"Gordon Gano (born on June 7, 1963) is the lead singer and guitarist from the band Violent Femmes.During a Violent Femmes hiatus in the late 1980s, Gano formed a gospel group called The Mercy Seat (band) with vocalist Zena Von Heppinstall, bassist Patrice Moran, and drummer Fernando Menendez. The group released one album in 1987 on Slash Records. Gano released his first solo album in 2002, titled Hitting the Ground. He shared vocal duties (singing in Portuguese) with Manuel Cruz, the lead singer of the famous Portuguese rock band Ornatos Violeta in the song Capitão Romance for the last album released before their break-up, O Monstro Precisa de Amigos in 1999. Gano also played violin[3] on Ben Vaughn's 1990 album Dressed in Black. Currently, Gano is writing, recording and performing with ex-members of The Bogmen, Billy and Brendan Ryan, under the name GanoRyan." [Wikipedia]

That Wiki entry probably needs to be updated because actually the band playing the Bell House in Brooklyn tonight (1/29) is billed at Gordon Gano and The Ryan Brothers. Last time they played a show, that I remember, was March 10th at Mercury Lounge under the name "Hired Gun". They may have also played Knitting Factory in Manhattan since then too.

Tonight's (their first Brooklyn?) show is also chock full of interesting local openers. They are Corn Mo, The Lisps, and Drink Up Buttercup.

Gordon Gano and The Ryan Brothers also have a show coming up February 7th at The Strand Theatre in Lakewood, NJ.

DOWNLOAD: Jaymay - Sea Green, See Blue (MP3)

* Jaymay is playing Conan O'Brien
* Black Lips are playing Other Music
* Black Lips are playing Bowery Ballroom
* Marla Hansen is playing Mercury Lounge with "HIRED GUN"
* South from the UK is one of the bands at Pianos
* Demetri Martin is one of the comedians at Pianos
* I announed my Wednesday SXSW unofficial day party
* Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band @ Nassau Colesium
* SYME from Norway & Peasant from PA are playing Union Hall
* some other Norweigian groups are playing Knitting Factory

Now that Jaymay has an album out on a proper label she is finally starting to blow up. Conan tonight!

"Hired Gun" is a secret show, but not necessarily a super-exciting one.

If you have a hotel room at SXSW that you don't need, contact me.

What else?