Partman Parthorse Booted Off Bill By Camel

Yes, Camel sucks, indeed.

You might be wondering what in the world is going on in this picture of Gary Smith, flamboyant frontman of Seattle punk group Partman Parthorse, his distaste for the cigarette giant in plain view. But if you’re keen to the Seattle scene, you’re most likely not surprised at the antics of one of the city’s most thrilling live acts.

Turns out this act of defiance was in reference to the sponsor of a show the band played at the High Dive in February of 2007 (read Philip’s lively account here), where they shared the stage with another explosive and talented local band, The Heavy Hearts. The company’s mobile advertising/survey system was definitely all up in peoples’ grills that night, and I recall thinking, “Wait…people still let Camel sponsor their shows?” I didn’t give it much more of a passing thought than that as I enjoyed the strong musical lineup. However, in a health-conscious city with an indoor smoking ban—in effect since January of 2006—it’s anyone’s guess as to why Camel would still be able to subsidize shows without the names ‘Nickelback’ or ‘Puddle of Mudd’ on the marquee. But I suppose, despite what we may prefer, American corporations still have some clout in this world, even in the seemingly detached enclave of the Seattle music scene.

Unfortunately, that clout has once again reigned supreme, as PMPH, scheduled to play that same High Dive this coming April 26th for their pals the Heavy Hearts CD release show, have been unceremoniously booted from the bill. Obviously, Camel didn’t take too kindly to the anti-smoking message Smith was flaunting last time around, and decided to rectify the situation. I guess I’m not all that familiar with how a conglomerate like Camel comes to sponsor a particular event, but I suspect record labels and club owners and their relationships come into play. Word on the street was that the HH asked PMPH to play the show, only to succumb afterwards to the political whims of the show’s sponsor, and the equine-obsessed band was promptly ‘86ed. Now, who actually succumbed, I’m not sure, but the simple fact that this happened pretty much…sucks. The Hearts appear to be genuine, hardworking musicians, so I can’t imagine they made the final decision. Maybe the High Dive has a hard-on with the unscrupulous backer? Considering the show is free, that may not be too far off the mark.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a cigarette smoker; I think it’s quite possibly one of the most short-sighted, albeit addictive, habits one can engage in. Yet I also believe in free will, so smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, ya know? But when it comes to the sanctioning of certain bands over others based on the preference of well-heeled, crooked cigarette pushers, you’ll forgive me if I find that repulsive.

What I’m Trying To Say is – Bring Back The Rock!

Rockin the ass out of Valentines day in Fremont.
It’s all a bit hazy, but it’s slowly coming back to me in bits and pieces. Valentines Night in Fremont, I attended what I’ve dubbed as the Unintentional Valentines Music Festival. The High Dive and Nectar both had 8-band lineups peppered with local favorites-both were considerably cheap to get into ($7 and &10 respectively)-and both are practically across the street from each other.
The High Dive was home to the Great Valentines Day Massacre. MC-ing the going-ons, along with Coz from presenters, Nada Mucho, was the (in)famous KEG. KEG IS “The Lone Ranger of Rock.” Everything you could possibly imagine from a person with such a title is doubly true for KEG. We even more appropriately titled him the Mayor of Rockville as he introduced himself to almost every individual in the crowd, shaking hands with his right while tossing his hair out of his eyes with the left. He paraded around the place decked to the teeth in butt-rock gear complete with ankle bandannas, skull headband, wristbands, bangles, spangles and obligatory rocker mascara. Even fingering his flying V as he went. KEG thanked each and everyone for coming. He even introduced us to Lake of Falcons, (who knocked the back wall out of the High Dive, but more on that later.) And all that’s not even the impressive part. Aside from being the one-man glam-rock show that he is, playing drum tracks and looping them along with rhythm guitar, then thrashing the ever living crap out of the stage, this guy has the best “rock-kick” I’ve ever seen. Seriously, we’re talking entire boot above the head, like 10 times a song. Fuckin’ A! And in the tiny 1/2 hour set that he played KEG pulled out every quintessential rocker move imaginable. From leaping off of chairs and monitors, to playing the guitar behind his head and with his teeth (not at the same time of course, he’s just a butt-rocker, not a god). The set ended with Keg’s sing-along tune, “What I’m Trying to Say is – Bring Back the Rock!” and left us all completely dumbfounded.
And all of this happened after Lake of Falcons broke in the night with an incredible-albeit short-set. I haven’t even gotten to that yet. Frig, I haven’t even left the High Dive yet. There’s still another venue to visit here. But first, lets talk about this Lake of Falcons.

