With all the hype around the Amplify Interactive Rock Party held at The Parish on 6th...it was anything but. Fully expecting a full on showcase with sponsors, swag and band promo...I was absolutely disappointed to discover--nothing. As described on Facebook the event goes to say:

A tasty mix of tech professionals and international Rock Stars come together for the Amplify 2009 event during SXSW. Will you be part of the party?

I certainly was on it...and so was 30+ people showing at noon to get this party started to see some amazing bands from abroad. Lucky for me I was captivated by a band already playing that eased the confusion I was feeling. More on that in a minute. The outside doors to The Parish were locked. So I entered Roux and went through the doors and up the stairs to The Parish. Opened the door and it was dark and no one was insight. I walked back downstairs and asked various staff members on what was going on and no one knew. One sweet bartender girl texted her manager who said he'd come down...he never did, nor did I ever really find out what had happened. I was incredibly disappointed mainly for 1) the hype - and ultizing social networking to do it and 2) the unorganization all the way up to no displays of the line up or the party, leaving everyone aimlessly standing around wondering what the hell was going on. Who saved the day was Dave Dart, executive director of Dart Music International, an Austin-based nonprofit organization that bridges the cultural divide by helping international musicians get exposure in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. He noticed me taking notes on the first band and introduced himself. A chit chat here, another there and next thing he was informing me of who Dart was, the bands who were set to perform and introduced me to Eric Fuentes of Spanish label BCore (see below). Dart was also a sponsor of the Amplify party--and the only one who made a presence. Kudos!

Nevertheless, I decided to make the best of it. After asking around who the band that was playing was - I discovered the band line up was still intact give or take a timeshift or two. Scheduled from noon to 5:30pm, I was only able to stay until around 2:30 and fortunately discovered an amazing Argentinian band from Buenos Aires called Capsula. Signed to Spanish label BCore (represented by the amazing and uber-polite Fuentes who plays bass in his own band The Unfinished Sympathy), Capsula has toured the US, South America and Europe including SXSW 2008 and Berlin's Popkomm. From what I understand they have a huge following in Europe and are seeking to break into the US. Supporting their sophmore album "Rising Mountains" Capsula gave attitude and delivered raw underground rock 'n roll. Rightfully so with influences including The Velvet Underground, The Stooges and early Bowie. RIP CBGB. With Martin Guevara on guitar/vocals, Coni Duchess on bass/vocals and Alberto Diez on drums/percussion, the raucous bass and catchy riffs delivered an infectious energy that lacks in today's generation of rock musicians. You couldn't help but move to the music. Guevara entertained by stepping off stage and playing his guitar on the venue's pillar without missing a step, and Diez reminded me of a modern day Keith Moon. Duchess' female vocals and persona added character to the mix. Residing in Bilbao Spain, I was informed the band is heading out on a European tour once SXSW ends. I received a copy of "Rising Mountains" which will the first thing I listen to in the morning..I'm anxious to compare live to recording. I hope they come back to the states sooner than later...because I highly recommend them. Or maybe I'll just have to take a trip to Europe :). For more info visit www.capsula.org.

Next up? Tokyo Sex Destruction. Talk about alive and having a front man who knows how to work a crowd...and get attention from the media and anyone else with a video camera/iPhone. From Barcelona Spain and also on the BCore label, this punk/blues band has promise...especially with a singer who delivers a stage presence of Mick Jagger and Iggy Pop rolled into one. It was like the music flowed through his veins and amplified out of his body in soundwaves as he leaped around stage, jumping off chairs, singing in people's faces -- all to the audience's liking including mine. I don't know much about the band, and didn't have a chance to catch Eric to get the album or press kit...but I liked what I heard and plan on visiting their MySpace page first thing in the morning too.

Caught a couple of songs by Hypernova from Tehran, but had jet off to meet a friend who was in from LA (check out his band called Sturgeon) and off to an industry meeting at Whole Foods. Checked out more bands along W. 6th at Opal Divine's over a couple of cold beers...and I had to head home. I'm exhausted, but what a good day tis was! Peter Murphy is playing tomorrow (first time ever at SXSW) at Elysium at 7pm and here's a shameless plug for Whiskey Biz (band member is also my volleyball ref!) who is playing a free show tomorrow at Aussie's Bar & Grill on Barton Springs from 1:30p-2:30p. Check them out.

Did anyone happen to catch Juliet Lewis' band (she recently dropped The Licks to the band name) tonight? Do tell!