MARCH 31, 2014P. 2

Editor’s Note

editor: Paul Gonzales

email: Paul@stxscene.com

phone: (361) 358-2550

website: stxscene.com

twitter: @stxscene

facebook: facebook.com/stxscene

Published bi-weekly by Beeville Publishing Co.

contributorsDaphne Garcia

Cate GrimesLindsey Shaffer

After years of hear-ing so many people talking about SXSW I finally got to experi-ence it firsthand.

Experience being the key word. You don’t just attend—you get immersed into a sea of people and places and sights and sounds. It can get a bit over-whelming at times.

After having a few weeks to process what happened over the course of the three days I attended, it turns out that I had fun. I didn’t know it at the time because lugging around equipment and walking 10+ miles every day wasn’t exactly what some would call ‘fun.’

But I survived, bare-ly, and saw some of my favorite bands along with a few new ones. I made friends and hung out with complete, like-minded strangers.

All-in-all it was a blast—the aftershocks of which are still being felt.

But I never missed sitting down at my desk as much as I did during those three days.

– Paul GonzalesEditor

Bright Lights,Big City

cover illustration by Paul Gonzales

P. 3

Do it with us and pay only $48 for an ad this size or just $60 for full color

Loud, Hard and Hea

The Random Names

The RTTTTTTheTT

Need to promote your band’s new album?

call (361) 358-2550 or email Paul@stxscene.comfor ad sizes and specials

call (361) 358-2550 or email Paul@stxscene.com

Going on tour? Let your fans know

where you’re going to be.

Get this size ad for $70or full color for $80

Tue. Mar 18 - Vancouver, BCwith the Boondocks

Wed. Mar 19 - Seattle, WAwith Wildlife & Peter Rabbit

Thu. Mar 20 - Portland, ORwith Dire Needs

for ad sizes and specials

All my bags were packed, and I was ready to go.

But I guess I hadn’t really prepared myself for what would happen once I got to SXSW for the first time. Turns out you can’t really prepare for SXSW; you just show up and ride the wave.

This is my personal SXSW experience...

March 12, 2014Wednesday Night

Dear Diary,

Well I finally made it to Austin! It took me over two hours to park, but I found a spot, and it’s only 10 blocks from where I need to be in

20 minutes. I better load up my gear and get going.

Sincerely,

Paul

***************

Dear Diary,

Just caught my first band, Tokyo Police Club. They were pretty awesome.

I met two girls who were standing next to me at the front of the stage. One was from San Francisco, and the other was from San Antonio.

The one from San Francisco gave me her num-ber. She was pretty cute, but I had to leave early to catch my next band.

Maybe I’ll text them later to see what they’re up to.

Later,

Paul

***************

Dear Diary,

Just walked over 2.5 miles and made it in time to see Miniature Tigers.

The stage was small and cramped, but they still man-aged to give a lively perfor-mance. The bass player was pretty rad. He was wearing suspenders, a bowtie and high water pants. He was really into the performance, swinging his bass guitar all over the place.

There was also some girl (I think it was a girl) grip-ping onto the bar dancing like a crazy person. Either that or she was getting elec-trocuted.

I left.

Later,

Paul

***************

Dear Diary,

So, after seeing only two bands and logging over five miles, I decided that I need-ed to rethink my strategy.

I decided to take a load off at this rooftop bar and heard there was an accident on the street I was just walk-ing on. I hope everyone’s OK.

Also, I saw this guy stand-ing at the balcony who I thought was just watching the crowd, but a bouncer came and literally picked him up by his shirt collar and slammed him onto the ground. He proceeded to then drag him over and

through the patio furniture and down the stairs. He tried to fight the bouncer once he was thrown out and, need-less to say, they had to call the paramedics.

Turns out he was peeing off the balcony and onto the bouncer.

Not a good idea.

Later,

Paul

***************

Dear Diary,

So much walking. Jeez.

And it turns out that the people I’m supposed to stay with here in Austin aren’t answering their texts or phone calls.

I probably should’ve got the address beforehand.

