It’s a weekend of celebration for fellow music bloggers and friends: Ear Candy and Back Beat Seattle. Both blogs are celebrating milestones with some kick ass local bills and you could make a full weekend of their shows alone.

First up on Friday night is Back Beat Seattle. Back Beat is celebrating the site’s one year anniversary with a genre bending banner bill at The Blue Moon with Blood Red Dancers, THEESatisfaction and What What Now.

Meanwhile, Ear Candy has a double header of sponsored shows this weekend. Saturday they’ll be celebrating at The Sunset with a great bill featuring People Eating People, We Wrote The Book on Connectors and Spanish for 100. Not only will you be enchanted by Nouela Johnston, you should hear the Ear Candy Theme Song, as We Wrote the Book on Connectors were commissioned to write it.

Ear Candy’s celebrations continue on Sunday night with the official Ear Candy Birthday party at The Nectar for a weekend ending dance party. Imploring to shake your ass for Ear Candy will be No Fi Soul Rebellion, Katie Kate, Lisa Dank and Queerbait!.

Happiest Anniversary to Back Beat and happiest birthday to Travis Hay of Ear Candy. Here’s to many more years of blogging and supporting local music!

Discs of Fury vs. the Bat Lord ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

For one night only, the Discs of Fury brought another epic tale to the Crocodile stage, an original rock opera that makes others pale in comparison, or at least pale that they’re in any way associated with these laugh-a-minute goofballs of uncommon musical ability. The journey of the pre-destined hero has been rehashed countless times over, but it’s never been told quite like the story of Marvin Lazer and his quest to vanquish the Evil Bat Lord of Ganymede. Though Discs of Fury is by it’s very nature making fun of the classical hero story arc and so all of the elements are familiar, in no usual fantasy tale would you expect the mark of the hero to be a “THUG LIFE” tattoo across the span of his back or have a typical Van Damme action movie training montage reinterpreted into a live (and highly comedic) form.

Though the performance is an unabashed parody, it’s a parody with real guts: Discs of Fury are an honest to god arena rock super-group. Every instrument has a massive presence, to match with protagonist Marvin Lazer’s son-of-Freddie-Mercury pipes. A joke transformed into a Queen song will be almost invariably funnier than the original. An entire joke hero story expressed in song is pee-your-pants funny. For an hour and a half.

As promised WE Wrote the Book on Connectors were incorporated into the story, as shiny sequined “Captains of the Future,” with drummer Rick filling the shoes of the JERKBOT, of course. (Because Rick IS a jerk.)

Travis of WE ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Rick enjoying the big kit ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Mike is smokin’ hot on that guitar ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Discs of Fury ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Fated Love? ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Wait. Robots from the future in a fantasy epic? ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

The Obligatory Training Montage (which leads into the obligatory dance party…) ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Flickr: Discs of Fury, WE Wrote the Book on Connectors at the Crocodile

Bye 2009! Hello 2010! ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

Sound on the Sound rang in the New Year at the Blue Moon Tavern (the night of an actual Blue Moon) for a night of cheap champagne in plastic glasses, space babies, the rebirth of the WE Wheel of Fortune, and the return of the Seattle Supersonics. Since first being introduced to A Gun That Shoots Knives on New Years Eve 2006, we’ve spent every New Years with the band and we’re still just as impressed and enamored with them as we were that first night. For the  birth of the new year, the band even debuted a couple brand new songs which we hope will be on a new AGTSK record sometime in 2010. For those of us at the Blue Moon, the first song of the New Year was ‘Balrog’ and truthfully, we probably wouldn’t have it any other way. If AGTSK is playing NYE 2010/2011 — it’s a safe bet we’ll be there celebrating with them.

Seattle Supersonics ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

We Wrote the Book on Connector’s Wheel of Fortune ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

2010 Birthed a Space Baby ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

A Gun That Shoots Knives ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

See More Photos from New Years Eve at The Blue Moon: Flickr Set

Matt Brown and the Prom Queen ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Matt Brown is not content to sit on the sidelines. He’s not content to dance with just his own date (provided he has only one for the evening). He’s not ready to go until he’s danced provocatively with every girl in the room, whether he knows them or not. By the end of the night, he will know them, whether their date’s like it or not.

He is THAT GUY.

And people (us included) adore him for it. He always ends up having more fun than the rest of us anyways.

Saturday - January 23, 2010

ROCK OPERA at the CROCODILE

starring DISCS OF FURY and WE WROTE THE BOOK ON CONNECTORS

Don’t miss a show to surpass all in recent memory - mythic champions wandering through the mist and on to the Crocodile’s stage. This teutonic rock opera continues Wagner’s rich tradition of the Campbellian hero-cycle and pairs all the Sturm und Drang implied with Queen-level bombastics and fantastic period garb - for one night only at the Croc.

