OK, while past years have featured a half dozen or more former Matador recording artists performing at South By Southwest, this year’s batch of ex-lovers is a shorter, but no less spectacular list.  In addition to Early Man playing the Ale House on Thursday night at 1am,  18th Dye (above, as seen in New York last Autumn) are playing Submerged on Thursday at 11pm, and again Friday at Vogtsberger House (1402 E 2nd St) at 1pm.

We really oughta do these more often. Don’t call it a comeback, these folks have been here for years. Or somewhere else for months.

1) Early Man.  Touring like crazy and there’s a new EP on the Jarboe-tastic The End.

2) Jacob Morris, formerly one of the key characters beyond the dearly missed Double.  New EP on Rcrd Lbl

3) 18th Dye.  New album and US tour.

HEY DUDES
Fucked Up will be playing a free party at Santos Party House in New York tonight. It is free to get in and the band goes on at 11pm. Email nikebetrue_nyc@nike.com to try and get on the guestlist!

FUCKED UP 11pm
VAMPIRE WEEKEND 10pm
ANDREW WK Says Whats Up 12am
JAY REATARD 7pm

If you’ve not been following the adventures of the recently evicted Mike Conte of Early Man, a quick scan of the amazing videos posted at the new Early Mike.com should sort you out.  However, what might arguably be the site’s highlight are the “Ask Early Mike” clips, the latest of which was posted this Monday.

with, we’re told, more video documentation to come.

from Early Man’s most recent myspace bulletin :

Did you know that aside from enjoying wine, women and bong, Early Man are huge hockey fans? It’s true! In fact, Early Man drummer Adam Bennati used to play hockey when he was a young lad. And Early Mike frequently likes to beat on people. So needless to say, we LOVE hockey! Which is why we teamed up with 2KSports NHL 2K8 for this once in a lifetime offer. But before we explain this contest, let’s start by getting you pumped up. Watch this:

Are you stoked? Psyched? Amped? Doesn’t that video game trailer look almost half as awesome as the song playing in the background? Well, here’s the deal. We are going to give away PS3 and XBOX copies of the 2KSports NHL 2K8 video game for free!! All you have to do is draw a picture of Early Man playing hockey. It’s so easy! We’re going to give you until next Wednesday, October 24th to complete the task. So we suggest that you stop stalking your ex-girlfriend on Myspace immediately ( it’s SOOO over…you’re not even in her top 8, dude) and use your time wisely by breaking out the markers/pencils/crayons and getting to work. We will announce and post the winning pictures on our page when it’s all said and done. Theres no age limit. Theres no IQ limit (unfortunately). Just like life itself, you can make this as complicated or as simple as you’d like. The choice is yours. Good luck!

Send your pictures to: earlymanarmy@hotmail.com, Keep the files small PLEASE!

The promoters call it "Thrashfest '07", which you have to admit, is way catchier than "Festival Of Many Menacing Fonts"

The following was culled from Early Man's mailing blast, but is far too delicious to remain un-cut and pasted :

Early Man has teamed up with the fine people who create the best show on television and contributed a song for the upcoming AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE COLON MOVIE FILM FOR THEATRES!!!

If you're from Boston, this is not a terrorist attack. I repeat, this is not a terrorist attack. It's just a bunch of songs for a movie. Put the guns away. Thanks.