One of our favorite parts of Capitol Hill Block Party is the Vera Project’s dunk tank. Last year we stumbled on Murder City Devil’s frontman Spencer Moody getting dunked for the kids. This year, we walked past just as Sound on the Sound favorites The Head and The Heart were dunking one of their own.

We’ll let the photo series show you what happened.

Kenny Gets Ready to Throw as Jon, Josiah and Charity Cheer Him On:

The Throw

Success! The Splash

Zasche Emerges from the Dunk Tank

All photos by Abbey Simmons

Photo by Abbey Simmons

We just finished one of our favorite local charity events with Noise for the Needy last week and it’s time to announce and plan for another. This year’s “A Drink for the Kids,” which benefits the beloved Vera Project, will be happening July 11-17 at local bars including Hattie’s Hat, Cha Cha Lounge, Linda’s, the Twilight Exit, 5 Point Cafe, Solo Bar and West 5.

The Vera may be dedicated to serving up music to kids who can’t legally drink yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get sloshed to support them. More bars and the annual “Drink for the Kids” concert, which featured a solo Robin Pecknold covering Neutrual Milk Hotel last year, will be announced shortly and we’ll have all the details.

Update: We’ll have the details now!

The Drink for the Kids Finale will be July 17th at Neumos and will be headlined by Brite Futures (formerly known as Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head).

Born Ruffians ::: photo by Brittney Bush Bollay

Seattleites of all ages took a delightful Canadian double punch Monday night when Ontario’s Born Ruffians and Young Rival rolled into the Vera Project.

Taking the stage first was Young Rival, whose surf-tinged garage rock is a timeless treat. Live, Young Rival comes across as simultaneously more surfy and more garage-y than on record. They seem to be a band whose truest essence is revealed only on stage — which is always preferable to the reverse.

The crowd seemed slightly lukewarm to Young Rival at first, but began to change their mind when confronted with frontman Aron D’Alesio’s prodigious guitar skills. Every song saw him ripping through fast, complicated surf riffs with impressive dexterity, and the audience was appreciative. In return, the band seemed to steadily warm up to the crowd. Though they remained miles away from flamboyancy, the boys visibly loosened up over the course of their set.

By the time Young Rival launched into psychedelic toe-tapper “The Ocean,” the audience was more than happy to answer the band’s call to clap along. And once they started clapping, they couldn’t be stopped, carrying on for the full length of the song. “That’s the longest we’ve had anybody keep clapping,” the band marveled. After the hands, whole bodies began to succumb to the beat, and by the set’s closing notes, enthusiastic dancers had begun to appear in the crowd.

If the kids grew to like Young Rival, they LOVED Born Ruffians. From first word to last, they sang along with gusto, chiming in especially on old songs, but also on tracks from the brand-new record, only out a week.

The Ruffians’ set was an hour-long journey through sixty years of musical sounds. With his curly pompadour, cuffed jeans, and a guitar roughly the size of his body, singer Luke LaLonde looks like a rock and roll hero of the 1950s. Much of the music also carries that era’s tone, with plenty of stomping, clapping, and gospel-esque call-and-response structures.

Other times the band has a very modern sound, with many tracks (particularly new single “What To Say”) calling to mind current superstars Vampire Weekend. At worst, these songs sound timely; at best, Born Ruffians build on the contemporary aesthetic and give us glimpses of the future. Most interesting are their uses of challenging rhythms and other jazz-based elements, which bring a delightful intellectualism to the music without the need for heavy-handed lyrics.

To the Vera crowd, though, brains were less important than bodies: these kids just wanted to dance. The energy in the room built and built, finally exploding during the encore with the fantastic, swingy “I Need a Life.” “The sun is shining but we stay inside / Oh but we go out at night.” Bouncing, clapping, and singing along, the crowds at Vera made the most of their night out.

Young Rival ::: photo by Brittney Bush Bollay

Lots more great photos after the jump
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If you’re not hip to Seattle’s Hollow Earth Radio already, this is a great week to get yourself acquainted with some of the Seattle’s most-deserving unsung heroes. Hollow Earth Radio (HER) self-describes themselves as a  “free-form online radio station that presents a forum for underrepresented music, sounds and perspectives.” But HER is more than that. They’re champions of (and participants in) the All-Ages and DIY movements, as well as countless up and coming local bands. They do what they do purely for the love of music and community and they do so with little pomp or circumstance and without making it at all about them. It’s a perspective we respect and appreciate here at Sound on the Sound and one we aim to provide ourselves.

Once a year HER puts on the MAGMA Festival to help cover operational costs and to highlight bands and musicians they love, all in the all-ages setting they do so much to promote and cultivate.  The festival starts this week and continues throughout the month of March. And MAGMA definitely isn’t saving the best for last, they’re starting out the fest with what we think is one hell of a headliner: Thao Ngyuen (of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down) joined by special guest K Records’ Mirah playing the Vera Project on Friday March 5th. All told there will be 10 shows with over 50 bands featuring names you know (like Karl Blau and Cold Lake) and tons of new up and coming bands for you to delight in and discover.  You can buy a pass for the entire festival for $50 or pay show by show as you go.  We highly recommend you catch at least a few shows and support not just HER but also all-ages music and the bands and venues that make it possible.

