Blog Archives

August 4, 2008

Capitol Hill Block Party: The Whore Moans

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The Whore Moans ::: Photo by Josh

At the end of 2007, I said that every Whore Moans show I catch, was somehow better than the last. Even then I said that the band was starting to improve on punk perfection with each live performance, and somehow it’s still true!

The Whore Moans put on one of my favorite sets of the entire Block Party–to a full house at King Cobra on Saturday. The band tore through old, new, and their instant classics (like wolf spider and x-ray eyes) to an increasingly excitable crowd. Even getting kicked squarely in the face by this guy doing a punk-rock cartwheel in the midst of the pit couldn’t dampen my excitement for the Whore Moans and the music they’re making. A taste of a couple new tunes got me even more excited for these guy’s second album, which will hopefully be coming soon.

The band is playing a couple of dates in August — and as promised each show will likely be better than the last. Catch them this Saturday–August 9th–at The Funhouse.

Ryan of the Whore Moans ::: photo by Abbey

July 30, 2008

Capitol Hill Block Party: Chromeo

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Chromeo ::: photo by Josh

I admit it–I don’t get what the big deal is with Chromeo (or Girl Talk for that matter). But you all were going ape shit at the block party over both acts.

My feelings on Chromeo at least can be summed up by quoting a very very drunk friend of mine who surmised–”This seems like hip hop and dance music for people who feel uncomfortable with black people.” (drunk description wins!)

And looking around the nearly stark white audience (save some bad fake tans)–we had to wonder if it was true.

p.s. if you like the songs these guys are so blatantly ripping off and sampling–go and buy the original.

July 30, 2008

Capitol Hill Block Party: Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

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Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground ::: Photo by Josh

Just like Black Eyes & Neckties the day before them, Saturday’s Block Party festivities could not have been opened in a more perfect manner. Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground serenaded and soothed our shell-shocked ears from the night before with their unique blend of vaudeville, pop, and psychedelia. Kay Kay’s songs hit like a ton of feathers–the impact is unforgettable and strong, yet soft. Watching Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground perform–you feel it from head to toe; the music lands firmly in your heart. When I watch Kay Kay I feel like I have some great collective joy radiating from me–up my spine and out of my chest. You can’t help but smile and sway–it is powerful stuff this band is creating.

We are so excited to hear what the band will come up with next–they’re currently recording their second full length album. No other band in America has a sound like Kay Kay, which we can say about just about zero other bands. I have mad love for this honest-to-god original outfit and eagerly await their next audial adventure.   

July 28, 2008

Capitol Hill Block Party: The Pharmacy

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The Pharmacy::: photo by Abbey

I’m ashamed to admit that Friday was the first time I’ve seen The Pharmacy, but considering how intrigued I was by their performance it won’t be the last. The drummer ended up beating his drums so hard the cement block keeping his kit in place lurched forward during every song and he ended up piercing the skin of his tom drum by beating the ever loving hell out of it. Ever the pro, he kicked the drum over and kept the fullness and strength of the Pharmacy’s sound with one less drum than it called for, literally never skipping a beat. The keyboardist played with the same vigor and intensity–head banging and jumping around as he pounded the keys. The band seems to balance on great psychedelic influences combined with some sharp danceable punk riffs…creating an off-kilter momentum that stayed musicaly and visually interesting throughout. Based on the short set we caught, it’s easy to see why The Pharmacy is a buzzed about band–I look forward to checking out a full set by these guys soon.

The Pharmacy ::: photo by Abbey

July 28, 2008

Capitol Hill Block Party: Black Eyes & Neckties

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Brenda Grimm & Josh Homicide ::: photo by Josh

Every festival should be so lucky to have such an explosive first act open the festivities. Black Eyes & Neckties couldn’t have done a single thing better to start off this years Block Party. The band played the best set I’ve seen them play to date, with an intensity and fervor that was contagious like a virus. Brenda Grimm tackled Josh Homicide and wrestled while he continued to play guitar, the whole band and a bevy-of-Bellingham friends screamed along, I ended up with fake blood spatter/spit all over me (thanks Mr. Homicide!) and Black Eyes & Neckties continued to prove they are one of the most promising acts in the Pacific Northwest with their over-the-top horror rock.

Black Eyes & Neckties ::: photo by Abbey

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July 23, 2008

The Comet During Capitol Hill Block Party

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The Come are rightfully calling it their weekend schedule the  COCK BLOCK PARTY EXTRAVAGANZA (caps not mine).  To state the completely obvious: it would suck to be a venue within the festivals boundaries that wasn’t an actual venue. Your only potential customers are the people who’ve already paid money to come and see someone else play music. Rough sell–but if anyone can do it, it’s Mamma Casserole and her crew at the Comet. Here’s the weekend schedule:

Jul 25 2008 11:00P COCK BLOCK PARTY EXTRAVAGANZA -W/THE GIRLS , THE VALKYRIES -FREE!!!!!!

Jul 26 2008 11:00P COCK BLOCK PARTY W/CHEAP TIME (NASHVILLE), THE UPSIDE DOWN (PDX) FREE!!!

