Looming on the near horizon is SXSW, and several Bay area bands are hitting the long road to Austin to perform in the renowned citywide music festival. New Granada Records has hosted unofficial day parties at the fest for the past several years and stages its third official label showcase next week. But before the three Tampa area bands on its bill depart, they play this final show to raise funds for gas: buzzworthy alt roots/shoegaze quintet Sleepy Vikings, which already have six performances lined up over five days; twangy folk pop purveyors Alexander and the Grapes; and indie pop fivesome Rec Center, featuring NGR’s Keith Ulrey on drums, multi-instrumentalist songbird wife Susie on lead vocals, cellist Melissa Grady (Candy Bars), singer/guitarist Michael Waksman (The Washdown, Zillionaire), and bassist Brian Roberts. If you can't drag ass to Ybor to see this power trio off, donate to the NGR cause here. To snag a copy of NGR's SXSW 2012 sampler featuring bands playing at the official showcase, click here.
Details: SXSW Fundraiser Show with Sleepy Vikings, Rec Center and Alexander & The Grapes, Fri., March 9, 9 p.m., New World Brewery, Ybor City, $8.
This article appears in Mar 1-7, 2012.