Seattle Subsonic

Seattle Subsonic - Venues

YellowFever, Flexions, & Stephanie At Cairo Friday Night

Tomorrow night is Friday. Friday is a good night for doing things and having fun. With that logic in hand, I’ll assert an option of the show-going variety to my dear like-minded readers; that is, if you consider yourselves “dear” and/or “like-minded”. Cairo, which opened a little more than two years ago, is a small venue/art space over on Mercer St. (between Summit and Belmont). It has developed a wonderful habit of hosting shows featuring many of those deviant subterranean bands who I spend so much time blabbering on about here on SSS. Bands like U.S.F., PWRFL Power, Talbot Tagora, White Rainbow, Big Spiders Back, Butts, Katharine Hepburn’s Voice, and Partman Parthorse. The space is filled with far-out farrago and mixed-up mélange that aims to warm your heart, bedeck your body and shatter your conventions. Much like the music it decides to showcase.

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Tomorrow’s bill will feature a few local bands I’ve mentioned in the past, Flexions and Stephanie. Flexions are a groovy and menacing dub-rock trio featuring Devin Welch from Past Lives on guitar/vocals and Tyler Swan from Truckasauras on drums. Robin Stein plays bass and also sings. I haven’t seen them since the Block Party of 2009 (my video here), when Swan’s predecessor was a drum machine, but word has it the live skin-pounder and widened scope of interest has subtly transformed their militant, often steely, post-punk into something more ominous and bedazzling. You can listen to their self-titled EP here (drag the faders for each song). You might recall my review of Stephanie’s weird-pop debut back in June. While it did feel incomplete, it did show extreme promise with jaunty, Casio-worn tracks like “Freak Flag” and “WASP”. Expect something buoyant, unfamiliar and stylish.

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The “headliner” is the Austin duo YellowFever, whom I know little about, other than the pop classicism tunes they have on myspace immediately grabbed me (go figger). The band features core members Jennifer Moore (guitar/vocals) and Adam Jones (drums, etc.) and has a few releases under its belt. Moore sings with a smokey sort of nonchalance (often about cats, incidentally), coming off both aloof and impassioned as she chooses her octaves wisely. Her concise guitar melodies contradict the rambling, rumbling jazz-inspired drum parts Jones favors. Their off-kilter approach to pop is not unlike Micachu and the Shapes. Kudos to whoever put this bill together—should be a good one.

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8pm

$5

all ages

The Best Venue You Have Yet To Go To

I got the chance this past week to get a behind the scenes tour of the newly revamped Columbia City Theater. Kevin Sur, resident booker and historian, and Abbey Simmons, press relations, gave me the low-down on the Theater, where it’s been, and where it’s heading.
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“The Columbia City Theater was built in 1917 and is the oldest vaudeville theater in the state of Washington. Having played a major role in the Seattle Jazz boom in the 40′s, the theater played host to the likes of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Fats Waller.” [taken from Columbia City's website] It’s reportedly one of the first venues at which Jimmy Hendrix performed in the 1960s.
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The current owners, CB Shamah and Rob Hillman, were originally looking to open a bar. They wanted a place that could house fun and unique events. They found out the theater was for sale, and brought on Kevin Sur to take on the task of putting together one of the finest music venues in town—and he succeeded. After about five months of renovations and updates, the Columbia City Theater now hosts a beautiful stage—the type with deep red curtains and fantastic moldings that really makes you feel like you are watching a show back in the vaudeville days. The lighting in the theater is beautiful as well, using old halogen bulbs instead of L.E.D.s (which many venues use), lending a wonderful warmth to the space.
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Jim Anderson (of The Crocodile fame) was brought in to handle sound for the remodeled theater. He came in with a different, “less is more” approach, and he was able to get the best sound I have heard in Seattle. The room was built with such great acoustics that it does not take much to get optimal sound in the place. Just two main speakers and four massive subs fill your ears with the beauty of the music and nothing else.
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Kevin has put together one of the finest places for touring musicians to have a chance to play. The Theater now boasts a full bath and shower—and for anyone who has been on the road touring, there is nothing like a shower to make you feel human again. They also have two great green rooms for artists to relax in. Perfect places to kick back and forget the troubles of the road.
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One of the best things that I got a chance to see and learn was the Theater’s recording studio. Gary Mula, who used to be over at The Dutchman (which was home to many early Sub Pop bands like Mudhoney, and Soundgarden) runs the studio Sunday through Thursday, enabling the Theater to offer any musicians who play there a live recording. I had the chance to hear a few tracks from the recent Maldives show, which sounded great, since they have multi-track recording built right into the sound board. In the future, they plan to release more live recordings and even DVDs of live performances.
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With a fantastic D.I.Y approach to space and sound, the guys and girls over at the Columbia City Theater are ushering in a new era to the local music scene. If you have yet to catch a show there, they have plenty of great artists coming up. Head over to their website to find out more about upcoming shows and events.
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Big thanks to Abbey and Kevin for Showing me around!
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It’s Gonna Get Hot Tomorrow Night at Cafe Fusion!

