Austin Sound Check

Citing the current economic recession, SXSW organizers have sold the indie festival’s naming rights to Metallica.
The band apparently became so enamored with SXSW during their performance at the festival last month that they jumped at the chance to buy the naming rights. “I want to call it South by Lars Ulrich,” drummer Lars Ulrich told sources, “but we’re still deciding on a final name.”
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Image Courtesy Newscom

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The Sword talked with LiveDaily, giving us more details about life on the road with Metallica.
See video of Spoon’s Britt Daniel doing a live cover of 1977 tune 1 2 X U by Wire.
Drowned In Sound asked several indie musicians what they hope for in 2009, including Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater.

Image: Ana Wolken

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The Sword drummer Trivett Wingo has put together a tour diary from the band’s recent run opening for Metallica. The Austin Chronicle apparently commissioned the diary from Wingo, who wrote about tour happenings from both legs of the Metallica tour.
Highlights include a run-in with Phil Anselmo, turd shaped Clif Bars, Lars Ulrich’s rotating drum riser, and a ride on Dave Grohl’s “Grohler Coaster.”
I was a little disappointed to see Wingo include this next bit in the diary, as I know plenty of Austin fans of The Sword who would love to see them play a real hometown gig.

Nov. 20: Toyota …read more

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Handpicked by Metallica themselves, Austinites The Sword will join Metallica on their US tour beginning October 21st. The Sword released tour dates today that include dates with Metallica as well as off-tour headlining dates of their own.
Full tour dates below, as well as The Sword’s video for Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians.

October 21 – Glendale, AZ @ Jobing Arena *
October 23 – Albuquerque, NM @ Tingley Coliseum *
October 25 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center *
October 26 – Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena *
October 27 – Minneapolis MN @ Triple Rock Social Club #
October 28 – …read more

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Kyle Schutt, guitarist for The Sword, will appear on Talking Metal Live tonight at 7:15pm EST. Topics of discussion are sure to include The Sword’s time in Europe with Metallica and their upcoming tour with Clutch. Visit TalkingMetalLive.com to stream the show live.
Below, for your viewing pleasure, is video of The Sword’s Iron Swan live in Istanbul.
For more info: The Sword // MySpace

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Blues rockers Clutch have announced fall tour dates with The Sword and Graveyard, including Stubb’s on October 4th. Clutch has had radio success with their 2005 album Robot Hive/Exodus and 2007’s From Beale St. to Oblivion but have by and large built their career on an ever-growing fanbase that is fiercely loyal.
The Sword is Austin’s latest greatest success story, and really needs no introduction. They will be joining Clutch on tour after returning from a European run with Metallica this summer.
Full tour itinerary and video for Electric Worry are below for your viewing pleasure. When tickets go on sale, they …read more

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