The Ironclads CD Release Show ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

As a person who goes to grippa shows, it’s a hopeless task to put properly put into any meaningful order the favorite shows they’ve been two beyond saying a few were the very best or stand out as special moments and deserve recognition as such for the annals. So I’ve chosen a list of twenty shows and sets from this year that I’ll never forget, presented in chronological order.

Blind Pilot @ The Triple Door (January 2009) - read the full review

The Murder City Devils first show back at the Showbox at the Market (February 2009) - read the full review

Dan Auerbach at the Showbox at the Market (March 2009) - read the full review

The Ironclads CD Release w/ Hands, Whore Moans, What What Now (April 2009) - read the full review

Blue Moon 75th Anniversary Show w/ High Class Wreckage, Thee Emergency, Hopscotch Boys, and The Whore Moans (April 2009) - read the full review

The Lonely Forest CD Release at the Vera Project (April 2009) - read the full review

Bon Iver at Sasquatch (May 2009) - read the full review

Nurses at the South Pole (DIY venue) (June 2009) - read the full review

David Bazan in a Living Room in Edmonds (June 2009) - read the full review

Robin and Josh ::: Photo on Film by Josh Lovseth

Robin Pecknold at Neumos (July 2009) - read the full review

Rural Alberta Advantage at the Sunset Tavern (July 2009) - read the full review

Widower, Pearly Gate Music, Final Spins at Sunset Tavern (July 2009) - read the full review

Doe Bay Fest (August 2009) - read the full review

The Maldives CD Release at the Tractor Tavern w/ The Moondoggies and Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers (August 2009) - read the full review

Macklemore at Bumbershoot (September 2009) - read the full review

Dirty Three at the Crocodile (September 2009) - read the full review

Fanfarlo at Chop Suey (September 2009) - read the full review

Grizzly Bear at the Moore (October 2009) - read the full review

Black Eyes & Neckties Last Show (October 31, 2009) - eulogy never written

Regina Spektor at the Paramount (November 2009) - read the full review

Taking in the Bay at Doe Bay Music Fest ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

The Whore Moans ::: Photo by Josh

We’ve spared no words in praise of The Whore Moans, Thee Emergency, and the Hopscotch Boys on this blog, so it was a privilege to be sponsoring them all on one bill for the special occasion of the Blue Moon’s 75th Anniversary celebration. Suffice to say that all three bands lived up to their billing, while a fourth band who was new to us, High Class Wreckage, ended up playing to the strength of the rest; starting the night off with an impressive use of long hair and a well developed rock n’ roll stage presence.

The Hopscotch Boys returned after announcing  last year they were disbanding altogether, and they reprised their role as a star Blue Moon regular from the past few years. The crazy thing about this band is how they never fail to produce two completely opposite reactions: abject horror or unstoppable grinning. Abbey captured the Hopscotch Boys experience best when she described it to one patron as “part art, part felony.” I would simply add ‘all rock’ to that description, and then note that seeing is believing. And as everyone who didn’t already know found out, “seeing” means you’ll also probably end up seeing Blowdog up close and personal whether you like it or not.

I was surprised Thee Emergency was willing to be billed after the admittedly show-stopping Hopscotch Boys, but let’s be honest, it’s not like they don’t have all the ingredients for a memorable set themselves. Dita Vox as a vivacious and sexy lead singer is second to none in this town (IMHO), and even among a crowd of theatrical guitarists rolling around onstage, she seems to maintain the crowds attention. No hint of a past injury on Tom T. Drummer is discernible; in fact I’d say he’s playing harder and faster than ever. Feverish plea’s for “Sweat Sex” went unheeded, and after an overactive mosh pit started the band abbreviated their set, finishing off with a stirring performance of  long-time SOTS favorite, “Attack of the Cobrasaurus.”

The Whore Moans secretly headlined our birthday show in January, but it’s no secret that we think they are one of the best rock band’s around these parts. The band brought along a film crew to help them put together a video this time around, but I think they might have had a bit of dilemma with the rather active area right in the front of the stage. By this point in the evening the drunks were really having fun (and losing control) posing a significant obstacle to the rather scrawny A/V club; luckily nobody was really willing support a surfing expedition though, so they had to settle for just bouncing and pushing. The crowd was however happy to oblige the band’s wish to clap along for the song they were filming for, “Wall of a Song,” which requires a capella screaming over a sea of hand-claps to really work right. It seems like just last month they got back from a tour, but April 18 at the Healthy Times Fun Club they’re already kicking off another clockwise-roaming month-long nationwide tour that hit’s New York City.

This Saturday the fun at the Blue Moon continues with this here blog you’re reading presenting another night of rock by WE Wrote the Book on Connectors, A Gun That Shoots Knives and Portland favorites Junkface. I am beyond excited to hear what the WE Songwriting Service came up with for the Moon. That 75 years have passed without a proper theme song for the bar is a travesty.

The Whore Moans ::: Photo by Josh

Thee Emergency ::: Photo by Abbey

Thee Emergency ::: Photo by Josh

The Hopscotch Boys ::: Photo by Josh

The Hopscotch Boys ::: Photo by Abbey

High Class Wreckage ::: Photo by Josh

Flickr: Sound on the Sound Presents the Blue Moon’s 75th Anniversary with The Whore Moans, Thee Emergency, The Hopscotch Boys, and High Class Wreckage

Show up early!

Check this poster!!! ::: Poster by Stubby

We, the humble proprietors of Sound on the Sound, want you to recognize that this April, Seattle is celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the venerable Blue Moon Tavern. Over those many years the Blue Moon as been through countless incarnations, seen the construction of the interstate on it’s doorstep and the rise of downtown skyline across the lake. At this point in time the Blue Moon survives as a rock n’ roll stage most nights under the watchful eye and ear of booker Jason Josephes (JJ), and we thought there would be no better way to help celebrate this milestone than to sponsor two consecutive Saturdays with can’t miss bills packed full of our favorite local bands.

The first show happens this Saturday and brings together the secret headliners from both of our Blue Moon birthday shows, Thee Emergency and the Whore Moans. And if two of our favorite current local bands weren’t enough, how about one of our most missed dearly departed Seattle bands: Hopscotch Boys. JJ was able to rouse the Hopscotch Boys from premature death onto the bill to salute the venue with a one-off special performance. Rounding out the night is High Class Wreckage. Since there are four bands the first set will start at 9pm and since this is an extra special show the cover will be $7. Do not show up to late, or you will not get into this show. Even our friends. You have been warned.

The second Saturday in a row, April 18, features a trio of bands who are likely to make for just as unforgettable a night. Previous A Gun that Shoot’s Knives performances have turned the Blue Moon into all manner of environments including turning the stage into a “womb.” As we have seen time and again, WE Wrote the Book on Connectors know how to deliver a stellar party. While Junkface… Junkface you pretty much have to see to believe. All in all, these are two epic bills not to be missed.

The complete details for both dates are below:

Sound on the Sound Celebrates the Blue Moon Tavern’s 75th Anniversary with two nights of incomparable rock n’ roll

Saturday April 11
Sound On The Sound presents:
Whore Moans
Thee Emergency
The return of the Hopscotch Boys!
High Class Wreckage
$7, show starts at 9pm

Saturday April 18, 2009
Sound On The Sound presents:
We Wrote the Book on Connectors
A Gun That Shoots Knives
Junkface (from Portland, OR)
$5, show starts at 10pm