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April 1, 2012

My Favorite Songs and Records of 2011

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So originally I was going to post this around the beginning of the new year. Then extreme laziness mind-numbing force known as “life” took over and I couldn’t quite finish the task at hand. I had a arbitrary Valentine’s Day date set but I quickly decided that there was no reason to post this list in the middle of February. One morning at the end of February while I was doing dishes I decided I would wait until April Fools Day to post this blog entry. Why? Because I have a poor sense of humor and thought that these bands/musical acts should once again know of my appreciation. Bands, Musicians, Human beings that happen to do musical things, I just want you to know, I have a thing for you…..and I can’t let go. Some records I don’t discuss at length because they were already were talked about here on Sound on the Sound.

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Grenades/Mercy Ties Split 12″ on Echolalic Records – These delicately crafted songs remind me of autumn leaves slowly turning from a pleasant mixture of auburn, gold and chestnut to a darkened brown indicating their impending death.

Just kidding. For a majority of the year, this was my thoroughbred racing horse. When it wasn’t racing past the competition, it was mounting them to show absolute dominance.

I loved this record so much that I ended up doing the copywriting for it on Robotic Empire’s website. Grenades is currently in the process of mastering their new record should be releasing new material by the end of the year. Mercy Ties re-recorded some of the songs that appear on this split and recorded a few new songs as well. The newer tracks can be found here. You should be stoked on both. Let it be known, from the deepest crevice in the darkest depths of the ocean, to the mountain tops of some very tall mountain that none of you are athletic or determined enough to climb, THIS WAS PRETTY MUCH MY FAVORITE RELEASE OF THE YEAR 2011.

Standout Tracks: “Get Wise” and “Chrononaut” by Grenades || “Harla” and “Stretched Like A Drum” by Mercy Ties

“Owen Heart” by Earth Control…or is it “Earth Control” by Owen Hart…? (Whatever. It Rules.) I had to say “pretty much” in terms of “record of the year” because this record “totally slays.” I thought this came out in 2010 but apparently it came in January of 2011. I’m not going to lie. I slept on “Owen Hart” for two years because…they were called Owen Hart. For all of you old school WWE WWF wrestling enthusiasts, Owen Hart (the character, god rest his soul) was by far the weakest link of the “famous” Hart wrestling family. He was about ten percent of the wrestler his older brother (BRET “THE HITMAN” HART — deserving of all caps) was. Owen Hart wasn’t even as cool as his weird brother in-law Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart or his other brother in-law “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith. So when you’re an awesome hardcore band named after a third rate wrestler (You might even say fourth rate, he was tag team partners with Koko B. Ware for crying out loud!) that often plays shitty bills at El Corazon…how am I supposed to figure out how devastating you are? Anyway. Whatever you want to call this record, it is the most satisfying piece of “metal” that I came across this past year. It’s like Pig Destroyer grindcore combined with Pantera-esque breakdowns and Crestfallen’s, (Ask my old neighbor from Virginia Will from the Comet about his old band, so good.) “We’re going to thrash and not give a fuck about whatever” attitude. If you are into things that are dark, fast and heavy — then you must start and end your days with this record.

Standout Tracks: “44 Black,” “Poor White Straight Guy,” “The Vertigo of Murray Morgan” and one of my favorite songs of the year, “Fuck Morrisey. Fuck The Smiths. Fuck The Cure.”

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BOAT – Dress Like Your Idols

I’m guilty of not talking about BOAT nearly enough and I feel other writer’s are guilty of the same inexcusable act. For the first quarter of 2011, this record was in contention for my favorite record of the year. People, there are some pop gems on this record. “(I’ll Beat My Chest Like) King Kong” is not only a great first single, it’s a great single period. “Landlocked” is the strongest song on the record and reminds me of Nerf Herder in its nerdy frankness. However, my favorite song on Dress Like Idols is “(do the) Double Take.” The narrative pretty much summed up my life for a decent amount of 2011. Being fucking miserable in a bar Sitting quietly at the end of a bar, smiling at a girl as she walks by…and there’s where it ends. Do you know why? Because I didn’t have a job. Men who don’t have jobs should be taken out behind a bar and shot aren’t allowed to date. It’s actually considered a social felony in most states. BOAT plays their first show of 2012 at the Sunset on April 13th, with the Bismark and Police Teeth.

