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December 15, 2011

This Weekend in Holiday Shows (As Written by Bennington, The Pretentious Music Critic Elf)

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Merry Moondoggies ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

I get tired of writing about the same bands all the time. Just as I’m sure you get tired of reading me write about the same bands over and over again. So what do you think I did for this holiday season? I wrote a letter to the North Pole offering Santa free MP3′s and political kickbacks for extravagant presents and asked Santa if he had a resident music expert elf (preferably one that used to write for Pitchfork) that would like to contribute to our website. In response I got an autographed photo of New York Yankees great Derek Jeter (I would have preferred a lump of coal) and the services of Bennington, the pretentious music critic elf. Enjoy.

Dear Sound on the Sound Readers,

I have been asked by your Christian demi-god of retail and a hack-riffic blogger to give you previews for all the holiday related shows happening in Seattle over the course of the next few days. I’m an Elf. If there’s one thing I know besides pouring maple syrup over everything (where do you think gigantic elf Will Ferrell got that hilarious act from?), it’s what people living in first world countries should do with their time during the holidays. Why do we give special consideration to those living in industrialized nations? Because Santa and Co. have a sweet deal with the IMF and the World Bank. Third World Countries can go kick rocks.

Three Imaginary Girls Holiday Party on Friday @ CCT

Did you know that there’s more than three girls (and boys) working for “Three Imaginary Girls”? They’ll never let their identity be known because they’re superheroes. I’m afraid you’ll have to venture to their holiday party at the Columbia City Theater to find out exactly what’s going on. TIG, has a procured a pop friendly lineup consisting of Eef Barzelay (of Clem Snide), Mal de Mer (who have a song with the same name as the greatest Nintendo game ever) and The Heligoats. Don’t be afraid to make your presence known on the south side of town. “Pop” is no longer a dirty word (it took some time but it finally forgave U2).

Worlds Collide at the Black Lodge on Friday Night

What happens when you take a fiercely catchy band, with a horrible band name (Livingston Seagull) and put them on the same bill with an awesome band, with an awesome band name (White Coward)?!? Then you add two other bands (Sloths, Heavy Flow) that have websites but you don’t have the frickin’ time to check them out because Prancer and Blitzen have decided to go on strike (and run off to Cabo, the audacity!). and Santa is being a complete hard-ass about the entire affair. You may think his anger is reindeer union related, but I’m telling you it has everything to do with the fact that Mrs. Claus is currently infatuated with the Black Lodge. It’s unhealthy I tell you.

The Cops Ruin Christmas (Again) Friday Night at The Tractor

Cops can ruin any joyous situation in a hurry. However, this “on-again off-again, wait, are they on again” Seattle quartet are probably the only group of law enforcement that you should be happy to see on a Friday night. I don’t usually see The Cops when they play during other times of the year but their December shows are always a good time. Plus, they are playing with the always entertaining Hopscotch Boys. In other words, shit is going to get weird quickly. I expect to see exotic animals that have been mounted and stuffed, lots of awful looking Christmas sweaters, people smoking cigarettes outside the venue, bartenders pouring stiff drinks, Lady Gaga doing a duet with Jawz (not Mike from the Cops, the actual James Bond villain) and much, much more. Besides, it’s Ballard, the happiest place on Earth. Haters are gonna hate….

The rest of Bennington’s Holiday Show Recommendations (more…)

April 14, 2009

Sound on the Sound Presents: Act One of our Blue Moon 75th Anniversary Celebration

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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

April 11, 2009

Tonight is the Night

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Show up early!

April 6, 2009

Two Saturdays of Celebration on behalf of the Blue Moon

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Tags
A Gun That Shoots Knives Hopscotch Boys The Whore Moans Thee Emergency We Wrote the Book on Connectors Blue Moon Tavern Sound on the Sound Presents
bluemoon500

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