Memphians Make Good at SXSW in Austin

" The Big Ass bass player was standing outside the club, and when I explained the predicament to him he took us in the back door, where about 30 people were watching some wannabe go-go dancer shake her flab. "

By Ross Gohlke

South By Southwest showcases signed and unsigned bands from all over the world, so it's no wonder that two of Memphis' hottest acts - Big Ass Truck and the Grifters - got in on the action. Maybe next year the Home of the Blues will be even better represented in the Heart of Texas.

Big Ass Truck, those funky white boys with the stage DJ, played a "pre-festival" party hosted by their label, Upstart Records, out of Cambridge, Mass. Ross Rice, who produced Big Ass Truck's latest release Kent, joined the band on keyboards.

It was one of those "unofficial" parties that labels put on to get the attention of more important industry insiders. It sounded like a good idea - free beer, no festival pass required. But at the door it was a different story. Festival pass required, even if you were invited by the label. Oops.

The Big Ass bass player was standing outside the club, and when I explained the predicament to him he took us in the back door, where about 30 people were watching some wannabe go-go dancer shake her flab.

When Big Ass Truck finally got their chance it was even less crowded, and they had to overcome a plague of sound problems (including blowing an amp) to put on the same groovin' show that has made them local favorites. Guitarist Steve Selvidge got so frustrated at one point he apologized for the band, then remembered, "My dad (Memphis guitarist Sid Selvidge) told me to never apologize on stage. Sorry." Selvidge might not have learned that lesson yet, but daddy Sid would certainly have been proud of the music.

The Grifters' show on Friday night gig was over capacity, and at least 30 unfortunate souls never got in to see what one writer has called "the best band in America." Their set was understandably packed with songs from their new release, Ain't My Lookout. The crowd went especially crazy during "The Straight Time" and demanded that the band do an encore. The Grifters left almost immediately after the show, headed for Albuquerque, N.M., to resume touring.

In addition to musicians, another Memphian was invited to participate in SXSW this year: Matt Hanks of Autotonic, a publicity and independent promotions firm, sat on the panel for the "Demo Tape Listening" workshop. Apparently no one told him beforehand that the tapes he was listening to were submitted by people in the audience, which made for an interesting, if somewhat awkward experience. "A couple of people actually came up afterward and thanked me for my bluntness," Hanks reported.