5 Rising NYC Bands That Played SXSW 2012

1. Total Slacker For those of us who missed the heyday of the 90s punk scene, Total Slacker is a modern reminder of angst-y good times of the past. The four-piece band looks like they jumped out of a scene from “My So Called Life”. It's hard to dismiss the band’s style when discussing their sound as the members of Total Slacker were spotted at this past South by South West (SXSW) wearing flannels, acid wash jeans, and Doc Martens. Like their thrift store threads, Total Slacker’s sound is just as generationally misplaced in the best way possible. Front man Tucker Rountree carries songs through with a high pitched bellow. Tracks like “Unemployment Forever” and “Life on Easy Street” are best listened to with a beer in hand as the crowd is faced with a band both familiar and different. Total Slacker plays loudly like punk staples, The Sex Pistols, and with a lo-fi distortion like Sonic Youth. Total Slacker proves their individuality in the NYC music sphere as there is no band that puts audience members in as much of a nostalgic daze. Total Slacker is made up of Tucker Rountree, Ross Condon, Emily Jane, and recent addition Coley Brown. During SXSW, the band performed at various side-shows at the outdoor Austin venue, Cheer Up Charlie’s, as well as DIY sets at house parties. Each show was executed with a raw energy. The music that came out of the seemingly scraggly bunch was fueled with a cool energy. It is easy to feel special when being graced with the stylish presence of this rising Brooklyn band. Total Slacker will be playing at the venue Shea Stadium on 4/27.