I found a nicely lit area free of towing signs, so I guess I’ll sleep in my car

tonight. It’s nearly 5 a.m., and I’m pretty beat.

Goodnight,

Paul

March 13, 2014Thursday

Dear Diary,

My filmmaker friend mes-saged me on Facebook and is letting me crash at his place. After two hours of sleep in my car, a bed sounds amaz-ing.

My back’s hurting, and my feet are pretty worn out, but I think I’ll live.

Sincerely,

Paul

***************

Dear Diary,

Took me another 2.5 hours to park, but I ended up with free parking! It’s pretty far from my first show, but I

just saved $25, so I guess it’s worth it.

Later,

Paul

***************

Diary,

Tried to text the girls I met yesterday, but it turns out I didn’t save the number. Oops.

Paul

***************

Hey,

Just left a showcase and hung out with my filmmaker buddy for a while.

I also met a very cute actress from my buddy’s newest film. I think she’s really into me, and we’ve just been talking the entire time.

Excited,

Paul

***************

Diary,

Just left her boyfriend’s workplace.

Paul

***************

Hey,

We’re picking up her friend and then going to go to South by San Jose at the San Jose Hotel. Should be cool.

Sincerely,

Paul

***************

SXSW Special

KEEPING AUSTIN WEIRD Yes, that is a real horse.

RIDE HARD The preferred mode of travel at SXSW.

DIARY OF A TIRED, BROKE REPORTERstory & photos by Paul Gonzales

P. 4 MARCH 31, 2014

Wednesday, March 12, while on my way down Red River Street in Austin to cover another band for this publica-tion, I decided to duck into the closest rooftop bar to take a load off since there was still a half hour before the band took the stage.

It was my first day at SXSW, and lugging around all my equipment had already taken its toll.

Once on the rooftop, sirens filled the air.

My phone buzzed with notifications from Twitter about what had just hap-pened on the very street I was just on.

It was early Thursday morning at 12:30 when Rashad Charjuan Owens tore through a police barricade used to block off the street for pedestrians to cross freely from venue to venue.

Jamie West, 27, of Austin, and Steven Craenmehr, 35, of Amsterdam lost their lives that night. Sandy Le, 26, also from Austin, passed away a few days later after being in criti-cal condition since the accident and DeAndre Tatum, 18, died March 27 from his injuries.

There were 21 others injured in the accident, with some still remaining in critical condition.

Owens was fleeing from a police officer attempt-ing to pull him over for suspected drunk driving when he purposely drove into the crowd.

As of print, he has been charged with one count of

capital murder with additional charg-es sure to be added later.

The day after the tragedy, the entire music community came together to help in any way they could.

A vigil at St. David’s Episcopal Church on Thursday was held for the victims.

The Mohawk and Cheer Up Charlie’s music venues along with SXSW orga-nizers created the “SXSW Cares Fund” to raise money for victims of the car crash.

The skateboarding shoe company Vans also showed its support with $20,000 in donations from Thursday’s profits at the Vans Village retail store.

Together, they raised more than $70,000 in 24 hours and more than $100,000 to date.

It was a senseless tragedy that brought the music community closer together, and the victims will surely never be forgotten.

To make a donation visit austincom-munityfoundation.org.

Tragedy at SXSWDiary,

Well, we’re here. I just saw Melissa Etheridge. She popped up on stage with this band and sang a song. The girls got really excited. Me? Not so much.

I’m trekking back to be closer to my car; I’m pretty exhausted.

Paul

***************

Dear Diary,

Just feel in love with Dum Dum Girls.

Hung out with an official SXSW photographer before the show. He laughed at my old camera. He also gave me some good tips, but by the look on his face I feel like he was trying to sabotage me.

Paul

***************

March 14, 2014Friday

Dear Diary,

It was nice to have a place to stay last night, but, dear Lord, my body hurts in ways it never has before.

I’m starting to feel my age because getting out of bed was really difficult. Turns out I walked about 15 miles yesterday.

I’m tired.

Paul

***************

Dear Diary,

Today it only took me an hour to park, but I had to pay $35.

Paul

***************

Dear Diary,

I helped this guy get his band equipment off the sidewalk today.