Music for Lovers -Freemont’s Unintentional Valentines Day Music Festival

This Valentines day there is a strange anomaly happening in Fremont. Both Nectar and the High Dive have completely stellar line-ups scheduled consisting of sixteen, yes, count them, sixteen North West bands. 8 at each venue. Now the 2 places are not officially affiliated with each other, but they ARE officially right across the friggen street from each other. Now both are a great value on their own. Nectar is only running at $10 for the entire night. High Dive, even cheaper at $5 ($7 doors).

Now just consider this, pay the door fee at BOTH Nectar AND the High Dive. You would be dropping a total of $15 dollars and have access to all 16 bands. That means you can catch the Cops AND Partman Parthorse. Hell if you hate either, you have the option to head across the street and see someone you’ve never even heard of before.

It’s your very own valentines day music festival.
So, that’s the plan. Band listings are after the break. Both events start at 8:00

My Favorite Albums of 2007: A Post by Lord Bison (Part I)

It would be quite arrogant of me to try to put together an all-encompassing “Best Of 2007” list, given that I’ve heard probably about 3% of the records that might qualify for such an endeavor. Instead I give you the crème de la crème of my own personal listening world, with the simple hope that one of the six NWMB regulars will go out and buy just one of these lovely compositions (if they haven’t already). Given the title and content of our weblog, I do lament that there are only two Seattle bands on this list, but, hey, it ain’t like I ain’t supportin’ the lot of ‘em; there’s just a shit-ton of great music out there.

And since I’m a such a longwinded sonuvabitch, I’ve divided this post in 2: today numbers 7-12, tomorrow 1-6. Without further ruckus:

12. The Ponys – Turn the Lights Out (Matador)

I feel like the Ponys have never received their proper due. Their 2005 release, Celebration Castle didn’t show up on many people’s ‘best of’ lists. They don’t seem to get much press, despite being signed to independent label/giant Matador and putting on a terrific live show. Turn the Lights Out has earned them yet another spot on my humble little list, due in large part to tidy, fuzzy guitar antics, proficient and bouncy bass lines, extraordinary lyricism and beat-conscious, retro-style drumming. Lead guitarist Jered Gummere is the main proprietor of the Ponys’ trademark 60s/80s influenced guitar pop. He’s colossal in stature, but still manages to maintain a modest, unassuming quality that floats throughout the band’s music. Lead track (and single) “Double Vision” is a soulful yet spastic tune buoyed by bassist Melissa Elias, ending with a guitar squall reminiscent of Thurston Moore. The influence of SY is more prevalent in this album (“Poser Psychotic, “Everyday Weapon”), but the feeling that this music is a simply a rehash is quickly washed away with intermittent organ accompaniments and twangy, playful guitar interludes courtesy of new bandmate Brian Case. Hopefully, this record will turn the listening world’s lights on.

Even BETTER Bets for Dec Shows (Oooooo, burn!)

Hey, just wanted to trump the other lame “blogger” who did the first round of recommended December shows (I kid, I kid). Keep an eye or an onion peeled for these bands playing around in the next four weeks—I DARE you:

Partman Parthorse @ Wild Rose 12/7 with the Intelligence – We’ve kinda beaten this horse (heh, heh) to death, but who knew they were having shows at Seattle’s one-and-only lesbian bar? (what’s up with that sitch, anyway?) I didn’t, and I’m usually behind the curve. So it makes sense. Anyway, these guys rock.

Juhu Beach (w/ American School of Warsaw & the Oswald Effect) - I’m a new convert to the fandom of this band, and I’ve heard the Blue Moon isn’t quite the urine-scented dog kennel it used to be. Don’t know much about the other two bands, but hey, if you can’t get into the Yule Benefit (or refuse to get into it), this might be worth yer nickel. Actual price may vary. Saturday, 12/8 @ the Blue Moon Tavern.