Freely toss aside your pansy Gilbert and Sullivan sensibilities, as the soapy romance of Carmen and Madame Butterfly doesn’t enter into this Cambell-style Journey of the Hero. This night, a looming mountain of entertainment beckons you to embrace its ROCK.

SOUND ON THE SOUND cries: “Part Freddy Mercury, part Pete Townshend, and part Hedwig, Marvin Lazer spared no calorie in his quest for vocal supremacy. I swear to god I felt like I was in the middle of an eighties action movie during a couple of the training montages. It truly was a Rock Opera for the Ages.”

…it’s another all-out night of fun; a ROCK OPERA-tunity you shouldn’t pass up.

Tickets available $12adv / $15dos

“Yes!” We cry! Do not miss this show. This time around they’ve got a new storyline and are incorporating WE Wrote the Book on Connectors into the production. It will literally be a new epic tale. Making fun of old epic tales. You don’t have to be a nerd to love this stuff.

Please take a moment to remind yourself what you will be missing should you neglect to mark out this date on your calendar.

Discs of Fury ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

The Maldives (inspire Air Banjo) ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

This should just be subtitled: The Maldives edition. This week, Seattle’s favorite Wrangler headbangers are going to be everywhere. The band is celebrating the release of their new album Listen to The Thunder with three nights at The Tractor Tavern. We wouldn’t blame you if you caught all three shows. Not just because the band is that good live (they are), but they’ve created three nights of stellar local line-ups. Each  night should have a completely unique feel and show a facet of the many different sides of The Maldives. Plus, few folks know how to put on a party than The Maldives, so if whiskey and dancing is your thing…we recommend you catch at least one of the multiple Maldives events this week.

Monday - August 24th:

Who: The Maldives - “Listen to the Thunder” Listening Party
Where: Hattie’s Hat
How (Much): Free. But buy a drink for the band and tip your bartender.
Why: Get a listen to Listen to the Thunder so you can sing along on whichever (or all) of the three consecutive nights of Maldives shows you see at The Tractor Tavern later this week. After you get a listen to soon-to-be Seattle Twang classics like “Goodbye”, “Time is Right Now,” “Cold November” and “Tequila Sunday,” the men from The Maldives will be spinning their favorite tunes. Expect an evening of stiff drinks,  a plethora of beards, and eclectic but enjoyable tunes.

Equally Awesome Alternative:
Eyede & Abilities - Nectar

You have Tuesday off…

Wednesday - August 26th:

Who: Jay Reatard
Where: Easy Street Records (Queen Anne)  - 7pm
How (Much): Free
Why: To see if all the blog buzz is worth it without spending a dime.

Thursday - August 27th:

Who: Final Spins, Battle Hymns
Where: The Comet Tavern
How (Much): At least 5$, but Less than 10$ (no price listed anywhere!)
Why: To celebrate the Finals Spins debut EP and to hear a few songs from the forthcoming Battle Hymns release. Because you’re tired of all of your favorite local rock bands have broken up and you need to discover a couple of great new bands.

Equally Awesome Alternative:
The Pretenders, Cat Power - Marymoor Park
The Maldives, North Twin, 17th Chapter - Tractor Tavern
Jay Reatard, Sonic Boom Records (Ballard) - 7pm
The Spits, The Cute Lepers, The Ononos - Chop Suey

Friday - August 28th:

Who: The Maldives, The Moondoggies, Zoe Muth
Where: The Tractor Tavern
How (much): 11$ (and going to sell out)
Why: Because there is no more perfect musical pairing in this city right now than The Moondoggies and the Maldives. Add the sweet country stylings of Zoe Muth to the bill and you have one of the best local line ups of the year.

Equally Awesome Alternative:
Carousel Festival - Various DIY Venues
The Avett Brothers - The Paramount
Mad Rad, Chk Minus, Darwin - The Comet Tavern
Harvey Danger (Last All Ages Show Ever) - Vera Project

Saturday - August 29th:

Who: The Ironclads, We Wrote The Book On Connectors, Doctor Doctor
Where: The High Dive
How (Much): 7$
Why: It’s The Ironclads last show before a very long hiatus and there are few places in Seattle more electric, dynamic, or exciting than the front row of an Ironclads show right now…especially if you know the choruses to a few of their songs. And the downer of the last Ironclads show will be handily balanced out by sets from two of Seattle’s most enjoyable and over-the-top performances, We Wrote the Book on Connectors and Doctor Doctor. If you want to dance, laugh, or sing along to your favorite new band you may never see again…this is the show for you.

