Kinski, Lozen, The Heavy Hearts at the Sunset on Friday May 1st

Tomorrow is my birthday and I am inviting everyone to come out to the Sunset to see three awesome local bands.  The Heavy Hearts have been busy writing new songs and will be performing some of them for the first time at this show, their first in a few months.  Lozen has just put out a new album, Oona.  It is a 5-song, 10-inch, vinyl EP (comes with a download code).  The record release show was in Tacoma last week.  This will be the first chance to pick up a copy in Seattle.  In June, Kinski will be heading off to Japan for several shows.  This show is going to be great.  Don’t miss it!

The Jesus Lizard to Play the Capitol Hill Block Party

Just like that Jesus in the bible, The Jesus Lizard have returned and are hitting the road.  They will be in Seattle on July 24th and will be headlining the main stage of the Capitol Hill Block Party.  It’s an Easter miracle.  Start rubbin’ your nub.  (personally, I’d rather see them at the Showbox, but I’m stoked I will see them at all.  The Scratch Acid reunion show in 2006 was epic.)

The Jesus Lizard

UPDATE:  Does this mean the ban has been lifted?

The Return of Crocodile

Fifteen months after abruptly closing its doors, the Crocodile has reopened.  To kick things off the venue hosted a pair of free shows.  On Thursday night Hypatia Lake, the Kindness Kind and the Quiet Ones welcomed the Crocodile back to the Seattle music scene.  Last night Akimbo, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, and Patrol thoroughly blew out any dust that might have remained from the remodling.

First, the Belltown neighborhood hasn’t changed much.  There is still no place to park and it’s full of weekend warriors from the burbs (as I walked to the venue I heard a woman yell, “Oh my god, my boobs are popping out.” as she tried to run across a cross walk before the light changed).  The Crocodile on the other hand is almost unrecognizable.  The entrance is now on Blanchard street (the doors at the bottom of the ramp near where the restrooms were that were never used.  The old entrance on 2nd Ave now leads to a smokers pen.)  When I walked in Patrol was already playing.  One thing that hasn’t changed is the sound.  The place still sounds fantastic.  It’s great to see Jim Anderson at the sound board doing what he does best.  The new stage runs along the south wall of the show room and seems much bigger.  The new lighting is going to make every band look like huge stars.  When you stand looking at the stage it’s easy to think you are in a much larger venue.

Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, AKA Tad Doyle’s new band, proved the sound system can easily handle the loudest, heaviest bands.  And the sight lines are great.  The huge column is now gone and there is a mezzanine (I think this mezzanine is what caused all the Neumos comparisons I overheard last night.  Rumor has it that the bar in the mezzanine serves stiffer drinks).  But the room does not have a good flow.  The main bar is now opposite from the stage along what used to be the window in what was the cafe area.  All night long people who were going to get drinks were running into people returning with drinks as they all tried to weave through the people watching the bands.

And what’s with the bathrooms?  They seem way too swanky.  Especially since at the end of the night they are still going to end up looking like the bathrooms at El Corazon.

I’ve only recently gotten into Akimbo.  I’ve always thought they were great musicians, but never fell in love with their music.  But damn are the fun to watch.  The crowd was really into their set.  Full-on moshing was going on and it made the place feel alive.  Akimbo promised a Nirvana cover if anyone took a stage dive.  And when the singer from Patrol did just that, the band kept their word played a version of “Breed” that whipped the crowd into a frenzy.  I thought it was a fitting tribute to the house that grunge built.

This is not the old Crocodile.  Some of the coziness has been lost, but overall I think the new version will be seen as superior to the original.  I look forward to seeing many shows here.

2nd Chance to See Monotonix!

Tonight’s Monotonix show at the Comet is sold out.  But they are playing a second show tomorrow, Sunday September 28th, at the Sunset in Ballard.  It’s an early, all-ages, matinee show starting at 2pm.  Get there early because the opening bands will be Lozen and the Heavy Hearts, and both are excellent.  Bring the kids, bring your grandparents, try not to get lit on fire. 

Truly?! Really? Yes, Truly.

Truly is reuniting with its original line-up, Robert Roth on guitar and vocals, Hiro Yamamoto (ex-Soundgarden) on bass, and Mark Pickerel (ex-Screaming Trees) on drums, and will be playing two shows this weekend in Seattle!  The first is on Saturday August 30th at King Cobra with Mexican UFO, Patrol, and TV Coahran and the second is Sunday August 31st at El Corazon with Mad Juana, The Press Corps, and the Jet City Fix.

