Author Archive

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)
.

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.
.

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.
.

So back to the future of you saving a buck… some other cool features promised for the new distribution of tickets and wealth are:
.

  • 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.
    .

Rock on. thank You Paramount. Thank You Moore!

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on January 5th, 2009| 3 Comments »

 

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.
.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
.

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

.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
.

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.

.
.
.

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)

.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
.

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

.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
.

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.

.
.

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

.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
.

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

.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
.

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

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music, Show Critic on January 2nd, 2009| 2 Comments »

 

And Now for YOUR Top Albums…

KEXP Seattle
It’s high time you got to hear the albums you ranked as your top ten of the year. Beginning today at 10:00 , KEXP will be playing the top 90.3 albums of 2008 as picked by you, the listener. The DJ’s seem to be tag teaming the event so it might to be a little like a pledge drive… with all the insanity but minus the guilting.  After each album’s representative single is played the online list of albums is updated. you can check it out here.
.

I have a REAL good feeling that my favorite will not be at the top of the list…

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on December 31st, 2008| Comment now »

 

My Favorite Albums of 2008 - local and otherwise

So it may seem a little last minute to unleash my favorite albums of the year, but I wanted to give the record companies every possible chance to squeeze in a last attempt and slip into my 2008 list. I mean, it’s only fair, right?  Isn’t that what they strive for? I was actually very torn between this post and another listing the most overrated albums of 2008. Maybe if we’re lucky I’ll have a minute before the new year to unleash my rant. Until then, these 10 albums deserve all the praise they received and then some.
.

10) The Black Angels - Directions to See a Ghost (LITA)

Torn with fury from the dark mud of an ancient jungle comes Directions to See a Ghost, the Black Angels’ sophomore follow up to the 2006 album Passover. Picture a dimly lit, smokey room of an endless warehouse. Stack the Marshall Amps up tall, wrench up the bass and you might get the same feeling that this album gives your soul. The music does not come at you, it comes through you. It lurks in your chest and attacks your ears from the inside. The only thing you can do is to pull your over-sized headphones on, kill the lights and let it run its course. Eventually the ceremony will be over and you’ll be set free to continue on your merry way, but you’ll feel primal… almost cleansed.
.

9) High Decibels - High Decibels (Rolling Jack)

High Decibles

When people talk about fusion music, this is what they are referring to. Hip hop, rock, soul and blues blended like a really good mint julep. The one defining component of the High Decibels is the fact that the loops are not digital but come from a live guitarist laying down the blues riffs for Duke Johnson and Chief. This album is just oozing with cool head nodding tracks, peppered with highlights like That Dude which brings in a Zeppelin-like aspect and Miss Cindy which takes the slide guitar to places Howlin’ Wolf would never have imagined.
.

8) Ting Tings - We Started Nothing (Red Ink)

Ting Tings - We Started Nothing

The Ting Tings are yet another power duo to add to the long list of 2-person groups of recent days. All I can say about this album is that it’s terribly fun - my guilty pleasure of 2008. At first, I wasn’t turned on by the sound, but I kept hearing songs off of the album and found myself asking who the hell it was. You may have caught Shut Up and Let Me Go on the iPod commercial, or That’s Not My Name on the YouTube video for Yo Gabba Gabba (OK, I admit, I may be the only one to have seen it there, but it’s 2 great tastes that taste really good together, c’mon!) It’s a total dance party dipped in electro rock beats and chanting sing-along lyrics.
.

7) Elliot Brood - Mountain Meadows (Six Shooter)

Elliot Brood - Mountain MeadowsNaming an album after the site of Mormon militia massacre seems like a bold step for any band. Especially if you’ve been previously dubbed as Urban Hillbilly and Death Country. While Mountain Meadow, the sophomore effort from the Toronto trio, isn’t pushing a political message, it is chock full with emotion. The album moves from song to song incorporating banjos ukuleles and here, thick electric guitars and drums there, all while maintaining total coherence. It’s one of the few albums produced that works best as a whole even though there are several stand-out tracks. It’s not quite country, not quite folk, not quite blues and not quite rock but instead a gritty, rasping and progressive combination of each.
.

6) Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It (Sony)

Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See ItIf you would have told me 5 years ago that one of my favorite albums today would be released by the frontman of Tony! Toni! Tone!, I would have simply laughed in your face. But here we are and The Way I See It has earned a permanent spot in my rotation. Yuk’s on me I guess. While Amy Winehouse was the first to mainstream the retro soul sound, Raphael has embodied it. This is a true tribute to Motown bridging a generation gap by including old-school and new-school guests on the album including Stevie Wonder, C.J. Hilton, Joss Stone, and even Jay-Z.
.

5) Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead (Sub Pop)

Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes AheadLove it or hate it, this is the new sound of the Helio Sequence. Personally, I love it. After wearing the digits off of their 2004 release, Love and Distance, this long-awaited follow-up struck me as strange at first. Then, it grew on me, like a stubborn northwest moss. The most obvious difference is lead singer Brandon Summers’ astonishingly altered voice after severely damaging his vocal chords on tour. The overall sound is decidedly less poppy, instead capturing haunting melodies, especially shown in the tracks “Shed Your Love” and “You Can Count on Me.” The snappy drums, electro-pop sequencing, and grimy guitars that define Helio Sequence still appear throughout the album, though “Hallelujah” might be the beacon of light for those looking for something familiar in the duo’s sound. Kudos must also be given to Brendan and Benjamin for producing and arranging this album themselves.
.

4) Black Keys - Attack and Release (Nonesuch)

Black Keys - Attack and RleaseDan Auerbach and Patrick Carney truly have the Midas Touch. Their most recent release, Attack and Release was initially slated to be an album written by them for the legendary Ike Turner and produced by DJ Danger Mouse. When Ike unexpectedly died, so did the project. Then, over a couple drinks, Patrick convinced Danger Mouse to pick up the reins and give the songs they had written new life as the band’s 5th album (7th if you count the Junior Kimbrough tribute and the first EP). This rebirth seemed to inspire the Akron duo to do some reinventing with their sound - incorporating organs, pianos and banjos into the arrangements. Nothing seems off limits. The result is an incredibly well constructed tribute to the ability these two possess to rock your ass off as well as the talents DJ Danger Mouse has make a gem shine bright without removing any of the dust and grime.
.

3) Does it Offend You, Yeah - You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into (Almost Gold)

Does it Offend You, Yeah - You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into

So are you offended by Daft Punk or Death From Above 1979? How about Arcade Fire or LCD Soundsystem? Justice? The B-52’s? What if you mashed them all up in a giant musical goulash spiced it up with a little 80’s new wave and video game sound effects. Would it offend you then? Me either. In fact I love them all with a side of toast. While DIOYY has been criticized for ripping off the sound of most of the above mentioned bands, I have found them to have incorporated the best of all of them into one glorious body-jerking mess. The tracks are filled with heavy beats, pounding bass, and overflowing with cowbell and “electro-infused Weird Science” (to quote Jules). This music is an inevitable dance party. You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into sits in my top 3 this year because it is one of the only albums that I can leave on repeat and always look forward to the next song.
.

2) Foals - Antidotes (Sub Pop)

Foals - Antidotes

Foals are Sub Pop’s newest disco-rock child hailing from Brighton, UK and fronted by the often out-of control Yannis Philippakis and Jimmy Smith on lead and rhythm guitar. They each play in perfect high pitched discord, almost everything above the 12th fret. Their guitars chirping like electrocuted crickets cranking out methodic and mathematic rhythms. Walter Gervers takes bass playing into a jerking and convulsing realm along with the piercing leads and Jack Bevan’s drumming is precise and punctuated. But what really strikes me as the album progresses is Edwin Congreave on keyboards and synth. This is the band’s bread and butter. This echoing pulsing sound. This is the source of the hypnotism, the part that kicks you in the back of the knees over and over causing you to bob and weave. Antidotes is filled with it and I challenge you not to submit.
.