You all love KEXP, right? Well then here’s a show you won’t want to miss! Tomorrow, Saturday, August 7th, indie surf pop darlings The Hot Toddies will be performing at Fusion Cafe, a little known, yet wonderful, all ages venue in the heart of downtown! If you’re in the know, then you’ve already been here to see one of the numerous national touring artist that has performed here in the last year and a half. But if not, here is your chance!

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For all you avid KEXP listeners our there, you’ll remember The Hot Toddies from back in 2007 when their last album was released and they got major airplay on the station. In fact, they even did a great live in-studio performance (that you can listen to here). I think that the band’s bio gives the best description I have heard of them yet: “Oakland’s sweethearts,The Hot Toddies, mix 1950’s beach pop with indie rock riffs, a bottle of whiskey and a dry sense of humor.”

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Along with the Toddies, a bunch of other great local bands will be performing. There will be great acoustic sets from Chris Crusher (of Smokejumper, who were recently named one of the next 5 Seattle bands to get signed), Jefferson Death Star (Ryan Koreski from the Damage Done, another band who was also on that list mentioned above), MT148 (melodic singer/songwriter indie with inspirations ranging from the Weakerthans and Apple Seed Cast to the Murder City Devils), and Arms Like Cables (two guys playing together that sound like Chuck Ragan)! In short, it’s a show you don’t wanna miss. And do note…IT STARTS EARLY! 7PM.

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So, be sure to come out out if you love bands that “[blend] 60’s pop, doo-wop, and beautiful harmonies,” or local music. Either way, you will not be disappointed!

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Saturday, August 7th

The Hot Toddies (http://www.myspace.com/thehottoddies)
Chris Crusher (of Smokejumper)
Jefferson Death Star (http://www.myspace.com/therealjeffersondeathstar)
MT148 (http://www.myspace.com/mt148)
Arms Like Cables

@ The Fusion Cafe (909 4th Ave)

$6 – 7PM

Bumbershoot Music Lounge Acts filling up fast

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Amongst the hustle and bustle of Bumbershoot, there is a tiny reprive. The Music Lounge sponsored by KEXP features some of the best bands at the event nestled into intimate venues around the grounds. Below you’ll find the bands that will be featured at this year’s Bumbershoot. In order to reserve a seat you must visit the KEXP website and register, but hurry, seats are filling up fast!
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Saturday, September 4: Plants and Animals, Justin Townes Earle, The Budos Band, Visqueen, The Raveonettes

Sunday, September 5: Fences, David Bazan, Aterciopelados, Horse Feathers, Surfer Blood

Monday, September 6: Ra Ra Riot, The Moondoggies, Bomba Estéreo, The Thermals, The English Beat

EXTEND BAR SERVICE HOURS POLL!!

The Mayor has released his new Nightlife initiative. He is getting feedback on it via an online poll. Please make sure you voice is heard!
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Take it HERE! It takes 5 minutes. If you want extended service hours, tell them here!
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Filling out this survery WILL really make a difference. PLEASE do this. And pass it on to other supporters of nightlife you know.
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It takes 5 minutes. If you want extended service hours, tell them here!