It was Shaun White.

Sincerely,

Paul

***************

Hey,

I feel like such a wuss

because I’m pretty tired and I just got here.

Went and came from South by San Jose already because I didn’t want to miss a few bands. Turns out they weren’t playing until tonight. Logged about eight miles in that trip alone.

Paul

***************

Diary,

Feeling pretty drained at this point. Must sit down somewhere, anywhere.

Paul

***************

...,

Note to self: Always look before you sit.

I think it was urine.

Paul

***************

Dear Diary,

Jules from the Dum Dum Girls just sang to me during their whole set! I met some older women at the show, and they were so happy for me.

Jules is gorgeous, and everyone was urging me to try and get backstage to talk to her, but at this point I’m running on fumes and really just want to get the four-mile trek down South Congress over with. I’m meeting some friends on 6th St.

Later,

Paul

***************

Hey,

Hung out with some old friends who have horrible taste in music and absolute-ly no interest in art.

I did see Soundgarden perform. Well, I saw them projected on a wall anyway.

It wasn’t that exciting.

I had to ditch my friends.

I’m so tired it’s pretty hard figuring out if I’m even alive at this point.

Need a bed.

Now.

P

***************

March 15, 2014Saturday

...,

Woke up, and I’m in pain. So is my wallet.

Shower.

Paul

***************

Hey,

During my shower I decided I’m throwing in the towel.

My back is killing me from carrying my cameras and bag, and my knee is giving out on me.

I feel like a wuss, but I’m just too tired, hungry and broke to carry on.

SXSW, you win this time.

SXSW Special

SIGN OF THE TIMES Pretty much sums it all up.

P. 5

SXSW Music

L ead singer and guitar-ist Romeo Stodart and his sister Michele who plays bass, keyboard and also

sings make up one half of The Magic Numbers.

The other half consists of Angela Gannon who plays melod-ica, percussion and glockenspiel and her brother Sean Gannon who plays the drums.

The English pop band hails from Ealing, United Kingdom, and formed in 2002. They quickly garnered fans from top UK bands such as The Chemical Brothers and the band Travis — and even went on to record some tracks with them.

Some of you may know them for providing the song “All I Believe In” for “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” soundtrack, but they’ve been pretty huge in Europe.

After catching them at SXSJ where they performed to a near capacity crowd, it’s no wonder why.

They create beautifully com-plex songs filled with happiness and sorrow. They are the very definition of a pop band, deliv-ering catchy tunes with sing-along choruses and hand clap-ping beats.

Between songs, Romeo spoke to the crowd in a thick British accent that all but disappears while he’s singing. His voice is country tinged, just not our kind of country, with an old man soul’s buried deep inside.

The group makes some great music, that’s for sure. No matter what genre you’re into, they’re

sure to p l e a s e even the hardest of converts.

You can get the song “Roy Orbison” from the upcoming summer album or free at themagic-numbers.net.

NU

MB

ERS

THE MAGIC

stories and photos byPaul Gonzales

The synth-fueled rock of the Miniature Tigers has only gotten groovier over the years.

Seeing them live, you can’t help but tap your toes or, as evident during their set during SXSW, dance your @$$ off.

They did play some hits from their older albums, which sent the crowd into a frenzy, but it was mostly new tracks off of their 2012 album Mia Pharaoh.

Ever energetic, Tigers are always a blast to see live—mostly because of their jolt-ing, energetic members bouncing and stomping across the stage.

P. 6 MARCH 31, 2014

SXSW Music

Some believe that, in life, there are no accidents.

While taking a load off from the frenzied hyste-ria of SXSW, I retreated to a rooftop bar for much needed rest since it was 12:30 a.m.

There was a crowd forming around the tiny stage where a band was setting up and sound checking, but after the long day, my seat was a little too comfortable to get up and check them out.

Once they tore into their first song, I knew I had to leave my comfy worn patio couch and watch, firsthand, what was happening.

The electro pop band was Louisville, Kentucky’s very own The Pass. And they were amazing to say the least.

“We had a crazy day today,” lead singer and guitarist Kyle Peters said after the rooftop gig. “We played three shows today, with a nap and a burrito in between.”

