Who's Playing the Hootenanny for a Healthy Gulf Tonight?

Who's Playing the Hootenanny for a Healthy Gulf Tonight?

Duff says....

Mike McCready, Pete Droge, Shawn Smith, the original Fastbacks, Rachel Flotard, and many others, including myself. With Star Anna, Mark Pickerel, Kim Virant, Justin Davis, Tim DiJulio, Chris & Rick Friel, Rebeqa Rivers, Jeff Rouse, Ty Bailie, Kristen Ward, Gary Westlake, Rusty Willoughby

Once again a local all-star team will provide another amazing sing-a-long experience in aid of another important world catastrophe. The first Hootenanny (for Haiti) was a smashing success, and at over 3 hours featured more amazing performances per single show than I think I have ever seen. The players are pretty similar this go around except one entry in particular that is flashing at me like some sort of homing beacon. The original Fastbacks? Kurt, Lulu, and Kim together again? Kim of course was the big hit of the previous Hootenanny when she came out of retirement for the special event.

I think the Fastbacks alone would make for a pretty rad show in itself, but with so many other amazing folks on the list, we have quite a night ahead of us.

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SHOW PREVIEW: Slayer / Megadeth / Testament @ Wamu Theater

SHOW PREVIEW: Slayer / Megadeth / Testament @ Wamu Theater

A few weeks ago I wrote about an upcoming Exodus show and mentioned how the band is often overlooked when folks get all misty eyed about the glory days of thrash. The same could be said for Testament. Like Exodus, Testament originated in the Bay area and released several amazing records that helped cultivate the sound many associate with thrash today.

I first heard Testament sitting in my high school biology class. A friend and fellow metalhead brought the band's debut album "The Legacy" in and, instead of learning about evolution (which my teacher said she didn't believe in anyway - true fact!), I hid out in the back of the room and listened to Testament on my friend's headphones.

Testament > Biology

Testament's first 6 records were released on both the major label Atlantic Records and the indie Megaforce Records, a label who became synonymous with thrash after releasing the debut albums by Anthrax, Overkill and a band named Metallica. You may have heard of them. No big deal. Fronted by a tall Native American by the name of Chuck Billy, Testament were immediately recognizable but, other than getting a couple videos on Headbanger's Ball, they didn't gain the notoriety some of their contemporaries did. In hindsight, the band's early records often didn't sonically measure up to what other bands of their caliber were releasing. As far as songwriting and dynamics went, Testament were incredible but it's often hard to tell on those first few records like "The New Order" and "Practice What You Preach". The band likely felt the same way since, in 2000, they rerecorded some of the most popular songs from those early releases for a record called "First Strike Still Deadly". I wish more older metal bands would do this.

One of the things that set Testament apart from many of the thrash bands from the 80s is they released two of their heaviest and, I'd argue, best records in the mid-90s when metal was not the fashion focus it is today. "Demonic" and "The Gathering" were incredible records but went out of print fairly quickly. Thankfully, with the renewed interest in metal, both records are easy to find today on both cd and vinyl. Get them. Better yet, get the band's entire catalog. Seriously.

Since the release of their latest record "The Formation of Damnation", Testament have already been in Seattle once opening for Judas Priest. I was there and it was incredible! On Fri, September 3rd, Testament will be back in town at the WaMu Theatre playing with a couple bands called Slayer and Megadeth. You may have heard of them. No big deal.

Words by Roy Culver

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The Show Calendar

The Show Calendar

Show of the Week

These are the local shows we recommend. This calendar will be updated weekly and re-posted for your convenience. See you out there.

09/02 - Josephine - Manos De Plata

09/02 - Moore Theater - Hootenanny for a Healthy Gulf w/ Mike McCready etc

09/02 - Comet Tavern - The Keeper

09/03 - WaMu Theater - Slayer/Megadeth, Testament

09/03 - Sunset Tavern - The Intelligence

09/04 - Seattle Center - Bumbershoot Day 1 - Bob Dylan, Visqueen, Ozomatli

09/04 - The Funhouse - Brian and Cyndi's 5th Wedding Anniversary w/ Warning:Danger! & Surprise Guests


09/05 - Seattle Center - Bumbershoot Day 2 - Weezer, Hole, Unnatural Helpers

09/06 - Seattle Center - Bumbershoot Day 3 - Baroness, Anvil, Meat Puppets, The Spits

09/06 - The Funhouse - Coliseum, Burning Love, Heiress plus guests

09/09 - The Croc - Thee Oh Sees

09/09 - Chop Suey - Blood Hot Beat, My Goodness, Virgin - FREE

09/09 - The Funhouse - Pierced Arrows, Spurm, Idle Times

09/10 - Neumos - Man Man, Steel Tigers of Death

09/09 - MFNW - Baroness, Red Fang, Rabbits

09/10 - Black Lodge - Absolute Monarchs

09/11 - Neumos - The Gories

09/11 - Vera Project - Tera Melos

09/10 - MFNW - The Gories, Thee Oh Sees

09/11 - MFNW - Sleep, YOB, Scott Kelly

09/12 - Hells Kitchen - NoMeansNo, Neutral Boy

09/15 - The Sunset - Dax Riggs, King Dude

09/15 - Showbox at the Market - Helmet, Bison B.C.

