I am saving full report for posting when I am not at pirate wireless but be happy for your Long Beach Crystal Antlers who are winning love from the wider world. Slot at a Volcom party apparently got footage of screemin’ Jonny Bell on MTV and various non-official shows got them on TOMBLOG.COM plus a write-up by fellow Long Beach do-gooder Ice Cream Man. And when that touted bus show (on Mr. Free and the Satellite Freakout’s mobile show machine) got busted, Antlers got to take a surprise slot on the Mess With Texas mainstage (about two bands before Breeders and Black Mountain) and rarely have I heard them better. Damien’s bongos were huge in the mix and even from 500 yards away was ample evidence of an exciting journey into the unexplored berserk. I also had pointed out to me two dogs with their tails between their legs during ‘Thousand Eyes’ or ‘The Owl,’ proof that even the basest beasts cow before the rage of the raging Antlers. When I left the band was preparing to celebrate several days of partying with a bigger and more philosophically commited party, and I leave myself hoping that this most deserving local band returns home happy, satisfied, and primed for more giant things.

Tags: crystal antlers, mtv, sxsw