I’ve been keeping an eye out for the biggest and best events happening for New Years 2008. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best things going down in the Seattle area.
(All events happen Dec 31st)
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In case you didn’t notice, WinterStorm Seattle 2007 hit like a pound of bricks this past weekend (12/1), bringing a welcome flurry of soggy snow to the greater Seattle area. Turns out the Thermals took exception to this environmental upstaging and hit the Neumos crowd like a TON of bricks, complete with jagged mortar. Take that, Mother Nature. While the melodious antics of these Portland-based power-punks are nothing new to anyone not living under a rock, the positive effect their music has on any crowd is undeniable, profound, and certainly guaranteed. Hutch Harris has solidified himself as one of the best punk lyricists of today, tackling church and state issues near and dear to his once-Christian heart, coupling them with wickedly catchy guitar licks. Of course, the triumph would not be complete without the fervent bass-playing of the springy-haired Kathy Foster and the drum-pounding proficiency of Lorin Coleman. How these three slight humans make such an enormously beautiful racket is beyond me; but that’s neither here nor there (well, it might be there, but that’s neither…never mind), I’m just glad they keep coming north.
Brooklyn legends—yes LEGENDS—Les Savy Fav made an inconspicuous appearance at Neumo’s this past Friday night (11/30)…oh wait, it wasn’t inconspicuous at all. Not only was the show sold out, but other bands with shows that night (Fleet Foxes, I’m talking to you) were proposing an exodus to the LSF set following their very own. And, of course, front-freak Tim Harrington put on his usual ridiculously entertaining spectacle. I hate to say ‘usual’ because it implies a humdrum quality, but the result is quite the contrary: what he may lack in vocal or lyrical clarity during a live performance, he more than makes up for in animated high jinks, silly, sometimes unintelligible banter, and a flair for dress-up beyond anyone’s good expectations.
Exhibit A (god, I wish I had a picture): As the band opens with “The Equestrian,” Harrington, donned in a cape and striped shirt, snakes his way through the crowd and hops up on stage to reveal a unicorn for a head. A UNICORN.
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For those of you who were on the fence about checking out the TAAS show, this past Wed the 14th, those who just plain missed it or more deserving, those who loved the show and want more… I’ve got a treat for you.
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While Kevin did a fantabulous job with this month’s upcoming shows, there were a few more that I wanted to call out:
The Ponys – I know, I know, this was already included, but for the love of god, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE support this band! They’ve put out three (3) solid albums to date and their infectious garage rock—embellished with pop sensibilities—is sure to please. Their latest release Turn The Lights Out is awesome, but check out the previous LP, Celebration Castle, for the real goods. TONIGHT @ THE CROCODILE ($10).
Grand Archives (w/ Helio Sequence & Minus the Bear) – This show goes down at the Showbox (ugh, “at the Market”) Saturday Nov. 10th. With three solid local bands on the bill, this will no doubt be good. While Helio Sequence and Minus the Bear have received plenty of high marks before (and rightly so), it’s Grand Archives that whets my whistle. Mat Brooke (of Band of Horses and Carissa’s Wierd fame) fronts this recently signed Sub Popper. $16 Adv / $18 DOS All Ages
These Arms Are Snakes – This band is so awesome, not even the fact that their name is just the 2nd most awesomest band name ever can diminish their awesomeness. For fans of local post-hardcore (that just means it’s LOUD and AWESOME). Part of ISIS’s 10-Year Anniversary Tour. Wednesday Nov. 14th @ Neumo’s;$15 Adv All Ages.
Lake of Falcons – So, in case you were wondering, this is the band with the best name ever. EVER. Just think about it: A lake…of FALCONS. Fashioning a “throwback” grungy sound with crunchy monster-guitars and dual vocals, it’s a pleasure to see them still booking shows. They’ve been around on fantastic DIY label Beep Repaired for some time, but haven’t got their proper due. A great chance to support the hard-hats of the local scene: Wednesday Nov 21st @ the Crocodile ($6).
Les Savy Fav – This is another of my favorites…Art-rockers from Brooklyn celebrate their first release in three years. The bass lines will slice you into pieces, the guitars will make you squeal and you just might get some sort of ambiguous liquid thrown on you by satiric frontman Tim Harrington. I love this band. Friday Nov. 30th @ Neumo’s ($18 Adv)
The Cave Singers with Fleet Foxes - Can’t say enough about the beautiful, macabre folk of Seattle’s Cave Singers and the 70s AM radio-inspired musings of Fleet Foxes. Check them out while they’re still under the radar. Friday Nov. 30th @ the Crocodile ($10)
That is all.
November is pulling the grey blanket over the city once again and it’s the perfect time to turn your attention back to the concert scene. So throw away your shades (cuz you KNOW you ain’t gunna find them in the spring anyway) and don the rain slicker. It’s showtime!