Voyager One – Big lineup for the Loveless Records Holiday Party also happening Saturday Dec. 8th @ the High Dive: Other bands include local darling Carrie Akre, electroclashers The Girls (no girls in group!), the Blank Stares, & the Beltholes. I’m pushing for Voyager One on this one, who’ve made their living locally playing amazing ambient rock, while mesmerizing their audience with a dizzying array of video projections. And how.

The Purrs – Local psych-poppers the Purrs are celebrating their second record, The Chemistry That Keeps Us Together, steeped in 60’s guitar nostalgia and twangy self-deprecation. While I haven’t heard the entire disc, the tunes they’ve made available are pretty right-on, and their debut album was superb. For fans of Velvet Underground, Luna, & the Flaming Lips (Lady!). @ the High Dive, Dec. 14th with Brent Amaker & the Rodeo.

Pleasureboaters – I’ve only seen this band once, and I thought it was tremendously radical. Enough so to recommend a night with them @ the High Dive 12/20 with PWRFL POWER (!). Apparently, the High Dive is the place to be this month.

The Heavy Hearts (w/ the Whore Moans, Boss Martians & Wir) – The Comet Tavern hosts a Christmas Bash with one of my favorite local rock bands in existence: the Heavy Hearts. They bring the rawk with slicing guitar, in-yer-face-bass, and call-response dual vox. Since they’re dropping a new album in early ‘08, new songs are sure to abound. The Whore Moans will be in rock attendance as well. December 22nd @ the Comet!

Feral Children & the Trucks - Wow, the Comet hosts another bad-ass show on New Year’s Eve. Local buzz band (worth it) Feral Children play with electro-brats the Trucks, who always put on a great show. If you can’t catch FC at the Showbox on the 8th, be sure to show up for this one. Additional guest TBA.

That is all.

Partman Parthorse Rocks Comet, Infuriates Inept Centaurs

Caution! Inaugural post–read at your own risk…or something…

In eager anticipation for the past few weeks, the lady and I met up with some fellow audiophiles at The Comet Tavern this past Saturday night (11/3) to check out local sex-punks, Partman Parthorse.  Oh sure, they were the third act of a quadruple bill, but who were we kidding?  It was PMPH that truly piqued our interest.  The band’s fractured funk, augmented by the stage theatrics of front-dude Gary Smith, are not necessarily new to Seattleites with a keen ear and a Wednesday night at the Funhouse to kill.  They’ve been on the scene since 2006 (I was only introduced to them several months ago, after being blown away at the Funhouse and subsequently again during a High Dive set), so I will admit that I expected a slightly larger turnout for a balmy Saturday evening with an extra hour.   I suppose this poor showing might have been a function of the venue–while steeped in the tradition of local dive-bar-badassery, as an audience member the Comet leaves a bit to be desired.  Didn’t stop us, though.  Seven pints of High Life and one twisted ankle later, LeDon’t was totally into it.

In any event, it was Smith’s red underoos and the frenetic tempos of bassist/keyboardist Rachel Ratner that made the mostly female crowd’s hips quiver.  Not to mention the steady percussion of Lisa Smith and the angular stylings of guitarist Marshal Nall.  The real treat, however, came when said underoos were dutifully put on display two songs into the set, after which Smith could only be seen three quarters-naked, holding his monitor aloft as if it were a boombox and he was strollin’ through a SoCal (neighbor) hood.   I’m sure you can probably YouTube it.

I was mildly disappointed that only a few (“Partman Parthorse”, “Bang!”, “High Five Heaven”) of the seven or eight songs they played were from their lone LP, but the new tunes definitely sounded slick and the band was eager to exhibit.  I welcomed them unconditionally.

I would advise anyone itching for a radical sound and a unique spectacle to not look any further.  Just check out their next show, for chrissake:  Thursday, Nov. 8th with Pwrfl Pwr at temporary venue Pony (former space of the Cha Cha Lounge).  You can also catch them at the Wild Rose with The Intelligence Dec. 7th.  Be there or be square.