Russian Circles::: photo courtesy of James Bailey

I apologize for the tardiness of this post. The holiday season and my own sluggish economic situation has forced me into the “I have two part-time jobs that I don’t want because I can’t get a full-time job I do want” shuffle. My schedule sucks. And the more time goes by, “Lust for Life” becomes more of a song that mocks my life than an anthem of carpe diem.  Don’t cry for me, you’re probably doing the same thing. These are the times when you tend to do cost-benefit analysis on your own mortality. Man, are funerals expensive these days or what? Luckily I still have time to go to shows, awesome shows like the one below….

To the outside world, the word “pageantry” would be the last word in the English language applied to Helms Alee, Young Widows and Russian Circles. But when I walked into Neumo’s on Wednesday night November 18th, I decided that tonight’s rocking bill will be written about as if it were a beauty pageant. All three acts may not sound “beautiful” in the traditional sense, but I think they’re swell. All three tenacious acts vying for my undying for affection, at least how the script went in my head. All three contestants brought with them something different.

Helms Alee harnessed the energy of the hometown crowd and used it to elevate their performance. On this night, they were the most “rocking” band. If you don’t know about Helms Alee, you need to familiarize yourself immediately. They’re a sight for sore eyes and they write music that eyesores like me find absolutely captivating. Plus, Hozoji Matheson-Margullis might be the best drummer in Seattle. I’m disappointed in myself for not seeing them prior to this night. Never again will I allow such an injustice to happen and neither should you. Helms Alee wins my “Sometimes the Amount of Hair Does Equal Rock N’ Roll OutPut” award in my pageantry of dark atmospheric rock. The highlight of the set for me, and this is no cheap shot at all, was actually the last song they played that night. The only problem is that I don’t know the name of the it. At first listen it sounds like an alternative version of “Big Spider” because the main riff is pretty similar but then I noticed that the vocal patterns were totally different. The song also features a “our plane is crashing” ending that lasts for a good half minute. I only have one Helms Alee album so my knowledge is limited, but if you could help a dude out, it would much appreciated. Here’s the song on youtube.
 
Young Widows were second on the bill. Out of all the acts that took the stage at Neumo’s on this particular night, this was the one I was most familiar with. Having been a fan-boy of the earlier incarnations of Young Widows, they were the band I was most excited to see. They played a curiously sluggish set however, opting for their more adventurous songs rather than the ones that you might expect them to play. I’m not mad at them. Sometimes you don’t want to play “the hits.”

The first thing you notice about Young Widows is the immense size of their amps. Due to my failure to take notes and the big gap between then and now, I can’t remember the make of their colossal sound system. I just know that the amps had fucking searchlights built into the them. The amps looked like they could grow legs at any moment and become a Battletech MechWarriors that could destroy the venue within seconds. Where is the engineer to my impending destruction? I would like to shake his hand. During “Old Skin” the lead guitar sample sounded like sirens the government would sound if a worldwide paranormal invasion were to take place. The bass during “New Forest” is a Giant Squid lurking in the coldest most black parts of the uncharted ocean. As the beast surrounds the steady “we’re bored” one line guitar riff during the verse, your eyes become filled with ink and you’re quickly dispatched by the almost mythical creatures beak. I’d also like to publicly thank Young Widows bassist Nick Thieneman for his steady rocking out. There were a couple of songs where I thought he was going to fall forward into the crowd. One particular time, he wasn’t even playing but he was losing his shit nonetheless. Kudos to you Mr. Thieneman. Young Widows won my “Band That Most Surprisingly Reminded Me of Shudder To Think” award. No joke, this show prompted me to change my ring tone to “X-French Tee Shirt.”

The headliners, Russian Circles were absolutely immaculate. At this point, I was getting tired from lack of sleep and the two well drinks that I had downed, so I decided to move away from the stage a bit. In hindsight I have to thank my fatigue, the move away from the stage gave me a better chance to really hear what the band was doing. Gentle reader, let me tell you something, these guys make it look easy. But it’s not. Don’t be fooled by the precision of their performance. Sure, it’s not hard to wrap your mind around Russian Circles epic lullaby’s at times. But their execution is flawless and their songs sound even better live than they do recorded. “Harper Lewis” came off more brooding and awe inspiring and the out of nowhere tenacity of “Death Rides a Horse” crushed all challengers. Russian Circles won my  “Skwisgaar Skwigelf Musical Performance of Excellence” award.

If Santa is real, and I believe he is, there will be more shows similar to this one during this holiday season. Otherwise, I’m going to stop believing in that jolly fat man.

Helms Alee ::: photo courtesy of James Bailey

 Young Widows::: photo courtesy of James Bailey

Russian Circles::: photo courtesy of James Bailey

Old Skin - Young Widows from J.J. Johnstone on Vimeo.

