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Seattle Grunge by Justin Henderson
As much of a cultural impact Grunge music had on the world, it didn’t really last all that long, at least not in its heyday. Then again, The Beatles lasted only seven years, and Jimi Hendrix made music for only four years, and they are considered some of the most influential of all time. Sometimes all it takes is to take a chance and hope your music connects with someone, which is ironic considering the majority of grunge musicians had no aspirations to be famous; they just wanted to make music.
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Grunge Seattle (written by Justin Henderson and published by Roaring Forties Press) takes a combination of all known Seattle grunge musicians and explains how the music they made came to be. It is well known that Seattle is the Mecca of all things grunge, but was it ever apparent why this was the case? What is it about this area that influenced musicians to create a style of music that, at least at the time, went completely against the grain? Henderson doesn’t just take this at face value, he does a good job explaining the history of the region, and how its pre-Microsoft isolation from the rest of the world created an atmosphere that was much less expensive to live in. One of the main reasons grunge musicians thrived in Seattle was because in the early to mid 80’s they could afford to!
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There were so many bands in Seattle at the time, and it wasn’t just a hobby, it was a lifestyle! A key point of the era is that the bands supported each other. They lived together, went to each other’s shows, worked day jobs together, and evolved together. Grunge is a rare style of music that can claim self-influence. It was no secret that bands ‘borrowed’ guitar riffs and drum rhythms from each other, in fact, it was encouraged. The grunge era of Seattle really was about community and giving each other support, until eventually the music evolved to a degree that the rest of the world paid attention.
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Grunge Seattle will be a treat to aficionados who have fond memories of grunge, both pre and post explosion. There are several references to ancient music clubs that don’t exist anymore, as well as thoughts from some of the impresarios of grunge: Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman of Sub-Pop records. There are also some good maps that are handy for reference to the locations of these clubs where it all happened.
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If anyone wants to pick up a copy of the book, there will be a release party at Moe Bar (attached to Neumos) this Wednesday, July 28th at 8pm. Justin Henderson will be there, and if you have a story to tell, he’ll probably have a few for you as well!
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Wolfmother At The Paramount
The first time I listened to Wolfmother’s latest album, Cosmic Egg, I felt that this was a band that knows how to progress, and take the talent that put them on the map in the first place to even greater levels of creativity. I’ve seen Wolfmother twice in the past few years, and each time I was amazed at the power and energy they delivered in their live performance. This was when Chris Ross and Myles Heskett were in the band along with Andrew Stockdale, and they had more of a triad style of writing music and performing live. I had known the original Wolfmother lineup broke up in August of 2008 due to ‘irreconcilable differences’, but still, I was really excited to see a band bring back the magic of psychedelic heavy metal that’s been lacking in the music scene for a long time.
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On Friday Nov 20th at the Paramount, the band took the stage opening with a blictering rendition of Dimension from their self titled debut album, and really didn’t let up at all for the entire show. Instead of the traditional three-piece rock set, Andrew Stockdale is now joined by bassist and keyboardist Ian Peres, rhythm guitarist Aidan Nemeth and drummer Dave Atkins. There were plenty of new songs from Cosmic Egg that sounded even better live than they did on the album, including Sundial and 10,000 Days, which demonstrate how intense guitar riffs can drive the energy of a good rock performance. The crowd was mostly younger, and I must admit watching them slam dance in the mosh pit brought back some good memories of electrifying band performances I saw when I was in my early twenties. And during the band’s final encore performance of The Joker and the Thief the youngins really got charged.
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There is no doubt that Wolfmother in its current form can still deliver a solid set and give people looking for a great rock and roll show a good time. However, the synergy from performances I saw in past years was just not there. The shows with the original lineup were more about the band as a whole and how the combined talent of each musician contributed to an excellent performance. These days, it seems the band is more about Andrew Stockdale. The band was set up on stage so Stockdale was in the spotlight, and the new band was more off to the side. I don’t even recall a single instance where Stockdale would jam, or even acknowledge the rest of the performers in the band, which really affected the overall performance. The energy delivered by a band is successful only if there is harmony among the band members and that just wasn’t evident at this show. I’m sure Wolfmother will still continue to make great music in the future, but they really need to give some extra attention to their live performances.
