Thee Oh Sees ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

In trying to appeal to the widest possible audience, Bumbershoot is still hosting acts that aren’t necessarily for THE mass market. The reverb-thick spazz-pop of John Dwyer’s Bay-Area five-piece is more rhythmic than melodic. Dwyer’s quarter-understandable rant-singing isn’t exactly drawing anyone in. But this, to be sure, is Rock & Roll. This music has pace! Licking and gnawing at his guitar between verses and hacking away at his strings, onstage Dwyer is unleashing some carnal energy. Suited to sound good and loud on a basement or tavern PA they had no trouble on a bigger stage with louder speakers. They seemed to be having fun with the change of elbow room, and I certainly didn’t mind not getting beer spilled all over me. Last time they swung through the Funhouse they didn’t have any merch, so this time around I got an ugly black t-shirt. All in all, a successful evening hour for everyone involved.

Thee Oh Sees will be back in Seattle on November 29th at The Crocodile.

Thee Oh Sees ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Thee Oh Sees ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Thee Oh Sees ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth