Blog Archives

April 4, 2012

The Blue Moon Celebrates 78 Years with Five Nights of Shows

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We Wrote the Book on Connectors at The Blue Moon ::: photo by Abbey

We’ve had some of the most memorable nights of our show going lives at The Blue Moon. And certainly some nights we wished we remembered more of too. And with 78 years under their belt, the same must be true for countless folks and Seattle’s beloved Blue Moon.

As they do every April, The Moon is celebrating their anniversary with a string of shows and we highly suggest you check out Seattle’s best dive bar and raise a glass to toast its continued existence. In an industry and city where surviving 10 years is a milestone, inching up on a century is unheard of. While all five nights have their own unique spin and celebrate different aspects of the Moon’s history, we suggest getting there early on Saturday April 14th for secret headliners “The Everett Shitkickers,” who we first saw at The Blue Moon many moons ago and who we’ve seen play some of their most memorable sets on the stage, under a variety of names.

Here’s the full rundown of the anniversary celebrations:

APRIL 12 : Diminished Men, Corespondents, Prom Queen – $6 APRIL 13 : We Wrote The Book On Connectors, The Fabulous Downey Brothers, Shitty Dudes – $6 APRIL 14 : The Everett Shitkickers, Mystery Ship, Deception Past – $8 APRIL 15 : Grateful Dead Tribute Show with Kuli Loach – $5 APRIL 16 : Opera On Tap – Live Opera By Professional Singers! – $5

Happy Anniversary Blue Moon and here’s to 78 more!

May 4, 2011

Grudge Rock: Cinco De Mayo Edition!

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America! It’s that time again! We go from doing the unthinkable one day (insert monumental news related item here) to doing the obvious only a few days later. What am I talking about? It’s time to celebrate the heritage of someone else (unless you are Hispanic/Latino/Mexican, of course). A couple of times a year, it is our birthright as citizens of this great country, to be proffered the chance to piggyback on cultural events that do not pertain to us and to behave in such a manner that our inebriated demeanor overshadows all the day’s aspects. WE are Irish. WE are Gregorian. WE are Mexican. WE were even black once, while some of us are I am black all of the time. WE Wrote The Book On Connectors are former champions of Grudge Rock, have you heard of them? Most importantly, have you seen them? Off the top of my head, I can’t name a single local band that puts on a more fun show than this rock act. No ma’am, I’m not stroking the egos of anyone. I’ve got my thinking cap on and I’ve extended my search to galaxies far away using the most optimal search engines imaginable. Nothing. Click on their name. They have a YouTube channel that will silence any doubts that you might have. Become familiar with their songs and learn the lyrics. In doing so I can promise that you will feel like you are in perfect harmony with their stage hi-jinx. This will leave you less time for buying limes but more time to drink ten thousand beers. Are you up to the task? We don’t have much time. Hooray.

WE, being the champions of true grit and fortitude that they are, have selected a worthy opponent to that will compete for their championship belt. M. Bison is the leader of a fictional crime syndicate and also one of the few “adventurous pop” bands within Seattle city limits. Chris Jones is an absolute thug on bass, one of these days he’s going to get arrested while they play. When an M. Bison song begins, you won’t have the slightest idea where you are going and you might not know where you have been, but by the end of the song you’ve enjoyed the sights and sounds. If you like Heatwarmer (and if you’re smart, you do) then you should give M. Bison the ol’ college try. Who wants to listen to conventional pop with obvious structures and time signatures anyway? That kind of enjoyment is for children and adults, that like to dance with other adults, in a dimly light room with the hope of finding love.

You don’t go to Grudge Rock to be a child. You don’t go to Grudge Rock to find love. You go to Grudge Rock because you have bloodlust that can’t be controlled any longer. You want to see the winner make off with all the door money and watch the loser walk out of the Re-Bar with their gear dragging behind and their heads hanging low, filled with the thoughts of possibly quitting the hobby they call “music.” Because this public humilation will take place on Cinco De Mayo, the loser(s) might be made into a pinata. Dollar bills, guitar picks and maxed out credit cards will go flying everywhere upon the first blow. If you enjoy a spectacle at the expense of someone else, you are American. On this holiday that has its roots in Mexico, you still want to be American, don’t you? U!S!A! U!S!A! Crowd-surfing! Wowaoaroaowowo!!!!!!!!!!

Doors are at 9pm. Music starts at 10pm. Tickets are $8.

November 17, 2010

Celebrating A Seattle Superfan with Music & A Meat Raffle at The Blue Moon

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Confession: We know and love Matt Brown in real life. He’s a permanent fixture in the front row of our favorite Seattle shows and has been since we started Sound on the Sound in 2006. He is our very favorite local music fan, because that’s all he is. Matt Brown has no blog or burgeoning photo career, he just loves local music and the people who make it. And to thank them for giving their all on stage, Matt Brown in turn gives his all — throwing horns, headbanging, smiling and leading sing alongs — from his permanent front row spot at venues all over Seattle.