This was the second year The Pass had per-

formed at SXSW, and they had a pretty rea-sonable excuse to make the 16+ hour drive from Kentucky to Austin.

Brian Healey, the band’s synthesizing mae-

stro, said, “It’s the place to be if you’re a band. There’s no better place to be than Austin, Texas.”

“It’s funny,” Peters added. “We see a lot of bands that we’ve met in

New York and all over. It’s a small, tight-knit community of music appreciators, and they’re all here, so we’ve got to be here, too.”

During their explosive set, the crowd bounced and danced the entire time, causing the roof to move along with them. The lights were bobbing, and the stage was shak-ing, causing me to step back a little.

During their set they were suddenly silenced

due to the bar closing, but the crowd was having none of that and loud-ly began to chant and stomp until the band was allowed to continue.

“This is actually our last show at SXSW, and it was a great way to go out,” Peters said.

“That was a good feel-ing,” Healey added. “It was a good way to go out.”

Everyone seems to agree that The Pass is bound for superstardom,

having made list after list of “Best New Band” and #2 on the list of “Best Bands from Kentucky” as well as praise from critics and music bloggers alike.

Their new, currently unnamed album is sched-uled to hit record shelves this summer, but the band is releasing two tracks a month until then, includ-ing 7-inch vinyl pressings.

Check out The Pass at facebook.com/thepassthe-band and reverbnation.com/thepass.

thePass

Does their music sound familiar? It’s probably because you’ve heard them, you just didn’t know it. Here’s a few places you might’ve heard The Pass:

16 and PregnantTeen Mom 2

My Super Psycho Sweet 16

ShreducationVampire Diaries

Gossip GirlBreaking Point

Vans Triple Crown Surfing Raising Hope

story & photos byPaul Gonzales

P. 7

early every day of the music por-tion of SXSW you could’ve found

time to check out Dum Dum Girls. They were playing showcases and parties day and night, darting all over down-town Austin, hitting venue after venue.

They were literally everywhere all the time.

Dum Dum Girls are four young ladies who look as if they strolled off some Paris catwalk and picked up guitars and drumsticks and started a band.

Their music is mix of retro garage-rock fuzz with tinges of punk rock spattered throughout.

Their songs are catchy, heart-worn tunes about falling in and out of love. They wouldn’t be out of place if they had been conceived decades ear-

lier and were playing American Bandstand in the ’60s.

Having had the chance to catch them twice in one day (1 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday), to me, they never showed any signs of fatigue, and their show each time was energetic and charming.

Although they’ve been around since 2008, they made a new legion of fans at SXSW by simply being everywhere all the time and giving the crowd what they came to see.

You can check out the band and watch videos at wearedumdumgirls.com.

It was during the second time I saw Dum Dum Girls that I really fell in love with the band.

Sure, they’re an awesome band with great songs, and I’d been a huge fan since their incep-tion back in 2008, but it was guitarist/singer Jules that really sealed the deal that evening.

During their very first song, she looked down from behind her microphone right at me while she sang, her tiny mouth curling at the corners, and I immediately turned into a schoolgirl twirling my pigtails.

I’m sure the cheesy, schoolboy grin I gave back to her was the reaction she wanted because she continued to serenade me throughout their 30-minute set, winking and smiling at yours truly the entire time.

And I don’t think I’ve ever blushed that much in my life, but I just blamed it on the heat.

I mean, when they’re playing the song “Bedroom Eyes”, and Jules starts singing “I need your bed-room eyes” while staring right at you, how could your heart not flutter? I felt like Courtney Cox in the Bruce Springsteen video for “Dancing in the Dark.” Just for the record, she didn’t take me up on stage to dance with her, though that would’ve been pretty sweet.

After their set, Jules unplugged her guitar, turned to me, winked and blew me a kiss before heading off the stage and out of my life.

The crowd surged behind me to give congratu-latory slaps on the backs and remarks of envy to prove that I wasn’t in fact imagining the whole thing.

