On Easter Sunday I finally got the privilege of seeing legendary London punks the Damned. I’ve been waiting a long time. Last time I was set to see them it was Halloween Eve maybe 2007, but their visas didn’t come through and they had to cancel. The show began with keyboardist (Monty Oxy Moron) coming …
Seattle’s March to May have a new tune, “Madeleine” which you can hear below, and a new album, Through the Night, which will be released on April 21. Their sound is organic, locally-grown, small-batch, artisanal chamber folk and so far all of their tunes have been excellent. A duo– Beth Wesche (Celtic harp, vocals) and …
Austin’s self-described “freak parade,” Sweet Spirit, harnesses the force of their eight-piece band to create a high-energy, soulful, gritty, and just-straight-up-fun soundscape. Sabrina Ellis’ (A Giant Dog) standout vocals provide the anchor for the array of pop, rock, glam, soul, and blues that blend together seamlessly. St. Mojo, the sophomore album, came out on April …
On April 4 I finally got to see Chicago’s Celtic punk rockers Flatfoot 56. I think it was 2009 when I saw them last opening for Street Dogs. That was the last time they played Seattle. I would have missed this show entirely if it weren’t for a bit of serendipity. I was sharing some …
Sunshine & the Rain is a duo consisting of husband and wife Ashley Morey (vocals, bass) and Justin Morey (guitar), both formerly of critically acclaimed psych rockers The Black Hollies. They have produced what has to be a contender for album of the year. Recorded in Sonic Youth’s Echo Canyon West studio with the legendary …
My favorite rock vocalist is Freddie Mercury of Queen. Also in my top five are Randy Blythe of Burn the Priest/Lamb of God, Michael Akerfeldt of Opeth, pre-cape Elvis Presley, and Bon Scott from AC/DC. (James Brown “ranks” #2 if the category expands beyond rock.) Regarding the last front man, I cranked Back in Black …
On March 19 Seattle once again hosted a rousing fun night of (mostly) ska bands, this time at the Tractor Tavern. The headliners were the recently reformed Save Ferris. The only original member is lead singer/front woman Monique (Moe) Powell and she entered the stage after the rest of the band started playing. And what …
Detroit Michigan’s finest multimedia sensation, Flint Eastwood, has released a video for her song “Queen.” Talking about the video, Eastwood says: “it was made with a bunch of friends in Detroit, MI. I wanted to create a feeling of empowerment and confidence in unused spaces. Queen is about taking charge and owning up to your …
February 11, 2017 was a day I looked forward to for several weeks. Reel Big Fish were headlining a show with Anti Flag at Seattle’s Showbox (the good Showbox, not the Showbox Sodo). I don’t know when I last saw Anti Flag but it’s been at least six years. Reel Big Fish I’ve seen many …
Their publicist assured me Dune Rats are closing in on a No. 1 record way down over in Australia. To this I said, “What’s a record?” At any rate, Brisbane, Australia’s Dune Rats play rock’n roll with unnaturally tasty hooks, the like of which we haven’t heard for a long time. They seem like solid …
On Feb 1, Seattle’s Funhouse hosted a night of ska this time with New York’s the Toasters headlining. Aside from bass player Tim, and of course front man Bucket, the members of the Toasters change with every tour. This doesn’t discount the level of musicianship in every member every show. This time the horn section …
On January 31st the Showbox Sodo hosted ska masters Less Than Jake From Gainesville, FL. This five-piece are punk/ska/pop all mixed together with a heavy dose of energy and fun. Though the show wasn’t well attended, those who came were very enthusiastic. There was a bit of crowd surfing throughout and the entire dance floor …
I’ve been thinking about lyrics to a song or an album that fits the current state of the nation with its new president. Like other politicians, Donald Trump made some bold pledges and promises on the campaign trail. He promised the return of manufacturing jobs to “Make America Great Again.” He wanted to tear up …
This week the awesome Canuck superband Austra released the video for “I Love You More Than You Love Yourself.” The song is haunting. The clip was filmed in Portland during this past holiday season and is based on the story of American astronaut Lisa Nowak. On Austra’s Facebook page, Katie Stepnoski describes the vid in …
Freedom Fry just released a B-Side to “Awake.” It’s a beautiful song titled “Songbird” and they hope you enjoy: “Songbird is for anyone who feels like their voice isn’t being heard. It’s about never giving up, even when the battle seems lost.” – Bruce & Marie http://www.freedomfrymusic.com/
ROSIN is a band of wolves dressed in formal attire. Drawing on elements of bluegrass, rock and jazz, these classical deviants create their own version of a string quartet. From upbeat Americana with orchestral accompaniments to classical arrangements with rock guitar riffs, members Jake Armerding (violin, mandola, guitar), Annie Bartlett (violin, viola), Mina Kim (cello) …
This is a luminous and lovely bluegrass gospel song with some nice production touches. Imagine Pure Prairie League on the island of Patmos singing the song of the redeemed and you might get an idea where this is going.
