Seattle Subsonic

My (Your?) Block Party Plan: Friday

July 21st, 2009

I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to get really excited about the Block Party this weekend. And not just because of the lineup—I’ll get to that in a sec—but because the forecast is sunny, hot and clear, the stage and overall setup has been smartly revamped, my flask is full of tequila and because ohmygod Deerhunter and Sonic Youth are playing the freaking Block Party! Sorry, couldn’t contain myself.

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So, if that little blast of emotion didn’t alert you, the DH and the SY are my two top picks for this year’s lineup and alone are worth the price of admission ($23/day). The Bradford Cox-led Deerhunter have been steadily creeping their way up my Favorite Bands Ever List since Cryptograms wormed its way into my heart back in aught-seven. On Microcastle/Weird Era Continued, the Atlantans re-imagine elegant punk and alluring garage pop that sounds neither aged nor contemporary, embracing as much beautiful contemplation as it does hypnotic repetition. Expect to also hear their latest EP, Rainwater Cassette Exchange, a semi-hyper follow-up to Microcastle that offers dreamy doo-wop, glistening guitar pop, and another chance at winning you over. They are as good live as they are on record.

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You’ve likely heard about Built to Spill’s little poll for letting their fans pick their Block Party set list. It’s a cool little feature that never would’ve happened ten years ago. I love Built to Spill, but given the band’s gigantor fan base and tireless intersong guitar canoodling, I might be over at the Vera Stage watching Starfucker.

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There are probably tons of dudes out there who’ll tell me just how raw, noisy, and disemboweling the Jesus Lizard is. I never listened to the band in their heyday, but I will certainly find out for myself just how caustic and incendiary the Chicago underground heroes can be. Kinda like if a satanic Iggy Pop fronted Fugazi, from what I’ve gathered.

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Go ahead and keep reading if you want to know what the rest of my Friday “plan” is (you know, other than getting tanked).

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On Friday, the Main Stage and the Vera Stage are where it’s at for me (Sleepy Eyes of Death and They Live! lose out for conflicting schedules). I don’t need to tell you about the Dutchess and the Duke; you already know their rollicking folk-rock revivalism is as pure and honest as it gets. The only question is whether the Main Stage slot will persuade Jesse Lortz and Kim Morrison to bring a few of their buddies along to round out the sound. Flexions is another band I’m really excited about. The band features Past Lives guitarist Devin Welch and other dude Robin Stein vocalizing, playing bass and ticklin’ keys. The post-rock duo add a drum machine and other effects to their low end groovy and malignant sound. Welch is hands down one of Seattle’s most intriguing guitarists.

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Spinnerette, the new post-Distillers Brody Dalle vehicle (not necessarily a dig), might be worth the time, if only to check out how the wife of Josh Homme has transformed her image from savage punk frontwoman to glossy electro-rock Joan Jett/Gwen Stefani incarnation. A few of the tracks I’ve heard aren’t bad. Black Lips, the garage-rock hoodlums with a flair for baring their asses and chased out of India for such behavior earlier this year, will provide a great set. Bet on it.

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I haven’t been too keen on British rock the past few years, but the debut from Micachu & the Shapes (Jewellery) has been in heavy rotation recently. Their off-kilter, scraggly electro-punk combined with hip-hoppish beats and vocals might be the most unique—and coolest—thing you hear this weekend. I’m also going to check out local semi-hardcore dudes Bow+Arrow and the rowdy girls in LA fuzz-punk band Mika Mako if time allows. I won’t be seeing Past Lives, but you should if you haven’t.

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Stay tuned Go here for my Saturday plan of attack.