Later that night, as I walked through the crowd-ed streets, I passed another venue where they were setting up to play again, but I kept walking. I didn’t want to ruin such a perfect moment that was by far my favorite at SXSW.

Plus, I didn’t want her to think I was stalking her. That’s what the Internet’s for.

Follow Jules on Instagram #julesdumdum or Twitter @julesdumdum.

– Paul GonzalesEditor

Band Crushes for Dummies

SXSW Music

PAUL GONZALES

STOR

Y &

PHOT

OS B

Y

P. 8 MARCH 31, 2014

hile jetting down 6th Street to meet some

friends, loud, in-your-face punk rock was spewing out from one of the venues nearby.

It sounded too good to pass up, so I ducked in quickly to see who the band was. Wouldn’t you know, it was Corpus Christi’s very own Avenue Rockers.

Lead vocalist Luna caught up with us a few weeks after the meeting to chat about the Rockers.STXscene: How long have the Avenue Rockers been around?Luna: I would say we started early 2005; it’s a bit blurry, but it sounds about right.STX: What are some of the biggest shows you guys have played?Luna: The most memorable shows aren’t always the big ones. We have played with tons of bands that we lis-tened to growing up, which is amazing.

We played on the U.S.S. Lexington aircraft carrier deck in 2012, played a lot of fests/shows all around Texas, also played Rancid’s after party with Elvis Cortez from Left Alone in Austin last year—that was major for us! Did a few shows at SXSW a couple of weeks ago. Also played three shows in Mexico City

last July (2013), that was huge f o r us, and we’re going back this year...STX: Is this your first year playing SXSW? If so, how was the experience?Luna: Avenue did about four shows last year at SXSW, thanks to Altercation Records.

The city is crazy packed; music 24/7, drinking 24/7, EVERYTHING 24/7.

This year, we played at The Aquarium on 6th Street on a Thursday. We pret-ty much played for everyone walk-ing up and down 6th—that was fun. And Saturday we played Altercation Records annual Punk Rock BBQ—that was huge—can’t wait to go back next year!STX: What was the best part about playing SXSW?Luna: FREE BEER, FREE SHOWS—24/7 music, 24/7 drinking, 24/7 EVERYTHING! Oh, and the experience and exposure is great, too.STX: What was the deal with your instruments? You guys had to borrow some gear, correct?Luna: For the Thursday show we had to park blocks away from the venue, so

we borrowed gear from the Altercation bands. By the Saturday BBQ Festival we had formed a coalition with the bands, so we just borrowed again to make things easier.STX: Any funny or interesting stories during your time at SXSW?Luna: This year was so much fun, meeting new people and seeing old friends.

Last year was just CRAZY. We drove back and forth from CC to ATX a few times during SXSW week. We kept get-ting invited back. I got left behind at one point or I sent the band members home without me...

I drank for two days straight, got dumped in downtown Austin after an hour of I don’t know what? My phone was dead, it was freezing cold, and I had no ride. I walked down I-35 looking like a homeless guy. Needless to say, no one would help me out.

I ended up having to pay like $300 for a motel room. My neighbors were cool

a n d

they gave me a phone charger, then I found out it was barely 9 p.m. I “fell asleep” and woke up to the motel door wide open and random furniture on top of the beds. I scratched my head thinking I don’t remember doing that?

Lots of things went on last year dur-ing SXSW. The band broke up, some-one almost died at one of the shows; I almost fought our driver, etc., etc.—but I would totally do it all again.STX: What’s next for you guys?Luna: Well, we are working on music for our second album, so we’ll probably hit the rec studio in the summer. We’ve got our music on Pandora.com, and we’re being played around the U.S. on FM radio. Our fan base is growing from the U.S. to worldwide, and we are in talks with a couple of record labels.

I would say we can only go up from here, we are ready to travel and invade your ears and your bodies.

You can follow Avenue Rockers at facebook.com/avenuerockers and add their station to your Pandora playlist here: pandora.com/avenue-rockers.

I would have to say all the guys in Avenue Rockers were raised into punk. A father, an older brother and a cousin showed us mohawks, Sex Pistols and fun. There is no way we can do it wrong.

