93.3 KTCL is Fucking Terrible

I’m in Denver now, and I have to say 93.3 KTCL is the worst radio station I’ve heard in a long time. KTCL promotes itself as new/cool/hip, but it’s just another Clear Channel drivel outlet. It’s sad but unsurprising (in this day and age) turn for a radio station I listened to 10+ years ago in college, when it was listenable.

As if to hide the connection to Clear Channel, the text © 2007 Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc. is hidden at the bottom of its Web pages — it’s white on a white background. Select the area and you’ll see it.

Bronze Fawn, Curious Mystery, Wah Wah Exit Wound @ ReBar, Wednesday 3/28

UNICORN CHOICE PRESENTS -

Bronze Fawn, The Curious Mystery, & Wah Wah Exit Wound

Doors at 9pm, $5

Bronze Fawn — “This is a simple process. Four men making music, a silent fifth member providing live visuals, and you experiencing the final product. “ 

Curious Mystery — “Like a junkyard band with a heart of black gold … (Oil!) ”

Here’s a link to an interview with that Pacific Noise did with them…. http://www.pacificnoise.com/episode.php?episode=48

Wah Wah Exit Wound — Psychedelic prog from the 1/2 Ass Universe.

 This should be a pretty sweet show, especially for a Wednesday night.  The ReBar is located at 1114 Howell, kind of in between Downtown, Eastlake, and Capitol Hill.

OOIOO, Kinski’s Bukkake Climax — Chop Suey, 3/23 — $10

It’s really nice to live in Seattle if you like music.  That may seem like an obvious statement — but really it’s nice.  The headliners of this evening are OOIOO.  I know noothing about this band except one thing — you know “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” by the Flaming Lips?  Well, OOIOO is Yoshimi P-We’s band.  They’re psychedelic, they’re experimental.  The Stranger loves ‘em.  http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=180350

NOW THE BIG REASON TO GO SEE THIS SHOW:

Kinski’s Bukkake Climax is not a dirty joke, but the collaoration of three of Seattle’s most revered experimental bands rearing their ugly heads in one menage-a-trois bout of rock & roll madness.  Kinski is on Sub Pop and are venerated heirs to Sonic Youth styled experimental rock.  The Master Musicians of Bukkake are costumed collaborative of quite crazy and insane gentleman including all of the Spoils, Bill Horist, and the Greatest Front Man ever to perform Rock Music — B.R.A.D. (the Accused, Girth, Crack Sabbath, Burning Witch, Asva, Sweaty Nipples, and probably much much much much more).  Climax Golden Twins are playing tonight as well and the Stranger says this: “…these venerable electronicians should be the first stop for anyone wanting to explore Seattle’s experimental music scene.”  I saw them once at 21 Grand in Oakland and I was really really fucking drunk, but they’re all super nice dudes. 

 Also performing is revered violinist/composer Eyvind Kang (Secret Chiefs 3 and a ton of other stuff). 

 I highly recommend not attending any “indie-rock,” “alt.country,” or “Seattle hip-hop” shows this evening.  Sure to be a feast of challenging insanity and hardcore rocking psychedelic experimentation.  

Interview with Ross Beamish

Ross Beamish at Trabant Chai Lounge in the U District, March 9, 2007

Ross Beamish is a twentysomething Seattle singer/songwriter. Listen to Every Day That I Wake Up.

NWMB Where did you come from? When?

BBJ @ Crocodile Pics

>>> Bobby Bare Jr. photos <<<

He was great. A born entertainer.

There’s something not right about the sadness in his voice. It’s like the auditory equivalent of a thousand-yard stare.

The first two photos are of opener Dr. Dog, and as Seattlest posits, they’re much better than their name suggests. Sorry about the quality, I was shooting in half-ass mode.

PBJ, PBR, SXSW n BBJ

PBJ

Peter Bjorn and John are really knocking my socks off. And John Richards‘ socks. And indie radio’s. They’re in Austin right now and I caught a live set of theirs off KEXP yesterday, and they sounded great, despite the bassist playing a guitar because his bass got stolen the night before. This song plays in my head for 4-8 hours, at least once a week:

Crack Sabbath tonight @ the High Dive, $8

In all honesty, I have never seen Crack Sabbath.  I’ve seen all these dudes in some of their other bands.  Skerik is a saxophone player; Mike Stone slays the drums; Ron Weinstein is one of the driving forces in the Sunset Tavern’s weekly freak-jazz showcase, The Suffering Fuckheads.  B.R.A.D. does things with them as well.  They have songs called “Makin’ Out with My Dad.”  On their album they cover Nirvana, Charles Mingus, James Brown, and Miles Davis.

