Obligatory reminder to check out our previous installments:
Metal Injection Metal Guide to SXSW 2012 Part 1: Stoner / Doom / Sludge
Metal Injection Metal Guide to SXSW 2012 Part 2: Black / Death / Grind
This time around we're tackling hardcore-influenced shit, whether it be straight up punk or the metallic crossover variety.
All Pigs Must Die
Southern Lord has been dabbling more and more in a sludge-drenched vein of hardcore lately, and All Pigs Must Die have been one of their greatest recent finds. Friday's Power of the Riff is the only SXSW showcase booked thus far, but SL's tour page lists "SXSW – TBA" placeholders for Wednesday and Thursday as well; that said, the PotR showcase is the sole appearance by label mates Black Breath at SXSW this year, so you'll probably want to go ahead and pencil in that date anyway.
Scoot Inn (map), Friday 3/16 @ 11:00 PM – 11:40 PM
Cancer Bats
Cancer Bats are part of what is turning out to be sparse representation from Metal Blade at this year's SXSW – along with Job for a Cowboy and Battlecross – but they're coming hard with multiple gigs already in the books. Come get a taste of their new album Dead Set On Living, out April 24.
Latitude 30 (map), Wednesday 3/14 @ 1:00 AM – 1:50 AM
MI Annex (map), Friday 3/16 @ 3:35 PM – 3:55 PM
Darwin's Pub (map), Friday 3/16 @ Noon – 2:00 AM
Red 7 patio (map), Saturday 3/17 @ Noon – 6:00 PM
Corrosion of Conformity
Animosity lineup! What more do you need to know? Those lamenting the absence of Pepper Keenan can rest assured that the new album is gritty and surprisingly vital… this is no novelty reunion cash in, C.O.C. are a band that still has something to say. So far Wednesday's Tone Deaf showcase is the only gig lined up, but a tour poster released by the band has them at SXSW Wednesday and Thursday, so another crushing showcase should be announced soon.
Dirty Dog Bar (map), Wednesday 3/14 @ 12:30 AM – 1:50 AM
Cro-Mags
Usually Chaos in Tejas is the best time to see classic punk bands, but in addition to Animosity-era C.O.C. we're also getting Cro-Mags, Pennywise and Fear. Unfortunately, in this case it doesn't look like we're getting Harley Flanagan back in the band, so take this or leave it as you will.
Barbarella patio (map), Thursday 3/15 @ 1:00 AM – 1:50 AM
Early Graves
Early Graves have come a long way since losing vocalist Makh Daniels in a fatal van accident in 2010. They took a year off before hiring Chris Brock as a replacement, and they've spent the last six months sporadically out on the road breaking him in. Not much news in terms of new material aside from a split with an unnamed band coming up in the near future, but get out there and show your report even if there's not much in the merch booth but t-shirts.
The Annex at 1808, (map), Thursday 3/15 @ 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Darwin's Pub (map), Friday 3/16 @ Noon – 2:00 AM
BD Riley's (map), Friday 3/16 @ 1:00 AM – 1:50 AM
Longbranch Inn (map), Saturday 3/17 @ Noon – ?
Everything Went Black
Prosthetic signing Everything Went Black tip their hand genre-wise by naming themselves after a seminal Black Flag album (also a subsequent Black Dahlia Murder song), but their influences aren't quite so cut-and-dry. There is plenty of dissonant metal and post-hardcore in their unique sound. The dates surrounding Saturday's Death Comes Ripping showcase are booked in other cities, so it looks like they'll be one and done at SXSW this year… set your schedules accordingly.
Longbranch Inn (map), Saturday 3/17 @ Noon – ?
Fear
Austin's alright if you like saxophones.
Red 7 patio (map), Thursday 3/15 1:00 AM – 1:50 AM
Heartless
Another Southern Lord artist booked solid in other cities before and after their sole scheduled appearance (@ the Power of the Riff showcase), and in fact they're only playing the day party segment opening for High on Fire… maybe a night gig will be announced at some point for Friday as well but they're otherwise out of town for all other surrounding dates.
Scoot Inn (map), Friday 3/16 @ Noon – 6 PM
Pennywise
A late edition to the schedule, it remains to be seen whether Pennywise will schedule additional shows or not, but a lot of times these established, more popular bands are in and out when it comes to SXSW, and with with an hour+ set under their belt this may be your only chance to catch them this year.
Club de Ville (map), Saturday 3/17 @ 11:30 PM – 12:40 AM
Trash Talk
Trash Talk had an eventful 2011, releasing two EP's (including a split with Wavves) and playing the Soundwave Festival. Not sure yet what they have in store for 2012 but obviously a stop at SXSW is one of the few things currently in the cards (the tour section of their website currently says "Fuck Shows!").
Lustre Pearl (map), Wednesday 4/14 @ 12:15 AM – 12:35 AM
Mohawk (map), Thursday 3/15 @ Noon – 6:00 PM
The series will conclude shortly with a roundup of post-metal, experimental and miscellaneous square peg vs round hole bands. Stay tuned…