Police Teeth – Awesomer Than The Devil

I kept on telling my friends (the ones that didn’t like Police Teeth) that this was a dope record. They didn’t listen to me. They kept on insisting, “We don’t like pop punk.” I told them to shove it. I don’t like pop punk either. Eventually they actually listened to the record and saw things my way. Some great tunes on this record, notably “Rock & Roll Is A Pyramid Scheme (Parts 1 & 2)” and “Public Defender.” You know what? While you’re at it, you can also add “Send More Cops” to that list.

Strong Killings – S/T

Best local punk record of 2011.

Youth Rescue Mission – S/T

Carissa’s Wierd was my proverbial novocain for the soul in 2010. Youth Rescue Mission won this pretty handily in 2011. With songs like “Floorplan” and “Great White,” it’s easy to understand why. I spent a lot of time staring off into space with watery eyes, then pressing the “repeat” button because I’m really into emotional masochism.

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Sleeper Agent – “All Wave and No Goodbye”

I don’t really like this band or the the album Celebrasion, because the album is pretty fucking boring in all honesty but this is a good song. I’ll be interested to hear what the follow-up to this 2011 release sounds like. This band is currently on tour with Fun, they’ll probably make quite a few new fans.

Alpinist - Minus. Mensch

This album actually came out in 2009 but it dominated my Ipods so much that I had to include it in this list. German hardcore that isn’t messing around. I suggest you get familiar.

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up

Duh. Wale ft. Rick Ross and Jadakiss – “600 Benz”

I think the new Wale album Ambition is garbage. Maybe I had set my expectations too high considering some of the slight work he had put in months prior to releasing that record. This song is some FI-YAH (pronounced “fire”) though.

Cat From Hue – “Never Again”

Cat from Hue actually re-released this song on their newer self-titled EP but I think the version found on Forgetters is infinitely more impressive. This is another one of those soul-searching tunes that I can play again and again without ever tiring of it. Be careful, you listen to this song too much and you’ll be stuck in reminiscing mode for the remainder of your day. This song makes you want to call someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time and tell them that they’ve forsaken your friendship tell them that you miss them. Great song.

Constant Lovers – True Romance

Admittedly, every time I listen to this record I wonder how the hell that poor chap on the album cover got his finger stuck in a stick of butter.

Helm’s Alee – Weatherhead

Duh.

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Nurses – Dracula

You know that guy or gal that shows up late to a party and then completely takes it upon entry? Dracula is kind of the musical equivalent of that.

Castevet – Mounds of Ash

This album actually came out in 2010 but I didn’t hear it until 2011 (so in my book it qualifies for this list). Do you like heavy and menacing with the occasional twisted time signature? Castevet are your band then. I’ve definitely misaligned my spinal column rocking out to this.  So much for fixing my scoliosis….

Matsuri - Endship

If it weren’t for that legendary self-titled Strong Killings vinyl, this would be my favorite LP purchased in 2011. The word “thoughtful” doesn’t do the packaging justice. It’s like holding a 12″ miracle of wax in your hands. This band reminds me of the reasons why I got into music to begin with as an adolescent looking for something to belong to. This is raw, pure energy that I want you to have.

OCnotes - Medicine

Duh. OCnotes is “the truth,” as kids say these days. He also does some pretty interesting stuff with “The Wiz” as well.

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Kelli Schaefer – Ghost of the Beast

When I was originally compiling this list, I asked myself the following question:

Who on this planet sounds like Kelli Schaefer?

I still haven’t found the answer.

Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Niggas In Paris”

I wasn’t even feeling this song until I saw that Youtube clip of the guy on the NYC Subway. Suddenly everything fell into place and I now go bananas every time I hear this song. All I can think about is, “Fuck. Fight. Win.” Literally. That’s all I want to do when the track hits my stereo, in that exact order.

Absolute, No Bullshit, I’m Not Kidding…Favorite Song(s) of the Year:

BOAT –  ”(do the) Double Take”

This song reminds me of my inability to communicate effectively women and sunshine, kind of like the 2010 winner “Sunshine/Pretty Girls” by The Unnatural Helpers. What can I say? I’m a sucker for sunshine, women and very brief songs. I have no attention span.

Owen Hart Earth Control – “Fuck Morrisey. Fuck The Smiths. Fuck The Cure.”

