A great little band that can wow even the biggest surf guitar enthusiast, is Man or Astroman?, a quartet from just a little bit outside of Alpha-Centauri. MoAM? brings to the stage an envigorating brand of space-surf-a-billy, and are a force to be reckoned with. Last year, they launched two tours simultaneously, (i.e. playing a show in New York, while playing at the same time in Charlottesville.) It seems a bit ridiculous, yet it kept people interested. It must have been a lot of work too. The group was split into quarters, what was keyed the Alpha band would have three quarters of the origanal band, with one auxilary member. While the Beta group would have only one original member and three auxilary members. This all seems to go with the theme of their performances and the story (assumed to be untrue) that they are from space, and have been spawning inferiors to themselves to do all of their work for them. They need to find parts for their damaged spacecraft so they can get home. It gets tricky when the rotations would occur, - neither the Beta nor the Alpha group would have the same line-up two nights in a row. So a lot of transportation was required, by all involved. The show they put on is stupendous, with computer parts, wire, and hosing hanging from the ceiling, connecting to various gadgetry on stage, including a large brain in a fish tank. The entire group wears uniforms also. Rumor has it that there are different types of uniforms for each region and night of the week that they perform. It would be a good idea to catch them if they come to your town - rumor has it their spacecraft is almost repaired.

Macha is one of the better bands to come out of Athens, GA in a long time. Yet a long time was the waiting game played with the crowd when it came performance time for the quartet’s headlining showcase on opening night of SXSW. Unfortunately, Emo’s (probably the best medium-size venue in Austin) was incapable of supporting the bands' needs. The soundcheck sounded like someone was tuning a harp. Once the show got rolling, the sound seemed okay, yet two songs into the seven song set, Macha took another time-out to resolve a monitor problem, thus the theme of the performance was one of time consumption, due to some apparition of perfection that SXSW is supposed to provide. Signatured by no genre, the group can be classified just about anywhere. Being that they’re signed with Jetset, experimental indie seems the best home for the sound they provide. Instrumentation includes the traditional guitar, bass, drums, vocals. Yet elements of the Near and Far East are fruited by vibrophone, organ, autoharp, dulcimer, and steel drums. Working around such hazards, perfectionism overshadows professionalism. In time Macha, may make it on the road, but until then, the studio seems a very comfortable home.

Working with such greats as Bill Laswell, Buckethead, Brain, and Bootsy Collins has rejuvenated the awesome career of Bernie Worrell. Performing with his own group, the Woo Warriors, seems to be his pride and joy. Yet the renewal of membership seems as if the group were based on musical chairs. Sometimes militant in evoking a crowd to respond, Worrell comes across like he might be hard to work with. At his showcase in Austin, his band weighed in as a six-piece. With all the set-up involved, you would have thought the Royal Philharmonic was about to take the stage. Due to lack of determination to get equipment on stage, the performance included only five songs. A surprise apperance with Jerry Harrison had to be shunned. A contempt for the club which housed the gig soon developed, due to the time restraints. His demands for respect are well deserved, but sometimes unprofessional. The showmanship of the band was phenomenal, and is not to be missed if you can see them in a better suited environment.

I really don't know much more than the hearsay surrounding The Frogs, except that they are brilliant. It's hard not to take offense upon your first listen, but in a live setting, you start to understand that it's all a joke. I don't believe in having to prime someone before they hear a band, but in the case of The Frogs, it is pertinent. Topical lyrics corncerning such pastimes as shower-time towel snapping, and filling luggage with narcotics have gained these Milwaukeeans a cult following that rivals acts like Gwar. A friend had let me hear some of their stuff about a year and a half ago. Initial reactions included disgust, disbelief, and a great distance from being able to understand the intention. Before they played, a gay marriage was performed between one of the band members and his "bitch." The crowd was so enchanted by what they had witnessed, that constant heckling pursued the ceremony well into the performance. Somewhat distracted, I came to find what The Frogs are all about : spontaneous interaction with one's surroundings. Not for the faint of heart, but if you are into gay folk novelty groups, I recommend picking up an album called it's only right and natural, but if you are into gay folk novelty groups, you must already now about them.

The best throwback award goes to Fu Manchu. Elementally loud, rudimentary tight and dirty, only good things can be said of this four-piece. Currently working hard across the U.S., Fu Manchu leaves little to be desired as far as live performances are concerned. As seasoned veterans, FM brings an angle to hard rock that is buried under the surge of six-string basses, seven-string guitars, optional DJ, and of course, the Adidas sponsorship. True to their heshen roots, they have been compared to such greats as Black Sabbath, and AC/DC. With help from bigger bands, FM has been stepping up the type of shows they are playing, gaining new fans all the while. Their appearance clings to a surf burn-out type of clientele, all the way down to the tricked out mystery machines that litter the liner notes of their current release, King of the Road. The goods are here, if you see them opening at the next Anthrax show, or supporting Korn, see them. Their performances are worth wading through a sea of warm-up gear and body-piercings any day of the week.

Contributed by Sonicpress staff writer, Kevin Cole.