Photo by Dave McCoy - www.davemccoyphotography.comThe Neptune Theater in Seattle’s University District only just recently was converted into a live music venue. I’d been in it many times when it was a movie theater. The venue lends itself well for hosting live music. The seats on the main floor were removed making a large dance floor and the very back was the bar. Above there was a balcony with ample seating.
The audience for this show was mostly composed of young urban professionals in their thirties and forties, some dressed casually, others dressed to be noticed.
Photo by Dave McCoy - www.davemccoyphotography.comI had been there maybe five minutes when the first band, Seattle’s Curtains for You, came on stage. This five-piece band plays jangly pop music with a kick. This is a young band too. I doubt any of the members are even thirty. There was a hint of Beatles in their music, but other than that, it’s hard to compare them with anyone. Their music stands on its own. Singer, Matt Gervais, not only has a pleasant voice, but he oozes charisma from every pore. He looks a little like Kurt Cobain but with slightly darker hair. On guitar is Matt’s brother Mikey whose catchy licks compel you to dance along. At one point, Matt shed his guitar and performed a wicked drum solo. Resulting in raucous cheers from the audience. Even Posies’ Ken Stringfellow cam out and sang three-part harmony with the band. He looked very dapper wearing all black including black patent leather shoes anda black button up pea coat.
This is a band to be on the watch for. They could be the next Posies. They play danceable tunes, emit a great stage presence and were very much enjoyed by everyone in attendance. I will definitely see them again.
Photo by Dave McCoy - www.davemccoyphotography.comAfter a brief intermission a band called Star Anna & the Laughing Dogs. This is another five-piece from Seattle. They’re fronted by female singer Star Anna, and does she have pipes! Her voice sounds like a combination of Linda Ronstadt, Neko Case and Janis Joplin. She sings with a soulful intensity that comes from deep within her soul. This is mostly a laid back band with Anna on guitar and vocals along with another guitarist, a bass player, drummer and a keyboard player who switches back and forth between a synth/organ sound to more of a piano sound. This band is very well polished with an almost country sound. Their music flowed as smooth as frosting and they were genuinely appreciated by everyone. There was no “just clapping to be polite” from this crowd. This band is the real deal. There’s no pretense whatsoever. They’re another one to look out for. I am positive they’re going places.
After another short intermission, my beloved Posies came on stage. This is the first time I’ve seen The Posies in well over a decade. They always seemed to sell out before I got a ticket on their previous appearances in Seattle. I am fortunate enough to have seen their very first Seattle performance back in May of 1988 when they opened for then local rockabilly band The Power Mowers. I fell in love with them on that day and have been a huge fan ever since.
The driving force behind the Posies has always been the song writing and harmonizing skills of Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow and it was wonderful to hear those singable two-part harmonies from them again. Their two voices blend so well together, it’s reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel.
The Posies still have a strong and loyal following here in Seattle and this was evident when Jon and Ken let the audience sing solo on more than one song.
Ken Stringfellow shreds his guitar strings while running and leaping all over the stage. On several occasions he put down his guitar and played keyboards. During one of these times, Star Anna came out to sing three-part harmony with Jon and Ken.
Another time the bass player and drummer went away and it was just Jon and Ken on stage singing and playing guitar. It was nothing less than stunning.
Intermittently between songs, Jon and Ken would joke with each other and with the audience. They joked about the times they dropped acid and were both sure much of it was done in the Neptune theater.
Photo by Dave McCoy - www.davemccoyphotography.comMost the songs they performed come from their 2010 and most recent release Blood Candy, but there were a few older classics like “Apologies” from 1990’s Dear 23 and “Solar Sister” and “Flavor of the Month” from 1993’s Frosting on the Beater. They played nothing from their debut album Failure. Yes, I know, you can’t play them all, still . . .
The whole evening was a ton of fun. All three bands were absolutely outstanding and I will see any of them again.
The only sad moment was coming home to upload my pictures only to learn I’d forgotten to put the memory card in the camera. I’ve never done that before and I’m still kicking myself. DOH! I am black and blue from the waist down because I’m still kicking myeslf.
