Seattle Subsonic

Black Keys bring it full circle-and more locals at Bumbershoot

May 16th, 2008

Has it been mentioned yet, that I am a huge fan of the Black Keys … yeah..? Good, I thought so. Now we can move on.

-

So it has been announced that the Black Keys are on the bill for the “Big Stage” on the 31st of this years Bumbershoot. The very same festival where in 2004, I saw these guys light off the “Blues Stage.” (most likely called the Microsoft Stage or some crap this year) I had never seen the Black Keys – either in person or in a photographs. I had only heard them.. almost every day, ever since grabbing “The Big Come Up.” I remember seeing this stringy white fella with thick black framed glasses setting up the drum kit there just after Sharon Jones cleared the stage and saying to my friend that I can’t believe they (the Black Keys) would ever LET a skinny white boy like this even TOUCH their kit. Granted I was under the assumption, given their complicated Howlin’ Wolf steeped, M-i-s-s-i-s-s-ippi Mud sound, and their name, that the ‘Keys were 3-4 old black guys. Then Dan and Patrick picked up their instruments and these 2 fish-belly white fellas from the basement of their mom’s place in Akron Ohio completely floored me.

-

Now if my count is right.. with Beck, that TWO bands I want to see in the stadium this year. How is this happening?!?!?

-

Also on the bill, are a lot of rumors about local bands. ‘Local’ boys Band of Horses, are big on the ticket this year. Our own The Valley are slated to play as well as the bluesy Staxx Bros. Also Partman Parthorse made the self-proclamation that they were going to be headlining the toilets. I’ll let Gary field that one.

-

From Portland, !!! are due to play as well as Blitzen Trapper, and Dan Deacon.

-

Know any others yet?