Tucked in a dirt lot between 4th and Navasota Streets at the Scoot Inn, Thrasher Magazine and Converse held their showcase filled with the fans of hardcore and good old rock and roll. Tattoos and jean vests were on the memo and boy did everyone get it.
As you explored the grounds, a line of skaters railed and kick flipped on a large skate ramp. Young teens and adults young at heart took advantage of the cool, sunny weather to skate to live music provided by Thrasher. It was every skater’s dream.
On the outdoor stage, The Shrine, a three piece band from Venice, California took to the stage, opening with their song “Worship.” Their lively bass bumped heavily and helped kick off the late afternoon. An evil laugh within the song “Whistling of Death” got the crowd to warm up their head banging for what was up to come throughout the showcase.
Next up was Trash Talk. Fans of the Sacramento, California natives buzzed below as they watched the stage crew set up microphones. Special guests Tyler the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt came on stage to support the band. Drummer Devan Bentley, the original drummer for Such Gold, came on stage to fill the role of Trash Talk’s drummer for the rest of tour. Knowing so, kids chatted about how Bentley was surely going to provide a hard hitting show. Trash Talk lead singer Lee Spielman welcomed fans with showers of free pairs of Converse sneakers before their set.
Technical guitar difficulties might have added to this prolonged interaction with the crowd. Even at one point Spielman challenged the crowd to break the barrier, as they were only supported by plywood 2x4s.
As the band broke out into “Dogman,” a mosh pit immediately erupted. A mixture of thrown beer and a consistent sharing of the mic proved to be the best equation for the crowd. By the second song on the setlist, “Babylon,” Spielman propelled himself onto the crowd. Bassist Spencer Pollard then joined, surfing and jamming on the hands of those below.
After driving 22 hours straight for this opportunity to perform at SXSW, Trash Talk surely stretched their legs with their chaotic performance. Through mic spins and lots of long hair, Trash Talk didn’t miss a beat. Halfway through the set, Spielman stopped to kick security out, egging the crowd to jump over the barrier. With an adamant look on his face, the frontman assured everyone that he can police himself before kids swamped the metal cages blocking them from stage.
Spielman’s influence onstage and the crowd drew everyone in. His ability to point and shoot where he wanted a circle pit to open was entertaining, to say the least, for the band’s obedient fans.
Trash Talk shared the news, for the first time ever, of a new album out next month called No Peace. After being passed a cocktail of gin and tonic, Pollard cheered to the set. As the set started to come to an end, Spielman demanded that everyone run into the skate park. Surely enough, the minute new chords came through the speakers, the crowd veered stage left and spilled into the skate ramps.
Scaling the fence, Spielman sang to those at the park, allowing the skaters to experience a little part of the live action set. Then, in typical Trash Talk fashion, he dove ten feet into the crowd– and barely got caught. The whole crowd stopped momentarily, before it was revealed that he was okay. With that, the set was wrapped up but the crowd still lingered on, enjoying every last drop of the showcase
Be sure to check out more showcases this week at Thrasher Death Match located at the Scoot Inn!
Set List
Dogman
Babylon
Dig
Fyra/Worth
Envy
Hash Wednesday
Walking
Manifest
Incarnate
Awake
Destroy
Uncivil Disobedience
Wos
F.E.B.N
Slander
Sac To
Lepers
BPD
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