Spencer Moody at the Vera Project Dunk Tank ::: all photos by Abbey Simmons

The best thing I accidentally stumbled on all weekend was Murder City Devils front man, Spencer Moody volunteering his time at the VERA Project Dunk Tank. For a mere 5$ people had three chances to dunk the Murder City frontman, 20$ to just walk up and dunk him.

Spencer did the entire thing donning his signature glasses, cap, argyle socks and shoes. It was awesome to see one of rock’s fiercest front men allow for some comedy at his exepense and to benefit a great cause. And he did so with obvious enjoyment, dare I say, glee. You’ve never seen Spencer Moody smile so much! Though, he did bring a bit of his trademark heckling to the event, when there was a dunk dry streak, the front man stood up on the plank and did a dance to taunt his would be dunkers.

See more of Spencer Moody at the VERA dunk tank, below the jump!

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Here’s just a  quick photo tease of some of today’s (okay yesterday, it’s 2:30 am) Capitol Hill Block party festivities.

Hey Marseilles play a secret KEXP/Cafe Vita Set ::: all photos by Abbey Simmons

Deerhunter joined by Black Lips

Built to Spill

Jesus Lizard Return to Seattle

There are a few more up on our Flickr, so check ‘em out. There’ll be lots more soon. 

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

The Hold Steady :::: Photo by Josh

I have to admit, out of all the “headliners” and big national names at this years Capitol Hill Block Party, the only band that was even of slight interest to me was The Hold Steady. And Craig Finn and Co. far exceeded any of my meager expectations, putting on one hell of an engaging rock show for a crowd that tipsily sang along. Which, from what I could tell, was just how the Hold Steady likes it.

The Hold Steady and Craig Finn himself has a Billy Joel on cheap whiskey or Pabst vibe — and I love it. Their best songs are genuine and painfully catchy — stuck in your head for the next three days straight, lingering in your mind like cigarette smoke in a dark dive bar. (when such things were legal) The songs are impossible not to tap your feet along to, and live the entire intoxicated mass was clapping along; I even spotted Seattle dancing a bit LOT. (You know… The head-bobbing, fist-pumping, hip movement and swaying.) Song after song sounded like an instant classic, a tune you couldn’t wait to blast at a backyard barbecue or played loud with the windows rolled down on the open road.

Craig Finn was an engaging every-man on stage — with awkward dances and eyebrows that punctuated every joke and witty lyric. The bands material translated beautifully live, Finn’s voice authentic, rich, and wry. Watching them, I see how the band could have stayed NYC’s best bar band for eternity, they’d be perfect in a dark dive where the air was thick with sweat and spilled beer. A place where you were surrounded by friends and screaming along with glee to the choruses. The thing is, somehow The Hold Steady has managed the retain that feeling even at a huge festival like the Block Party. Usually I’d be annoyed that half of Seattle’s hipster humanity was pressed against me, but with The Hold Steady singing — I couldn’t help but smile.

Extra bonus points? The best moustache of the Block Party (which should actually be a physical award that is given at the end of the weekend) goes to The Hold Steady’s keyboardist. It was creepy and funny and with his pseudo beret — absolutely perfect. Thomas from Wild Orchid Children who also featured as a guest guitar genius on The Saturday Knights and Kay Kay’s roster gets an honorary mention. 

While the rest of the festivals mainstage headliners left me flat and unimpressed, I walked away from the Hold Steady completely won over. Maybe it’s a year too late, but Boys and Girls in America has become a clutch summer album.  I can’t wait for my next show, be it at a festival or a smaller dive bar, with Craig Finn and Company. This is a band I will long raise my glass in praise of.

In a Sea of Moustaches–this guy’s was the winner ::: Hold Steady Keyboardist ::: photo by Josh

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.

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.   

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

Saturday night with The Saturday Knights — 10pm Neumo’s.

The Saturday Knights ::: photo by Abbey

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!!!

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