 The moral to the story is that there isn’t really another show to go see tonight except Crack Sabbath.

Meet the Histrionics

After what has already been a crazy week for me, I’m really looking forward to seeing one of my favorite local bands this weekend.  The Histrionics are playing at Cafe Venus and the Mars Bar this Saturday March 17th along with the Dirty Murls and Paper Hearts. 

Interview with Stan Reed, pt. 2

This is part two of a two part interview with Stan Reed, an experimental musician/artist based in the Seattle area since 1995. PLETHORA is his solo project.

Reed performing with Blue Sabbath Black Cheer at the Lobo Saloon, Feb. 2007

[...continued from part one.] Other current projects I am working in are Blue Sabbath Black Cheer, the blackest bogdeath one can experience, and hopefully I will begin recording with Dull Knives now that they have a spot open on the board of directors…

NWMB Influences? What do you listen to at home/car/headphones?

Reed I am influenced by all different types of sound and music, ranging from early psychedelic kraut rock to the hidden gems of world music to Japanese no wave post punk to the most extreme noise. Favorites include: Nurse With Wound, Faust, Dead Can Dance, Pink Floyd, Hirsche Nicht Auf Sofa, Black Sabbath, The New Blockaders, Rudimentary Peni, Mlehst, Caroliner, Flux of Pink Indians, Crash Worship, BrainTicket, UFO or Die, irr.app.(ext.), Subhumans, Small Cruel Party, Runzelstirn & Gurgelstock, Zoviet France, Smell & Quim, Organum, The Haters, Hedningarna, Current 93, Cyclobe, Hanatarash, Volcano The Bear, Chrystal Belle Scrodd, Rowenta/Khan, Mirror, Mimir, Rudolf Eb.er, Andrew Chalk, Vivenza, Samla Mammas Mana, Thirsty Moon, Krokodil, Moving Gelatine Plates, Mixed Band Philanthropist, Smegma, Brume, Contagious Orgasm, Boredoms, Crass, Led Zeppelin, P16 D4, Schimpfluch Gruppe, S.B.O.T.H.I., MB, Taj Mahal Travellers, Frank Zappa, Ora, Monos…..oh and so many more…

Summer Music Festival Guide

Summer is coming to Seattle. Well, if not what most people would consider summer, at least the chance of a few rain free days in succession are headed our way. And with the summer come the music fests, street fairs, block parties and so on. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of outdoor stages. I prefer my live music without the sunburns and baby strollers. I feel if rock was meant to be played outside, guitar amps would plug into trees. Rock is born in dark basements and in bedrooms late at night. Music sounds best, to me, when it entirely fills a small, awkward space. But I know most people enjoy huge outdoor concerts. And here in Seattle, we put on some pretty great music festivals. And while, it isn’t my favorite way to see bands, I still go. I get pretty excited when the line-up announcements start coming in. So here are the some highlights of this year’s festival season…Sasquatch: When: May 26-27 Where: the Gorge Amphitheatre Line-up Highlights: The Beastie Boys, Arcade Fire, Bjork, Bad Brains, Neko Case, Visqueen, the Black Angels, Viva Voce, and many more. My thoughts: I haven’t been to the Gorge in years, and I’ve never been to Sasquatch. I know for many people, this is the most anticipated festival of the year. And it definitely has more big names than any of the other festivals. There are bands I’d love to see, just not enough to drive out there and camp. More info: http://www.sasquatchfestival.com/

Georgetown Music Fest: When: June 2-3 Where: Georgetown neighborhood Line-up Highlights: Earlimart, the Supersuckers, Idiot Pilot, Voyager One, With Friends Like This, Iceage Cobra, the Hands, Skullbot, Spook the Horse, Tiny Vipers My thoughts: The Georgetown Music Fest has expanded to two days this year and has assembled a killer line-up of mostly northwest bands. $12.50 per day in advance, $15 per day at the door, or two day passes for $25 More info: http://www.georgetownmusicfest.com/index.php

