For Fans Of Westword Music Showcase 2009

Yesterday was the 15th Annual Westword Music Showcase and one of the best turnouts I’ve seen at this Denver event. A few days ago I posted a Special Edition Snobcast where I wrote an extensive preview about the bands I felt were highlights this year. This wasn’t meant to diminish any of the other bands playing, it’s just that in most cases I had already seen many of the other bands worth seeing.

So now that the showcase is over and done with I’m sure you’re wondering to yourself (or maybe even out loud), “Hey Father Guido! What groups did you end up seeing live and what did you think?”

Well here’s the run-down: First of all, I couldn’t make it to the showcase until about half-way through the festivities. The show started at noon. I got there around 4pm. Luckily for me, this was just in time for The Knew. This band rocks! I first saw them at last year’s showcase and they are continuing to be one of the most revered new(ish) bands in Denver. But what about earlier in the day? Since I wasn’t there, let’s ask Ms. Hollypolo what she thought.

Guido: Angora, you look lovely today. How did your showcase day start?

Angora: The beautiful Heather from Fuel Friends and I went to Sputnik for mimosas. It was magical.

G: What was the first band you saw yesterday?

A: The first hour was a SXSW-esq “power hour” running around all over the place. I saw 2 minutes of Elin Palmer. She’s a cute girl. I also hear there are some hot pictures of her on the interweb. Next was Astrophagus. Then the Pirate Signal.

G: Awesome! That’s the group I’m really upset I missed. Them and Houses. Anyway, what did you think of Pirate Signal?

A: He made the whole crowd put there fists up and pretend they were angry black men, even though most of us were whities, and girls. He jumped around like a mad man with his pants flying everywhere.

G: I know you’re not a big hip-hop head. Would you go see Pirate Signal again and why or why not?

A: Yes! They are an amazing show and I like that kind of hip-hop. It’s indie-girl friendly.

G: So what came next? Let me guess. Houses?

A: Actually, it was Gangcharger.

G: Cool. How where they?

A: They played an “electrifying” set. You’ll have to read my review for the details.

G: OK. Then what? Houses yet?

A: I missed three really good bands: Overcasters, Action Packed Thrill Ride, and Speakeasy, Tiger. But luckily I caught Houses and it was everything everyone had described it to be. Again, you can read my review for the details.

G: Anything else before I got there?

A: Yes. Two things. A Place to Bury Strangers, which was awesome, dark, noisy and fuzzy and then Enemy Reign at Broadways. Metal! Then I got some Arby’s and met you at The Knew.

G: Sweet! Thanks for giving up the goods. I look forward to your in-depth review with pictures and all the most true facts about the day.

So that was the first half of the afternoon. After watching The Knew for a bit we tried to make it to Achille Lauro but they had already finished. Instead we met up with the Timmy T Experience. After ducking behind some tall buildings for a marijuana fix we went to get our metal on with Tauntaun. They ripped it up. I also found myself back at Broadway’s for the next band, the well named To Be Eaten. Ben, if you’re reading this, you guys ripped it up as well. I can’t wait to see you again.

Between the two metal acts you could find most everyone at the main stage for the much anticipated Fluid show. Honestly, the main stage should have just shut down after this show. I mean, after seeing these old koots tear it up while dodging lightning bolts and hail storms, who could care to stay for either Meese or even Built to Spill? Well, apparently some people did, but for me the end of the day was back at Bar Standard for Everything Absent or Distorted (a love story). While they set up, I found the bathroom that ajoins Bar Standard to Moe’s as well as Broadway’s so I ducked in to watch To Be Eaten. However, I was quickly back over at Bar Standard for EAOD’s ruckus end-of-day show. I would say at least half the place was singing along. Very cool.

So that’s it, gang. Another successful Westword showcase. Enjoy my Snobcast, featuring many of the artists I wrote about here and here. And some other I didn’t get a chance to watch, but maybe you did. Leave me a comment with your favorite band of the day. See you next month.

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“Crossing the North Sea”    Houses    Houses
“Rubber Dub”    Achille Lauro    Achille Lauro
“He Really Got Through To Advertising (Cacheflow Remix)”    George&Caplin    Advertising Remixes
“By Yourself”    The Knew    Boom Bust EP
“Don’t be Peaches”    Everything Absent Or Distorted (A Love Story)    The Great Collapse
“I’m A Sinner, You’re A Saint”    Action Packed Thrill Ride    A Looseleaf Script
“Set In Stone”    3 The Hardway    Set In Stone
“Hey 52″    The Hollyfelds    Black Heart Blue