1) Saturday Knights - Mingle (LITA)

Saturday Knights - MingleThis was (and shall continue to be) Seattle’s official album of summer. Now while local blogs and critics embraced Mingle, there was a hefty amount of national backlash against it calling it disjointed and immature. As many times as I have tried to sum up my feelings for the long awaited full length masterpiece from local Hip Hop heroes, Tilson and Barfly, I cannot top the words of our own DJ 100 Proof, so to wrap up my 2008 top ten, I will stand aside and let his words take over for me.
.

“I can’t remember any group that incorporated so many musical styles and genres into an action-packed 40-minute album. I can’t even bring myself to classify this as a hip-hop album, which is a great thing. Off the top of my head, I can pinpoint elements of punk, greaser, surfer, and classic rock, heavy metal, blues, Euro-pop, reggae, rockabilly, electronic, and of course hip hop. To blend all those different sounds (and more cowbell!) into one album and pull it off so seamlessly is effing impressive. Not to mention that they bring an arsenal of quotable verses, rewind-worthy one-liners, and all around great lyricism to the tracks. A lot of the lines are subtle, but after a few listens you can’t help but flash the “O face.” Barfly calmly drops gems on “45″ (”Can’t hang homeboy? I’m fuckin drapery”) and “Dog Park” (”She party like a rock star, so delirious/ I party like a Dog Star, so Sirius.”)
.

All the songs are great in their own way, but of course I have a few favorites. “Ass Kicker’s Haircut” sounds like the beat was made for the Heavy Metal soundtrack. “Dog Park” is as close to pop they get. It’s damn catchy and has a sing-songy chorus with endless, classic dog references. “So off the chain” indeed—Motorin’ makes you wish you were racing Greased Lightning with the radio on blast. It has the best beat on the album and Tilson’s tongue-twisting verse is truly something to behold. “I Go” is the shortest song on the album but packs the most punch (more cowbell!) and begs to be rewound the first few times you hear it.” — DJ100Proof

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on December 29th, 2008| 1 Comment »

 

Blue Scholars - Common Market Shows Rescheduled

Well, the snow/ice/sliding around looks like it’s here to stay, and the folks at Neumos have decided to cancel tonight and tomorrow night’s Blue Scholars/Common Market shows. Actually, that’s a lie, they’re not canceled, they’ve been rescheduled for March 14th-16th.

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on December 19th, 2008| Comment now »

 

Last Minute show at Nectar - Tonight Wed Dec 17th

Trombone Cake and Surrealized at NectarI just got word that there is going to be some killer music happening at Nectar tonight, so if you’re in the ‘hood or if you dare venture out in this (never going to happen) Snowstorm 2008!!! I’d say this would be a good place to drop your $5.
.

The lineup includes MESA & ARI, TROMBONE CAKE (whom I think have a great if not totally unique sound) and Surrealized, whom I haven’t heard yet but are a side-project of 17th Chapter guitarist Kimo. Talks with Kimo lead me to believe that this set will be extra funk-t-fied and a little different than the typical 17 Chapter sound.
.
You can check out the press release from 17th Chapter themselves after the break
.
.
.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on December 17th, 2008| Comment now »

 

The Era of the ‘New Hair Band’ - Top Beards of 2008

Best Beards of 2008Here we are in the ‘oughts’, a full new millennium, and we’re still in the midst of the Hair Band. Only this time, instead of the hair being teased, crimped, feathered, bedazzled, bandanna-ed and accompanied by man-scara, it has migrated south - to the chin. Though this New Hair Band might run a little short on the glam-guitar  of 80’s and 90’s but what it lacks in face melting solos, it more than makes up for in jangles and finger pickin’. But the hippies are far from the only ones hoppin’ on this bristly hay-ride. The trail has been cut and parted by rockers, hip-hoppers and the folksters alike. as I see it, this is an evolution that seems to take hold of a band as they begin to tour on a regular basis. The first time I saw Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, he was a shiny-faced virtuoso. The next time, a little scruffy lookin’ then he was hidden behind a huge man mask and virtually unrecognizable. (Dare I blame Chuck Norris…?)
.
Now while it seems like the keratin cultivation duties are primarily held by a band’s front man, it’s not an exclusive position. TV on the Radio’s guitarist and backing vocalist, Kyp Malone is a furry champion when it comes to hair farming. His explanation for the ever increasing plantation above (and upon) his shoulders: “I’m done with cool. I’ve been done with cool for years,” Au contraire, Kyp, you epitomize cool. You just don’t know it yet, as you’ll what I mean below…
.

