The Silos, Wild Seeds, Churchwood, The Parson Red Heads, The Split Squad, The Baseball Project, Steve Wynn And The Miracle 3

The Silos @ Yard Dog

When I started going to SX many years ago, Thursday was the first day of the festival. This year it was the third day and I decided to take it easy and spend most of the afternoon at one of favorite party venues - the fabulous Yard Dog Art Gallery. Today the extended Silos line-up included Yard Dog owner Randy Franklin on mandolin, Jason Victor on guitar and Linda Pitmon on percussion. The new songs sounded even better when played by the larger band, and the set included another crowd favorite - "Tennessee Fire" from 1987 masterpiece Cuba.

Wild Seeds @ Yard Dog

Mike Hall and Randy Franklin essentially stayed on stage and were joined by Marcus Pina (bass) and Joey Shuffield on drums. This show was twice as long as the set at the Swollen Circus, but still way too short. Hopefully I will get to see this band play a full set at some point. Songs included "I'm Sorry, I Can't Rock You All Night Long", "So You Say You Lost Your Baby" (Gene Clark), "I'm Not a Young Man Anymore" (Velvet Underground) and "Captain, Captain", with Jason Victor joining the band for the last 2 numbers.
Video: Wild Seeds - Captain Captain (from this show)

Churchwood @ Yard Dog

At 2pm it was finally time for some breakfast, so I didn't get to see much of this band.

Parson Red Heads @ Yard Dog

"The Red Heads' sanguine psych-folk crackles with jangling guitars and gorgeous harmonies and unbridled honesty; the first single "Burning Up the Sky" typifies the band's gimmick-free approach - classic songwriting, deftly executed." - Buzzbands.la
I was back in the front row for the next band. Had my first chance to see The Parson Red Heads at SXSW 2012, and while I liked their set back then today's show was even better. Less "psych-folk" and a lot more rock. Scott McCaughey, who produced their last album, joined the band for a couple of songs.

The Split Squad @ Yard Dog

"Conceived over cocktails, wine, and beers in 2011, The Split Squad is one of those “perfect storm” rock and roll bands that comes from a bunch of musicians who have done it all and have nothing to prove. While that may sound a bit boastful, the pedigree here covers about 140 years of collective rock and roll experience, from the most rarified of concert halls, down to the seediest of underground shit holes. These guys have both reveled and wallowed in it." - Band bio
Clem Burke (Blondie) and Keith Streng (Fleshtones) were working their day jobs, so Linda Pitmon and Scott McCaughey took their spots for this set. Lots of energy on and off stage - but no splits today.
Video: The Split Squad - Sorry She's Mine (from another show at SXSW)

The Baseball Project @ Yard Dog

"A baseball-themed side project featuring members of the Dream Syndicate, Young Fresh Fellows, and R.E.M. doesn't sound like the recipe for an enduring career, but this alt-rock supergroup has gotten considerable mileage out of the sports thing, a third album on deck for a late March release." - Scott Schinder, Austin Chronicle
Scott McCaughey, Linda Pitmon and Josh Kantor stayed on for next set and were joined by Mike Mills on bass and Steve Wynn in this years' version of The Baseball Project. The set featured a bunch of songs from the upcoming album "3rd": "They Are The Oakland A's", " ¡Hola America!", "Monument Park", " To The Veterans Committee", "13", " The Day Dock Went Hunting Heads", "Past Time", "Ted Fucking Williams"
Video: The Baseball Project - Hola America (from another show at SXSW)

Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3 @ Yard Dog

The Baseball Project quickly morphed into the Miracle 3: Mike Mills left the stage, Scott McCaughey switched to bass and Jason Victor took over guitar duties. The set was a wild ride: "Resolution", "Death Valley Rain", "Medicine Show", "Trial Separation Blues" and "Amphetamine".