Destruction Unit - Beerland, SXSW, Austin TX - March 14, 2013

[Arizona] This was supposed to be The Show. An intimate member of the Jay Reatard family. I’m not as familiar with this band, but Jay & Alicja were involved in it. Ryan Wong/Rousseau was in Jay’s early bands (which are very good), leads this band, and is involved somehow with Digital Leather (an excellent Jay-produced band). He seems to be a powerhouse who hasn’t gotten as much recognition as Jay did. First, ‘my doorman’ turned me away, all SXSW like – the transition from happy free time to mean badge time had already begun. Sure, I could see the band, because they were playing on the porch (which is not even a stage) but I’d have to stand outside the gate on the sidewalk. Luckily I didn’t look all sad dog because the sidewalk and street ended up being packed. They were 4-5 guys (it was difficult to see, being that I was on the sidewalk) on guitars & drums. They started with reverb, like half of the bands did today. They were really hard. Ryan Wong (think an even angrier Johnny Knoxville) spent some time slapping the microphone stand, slamming the microphone into a column, sucking on the microphone. I wasn’t overcome with joy but some songs had something more, more construction, and then I was really happy. I think there is definitely a distinction in his & Jay’s sound – they’re both loud & noisy but I think Wong may verge more into the thrash/noodly whereas Jay more into garage/punk. Overall, it sounds like Ryan Wong has a diverse set of sounds and I have faith they are all worth the time investment. Praise be Jay Reatard and all of his disciples/muses. (random SXSW photo)