Seattle Subsonic - July, 2008
Pre-Sale Tickets for the National
The National are coming to the Moore Theater 9-9-08 with the sensational Menomena from Portland. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Aug 1st, but if you wanna get a jump on the crowds, you can hit up the pre-sale happening NOW.
Unfortunately you have to go through Ticket-Bastard, and I don’t condone it, but if you just HAVE to have those killer seats,
Password:coopsrock
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Otherwise, head over to the Moore tomorrow between 10 and 6 and get tickets at the window without having to pay out the butt for “convenience fees, and handling charges.
Mt St Helens Vietnam Band Wants You to Save Marshall!!
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So, apparently, the best way to save Marshall is to catch the Mt St Helens Vietnam Band show TONIGHT (Thurs July 31st) at Neumos. This is the big Seattle debut for the band who is differentiated from many bands primarily by the fact that they are dedicated to improving their community and the world. This effort is no better proven then by their Public Service Announcements on some hard hitting topics like Homiostasis and Borin’ (which are absolutely hilarious). Another – more concrete difference – is the band’s unique elements. Namely, the band is comprised of family and best friends. A husband and wife, with the husband’s adopted younger brother serving as the band’s drummer (and he’s 13…really). Plus, 3 of the 5 band members (the husband and his two best friends) spent time together in another Seattle band, In Praise of Folley, and decided to put all their eggs in one basket and focus on promoting the crap out of their first show. That includs carting in a bus-load of their friends – literally – they chartered a bus and are trucking in some BIG fans. So you can expect the place to be lit up with excitement tonight.
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Oh, and before I forget to mention, and the music is killer too. Fans of Man Man, Wolf Parade and the Kinks will eat this stuff up. Have a little listen to Who’s Asking from their upcoming EP, Weepy, for yossef.
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/whos_asking.mp3]
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So tonight, in their freshly sewn uniforms, Marshall (the 13 year-old) along with the other 4 members of Mt St Helens Vietnam Band will be bringing you the hit, you now know and love, and make their world debut!
Bands I Saw At The Block Party – Part 2
Continuing on with our “coverage” of the weekend, here are my experiences (straight from my eyes and head—spooky) from Day 2 at Ye Ol’ Block Party. The day was highlighted by an even bigger crowd full of people doing their darnedest to look ugly, several more first time encounters with a band (6 out of 9!), the ridiculous amount of trash produced by all the free garbage being given away (Jones Soda, Monster, Kettle Corn), and a delicious Polish sausage to accompany my High Life. To the music…
Fresh off several months of massive globe trotting, the local boys from the Cave Singers played to a hot and humble crowd, who was eagerly awaiting their ghostly folk tunes. Fudesco busted out an electric-acoustic and played first fiddle on a new song more akin to set-closer “Dancing On Our Graves” than the more protracted and chilling ”New Monuments”. If the second album has the up tick in tempo and improved craftsmanship the band employed on Saturday, look for it to be highly anticipated. Kinda like Pete Quirk after he ate that pot brownie and had to escape his ceiling fan the night before. True story.
Huh. Coulda swore the Physics were supposed to play the Vera Stage at 4:15. Turned out to be these dudes, bent on gettin’ us to make some nooooooooooize.
Kimya Dawson (sweet photo, huh?)
Ah, Kimya Dawson, the feel-good set of the weekend. My primary exposure to her up to this point was from the release of Juno, so I didn’t quite know what to expect. Not only did her quirky, innocent-auctioneer delivery complement her eccentric and candid story-telling, but she also invited her little bro “Junglefoot” up on stage to perform for the first (or near-first) time one of his own equally individual songs. My heart is warm with affection and blood. I am an animal, after all.
The Builders & The Butchers (another keeper pic)
I think this band won LB’s fabled “Best Band Seen That I Previously Knew Little About”. Oh sure, I’d heard about their wave-making down in Portland over the past few months, but hadn’t really had the chance to delve into their music. As we decided to head into their set at Neumos on a whim, we were met with a rollicking set of gritty, unwavering, Mountain Goats-meets-Zeppelin-via-Beirut folk-rock. This band has a lead mandolin player, for chrissakes. And a Frank Zappa lookalike on acoustic bass to boot! Egad! The perfect excuse for a road trip down to P-town.
Fleet Foxes [not pictured]
I suppose the sound directly in front of the main stage was adequate, but hanging in a beer garden packed to the gills with drunkards, the gentle harmonies and plaintive guitars of the city’s current favorite sons were simply lost somewhere along the way. When people shut up, you could actually hear Robin Pecknold’s voice penetrate the cool summer air and Sky Skjelset’s strings shimmer with the cloud-covered sun. But since I’ve made a habit of seeing this band over the past few years, we went to abuse our eardrums listening to…
Another Portland band I’d heard little about prior to this day, Black Elk fuckin’ rocked the Vera Stage like it was CBGB’s circa 1978. So much so, that the band’s drummer had to replace his broken kick pedal for the final song with that of following act Akimbo. Vocalist Tom Glose shimmied and contorted his body to the blistering bass lines of Don Capuano as if he hadn’t been doing the exact same thing for the past 15 years (I suspect he has). Think These Arms Are Snakes without the fancy keyboards and goth-poetry lyricism, and you might get yourself closer to the dark, rip-roarin’ anthems of Black Elk.
Chromeo is all well and good. They’re two fun-loving guys who really know how to use a vocoder, a few different keyboards, and a call/response with the crowd (not sure about the guitar, however). I actually like Chromeo’s escapist dance music—and boogied just to prove it—but for some reason, I kept feeling like I should’ve been inside a thumping, sweaty Chop Suey to get their full effect. Crappy Sound 2, LB 0.
I’ll be honest (since I mostly lie), Craig Finn’s voice really kind of bugs me. But I went into this performance with an open mind due to The Hold Steady’s obvious musical talent and wealth of energy—mostly channeled through Finn’s barefaced geekiness and hometown lyricism. The man would absolutely not stop moving back and forth from one end of the stage to the next, pleading with the people. But it all fell into the right place as the crowd couldn’t get enough of their bloozy, innocuous punk rock.
In all truth, I’m not sure there’s another band I would’ve rather ended my Block Party experience with than Feral Children. You might have noticed that I’ve written about this chaotic drum-fest AD NAUSEAM, but it’s only because they keep getting freakin’ better. Every time I see this band, their songs and performances are fleshier, more frenzied, more obsessive, and altogether affecting. This is not feel-good rock for the masses, it’s menacing and malicious noise-rock that’ll blow yer socks right the fuck off.
The 4 Bands I Saw @ CHBP
I did intend to catch more than four bands at this year’s Cap Hill Block Party, but after 4-5 hours of insanity I felt I’d experienced enough BP action to feel more than fulfilled. It’s true, each of the bands I saw were fantastic and I definitely got plenty utility out of the 20 bones spent on my ticket. I simply bailed early on Saturday evening (around 9:30, eek) because I yearned to regain my small hemisphere of personal space that had been suffocated for 4+ hours. Too many tickets sold? This is an understatement.
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1) I strolled in around 5:20 or so, and made a break for the Vera Stage to catch Man Plus. I arrived 10 minutes later after squeezing and pushing and squirming past the rest of Seattle compressed within that one block radius separating entrance from Vera Stage.
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Now, I’ve seen Man Plus before (read LB’s spot-on post on the band here), as a 2-man, 1-woman show. However, this afternoon Man Plus showed up in its entirety as a full 5-bodied gig. I admit, both shows – the 3-piece set at High Dive’s Audioasis last month and 5-piece set on Saturday – were equally compelling. This goes to show how f’awesome this band is to pull off such outrageous performances with or without all band-members in tow.
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Here’s why I’m so high on this band: lead-singer Jared has alluring grunge-era vocals and untamed stage presence. Manat creates magic behind his synth or whatever piece of machinery he stands behind. And Ellen provides a lady-like element on vox that adds just the right measure of innocence to Man Plus’ intense and exacerbated sound. Jared comfortably fits the bill as the band’s alt-grunge-electro-punk-rock frontman (or whatever you want to call them). Hints of Cobain when screaming rage in Smells Like Teen Spirit, seep from the kid. Bleak, unmasked lyrics are delivered via heavy, blunt, manic vocals which he vehemently throws his whole (oh so slim) body into. Man Plus’ sound comes as close as I’ve felt in years to reminiscing back to the early 90′s. I’m sure this is far from MP’s intentions, but I can’t help but feel a twinge of that energy. Jared (first name is all I have to refer to) physically and emotionally launches himself into his music when performing. At both shows I’ve attended he’s jumped offstage to join the crowd – sweat flying, limbs flailing, trusting himself to the ways and whims of the audience. I feel like a giddy teen admitting this, but it was a welcome surprise at both shows and all too exciting! Check out the snapshot of how intimate and interactive a show Man Plus deliver!
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2) On to band two of the evening. I have very little to write in review of this band since I could hardly hear them. Granted, I was in the beer garden, just right and perhaps slightly behind the main stage. But this shouldn’t have totally cut me off what was going on up there. Dude, what was up with the sound at the main stage?
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Anyhow – the band was Fleet Foxes. Next time I see them live, and there will undoubtedly be a next time, I will make sure to catch them at an indoor venue so as to soak in every inkling of bliss they pulse. Apparently the Fleet Foxes were themselves weary of how they’d sound outdoors vs. indoors.
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3) Chromeo. I ditched the beer garden in lieu of getting closer to the main stage so I could fully engage in this gig. WOW did they stun. Chromeo are good friends David 1 (older brother of A-Trak) and P-Thugg – an intriguing east-coast Jewish/Arab duo who played a crowd-pleasing, upbeat, poppy electro/funk/rock set that had us Seattle fans clapping, dancing, and unabashedly bopping our heads. Even after they finished playing their one-song encore -bless ‘em – I left wanting to hear more. They definitely set an uplifting mood to the evening.
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4) Last but not least, local crew Velella Velella topped my night at the King Cobra stage. I’d heard VV on JITMAN (read leDoux’s post here if you don’t know what this stands for) some time ago and haven’t forgotten the name since. They’ve got a groovy, sexy, energetic sound happenin’ and they’re a blast live. Fluid, funky, jazzy, and oh so diggable.
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There you have it, my humble CHBP adventures of 2008.
KEXP BBQ, OMG!
The full line-up for KEXPs 6th Annual Bar-b-que has been sorta officially released. Early announcements listed Portland’s The Dandy Warhols, veteran masters of catchy psychedelic pop, Portland’s atmospheric psych-pop duo and my personal favorite performance at the Sub Pop 20th, The Helio Sequence, and our own party rappers and the creators of the Seattle Summer Soundtrack, The Saturday Knights.
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This morning, KEXP’s JITM (for those of you not speaking KEXPian – that would be “John in the Morning” or more properly, John Richards) just couldn’t hold his tongue about the remaining lineup any longer. Confirmed to round out the already stellar bill are Seattle Hip-Hop heros, Common Market, and finally, from the great NYC, Joseph Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts.
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The BBQ is happening from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 9th on the lawn behind South Lake Union Discovery Center. Tickets are currently on sale at Brown Paper Tickets for $20 and will be $25 at the gate, but don’t count on any being left over come the day of the show…
Bands I Saw At The Block Party – Part 1
Here are a few snapshots of my weekend, along with some brief reactions. Overall, the sound on the main stage sucked and somebody sold too many tickets, but, as always, the positives (sneaking my flask in, doling out amateur fashion criticism) outweighed the negatives (motorheads, achy knees). Oh, and the music was top-notch. As always.
One of the bands I was most eager to see, our first show of the day didn’t disappoint. Intelligent guitar work and rapid-fire drumming accompanied by Jordan Blilie’s screaming and crooning. Look for this newish band to only improve with time.
PWRFL Power finally won me over. I’d been reluctant to enjoy his offbeat, cheeky, sometimes-heartfelt songwriter stories—dubbing them hackneyed and boring—but the newest Brooklynite took full advantage of his Vera Stage homecoming. Guy can really pluck his guitar, too (the same one Kurt Cobain had, we were informed).