So without further adieu, here’s my list of the best beards of 2008!

.
15 Jeff Tweedy - Wilco
.
2008's Best Music Beards
.
14 Mark Everett - Eels
.
Best Music Beards of 2008
.
13 Scott McMicken - Dr Dog
.
2008 Best Beard Band
.
12 Barfly - The Saturday Knights
.

.
11 Pete Quirk - Cave Singers
.

.
10 Jim James - My Morning Jacket
.

.
9 Robin Pecknold - Fleet Foxes
.

.
8 Doug Martsch - Built to Spill
.

.
7 Ben Bridwell - Band of Horses
.

.
6 Tim Harrington - Les Savy Fav
.

.
5 RA Scion - Common Market
.

.
4 Dan Auerbach - Black Keys
.

.
3 Sam Beam - Iron and Wine
.

.
2 Devendra Bernhadt
.
2008 Top Music Beards
.
1 Kyp Malone - TV on the Radio - Our Hairy Hero
.
Best Band Beard of 2008

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on December 12th, 2008| 6 Comments »

 

Caskets Video From Damien Jurado

‘Tis the season for local bands to make videos it seems..
.

Local Seattle singer/songwriter, Damien Jurado released a new video for the song Caskets off his most recent album Caught in the Trees (Secretly Canadian). The video was produced here in Washington on the dry and sunny side of the mountains by fellow Seattlite, Matt Daniels, of THINKLAB up on Capitol Hill - where all the musical magic of the city seems to take place anymore. The “star” of the video is actually Damien’s brother, Drake.
Have yourself a look-see!
.

.
Also, check out the Behind the Scenes of the video Casket
There’s also a hi-def version of the video here

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on December 12th, 2008| 3 Comments »

 

Local bands going for the glitz..

Local outfits, Man Plus and Safe Passage Clause have just released videos to back their recent projects. To say they’re completely different, I think, is an understatement. These 2 examples do, however,  give a pretty decent feel for the range available in the Seattle music scene.  Check ‘em out.

.

Man Plus “My Kind of People” from the album The Hungarian Suicide Songbook

The video was made by their friend Mike Fleming. Spread the word!
.

.
Man Plus have been working hard on a new album, which we’re expecting to release Spring 2009, so hopefully this will tide you over until them. If you’d like to grab the remix of this and other songs from the The Hungarian Suicide Songbook album, you can get it free here

.
And the second
The Safe Passage Clause - Chartreuse (Run Devil Run)

.

.
Directed by Corey Perkins, Chartreuse is the first video from their critically acclaimed, Jules Hodgson (KMFDM) produced new digital release, Titans Put Down Your Swords, available now on iTunes and most other mp3 providers

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on December 11th, 2008| 1 Comment »

 

Cave Singers - Neumos, Dec 11th

The Cave Singers opening for Calexico earlier this year was the best show I’ve seen in ages. Even as the opening act, they had the crowd fully energized. Now I’m talking about energizing a SEATTLE crowd in a seated auditorium enough so that they were DANCING in the aisles with total abandon… and all with FOLK music. My God, man!
.

The funny thing I’ve learned about the Cave Singers is that they never intended to be a folk band. They are not influenced much by it - in fact they’re much more apt to be listening to the Pixies - they didn’t grow up with it, yet, they’ve certainly hit their stride making it. And making it WELL. Standing in a growing swath of spotlight shared by the likes of other local “Folk Bands” such as Fleet Foxes, The Dutchess and the Duke, Band of Horses (ex-locals), and the Builders and The Butchers (PDX). (you’ll be hearing much more about them soon)
.

