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Alkaline Trio and Cursive together at Neumos
It is not every day that you can find a show of this caliber at a venue the size of Neumo’s. But, on February 20, 2010, Alkaline Trio and Cursive, two bands that regularly sell out the Showbox at the Market, will take to the stage at Neumos to rock our faces off. Fresh off of starting their own record label (Heart and Skull), a joint venture with Epitaph, Alkaline Trio sets out on this tour to support that release, This Addiction, which actually comes out three days after this show. Alkaline Trio started out on Asian Man Records in 1998, home of other such bands as Less Than Jake and Skankin Pickle. On the strength of two popular full-lengths, they moved on to Vagrant Records, where they began to receive wider acclaim. With the release of 2003’s Good Mourning, they reached a mainstream audience and had a single on the radio and MTV. As they moved away from their straight forward punk origins, and moved more towards a sound full of lyrics about death and the occult, their fame grew bigger and they became one of the biggest up and coming mainstream punk bands around. After a short stint on Epic Records, they find heir new home and hope to move closer to their roots, combining the production and themes that lead to their new found fame with the stylistic flair of the past. This makes their concerts even better, as they play the old songs with better musicianship and greater enthusiasm.
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Alkaline Trio – This Addiction
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Alkaline Trio – Goodbye Forever
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Omaha indie rock darlings Cursive join the bill, on tour to support their latest release, Mama, I’m Swollen. After several records on Saddle Creek that stormed the college charts, Cursive broke into wider acclaim with the release of 2003’s The Ugly Organ. The sullen, introspective story of an organist and the perils throughout his life, told in a daze of discordant musical genius, drew many new fans and exploded Cursive into a wider fan base. After their next album, Happy Hollow, fell flat, they stormed back on to the music scene with 2009’s Mama, I’m Swollen. It is back on top that they team up with Alkaline Trio for this tour.
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Cursive – From the Hips
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Cursive – The Recluse
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This is going to be a great show, and it is not very often that we get a show of this caliber in the more intimate setting of a smaller venue, so come on out and enjoy a great night of music!
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Saturday, February 20th @ Neumos
Door at 7 / All Ages, $20
Ben Russell Memorial Benefit Show!
It wasn’t all that long ago that I lost a close friend. Some of you may have known him…Ben Russell. You may not have known his name, but it seemed like he was at every show in Seattle. It is not an exaggeration when I tell you that he had to be going to shows five or six days per week. Whether you were into punk, indie, or hip hop, somehow he was always there. I’d see him at Success! at the Funhouse. Or Mad Rad at Chop Suey. Or maybe even Requin at the Comet. It didn’t matter where you went, somehow he was always there. And to top it off, he was a great guy.
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That is why his death has left such a large impression upon so many in the Seattle music scene. For this reason, I felt it was only natural to put on a memorial benefit show in his honor at his favorite bar with some of his favorite bands. Yes, I know that it is a busy night, but all of the money from this show goes to help pay the costs that are incurred when one passes away. Also, we will be collecting “Winter” items like blankets/ sleeping bags/ coats/ beanies/ sweatshirts/ tarps/ scarfs/ gloves/ shoes/ socks etc. etc. to pass along to our neighbors within the homeless community within the city of Seattle. If you have anything you can spare, please bring it along!
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Friday, December 4th
Ben Russell Memorial Show
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Dragstrip Riot (special acoustic set)
Like Claws! (solo acoustic)
DJs Dan 10Things (of 10 Things Zine!!) and Bobcat (of Sleestak)!
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@ The Funhouse, $5, 21+, 9pm
The Devil is in the Details!
It was almost 25 years ago that Daniel Johnston first appeared on MTV, finagling his way into a live performance and interview on a show based upon the thriving Austin music scene at that time. Johnston is a singer/songwriter/artist who rose to underground cult status while battling crippling manic-depression that may in fact fuel his genius. Thus, we are lucky that Daniel Johnston is playing this Friday night at Neumo’s, gracing Seattle with one of the greatest musical geniuses we have seen in quite some time.
