SXSW recently announced its list of 2008 Showcasing Artists and so (officially) begins the countdown, the madness, the drama, and of course the anticipation of it all. Our coverage has been picking up speed with constant updates and an interview with Deer Tick, among others. Of course, showcase information is arriving fast and furious as well, and we will do our best to bring you information regarding some of the choice events scheduled for the week of SXSW.

Kicking off things on Wednesday night the 12th is a full throttle assault of various underground acts from the U.K. courtesy of Birmingham based Fused Magazine. The vaguely named Untitled Musical Project headline this showcase at The Tap Room at Six Lounge with a blistering dose of straight up rock'n'roll. Shrieking vocals and crunching guitars combine frenetically, generating mad amounts of unbridled vivacity, and with their witty song titles, this band should capture the attention of the casual attendee as well as the reserved critic. “Why Isn’t Paul McCartney Dead?” had us questioning their philosophy at first, but the unchecked, repeated chants of “There’s no point being my idol if you’re just gonna die” that end this fine burst of energy left us content and wanting more at the same time. In fact, unrestrained chants seem to be in vogue here; the band utilizes anthemic rants effectively in “I May Not Be Jimi Hendrix But At Least I’m Still Alive” and “Endless Deodorant And Bad Shoes.” The Big Bang, complete with their own take on squealing guitars, throbbing bass lines, and urgent delivery, add to the mayhem at 10 p.m. before making way for the sizzle of London act Trash Fashion’s electro-rock variety.

Opening duo Swampmeat also hail from Birmingham (like most acts in this line-up) but their twangy blues-country concoctions, with earnest vocals that harvest a hint of Buddy Holly, should be completely at home in Texas. On the other end of the spectrum is the new wave panache of Deluka who combine easy-on-the-ears vocals, synth flair, and pulsating bass to present their glossy creations at 9 p.m. Garage rock from Copter rounds off this impressive six hour bill.

Pro-Tips: Need a break to grab a bite to eat in the area between the various acts? The Warehouse District is home to many eateries -- enjoy choice barbeque selections at Lambert’s, fine steaks at Sullivan’s, or simply a slice of everyday pizza from the Roppolo’s wagon, all in close vicinity of the venue. Oh, and an array of hot dog choices at the Doggystyle cart on 4th and Lavaca. (We didn’t bother searching for that last eatery’s website, sorry, 254,000 search results is way too many to sift through!)

If you're on the pursuit of that oh-so-sweet Wi-Fi connection, try Halcyon on 4th and Lacava (a block west of The Tap Room) -- you can enjoy coffee, shakes, paninis, salads, empanadas, and even a cigar while updating your blog and what not.

Have fun! (Google Map for the venue below the schedule and links!)

Fused Magazine [Official] [MySpace]
8 p.m. Swampmeat [MySpace]
9 p.m. Deluka [MySpace]
10 p.m. The Big Bang [MySpace]
11 p.m. Trash Fashion [MySpace]
12 a.m. Copter [MySpace]
1 a.m. Untitled Musical Project [MySpace]

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