Pins, Central Presbyterian Church, Tuesday 11 March, Austin, SXSW 2014

Pins played fast and furious, punky rock and roll. They brought Manchester attitude, and striking jaggedy angular rhythms, to new wave guitar pop.

There were some initial sound problems, but the band helpfully offered to work around these, particularly the drummer, who offered to "just shout really loud".

The songs, lyrics, arrangements, and sounds were interesting and different. They sounded like they were writing difficult, angular songs because they wanted to rather than because they couldn't write traditional pop songs. The song with the refrain 'They wanna take me' had a really great bass groove, and felt like a rocking XX.

The band were really riveting performers, and got the audience up and dancing for their last song.

Other SXSW 2014 show reviews from Broken Biscuit Records:
Wolf Alice
Two Cow Garage
Jesse Malin
Sweet Baboo
Family Folk Revival