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His life-long battle with depression and schizophrenia was the basis for the 2006 documentary film, The Devil and Daniel Johnston, a chronicle of the artist’s life from his youth through being offered the most artist-friendly contract in major label history to bouts of depression that landed him in institutions. For those out there that are not familiar with Johnston’s music, at first listen you might exactly wonder what is happening…the chords are sometimes a little off, the voice resembles a childlike sing-a-long, and the songs themselves aren’t always the most intricate pieces of work. But once you start listening to the songs through the lens with which Johnston writes, once you can truly hear how amazing the songs really are, Johnston’s true genius comes through. Because of that, this is a show you certainly do NOT want to miss. Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned that Kimya Dawson (yes, the Kimya Dawson who did the Juno Soundtrack, is also playing…) Here are a couple of tracks if you aren’t convinced yet:
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Casper the Friendly Ghost
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Funeral Home
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Devil Town
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Friday, September 5th
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Neumo’s, 8pm, 21+ $18 adv
Come “Bomb the Music Industry” Tonight!!
My good friends over at NWPUNKBOARD reminded me that we have a show going on here in Seattle tonight that is one of those “you don’t wanna miss this” shows! That’s right friends and foes, I fully expect all of you to come out to the Barnhouse in the U-District for a house show of epic proportions….New York’s Bomb the Music Industry will be gracing us with their D.I.Y. punk rock stylings along with the ever-amazing Laura Stevenson. Throw in two of the best local acts, Seattle’s Like Claws and PDX’s Anchor Down, and this is definitely one of the shows of the summer!
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If you aren’t quite sure where the Barnhouse is…well, ask a punk. Or maybe just utilize the internet because some links take you to places where information is readily available. In the meantime…I hope to see you there, because this is gonna be one doozy of a show!
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Tuesday, July 7
Bomb the Music Industry
Laura Stevenson
Like Claws!
Anchor Down
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@ the Barnhouse. Show starts at 8pm. $5.
The Grendel Birthday Bash – Fri, June 12
That’s right friends, you don’t want to miss the Grendel Punk Rock vs. Hip Hop Birthday Bash tonight at the Morgue (5901 Airport Way So. in Georgetown). A few quick notes about the show…Type (of the Let Go) will be performing a solo set and the BBQ has regrettably been canceled. But the good news is now the show is only $6 or $5 with a non-perishable food item.
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So, if you are looking for something to do…COME ON OUT!!
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Friday June 12
Grendel Birthday Bash
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Smokejumper (myspace.com/smokejumperseattle)
Type (myspace.com/themctype)
Suburban Showdown (myspace.com/suburbanshowdown)
Shakes
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ALL AGES – The Morgue (5901 Airport Way So. in Georgetown)
Magma Fest Wraps Up This Weekend
A great month of music wraps up this weekend, as Hollow Earth Radio’s Magma Fest finishes it’s first annual month long music festival! Each show thus far has been spectacular (my review of last weekend will come soon, as I have been feeling sick, but you can read my others here), so i urge you to come out. Tonight’s will be especially great!
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March 27: Fremont Abbey:: 8:00 pm
Seattle Phonographers Union, ST Rainbow, Sweet Potatoes. A night of field recordings & found sound. BRING A PILLOW AND BLANKETS – $8
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March 28 : Ballard Warehouse District (THE MINE): 5113 Russell Ave NW – 7:00 pm
EARTHQUAKE! VOLCANO ERRUPTION. w/ Pierced Arrows, Strong Killings, Victoria Galinsky, 1985/Matt Fuller, Yellow Hat Band, Orkestar Zirconium, Douglas Filkoe & Iji. Hosted by Duet-To-It.
Come Bid Adieu to Seattle Legends!
It is sad, my friends, but the time has come for Seattle’s own Dateless, probably the finest pop punk band ever to grace us with their tunes, to call it a career. It should come as no surprise to readers of this blog, as I broke the news a month ago, but it should still lead to sadness. Dateless is that rare combination of pop punk simplicity with dueling male/female vocals, an amazing rhythm section, and intricate guitar solos. From basements in Olympia to huge music festivals in Baltimore, Dateless has spread the gospel of Seattle pop punk across this country, and we are all better off as a music community, no matter than genre, for their existence. No one that I have met has done more to bring music fans together than Chris Crusher and his bandmates!
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For those of you not familiar with the band, here are a few tracks for you to check out:
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Tuesday Night
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Nobody Else
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Now that your ear drums have been sufficiently pleased, I am here to tell you that you have one final time to check Dateless out. That’s right, Le-Vy, Chris Crusher, and KII will be performing tonight at the Funhouse (down by the Space Needle) along with local favorites Success! (whose new album, of which I got a sneak listen at the rough mix, is amazing) and San Jose, CA’s the Pillowfights (a girl fronted pop-punk band whose new EP is being streamed here). This is a not to miss show. One more performance by Dateless is all we get, so come on down to the Funhouse and celebrate with the whole music community!
