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 …
This is the only good Blair Walsh story of 2017: my friend’s 7 year old son Max is a huge fan of The Seahawks and the Cougars. Last night my buddy looked worried at Leny’s Place as the Cougs were struggling through the Apple Cup, and I asked why a guy from Detroit was taking …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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. …
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 …
Thirty-five years ago I discovered ska music – in particular, Two-Tone ska music. The Selecter was one of those Two-Tone bands who were my first real introduction to ska music. As far as I know they never played Seattle – not since I’ve known of them. Really, they’ve barely set foot on US soil. Though …
On the night of August third I ventured out to one of my favorite haunts, El Corazon. This time it was a hard core punk show with He Is Legend headlining. He Is Legend is a five-piece from Wilmington, NC with lots of hair. They are fronted by the very energetic and dynamic Schuylar Croom. …
It was a warm Saturday night when I ventured out to a place I’d never been before called Pono Ranch. Nestled under the Ballard Bridge on the north side of Seattle’s Ship Canal (a canal that separates north and south Seattle). This time I was taking in some more ska/reggae put forth by Seattle’s Yogoman …
GTO Orion Anderson – Guitar | Cale Wilcox – Bass | Timmy Conroy – Keys/Vocals | Harald Bell – Drums | Sean Jensen – Saxophone | Colin Pulkrabek – Trombone MONKEY CURTIS “Curtron” MEACHAM – Guitar/Vox MICAH “MC Brown Crown” TURNEY – Drums AADITH “Fishbone Army” SRINIVASAN – Bass DUSTIN “El Duece” JAMES – T-bone/keys …
After about a decade in hiatus mode LA’s Tiger Army is back at it with a new album and new tour. I had the utmost pleasure of seeing them at Seattle’s Showbox on July 2, this time co-headlining with Murder By Death. I arrived just after Tiger Army came on stage and just before they …
Sunday June 18th was not only Father’s Day but also the day the Mad Caddies played in Seattle. This time they returned to the Nectar Lounge in the one Seattle neighborhood that’s kept its counter culture charm, Fremont. Front man Chuck Robertson came out sporting his usual scruffy look (unshaven, unkempt) and his usual overdose …
On Sunday night June 11 I had the extreme pleasure of seeing Boston’s ska band, Big D & the Kid’s Table do a show at Seattle’s El Corazon. This time they were commemorating the tenth anniversary of the release of their iconic album Strictly Rude, which they performed in its entirety (among other songs). They …
Thursday May 4 I had the esteemed privilege of seeing punk rock cover band Me First & the Gimme Gimmes. Me First, for those of you unfamiliar with them, are a punk band who turn non-punk songs into punk songs. “Songs like Leavin’ On A Jet Plane,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” etc. Jay Bentley on …
On Saturday night after spending all day at the Punk Rock Flea Market selling my wares, I headed to the Tractor Tavern in Seattle’s old Ballard neighborhood. Playing was the Reverend Horton Heat doing a (semi) solo acoustic show without his long-time sidekick Jimbo on bass and no drummer. I arrived just after eight (did …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
On Saturday January 21 people from all over the world marched in solidarity with marchers in Washington D.C. The march was to protest the newly sworn in 45th president of the United States and his statements about and behavior toward women. It’s been no secret that Donald Trump says he divorced his first wife because …