Truly released two critically acclaimed full-length albums, 1995’s Fast Stories from Kid Coma and 1997’s Feeling You Up.  Both albums are a little hard to find, so if you’re lucky, maybe they’ll be available at the shows.

These shows are warm-ups for some European dates.  And from their myspace page… “Robert, Mark, and Hiro are currently in the midst of working on new material with the notion of going back into the studio and record another album. 2008 could very well be a GREAT time for some new music from these Northwest dark horses.” 

Go to the Myspace page and listen to the songs there and maybe you’ll join me in thinking this is a really big deal.

Block Party Extras

This weekend (Friday and Saturday) is the Capitol Hill Block Party.  Along with the official line-up, there are some added bonuses happening inside the fesival gates.

Half a block from the mainstage, the Cha Cha Lounge will host bands on both days.

Friday July 25th

Fences    5:45 pm

TacocaT     6:45 pm

Yes, Oh Yes     7:45 pm

T.V. Coahran     8:45 pm

Das Llamas     9:45 pm

Saturday July 26th

Kaylee Cole     5:45 pm

See Me River     6:45  pm

Weirdlords    7:45 pm

Triumph of Lethargy     8:45 pm

Wild Orchid Children     9:45

Around the time the main stage and Vera stage shut down, the Comet Tavern will get very loud.  Around 11 pm, the Comet will also host bands…

Friday July 25th

COCK BLOCK PARTY EXTRAVAGANZA -W/THE GIRLS , THE VALKYRIES -FREE!!!

Saturday July 26th

COCK BLOCK PARTY W/CHEAP TIME (NASHVILLE), THE UPSIDE DOWN (PDX) FREE!!!

Both venues are 21+ and will have free admission for all Block Party attendees.

Murder City Devils Cancel Reunion

Two weeks ago The Murder City Devils announced a reunion show in Portland as part of Musicfest Northwest.  Today they regretfully announced it would not happen, but hope to play a show in Portland later this year.   Details come from The Murder City Devils’ myspace page…

“We regret to announce that due to uncontrollable circumstances we will not be able to play the show in Portland on September 6.  From MusicFest NW “All individual tickets for this show are refundable at point of purchase. “  Again, we hate that this happened, and are trying to reschedule a show in Portland for later this year.”

Obits Coming to the Northwest

Obits, from Brooklyn, have announced a handful of shows happening this summer with Seattle and Portland as the only West coast stops (all of the other shows are taking place in the northeast).  The band features Rick Froberg playing the role of guitarist-vocalist as he did in bands such as Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, and Pitchfork.  According to various blogs, Obits played their first show earlier this year, but have been writing and practicing for a couple of years.  When I heard the two live songs on the band’s myspace page, I felt Obits picks up right where Hot Snakes left off.  Some reviews of their first show mention a more classic rock/blues sound.  There is no official word on when an album might be released.  Tour dates…

June 28th (early show) – New York, NY

June 28th (late show) – Hoboken, NJ

July 10th – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge

July 11th – Seattle, WA – The Funhouse

Aug. 22nd – Cambridge, MA

Aug. 23rd – Providence, RI

Aug. 24th – New Haven, CT

Advanced tickets for the Funhouse show are available through Brown Paper Tickets.  The Lightsand Android Hero round out the bill. 

New Faces Sign to Loveless Records

Winners of the 2008 EMP Sound Off! competition, New Faces have signed with Loveless Records.  Loveless will release New Faces’ debut full-length, Two Years, on August 26th.  Two digital-only singles will be released July 22, and will be available at itunes, emusic, snocap, and all other major digital outlets.  Starting in early July,  Two Years will be available directly from the band at shows.

 
Press release after the jump…

Release Date Set for Helms Alee Debut

On August 5th, 2008, Hydra Head Records will release Night Terror, the debut full-length from Helms Alee.  Helms Alee features Ben Verellen (who has played in Harkonen, These Arms Are Snakes, and Roy) and Hozoji Matheson-Margullis (who also plays in Lozen).  Night Terror was recorded by Matt Bayles. 

Before the record is released, Helms Alee will head out on a West coast tour in July.  Upcoming dates…

June 28th – Tacoma, WA – Hell’s Kitchen (w/ Flipper)

July 16th – Arcata, CA – the Alibi

July 17th - Chico, CA – Cafe Coda

July 19th – Los Angeles, CA – Relax Bar

July 20th – San Diego, CA – Che Cafe

July 22nd – Eugene, OR – Samurai Duck

July 23rd – Portland, OR – Ash St.

Live, Helms Alee are heavy, intense, and melodic.  Go out and see them.

Russian Circles at Neumos 6/09/2008

This coming Monday, Russian Circles will be rocking at Neumos.  The instrumental Chicago band just released their second full-length album, Station, and I have not been able to stop listening to it.  It is intense, immediate, and gripping in ways not usual for music without vocals. 

Station was recorded here in Seattle at Studio Litho by Matt Bayles and was released by local label, Suicide Squeeze.  It also features These Arms Are Snakes guitarist Brian Cook and Past Lives/ex-Bloodbrothers bass player Morgan Henderson. 

Daughters and Young Widows open the show.  It should be good.

2008 Seattle Festival Guide

Sasshoot?  Bumberfest?  Sub Pop Block Party?  There are so many music festivals in and around Seattle, it can be pretty easy to get them all mixed up.  Here is a handy guide with dates, locations and links so that you can plan your summer.

Sasquatch:  When:  May 24-26  Where:  the Gorge Amphitheatre  Line-up Highlights:  Modest Mouse, R.E.M., The New Pornographers, M.I.A., The Breeders, Grand Archives, The Cure, Death Cab for Cutie, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, The Blakes, Sera Cahoone, The Cops, The Flaming Lips, The Mars Volta, Built to Spill, The Cave Singers, Kinski  My thoughts:  A very impressive line-up.  Plus many of these artists have not revealed plans to get any closer to Seattle than this.  More info:  http://sasquatchfestival.com/2008/

Noise for the Needy:  When:  June 11-15  Where:  Various clubs around Seattle  Line-up Highlights:  The Black Angels, Peter Parker, The Heavy Hearts, Math & Physics Club, New Faces, Lonesome Rhoads & the Good Company, Past Lives, Partman Parthorse, Amateur Radio Operator, Feral Children, Common Market  My thoughts:  Lots of great shows happening all over town.  Proceeds this year will benefit Urban Rest Stop.  More info:  http://www.noisefortheneedy.org/2008/index.php

Georgetown Music Fest:  When:  June 13-14  Where:  Georgetown neighborhood  Line-up Highlights:  Helmet, The Hands, Slender Means, Carrie Akre, The Lashes, Skullbot, Helms Alee, and more  My thoughts:  Last year’s best festival has once again assembled a great line-up of mostly local bands.  While you’re in the neighborhood, grab some pizza at Stellar Pizza and a drink at the 9 lb. Hammer.  More info:  http://www.georgetownmusicfest.com/

“Have You Seen…” – Michael Vermillion

On Wednesday May 21st, Michael Vermillion and his band play a show at the Tractor Tavern to celebrate their debut album, Last Night on Earth.  The album is a wide ranging piece of americana.  The song “I Hate Losin’” is dark and sinister, while “Roadtrips” is relaxed and carefree.  “Moses” grinds along like a big rig (appropriately) and the title track soars skyward.  And then there is the ultra catchy, but inherently creepy “Out of Place in Your Arms”.  The songs bring many other artists to mind;  A little Tom Waits here, some Jeff Buckley there, and the trumpet makes me think of Beck.  All of the pieces come together and work.

 From 2001 to 2005 Michael Vermillion played bass in the emo/sceamo/whatevermo band, Vendetta Red.  After leaving the band he began playing solo acoustic shows around town.  He eventually added a full backing band, including peddle steel and the previously mentioned trumpet, to give the songs a much more lush sound.  Michael contributed to the Lonesome Rhoads album and has also collaborated with Vince Mira, the sixteen year-old reincarnation of Johnny Cash. 

 If tomorrow night’s show at the Tractor is anything like his previous shows, Michael Vermillion will throw several covers into the set.  He has a large repertoire of covers including songs by Merle Haggard, Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, and Leonard Cohen.  But the greatest service Michael provides is exposing people to the music of Townes Van Zandt.  It is highly probable that tomorrow’s set will include Michael’s version of Van Zandt’s “Waiting Around to Die”, which was also recorded for the album.

So get down to the Tractor Tavern tomorrow night and check out Michael Vermillion.  Opening the show are Mario Matteoli and Lonesome Rhoads & the Good Company. 