Caution: This preview features “ex-members of….”

Gentle reader. I try to avoid it. It’s cliche. It’s dumb. It’s marketing and the dissemination of information on crutches. It’s what writers try to do in order to give you some vague idea of how something might sound. Sometimes it can be accurate, other times it can leave you scratching your head. What am I talking about? The usage of “ex-members of…” in the context of anything music related. I hate it because there’s more meaning in the phrase than should be given. But since I hate you, my gentle reader, I’m going to use it over and over again. It’s Monday, aren’t I allowed to play games with you because god is playing games with the rest of us? I think you know the answer to that…

There are three good bands taking the stage at Neumo’s on Wednesday evening. Helms Alee (ex-Harkonen!), Russian Circles and Young Widows (ex-Breather Resist!). A solid bill, right? Notice my “ex-members of..” territorial pissings? I promise this will be the only time I tout such garbage. In this particular case you can feel the preceding band’s fingerprints on what is going on currently. Helms Alee brings to mind a more melodic version of Harkonen, but only in brief spurts. Ben Verellen’s vocals are obviously the common denominator between the two. Other than that, I’m not sure how to describe them. Consider that a good thing. 

Russian Circles are the instrumental soundtrack to planets being formed and stars being destroyed. Listening to them is an exercise in reminding yourself that you’re not actually a musician, you play one on TV. These guys opened up for Tool in 2007, that should give you an idea of their otherworldly musicianship.

Last and certainly not least, Young Widows. Once upon a time, there was this absolutely amazing band from Kentucky called Breather Resist. Good golly they were the sugar in my tea.Their singer left and the band morphed into Young Widows instead of calling it quits. Thank your lucky charms that they did. Look at the video for “Old Skin” and be prepared for what is to come….

The Moondoggies ::: photo by Abbey Simmons  

One of the most pleasant surprises of my entire Bumbershoot weekend, was when John Van Deusen of the Lonely Forest announced that the band would be headlining the Showbox the day after Thanksgiving this year.

A quick glance at the Showbox at the Market Calendar  reveals that the Lonely Forest aren’t the only local bands to be getting some headline loving this fall. Local rockers Helms Alee will also be taking the big stage on September 26th and Sound on the Sound favorites The Moondoggies will be headlining an all-local bill at the Showbox the day after the Lonely Forest, November 28th. Joining the Moondoggies at the Showbox will be local lovelies Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter and Star Anna.

It’s great to see one of Seattle’s biggest and most-storied venues open it’s stage to local headliners. Let’s encourage the Showbox to continue this local love by buying tickets and proving that an all-local line up or headliner can bring the same kind of crowd as national touring bands. And cheers to the Showbox for opening their stage and doors to truly local artists, I hope this is only the beginning.

Here’s the dates for the upcoming local headliners (note they’re all Friday and Saturday night shows too!)

September 26th - Helms Alee
November 27th - The Lonely Forest
November 28th - The Moondoggies with Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter, Star Anna

Black Eyes & Neckties Play The Comet July 19th ::: Photo by Abbey

Remember when I said not every week would have seven nights of recommended shows…? This is one of those weeks.

However, for most of the night’s that have recommendations, there are numerous pleasing possibilities. Looks like another week for some heated internal debates on which shows to attend.

Who - So Many Dynamos, Police Teeth, Cast Spells
Where - VERA Project
How (Much) - 8$/7$ with Club Card
Why- So Many Dynamos mathematic, energetic, angular, and infinitely danceable approach to indie rock is a perfect way to start the week with momentum.

Who - The Girls Guide To Rocking
Where - VERA Project, 7:30pm
How (Much) - Free
Why - Because in 2009, rock’n'roll is still a boys club. Books like The Girls Guide to Rocking and places like the VERA Project help encourage and teach girls to find their rightful place in rock.

Equally Awesome Alternatives:
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone at HTFC
Team Gina at Chop Suey

Who - Jack Wilson and the Wife Stealers 
Where - The Comet, 6pm  
How (Much) - ?
Why - If you like what bands like The Maldives and Widower are doing, it’s time for you to check out Jack Wilson and the Wife Stealers. Wilson is a pleasant addition to the burgeoning bearded Seattle-Twang song-writer sound.

Equally Awesome Alternatives:
GMK at Nectar Lounge
Tea Cozies, Devices at Tractor Tavern

Who - WE Prom Featuring: We Wrote The Book On Connectors, M. Bison, Tennis Pro
Where - The Crocodile
How (Much) - 10$
Why - Because this is what Sweet Dreams are made of. Or at least, that’s the theme of this prom, which is guaranteed to suck 100x less than your actual Prom. There will be photos, formal wear, a balloon arch, and  few great local bands playing from their own catchy catalogs, as well as the promise of some classic Prom songs. Slow dance, anyone?

