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The 16th annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender is THIS WEEKEND! The crew over at Mackey's Hot Rods has been hard at work re-building our custom Sailor Jerry 1930's Ford sedan rat rod. In Part 3, Brian checks in with an update on what's been done so far. They've addressed any rust, replaced every bolt, and clear-coated the whole body while maintaining the ratty patina. Meanwhile the interior is all ready for new hard wood paneling and upholstery so the car will feel comfortable and luxe while driving but still look like a rascal from the outside. Mackeys even re-channeled the cockpit roof so we have a clear sightline when we cruise the Vegas Boulevard on Saturday! Right now the rat rod is getting wired, fueled up, and ready to go. We hope to see you at the unveiling, but if you can't make it, don't worry; you can count on us for plenty of badass pictures of the party you missed.

VIDEO by - Lance Sheidenberger @ http://www.jasalounge.com 

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Part 2 of our video on our Sailor Jerry 1930 Ford Model "A" rat rod is for all you hardcore gearheads out there! Brian from Mackey's Hot Rods goes underneath the hood and gets into the nitty gritty of what makes this custom vehicle more like a "HOT" rod after all. He points out some of the bells & whistles that make this baby a Sailor Jerry work of art – everything from Hold Fast belt buckle valve caps and door handles made from bottle openers to a real bar tap used as the shifter and an original Sailor Jerry bottle to catch radiator overflow. The body detail on the rat rod was hand painted by Sonny Boy and the canvas top signature Hula Girl was done by tattoo artist Matt Zumberge. Be sure to look out for Part 3 of the video series to learn all about the rebuild in process for this awesome vehicle scheduled to be unveiled during this years Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. 

VIDEO by - Lance Sheidenberger @ http://www.jasalounge.com 

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Well folks, #SXSJ has finally come to a close. We sprayed the dust down with spiced rum and brought you five days chock-full of pure R'n'R (no, not rest and relaxation, you smart-ass). The Gypsy Lounge at 1504 E 6th Street in Austin completely lost it's identity and became dubbed "Sailor Jerry" for the duration of the festival. Let's just say it lived up to its name. From epic band line-ups and rampant tattooing to boatloads of rum-soaked BBQ and matching libations... hell, where do we even begin? 

We teamed up with a bunch of kickass partners - Altamont Apparel, Blundertown, Dolce Vita, and Reverberation Appreciation Society (the record-label-baby of our other favorite Texas throwdown, the Austin Psyche Fest) - then we brought you music sets both day and night, specifically designed to give you a break from the here-today-gone-waitwheredidtheygo? indie folk/pop/electro darlings that overwhelm the rest of SXSW. Garage, punk, blues, and rock-influenced bands attempted to break our boards and pummel through the temporary stages, creating a soundtrack that paired perfectly with the atmosphere. Some of our favorites were The Spits, Shannon and the Clams, the Coathangers, Residuels, and White Mystery. 

And how could it be a true Sailor Jerry event without tattoos, meticulously inked by experts in reverence for the man, our inspiration for all that we do, Norman 'Sailor Jerry' Collins? Yes indeed, those on the ground had the chance to score free ink all week from resident tattooer Downtown Terry Brown, whose classic skills and defining beard left us in awe daily. We kept things real interesting by letting our patrons' aim decide their fate. If you wanted a tattoo, you threw a dart at a board covered in traditional SJ flash - whatever you landed on is what you got... permanently. Baaahaha! Never a disappointment, our fans left with Sailor Jerry originals done clean, clear, and forever - just how we like them.  

Potentially the biggest guest appearance of all? The legendary Oliver Peck of Spike TV's InkMaster and Elm Street Tattoo. He was stationed in our decked-out Airstream trailer laying in original SJ pieces on musicians and special friends like tattoo-clad model Alysha Nett and DJ Roofeeo. The TV on the Radio drummer is no stranger to the Sailor Jerry family. He was with us at XGames just last month snatching up his 4th piece of Norman Collins flash and naturally couldn't resist one more. We were pleased-as-punch to help love birds Scott Montoya from The Growlers and his girlfriend Julia Kugel, vocalist/guitarist of The Coathangers, seal the deal with matching True Love cherry tattoos. Awww. 

