"Headphone bands", or groups that slog through live sets like they're washing the dishes are one of our major pet peeves. And while SXSW might not be the ideal concert environment, with its often less-than-optimal sound engineering and extremely ADD (or nonexistent) crowds, acting too cool for school is no way to stand out. Seriously, how 'bout a little showmanship? That's one reason we love Austin locals Golden Bear. Their frontman—a spitfire of a mini-mountain man—designed and made his own rhinestone-bedazzled Nudie suit. But their songs (think the Flaming Lips meet Summerteeth-era Wilco) are also super-catchy, too. Listen to "Galaxy Queen" from their newest album, To the Farthest Star on their MySpace page.

-Kerry Miller and Kimberly Tranell

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Similar Topics:Band of the Day, Music, SXSW

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