Jet Sparks, formerly Emily Sparks
Did she change her name in honor of our own Jet City, Seattle? Maybe readers of this blog would like to think so, but the most likely reason from my perspective is that ‘Jet’ is the nickname of Bridget Mullen, the singer/guitarist/keyboard-player of Jet Sparks. How did she get the nickname? Well, you’ll just have to see her at REVERB Fest this Saturday, maybe she’ll tell you!
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The soothing acoustic guitar of Jet Sparks, along with her ever-rotating cadre of musicians will be the perfect way to start what promises to be a loud and exciting day of local music in Ballard. Speaking for myself, sometimes the eardrums need to be broken in a bit before rocking out. Jet Sparks brings the sound of a busker street guitar along with a soft voice that perfectly captures the lyrics so melancholy that it has to be blended with an upbeat melody, ensuring the listeners will be carried away to an introspective state of mind. Not only will you be treated to a great guitar performance, but chances are Jet Sparks will perform a few songs on the keyboard, all while you experience the full array of musical and songwriting talent that has 
made her a favorite among many diverse audiences. Her music has been described ‘quiet music for those who like it loud’, and although I like to get warmed up a bit, I think this is loud music that will be the perfect way to do so.
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Jet Sparks will be the first performer taking the stage at 4:30pm at Hattie’s Hat this Saturday for REVERB Fest, so be sure to check her out.
Phish
Ahh, to go Phishing! Is this a cheesy way to start a music review? Who the hell cares? If you like Phish, you’ll appreciate the pun, and if not, well, enjoy the review anyway! That is what I love about Phish concerts; you will find a place to fit in regardless of your age, sex, and or attitude. There is absolutely nothing required, except to take in the atmosphere, which is never the same regardless of how many Phish shows one has been to.
Friday, August 7 at The Gorge was the first time I had seen Phish in 13 years. The beautiful thing about a Phish concert is that the music is only half of the experience. One goes to a Phish show to experience the ambience, which involves so many other aspects one doesn’t normally consider at any other concert. There are friends to be made anywhere you look. We set up our campsite and immediately made friends with the family that drove in from Montana for their first experience at The Gorge. A motley crew of explorers with balloon monkeys tied to their tents needed assistance getting a tarp set up across the way, which we gladly gave. When we woke up in the morning without much food beyond the normal camp fare, a caravan of Phish followers granted our desire for fresh morning coffee less than 100 yards away from our campsite.
The point is that Phish attracts a community, and friends are to be made wherever you look. You turn your head and be friendly, chances are people will be friendly right back, and if they’re not, well, you’re out nothing by trying. Here’s an interesting experience: My friends and I made our way to the concert, while making a stop near the ‘premier’ (it actually sucks) campsite so one of our group could look for her brother. The rest of us decided to stop and chill on the grass near the area, and just take everything in. A couple of golf carts/camp vehicles amble by, and as it turned out, Mike Gordon was riding in one of them with his family! I have no idea what he was doing, but the crowd certainly recognized him, and he acknowledged the recognition the best way any popular musician, could, by simply smiling and waving back! Pretty cool way to start the show!
Phish started the show with what is arguable their most well known song: Down with Disease. The crowd went crazy with the first licks of the instantly recognizable bass line, and took it from there! Phish is most well known as a ‘jam band’, which is attributable to several bands at this point, but they definitely are one of the bands that have made it an expected aspect of their live shows. What I enjoy about their particular style of jamming is how they segway from one song to another during a jam, and then ‘loop back around’ and continue playing the original song! Sometimes they even throw in teasers of cover songs – I was heard them play the riffs of The Beatles ‘Norwegian Wood’ during a jam, which always pleases the crowd.