Honestly, this might be the most perfect song ever written. Clocking in at a fierce 80 seconds, it combines the best two elements of my all-time favorite bands (I have like twenty “all-time favorite bands”) Pantera and Pig Destroyer. The results? A goddamn electric masterpiece.

November 8, 2011

A Phil Ochs Tribute Night: “Here’s to the land you’ve torn out the heart of”

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Sam Watts of Ghosts I’ve Met ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Still in its nascent stages, it’s not clear how or if the “Occupy” movement happening around the United States will permanently change the future economic landscape. What is clear is that it has started a conversation about how a system of corporations and big income earners continue to tighten the screws on regular Americans while fattening their own wallets. Tightening the screws on people who actually work for a living while refusing to accept that they shouldn’t be earning million dollar bonuses for taking improper care of our money and exploit the system itself. This inconsistency is finally starting to dawn on us as a population, and we should be pissed. Now we’re talking about it, and as a start some of us are voting with our money and moving it to more responsible holders. And some of us, like Mark Baumgarten, ourselves and the 10 artists who took the stage on Friday night, are doing what we can in other ways, hosting a tribute night to protest singer-songwriter Phil Ochs and book drive for Occupy Seattle’s library.

Phil Ochs was his own version of pissed and the inadequacy of capitalism as a cultural imperative was certainly counted among his thorns, though as a “third generation” folk and protest singer the problems of the Civil Rights era and Vietnam were larger and more present thorns. Whether the burgeoning conversation surrounding “Occupy” will lead to a societal uprising of that magnitude remains to be seen, bringing Ochs response to his time into the conversation can perhaps provide some perspective, inspiration, and maybe even some resolve for those engaged. “The power of solidarity is greater than the gun,” a lyric goes. But also greater than that of the dollar? One has to hope.

Among the group of singers who came to sing Ochs’ songs, or songs they’d written about Ochs, every performance was inspired. With ten verses to a song, and loquacious verses at that, it was a tall order. But from Stephen Nielsen who started the night with songs he’d learned for the show to the Gloria Darlings doing “Flower Lady” to Sam Watts doing “When I’m Gone,” I was struck by each performers approach and how each did justice to these songs that all come with baggage. In a strange way, it seemed for many of the artists, and particularly the ones who had written an original song about Ochs, for them the “tribute” element to the night was as important as anything else. Ochs was an artist who deserved recognition and they were going to do their damndest to live up to him. Whether it was the seriousness of the times or the threat of Ochs ghost looking over our shoulders, this didn’t feel like any other benefit cover night I’ve been too.


Ben Barnett ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Shannon Stephens ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Lukas Williams ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

The Gloria Darlings ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Stephen Nielsen ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Ben Fisher ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Steve Beck ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

October 26, 2011

That’s What I Want to Hear: A Tribute to Phil Ochs and a Book Drive for Occupy Seattle

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With protesters being cleared out by tear gas in Oakland and Occupy encampments spread across cities all over the world as I type this, it feels as if the world is on the edge of something big and hopefully something better. And I, for one, want to do more than sit idly by as it happens.

Inspired by the Occupy movement and the legacy of Phil Ochs, one of the 60s strongest voices of protest, callers to revolution and hope for change, we along with Mark Baumgarten are organizing an evening of Ochs covers and a book drive to benefit the library of Occupy Seattle.

That’s What I Want to Hear: A Tribute to Phil Ochs and Book Drive to Benefit Occupy Seattle Friday November 4th at 9pm Columbia City Theater – $10 at the Door (All profit from the evening will go to Occupy Seattle)

We ask that you bring a book aimed at social, political or economic enlightenment that is currently acting as decoration on your bookshelf to donate and we’ll make sure the library of Occupy Seattle receives it. All ideas and political leanings are welcome for library donation, all knowledge encourages discourse. And within discourse and knowledge, lies power.

On stage singing some of Ochs’ most beloved and potent protest songs—including “I’m Not Marching Anymore” and “The Ringing of the Revolution”—will be: Sam Watts (of Ghosts I’ve Met), Shannon Stephens, Ben Barnett, Ali Marcus, Ben Fisher, Lukas Williams (of Youth Rescue Mission), The Gloria Darlings, Stepehn Nielsen and more. As we’re being reminded by the Occupy Protests, the more voices that join in, the more likely we are to be heard.