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Wednesday, March 25 – 21+ – 9 PM
Dateless
Success!
The Pillowfights (CA)
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@ The Funhouse (206 5th Ave N)
HER Magma Fest Continues This Weekend!
On Friday, March 6th, I was lucky enough to attend the kickoff of the 2009 Magma Fest put on by Hollow Earth Radio. Held down at the Vera Project, the show had a diverse lineup of local acts, all of whom brought out a crowd. The night started off with Portland based Kusikia, who were just a drummer and a guitar player/singer (although she did switch to bass for one song). They were extremely experimental and varied from puk rock to progressive indie post-punk. Next on the stage were TacocaT, a Seattle based power pop band that falls somewhere between the Ramones and Sleater-Kinney. The colorful performance was great, and I was blown away that I had never seen them before!
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Next up were Post-Punk Noise band Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive to Death, featuring Spencer Moody and Dann Gallucci of the Murder City Devils, and Andrea Zollo from Pretty Girls Make Graves. As soon as they started playing, they took command of the crowd, who were mesmerized by the warbling keyboards, thrashing guitars, and epic drum beat. I had seen TOLSATD once before, but never in such great form. I was highly impressed.
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Finally, local indie rock favorites the Moondoggies played, and the room, which was already rather filled, become seriously packed. I had never seen the band before, and was impressed at the intricate guitar solos and harmony played on the organ and keyboard. Although very different from all of the other bands that played, the Moondoggies seemed to be a perfect end to the night, showing all the different genres of music that HER supports!
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For those of you not in the know about Hollow Earth Radio, it is a community run internet radio station that “presents a forum for music, sounds and perspectives commonly under-represented by the media.” They are a strong supporter of local music and work hard to get out there into the local music scene. The Magma Fest is just one example of that. There are two shows coming up this weekend so be sure to check them out:
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March 20: 20/20 Cycle:: 8:00pm All of Mellon Collie & The Infinite Saddness by the Smashing Pumpkins done by local Seattle bands. $6
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March 21: Holy Mountain:: 8:00pm Beep Repaired Family Tree – A ton of bands from the Beep Family Collective. $7
A Punk Rock Legend Comes to Seattle Tomorrow Night!
It’s not very often that a legend comes to Seattle. And yet, tomorrow night, just such an event is occuring. In fact, you don’t just get one legend, you get two! Tomorrow at the GRN STRP House in the U-District, Classics of Love and Mike Park will be playing with local favorites Dateless and the Damage Done. Classics of Love features the band Hard Girls (members of Shinobu and Pteradon) with the legendary Jesse Michaels of Operation Ivy and Common Rider fame. This is only the third time Jesse has played in Seattle (once each time with those bands), and people are driving from as far as Montana for the show!
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Along with Classics of Love, Asian Man Records Founder Mike Park will be playing. You might remember him from bands like Skankin’ Pickle, the Chinkees, and The Bruce Lee Band. He was at the center of the third wave ska explosion way back when it was just getting started, and has continued to be a trend setter in terms of the music he plays and the albums he puts out on his label.
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Throw in the fact that this is Dateless’ second to last Seattle show EVER, and you have to show up. In short, this is a show you wont want ot miss in one of the most intimate atmospheres you will ever see these artists! And all the money goes to the touring bands, so please come and support the local scene!
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Saturday, March 14
Classics of Love (feat. Jesse Michaels of Op Ivy)
Mike Park
Dateless
The Damage Done
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GRN STP House (819 NE 70th St.)
8pm / $5 (and make sure you bring $5, because we will be collecting it…the bands came a long way to play for us!!)
Help Save Hell’s Kitchen TONIGHT
Hell’s Kitchen in Tacoma is in a world of hurt. It’s not because they don’t have good shows, because they do! And it’s not because the shows they have aren’t well attended, because the kids love HK! It’s because they need to install a state of the art sprinkler system that is ogoing to cost the club over $60,000 because they need to pay the City of Tacoma $25,000 just to get enough water pressure so that the new sprinkler system will operate. In light of this, the good folks over at SeattlePunk.org have put together a show with the intention of saving the club.