Fremont’s Full Of Music This Weekend

If naked bicyclists and bizarre floats aren’t enough to fulfill your overcast Solstice weekend, then get behind an awesome free music lineup. Check out: http://www.fremontfair.org/music/
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My recommendations:
Saturday – Loosen up to some funk and jammy ska rock; proceed to mellow out with some folk and indie rock groups (who are on the rise) for FREE!!:
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2:30pm-  Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme
3:45pm-  Panda Conspiracy
4:15pm – Ravenna Woods
7:00pm – To the Sea
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Then, drink some beers, pretend it was sunny all day, and head to the Big High CD release @ the High Dive. I’ve been interested to see what this pool of Seattle rock vets (and some gnarly beards) have put together, including drummer Barrett Martin (from Screaming Trees and Mad Season), bassist Sandy (he’s in a dozen bands), Mesa and Ari (who have their own duo act). That should be good times, post-watching the sunset over at Golden Gardens.
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Sunday – Find a bloody mary [several] and an omelet (Mae’s or Pete’s Egg nest?); get back in the game. Wander around the fair and let me know, which Sunday acts were worth checking out. I’m unfamiliar.
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4:00pm – Thaddillac – I was listening to his stuff and its good (and hard to spell 2 ‘d’s and 2 ‘l’s. ok. got it). Thaddeus Turner is Seattle’s guitarist extraordinaire, as lead guitarist for Maktub and touring guitarist for too many great bands to mention (look it up). He’s made a long overdue solo debut and I think it’ll be worth checking out.
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Recover.
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You’ve got a busy summer of music ahead.

Sunset Tavern to Celebrate 10 years!

Ballard’s rockin’est venue, The Sunset Tavern, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this June. Back in 2000 when it opened, Ballard Ave was much a quieter place flanked by tiny fishing houses rather than Condo-maximums.  The Sunset was actually one of my first 2 stops when arriving in Seattle, the other being the Tractor, and they’re still my favorites. It’s a small space with big sound and bigger bands.  Since it’s inception The Sunset stage has been graced by amazing acts such as The Fleet Foxes, Camper Van Beethoven, Of Montreal, The Cave Singers… I even saw The Rebirth Brass Band squish their 9-piece band up on that little platform – eventually we all found it ridiculous and proceeded to march our asses “second-line-style” out into the street to get some breathing room, might be the best show ever.

Audioasis Show Tonight @ Sunset Tavern (May 1)

Short and sweet; I expect this show will be intensely fun, from start to finish. Plus, it benefits the Seattle Tilth.

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The local bands have all had a lot of buzz recently (and thru Subsonic):

9:45pm – 10:15pm Butts (read the Subsonic post here)
10:30pm – 11:15pm Thunder Buffalo (recently signed with our friends @ Sarathan Records. Heard they play a fast furious set.)
11:30pm – 12:15am The Lights (Subsonic post applauding their latest album)
Hosted by Hannah Levin.

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Sunset Tavern in Ballard
Doors: 8:30pm Show: 9:45pm Age: 21+
Tickets @ the door $8 day of show

Lots Of Free Stuff At Neumos Tonight

Including one of the most perfect foods ever created: FRENCH FRIES. All day, even. If you don’t like french fried potatoes, you’re in a SERIOUS MINORITY. Sorry to say it, but it’s true. Damn true.

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Oh, and there’s also a free show: Wet Paint, Haunted Horses, Eel Eater (are they sustainable??), and Broken Nobles. Also, I think that might be an Abominable Snowman. Get on with it.

Greg Attonito et al @ Healthy Times Fun Club

It seems of late that it has been all the rage for rock artists to pick up an acoustic guitar and tour small DIY spaces and venues. While not everyone can pull it off, there are a select few who have flourished at it. And, somehow, we are lucky enough to get three artists of that ilk on one bill this coming Thursday.

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Thursday, April 1
Vic Ruggiero (of the Slackers)
Greg Attonito (of the Bouncing Souls) w/ Shanti Wintergate
Kepi Ghoulie (of the Groovie Ghoulies)
Jefferson Deathstar (Ryan from the Damage Done)
Megabog
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$5, 8pm, at Healthy Times Fun Club on Capitol Hill! ALL AGES!

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You’ll notice that Vic Ruggiero wasn’t on the flier, but he has been added to the group of touring bands, so we get the opportunity to see another great artists on what was already a great bill!

Sasquatch! Lineup Is Nice, But Maybe Not For The Price

In case you missed it, the lineup for the 2010 Sasquatch! Festival was released Monday night during a concert at the Crocodile (I was unsuccessful in my attempts for those coveted free tickets). Here’s the day-by-day schedule:

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Saturday, May 29th
My Morning Jacket / Vampire Weekend / The National / Deadmau5 / Broken Social Scene / OK Go / Wale / Public Enemy / The Hold Steady / Miike Snow / Z-Trip / Brother Ali / Minus The Bear / WHY? / The Very Best / Portugal. The Man / Mumford & Sons / The Lonely Forest / Nurses / The Middle East / Patrick Watson / Morning Teleportation / Laura Marling / Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros / Fool’s Gold / Garfunkel & Oates / Dam-Funk / Shabazz Palaces

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Sunday, May 30th
Massive Attack / Pavement / LCD Soundsystem / Tegan and Sara / Kid Cudi / Nada Surf / Dirty Projectors / The xx / The Long Winters / Simian Mobile Disco / Midlake / Girls / Vetiver / The Tallest Man On Earth / YACHT / Booka Shade / Caribou / Avi Buffalo / City and Colour / Cymbals Eat Guitars / A-Trak / Fruit Bats / tUnE-yArDs / Local Natives / Freelance Whales / Jets Overhead / Rob Riggle / Luke Burbank

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Monday, May 31st
Ween / MGMT / Band of Horses / She & Him / Passion Pit / The New Pornographers / Drive-By Truckers / Boys Noize / Camera Obscura / The Temper Trap / Dr. Dog / Neon Indian / No Age / The Mountain Goats / Phantogram / Quasi / Japandroids / Mayer Hawthorne & The County / The Low Anthem / Fresh Espresso / Hudson Mohawke / Telekinesis / Past Lives / Yes Giantess / Craig Robinson

Pretty solid, no? Yes, I agree; but while this is certainly a better than average group of bands, musicians, and comedians, it doesn’t set my heart aflutter like in years past. Personally, I’d say Sunday is the best mix (mostly due to the headliners) but I see how any random person might prefer any of those three days. But here’s my deal: it’s difficult to not view the price of this thing as somewhat of a rip-off. It seems to get pricier and pricier every year and is the biggest reason I haven’t attended in a long time (well, that and the state of the “campground”).

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Let’s do some math: $170 3-day pass + $15 (estimated) ticket fees + $99 for all-weekend camping (no single day campground prices) + $100 for food/drink/water + $50 for gas = $434! Good lord, that’s a lotta dough. Sure you can maybe split the camping, sustenance and gas amongst friends, but that $100 for food and drink could easily be $150, and if you only want a single day ticket, that’s $80 a day ($70 if you buy early, $86 if you buy late). Now, I’m no miser, but I do prefer to spend my money wisely. Is $300-400 worth it? I dunno, but if the prices keep going up, how can this be A) sustainable and B) desirable?

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I also forgot to mention that the 3-day passes are only available for 2 days starting Feb. 20th. Geez louise.

Piecora’s Pizza Is Now A Music Venue, Too

Raise your hand if your favorite memory of Piecora’s Pizza on E. Madison St. is post-grade school soccer game grub fests. Yep, me too. CYO, BABY! The long-standing New York-style pizzeria has decided recently (I think) to get into the music biz. Why not? Everyone else is doing it. It’s not like there’s a dearth of bands out there to occupy your calendar with. Chop Suey is just a few blocks down the hill and makes for some nice competition.

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It’s called Piecora’s Back Room and shows are presented by Radio Free Seattle. Here’s the current schedule:

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