Remember that amazing loft space on Maple Ave that looks like a New York flat, which Peter Bjorn and John played their secret show in? Well here we are again, for a secret show consisting of two extremely talented bands; Crystal Antlers and Surfer Blood. I owe my life to Sean Carlson because he never fails to give me the greatest shows imaginable. I don’t know how he pulls off such amazing bands, at awesome locations, for such great costs (AND he manages to provide the people with free beer).

I arrived 10 minutes to 10:30, when the show would kick off. A woman began yelling at everyone saying, “I am going to call the LAPD and this show is cancelled everyone go home!” My immediate tactless response was “She’s totally on her period, pee on her face!” I stood with the men in charge, and listened to Sean over the phone saying she can’t do this, and everyone should just run up to the 6th floor where the show was. We ran on in, with our fool-proof plan, and we were welcomed by the two bands just sitting around trying to figure out how to get some music playing before they started. Jonny Bell of Crystal Antlers said, “Anyone have an ipod?” and this exact moment being one of my musical fantasies, I said “Yes I do!” Cora Foxx, also of Crystal Antlers, and I tried to figure out a way for me to DJ. I hooked up my ipod, and played a playlist that got the crowd flowing. As if I wasn’t happy enough, Crystal Antlers began playing after just 3 songs off of my playlist, and the FYFestivities began.

Crystal Antlers initiated playing “Knee Deep,” a song fitting to be played at night time on a carousel in the middle of the city. The guitar definitely takes a hold of this song, with the clear passionate vocals of Jonny. Next they played “Summer Solstice,” where Cora and the drummer Kevin Stuart shine with drums that force your hips to sway, and keys that make you swoon. Everyone was definitely on point, and Jonny’s vocals were again heard perfectly. The percussionist Damian Edwards was hitting hard and strong, while dancing and giving his energetic vibe to the audience. They followed with “Two Way Mirror,” another song that is addictively dance inducing and compelling. The whole band got energized for this one, which affected the crowd as well. Lastly they bestowed upon us “Baby Blue” a Bob Dylan cover. They do this song wonderfully, a faster paced harder version of Dylan’s. It was a nice way to end their set, with something that sounded completely different from the previous songs, to amuse all of those Dylan fans bustling about in the loft space.

Surfer Blood commenced their set with all songs from their album Astro Coast and three new songs. First was “Fast Jabroni,” a wonderful upbeat song that wakes you up. J.P the singer/guitarist moves while he is playing as if he is posing, as he sways back and forth and stops in different directions. He embodies his music, and everyone joins in. Next up was “Floating Vibes,” a song that has a heavy Sonic Youth sound, yet it still has a surf influence. The drums are at a medium tempo, and the guitar has that subtle distortion that personifies grunge. J.P thanked us saying, “Thank you guys all for coming out, I know there’s a lot of confusion. It’s that damn basketball game.” as they went in to the next tune ‘Twin Peaks,” which is playful and tropical, yet hard and commanding at the same time. J.P. said “Everyone say your favorite team in unison. 1 2 3 BASKETBALL!” which roused up the crowd for the next song. This song is new, and J.P. told me that it doesn’t have a name yet. It sounded like it upped the ante from their first album, staying true to their sound but becoming a bit more powerful. They followed it with their most well known song “Take it Easy,” and it sounded fucking amazing. This song is definitely something that no one can deny in terms of dancing, with that surf tropical resonance. They played “Swim,” which was well received by the audience and played with effortless energy. Another new song entitled “I’m Not Ready,” was played next, and the crowd seemed to like it just as much as their well known songs. They played “Catholic Pagans” after that, a song that absolutely bleeds surf. We couldn’t get enough, and J.P. said “Another new song, why not,” and played another phenomenal untitled. They ended their perfect set with my utter favorite “Anchorage,” and I sang along devotedly as the crowd bounced. This song is also very Sonic Youth influenced, therefore it’s lovable and gets in your head. It is unquestionable that Surfer Blood bleeds surf, and Crystal Antlers, crystallizes antlers?

—Alyssa Holland (words + photos)

Via Sean and F Yeah:

Schedule for Mess With Texas 3
Sat., March 21st

Stage One:
The Black Lips: 8:20pm – 9:00pm
The Circle Jerks: 7:30pm – 8:05pm
Monotonix: 6:50pm -7:20pm
Lucero: 6:05pm – 6:35pm
The Thermals: 5:20pm – 5:50pm
Vivian Girls: 4:35pm – 5:05pm
Thao Nyguen: 3:55pm – 4:20pm
Cursive: 3:10pm -3:40pm
King Khan & the Shrines: 2:25pm – 2:55pm
Death Set & Team Robespierre: 1:30pm – 2:10pm
Cut off Your Hands: 12:50pm – 1:15pm
Red Cortez: 12:10pm -12:35pm

Stage Two:
Kid Sister: 8:30pm – 9:00pm
Busdriver: 8:05pm – 8:25pm
B.O.B: 7:40pm – 8:00pm
Akron Family: 6:55pm – 7:25pm
Soft Pack: 6:15pm – 6:40pm
Crystal Antlers: 5:35pm – 6:00pm
The Bronx: 4:55pm – 5:20pm
Trash Talk: 4:20pm – 4:40pm
Japanther: 3:45pm – 4:10pm
Abe Vigoda 3:05pm – 3:30pm
Jason Lytle from Grandaddy: 2:20pm-2:50pm
Vetiver 1:35pm – 2:05pm
Howl: 12:55pm – 1:20pm
Sleepy Sun: 12:15pm – 12:40pm
The Technicolar Victrola: 11:50am – 12:10pm

GATES WILL OPEN AT 11:30am
Free. All ages. Open to the public.

Entrance located at 14th & Trinity, one block away from Red River.

www.messwithtexasparty.com
Any questions: messwithtexasparty@gmail.com

And there will be an after party at Red 7 following the show with Frodus, Ebony Bones, Trash Talk, Attack in Black, High Tension Wires & more. Keith Morris & Kevin Fitzgerald from the Circle Jerks will be deejaying and the party is free and all ages. No RSVP. Red 7 is located at 611. E. 7th St.

“They beat the shit out of him in front of a cop,” says Reich, “and the cop was like, ‘What do you mean? We didn’t see that.’” He adds that despite the officers witnessing Reich get hit by a car, they did not call an ambulance or offer any support.

Carlson, who had bore the brunt of the action, was screaming for help as the guards were trying to subdue him. “The cop told me to stop crying,” he recalls. As well, Carlson’s keys and cell phone ended up on the sidewalk, and alleges that witnesses watched as security guard took them. They haven’t been returned. He was handcuffed by the security guards and led away.

That’s the last time Carlson, Reich or Hoelting have seen the videotape. Carlson was taken back onto Hollywood Bowl property, and to a security tent. Hoelting and Reich starting texting people telling them of the incident that had just unfolded.

More here. We send our best wishes to Sean, Phil and Michael and will post updates as we can get them.

For more photos check out: larecord.com/photos

Here is another little bonus chunk from SXSW from our good friends over at videothing.com.