Equally Awesome Alternatives:
The Maldives, Thee Emergency, Shim, Pickwick - Tractor Tavern
Carousel Festival - Various DIY Venues
The Purrs, Black Nite Crash, Blood Red Dancers - Sunset
Harvey Danger (Last Show Ever) - The Crocodile
Star Anna, Gin Betty - Triple Door

Sunday - August 30th:

Who: Carousel Festival
Where: a few of Seattle’s Finest DIY Venues
How (Much): 5$ for one show/8$ for one day (proceeds benefit Hollow Earth Radio and the Urban Rest Stop)
Why: To celebrate an integral part of the Seattle scene and some great local bands in a more intimate setting than you’ve ever seen them before…and all for a couple of great causes. (Beyond DIY music)

Equally Awesome Alternative:
The Lost Episode, Ambulance - Skylark

Josh and Abbey at Prom (1999)

My 10 year high school reunion is upon me, and as I recall and as you can see, I didn’t care much for formal events. Prom though, even for the most resistant and anti-social among us, was an event few seniors decide to miss.  Unlike our prom in 1999, Abbey won’t have to drag me to this Friday’s WE Prom at the Crocodile. That the peeps of  WE Wrote the Book On Connectors haven’t quite left their adolescent years behind and want to host formal dances, should come as no surprise to anyone who is famliar with; so they seem the perfect hosts for what has become an annual Prom.

Happening this Friday at the Crocodile, the prom committee (the WE women) has plans aplenty to keep the fun going all night long. In addition to a balloon arch, portraits and voting on a prom queen and king, each band will be doing classic covers to fit the school dance mood and making sure there is plenty of opportunity for slow-dancing. WE says: “This show promises to get you laid, even if we have to do it ourselves.” Based on that statement alone the Prom’s theme: “Sweet Dreams,” only seems natural.

Courtesy of WE Wrote the Book on Connectors, we’ve got two tickets to give away to the prom. The first person to drop a comment that says they want this pair of tickets will get them.

So dress to the nines, get your lady a corsage, and rent a limo… you don’t want to arrive in your parent’s old beat-up Chevy Citation do you?

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

Junkface ::: Photo by Josh

Getting into the Blue Moon a little after the Sounder’s halftime last Saturday I was glad to see a glimmer back in Junkface frontman Randy’s eye again. Last time he swung through town Junkface was just him, as he’d just recently lost keyboardist Ryan to Starfucker duties and was additionally at the time struggling to find a steady drummer. So he hit the stage with just his little casio keyboard to sing a few personal songs, but he just seemed deflated about it all.

This time his band was three, but still absent its now normal drummer, so Randy took a few songs on the drums, with the other members switching up on instruments as the songs demanded. The best songs I thought were when Randy was working the guitar behind the mic though, yet all retained the essential Junkface punk-pop feel. This new incarnation of the band has a recording coming out sometime this year, so many of the songs that I didn’t recognize I’m guessing will appear on that.

A Gun That Shoots Knives all strapped bags and tin foil to their heads and dressed up as legendary U-District denizen the Chrome Sheriff, a possible schizophrenic who roams the area covered in a protective duct-tape headgear and fortified coats. As Stubby quickly found out though, a tin foil hat get’s hot and sweaty really fast, and so does wearing plastic bags; they aren’t exactly breathable materials. They make space blankets out of that stuff, remember?

WE Wrote the Book on Connectors headlined the evening and ended on a high note even though their Blue Moon song was slightly less successful than they’d hoped. (No need to talk about that right? Oh well, you can’t have a song as good as “Gladiator Stripper Wars” on every attempt.) Ending after 1 a.m. on sing-and-dance-along song “Captain of the Future” the bar wasn’t nearly ready to dissapate, and was happy to actually dance till last call to Captain Neo’s classic album Thriller. That we would be ringing in the 75th year of the Moon with a Michael Jackson album from early eighties I would never have guessed, but that’s the Moon for ya.

Junkface ::: Photo by Josh

A Gun That Shoots Knives ::: Photo by Abbey

A Gun That Shoots Knives ::: Photo by Abbey

WE Wrote the Book On Connectors ::: Photo by Abbey

Flickr: Sound on the Sound Presents the Second of our Blue Moon 75th Anniversary Shows featuring: WE Wrote the Book On Connectors, A Gun That Shoots Knives, and Junkface

Beyond the crazy and fun photos I’m about to share with you, there’s really one very simple reason you must be at The Blue Moon tonight: it’s going to be the best party in town. There are no better bands for a rollicking, hilarious party in Seattle than We Wrote The Book on Connectors and A Gun That Shoots Knives–and that’s what tonight is going to be all about.  It’s going to be a spectacle, in the most fantastic of ways.

Junkface:

A brief word about Junkface. Beyond celebrating with two of our favorite Seattle bands, we’re thrilled that Portland’s Junkface will be making the trek north to the Blue Moon. Junkface played Sound on the Sound’s very first sponsored show at The Blue Moon and not nearly enough of you got to see them.  Back then we said: ”Junkface seems built for a place like the Blue Moon. They play scuzzy yet simple and accessible songs that span the spectrum of genres.” Despite the fact the band’s EP is only 7 songs and 19 minutes long, it is an often played favorite, even after two years.

 
A Gun That Shoots Knives:

We Wrote The Book on Connectors: