this one.


I botched this decent shot of Big Pooh as well last year.

So when I met Naledge of Kidz in the Hall, I didn't ask for a pic. I had learned my lesson. But Percee was the coolest guy, he was selling cds, and when I told him I had both of his already, he turned me on to some material I had never even heard on his Now and Then mixtape. I consider it an honor to put $10 into The Rhyme Inspector's hands.

Kidz in the Hall went on right after DJ Rhettmatic's DJ set, and promptly killed it. I hadn't heard much from these guys besides Drivin Down the Block, but you'll want to get to know more of them as well if you get the opportunity to see these guys any time soon.

Rhettmatic - the night's Master of Ceremonies


Please listen to Rhett's Stonesthrow podcasts.


Naledge bursts onto the scene...


DJ Double O is a very active member of the group.


It got warm up in that bitch...


Just Swervin...

Then Percee P went on, and I'd like to preface this by saying that I've always been a fan. I liked his shit the first time I heard it. But after watching Percee up on stage, I guess I'd have to say that even I underestimated him a little.

The Legendary Lyricist was up there shootin folks down - his flow was insane. After I heard his set, I felt like I needed to rethink my entire outlook on hip-hop. If you're one of those folks still sleepin on Percee P, you're part of the problem, dog. He's got the Contra beat on one of his tracks for fuck's sake!

The Monarch of the Subterranean, Legendary Lethal Lyricist, Rhyme Inspector Emcee Percee P representin the Boogie Down. Did I get that right?


Guilty Simpson came through during Percee's set to do Watch Your Step. He also did his own set later in the night, but my damn camera ran out of battery during Sean P's set. Boo.


2 pretty good pics right there...

After another few spins around the 1s and 2s from Rhettmatic, we were soon inundated by the sounds of Sean Price. I've always wanted to see him live because he's got such a hilarious personality. Absolutely no letdown. Hit after hit after hit. I wish I could've taken more pics.

Nice hat, Sean Peezy.


Sean P's got jokes...


Local emcee Phranchyze hit the show as well.

So Guilty got back aboard despues de Sean Price, but by the time Buckshot got onstage, most of the crowd had cleared out. I have no idea why they put Buckshot on last. I get that he's got a new album (with one 9th Wonder) out, but if there was still people in the crowd when he got onstage, maybe someone would have been there to hear that new material.

All in all, amazing show. This show easily makes my all-time top 5. Had a great time.








HollaHub Depends on You!!!