SXSW 2009: Earthless Rattles, Psychs Up Austin

Earthless gave me a chance to try out my ear plugs, which isn't something I usually get to do at 1:30 in the afternoon. Combining LedZep riffage and an epic, almost post-rock vibe (though less meandering and boring than those words often indicate), the San Diego instrumental-psych-rock trio would've fit in nicely at Atlanta's recent Scion Rock Fest, even if many wouldn't exactly consider them metal.

Hopefully Gibson, the guitar maker loudly sponsoring this and several other shows in myriad rooms at Maggie Mae's yesterday afternoon, took note when axeman Isaiah Mitchell practically curled up against his amp; it seems he just couldn't get close enough to the deafening sound of his Les Paul. Apparently, neither could the middle-aged man behind me, shrieking in delight. Made me doubly happy about those ear plugs.

If you've got 20 minutes to spare, try out Earthless' "Flower Travelin' Man" from Sonic Prayer: