Seattle Subsonic - January, 2009
Point Juncture, WA and Hazelwood Motel @ Neumos
| Thursday, January 8, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
Portland soft-rockin’ group Point Juncture, WA (no such place exists, geography buffs) plays Neumos this Thursday with Seattle’s Hazelwood Motel. PJ, WA remind me a little bit of the Breeders with some guitar antics, psychedelia, and slow-dirge flourishes thrown in. “Ghostly jazz-rock” also comes to mind; there’re some happy trumpets floating around. I’ve been keeping them on my infamous “watch list”.
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PJ, WA will also being doing a KEXP in-studio at noon, the same day.
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$8 at the door / 21+
Mad Rad & Man Party @ Sunset Tavern 12-30
So about two months ago I’m hunting around for shows to play on New Years Eve, and for some reason every band in Seattle thinks they have to play on New Years. Mainly because its one of the few nights of the year your pretty much guaranteed a built in crowd even if you’ve never had one. Only bad part is every asshole who never drinks comes out, acts like a dick, and stumbles (or drives) home and doesn’t remember who the fuck your band is… Oh well, I’m no exception to the rule so I’m hunting with no real idea of where to play when I get an email from one of the guys in Man Party about playing with them and Mad Rad at the Sunset Tavern on the 30th of December, a Tuesday, and the night BEFORE New Years. A-Bro and I have had a tendency to follow this particular pattern of being “one day off” the mark (like playing at 3pm at REVERBfest, or 2am for Zombie Prom), but the line-up seemed solid since I heard great things about Mad Rad, and Man Party’s ep on their Myspace page is actually really good (if you haven’t heard it) so I confirmed and the show was booked without any real expectation of how it would turn out. So let me just say this now… I rang out 08 on the muther fuckin 30th ya’ll, and that shit was live!
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Paramount and Moore ditch ‘Ticket-bastard’
So it’s not the total boycott we may be hoping and praying for, but it is a step in the right direction. The Moore and Paramount Theaters are rebranding themselves in a non-profit fashion and adding some novel features like a new Web site, 24-hour ticket kiosks outside of the theaters themselves and a new online ticketing system (THAT DOESN”T INVOLVE TICKETMASTER)
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STGpresents.org (Seattle Theater Group) has become the umbrella under which the 2 venues will be presented. Along with the new Web site launch, STG is transferring the majority of its engagements from Ticketmaster to tickets.com. They say they have “nothing but respect for Ticketmaster.” Personally I could take a pass on the sugar coating and would rather see a photo of a middle finger in the press release. Taking a dollar out of the pocket raping bohemoth’s wallet and keeping it in mine is a step in the right direction. Frig, even if I have to put that dollar in someone else’s pocket.. I’m a little happier.
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Now I don’t know what kind of “convenience” changes Tickets.com stuffs into their prices but from what I’ve found it’s looking MUCH better. Upon checking the site, the only way to currently get your Moore and Paramount tix through Tickets.com for upcoming shows is via the phone. I checked a couple shows that WERE available through Tickets.com and compared then to The ‘Bastard’s prices and found that for two $45 tickets to the same event, Ticket.com charges a total of $11.00. Ticket Bastard on the other hand finds it SOOOO convenient for us to use their services that it feels entitled to $28.46 of our hard earned dollars. WTF? Thus my dissidence.
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So back to the future of you saving a buck… some other cool features promised for the new distribution of tickets and wealth are:
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- My Tickets – enables patrons to create a personal account to manage, use and transfer tickets online with password protection.
- On-Site Kiosks – allows patrons to purchase tickets 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365-days a year at STG’s two venue locations, The Paramount (911 Pine Street) and The Moore (1932 Second Ave) in downtown Seattle. Patrons also have the choice to retrieve will call tickets up to 90 minutes prior to show time, minimizing box office will call lines.
- Print Tickets from Home – provides patrons the option to print tickets at home with no additional fee, in contrast to other print at home programs that charge for this service.
- Receive Tickets on Cell Phone – patrons can utilize a paperless ticketing option where a bar-coded ticket is sent directly to the ticket buyer’s mobile phone.
