SXSW 2010: Le Loup, The Galaxy Room, Austin

Unfortunately the first ten minutes or so of Le Loup’s set is spent trying to get a sampler to work. Even more unfortunate is the crowd, who keep booing, saying ’Come on! You only have a thirty minute set!’ Not one of the vocal purveyors seems to understand that Le Loup wouldn’t really be able to be Le Loup without said sampler.

It is also a shame that the sound guy checks each of the guitars, the bass and the drums, while frontman Sam Simkoff waits, pointing to himself at every change of instrument but not until the very end, is he dealt with. Of course, the sampler is the biggest issue. Attempting a different chord, then plugging it into a bass amp, then finally finding a fix. At this point, the crowd is pretty unhappy. Grumblings of ‘Is this worth it?’ start rolling around.

However, once the band get started, the sheer power of their, and specifically Simkoff’s stage presence shuts them right up. Simkoff bounces around on stage so maniacally but with such intention that it is hard not to be transfixed. The songs themselves are brilliant combinations of experimental, shreddy guitars and old, poppy lines. These two seemingly different aspects come together to form some incredibly exciting and thought invoking music.