Both sets of the show consisted of several well known Phish hits, which is pretty rare, as they are known for playing rather eclectic set lists that cover their entire library. However, being the first time they’ve played The Gorge in over ten years, I’m sure they wanted to give their fans plenty of opportunities to sing along. Their first set featured songs from ‘A Picture of Nectar’, including Stash and Cavern, which happens to be the song that turned me on to Phish in the first place! It also included a new song, Ocelot, which upon first listen sure seems to be a lot mellower but groove-inducing. Phish dug deep into the vault for their second set, playing such classics as Fluffhead and Bathtub Gin. The real highlight of the evening for me was the closing song Harry Hood. For a song that takes 15 minutes or so to jam through, it was the perfect ending for a Phish concert.
Greatly Entertained by Seeing Blind
And yes, I was.
When listening to a band for the first time, my natural tendency is to subconsciously compare the sound to other bands I’m familiar with. It’s not because I prefer one band over another; it’s just that there are sounds bands play that remind me of other bands. It’s not surprising when considering that most musicians get their inspiration and influences from other musicians they admire.
The first sound that came to mind when listening to Greatly Entertained, the latest album from Seeing Blind, was the multi-instrumental jam sound of The Dave Matthews Band. I admittedly felt a bit weird about this comparison as Dave Matthews is much more mainstream than Seeing Blind, but upon looking at the band’s website, my fears were put to rest. It turns out one Melissa Levi’s listed influences is The Dave Matthews Band, along with other bands from folk-jam genre.
What impressed me the most about Seeing Blind is the fantastic combination of sound that comes from just four musicians: Melissa Levi on guitar and vocals, Jessika Kitzman on Cello, Wes Amundsen on Bass, and Luke Larson on Drums. (Included on a couple of songs on this album is Stephen Morrissey on horns.) While Melissa’s soulful crooning is definitely in the forefront of this group, it is clear that her voice is definitely given the lift it needs from the sounds of the rest of the band. More often than not it’s hard to believe this band does not have more than four musicians.
It’s been a while since I’ve heard a voice as distinctive as that of Melissa Levi’s. It was hard at first to compare it to anyone in particular, and while Levi definitely has fantastic voice that brings to mind the great blues singers, she just doesn’t display the grittiness of singers like Janis Joplin, which is not a bad thing at all. However, the more I listened to the album I was reminded of the 1975 classic At Seventeen by the great Janis Ian. From my mental database, Levi has the most similarity to her.
Another similarity to the Dave Matthews Band is the jam quality of Seeing Blind. I could easily see them taking any one of their songs and carrying it into a ten-minute jam at a live show. I’ve never seen them live, but they will be playing at The Tractor Tavern on August 7 in support of Zepparella. This is a great opportunity to hear some feel-good music that will have you jamming in whatever mental space you are in.
P.S. – Hey Seeing Blind, have you thought about doing At Seventeen as a live cover?
The Obits – Neumo's May 16
Before the release of their debut album, I Blame You, not much was known about the sound of The Obits. Fans were stuck with a bootleg recording of their first live show that could only be found on their MySpace page, but they wanted more. These veteran indie rockers were willing to take their time experimenting with a three-guitar sound before bringing a bass player into the fold allowed them to move pretty swiftly in creating the album. The result is a band that that describes themselves as not into innovation, but rather play the stuff they like and let the originality take care of itself.
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With the album being described as a straight up rock ‘n roll record, fans of the Rick Frober’s previous band Drive Like Jehu would be well advised to check this show out. I hear it includes a blistering performance of the classic blues staple Milk Cow Blues
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Obits,
The Lights,
Unnatural Helpers (recently signed to Hardly Art!)
:: Doors at 8 pm :: $10 adv ::
Atmosphere: All the Ugly People Be Quiet!
And as such, not a single person at Showbox Sodo was quiet Friday night for the Atmosphere show. The only reason I heard of this hip-hop group was purely by happenstance. I was pursing a copy of The Stranger sitting at the bar at Mulleady’s, my local watering hole, and I saw an advertisement for the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco this August. I struck up a conversation with my neighbor, talking about which bands we’d like to see there, and she told me that since Atmosphere is scheduled to play, she is definitely going to the festival. That stuck in my mind, and when I had the opportunity to check them out for Subsonic, I jumped at the chance!