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Rock on. thank You Paramount. Thank You Moore!
Matt Ross is HERRE!!!!
Whats up!
My name is Matt Ross and thanks to some homies of mine (Big Rob and Dj100Proof), I was hipped to this blog and asked to contribute. Im kinda partial to the old school as you will see but that doesn’t mean I cant be hipped to some new shit as well.
Peace
John Spalding Benefit Series Poster
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You can check out all the upcoming benefit shows in our Concert Calendar.
LB’s Favorite Non-NW Albums of 2008
I know we’ve all officially flipped the calendar into 2009, and we’ve already had several other lists, but here’s one more look back at this past year (that’s 2008, stoners), with some non-local favorites to complement my NW edition. I think year-end lists are cliché in lots of people’s eyes, but, in reality, it’s more of a personal record-keeping exercise for me, and I enjoy cataloging the year in music as my ears heard it. I’ll be able to look back at this in a few years and remember what was so great about 2008. Unless Al Gore blows up the internet.
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10. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles (Last Gang)
You might ask yourself why I’m including an apparent creative crook in this list, but the truth of the matter is that, when it came to some early online demos, no real infringement ever took place. The Toronto duo, comprised of Ethan Kath and Alice Glass, has always been up front about their sampling, and they do a damn fine job of it. Their sonic creations gesticulate and gyrate as if you’ve taken a healthy snort of coke, bought a Gameboy, an Atari, and a Sega, miraculously fused them with a synthesizer and some other geeky tech-gear and somehow crafted music from it with an NES controller. And then your freaky, shrill girlfriend has stopped by to scream in your ear about it. It’s not as cacophonous as I’m suggesting, but it is ferocious, it is futuristic, and it is worth your time.
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9. Saint Dymphna - Gang Gang Dance (The Social Registry)
GGD’s 4th LP was a bit of a late addition to the list, but after repetitively listening to this record for the past 10 days—not to mention their entrancing live show—I’m convinced this New York outfit is doing something truly unique. Easily switching gears between psychedelic trance rock and Middle Eastern-tinged freak outs, the foursome’s perpetual, percussion laden neo-tribalism experiment easily hypnotizes (I’m actually under a spell right now). Vocalist Liz Bougatsos, who recalls either Bjork or a doped up Kate Bush depending on the song, uses her voice more as an instrument than as a vehicle for lyrics. “House Jam” is the best song on the record, and probably one you’ve heard before, but there are plenty other organic-electro jams here to kick your inner native into gear. [Live Show Review]
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8. Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds (Anti-)
Did we doubt Nick Cave’s transition from Goth piano balladry to lewd and lascivious garage rock? I didn’t, but that’s probably because I’ve only become a fan of Cave and his Bad Seeds in recent years. Truthfully, though, if you love Murder Ballads or Let Love In, I don’t see how you can’t be pleased with this modern day version of Cave’s distressed God, pussy, and murder mantra (see “Moonland” or “Jesus of the Moon” for the old Nick). One thing the man hasn’t lost is his ability to tell a story, though. Who can successfully re-imagine the resurrected Lazarus winding up in an American soup queue, or contemplate the world’s “deepening socio-economic divisions” while simultaneously quipping that he himself feels like “a vacuum cleaner, a complete sucker”? Why, Mr. Nick Cave can. [Live Show Review]
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7. Made In The Dark – Hot Chip (Astralwerks)
I’m surprised I haven’t heard a ton of people raving about this hard-and-soft-hitting dance record from Hot Chip. Personally, I think it’s dazzling. “Out At the Pictures” is a slow-building fist-pumper (as any British electro song can be) that might make you either peel out on those Goodyears or drunkenly shimmy barefooted across the dance floor, laughing like a hyena the whole way. “Hold On” has a funky, spy-caper beat and a ludicrous hook (“I’m only goin’ to heaven / if it feels like hell / I’m only goin’ to heaven / if it tastes like caramel!”). Of course, it wouldn’t be Hot Chip without the sappy white-boy R&B of the title track and “In the Privacy of Our Love”. Easily one of the best dance records of 2008.