Girl Talk: meh.
Got another notch in my musical bedpost while watching MC Pearl Dragon charm the crowd inside King Cobra. DJ Gajamagic’s beats were smoov at times, bombastic at others. You’ll notice P shed his shirt at one point. You’ll notice the other MC’s (Thomas Gray, I believe) hilarious nod to MTV days of yore. You’ll notice the freakin’ party bumpin’ on stage.
Easily the best (or my favorite—you decide) show of the entire weekend. Les Savy Fav’s sublime art-punk is the perfect backdrop for the Number 1 Showman In Rock Music, Tim Harrington, who had (at least) three wardrobe changes, two separate audience adventures, and kindly lent a hand in preparing some street meat. All while keeping tabs on his bare belly and his next potential “jungle gym”; and the singing, of course. I asked him earlier in the night (seriously) to play one of my favorites off their latest record, and the band cordially complied.
I’ve made no attempt at masking my admiration for one of Seattle’s hardest-rocking, double-bass playing, grunge-punk bands (that’s a category, right?), and ending my drunken night with them in the King Cobra was fitting. Their songs grow tighter as their fan base grows taller.
Also This Weekend…
In addition to the Cha Cha, the Comet also has their aggressively titled “Cock Block Extravanga”, with the Girls and the Valkyries on Friday, and Cheap Time and the Upside Down (PDX) on Saturday. Both venues have free admission for Block Party attendees. You can also head down to Chop Suey for Comeback, a dj-infiltrated “Cock Party”. Have I used the word ‘cock’ enough? Good.
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P.S. Check out the Concert Calendar for other shows a’happenin’ this crazy effin’ weekend.
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Nectar BBQ w/ Dyme Def, Mad Rad and More…
This Sunday, July 27th, Nectar is throwing a pretty kick ass party….for only 5 bones. Niiiiice.
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I’ll go ahead and let their promoter Colin Johnson give you the specs:
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“this bill is all over the place…and every place it goes is pretty friggin dope.
Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Baile-Crunk, Experimental Electro…basically 8 hours of party jams:”
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http://www.myspace.com/pinkskulltheband
http://www.myspace.com/southrakkas
http://www.myspace.com/dymedef
http://www.myspace.com/madandrad
http://www.myspace.com/fourcolorzack
http://www.myspace.com/djrecess
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“The whole thing is going down as a daytime affair, from 2-10pm Sunday afternoon…and only $5! In our back parking lot we’ll have a smokers lounge with Free BBQ, Comp’d Drinks, and design it yourself FREE tees (stencil w/ krylon style). All the bars are open and the front patio is being converted into a full-on beach complete with sand & beachballs & stuff.”
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Sounds like a lot of fun, especially the comp’d drinks and sand part.
Beck's Modern Guilt — Mellow But Not Gold
A few weeks ago before Beck’s Modern Guilt was released, I heard the first single to hit the air on KEXP and I loved it. It was mellow, trip hoppy and had a new sound which got me excited to check out the album in its entirety. This hasn’t happened for me when it’s come to Beck in like, I dunno, 10 years or so. After Mutations, the ride on the Beck wave pretty much ended. His music went from quirky, catchy and original covering many genres to the same ol’, same ol – it all started to become indistinguishable from one song to the next. In other words, it’s been a long time since Satan Gave Me a Taco.
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Well yesterday, I got to take my first spin through Modern Guilt. And for the life of me, I cannot find that song that reminded me of trip hop favorites: Massive Attack, Zero 7 and Tricky. Huh? What was I smokin’? And now that I’ve listened to the disk like 10 times, I still can’t identify it. What I did find was a collection of 10 polished tunes, mostly standard Beck while others were good getting decent rotation during my peak listening hours. Pretty much, the sum of all parts equals good background music when shuffle is hit on my iPod. But will it make my top 2008 list, probably not.