If you’re not familiar with Ochs’ and his powerful protest songs, this evening is sure to be a wonderful introduction. His songs may have been written in and about another era and cause, but they have rarely sounded more prescient than they do today.

 

 

Also be sure to check out the excellent Ochs’ documentary There But for the Fortune, its available for streaming on Netflix right now.

Whether you’ve been sleeping at Westlake, sharing links on your Facebook or silently believing in the cause, we ask you to join us next Friday to show your support.

June 23, 2011

Feel Me?

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and this is why i speak to you in parables by White Orange

In honor of Tupac Shakur’s 40th birthday (actually took place last Thursday) and one of my favorite hip-hop ad-libs (my favorite being Young Jeezy’s “YEAHHHHHHHH!”) of all-time, I am here to share some of the things I have been “feeling” over the past six months. Some of these things are related to the current calendar year, some of them aren’t. Youth Rescue Mission “S/T” – One of my early front-runners for local album of the year, I have spent an incredible amount of time with this record. The music is great but it’s the fiercely personal stories behind the songs on the album that resonate with me personally. Tales and dynamics so close to the heart that I don’t feel comfortable sharing them with you. To paraphrase the press release, this is a family of individual songwriters that have combined their shared experiences and the end result are ten poignant, revealing songs. If I owned this on vinyl, the grooves on tracks “Floorplan” and “Great White” would be so worn from overplay that I would have to resort to cassette digital download for their audio alleviation. Might I also add that “Dark Star” is the most metal, un-metal song that has ever existed in Seattle. OK, that might be a reach. Nevertheless, I have learned how to play it, and as a result turned it into a beast that only Kim Thayil and members of His Hero Is Gone would recognize. Righteous. Catch them tonight at the Comet with the Foghorns + others.

Femi Kuti at Neumos – It’s not often you get the chance to dance, have a one-sided conversation about social injustice and get sex advice all during the course of the same event (there’s a political fundraiser joke in there somewhere), but that happened when Femi Kuti ended his North American Africa to Africa tour in Seattle. Like a charismatic, manic composer he orchestrated Positive Force through a two-hour set that made sure newly converted fans (like myself) will be counting down the days until he returns in Seattle. This set is in the top five of the “best sets of 2011″ so far.

Good Rock n’ Roll Comes in Three’s (Three good albums, all totally different in content. I’ll have reviews of all three posted shortly) -

and this is why i speak to you in parables by White Orange – From the opening phase shifter (possibly flanger?) drenched riff of “Where,” you are a wayfarer, trapped inside a brobdingnagian 1982 ghetto blaster that is peculiarly placed in the middle of a sandy oasis.  This sequence would be fantastic if you were the protagonist in a Beck video directed by Spike Jonze. Instead your end is near because you have no access to food or water. The only item that you have at your disposal is the Queens From the Stone Age/Kyuss split EP on cassette tape. As you hold the tape in your hand, fond memories flood your mind, feel good hits of the summer transposed over an idealistic youth. Suddenly you realize the obvious and the smile your memories have crafted is removed from your face. What good is a tape if you’re trapped inside a boom box? Where is the cruel god that has done this to you… Weatherhead by Helm’s Alee - “Why not be oneself? That is the whole secret of a successful appearance. If one is a greyhound, why try to look like a Pekingese?” – Edith Sitwell

This release feels like a band fully entrapped in the throes of self-realization. Night Terror, for all its sullen triumphs, (and god bless you, there were a great many) lacked something that I currently cannot find the proper words to describe (hopefully by the beginning of next week, this is not the case). Perhaps it was because you knew that no matter how effervescent a song might have started, a tempest was coming to make short work of its vulnerable beginnings. In the case of Weatherhead, what is ethereal remains that way, choosing to stay beautiful despite what you might expect. “Music Box” and “Anemone of the Wound” could not have existed on Helm’s Alee aptly-named previous album. I think fans of this band will be pleasantly surprised upon first listen (don’t you worry, Helm’s Alee still rock). Put to rest any potential fears by clicking on the soundcloud link.

S/T by Strong Killings -  The morning buzz off my grumpy neighbors lawnmower, a woodpecker that only visits my house on the sabbath in order to serve as a terrifying alarm clock for my baby sister, the beckoning call of the ice cream man, watching fireflies coexist with bats, often meeting their end in the process — these are a few things that remind me of summer. Now added to the list of dog day admonishments is the self-titled album by Strong Killings. I know, we really haven’t hit summer quite yet, but in my mind it’s been summer for months and I’ve been nodding my head to this album for weeks now. If Once If summer does make an appearance, mark my words, you’ll agree with me.  “Minimum Wage” and “Licked, Nicked” are bonafide anthems that won’t leave my ipod unless someone puts a gun to my head. Even then, depending on what’s going on in my life, I still might refuse. Gentle readers, the wait is almost over. I can’t wait for you to have this…

Other songs that remind me of summer. Some good, some not so good. “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey (f. Ol’ Dirty Bastard) “Natural One” by Folk Implosion “Comin’ Home” by Hum “Street Dreams” by Nas “Slow RIde” by Foghat “Frankenstein” by Edgar Winter Band “Overnight Scenario” by Rare Essence

Actually, I lied. All those songs are awesome. medicine by OCnotes – The strongest argument for our government to implement universal health care. Performing at the Electric Tea Garden tomorrow (Friday) night. Mercy Ties/Grenades Split 12″ on Echolalic Records -So good. I’m actually tired of telling you how good this is. Ride The Fader by Chavez - A classic. I listen to this album all the time. One of the best albums of the 90′s that nobody talks about. I can’t remember how I heard about Chavez (I think a Jawbox interview? Or maybe it was John Angelo also produced  Triple Fast Action’s Cattlemen Don’t — another criminally underrated group) but I am very fortunate that I did. Not many bands can claim that they have their own sound, yet Chavez can boast about this achievement and I wouldn’t go against their words. Just about all the songs on this record are good. The opening riff to “Lions” will make you wake up in a cold sweat. “All I want to do is open my barrage,” sings a sweet yet irratated Matt Sweeney on “You Must Be Stopped.” Ever been in a hurry to get somewhere but know your efforts are futile? That is what the song sounds like. “Ever Overpsyched” is the best Beatles song that the Fab Four never wrote.

June 10, 2011

Very Nice Things

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Tonight’s Noise for the Needy Show at Conor Byrne is a blockbuster bill we’d be committing ourselves to in an instant if there weren’t a bevy of other shows vying for our attention. You’re unlikely to to find a more cozy venue in Seattle to catch Youth Rescue Mission, Hobosexual or Portland’s Kelli Schaefer, who’s riding high after a bunch of good attention via a Death Cab-curated playlist featured on the front page of Youtube over memorial day weekend. Hobosexual doesn’t really summon up “cozy” as an adjective, so Ballard’s living room might get shaken up a bit more than usual.

Speaking of living rooms, YRM is the focus of a new video themselves doing the song “Very Nice Things” via @Wygle‘s new crowdsourced project called “All Camera’s On” (below). Though I’m currently ambivalent about persistent phone videoing of concerts, I fully understand the want to participate, and this project seems like a good use of that kind of participation. The living room you see in the video is the home of the “Living Room Recitals” series which this Saturday June 11 (tomorrow) is hosting none other than Bryan John Appleby.


June 2, 2011

Doe Bay Fest Line-Up Brings The Head & The Heart, John Vanderslice, Damien Jurado, Champagne Champagne and More to Orcas Island

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Pickwick Bryan John Appleby Damien Jurado Frank Fairfield John Vanderslice Lemolo Youth Rescue Mission The Builders & The Butchers The Head and the Heart Sera Cahoone Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside Ravenna Woods

 

Doe Bay Fest ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

 

 

In a week full of festival line-ups, there’s no denying Doe Bay Fest’s was the one we were most looking forward to learning.

Alongside many of the expected cast of characters, like four-year festival veterans The Maldives, this year’s Doe Bay line-up has expanded beyond its usual radius of Seattle and Portland to include San Francisco’s John Vanderslice, LA’s Frank Fairfield and Oklahoma’s OK Sweetheart. As in past years, Doe Bay Fest has tapped some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest established performers and buzzed about up-and-comers like Damien Jurado, The Head and The Heart, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside, Sera Cahoone, the Builders & the Butchers, Pickwick, Kelli Schaefer, Lemolo and Bryan John Appleby. I’m especially excited to see more local hip hop on this year’s line-up: Champagne Champagne, Mash Hall/Don’t Talk to the Cops and Fly Moon Royalty are sure to bring the party to Orcas Island.

Here’s who will be playing the fourth annual Doe Bay Fest:

The Head and The Heart, Damien Jurado, John Vanderslice, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside, The Builders and the Butchers, Sera Cahoone, Pickwick, The Maldives, Champagne Champagne, Kelli Schaefer, Ravenna Woods, Lemolo, Cobirds Unite, Campfire OK, Frank Fairfield, Bryan John Appleby, Tea Cozies, Shelby Earl, Mash Hall / Don’t Talk to the Cops, Fly Moon Royalty, OK Sweetheart, Goldfinch, Matt & Mike Gervais (Curtains for You), Matt Bishop (Hey Marseilles), Youth Rescue Mission, Elk & Boar, Melodie Knight, Hannalee, Sean Flinn

May 8, 2011

Sound on the Sound Mailbag (Mother’s Day Edition)

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Happy Mother’s Day!

You probably didn’t know this, but I keep a diary mailbag for all Sound on the Sound’s readers. When your real-life friends aren’t enough, when your family has decided that you are a racing horse with a broken leg, when your parole officer simply “doesn’t have time for this emotional shit,” you come to me. Usually your cries for help get lost in the trillions of press releases I get about bands I don’t care about. However, every once in a while, I will take time out of my busy schedule to put a star next to your e-mail in my Gmail account. Then many days later, I will resurrect your problems and put a metaphorical band-aid on all your ouchies. I do this because I want you to sleep with me it’s been a long winter and I don’t want to inspire anymore depressed singer/songwriters. I’m hoping if I cheer enough people up, we can eliminate contrived folk music, together. Let’s go to the mailbag….

Dear Phil,

My mother is really into BOAT’s latest album Dress Like Your Idols. She’s always blasting it in front of my friends, while she’s force-feeding our cat anxiety pills and when she does P90x workouts. I’m a huge fan of BOAT but I’m afraid if my mother keeps on getting down with this “sloppy guitar pop” that I will grow to hate BOAT. I blame my sentiment on that whole “You Can’t Like What Your Parents Like” teenager syndrome. What should I do?

- Forever in Armitron (Tacoma, Wa.)

Dear Forever,

I totally understand what you are saying. When I was growing up I was really into Tony Orlando and Dawn. My love for Tony and his hair was so intense that I actually developed a rare childhood disorder where I went around tying yellow ribbons on every tree I could see. My mother ruined it by becoming a bigger Dawn fanatic that I could ever dream of. What you need is an alternative. Are you familiar with Neighbors? They don’t sound like BOAT, but they are cool, just like BOAT. You like Stephen Malkmus right? Well, unfortunately for you, he’s not in this band. Nevertheless, if Mr. Malkmus ever listened to Neighbors, I bet he’d approve.

Dear Phil,

My parents just recently got divorced and I’m having trouble dealing with it. To make matters worse, my mother’s main reason for filing for divorce? She wants to be “hood rich.” She’s tired of tangible wealth, valuable assets and a good credit score. She wants to be with a man, who doesn’t mind stabbing another man, when it comes down to who is getting stuck with the bill at Denny’s. Where can I find such a man?

- Searching for Chris Brown (Tukwila, Wa.)

Dear Searching,

Good grief, your mother sounds like a psycho hosebeast pretty unreasonable woman. I don’t think she wants a man with a felony on his record. I am under the impression that your mother is looking for some adventure. After you take her out for brunch today, you should seriously consider taking her to Nectar tonight for Raekwon and Fatal Lucciauno. Are you going to find a felon there? I couldn’t tell you. What I can tell you is that Raekwon put out one of the most iconic hip-hop records of all-time (Only Built 4 Cuban Linx) and that Fatal has been a Seattle hip-hop mainstay for as long as I can remember. Tickets are $20 and the doors open at 8pm. Don’t forget that you’re the one paying for the tickets! There’s a place in hell just for you if you let your mother foot the bill on Mother’s Day!

ps – If the bitch wants doubles, buy her doubles!

Dear Phil,

I recently just got engaged to the most wonderful woman in the entire world. My only problem is that my wife-to-be has a mother that really likes Steve Miller Band. It wouldn’t be that bad if she were only into Fly Like An Eagle, but she never stops playing Side A of Abracadabra! It’s killing me. I don’t want to call off the engagement but I’m seriously considering washing my hands of all this nonsense, calling up an ex-girlfriend I don’t even like, knocking her up, doing the honorable thing and marrying her, rearing some children, working a job that I hate, becoming addicted to booze and Viagra cocktails, searching for my spirit animal, thinking about moving to Hollywood… [letter continues for another 600 words..too long to publish]

- The Joker (Seattle, Wa.)

Dear Joker,

Settle down man, I am not a miracle worker. I can’t help you find your spirit animal.  What I can do is give the best possible advice on getting your future mother-in-law to eliminate her Steve Miller Band fetish. Seriously though, why Abracadabra? This is a code red. We’re going to have to bring out the big guns. You need to let this woman know that you have a heart that beats. It’s 2011 and we need to podcast your intentions. My advice, soften her up a little bit with some John Heart Jackie, Smokey Brights, Youth Rescue Mission and Lemolo. I officially endorse all four of those acts. In fact, that Youth Rescue Mission record is absolutely crushing my soul right now. It’s so good. However, you don’t want said mother-in-law to think you’re a complete pussy that you are eager to follow in the footsteps of Chris Carrabba and/or Morrisey. You’ve got to show the mother of your future wife that you don’t mind catching an assault charge if someone looks at your old lady the wrong way. What better way to illustrate this than by giving her some Carbomb, Racebannon, Wizard Rifle and Owen Hart tracks? You want to show that you’re Prince Valiant and can protect your woman? Don’t buy a gun, create an effective podcast that will win the heart of your lover’s mother. Last but not least, you don’t want to come off as a man of extremes. Nothing is scarier than a man who hides his emotions like a real fucking man can’t control his emotions. You need to include some OCnotes, Battlestations and Gun Outfit in that podcast as well. Let her know that just because you’re an overgrown man-child that can’t fucking deal reality sometimes, at least you think critically about the fact that you can’t get your shit together.

Keep those emails coming. Until next time…

April 26, 2011

Great Bands, Great Cause: Noise for the Needy Line-Up Announced, We Help Present a Show!

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nftn2011

 

 

Every year, Noise for the Needy is one of our favorite local events. A great local festival, for a great cause, this year’s Noise for the Needy will benefit Real Change Empowerment Project, the folks behind Real Change newspaper. Last year’s NFTN raised $25,000 for charity and this year’s fest with 80+ artists playing 21 shows will hopefully be just as successful. Tickets for most of the festival go on-sale Monday (May 2nd) at Noise for the Needy.

This year’s line-up is stacked with favorites: Hobosexual, Drew Grow and the Pastor’s Wives, Builders and the Butchers, Ravenna Woods, Youth Rescue Mission, Smokey Brights, Kelli Schaefer, Akimbo, Fly Moon Royalty and Land of Pines just to name a few. Sound on the Sound is also incredibly excited to be more than fans of the fest this year, as we’ll be presenting a showcase at Columbia City Theater on June 11th with Loch Lomond, Big Sur, Goldfinch, The Hoarde & The Harem and a DJ set from DJ Doo Right (who you know best as Seth from The Maldives).

The full line-up is below, we can’t wait to see you out and about in June seeing some great bands for a great cause.

 

 

Tuesday June 7, 2011

NEUMOS: $13 ADV | 21+ | 8PM

Detroit Cobras Girl in a Coma The Fucking Eagles

Wednesday June 8, 2011

NEUMOS: $22 | 21+ | 9PM

Brendan Perry (Dead Can Dance) Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins)

BUS STOP: Free | 21+ | 8PM

NFTN Preview Party with DJ Toast

THE CRESCENT: Free | 21+ | 9PM

Karaoke for the Needy hosted by Giggles Galore

REBAR: tickets TBA

Comedy Night

Thursday June 9, 2011

THE COMET: $8 | 7:30 PM | 21+

The Golden Blondes Mal De Mer Soft Hills Ivory in Ice World Surrealized

CHOP SUEY: $10 | 9PM | 21+

Drew Grow & The Pastors’ Wives See Me River Buffalo Death Beam The Foghorns DJ Zwickepedia

MARS BAR: $7 | 9PM | 21+

The Ghost of Kyle Bradford The Warm Hardies Slow Skate Assumption, Illinois

Friday June 10th, 2011

TRACTOR TAVERN: $12 ADV/ $15 DOS | 9PM | 21+

The Builders and the Butchers Ravenna Woods Yuni in Taxco

THE SUNSET: $10 | 9:30PM | 21+

Sage Spinning Whips The First Times Modern Athletics

CONOR BYRNE: $10 | 9PM | 21+

Kelli Schaefer Hobosexual Youth Rescue Mission Lizzie Huffman

UNDERGROUND EVENTS CENTER: $10 | 7PM | 21+ | Cash Only

Soft Metals Ononos The Tempers Sports Spurm USF Fly Moon Royalty DJ Gin & Tonic DJ Up Above Floyd Beastie

Saturday June 11, 2011

UNDERGROUND EVENTS CENTER: $10 | 7PM | 21+ | Cash Only

Noise for the Needy and Seattle Rock Guy present

Akimbo Wildildlife Black Queen Princess Vultures 2012 Smooth Sailing Whiskey Tango What What Now DJ Nik C DJ Blazon Stone

COLUMBIA CITY THEATER: $12 | 9PM | 21+

Noise for the Needy and Sound on the Sound Present

Loch Lomond Big Sur Goldfinch The Horde & the Harem DJ Doo Right (Seth from The Maldives)

THE COMET: $8 | 8PM | 21+

TBA Furniture Girls Soul Senate Dyslexic Cascadia 10 DJ Double Agent-O S.O.U.L.

MARS BAR: $8 | 8PM | 21+

Ganges River Band Smokey Brights Corespondents Honeybear Colt Kraft

WILDROSE: $8 | 9PM | 21+

The Pharmacy Stickers Blood Orange Paradise Glitterbang

Sunday June 12, 2011

THE COMET: $8 | 8PM | 21+

Nalgas Bukkake (Members of Master Musicians of Bukkake and Skerik) This Blinding Light Operation ID Midday Veil DJ Veins

CHOP SUEY: $10 ADV/$12 DOS | 9PM |21+

Fresh Espresso Redwood Plan Lisa Dank & Nark Brite Futures DJ Nark

THE VERA PROJECT: $12 | 7:30PM | All Ages

Ramona Falls Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band Land of Pines Kithkin

CHA CHA: $5 | 9PM | 21+

Wayfinders Derek Kelley & The Speedwobbles Koko & The Sweetmeats

March 7, 2011

My Most Played: February 2011

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Charles Bradley – No Time For Dreaming The Band – Music From Big Pink Reilly Partridge – “White Knuckle” Youth Rescue Mission – s/t Baltic Cousins – For The Hell Of Us Figurines – When The Deer Wore Blue Kelli Schaefer – Ghost of the Beast Bryan John Appleby – “Honey Jars” and “Noah’s Nameless Wife” Macklemore – “My Oh My” Tony Kevin Jr. – “Poverty” The History of Northwest Rock Vol II (1979) AgesandAges – Alright You Restless Shelby Earl – Burn The Boats Elliott Smith – “Twilight” Smokey Brights – Demos

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The Cover of The History of Northwest Rock Volume II

February 22, 2011

A(nother) New Chapter: Public Elations

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Since the first press release is in people’s inboxes this morning, I figured its time to share more possible conflict of interest / professional news here with you on Sound on the Sound. As of today, I find myself fielding (almost) full-time work doing PR around town. In addition to working with Columbia City Theater and the High Dive, I’ve begun working with a couple of local bands and festivals in the capacity of public relations and social media. These are projects and people I believe in with my whole heart and I wouldn’t be working with them if I didn’t. That’s why I’m calling this new venture Public Elations PR, because I couldn’t be more excited to work with who I work with. Plus, I like puns. (Kudos to Mark Baumgarten for coming up with the name.)

Public Elations’ first client is Youth Rescue Mission, which means as much as I love the record, you won’t be seeing me review it here on Sound on the Sound. Any coverage the band gets here, will be editorial decisions made by the rest of our ‘staff,’ who’ll be getting the same press releases as every other Seattle music writer. We might not make a dime off Sound on the Sound (we don’t), but we do our best to conduct ourselves as professionals. If I’m working with a band, festival or event and its covered here on Sound on the Sound and I haven’t written one of these confessionals, which I hope not to, it will always come with a disclaimer.

So here’s to another new chapter and another new way of being involved in and supporting the local music community, I’m excited to see what’s next.