Click here to check out recommended shows..
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De La for ten bucks? At Neumo’s? Dang. Even if it is co-sponsored by Red Bull, and they aren’t supporting a new album, it’s ten bucks and local.
With 18 Marshall Stacks, 2 powermacs, a friggen PILE of electronic noisemakers and enough french cigarertte smoke to mask the fog machine, Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay of JUSTICE served it up huge at Neumos Fiday night. Universally compared to Daft Punk, tho I thought it much heavier – Justice transformed the floor of Neumos into a seething, pulsing maching with relentless beats and the beconing icon from their new album “cross”. I’ve never seen the place so packed, nor have i seen people so glad to have it that full. The crown that usually peters out about 3/4 back at a show was solid straight to the sound board in the back
Props to the band for their energy, and props to the Seattle crowd for responding by dancin their asses.
Check out Justice on their MySpace Page HERE
Or visit http://www.myspace.com/etjusticepourtous
Outfuckingstanding. Un-fuckingfanstastic-believable. Brilli-fucking-ant. Outbrilliantstanding.
I’m blown away by how blown away I am by a band with ONLY ONE RECORD, by the way. Nevermind that, they played what was one of the best shows I’ve seen in months. Abso-ridiculously great.
They were relaxed and having a great time, and they played a bucketload of new material. If even half those songs are on the upcoming disc, it’s going to be Damn Good ™. The only conspicuous absence from Apologies to the Queen Mary was Modern World.
Local post-hardcore rockers These Arms are Snakes to team up with The Sound Team and The Clutters to play a free show this Thursday at Neumos. Doors open at 9:00 and did I mention it’s free!?!
TAAS are notorious for their extremely tight style, intertwining riffs and experimental sound. They are formed from late locals Botch and Kill Sadie. Their latest album Easter, was labeled as “meant to hurt you. ” It’s a good hurt I’m sure.
Holy Fuck. No, I’m not cursing, that’s who’s opening for them September 8th. But if HF weren’t opening, I’d still drop an HF bomb in this post because Wolf Parade is IMHO the best thing that’s happened to music in 5 years.
I’ve never seen them live and I’m all over this show, but I got a big scare just now about tickets.
The page we’re directed to for tickets says “None of these items or events are currently available for online purchase.” Jebus. I don’t think this means it’s sold out. Am I paranoid? Too much coffee today? Bad week to stop sniffing glue?
Stay tuned as I find out What in the Hell’s Going On Here(tm).
What happened to Pretty Girls Make Graves? I just got a message that Neumo’s is hosting their final performace, to be held next Saturday night. What the heck?
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…
Now either every person in Seattle who has ever danced at a concert (c’mon, you 20 people know who you are) were somehow cosmically shanghaied into gathering at Neumos last night … OR !!! (commonly pronounced “chk chk chk”) actually rocked hard enough to cause a full fledged dance movement. I’d personally like to believe the latter but won’t rule out the cosmic possibilities.
Backing their latest album, Myth Takes, !!! lit up the crowd immediately with the first 2 tracks off of their album, “Myth Takes” and “All My Heroes are Weirdoes”. Granted it was a bit anticlimactic and confusing at first when the lead singers mic didn’t work and there was some finagling involved to get the vocals… BUT, as the night wore on, it became very apparent as to why that mic was mangled. Nic Offer had blown the shit out of it the night before with animalistic yelps and throat ripping screams, an impressive display to say the least, all kept in check with the sultry murmurs truely inspired by Mick Jagger.
…as the night wore on, it became very apparent as to why that mic was mangled. Nic Offer had blown the shit out of it the night before with animalistic yelps and throat ripping screams, an impressive display to say the least, all kept in check with the sultry murmurs truely inspired by Mick Jagger.
Coming through with a sound that was a lot like channeling Pink Floyd through a Disco filter, these guys put on a high energy show that was talented, fuking rocking and most importantly, surprising. Switching up their line-up occasionally to put John Pugh (I think that’s his name) in front made the show for me. He maintained the haunting melodies of “Bend Over Beethoven” and “New Name” then kicked you in the neck by punctuating the peaks of the songs with the most incredible wailings. The killer disco/punk tracks on the album were all turned up a notch for their live event, leaving both performers and crowd exhausted by nights end.
Might be the “cookies” talking, but I’m sold.
Cold War Kids, Junior Boys, Ted Leo, Juno at Neumos, Sunday Dec. 10th.
Cold War Kids This exceptionally vocally powerful, ardent, lively band from Fullerton California rocked pretty well Sunday night. They know what they’re doing, and they have the songwriting skills to really make their live work mean something. Rhythmically they moved you from 0-60 at the snap of a wrist. Their start/stops were as sharp as razors. Dynamic and punchy. Perfect.
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