It’s the last Friday of September and the place to be is Slim’s Last Chance in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. Northwest legends Girl Trouble are headlining a show. Hailing from Tacoma, Washington, Girl Trouble never puts on a disappointing show. GT front man, KP Kendall is the ultimate showman, often making spontaneous jokes, this time it …
Seattle music legend and supernice guy, Graig Markel, would like to introduce you to his uberfresh, retro-soul/Muscle Shoals inspired project, Graig Markel and the 88th St. Band. They’ve just finished a record, and are playing a release show in Seattle at Barboza Friday, October 3rd at 7pm. Markel is joined on 88th Street by his …
Sunday September 21, 2014, people in many municipalities around the world gathered to protest climate change and push for clean, renewable energy sources. When I arrived things were already in full swing in downtown Seattle’s Westlake Plaza. I was quite surprised to see so many gathered in the one acre park. People stood or sat …
It’s Sunday night and Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood is teeming with night life. I’m hanging at the Nectar Lounge where The Skatalites are headlning. Skatalites are pure reggae ska. Although they list Jamaica as their hometown, the members hail from all parts of the globe. And with various guest performers joining them from time to time, …
The Real McKenzies, from Vancouver, BC, ventured into Seattle for a hell raising show at El Corazon. After some rebel rousing from four opening acts, the Real McKenzies, all wearing green plaid kilts, hit the stage sans their lead singer, Paul McKenzie. They led the audience in several chants for, “Paul! Paul! Paul!” to no …
Playing at Seattle’s Bumbershoot as part of their short reunion tour, the Replacements kick, kick, kicked our doors down. We didn’t realize what great anthems those songs were when only 200 people were in the audience. Somewhere between 5,000 to 10,000 were in attendance Sunday at the main stage at Memorial Stadium, singing along with …
Saturday night, August 23, was a date I looked forward to for some time, for this night a rare reunion concert of the Posies was to occur at Seattle’s Triple Door. The lineup consisted of what was the original Posies, that is Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. The two formed The Posies while still in …
On a hot steamy Tuesday night, Seattle’s Neptune hosted the legendary Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It’s been more than a decade since the Bosstones played this area, but like a good wine, they’ve aged well and this eight-piece from Boston was in top form. They came on stage all wearing matching read coats and black trousers …
Thursday night in Seattle the Triple Door hosted LA punkers X for an acoustic show. Interestingly, they were playing under the name X and not their acoustic alter egos, The Knitters. Whatever the name, X never disappoint whether they’re acoustic or hard punking. Exene Cervenka can still do her charming little dances while belting out …
It’s Saturday morning and I’m still on a high from Thursday night when I ventured to Seattle’s Showbox to witness the glorious, long-awaited return of the Aquabats. Like the Phenomenauts, they infuse elements of ska, punk rock and corny kids’ science fiction into one fun filled show. Celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band, the …
It’s a warm Sunday night in Seattle and the Neptune Theater is hosting LA’s ska masters, Fishbone. Fishbone, although primarily a ska band, play a variety of musical genres from fusion, to rock, and even some rap poetry tossed in. Sax player and main vocalist, Angelo Moore never stays in one spot very long before …
This coming Sunday and celebrating twenty-five years as a band, legendary LA ska masters Fishbone finally returns to the Pacific NW with a show at the Victoria Ska Fest on July 4 and a show at Seattle’s Neptune Theater on July 6. Fishbone play a variety of musical genres from the aforementioned ska to some …
Thursday evening June 26 approximately three hundred teachers and public school support personnel gathered in Seattle’s Westlake Center to hold a rally against the new Common Core Standards (CCS) before marching one mile to the Gates Building and holding a rally and protest there for over an hour. Common Core Standards was created by corporatists …
On Monday night, June 23, I had the utmost pleasure of witnessing the legendary Robyn Hitchcock perform a concert. This was my first time in the Columbia City Theater in Seattle’s south end. Seattle Theater Group recently acquired it. Columbia City Theater is very small, so very intimate, but loaded with character. The beginning of …
Sure, it’s too bad the U.S. soccer team gave up a last-second goal to drop into a 2-2 tie with Portugal, but it’s not a major disaster. The Yanks’ chances of advancing to the knockout rounds of the World Cup are still pretty good, and they’ve played well enough so far to earn advancement. There’s …