K’Valentine will be opening for Talib Kweli on his Seven tour, coming through Portland on 1/26 at Wonder Ballroom. On a cold snowy day at a downtown Chicago hospital, K’Valentine made her entrance into this world. She served as an early Christmas gift for her mother. The news of her birth also excited her father, …
On Friday the 13th Seattle hosted another night of top notch ska. This time it was at the High Dive and the headliners were Seattle legends Easy Big Fella. They came on stage introducing themselves as Puttin’ On the Ritz. This eight-piece lineup shared a few members from Natalie Wouldn’t and a three-piece horn section …
Freedom Fry’s last single, “Shaky Ground” has just about reached 6M plays on Spotify. Now, this transatlantic duo is back with “Awake,” another catchy and thoughtful tune which their fans are going to love. This shiny new ditty has already been synced in a handful of places including the Netflix show Love and the film …
On Tuesday January 10 Seattle’s El Corazon hosted the return of the Voodoo Glowskulls. With a stellar ska lineup playing that night. Hailing from Riverside, California, the Voodoo Glowskulls returned to Seattle after more than a two-year absence. The Skulls were the fifth band of the night and though the intimate El Corazon was sparsely …
On Saturday night January 7th I headed to Seattle’s Funhouse to see Die Nasty. This time they were headlining their own show with other Seattle punk bands. Die Nasty was just as energetic as always. Singer Lauren Goffin strutted about the stage, leaning into the crowd often as if personally serenading everyone in front. Bass …
My wild New Years weekend began Friday night New Year’s Eve Eve at Barboza Lounge where three Seattle ska bands were playing. Headlining was a band I saw for the first time called Gully. Fronted by vocalist Josh who had thick dark curls cascading past his shoulders that kept falling in front of his face. …
Home Somewhere: Finding Jules Shear On Friday night, June 20 of 2014, I saw a VSOP with possibly my favorite songwriter and recording artist, Jules Shear. This concert was a Jules Shear musical retrospective that was being filmed for an upcoming documentary about the career and life of Jules Shear. Chasing Jules is the project …
The Skatalites are unique — the originators of a whole genre of music over their brief existence in Jamaica in the mid-sixties and then a stalwart institution supporting that syncopated movement since their reunion in 1983. Members come and go (50 years down the road, many of the founders are gone forever), but that dance …
Thursday December first brought the return of NY ska masters the Slackers. They played to a packed house at the Crocodile and their second song into the set they played my favorite, Watch This. Of all the times I’ve seen them this is the second time they’ve played my favorite song and the first time …
It’s been two days since I saw the Dwarves play at Seattle’s Highline bar and my body still feels as though it’s been through the washing machine on the spin cycle. I’m still getting my spine back in alignment and sticking body parts back together. I can still feel the bruise I got on my …
Seattle’s Funhouse Hosts Greece Punks Barb Wire Dolls Along With Some Seattle Talent, by Holly Homan
Tuesday night Seattle’s Funhouse hosted a punk band all the way from Crete called Barb Wire Dolls. I saw the Dolls about a year and a half ago opening for Dead Men Walking, a sort of super group featuring members of the Living End, the Alarm, and the Stray Cats. I was so blown away …
Saturday night November 12, Seattle’s foremost punk club El Corazon hosted Canadian punk legends D.O.A. Talk about raw punk power! This trio came out churning power chords and smashing drums like they were still 20 years old. Drummer goes by the name Paddy Duddy and reminded me of Animal from the Muppets with his scraggily …