Clearly, we’re not the only folks who appreciate Matt Brown’s devoted fandom, as his friends have organized one hell of a birthday bill at The Blue Moon this Friday to celebrate his 40th birthday. Hannah Levin from KEXP’s Audioasis will emcee the evening, featuring a headlining set by We Wrote the Book on Connectors, as well as the heavy sounds of Hobosexual, Police Teeth and the TG Project. But that’s not all, there will also be a Meat Raffle (yes, a Meat Raffle) where you can win delicious meaty treats from folks like Uli’s Sausage and all the proceeds will benefit Teen Feed. And that’s because, as he proven night after night at local shows for decades, Matt Brown’s a lover and a giver. Whether you know Matt Brown in real life too or you’re drawn in by the bill or the promise of free meat, we’re certain Friday night at the Blue Moon is going to be a celebration for the ages for a man who is seriously worth celebrating.

October 29, 2010

Your Halloween Weekend as a One-Sided Conversation

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So much to do this weekend and you only have 72 hours to do it. Why is partying so stressful!?! Ugh. The things we put ourselves through as social mammals. It’s exhausting. What’s your costume? Where are you going to be? Who are you going to be with? How are you going to get there? You don’t have any money. You don’t have any good ideas. Luckily for you, Sound of the Sound is wearing a cape, a mask and svelte tights with a sock in the crotch. Nice bulge? We know. Here’s a preview of your weekend in the form of someone eavesdropping on a scenester having a cell phone conversation with an unknown entity. We’ll call this fictional character Iggy Crane because I’m afraid I’ll get sued if I use the first name Ichabod. Food stamps can’t pay for lawyers. Don’t Enjoy.

[Scene: Iggy Crane is a very slight individual with a heroin users build. He's about 6 ft tall, maybe 85 pounds after a huge brunch. His complexion is translucent. It's bleach. One might mistake him for an individual that takes spelunking to a whole another level if it weren't for his body paint jeans and over-sized high tops. Crane wears a five o' clock shadow on his face. He's got Grey hair, dyed of course. It makes him appear to be a man of refinement. A blue hoodie underneath a black leather jacket. Don't ask why. He knows what's up. He's hanging out at Cafe Zoka in the U-District.]

[Iggy Crane dialing one of his uber cool buddies. One of his uber cool buddies answers the phone -- on the last ring of course.]

Iggy: Yeah man. What’s going on? What’s going on this weekend? Got any plans?

[....]

Iggy: Well on Friday night I can’t decide what I want to do. As of right now I feel like raging but I’m not sure where. There’s so many shows this weekend. I wish I were Michael Keaton in Multiplicity, only with better results obviously. There’s going to be shenanigans taking place at the Funhouse. How fitting right? Hounds of the Wild Hunt are going to be opening up the gates of Hell for the greatest Misfits cover band of all-time, Glenn or Glenda?

[Iggy pauses to take a sip of coffee and look at who is walking on the Burke-Gilman. Nobody that is traversing its path holds his gaze. He thus turns his attention back to his cellular device.]

Iggy: That’s not a question idiot. That’s the band, Glenn or Glenda? They named the band that because there is a female performer who plays the role of Glenn Danzig while her better half portrays Glennda Danzig. “Glennda is the repressed feminine aspect of Glenn Danzig brought to life, rescuing him from his own machismo through glamour and hilarity.” I swear I did not get that from a press release. In other words, Glenn or Glennda are absolutely ingenious. I’m surprised Glenn or Glenda is not the biggest celebration on Halloween every year. It’s the only day of the year they perform and it’s amazing every single time.

[....]

Iggy: What? You’re thinking about going to that Lesbian CD release show at the Comet with Brothers of the Sonic Cloth and Diminished Men? Argh. Moments like this make me wish all the venues were built on top of one another like some kind of skyscraper of debauchery. Have you heard that new Lesbian record? It slays, literally. I heard three people died on the night of its release due to rocking too hard! Where’s Tipper Gore when you need her!?! Let’s prosecute records to the fullest extent of the law.

[....]

Iggy: Shut-up. You do not want to have sex with Tipper Gore. Why would you do that? Gross. I hear Mrs. Gore is a huge fan of Throne of Bone and Owen Hart. Maybe you’ll see her at the Block Lodge later? It’s a tough call between that, the Comet and the Funhouse. I didn’t even mention that You.May.Die.In.The.Desert. is rocking Healthy Times Fun Club as well. I wish Halloween was tonight, that way I could go all out and put myself in a coma until Monday morning.

[...]

Read the rest of Iggy’s one-sided conversation after the jump … (more…)

March 11, 2010

Celebrate Birthdays and Blog-a-Versaries with Ear Candy and Back Beat Seattle this Weekend

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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.

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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.

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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!.

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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!

January 25, 2010

Discs of Fury at the Crocodile

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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

January 1, 2010

Celebrating New Years at The Blue Moon on a Blue Moon

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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

December 29, 2009

Our Favorite Photos of 2009: Matt Brown at The WE Prom

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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.

December 11, 2009

The Second Coming of the Discs of Fury

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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

August 24, 2009

Night After Night: August 24th to August 30th

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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