Michael Vermilion – http://www.myspace.com/michaelvermillion

“Have You Seen…” #1 -Michael Vermillion  by Matt Koroulis

King Cobra Grand Opening

King Cobra, the new venue in the space that was once the dance club Sugar, and operated by the people that ran Kincora, has announced four nights worth of grand opening events, plus part of their March calendar. From the press release…

4 NIGHTS OF RADNESS GRAND OPENING PARTIES

It Takes A Full Weekend To Celebrate Seattle’s Newest Rock Club!
February 19, 2008 (SEATTLE, WA): King Cobra, Seattle’s newest nightclub, live music venue and home for rock & roll, announces today the lineup for 4 Nights of Radness Grand Opening celebration, to take place February 28, 29, March 1, and March 2, 2008.

Thursday, February 28 $10
3 Inches of Blood
Book of Black Earth
Toxic Holocaust
Plaster
Doors 8pm, Show at 9pm
——————————
Friday, February 29 $7
Neutralboy
Android Hero
Rain City Shwillers
Bucklin
Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm
——————————
Saturday, March 1 $6
The Emeralds
Neon Nights
The Valkyries
Doors at 8pm, Show at 10pm
——————————
Sunday, March 2 $8
Visqueen
Quadrillion
Super-secret surprise guest DJs!
Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm
——————————
More press release after the break……

Upcoming Northwest Releases in early ‘08

Judging by some of the records being put out in the first quarter, 2008 is going to be a big year for Seattle bands (and their labels).  Here are some albums I’m looking forward to…

February 19th – Grand Archives – The Grand Archives (Subpop Records)

The 4-song CDR the band made and was selling at shows created a huge buzz for this band.  They were SPIN.com’s band of the day back in May.  The band is led by Mat Brooke, who played guitar in Band of Horses for a while and before that fronted the much loved Carissa’s Wierd.  Info on the track list and record release show can be found here.

February 26th – Voyager One – Afterhours in the Afterlife (Loveless Records)

Following 2005’s Dissolver, Voyager One are back with their fourth album, Afterhours in the Afterlife.  Here is what the magazine The Big Takeover has to say about the album…

My 10 favorite shows of 2007

Here it is, yet another year end list. Of the 110 shows I saw this year, I’ve decided these were my 10 favorite…

10. October 24th – Thurston Moore at Neumos. Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore touring in support of his second solo album, Trees Outside the Academy. To get an idea of what this show was like, imagine Sonic Youth playing acoustic guitars and violins.

9. March 24th – the Heavy Hearts at the Sunset. Read what the Seattle Weekly said about this show and what Three Imaginary Girls said about this show.

8. October 8th – Band of Horses at Easy Street Records (Queen Anne location). A special in-store performance for the midnight release of Cease to Begin. YouTube videos from the show here.

7. January 14th – Rob Dickinson at the Tractor. Former frontman of the Catherine Wheel on stage all by himself playing songs from his solo album as well as Catherine Wheel favorites.

6. September 1st – Tiny Vipers at Bumbershoot. A magical performance in the EMP Sky Church.

Helms Alee at the Comet on 12/28 (tomorrow!)

This is a slow time of year for good shows, but tomorrow night at the Comet is a show that is not to be missed. Helms Alee is easily my favorite new band of 2007. They are loud, heavy and intense. They sound like sledgehammers in a thunderstorm, but still remain beautifully melodic.

Qui and Lozen Last Night at the Crocodile

“Please hold your ‘woo woo’ until after the set.  This is going to be good” – David Yow Last night I watched Qui and Lozen put on an amazing show at the Crocodile Cafe.  I had heard some good things about Lozen, but hadn’t had the chance to see them.  They are a female duo (sisters?) from Tacoma.  Their music is heavy and driving.  Normally I’m not really into music that is staight up metal, but their’s has just enough artsy touches and unconventional song structures to keep me interested.  I picked up a copy of their album, Enemies Against Power. I like it, but it doesn’t quite sink its teeth in the way their live show did.  Here is a non-album clip from Youtube.  (thanks to Youtube, you never have to go out into the world and experience things first hand ever again)

364 days before last night’s show, David Yow was here in Seattle (remember?) for one, of only three, Scratch Acid reunion shows (the other two were in Chicago, for Touch and Go Record’s 25th anniversary party, and Austin, their home town).