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6. Antidotes – Foals (Sub Pop)
There are so many compelling aspects to this striking debut, but what sticks out most in my mind is its remarkable tempo. It never quite slows down, but it never feels too quick or overwhelming either, with the uber-talented Walter Gervers providing most of the propulsion with his bass. Most ears will immediately pick up the sounds-like-insects-by-design distinctiveness of Jimmy Smith and singer Yannis Philippakis’ guitars—and for good reason: it sounds amazing—but the pulsing freneticism elicited from each and every instrument makes this Oxford band a pure pleasure. Here’s to hoping they shed the Bloc Party comparisons rather quickly. [Live Show Review]
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Top 5 after the jump.
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Getting to Know and Love the Little Guys
Now you most probably got word from the Stranger about who’s coming to the Showbox this month, and KEXP concert listings let you in on who’s hitting the stage at Neumos, but you might not know is who’s a regular at the Can Can or that the Bit Saloon is rockin the windows out on a regular basis these days. Seattle is speckled with great little stages tucked into the backs of bars and pubs. And you’d be amazed at the quality of the performances happening in some of Seattle’s lesser known joints. I have a quick list here of some of those spots and what to expect in the upcoming month.
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Mars Bar (Eastlake)
The Mars Bar/Cafe Venus is a often (and easily) overlooked venue praticially under I-5 on Eastlake right near REI. The hood itself is home to another hidden gem of a venue, the Lo-Fi and the ever-rockin, El Corozone. The Mars Bar is a tiny spec of a place butted up against the hipster and moped-gang riddled Cafe Venus. It doesn’t have the best sound in town but who needs it when you’re close enough to actually hear the guitar strings being strummed. Some of this month’s highlights hitting the Mars Bar are Life in a Blender from NYC playing an acoustic set, and a highly energetic night with Seattle’s own, The Femurs opening for Poorsport.
Saturday, January 3
Accosted by the Acoustic
LIFE IN A BLENDER
Mutual
Barry Bob Vail
9 p.m. $6.
Friday, January 9
POORSPORT
The Femurs
Dateless
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The Can Can (Pikes Place Market)
The Can Can is a cavernous little tucked away cabaret bar situated right in the gullet of Pikes Place Market. It is mostly known for it’s burlesque, comedy and evenings of dance, but one of Seattle’s treasures, Vince Mira – a former Market busker with pipes sent straight from Johnny Cash himself – is a regular most every Tuesday night. I’ve seen his show here and at the Triple Door… it’s mesmerizing.
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Tuesday, Jan 6, 13, 20 & 27
VINCE MIRA and Special Guests
Cost: Free/$10VIP (7:00P)
(go for the VIP seating-it’s worth it)
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The Cha Cha Lounge (Capitol Hill)
Located in the downstairs of Bimbo’s Cantina, The Cha Cha Lounge is a tiny, dark bar granting you the ultimate in the intimate. With the amount of Lucha Libre murals, you might expect a wrestling match to break out but rest assured, you’re more likely to catch a break-out band along with a buzz with the fine array of Tequila. It’s still more of a bar than a venue featuring only a couple shows a month. January’s show is a benefit for the John D. Spalding Medical Fund featuring These Arms Are Snakes, Elephant Rider and Weekend (members of Champagne Champagne and Schoolyard Heros) A portion of the bar and the $5 suggested donation door charge will go to the John D. Spalding Medical Fund.
Sunday, January 25, 9pm $5
A benefit for the John D. Spalding Medical Fund
These Arms Are Snakes
Elephant Rider
Weekend
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Conor Byrne Pub (Ballard Ave)
Along the Ballard Ave gauntlet of hip bars that are packed with condo dwellers till the seams are bursting, there are still some spots to grab a stool and shoot a little pool and just relax. The Conor Byrne is one of them and they’ve got the market cornered on the Bluegrass and have a Honky Tonk Revue every Thurs night. This month, the Roy Kay Trio, an institution at the Byrne, are pickin’-an’-a-grinnin’ their way through an Elvis Tribute Evening honoring the King’s birthday.
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Thursday, Jan 8, 15, 22, 29
Honky Tonk Revue
Friday, Jan 9
Elvis Birthday Tribute
w/ Roy Kay Trio
Saturday , Jan 17
Dolly Parton tribute night
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Healthy Times Fun Club (???)
It’s an enigma in a riddle, wrapped in a puzzle. If you don’t know about HFTC, all I can tell you is that its always a party. Not a place for drinking, smoking or haters! You can have 1000X the most fun ever but in a friendly, community oriented and non habit forming way! In essence, it’s exactly what it claims to be Healthy Times, Fun Club. Promoters ask that you bring donations for the bands of monies, or even food. It’s the ultimate in creating the music community all while hosting some incredible bands. This month look for The Pharmacy and TacocaT on Jan 2. For more info check here
Friday January 2
new years hangover sober dance party
the pharmacy,
raggedy anns,
a million years ago,
herr jaz
taco cat!
Friday January 16
Math the band,
iji,
yes oh yes
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The Bit Salloon (Ballard)
Another fantastic reprieve from the Fremontification of Ballard. The Bit used to be nothing but threadbare, sticky carpets, a bad juke box fulla butt rock and a $5 hangover. But now, oh now… it soo much more! Granted the cheap drink specials are still an institution and just dangerous as ever, but the new owners have installed a great sound system, opened up the back room and hired one of the best guys in the biz for the sound booth. The month is chock full with great music. Too much to actually list out including an acoustic Dwarves and Dragstrip Riot set, and Bellingham country bumpkins Chuckanut Drive I’ll leave it to you to check here for the full list of happenings
Friday, January 9 9:00P
Chuckanut Drive
Casey Ruff & the Mayors of Ballard
Big Sur
Sunday, Jan 11 6:00P
Dwarves (acoustic)
Eddie Spaghetti
Dragstrip Riot unplugged $10 advance
John Spalding Benefit @ the Sunset Tavern
| Thursday, January 8, 2009 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
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The Sunset Tavern Presents
John Spalding Memorial Benefit
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Helms Alee
Born Anchors
Patrol
& guests
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9pm / 21over
$8
John Spalding Benefit @ El Corazon
| Saturday, January 31, 2009 | ||
| 7:30 pm |
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El Corazon
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MXPX
Amber Pacific
Nazca Lines
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doors at 7pm Show at 7:30
$10 advance
$12 Day of show
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All Ages
Bar With ID
John Spalding Benefit @ the Comet
| Saturday, January 3, 2009 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
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The Comet Tavern Presents
John Spalding Memorial Benefit
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Slender Means
An acoustic performance by Suffering and the Hideous Thieves
and Guests
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9pm / 21over
$8
John Spalding Benefit @ Chop Suey
| Wednesday, January 21, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
The good man who was John Spalding passed away November 23rd after a four year battle with cancer, and now his good friends have put together another scheduled benefit concert to help his wife out with mounting medical bills. It’s no secret that John had a tremendous gift for making others feel welcome, nor is it secret that he shredded his share of guitars. These two elements of his life will be primarily responsible for the excellent lineup of bands he called friends:
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Damien Jurado
Dave Bazan
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$12adv /$15dos
8pm Doors / 21+
John Spalding Memorial Concert @ Showbox MKT
| Friday, January 9, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
The good man who was John Spalding passed away a few weeks ago after a four year battle with cancer, and now his good friends have put together the first scheduled benefit concert to help his wife out with mounting medical bills. It’s no secret that John had a tremendous gift for making others feel welcome, nor is it secret that he shredded his share of guitars. These two elements of his life will be primarily responsible for the excellent lineup of bands he called friends:
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Just added!! The Cave Singers
Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive To Death
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Of course, you can always donate to the John D. Spalding fund at any Bank of America. His album, The Beautiful Truth, will be posthumously released sometime in early 2009.
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Tickets will go on sale Saturday, December 6th at 10:00 AM and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster Retail Locations including Fred Meyer and G.I. Joe’s, by calling 206.628.0888 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
20 BUCKS. ALL AGES.