Whether we are brain-washed or not, I don’t know.

I love what we do and what we’re about. The world is screwed up, and there’s no turning back. Have fun in your life. If you don’t like your job, quit it. If you don’t like your life, change it. If you wanna sing loud and scream and do what you want—DO IT! There’s nothing stopping you but YOU. Stop thinking about the things you should have done and start doing the things YOU want to do.

– Luna

SXSW Music

Luna’s guide to Life

story and photos byPaul Gonzales

P. 9

From bikes to pedi-cabs to entire buildings and even the sky, if you want

people to see your adver-tisements, the stranger the better at SXSW.

On Thursday, a huge restaurant which nearly took 1/4 of the block was being repainted back to its original colors. Why? Because just days ear-lier it had hosted some exclusive event, and the marketing team decided to paint it their colors for the event.

As you stroll down the busy streets, you’ll notice bikes with Seth Meyers’ photo on them promoting his late night talk show. That one was actually pretty interest-ing because if you found his tent, where you could watch tapings of his show, you could actually sign up and get a free bike for the day, emblazoned with his face and logo. You just have to return it later on, but you get a free ride all day, and they get free promotion.

Advertisers will try anything to get you to buy their stuff, and for so many people crammed into one place for SXSW, it can seem a bit con-trived.

Samsung seemed to be one of the most prominent advertisers this year, holding a contest open only to Samsung Galaxy users to win passes to see

Kanye West and Jay-Z by downloading an exclusive app.

They were also promot-ing their new music ser-vice, Milk, by taking over a restaurant and using their rooftop for live per-formances.

Huge shuttle buses promoting the latest TV shows from Showtime and HBO filled the streets day and night.

AT&T and Samsung charging stations were placed throughout the crowds and could be quite the lifesaver as it seemed everyone was on their phones all the time.

After a while, you don’t even realize the ads or companies. You just head out to see your favor-ite band at the Spotify House, the Tumblr House or the Converse Fader Fort.

It’s not that the ads were ever intrusive, but it does seem a bit odd when you see your favorite indie band on a stage littered with logos and banners and wonder if anyone at these companies had even heard of the band before.

But, all in all, the ads seemed to work because my iPhone just doesn’t seem as cool and my DVR is now set to start record-ing the newest season of Game of Thrones.

Now if you’ll excuse me, Late Night with Seth Meyers is on.

©orporate TakeoverMore and more big companies are taking advantage of the thousands of tech, music and film lovers that embark on SXSW. But where does the advertisement end and the entertain-ment actually begin?

SXSW Special

story and photos by Paul Gonzales

P. 10 MARCH 31, 2014

hen I first heard about the newest game in the

Infamous series, I was a very ecstatic fangirl. Then when I heard the news that the game no longer featured Cole MacGrath, my enthusi-asm took a nose dive straight into worry and dread. I am a huge fan of the first two Infamous games and I worried that without Cole the series would lose its spark. So does Second Son live up to its predecessors or is it nothing more than smoke and mirrors?

In Second Son, play-ers put on the mantle of Deslin Rowe, a small town delinquent. Deslin is a young man trying to make a statement in the world with his public art, aka graffiti.

His life is turned upside down when he comes into contact with his first con-duit. A conduit is a person with superhuman abili-ties. Through a series of events, Deslin learns that he is also a conduit but

has the unusual ability of absorbing other’s powers.

From the moment of being introduced the Akomish Native American, Deslin, I was immediately drawn into his story. And to be per-fectly honest it’s just plain fun soaring around a cityscape using differ-ent super powers.

Deslin starts off with the smoke ability he received from the first conduit. As the story pro-gresses, Deslin’s smoke tricks become stronger and more exciting to use, and just as the player becomes familiar with those abilities, we meet a new conduit and a whole different elemental abil-ity open up.

Over the course of the game Deslin receives four different power sets. This gameplay mechanic always the player to con-stantly change the abili-ties and keeps the game-play fresh and exciting. I found myself gravitating towards my second power a little more often but I

enjoyed all four for their unique skill sets.

