After seeing Andrew WK ramble on semi-intelligently (sounding kind of like Jonathan Richman), first music of the day was at the Team Clermont stage in Gear Alley.  Caught Streets On Fire who were high energy, lead singer pogoing around with presence, singing through distorted mic, guitarist had reverb turned up to 11. Primitive post punk. Favorite part was when their buddy came up and pretty much rapped over the post punk maelstrom. They are playing Thursday March 17th at 1) Maggie Mae’s 323 E. 6th St. Set Time: 4-4:45 and 2) Trophy’s (2008 S Congress), Free Ballard/Seattle Party Stage 1 Set Time: 6pm.  Not sure why they are playing the Free Ballard party if they are from Chicago, guess it is a national movement.

Next was Matt Nathanson at the brand spankin new Austin City Limits Moody Theater, so fresh and so clean.  The dude was hilarious between songs, comedic, could be doing stand up.  Guess he’s a Pandora phenomenon – because of tagging, he was in high rotation on Pandora and everyone knew his Pandora hit when he played it.  Person next to me commented, “I actually own this song" which I thought was very 2011. At one point, in the middle of a tune, he busted into the chorus of The Head and The Heart’s “Lost in My Mind.”  So yet another Seattle reference. Northwest is representing this year. 

Last band I saw was The Gourds, an alt-country band from Austin, at The Continental Club.  (Is alt-country to country what indie rock is to rock?) The fiddle player was tearin it up, as was the accordionist.  It was like rock meets country or something. Lyrics were hilarious, including lines about spanking, sex engines and big guts.  Lead singer commented that his 1st favorite concert was Elvis, 2nd was Tom Waits.  And they are playing the Tractor Tavern on April 25th. So it all comes back to Ballard!