Noise for the Needy: When: June 6-10 Where: Various clubs around town Line-up Highlights: Okkervil River, Sera Cahoone, Das Llamas, The Lights, The Cops, and more. My thoughts: Not really a festival, but a series of shows around town to benefit a good cause. Because of other shows happening this week, the only Noise for the Needy show I plan on attending is the Okkervil River/Sera Cahoone show at Neumos on the 10th. More info: http://www.noisefortheneedy.org/

Fremont Fair: When: June 16-17 Where: Fremont neighborhood Line-up Highlights: Peter Parker, Carrie Akre, Gerald Collier, and more My thoughts: Always a very eclectic line-up More info: http://www.fremontfair.com/music.php

West Seattle Summer Fest: When: July 13-15 Where: West Seattle along California Ave Line-up Highlights: Nothing has been announced yet. Last year featured a very eclectic line-up including some big names like John Doe and 50 Foot Wave. My thoughts: If there is someone I want to see, I’ll make the trip across the West Seattle bridge. More info: http://www.westseattlefestival.com/

Capitol Hill Block Party: When: July 27-28 Where: Capitol Hill Line-up Highlights: Silversun Pickups, Blue Scholars, the Blood Brothers, Cave Singers, Grand Archives, Spoon, the Blakes, plus more to be announced. My thoughts: Last year the CHBP moved a block South and went to a Friday/Saturday schedule (as opposed to the Saturday/Sunday schedule it had been in the past). Both of these changes improved an always great festival. This was by far my favorite festival last year and it will be hard to top last year’s line-up featuring Big Business, Pretty Girls Make Graves, the Black Angels, Band of Horses, and the reunited Murder City Devils. More info: http://www.thestranger.com/blockparty

KEXP BBQ: When: Sometime in August, probably on a Sunday. Where: It was held in the KEXP parking lot, but last year was moved to South Lake Union Discovery Park. Line-up Highlights: Nothing has been announced. Last year featured Ghostland Observatory and Thee Emergency. My thoughts: This will be the 5th year of the BBQ. The first one featured the Divorce playing on a flat bed truck. They ran out of food. They had plenty of beer kegs, but only 2 taps. A warehouse two blocks away caught fire and sent up a huge pillar of smoke. But lots of fun. More info: http://www.kexp.org/events/events.asp

Endfest: When: ??? Where: White River Amphitheatre (?) Line-up Highlights: Nothing has been announced My thoughts: KNDD has almost become a talk radio station. The local show on Sunday nights is just about the only time I listen to The End anymore. More info: http://www.1077theend.com/pages/255890.php

Bumbershoot: When: September 1-3 Where: Seattle Center Line-up Highlights: The Shins, Wu-Tang Clan, more to be announced (I hope when more bands are announced there will be more I want to see) My thoughts: Last year Bumbershoot changed from a four day format to a three day format. Last year was also the first time I was disappointed in Bumbershoot. I paid more than ever, and got less than I ever had. I hope this year will be better. More info: http://bumbershoot.org/

Other: Decibel Festival, the electronic music festival, happens in September. http://www.dbfestival.com/. Gay Pride Weekend is June 23-24. http://www.seattlepride.org/. Hempfest, August 18-19, http://hempfest.org/drupal/. The Vans Warped Tour hits the Gorge on August 18, http://www.warpedtour.com/warpedtour/index.asp. Something called the Download Festival is at the Gorge on August 25, http://www.downloadfestival.com/

There you go. Information on all the major Seattle area festivals all in one place. If I’ve left out any other music festival (or festival featuring music), please add it in the comments. Where sunscreen, be wary if the food vendors, and have a merry festival season.

by Matt Koroulis

A way to avoid Ticketmaster fees (in Seattle)

Many of us have been outraged at the high “convenience” fees charged by Ticketmaster, but then paid them anyway to get tickets to a show we really wanted to see. When $9.10 and was added to each of the $25 Sigur Ros tickets I bought in 2005, I decided there had to be a better way. At first I was just going to boycott all shows whose tickets were being sold by Ticketmaster. But then I discovered ways to get tickets without paying the Ticketmaster fees.

Interview with Stan Reed

This is part one of a two part interview with Stan Reed, an experimental musician/artist based in the Seattle area since 1995. PLETHORA is his solo project.

