If you haven’t noticed, I am head over heels for the music that’s being made right here in my hometown. You could quite literally go to a concert every night in Seattle and never see a national/touring act. Occassionally there are bittersweet dilema’s in having such a talented crop of local musicians and this coming Saturday night’s calander is a perfect example. This Saturday there are at least 6 great concerts featuring solely local line-ups at 6 different venues. In honor of the enviable conondrum all us Seattle concert-goer’s have this Saturday, each and every track of “My Five” are not only from local bands, but bands that will be playing gigs this Saturday Night. The venue of Saturday night’s show is listed in bold after the album name which is always in italics.

“Skinned Knees”  -  A Gun That Shoots Knives  - from the forthcoming Miracle - The Comet Tavern

I didn’t think I could get much more exicted about A Gun That Shoos Knives debut cd Miracle… and then I heard “Skinned Knees,” the first song on the albums demo. The song features all that I love about AGTSK - clever lyrics, strong backing vocals, a sense of glee, the melding of many different musical genres, and a catchy ass tune. See the boys in all their costumed glory at Seattle’s venerable dive bar, The Comet.

A Gun That Shoots Knives - Skinned Knees - Miracle

“Two Times” - The Blakes - The Blakes - The Sunset Tavern

Recent legend has it that “Two Times” stopped Iggy Pop dead in his tracks as he walked by the Austin City Limits Soundstage where The Blakes were performing for KEXP; leading the sage to inquire “Who the fuck is this? This shit is good!” And I’ve got to agree with Iggy, this song is dumb-foundingly good. The Blakes are the epitome of Seattle DIY rockstars at the moment and their swagger is audible in this fab recording. Catch The Blakes at your favorite kitschy covenerted Chinese restaruant and mine, The Sunset Tavern in Ballard.

The Blakes - Two Times -The Blakes

“Praying Hands Will Make Fists” - The Hands - So Sweet EP - The High Dive

It took me hours and about seven listens of their fabulous EP to decide on only one of The Hands songs to highlight - and I just couldn’t do it. So, I cheated. Available for you here is “Praying Hands Will Makes Fists” the final song off their EP, if you meander over to our myspace page you can listen to the EP’s title track “So Sweet.” When everything is so good, choosing a favorite is an impossible conundrum - but “Praying Hands Will Make Fists” is exemplerary of what I adore about The Hands. See them in action at The High Dive with other great Seattle bands The Whore Moans and The Cops for KEXP’s Audioasis.

The Hands - Praying Hands Will Make Fists -So Sweet EP

“Tornado of Knives”- Ice Age Cobra - Brilliant Ideas From Amazing People - Atlas (all ages)

“Tornado of Knives” sounds like a lost arena rock classic. And I mean that as a high compliment and not a slight, tell me you couldn’t hear this being blasted from a sold-out Wembley Stadium. Ice Age Cobra puts on one of the greatest live rock’n'roll shows I’ve ever been privy to witnessing and are hands down, the finest head bangers alive today. Treat yourself to all the gritty goodness at Atlas on Broadway, for an all ages show.

Ice Age Cobra - Tornado of Knives - Brilliant Ideas From Amazing People

“We Won’t March” - Speaker Speaker - We Won’t March EP - The Vera Project (all ages)

Speaker Speaker teased us for months about a forthcoming EP and this week they delivered with We Won’t March. I’m smitten with the title track  with it’s infectious percision and classic punk sensibilities. Catch Speaker Speaker’s cd release show at the Vera Project, along with another Sound on the Sound favorite, The Trucks.

 Speaker Speaker - We Won’t March - We Won’t March EP