Equally Awesome Alternatives:
The Metal Shakespeare Company at The Blue Moon
The Sea Navy at The Comet Tavern
The Decemberists, Andrew Bird, Blind Pilot at Marymoor Park

Who - Laura Veirs, Cataldo
Where - The Crocodile
How (Much) -  15$
Why - To spend a night with one of the Pacific Northwest’s most gifted lyricists and song-writers, Laura Veirs.  2007’s Saltbreakers is a quintessential Pacific Northwest album, so evocative of the surroundings that inspired the album, you can almost smell the damp salty cedar air.

Equally Awesome Alternatives:
What What Now at Cafe Racer
Death Cab for Cutie, the New Pornographers, Ra Ra Riot at Marymoor Park

Who - Helms Alee, Black Eyes & Neckties, Red Fang
Where - The Comet Tavern, 9pm
How (Much) - 8$
Why - You’d be hard pressed to find a stronger all-local hard rock bill. In spite of being on a Sunday, the sheer weight of rock and spectacle of this line up may actually leave The Comet in ruins.

Equally Awesome Alternative:
Death Cab for Cutie, the New Pornographers, Ra Ra Riot at Marymoor Park

Tomorrow night is a crazy night for live music in Seattle, there are at least three different venues I’d like to be at. However, when push comes to shove, there is nowhere I would rather be tomorrow than The Comet to celebrate Carly of Starbird Promotions’ birthday with a few of her favorite bands.

Not that Black Eyes & Neck Ties with Helms Alee and Black Elk shouldn’t be enough to get you through what is sure to be a very crowded Comet door…just check out the trippy, slightly scary, completely awesome poster.

What’s up readers?  Happy fucking new year, even though for us followers of the lunar calendar new years day was a couple months ago, but a happy one to you solarites.  With this post we mark two momentous occasions: the first Metal Monday post of 2008 (which true to form is up on a Tuesday) and a review of Abbey and Josh’s first metal show!

December 28th was a busy night.  It was my last night in Seattle before the 13 hour drive back to the Bay at 6 am the next morning.  What better way to end my visit than with good friends, Mac and Jacks, and a show featuring some of Seattle’s finest metallers at the legendary Comet Tavern.  Saturday night’s line up fronted by Seattle’s own Bloodhag supported by We Lit the Fuse and Helms Alee all playing to benefit the Vera project which continues to bring exquisite all ages shows to the people of Seattle.  All three bands hail from Seattle and offered up a crushing sound.  We Lit the Fuse is a hardcore five piece who mix screamed and melodic vocals with heavy drony guitars and stabbing licks.  Their sound is familiar, but brutal and enjoyable for every minute, well worth a listen should you run into them at a show or come across their CD.  Helms Alee is an intricate trio spinning haunting three part harmonies.  Check these guys out people, similar to Ludicra down here in SF, Helms Alee are taking a stand and traveling in their own direction.  Putting aside labels, boxes, and motifs, Helms Alee is a heavy band out to make a mark.

So anyone who follows this column at all, knows I’m quite partial to Bloodhag, so I was very eager for Josh and Abbey to be at the show to get a couple pictures (which I’m gonna try to post…) as well as to experience what all the literary madness surrounding the band is all about.  As usual Bloodhag delivered beyond belief.  As usual Bloodhag took to the stage dressed in button downs and sporting ties with a box of books tucked away in an easily accessible spot.  Assaulting the audience with a barrage of songs from the previous album “Hell Bent for Letters” while offering up a few tracks from an upcoming album (which Sandeep cant wait for).  Beyond that, Bloodhag put on their show, and for those of you who don’t know what that’s like, hopefully the pictures will help, but it is a full-fledged bibliophilic headbanging experience.  As usual Bloodhag introduced audience members to author after authors, presenting their laminated letter from Anne McCaffrey before throwing themselves into one of the best shout along songs they have.

Of course no Bloodhag show would be complete were it not for the spreading of literacy, so front man Professor Jake Stratton was keen to pass out books to create some rabid readers in the audience…and thank goodness!  Were it not for that I would have had nothing to read on the car ride down.

All in all, Bloodhag brought their ‘A’ game and hammered the skulls of those wise enough to attend that night.  The show culminated in what I was hoping there would be excellent pictures of, but sadly (though delightfully) it was too crazy for a good shot.  Closing out with “HP Lovecraft”, Bloodhag dropped to the floor and chugged, growled, and ripped through the track, putting the audience into a dizzying fray of circle headbanging and horn raisingly delicious body spasms.

Ah Bloodhag, I can’t wait to see you guys again!  Bay area readers, have no fear!  I got it from the band themselves, they plan to be down here in the spring, so keep reading, and as always, keep it gloomy!