As you zip around with super powers or run along the streets of Seattle per-forming parkour, the con-trols feel fluid and solid. It’s never difficult to change power sets, even when in mid-fight against the DUP, the mili-tary-like goons try to appre-hend sus-p e c t e d conduits.

There were moments dur-ing the g a m e w h e r e I expe-r i enced p o p - i n and out. At one point I was zoom-ing behind a car when i t suddenly dis- ap-peared. It was weird but for the vast majority of my time, playing the pop-in was never distract-ing or took away from the gameplay.

As Deslin progresses through the story the player has the chance to do side missions and find collectibles. While it is possible to finish the

game doing mainly the story missions, the side quests do offer more insight into the story and enhance your powers.

There are times when certain side activities

s e e m e d repeti-tive,

b u t it was easy enough to move

to different activities. One of my favorite

side quests was when Deslin created his public art pieces. There really wasn’t much to the mis-sion but I positively loved watching the art come together, revealing amaz-ing and unique street art, but that could easily be the artist in me peak-ing out behind from the gamer.

Infamous: Second Son is set in the sprawling

metropolis of Seattle and let me just say if Seattle is that beautiful I should plan my next vacation there. The graphics are absolutely stunning and great attention was paid from the towering building in the Lantern District to the smallest of pebbles in a playground.

As I was wandering around between missions I came across a small water feature, and I could see the pennies glisten-

ing in the sunlight that shifted as the water rippled. It was amazing.

Seattle really comes to life in Second Son, but all the pretty graphics would

have meant nothing if the characters were not as detail-oriented as their settings. Troy Baker’s incredible per-

formance makes Deslin a likable character that makes it easy

to become emotionally invested in their story.

The other main char-acters from R e g g i e , D e s l i n ’ s brother, to the DUPs head hon-cho all felt b e l i e v a b l e with their own unique m o t i v e s behind their actions.

S e c o n d Son clocked in around 13-14 hours for with me with about a 74% comple-tion, but that was on the good karma playthrough only. Like the previous two games in the franchise,

Second Son has good and evil karma moral choic-es, each offering differ-ent endings and slightly varied storylines, which encourages multiple play-throughs.

Once the game is com-pleted the world opens back up for players to fin-ish side missions and col-lecting, all of which I will be doing. As I said before it’s a beautiful environ-ment to explore and a place where I can con-tinue playing with the dif-ferent super powers.

In the end, Infamous: Second Son both lived up to and exceeded the pre-vious two games. Sucker Punch has an unwavering ability to deliver amazing games.

In the end, my worry was for nothing and I happily enter the legion of “Rowe-mantics.”

I give Infamous: Second Son 8.5 karma points out of 10.

Now go forth and game on.

Video Games

APRIL 1 - Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Deluxe Edition (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC) Mercenary Kings (PS4) MLB 14 The Show (PS3, Vita) Ragnarok Odyssey ACE (PS3, Vita)

APRIL 4 - Awesomenauts Asssemble! (PS4) The Elder Scrolls Online (PC, Mac)

APRIL 8 - Titanfall (Xbox 360) Daylight (PS4, PC) Kinect Sports Rivals (Xbox One) Lego The Hobbit (Xbox One, 360, PS4, PS3, Wii U, 3DS, Vita, PC) Strike Suit Zero (Xbox One, PS4)

APRIL 14 Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (PS4)

APRIL 15 Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars (3DS, Vita) Moebius: Empire Rising (PC) War of the Vikings (PC) 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil (PS3, 360)

APRIL 25 Dark Souls II (PC) NES Remix 2 (Wii U)

APRIL 29 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, 3DS, PC)

APRIL 29 Child of Light (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, PS3, 360, PC)

April’s Video Game Releases

TROY BAKER is a per-former to take notice of in future video games. Baker has been a voice actor for the entertain-ment industry for a while. Baker began his career doing voice work

in anime, working on such shows as “Dragon Ball Z,” “One Piece,” and “Full Metal Alchemist” to name a few.

Most recently his work in video games earned him the title of 2013’s

breakout actor in the video game industry by Entertainment Weekly. He garnered that title with his work in “Last of Us,” “Bioshock Infinite,” and “Batman: Arkham Origins.”