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This time around, Modern Guilt is co-produced (along with Beck) by Danger Mouse who’s been making his rounds this year (The Black Keys’ Attack & Release, Gnarls Barkley’s The Odd Couple…). Modern Guilt starts off with Beck’s trademark sound: Orphans and Gamma Ray. Both could easily fit somewhere in between Midnite Vultures and Guero. It then weaves itself into Chemtrails, reminiscent of Brian Wilson with its 60s vintage surf rock sound. My favorite, and to really no surprise, is the title song: Modern Guilt. I can almost imagine Britt Daniel slipping nicely into the lead vocals and it becoming Spoon’s next big hit. Youthless and Walls come in at a close second. Both have an ease and groove about them that make it smooth like butter listening too.
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All in all, Modern Guilt is like putting on an old glove, fits comfy and snug but doesn’t have the wow factor of something new and super sparkly. However on the flip side, if this was Beck’s first crack at the music limelight, well, I would be talking a whole different story. This reviewer gives it a 6 out of 10 stars.
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Mudhoney Blows the Place Up, No Age Shuns Ageism
Like many music freaks with an ear to the ground, I jumped at the chance to see a free show featuring one old-skool punk band and one new-skool punk band playing together. KEXP and Free Yr Radio were nice enough set up a lowly publicized, complimentary all ages show down at the KEXP parking lot last night (7/23) with L.A. DIYers No Age opening for grizzled Seattle vets Mudhoney, apparently still riding high from the release of their eighth LP, The Lucky Ones, back in May. So high, in fact, that three-quarters of the way through their set, the band rocked so incredibly hard that the PA system blew a fuse, a jackbox, or whatever, causing a stir and a 15-minute impromptu intermission. It also could have simply been a faulty set up by the sound dude; the jury is still out.
Thankfully, someone finally fixed the technical difficulty and avoided an embarrassing finish to the show by allowing the band to dutifully conclude their set. I like Mudhoney, but I feel like their best years are behind them (their first single, “Touch Me I’m Sick”, is still their best song). They are, however, a local iconic presence that can still coax the aged cave dwellers out from their darkened lairs, as well as those of us floating somewhere in the middle who find their Stooges-via-Sonic Youth blues-punk entertaining enough. The crowd, made up of city-rockers from yore and younger scenesters on hand to catch one of LA’s recent pleasant surprises, was an exercise in dichotomy. In addition to the general people disparity, several local musicians were in attendance (members of Feral Children, the Heavy Hearts, the Purrs, Cancer Rising, Partman Parthorse, Past Lives), along with the resident KEXP DJs and, of course, Sub Pop’s head honchos. I love shows where the people-watching enhances the act on stage.
I don’t know if people regularly make this comparison or not, but the one thing Mark Arm has going for him is that he reminds me of Iggy Pop a little bit. Mostly facially, but his voice and cadence are similar as well. I find his lyricism trite some of the time, instinctive at others; theatrically, though, he’s got nothing on the lead Stooge. Lead guitarist Steve Turner can still shred with the best of ‘em, however, and many of their tunes had the mosh pit ravenously feeding on its victims.
No Age, currently touring with fellow SoCal art-punkers Mika Miko and Abe Vigoda, is the future of punk music. Adhering to venerable standards with well-timed guitar freak-outs, laden in feedback (intentional or otherwise), and head-pounding drums, the duo adds a serving of atmospheric experimentalism to its affable demeanor and catchy-but-not-poppy “melodies”. Dean Spunt plays drums and sings; Randy Randall abuses his guitar and then loops it. I came across the band late last year and quickly admired their first album, Weirdo Rippers. Their second, Nouns, builds upon the first but has a more controlled feel to it.
Many of their songs are short, so they ripped through a set that highlighted “hits” from both records, creating a soundtrack for the first-time crowd-surfers as Randall jumped off anything he could find. And given the amount of cloaking done on his recorded vocals, it was nice to hear Spunt’s words come across rather clearly. The band announced that they will be playing a house-show Friday night somewhere in Seattle, but did not (publicly) reveal the details. A cursory search through the various rogue-venue “websites” yielded no results. The task is at your hand.
(The PI is the only place I’ve found pics posted so far.) And here’re some more.