One more way to support all-ages music? Vote for the all-ages movement to win $50,000 in the RefreshEverything Challenge from Pepsi. To win the grant the “All-Ages Movement” has to stay in the Top 10 and it’s the last weekend of voting. Be sure to log-in today and tomorrow to cast your vote to help Seattle and other cities support burgeoning bands and music for people young and old.

Why? ::: Photo by Chona Kasinger on assignment for Sound on the Sound

[Editors Note: We're excited to welcome the first contribution from local photo phenom Chona Kasinger, who as it turns out is a mighty fine writer as well. Now that we can almost legally unleash her on Seattle's bars and 21+ shows, Chona will be contributing to Sound on the Sound whenever her little heart (or shutter finger) desires. -abbey]

The dynamic Berkeley based indie/folk/hip hop trio Why? Was joined by two additional members Andrew Broder and Mark Erickson at the Vera Project on October 14, 2009. The show totally sold out, and by the looks of the line of anxious fans outside eager to get in and see the show; some were left in the cold that night, unfortunately.

Vancouver band No Kids opened up the show, followed by Washington’s own Mt. Eerie (who were joined onstage by several members of No Kids).

Long time friends of Vera and supporters of the local all ages music scene, Why? Was greeted to a scrumptious vegan feast backstage (some of which I was able to partake in) prepared by Vera’s Joshua Powell.

Frontman Yoni Wolf owns the stage like a hypertrichotic Chihuahua with a Napoleon Complex and stage presence off the Richter chart. Commanding to say in the very least, Wolf’s antics included some pretty impressive dance moves, jamming the phrase “mother fucker” into as many sentences as possible, and repeatedly threatening the audience with coronary thrombosis by feigning jumping headlong into them.

Wolf has described Why’s latest album Eskimo Snow as “the least hip-hop out of anything I’ve ever been involved with”, and I definitely concur.  The change, however, I feel is a natural and healthy direction for the band and the new album is as delightful as it is insightful. Wolf’s lyricism and ability to shape seemingly grave matters into painfully witty and comical lines is uncanny. In the song “Yo Yo Bye Bye”, Wolf declares, “I’m fucking cold like a DQ blizzard”. If that kind of poetry doesn’t speak to you, maybe you ought to reassess where you are in your life.

The band kicked off their set with the third track “Against Me”, off their most recent release and rocketed through just under 20 songs through the trajectory of their set. The perpetual lightheartedness and intensity of their sound on album translates powerfully onstage- the band’s cohesiveness (a result of playing together for over a decade) proves to have withstood the test of time, as I’m sure the gleeful and packed to the brim Vera Project would vouch.

See More of Chona’s Pictures from Why? at the Vera Project

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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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

“Technicolor”

Twice in one month! Who would’ve guessed our new favorite band Nurses would be making up to our fair city so often? Last night they were at the Vera Project supporting fellow Portland act Quasi, who’ve just agreed to release their next album through Kill Rock Stars.

Nurses ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Nurses ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Quasi ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Quasi ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Flickr: Quasi and Nurses at the Vera Project

Robin Pecknold of the Fleet Foxes ::: Photo by Josh

Saturday July 11, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes will be taking the Neumos stage as the headliner for this years multi-day A Drink For the Kids fundraiser in support of the VERA Project. The multi-bar event features drink specials for us over-21-ers, and on the final night at Neumos this concert will cap the week, with all the proceeds going to Seattle’s place for all-ages.

A Drink For The Kids, the Vera Project’s annual 21+ benefit, includes six bar nights featuring beer and liquor specials benefiting the Vera Project and a grand finale benefit show. Visit any of the bars below and purchase a Stone Brewing Company beer and ask about liquor specials to support Vera:

July 5th at Cha Cha
July 6th at Hazelwood
July 7th at West 5
July 8th at Twilight Exit
July 9th at Linda’s
July 10th at Solo & Funhouse
July 11th at Neumos

Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10am at TicketsWest. Unless of course you know the password. Then they are available for you right now. Snap ‘em up because as we know, out of all antelopes, the White Antelope is about as rare as they come.

And if you doubt you should be there… watch a song from one of our favorite sessions of 2008:

Poster by James Key

I love a good festival.  I love a ton of bands all packed in to one place, and I absolutely love the thrill of discovery sure to blindside you at any festival worths it densely powdered elephant ears and cheap, overpriced beer.  Now, I’m not even in Seattle this weekend, but friend and Abandoned Love Records guru Jon Rooney has been plying me with the sweetness that is this weekend’s Cumulus Music Festival for weeks now.

Rooney, he of Virgin of the Birds fame (and a mammoth interview I’ve still yet to muster the cojones to tackle) sent over this description of the event:

“the Cumulus Music Festival is a gathering of largely instrumental noise, drone, and math rock outfits (one might say post-rock) from the greater Pacific Northwest area for three days of intimate performances creating a critical mass of thoughtful, exciting modern electric music”

Oh man, if that doesn’t sound like the perfect accompaniment to the doldrums of grey enveloping our sweet city these moody days of January … I don’t know what is.  You can see the full schedule HERE, but here’s just a taste of some of the drone-tastic bands playing this weekend:

HYPATIA LAKE

BRONZE FAWN

EARTH (!!!)

THE LUNA MOTH

There’s two night shows (at Chop Suey and King Cobra) and an all ages afternoon show at The Vera Project.  I highly recommend getting out to at least one evening.  You will not be disappointed.