Going, but without a lot of time for shmoozing. My wife & I have been invited back to volunteer this year, so I won't have but a few moments for pints at night. I'd encourage those Austinites with about 30 hours to spare to volunteer. It sounds rough, but it really ain't. Split the 30 hours into 10 hr increments per wk - do 20 the couple weeks leading up to the festivities, 10 the week of. You won't have to worry about queues, shows filling up, or missing your favorite shitty band. Last year, the bracelets were spread around so thin that they gave many of us silver badges. And all I had to do (besides packing the stupid gift bags for attendees), was act as a translator for The Polysics and Kishidan the tail-end of the week.

I've done Glastonbury, Fuji Rock, Creamfields, ATP and a handful of 'paloozas and I still say nothing touches SXSW. And I loathe Austin, TX.

I might be able to go. My job might "officially" hire me, meaning beni's, meaning vacation time and this sounds like the perfect way to celebrate.

Let's keep this top of mind, people. I want to see you there. Yes, you.

My roomie just got booted from his trip by University politrixx - had to come back early to do Habitats for Humanities, but they wouldn't accomidate the airfare change...
I'm reassessing the possibility - it'll probably take a (better) lineup / someone I'm dying to see live (in addition to the Hold Steady) to get me out there now...

I should be there at least one of the days. Can you buy like a one day pass or anything? On the website it just has stuff for the whole week.

All shows have individual tix as well.

When I went a few years back, I just paid for shows individually. Ended up being cheaper than buying the pass. You miss out on club-hopping a bit but, if you're up for settling down w/ some brews at one or two shows for the night, it's gravy...

Plus, a lot of stuff ends up being free, like Emo's daytime extravaganzas. I saw White Hassle in the back of some bar for free as well - genius.

It's been a while since we've discussed this, and the date is drawing near, so I just wanted to remind everyone that we're still planning on having a huge Obner shindig during SXSW in Austin, the highlight of which will be the voluminous sampling of Chuck D's bad-ass homebrew.

Once again, here is the info:

Friday, March 18 (spilling over into the wee hours of Saturday, March 19)
Austin, TX

I realize not everyone will be able to attend, for a variety of reasons, but if there's even a sliver of a chance that you could possibly swing it, do whatever it takes to make it happen!

When and where?

Good point, Mike.

Perhaps we should establish a formal start time and meeting location, Colin. Are there any cool dive-type bars near your pad?

In case you missed epa's thread, Phil's band (Liquid Soul) will be playing SXSW...so there's yet another reason for you slack-asses to get with the program and make it on down to Austin!

I'll be there for SXSW...we have a band playing. I'll make the obner get together if just one person promises to talk to me.

Don't get your dobber down. Which band?

No down dobber's here. I think it would be incredibly interesting to put faces with these names. Over the past 12 months or so I've read more words from some folks here than I have any author.

Where is the get together going to take place?

Depends. Which band are you with?

Sorry...missed that the first time.

http://2005.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/17715.html

You know, my ol college buddy's band Milton Mapes is playing there again this year. I should make the effort... but he's hitting Chicago soon thereafter. Hmmmmmm.

I wish all things were free.

Yes, you should!

So i don't know if we'll be there on 3/18, i'll keep you posted.

As if meeting your fellow Obnerinians and seeing Phil's band playing at SXSW isn't already incentive enough for you to get off your ass and make the easier-than-you-think trek to Austin, I just found out that on the very night of our planned shenanigans (Friday, March 18), THE HOLD STEADY will be playing a gig for our beloved CMJ!!!

The hard sell just got ROCK HARD!!!

I should know by early next week if I can get the time off to this thing.

Keep 'em comin', people...keep 'em comin'!

O.k., we definitely have hotels for the 15th and 16th, but I don't know if the 17th and 18th are going to happen. 8 or 9 guys and their hotel rooms get expensive after awhile.

We're trying to get DJ Logic on our set!!! How hott is that shit?!

By the end of next week, let's see if we can start to get a more definitive headcount of who plans on going. I wanna turn this mutha out!

And by god... do I want pictures.