The 49'r building is demolished, March 18, 2011.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The above image was the view from my car window as I was driving south on 49th street toward Dodge on my way home for lunch. We all knew it was coming. By the time you read this, the building that once housed The 49’r will be completely destroyed, making way for an unneeded CVS Pharmacy. Standing on the outside of the fences were a number of people taking photos, including some media with video cameras trying to document the end of an era. So long, 49’r…

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The problem with South by Southwest, of course, is that it’s not much fun unless you’re there. Pulling in 2,000 bands for this week’s festivities has resulted in a drought of touring-band shows, which continues over the weekend. Luckily, some of our local talent decided to stick around Omaha this year rather than make the rather expensive trip to Austin. And it just so happens most of that talent will be at O’Leaver’s — Omaha’s low-rent version of Emo’s.

Tonight at O’Leaver’s Brad Hoshaw plays a solo set opening for Traveling Mercies and The River Monks. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Tomorrow night at O’Leaver’s it’s Bloodcow (a band that could single-handedly blow up SXSW), Saudi Arabia, and a band who’s name only Chuck Berry could possibly love, Toilet: The Movie. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Also tomorrow night (Saturday), Ketchup & Mustard Gas headline a show at The Barley Street Tavern with The Wheelers, Powerful Science and Down with the Ship. $5, 9 p.m.

Also going on Saturday night, Sarah Benck is opening a show at The Waiting Room with Rock Paper Dynamite, Brothers Tandem and headliner Edge of Arbor. $5, 9 p.m.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2011 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.