I’m looking forward to seeing Cave Singers headline their own show and really getting into their own vibe. Their first album Invitation Songs (Matador) is easily in my top 10 of 2007 and rumor has it that they are releasing an album sometime in the near future so this might be a stage for bunches of new songs.
.

Cave Singers (SEA)
With Lightning Dust (BC) and
Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive to Death (SEA)
(Another great local up-n-comer)
$12 Adv/21+
8pm doors

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on December 4th, 2008| 1 Comment »

 

LB! (that’s Lyrics Born) Hits Neumos Fri, Dec 5 and we’ve got free tix!

Lyrics Born’s planning to bring a hefty dose of of that signature super funky style and energy he’s known for to the stage of Neumos, this Friday Dec 5th. LB is on the heel side of this tour in support of his newest release Everywhere at Once, the word smith’s second-solo release in which the backing tunes are almost entirely provided by a live band. The SAME live band that has been touring the country with him and - oh yeah - should be there on Friday too. Whether you love or hate hip-hop, this is music you’ll dig. These guys are famous for getting the whole room up and jumping. Now for those of you looking for OUR LB to be up there on stage.. I’m not making any promises but with enough encouragement, he just could be swayed. L to the B!!!!
.

Now if you wanna check out the show, and you wanna do it for free, shoot any word(s) that rhyme(s) with pigeon to us here (info at seattlesubsonic) Winner will be picked and notified Thursday evening at 4:00.
Congrats to Gabriel who said “I ran into a pigeon. he said “can you move over a smidgen?” I said “I’m losing my religion.” and then he pooped on a scion.”

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on December 3rd, 2008| Comment now »

 

Liars Club and Blood Red Dancers - Two great tastes that Rock Your Ass together

This Sunday, Nov 30th is the perfect way to round off your Thanksgiving break. Two local Subsonic favorites, The Liars Club and Blood Red Dancers, in one place for one low price. To make it even easier on your constitution, this is all going down at the Sunset Tavern’s Sunday Bloody Sunset - a Sunday afternoon concert series usually focusing on up-and-coming local acts. Doors open at 4 and last through about 8. An easy way to continue that Bloody Mary buzz you started at Kingsand continues at the Sunsed ($3 all day both places), ease into a long night of Ballard barhopping, or just call it a night and get home at a reaonable hour for a grand return to work…
.
First up this Sunday are the Blood Red Dancers whom I have personally been continuously gushing over. What they produce is not necessarily music to dance to, but it is music that’s guaranteed to move you. It’s broody, evocative and heavy hearted. To give it a sound, I’d say mix a little Doors, a little Tom Waits, and a little Elvis on a hella-fuggin-drug bender. Wham! there you have it. For my full review of thier sound, check this previous post. .
.
And that’s just the first act. Up next are the Liars Club, fronted by the madman K.C. Rehberg who channels ungodly amounts of energy into every second of every song as if it were his last. No stage can contain him. Drummer, Steve Popplewell cracks amazingly sharp and tight on the kit driving the songs ahead with raging force. You get solid licks from Chris Craig on the axe, wrangling it to fill in dark melodies that shouldn’t be possible from one instrument. Alex Difabio brings it real on the bass, sometimes positioning himself as more of a lead than a rhythym. Even the songs that sound a little more subdued on their EP light off the stage like a pack of black cats. People I talked to after seeing the last Liars Club show not only dug them, but were surprised at how much they dug them. For more, check SCTG’s review here
.
Topping off the night are The Missionary Postion. The truest of true rockers with a huge sound. But after being so excited about the opening 2 bands, I don’t even have the steam to get into them.
.
This is on track to be one of the best club shows you’ll see this year. And for 5 bucks on a Sunday afternoon.. it’s really a no-brainer. If you want a taste of what’s in store, you can download a free EP from each of these fantastic local acts here! Or have a quick listen to the selections below:
.
Blood Red Dancers - Sweeties Gettin Mobbed


.
Liars Club -
Born on a Friday


-

Posted by Kevin leDoux | Filed in Music on November 26th, 2008| Comment now »