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And yet, this is more than justa show. Sure, there will be great performances from bands like Neon Nights and the Hollow Points, including the third to last Pacific Northwest show for soon-to-be-defunct Seattle pop-punk legends Dateless, but there will be so much more. The night is co-sponsored by the Northwest Chapter of the Gypsy Queens, an organization whose motto is “tats not tits,” as they seek to promote a positive image of women who have tattoos. The girls present (and there will be a lot of them) will be posing for photos with all of you concert goings, with the pictures being snapped by SeattlePunk.org’s staff of professional photographers. And for those of you who want to get your drink on, they will have $1.50 tall cans! This is a night you wont want to miss, so hop in your car, or ride the Sounder, and head down to Tacoma to help prevent another important venue in our music scene from going under!
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Thursday March 12th A Benefit to Save Hell’s Kitchen
The Hershey Squirts
Dateless
Neon Nights
Space Cretins
The Hollowpoints
Hooker Farm .
@ Hell’s Kitchen (3829 6th Ave, Tacoma) Doors @ 7pm / Show @ 8pm – $5 – 21+
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w/ the following Gypsy Queens:
Miss Bacardi GQ (Chapter Prez / West Coast Rep)
Miss Dusty Lee GQ (Head of Tech dept)
Meshay GQ (Chapter VP)
Raven GQ (Head of Music dept)
Gypsi Bones GQ (Seattle regional rep)
Gremlynn GQ (Tacoma regional rep)
Savannah GQ GQ LuCfur
(Head of GQ movement dept)
GQ Jesyka Gypsy Queen Christi
Mizz Behavin GQ
Anchor Down Turns Steel into Dust…
It is not very often that I come across an album that I just can’t stop listening to. Sure, there are times where I pick something up and it will occupy my time for a few days…but Portland based Anchor Down’s new EP Steel to Dust has been on almost nonstop rotation ever since guitarist/vocalist Lucas Andrews dropped it into my hands last weekend. And for good reason, too…This EP is just plain amazing! .
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Anchor Down are the culmination of many years of musical development. Although only together about a year, each member of the band has vast experience in music…when they all came together, it just clicked. 3/4 Portland, 1/4 Seattle, this four-piece brings a double axed attack with intricate guitar solos, dueling raspy and harmonious vocals, and it is all anchored by a strong rhythm section. This is what melodic punk is meant to be. .
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Although reminiscent of many bands that have come before them, Anchor Down seems to take a little bit from many different influences to from a sound all their own. Having already drawn comparisons to the likes of Alkaline Trio, American Steel, and the Lawrence Arms, this debut EP picks up where Dillinger Four’s C I V I L W A R left off in the lexicon of punk rock releases, combining driving guitars with melodious punk hooks and lyrics dripping with self-analyzation. In short, the EP is near perfect…Here are a few tracks for your enjoyment: .
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Red Ink
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World War 1
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For all you Seattlites and Portlanders, the cd is already available at your local independent record stores (save for Easy Street Music)…for the rest of you, the album will be released nationally on March 24th, in conjunction with the release of the vinyl (which all you vinyl freaks will want to pick up… 400 copies on orange, 100 copies on blue, and 50 copies on clear vinyl). Now that you love it, go out and buy it!
Up the SPunks! (Yes…SPunks!)
Following the demise of the King Cobra, there has been a huge void left in the Seattle punk scene. While great places like the Funhouse and Galway Arms continue to book punk shows, the loss of King Cobra has meant that there is one less place for local (and touring) punk bands to play. Yet, it is looking as if that void may be filled very soon…
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The one great thing that King Cobra had going for it was that it supported the local punk scene quite heavily, allowing local showcases to go on and regularly booking great local bands to open up for touring acts. A lot of that had to do with Justin, who regularly booked punk shows there. Lucky for all of us out in the scene that enjoy punk rock (also known as SPunks, which stands for Seattle Punks), Justin is going to stick around and continue supporting and promoting the local punk scene. Although nothing has yet to be confirmed, I trust my sources, and it looks as if Justin may be setting up Punk Rock Monday Nights at the Bit Saloon in Ballard. This is music to my ears in a town that has so many awesome local punk bands.
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As soon as the first show is announced, I will be sure to post it on here…until then, just keep your ear to the ground and get out there and support your local scene. Whether it is punk rock at the funhouse, hip hop at nectar, or indie rock at the sunset tavern, Seattle has a lot to offer and in these tough economic times we all need to continue going out to these local shows to keep all of these great places afloat! Otherwise, we may be left with no small venues left, and we will all suffer for that!
