Silversun Pickups at the Triple Door

KEXP darlings SSPU put on a little 50 minute set today at the Triple Door. MC’d by Troy, it was yet another in their VIP Club Show series.
The upside to a quick ‘n dirty show at this venue: you could conceivably put in a half-day at the office and cash in on being a KEXP donor by rocking out at lunch. Not just to any ol’ band, but one that’s commanding $50-$75 through Craigslist for tonight’s show at Neumo’s. Yes, seventy-five dollars for what Tuffy calls the second coming of the Smashing Pumpkins. (Though hot girls could go for a dollar, if you are into this guy)
The downside to the show is more of a criticism of the venue than of the band. The sound there today was, as expected, phenomenal. Seated along the wall on a padded bench, the Nikki’s rolling bass moved you, and Chris’ impossibly-high high-hat was crystal clear. But singer/guitarist Brian affirmed my reservations about the seating-only space when he said the band felt like they were playing a lounge in Vegas. “Thanks to Barbara Mandrell for opening today…” he added.
Had a cocktail server ever come around, the scene would have been complete. (Keeping with sad tradition at the 3D, the bartenders’ sloth made my head hurt more than any hangover in recent memory. We gave up after waiting at the bar doodling rude pictures on the countertop for five minutes.) Las Vegas lounge act, with a Seattle twist: a rock and roll show in a room full of vinyl seats and no standing room, attending by a bunch of head-bobbing, bespectacled office folk (or are they extras from a Verizon commercial?)

But, back to the music, as they say: crisp, in tune and loud. Though they only have an EP and LP to pick from, they played ‘em freshly as if they haven’t grown weary of the limited material. “Future Foe Scenarios”, “Rusted Wheel” with a unique intro, “Common Reactor” with requisite guitar wank, and “Lazy Eye” with EXTENDED fuzzed-out wank.

If you have it in you to be some lonely Renton guy’s date, follow that link from Craigslist. At least the music will be good.
Oh, and to the bar manager at the Triple Door: remind your bartenders that it’s a “for-profit business.” Folks playing hooky at noon have beer money to burn.

Popularity: 33%