After King Tuff destroyed the Blundertown Day party, Kyle cruised over to get his first ever Oliver Peck tattoo. Last summer at CobraFest we got him his first Sailor Jerry ink. This week he added a badass rat climbing out of a skull to his collection. Tuff likes to modify his flash ever so slightly, so he added his high-school gang name "Harmony Rats" along with some hair to the skull - just to be weird. Kyle sipped his drink of choice: Reeds Ginger Beer with Sailor Jerry Rum while getting inked up. Kyle and Oliver really hit it off, as their similarly twisted sense of humor brought plenty of laughs. 

Yes people, what did you expect? As the modern cliche goes, "fun times had by all". We are tired just thinking back on all of it, so rest up until next year. Keep tuning in for event updates on our Twitter and Facebook. Sailor Jerry Presents will be bringing you a ton of free concerts at your local venues this year.  

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 This week some epic elements are coming together to create a week of utter hedonism at SXSW. Music, art, free drinks and, of course, the city of Austin itself, which is famous for a stellar array of food truck eating options. We prefer to dine at these rolling restaurants because a) many pay homage to one of our favorite things - old vintage trailers. Hell, this is why we send Sailor Jerry Airstreams all over the country. And b) they help us save our cash so we can afford the pedi-cab we'll need late to race down 6th street in hopes of catching The Spits or NOBUNNY or King Tuff... really any of the awesome headliners we have playing our parties this week. To get your started, here's a little summary of our favorite places to nom, some of which are conveniently located within walking distance of the Sailor Jerry venue (1504 E 6th St - just commit it to memory already): 

East Side King  

This popular Asian-fusion eatery is multiplying by the minute, with 4 locations just off of East 6th street. Chefs Paul Qui and Moto Utsunomiya are gaining national recognition with what started as a modest eatery in the back of a local bar. Try a deliciously authentic pork bun, a shaved brussel sprout salad called Meshi, or their fried beets dish that smart people go out of their way for. Locations near Sailor Jerry: Liberty Bar: 1618 E. 6th St. * Shangri-Las: 1016 E. 6th St. * The Grackle: 1700 E. 6th St. (also at Hole in the Wall: 2538 Guadalupe St, near UT campus). 

 Best Wurst  

One of the oldest continually running mobile eateries in the famous 6th street bar district, Best Wurst is a truly old-school, no-frills staple of the Austin food truck scene. Stemming from a hotdog business starting in the early 90's, the small cart keeps it simple with a selection of 4 sausages, brats, and dogs with the most classic of toppings - including homemade brown mustard and curry ketchup. Locations: 6th & Brazos (Wed-Sun) * 6th & Red River (Fri & Sat) 

(photo by swanksalot on Flickr)

Torchy’s Tacos 

Michael Rypka call's the tacos at Torchy's "damn good" - based on the reactions his food got from adoring fans when the truck made its first appearance. Now with multiple locations in cities across Texas, the famous joint offers uniquely inspired tacos and treats and one of a kind specials. Try the signature green chili pork taco for an authentic kick or the deep fried avocado which vegetarians kill for - even a carnivore would are wrestle you for one of these. Location: 
1311 S 1st St.


Gourdough’s   

"Big.Fat.Donuts" is the slogan of Gourdoughs, and man do they live up to it. Housed in a restored Airstream trailer, these guys dish out sweet and savory donuts with ridiculous flavors. From the "Boss Hog" topped with pulled pork, potato salad, and honey BBQ, to our personal favorite, the "Sailor Jerry", a frosted rum cake donut topped with icing and nuts.
 Location: 1503 S. 1st St.


(photo by paul_lowry on Flickr)

Surf 'n' Turf Poboys 

If you're looking for a take on the classic foods of New Orleans, then look no further than Suf 'n' Turf Poboys. For it's name sake they offer loads of poboy options - from blackened catfish to oysters - in HUGE portions. But the twist comes in the "Surf" part of their name - souther Cali cuisine staple, fish tacos. Whether you're looking to stay cool or spice it up, this trucks unique look and convenient location has got you covered. Location: 4th and Lavaca [Lavaca Street Bar]


(photo by tastytouring on Flickr)
G'Raj Mahal 

Chefs Sidney and Anthony are seasoned chefs offering a taste of Indian out of a small truck. With a strong desire to source local ingredients, your meal here will be fresh and tasty. This is a great option for vans and vegetarians, with meat-free menu, and a list of sauces that do not contain cream.
 Location: 91 Red River, Facing Davis
 

 
Mighty Cone  

 For a taste of some uniquely Austin cuisine, look no further than Mighty Cone. Fine dining establishment Hudson's on the Bend owner Chef Jeff Blank was seeking a way to bring the heritage of Austin food to the masses at Austin City Limits. So he birthed the Hot'n'Crunchy Chicken cone, wrapped in a tortilla and served in a convenient drink cone for easy eating. And the rest was history.
 Location: 2512 Rio Grande  

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The past three days down in Austin have been kicking ass – but we’ve still got two more to go. Stick with us on Friday and Saturday for some damn good shows, tasty drinks made with strong navy rum, and of course, free tattoos. Here are some of the bands that are worth leaving the other parties to come see (you know, the ones you wait for an hour to check into just so they can hand you some flavored water and potato chips). Where do you avoid that crap and get to the good stuff? Sailor Jerry is at (1504 E. 6th).

King Tuff 

Maybe it's their iconic look - long ratty hair, baseball cap, skinny denim jacket and beat-to-hell guitar - or their free-wheeling sound that makes you want to put the top down. Either way, King Tuff which features Vermont-born songwriter and frontman Kyle Thomas, is making rock music new again. The catchy beats on last year's Sub Pop release bring pure sunshine through a haze of fuzzed-out guitar riffs. With live performances that some call "magical", and people shelling out hundreds of bucks to snag early releases from Kyle, you better get your ass over to Sailor Jerry to catch them Friday from at 5pm, before they vanish in a puff of smoke.

Shannon & the Clams

You may recognize the the singer (yep that would be Shannon) as one of punk ladies alongside Hunx. She and Cody Blanchard team up in this lineup out of Oakland to bring you tunes you could call “beach rock revival” or just straight up badass rock ’n roll. Shannon & the Clams are inspired by music spanning all genres - from The Beach Boys to Bad Brains - with a sound rooted in garage yet incredibly diverse. They're on several shows this week, but we're ready to see them Saturday at 4:15 at our day party.

The Spits

“Punk for the People” is what The Spits bring forth from their hometown of Seattle. Since breaking out of their Kalamazoo cages early-on in their formation, the trio has been treating our eardrums to their mix of loud and grimy garage punk for 15 years. They are now like your favorite uncle gone AWOL. They’re known to wear costumes during their performance and tear things up with no restraint, so head over on Saturday where they headline an insane lineup. What do we even need to say? C'mon it's THE SPITS. Do not miss it.

Residuels

Hailing from Philadelphia, super-duo Justin Pittney and Pat Troxell (from Moon Women), were messing around in the studio when they accidentally slipped into something that fits like the perfect jeans. The songs started flowing and before they knew it, the project had an unforgettable name and sound. Shows around the east coast followed just weeks later and are still coming strong. People are catching wind of their high-voltage performances starring Pat's driving drum sounds doused with Pittney's hard guitar blues. If you caught them earlier in the week, we figure you are already planning to come back for more on Saturday at 3pm. If you didn't then don't make the same mistake twice.

Night Beats

Take three guys from the Pacific Northwest and mix in some psychedelic, blues, and garage inspired rock, and you have Night Beats. This is a one-of-a-kind band to catch, taking inspiration from early soul and R&B. The have been attacking the live scene this past couple years teaming up on tours with some bands you know - The Black Angels, Black Lips, The Growlers... uh, The Jesus and Mary Chain? ROKY ERICKSON? That should speak for itself right there. Don't miss their set on Saturday starting at 1pm.

Jacuzzi Boys (photo courtesy of beckah_cope on Flickr)

These up-an-coming rockers from Miami are full of fiery beats and poppy undertones. Their gnarly sound sets them apart in a sea full of garage rock acts, and that shows in their blazing performance. So keep your eye to the stage and your ear to the ground, these guys will be one of Saturday's highlights at 3:30pm.  

Nu Sensae

This new Vancouver-based trio will make you move your feat and bang your head with their grunge inspired tunes. Nu Sensae have a lot up their sleeves - their live show is aggressive and reflects the same hardcore noise elements that their records attack you with. Check them out on Friday opening for King Tuff at 4pm. It will be a great one-two punch to lead off your epic weekend.

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