July 23, 2008

Abbey Recommends: Saturday at the Capitol Hill Block Party

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Wild Orchid Children ::: 9:45 at the Cha Cha Lounge ::: photo by abbey

2:00 pm – Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground- Mainstage 3:00 pm – either New Faces (King Cobra) or The Hands(Neumo’s) 3:30 pm – try and catch the end of The Cave Singers set – Mainstage 4:00 pm – The Whore Moans – King Cobra 4:30 pm – decide food and booze or Kimya Dawson- Mainstage 5:15 pm – The Builders and the Butchers - Neumo’s 6:00 pm – The Fleet Foxes- Mainstage 6:45 pm – See Me River- Cha Cha Lounge 7:45 pm – Throw Me the Statue- Neumo’s 9:00 pm – The Hold Steady - Mainstage   9:45 pm – Wild Orchid Children(Cha Cha) vs. Feral Children (King Cobra) 11:00pm – Book of Black Earth – King Cobra

Hometown Darlings Fleet Foxes ::: 6pm Mainstage ::: photo by Josh

July 22, 2008

Complete Capitol Hill Block Party Schedule

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Here’s the full out Capitol Hill Block Party Line up, including venues inside the festival grounds like the Cha Cha who will also be hosting concerts. Our recommendations of what shows to catch and what you cannot miss will also be up shortly.

Friday, July 25th Block Party Main Stage 4:30pm – Common Market 5:30pm – U.S.E. 6:30pm – Menomena 7:45pm – Girl Talk 9:15pm – Les Savy Fav 10:45pm – Vampire Weekend

Vera Stage (All Ages) 4:00pm – Talbot Tagora 5:15pm – Abe Vigoda 6:30pm – Mika Miko 7:45pm – PWRFL Power 9:00pm – Say Hi 10:15pm – Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head

Neumo’s Stage (21+) 4:00pm – Black Eyes & Neckties 5:15pm – Head Like a Kite 6:30pm – Past Lives 7:45pm – Thee Emergency 9:00pm – The Dodos 10:30pm – Jay Reatard 11:30pm – SING SING Afterparty Pase Rock, Paul Devro and Pretty Titty

King Cobra Stage 4:00pm – Black Whales 5:00pm – The Pharmacy 6:00pm – Truckasauras 7:15pm – The Airborne Toxic Event 8:30pm – Champagne Champagne 9:45pm – Pleasureboaters 11:00pm – The Heavy Hearts 12:15am – Lesbian

Havana Stage 9:00pm – Havana Urban Oasis After Party Nostalgia B and DJ Curtis

Cha Cha Lounge 5:45 – Fences 6:45 – TacocaT 7:45 – Yes, Oh Yes 8:45 – T.V. Coahran 9:45 – Das Llamas (FINAL SET EVER)

 

Saturday, July 26

Block Party Main Stage 2:00pm – Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground 3:15pm – The Cave Singers 4:30pm – Kimya Dawson 6:00pm – Fleet Foxes 7:30pm – Chromeo 9:00pm – The Hold Steady 10:30pm – DeVotchKa

Vera Stage (All Ages) 3:00pm – Little Party and the Bad Business 4:15pm – the Physics 5:15pm – Man Plus 6:30pm – Black Elk 7:45pm – Akimbo 9:00pm – Grand Ole Party 10:15pm – Schoolyard Heroes

Neumo’s Stage (21+) 2:00pm – Kristen Ward 3:00pm – The Hands 4:00pm – Darker My Love 5:15pm – The Builders and the Butchers 6:30pm – Jaguar Love 7:45pm – Throw Me the Statue 9:00pm – Steed Lord 11:15pm – SING SING Afterparty Chromeo (DJ set), DJ Fourcolorzack and Pretty Titty

King Cobra Stage 2:00pm – Angelo Spencer 3:00pm – New Faces 4:00pm – The Whore Moans 5:00pm – The Loved Ones 6:00pm – Sleepy Eyes of Death 7:15pm – Voyager One 8:30pm – Velella Velella 9:45pm – Feral Children 11:00pm – Book of Black Earth 12:15am – Zeke

Havana Stage 2:00pm – DJ Self-Administered Beatdown, DJ Greg Vandy and George Hamilton 4:00pm – DJ Sad Bastard 4:45pm – Omar and Johnny Blackout 5:45pm – DJ Cherry Canoe and Merchbot 2000 6:45pm – DJ Damaged Goods 7:45pm – Sean Cee 8:30pm – Havana Urban Oasis Afterparty Soul One and DJ N8

Cha Cha Lounge 5:45 – Kaylee Cole 6:45 – See Me River 7:45 – Weirdlords 8:45 – Triumph of Lethargy 9:45 – Wild Orchid Children

April 15, 2008

Capitol Hill Block Party Line Up!

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There will be many many more bands announced in the coming weeks, but here’s what this years line-up is looking like: 

Friday July 25 Vampire Weekend Les Savy Fav Girl Talk USE The Dodos Jay Reatard Akimbo Pwrfl Power Past Lives Black Eyes And Neck Ties Champagne Champagne

Saturday July 26 Surprise guest!! The Hold Steady Chromeo Kimya Dawson Darker My Love The Butchers And The Builders The Hands Vallela Vallela The Physics Man Plus Little Party And Bad Business

Pretty sweet! We’re also really excited about King Cobra being added as an Official Stage at this years party. They have a great stage and best of all, since the blockparty is in late July: air conditioning!