Seattle Subsonic

REVERB REDUX

October 9th, 2009

Before I even begin, let me just admit that all the hype about Reverb I’ve been posting on the site over the last couple of years has just been hearsay. I’ve never been to the Ballard Music Extravaganza, let alone witnessing anything to back my comparisons to Bumbershoot or Cap Hill Block Party. Given that the festival consists of all local bands spread over most of Ballard’s best venues, I just guessed that it had to be phenominal. Turns out I’m a real good guesser.
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So, I didn’t get to see every one of the 64 bands playing at REVERB 2009 as I had hoped (or claimed). Hell, I didn’t even make it past midnight. In the 8 hours I did survive, what I saw besides the bottom of many pint glasses, was a stunning array of Seattle musicians pouring their hearts out for their local fans. Being that we all have important things to do today, I’ll just touch on a couple of outstanding instances.
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The day started at 3:30 sharp with the first scheduled band, Fresh Espresso. They played an all-ages show under the half-burned-out-1972-kindergarten-class-florecent light banks of the NY Fashion Academy behind a couple of stand amps. Even with the entire atmosphere working against them, they leaned straight into their songs and exuded an enthusiasm unmatched by many arena shows I’ve seen. Terry Radshaw bounced around the stage while hitting us with big beats and P Smoov and Rik Rude rhymed tight and clear. They immediately got the crowd up close and involved sing-alongs and the inevitable hand-claps, and fully deserved the screaming Beatle-esque applause they demanded for the end of the show.
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The second noteworthy show of the day was Brent Amaker and the Rodeo in the belly of the Tractor Tavern. This show began as a suggestion from C‘s friend V. (I’ll hide the names to protect the innocent but just ask me for the photos and you’ll have them!) She said she had a friend in the band, that they were great, and we should go.  Now, I had previously heared the band through their Myspace and, while it’s decent rock-a-billy/country music, it didn’t really blow my hair back, but after dumping back many yellow beers and “free tots” at Zayada Buddy’s I was pretty pliable. We headed over and to my utter delight and satisfaction, my PBR tall-boy came with a free Tractor Coozie. I was already on the good foot. The Rodeo took the stage looking the part in their all-black-villian-duds and cowboy hats. Next out was a sex-pot burlesque dancer named Bunny Monroe to drape a cape over the shoulders of our soon to be hero Brent Amaker. What followed was tooth and nail, honest to God, country rock and roll that shamed the Myspace recordings in comparison. We bounced harder and harder to each song progression, and were rewarded greatly with a “baptism of bourbon” deftly distributed to the deserving by the lovely Bunny and Co. Cooze, Booze and Rock-n-Roll. How can a show be any better? If you’re into the rock-a-billy thing at all, I highly suggest you try and catch these guys the next time they’re playing.
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Then it was time to get our grime on and head to the infamous Bit Saloon. For the next 45 minutes, the old pool and arcade room turned concert stage would be rattled by the Redwood Plan. Lesli Wood lead the charge into a world of skull-cracking, fist-pumping, punkrock anthems smattered with occasional synth-pop melodies to allow everyone to catch their breath. I’d been wanting to catch Redwood Plan for a long time and while that type of buildup often leads to disappointment, these guys delivered. The only let-down was that there wasn’t room for an encore.
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There were many other band, beer, and street meat encounters to be had, but we’ll save those for some Happy Hour some other time. I’m pretty sure there is no better way to spend $8 on a Saturday Night. Until next year, REVERB, thank you.

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Special thanks Dave Lichterman for the photos seeing as I forgot to bring a camera…