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It was quite the scene arriving at the Showbox Sodo, as there were dozens of people out front begging for tickets. I felt a little bad knowing absolutely nothing about this group when there were so many people wanting to get in, but hey, I was on a mission and had a job to do! My date and I had just enough time to get a beer and chat for a little bit before Atmosphere took the stage, and from the reaction of the crowd, you could tell that this is a hip hop group that definitely gives their fans what they want.
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As I mentioned, I knew absolutely nothing about this group before this show, but that didn’t really seem to matter, as frontman Sean Daley (aka Slug) made it easy to groove to the music and connected well with the crowd. Something I look for in any show I go to is band interaction with the crowd. It’s one thing to be a good musician and artist, but another thing entirely to be a good performer. If all I wanted to do was hear the music, that’s what radios and CDs are for. To banter with the crowd and make it known that their presence is appreciated, that takes something special. Slug was great, giving the obligatory shout-outs to ‘Sea-Town’, getting everybody’s hands in the air, and really encouraging everybody to have a good time. He encouraged everyone in the crowd to make friends with everyone to their left and right, front and back. The entire crowd is one big community, so take care of each other!
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Two to three songs in, Slug made the comment that this was the ugliest crowd he had ever seen, which really got the audience excited, before segwaying into the title track from their 2002 release, “God Loves Ugly”. I must say I’ve never heard a frontman describe their audience that way, and I’ve never heard a crowd erupt into screams when he says ‘all the ugly people be quiet!’. It just takes a certain kind of performance to pull that off.
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I don’t know that I’ll be making the trip to Outside Lands this year, but when Atmosphere makes another trip back to ‘Sea-Town’, I think I’ll make an effort to check them out again. A show that grabs your attention like this is something special.
Oh Yeah, Blood Red Dancers Baby
How often do you get a chance to see a great rock trio without a lead guitarist? How often do you get to listen to music that doesn’t just move you, but moves you? All right, all right, we are in Seattle and we all know the creative juices are gushing out of all the bands here, but the Blood Red Dancers are something special and unique, even in this ocean of creativity we call the Seattle music scene. When band has members that have known each other since childhood, you know that something has to stick.
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This is a great opportunity that grabs its sound deep from the primeval realms of the subconscious, coating themselves with the blood of their enemies to inspire themselves to rock the hell out of whoever is lucky enough to be in attendance at the show. I know I’ve had plenty of missed opportunities to see bands that make my jaw drop, but I sure as hell am not going to miss this one, and I strongly encourage all of you not to either.
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To download the FREE EP “Let Him Fight, I’ll be in the Bread Line” from the Blood Red Dancers, click here
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Neumo’s, Chop Suey March 12
@ 9pm -21+ $6!!!
Blood Red Dancers
fun fun fun,
The Coyotes.
Photo by Ken Roeder
Fujiya & Miyagi @ Neumos
If you’re in the mood for a little head-bobbin’ this weekend, the place to find it is this Saturday at Neumos. Hell, even if you just want to watch a room full of people bobbin’ their heads, but don’t want to participate, your best bet is still Neumos. When Fujiya & Miyagi play their single ‘Collarbone’ – which I surely hope they do – I think the best vantage point will be the upstairs. From this spot, you’ll probably be able to see waves in the crowd! This will be the umpteenth performance in Seattle for the British quartet, so you know they must be doing something right for our music scene. Check the show out, and prepare yourself for some gentle groovin’! You won’t be able to sit still!
Doors @ 8pm- $13 advance – 21+
w/ Pop Levi, Project Jenny & Project Jan
Fujiya & Miyagi @ Neumos
If you’re in the mood for a little head-bobbin’ this weekend, the place to find it is this Saturday at Neumos. Hell, even if you just want to watch a room full of people bobbin’ their heads, but don’t want to participate, your best bet is still Neumos. When Fujiya & Miyagi play their single ‘Collarbone’ – which I surely hope they do – I think the best vantage point will be the upstairs. From this spot, you’ll probably be able to see waves in the crowd! This will be the umpteenth performance in Seattle for the British quartet, so you know they must be doing something right for our music scene. Check the show out, and prepare yourself for some gentle groovin’! You won’t be able to sit still!
Doors @ 8pm- $13 advance – 21+
w/ Pop Levi, Project Jenny & Project Jan