P. 11

Karate Joe’s Bar & Grill

call (361) 358-2550 or email Paul@stxscene.com

upcoming shows!

135 Beer Ln. • Mosquito Grove, TX

karaokeevery Thurs.

l (361) 358 2550 or email Paul@stxscene coll (361) 358 2550 or email Paul@stxscene co

Get this ad for $200or just $250 for full color

Thurs. April 3• Wade Bowen at

Brewster Street Ice House: Shane Smith joins Bowen as the bring the Texas country to the shore. The show kicks off at 9 p.m., and tickets are $17.50 at the door or $15 online. 1724 N Tancahua St. in Corpus Christi.

Fri. April 4• Judy Tenuta at

Chuckles Comedy Club: Tenuta will be having three shows at Chuckles starting on Friday at 8 p.m. Tenuta has had stand-up com-edy specials on HBO, Showtime and Lifetime as well as being named “Best Female Comedian” as the American Comedy Awards. Tickets are just $15 at the door so make sure to show up early because it’s sure to sell out. 615/617 Mesquite St. in Corpus Christi.

Sat. April 5• Steve Wariner at

Schroeder Hall: Night Moves opens the show fro four time Grammy win-ner Wariner. The doors open at 8 p.m., and the tickets are $35 pre-sale

and $40 at the door. Pick up your tickets at Victoria Harley Davidson, Pizazz, Ibedzzz as well as online. 12516 FM 622 in Goliad.

• Jimmy Wilden at The House of Rock: Pake Rossi, Hope & Hostility and Stephen Rushlow will be joining Jimmy Wilden for an what is surely going to be an awesome show. The show begins at 9 p.m. 511 Starr St. in Corpus Christi.

• Judy Tenuta at Chuckles Comedy Club: Tenuta will be con-tinuing her residency at Chuckles with two shows on Saturday. The first one

will be at 8 p.m. followed by a second at 10 p.m. Tenuta has had stand-up comedy specials on HBO, Showtime and Lifetime as well as being named “Best Female Comedian” as the American Comedy Awards. Tickets are just $15 at the door so make sure to show up early because it’s sure to sell out. 615/617 Mesquite St. in Corpus Christi.

Fri. April 11• Adam Carroll at

The House of Rock: The Texas singer/songwriter will be playing his deeply moving, often humorous songs to the stage. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. 511 Starr St. in Corpus

Christi.

Sat. April 12• Scott Taylor Band

at Eat Tail, Suck Head Crawfish Fest-Victoria Community Center: Jarrod Birmingham, The Pear Ratz, Richie Allbright and more will be hitting the stage for the all day fest. The gates will open at 11 a.m. and admission is just $10. Kids

under 10 are free. 2905 E. North St. in Victoria

• The Moods at Schroeder Hall: The central Texas 50s and 60s rock and roll band returns to Schroeder Hall. Door open at 7:30 p.m. and the ticket price is just $10. All ages welcome and the Schroeder grill will be open. 12516 FM 622 in Goliad.

Sat. April 19• Jason Boland

at Schroeder Hall: Theiving Birds opens the show for Jason Boland and the Stragglers. The doors open at 8 p.m. with pre-sale tickets going for $12 and will be $15 at the door. 12516 FM 622 in Goliad.

Sat. April 26• Jarrod Birmingham

at Schroeder Hall: Jeremy Halliburton will open for Birmingham and the doors swing open at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $10 with minors charged an additional $3. 12516 FM 622 in Goliad.

Need your awesome event listed? Drop us a line at Paul@stxs-cene.com or send us a Facebook event invite at facebook.com/stxscene.

P. 12 MARCH 31, 2014

@stxscene

/stxscene

#stxscene

Insta

We have issues...Read every issue online at

STXscene.com

Tokyo Police ClubSXSW Music Festival

Robert EllisSXSW Music Festival

TennisSXSW Music Festival

Texas RenegadesSXSW Music Festival

The PassSXSW Music Festival

The ColouristsSXSW Music Festival

Sandy & Jules-Dum Dum GirlsSXSW Music Festival