Through a well timed twist of fate, Spokane’s Seaweed Jack was accorded the distinction having both their gigs in Seattle, on Saturday and Tuesday, attended by this blog. It was an unusual set of circumstances, a happenstance of planning one might say. And yet lately when it comes to music, happenstance has been this blog’s best friend.

We had been sent their album a while back, but I hadn’t given it a proper listen before we stepped into the Comet on Saturday. It was packed and the most oppressively hot I’ve ever experienced there. I was sweating balls but luckily didn’t have to wait long before music was starting. This is where the happenstance, comes in. We hadn’t planned on going to the Comet to see Seaweed Jack, but instead had planned on seeing the band playing prior to them, Thunderbird Motel.

Thunderbird Motel, who’s demo I really liked but haven’t heard live in about six months, killed it. They sounded better than ever and tore through their songs with even more vigor than I remembered. The thing that impressed me most though was the well practiced backup vocals delivered by guitarist Mike and bassist Brian. Song of the night was definitely “Evil Heart.” It benefited the most from the enhanced backup vocals, and the live setting allowed it the elbow room needed to really acheive the seventies southern-rock aesthetic. I love long guitar solo’s.

The sea shanty was launched back into the American conciousness with the emergence of the Decemberists, and Seaweed Jack may just be riding their coattails (as Steven Colbert might remark). A heavy slow heartbeat, a raspy piratey voice, and a large chain as percussion all go toward creating the Seaweed motif. And the captain’s coat and hat on lead singer Geoff Doolittle was just the visual flourish the music calls for.

Doolittle’s captain’s hat had me interested the whole time. He’d spin it around on his head with his hand (just as it happens in your favorite Bugs Bunny cartoon), then he’d take it off and start conversating with it in the middle of a song. When he wasn’t fooling around with it, it was often tipped down over his eyes. I’m still trying to tease some meaning out of everything he did with the hat, but it was all entertaining whatever the point of it was.

Unfortunately the heat was getting to us in the Comet so we left halfway through Seaweed Jack’s set, intent on giving their show a second chance for their Tuesday visit to the Blue Moon. In the end that was a fine choice because just as we arrived that night, Seaweed Jack were taking the stage. With a few days to process the little we had seen before we were excited to see a more complete set from the foursome.

With a saxophones, a marching band drum and a really big chain, they capped off a set of sometimes phsychedlic and nearly always off-kilter dirge’s that were delivered with heaping Santa sacks of enthusiasm by all the members involved. Only a few of the songs can really be called shanty’s, but somehow they all retain the feel as though the band is performing on the deck of swaying ship. A couple of the songs venture into Modest Mouse/Isaac Brock territory, but Franz Ferdinand from a rock perspective is the band they remind me of the most on multiple levels. Live, but not so much on their recorded songs that i’ve heard, Doolittle’s voice also echo’s the raw delivery and vocal stylings of the Cold War Kids singer, Nathan Willett.

In the end, with large crowds in a small bar being the case both nights, Seaweed Jack put on rousing and unique performances that won us over with their energy and commitment.

Another great Tuesday to be a fan of music in Seattle.  Not only are a couple great local releases coming out today, there are also at least two very worthwhile local shows happening tonight.

At 7pm, Tiny Vipers, celebrating the release of their stunner Hands Across The Void are playing an in-store at Sonic Boom Records on 15th in Capital Hill. Jessy Fortino’s voice is perfect for an up-close and quiet performance, so the format of Sonic Booms in-stores should be a lovely match. I’d bet my life that you could hear a pin drop in that store when she’s singing… her voice deserves a silent reverance.

After Sonic Boom, you should head on over to The Blue Moon Tavern to catch Spokane’s Seaweed Jack. I caught Seaweed Jack this Saturday at The Comet and am eagerly awaiting a second dose. I know that a lot of bands have been getting the “new Modest Mouse” label, but this is the band that deserves it. Similar to early releases like Lonesome Crowded West, Seaweed Jack’s debut is at once strange to the ear, yet intensely pleasing and strangely catchy. With each listen I am more impressed and intrigued by their album, instantly wanting to play it again, delving deeper between its psychadelic lines and strange inspirations. Think Moby Dick on acid.

And since both shows are FREE, it would be absolutely ludicrous for you to miss them!