One of the many things I am thankful for is that I get to genuinely lend a hand to young bands like Brotha’ Groove, that represent the next 15 years of the scene. I am going to be a special guest like a dashing Uncle from another planet, at their show at The Vera Project …
On the eve of Thanksgiving Eve, I headed down to the Showbox to see Newfound Glory. This tour celebrated the 20th anniversary of the band’s origins. Singer Jordan Pundik was all energy. He ran from one end of the stage to the other non-stop. Drummer Cyrus Bolooki slammed with such fury I kept expecting his …
Just listen. It’s luscious, spirited, sui generis and fantastical. The Shanghai Restoration Project (SRP) is the Brooklyn based electronic duo of Dave Liang and Sun Yunfan. Initially a solo project of Dave Liang, SRP was inspired by the 1930s Shanghai jazz scene. Having cut his teeth as a producer within the Bad Boy Records system, …
This says it all, applicable to so many realms. Iconic, and always my favorite AC/DC song. It’s been in my head all day. I’m still amazed by the quality of this video, as well. Malcolm had this stereotypical 70s “longhair” look to him… like every other young guy of the time who wasn’t going to …
I am so happy to be one of those bands you just might catch at Sea Monster Lounge. Catch me this Saturday with The Staxx Brothers and my 12th Street Horns. Andrew Nunez has built an Empire of funk, based on a Constitution of Jazz; founded upon on a deeply authentic Declaration of Soul, amended …
My friend in Lagos, Nigeria Mtrill Teria is going to be doing a TED talk November 11th. On the bright side of social media I have been able to have a consistent glimpse into the lives of many Nigerian innovators in music, business, and technology. I have also got a 3rd row seat into the …
Tadej Tadiman Tratnik is one of the more intriguing reggae artists I met in Kingston, Jamaica. He definitely stood out Inna di Yard at Chinna’s place. Though this world had signs of diversity, from a Japanese Rasta that smoked but never spoke to an esteemed professor from Berkeley, Tadej found a way to blend in …
On Halloween night I ventured to the Funhouse to see a new ska band I’d recently discovered called Joystick. This seven-piece hails from New Orleans and not only was this my first time seeing them, it was their first time in Seattle. Though they self-identify as a ska band, they seemed half ska and half …
On the balmy Sunday night of October 22 I ventured to the Funhouse to see the Creepshow. This punk quartet hails from Montreal and combines sweat, grit and charm into one tight package. Singer and guitarist, Kenda oozes so much charm, I left feeling like I’d had a major sugar overdose, but I overdosed on …
October has been a prolific month for concerts but the one I’ve looked forward to t most happened Thursday October 19 at the Showbox where the Aquabats headlined. Promoting their brand new album High Five Soup, the Aquabats, led by Mc Bat Commander were pure entertainment. This show was also a family affair. Spearheaded by …
On Wednesday night October 18, I braved stormy weather and headed to the Sunset Tavern in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. Playing was a band called Elettrodomestico with Jane Wiedlin (formerly of the Go-Go’s) playing guitar and singing lead vocals. Playing with her were Joe Gore (P.J. Harvey & Tom Waits) on bass, Dawn Richardson (3 Non …
On Saturday night October 14 I once again ventured out to El Corazon, this time to see a series of bands in what was dubbed The Splatterhous. My main reason for attending was to see The Silver Shine, a great psychobilly trio from Budapest. The event started at 5:00, but I arrived around 7:00 in …
YOU SEE I KNOW THIS SQUIRREL that is quite obsessed with Van Morrison: As I trade texts with the great Rock & Roll music critic Dennis Cook about the virtual Morrison mix tape he is making for me, for you, and for Mother Earth, I recalled this amazing little story I forgot to tell you. …
Friday October 6 brought a return of psychobilly heroes the Nekromantix with a night of macabre themes. Lead singer and upright bassman Kim Nekroman came on stage wearing all black with his signature bass shaped like a child’s coffin with the head stock shaped like a cross. But he didn’t just beat the bass strings, …
“Damn The Torpedos” was one thing… but the album after that, and the one after that… we got into the 80s and there was nobody – metalheads, punks, New Wavers, “old folks” – who didn’t like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. You and your buddies got into your car one night, you put in “Long …
