SXSW 2009: Thomas Function Wakes Up Austin

Before Huntsville, Ala.'s Thomas Function took the stage (read: corner of floor) at Headhunters modest porch space last night, I took a quick count. Nineteen. Less than 20 people (including myself) were waiting to see one of the finest examples of power-pop/garage rock the South has to offer right now, and if I were a betting man, I'd say a quarter of them were there to chat and drink cheap beer.

Lucky us.

Although the place filled in slightly a few songs into the set, the four unassuming young men from "a terribly far away wasteland" rocked as if no one was there at all, staring shyly at the floor and cranking out songs as their lone speaker shook precariously on its tripod stand. Mostly performing tracks from their barnburner of a debut, 2007's aptly-named Celebration, the quartet delivered fun, no-nonsense rock 'n' roll with exuberant organ flourish. I arrived at the show tired from a long day of travel and music, but left a new man, revitalized and ready for more. Thanks for the pep talk, Thomas Function.

Watch Thomas Function perform "Filthy Flowers" live in Huntsville, Ala.:



Listen to Thomas Function's "Can't Say No" from Celebration: