And so it begins. South By Southwest 2010 is underway, as our airport becomes the travel hub for just about the entire music industry. Your dangerous duo at the Dbird Austin HQ ventured downtown this afternoon to knock out a few early credential pickups, snagging wristbands for the few private parties that we’ll be hitting throughout the week. If you’re either in Austin or heading this way for SXSW, check out our Facebook page - facebook.com/dangerbirdrecords - to see the list of all our bands performing throughout the week.

Don’t forget that you can still register for the Pablove Ride For Life. There will be both a 30 & 60 mile ride, for all levels of cyclists, this Saturday starting at 10am @ Mellow Johnny’s. Then that evening starting at 8pm, we’re throwing a Dangerbird powered concert to benefit the Pablove Foundation, which will also be taking place at Mellow Johnny’s. The ride is $25 and the evening concert is totally free & open to the public. Hope to see you there! Registration is at dangerbirdrecords.com/sxsw

Okay… it is time to wipe the dust off the ol’ Dangerbird Blog and get this sucker up and running again! After going through several hundred spam comments, I think we’re back in action and ready to roll. I’ve got pictures from Pablove Across America’s stop here in Austin that I’ll get edited and posted soon. In the meantime, enjoy one of the more pointless college robotic projects ever created. Anybody up for a game of Roomba Pac Man? (via Neatorama)

Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz, the son of Dangerbird Records co-founder Jeff Castelaz and Jo Ann Thrailkill, brother of Grady Gallagher, passed away at home on Saturday, June 27 after a 13-month struggle against cancer. Services will be held Wednesday, July 1.

The magnificent six years and six days that were Pablo’s life touched many. His brave journey began when he was diagnosed in May 2008 with Wilms’ Tumor, a rare form of cancer. From the start, the family honestly and courageously documented Pablo’s fight on the PABLOg, a daily diary that, over the course of the year, has evolved into a destination for countless families facing similar difficult questions and challenges. Pablo’s life remains a beacon for hope, and has inspired an outpouring of goodwill and solace from an ever-growing community that spans the globe.

The Pablove Foundation was established shortly after Pablo was diagnosed and will continue to serve in his loving memory. The Foundation makes annual contributions to fund cancer research and treatment at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles’ Saban Research Institute, one of the top cancer research facilities in the United States. Pablove supports music and arts programs, and sponsors play rooms and activities in the soft tumor units at CHLA.

Jeff, Jo Ann and brother Grady would like to express their gratitude for the immeasurable love and support from their family and extended community. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please visit Pablove.org to make a donation.

This Wednesday (July 1), Dangerbird Records and The Pablove Foundation will hold a benefit for Pablo at The Echo in Los Angeles, with performances by Eulogies and Bad Veins. Please see details above, or visit attheecho.com.

The Pablove Foundation Benefit last night was a huge success, and we can’t thank all of you enough. We raised a substantial amount of money, and had a great time in the process. Below are a few photos I took throughout the evening; check back soon for more photos, video and info on the show. Also, please head to pablove.org to donate to this worthy cause, and for more information on the foundation. Thank you everyone!

Eulogies frontman Peter Walker in Pablove gear

Eulogies - "Two Can Play" with SSPU bassist Nikki Monninger

Silversun Pickups' Brain Aubert

Dear friends,

This Thursday, April 30, Silversun Pickups and Eulogies will perform at a very special benefit for Pablo Castelaz and The Pablove Foundation, at the Echoplex in Los Angeles. Tickets are on sale now for $25 via TicketWeb. Purchase will be limited to two tickets per customer and ONLY available through online purchase, with a scheduled will-call pick-up (No walk-ups). All proceeds will directly benefit The Pablove Foundation (pablove.org), named after Pablo Castelaz, the five-year-old son of Dangerbird Records co-founder Jeff Castelaz and his wife Jo Ann Thrailkill.

On May 17, 2008, Pablo was diagnosed with bilateral Wilms’ Tumor, a rare form of children’s cancer, and has been receiving treatment at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (childrenshospitalla.org).

The Pablove Foundation supports cancer research and cancer patient play activities, music and arts programs. Recently, The Pablove Foundation funded a year of evening and weekend hours in the play room on the fourth floor soft tumor units at CHLA. These ‘units’ are actually an entire floor of the hospital, which is filled with brave, beautiful children at any time of the year. This play room brings immeasurable joy to the heart of a child whose life has been turned upside down in the face of a life-threatening disease and whose world has temporarily been reduced to a small hospital room.

The Pablove Foundation also plans to contribute to cancer research and treatment at CHLA, including the efforts of CHLA’s Saban Research Institute, one of the top cancer research facilities in the United States.

This extraordinary evening will offer select items for sale to help commemorate the night and give back to the above noted charities. In addition to an exclusive, limited edition t-shirt, Give. Listen. Help. Volume 5, will be available for purchase. The two-disc benefit compilation CD was released earlier this year by Filter and Urban Outfitters and features an impressive collection of unique material from some of today’s most recognizable artists including Radiohead, Bloc Party, Oasis, as well as the Dangerbird Records roster. Each CD purchase will be accompanied with a free poster, crafted specifically in honor of the evening.

We are fighting for Pablo Castelaz and kids everywhere. Join us! The Pablove Foundation: Fighting childhood cancer with LOVE.