Reed performing with Blue Sabbath Black Cheer at the Lobo Saloon, Feb. 2007

NWMB Where did you come from? When?

Reed Ok, so I’m sitting here trying to think of what to write concerning something that is quite absurd in the first place…in the eyes of the god fearing. I make noise. I sculpt with sound. I screw with the limits of audio perception through the use of absurd collages. I scream a lot…funny, my whole life, people have always told me that I was to loud, my voice, my boots, my laugh, my antics…to loud…never thought that people would pay to hear me be loud and cheer for it?!?!?

I have been involved with “music” in one form or another since I was 13. Started off in a metal band called Paranoid, (after the Black Sabbath classic of course), was the singer and keyboard player…if you could call it that. Went through a Goth like stage, joined a band called Morbid Tales of Love and played bass. Moved onto punk as I got older, one of my more famous bands was my air guitar punk rock outfit Puke On Me, started it at the wilderness survival school I was in for 2 and a half years…played 2 shows… and with the help of other punk bands like Crass, Flux of Pink Indians, Rudimentary Peni, who all broke the barriers of punk into the nosier, and a few freaky friends, fell head long into the wonderful world of experimental music/noise. I quit the band scene in the late 80’s to pursue school, women and drugs. It wasn’t until I had pulled myself out of the schools, women and drugs, that I began recording again…but this time with a different purpose.

Georgetown on Saturday, 3/10

From 6-8, catch the Dt’s at the Fantagraphics bookstore.

Browse for books, get a sandwich at Smarty Pants, and down a few drinks at 9 lb. Hammer. Try to avoid getting into a fight. I know how you get riled up after a few drinks. And for chrissakes don’t spill stuff on your new book.

At 9, head over to Jules Maes (Seattle’s oldest bar, or so I’ve been told) to see The Heels, Emblematic, and Spanish for 100. Be sure to taunt Aaron, Spanish for 100’s guitarist, on how he has to get up very early in the morning to catch a plane to Peru. He will then taunt you back on how he’s going on vacation for two weeks.

At 2 AM, remember to turn your clock forward an hour. Daylight savings comes early this year!

March 8th at the Crocodile

Jucifer, The Ruby Doe, and The Keeper

Thursday March 8th, 21+, $8adv/$10dos

Ross Beamish @ Trabant Chai Lounge 3/9

If you even remotely like acoustic solo performances, you should see Ross play. I know him outside of the music scene, and when I saw him play 6 weeks ago I was astonished at his subtlety and power. His singing voice is great, made more so by the fact that I only knew his speaking voice.

Silversun Pickups Apr 13th at Neumos!

Presale tix are available at Tickets West

Just enter “THEEND” as a password and whoop! there it is.

Wolf-Horse/R.I.G.E.L.

Wolf-Horse/R.I.G.E.L.

HA 008

$8.00

The debut release from Seattle noise terrorists Wolf-Horse/R.I.G.E.L., featuring Dave Webb (Girth, Wah-Wah Exit Wound), Jared Nelson (Wah-Wah Exit Wound, Contraband Countryband, Altamont), and Roman White (Disciples of Sedgwick).  These tracks represent their attempt to discard all formal structure, harmony, and rhythm from the musical sphere.  “How Joe Lost His 8 Foot Snake and How He Loved It” is swelling wave of monolithic power ambience and was recorded live at Tost in Seattle and features DJ Leopold Bloom and Dash Pilcher (Sway, Altamont) on percussion.  “SLO Massacre” is a 25-minute piece of freestyle violence recorded live in San Luis Obispo in 2006.  Throughout the set, the musicians constantly swap keyboards, guitars and drums, resulting in a maddening piece of audio violence.  Building from a keyboard that is simultaneously droning and shrieking to an explosive climax featuring shards of electric guitar, eerie keyboard riffs, and destructor drumming. 

1/2 Ass Universe is releasing this in a special, limited edition run with art designed by Dave Webb.  The disc comes in screen-printed digipaks and features an extravagant insert with photos and liner notes by Jared Nelson reflecting on the performances.  Mastered by Michael Van Bebber.  Avaialbe in a hand numbered run of 50.

For purchasing information, please visit:

myspace.com/halfassrecords

myspace.com/contrabandcountryband