Let’s face SXSW is expensive to attend for a lot of people. When it comes down to it, how many shows are you actually going to see, moreover are you going to these shows just so you don’t feel cheated out of your money. So what do you do, when you want to have a SXSW experience but not be out of all your cheddar? You go to SXSW pre-parties. These are the day parties that are not festival endorsed that actually end up getting more favorable press than a lot of the label showcases. In some cases bands that are playing the festival play these to get away from the grind that is SXSW and have some fun. Oh yeah and their free…with comp drinks or ridiculously cheap drinks, which is more than I can say for Austin bars during SX. Here are 2 parties that Art Prostitute has gotten down with and are definitely worth attending.

ROCK TO FAKIE
March 14, 2006
5pm to Midnight
MEAN EYED CAT
1621 W. 5th St.
Austin, TX

This is an outdoor showcase of art, music and skateboarding. Birth to Burial, Pinebox Serenade and Record Hop will be playing live. We will have a special guest DJ TBA. The Skatepark of Austin will be having a mini-ramp demo throughout the day with Art Prostitute and Obsolete Industries holdin’ down the art side of things, with a tent filled with art prints and band merch. There will be $1 beers all day and there is no cover to get in.

NX35
March 15, 2006
2pm to 6pm
CLUB DEVILLE
900 Red River Street
Austin, TX

This will be a showcase of North Texas music, art and film. Robert Gomez, The Baptist Generals, HogPig and The Drams with one more band TBA at the venue will head the way on the music end of things. Art Prostitute will be supplying the art with a variety of North Texas film makers will be providing the moving pictures. Stella Artois will be served for the duration of the event. I am sure there will also be some excellent fare provided by Dan’s Silver Leaf