On Sunday October first I was nce again faced with two great acts playing Seattle on the same night. I sacrificed Billy Bragg to see the Voodoo Glowskulls and four other bands ranging from hard core punk to danceable ska. There are 365 days in a year. You’d think the punk rock gods wouldn’t schedule …
I couldn’t call myself a punk rocker if I didn’t go to see Agent Orange, so of course I made the trek to El Corazon on Sept 30 to do just that. I have never seen AO before, but as Bullwinkle J. Moose once said, there’s a first time for everything. This So. Cal punk …
A little bit less than once a week I find myself at AudioElement, (http://audio-element.com) a high-end audio store not far from my office in Pasadena, California. I come to AudioElement with a satchel of vinyl records, a quart of record cleaner, and a stack of premium record sleeves. I then spend an hour or so …
On a warm evening on Sept 28 I had the utmost privilege of seeing Ken Stringfellow (originally from the Posies) with friends, (Jesse Chandler of Midlake on keys/vox, Jonathan Donahue of Mercury Rev on guitar/vox, Grasshopper of Mercury Rev on guitar/harmonica/vox) perform in a church in Seattle’s Phinney neighborhood across the street from the zoo. …
Cheap Trick will rock in the Yuletide season with the release of their first holiday themed album CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS, out October 20 on Big Machine Records. Arriving mere months after their critically-acclaimed 18th studio album WE’RE ALL ALRIGHT!, Cheap Trick co-produced the holiday collection alongside their longtime collaborator, GRAMMY® Award winner Julian Raymond (Glen Campbell, …
Saturday Sept 16th kicked off the Punk In Drublic tour, the brain child of Fat Mike, front man of NOFX. This west coast tour was designed not only to showcase some great punk bands, but also multiple types of beer. This concert, held on the grounds of Tacoma’s Le May Car Museum, was the kick-off. …
Last Saturday the Punk In Drublic tour kicked off in Tacoma, WA and I had the esteemed privilege of sitting down for a chat with front man and founding member of Goldfinger, John Feldmann. I found him to be very congenial, intelligent and passionate (but he wouldn’t be the artist he is without passion). Having …
It’s Tuesday night in Seattle and two great punk bands are playing at two different locations. Should I hang with the Irish and go see Stiff Little Fingers for their 40th anniversary tour or should I go to the Crocodile to see Australia’s The Living End. Decisions, decisions. Of all the 365 nights in a …
On September 16th a major punk event is coming to Tacoma, WA. At the Le May Car Museum from noon to 10 p.m. major punk bands like NOFX, Bad Religion, Less Than Jake, Goldfinger, Bad Cop Bad Cop all on one bill for one glorious afternoon/evening. This is part of a west coast tour, but …
This new orchestral arrangement of “Magazine,” by Kaki King is too good to pass up. Give it a listen immediately One of King’s most well known solo compositions, “Magazine”, was originally released on her 2004 album Legs to Make Us Longer, and is now given a symphonic sendup by the Porta Girevole Chamber Orchestra. The …
This tune has a modicum of stone cold coolishness. Give it a listen. With their debut Lovegame, RMR made it clear that they’re not shying away from having a little fun in the bedroom. But, turns out the guys are kinda shy after all, since they prefer those games with the lights down low. With …
Two weeks ago the Wall Street Journal featured an article in its Life and Arts section called, “What Happened to the Negative Review?” Writer Neil Shah posited that critics these days are less able to interview musical artists; instead, they rely on self-promotion in this digital era. Shah also wrote that critics are more likely …
Record collectors you may know or resemble: 1) can’t admit to not knowing an obscure band or LP: “Of course I know that private press from 1978, why wouldn’t I?” 2) Never likes anything you play for them: they always need to discover it themselves, then bring it to you. 3) Hates successful bands past …
[Ed. Note – The author first penned these words on August 24, 2013] It’s so mindblowingly remarkable how our American society survives by avoiding realities. The middle class, the poor… will give another dollar for a problem to go away for another week. “Mister, we don’t want any trouble.” “Here, take it, it’s all I …
Being influenced by African and European music is a damn good thing. Anybody who tells you any different has no clue about Western Music. It’s like this mighty river where two other mighty rivers combine; and as rough as the waters may be, the undercurrent is even stronger. As ugly as our past is, the …