SXSW 2008

AUSTIN – A lot of alt-country acts are weeping over the death of No Depression, a magazine devoted to American roots music. But probably not the BoDeans or Blue Rodeo.

Both bands formed a decade before ND did – back when alt-country was still called roots-rock. And judging from their strong sets at South by Southwest, they'll still be kicking long after everyone's thrown their stacks of No Depression magazines in the recycling bin.

The Milwaukee-bred BoDeans are experts at finding the pop side of twang. Playing a free show Friday at Auditorium Shores, it had thousands "whoa-oh"-ing along to "Still the Night" from their T Bone Burnett-produced 1986 debut LP. Equally infectious was "First Time" from its new CD Still.

But for all their 24-karat melodies, the BoDeans' real trademark remains the honey-and-sandpaper harmonies of Kurt Neumann and Sam Llanas. Dallas gets its chance to hear them Friday night, when the group plays House of Blues.

Toronto's Blue Rodeo also has tons of shimmering hooks and harmonies in songs such as "What Am I Doing Here?," its brilliant set-starter at Smokin' Music. But the band focused on the roots side of roots-rock, firing up tunes with hard-core pedal steel and honky-tonk piano.

Like the BoDeans, Blue Rodeo is proof that great twangy music often hails from the frozen tundra.

The BoDeans with GB Leighton play at 8 p.m. Friday at the House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. Doors open at 7. Call 214-978-2583 or Ticketmaster for tickets. $20-$35.