If it seems like Hope Solo’s from another planet, it’s because she is. People shake their heads at the nutty antics of the United States and Seattle Reign goalkeeper, but it’s not easy being the daughter of Han Solo and Princess Leia. It’s boundary issues really. If you were told to go to bed by …
Sunday was Father’s Day and also the evening of an acoustic solo performance from one of the finest female vocalist of modern times, Johnette Napolitano. The former lead singer from Concrete Blonde blended original songs (with a couple exceptions) with humorous anecdotes and poetry she’d written. Johnette came on stage to raucous applause, and used …
Located in the mountains of North Central, WA, just about 30 miles from the Canadian border, the Conscious Culture Festival proudly reaches its 5th year on June 20-22, 2014. CCF is the largest Roots, Rock, and Reggae festival of its kind in the Northwest. The festival has steadily gained a loyal following since its inception, …
It’s Thursday night, but that doesn’t stop the night life from hopping on maximum overdrive on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Chop Suey hosted one of my all-time favorites, Camper Van Beethoven. I first saw CVB in the fall of 1987 and I’ve seen them a couple times since. I believe this show was the fourth time. …
Last Tuesday I watched my second movie as part of the Seattle International Film Festival. This one, called Razing the Bar was about the rise and fall of the beloved punk club called The Funhouse. Through interviews with employees, owners and local musicians, this film is mainly about Brian Foss who took over running The …
Strictly Sacred is a documentary about Seattle band Girl Trouble. Girl Trouble has been a Seattle institution for about twenty-five years, but have never received the notoriety they so deserve. That is until now. Isaac Olsen (who is the nephew of two of the members of Girl Trouble) directed this excellent introspective on the life …
It’s Sunday night of the Memorial Day weekend 2014 and Studio Seven is hosting the Tenth Annual Psychobilly Brawl, featuring Koffin Kats and lots of great openers. Koffin Kats have a new guitar player. That being Johnny Kay and he is amazing! The only time he stood still was when he was singing harmony. Otherwise …
Thursday night May 15 marked the second time I’ve seen the Chop Tops and I think they were even better this time around. This trio from Santa Cruz plays a mixed bag of rockabilly and psychobilly and consists of Sinner (whose name is tattooed across his chest) on vocals and stand up drum kit, Shelby …
It’s Saturday night in Seattle’s thriving Ballard neighborhood and I’m at the Tractor Tavern to see folk singer Sarah Jarosz headline a show. Although calling Sarah Jarosz folk is not exactly accurate. She’s part folk, part bluegrass and a little country tossed in. She’s one hundred percent child prodigy. She’s turning 23 later this month …
Poke Da Squid’s new release, I Honestly Had Higher Expectations, is a very poppy album with heavy ska elements and even some harder rock. “Two Drunks Make It Write” starts things off. This song has some Blink 182 and a bit of Less Than Jake influences with catchy guitar hooks and even catchier harmonies. “I’m …
On Friday, February 21, I had the utmost pleasure of watching ska legends The English Beat perform two shows. One was an intimate performance at The Guitar Store in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood and the other was a sold-out performance at the Showbox downtown. The performance at the Guitar Store attracted about 60 to 75 …
To hold fans over until they tour this spring, Kathleen Hanna’s The Julie Ruin has released this video for their song titled, “Goodnight Goodbye”. It’s a retro-coolish peek into The Julie Ruin’s touring adventures and was shot on Super 8 film in Olympia, WA last year. I love how it works as a superfantastic 1994 …
Monday night was a night of action all over the country to protest the newly released environmental analysis that the proposed Keystone Pipeline will not increase global warming. What hasn’t been mentioned is that said analysis was written by a company with deep ties to the oil industry and the company that wants to build …
My second concert of 2014 brought me back to Showbox Market to experience the utmost pleasure of seeing Reel Big Fish for about the sixth time and Suburban Legends for the second time. This double bill was not to be missed. Reel Big Fish are tight musically. They’re excellent musicians with a top rate horn …
My first concert of 2014 and I’m at the Showbox Market to take in some psychobilly. The now legendary Reverend Horton Heat headlined with Nekromantix and Old Man Markley opening. >Hailing from Dallas, TX, The Reverend (real name James Heath) played a mean Gretsch guitar while Jimbo Wallace slapped viciously away at his upright bass, …