SXSW: Tapes 'N Tapes (Live)

Saturday, March 15, 2008 | 3:12 AM

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when I saw the members of Tapes 'N Tapes set up their own equipment. Despite being a case study in the successful "blog band" phenomenon, they all still work day jobs when they're not touring. Tapes 'N Tapes' set echoed the band's demeanor--nice, honest, not overly dynamic, and a bit unpredictable. They showcased a few new tunes, which I won't be able to explain, cause I've never been able to pinpoint Tapes 'N Tapes' sound. Tonight, whenever I predicted a high-hat hit or a certain chord progression on the new material, they always seemed to prove me wrong. Though drummer Jeremy Hanson is the resident "nerd" of the group (with his Coke bottle glasses and math geek tie) I couldn't keep my eyes off of him the whole set, especially during his handiwork on "Insistor". By golly, he may be the secret rockstar of this group.