09/16 - Neumos - Verellen Amp Showcase w/ Narrows, Akimbo, Helms Alee

09/17 - The Highline - YOB, Lesbian, Witch Mountain

09/17 - Showbox at the Market - Screeching Weasel, Sgt. Major III

09/18 - El Corazon - D.R.I., Throne of Bone plus guests

09/19 - El Corazon - The Head Cat w/ Lemmy Kilmister

09/19 - Studio Seven - VENOMOUS CONCEPT (Kevin Sharp/Shane Embury/Danny Herrera/Danny Lilker), Kill the Client, Streetwalker, Potbelly, Owen Hart

09/20 - Puyallup Fair - Queensryche, Tesla

09/21 - El Corazon - Katatonia, Book of Black Earth

09/23 - The Comet - Police Teeth, Generalissimo (Oakland), He Whose Ox is Gored, Cold Lake plus guests

09/24 - Comet Tavern - The Keeper (RIP)

09/24 - El Corazon - Nevermore, Warbringer and more

09/24 - WaMu Theater - The Oddity Faire with PRIMUS, Portugal. The Man, Split Lip Rayfield

09/25 - The Crocodile - The Melvins, Totimoshi

09/27 - Hell's Kitchen (Tacoma) - The Melvins, Totimoshi

09/28 - The Wild Buffalo (Bellingham) - The Melvins, Totimoshi

09/29 - The Funhouse - Git Some (Denver), Countdown to Armageddon, Smooth Sailing plus guests

09/29 - Snoqualmie Casino - ZZ Top

09/30 - The Crocodile - Minus the Bear, Motopony

10/03 - Studio Seven - Despised Icon, Misery Index, Revocation, Perfect Janice plus guests

10/03 - Neumos - Dungen, The Entrance Band

10/04 - Showbox Sodo - The Sword, Karma to Burn

10/07 - Neumos - Nomeansno (30th Anniversary Tour!), Fort Pier, The Ruby Doe

10/07 - El Corazon - Valient Thorr, Red Fang

10/08 - Key Arena - Alice in Chains, Deftones, Mastodon

10/08 - El Corazon - As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, Unearth, Carnifax

10/09 - Ballard! - Seattle Weekly Reverbfest!

10/09 - Studio Seven - Devin Townsend Project, TesseracT, Darkest Grace

10/10 - Showbox at the Market - Corin Tucker Band

10/10 - Ballard! - Seattle Weekly Reverbfest!

10/21 - El Corazon - Triptykon, 1349, Yakuza

10/21 - Neumos - Roky Erickson

10/22 - Neumos - The Vaselines

10/22 - Lo-Fi Performance Gallery - Escalator Festival Day One

10/23 - Lo-Fi Performance Gallery - Escalator Festival Day Two

10/23 - El Corazon - Early Man, Evile, Gamma Bomb, Bonded by Blood

10/26 - Neumos - Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campbell

10/28 - Studio Seven - Cattle Decapitation, Devourment, Knights of the Abyss, Burning the Masses, Son of Aurelius, Slaughterbox

10/30 - Tractor Tavern - Halloqueen

10/31 - Sunset Tavern - Metalween

10/31 - Gary Numan performing the Pleasure Principle

11/12 - El Corazon - Nile

11/12 - Rendezvous/Jewelbox Theater - Low Hums, Geist & the Sacred Ensemble, Solid Gold Eagle

11/13 - El Corazon - Behemoth, Watain, Withered, Black Anvil

11/17 - Showbox SoDo - Bad Religion

11/18 - The Croc - Greg Dulli

11/20 - Tractor Tavern - Beatallica, Stay Tuned

11/27 - King Cat Theater - Grinderman

11/29 - Showbox at the Market - The Black Angels and Black Mountain

12/15 - Showbox at the Market - Killing Joke

12/31 - El Corazon - Reverend Horton Heat, Dwarves, Zeke

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BUMBERSHOOT 2010: Saturday Preview

BUMBERSHOOT 2010: Saturday Preview

Yes! It's true! The anticipation for Bumbershoot's Monday line up is high, but more on that later. Now, let's concentrate on Saturday.

The afternoon starts heating up with The Budos Band from Staten Island, New York. Anytime eleven dudes hit the stage, good things await. Budos feels like living inside exploitation cinema. At any moment, a Baseball Fury might emerge, but don't fret, Budos provides the perfect soundtrack for a proper Fury beat down. Taking inspiration from I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, if I could choose my own background music, The Budos Band wins easily.

Following The Budos Band come another New York product: The Balkan Beat Box. Back on St. Paddy's, Nik and I drifted into a BBB show amidst the haze of a RED FANGOVER! Balkan Beat Box proceeded to shake the cobwebs with their onslaught of funkiness. These guys tear it up.

The Cute Lepers will cure any punk fix for Bumbershooters. Their tune "Terminal Boredom" is a catchy jam that makes you move. The Cute Lepers is a must see on Saturday.

While some scramble to listen to the incoherent mutterings of Big Bob D., those of us who like a little flavor in our music will mosey over to see the mighty Ozomatli. Having seen Ozo on several occasions, I guarantee an experience for anyone who has never witnessed their brilliance. The boys from L.A. take a hybrid approach to their music making it unpredictable, exciting, and truly engaging. Ozomatli is one of the greatest live bands around. I don't care what style of music you listen to, these guys will blow your mind.

Not to mention, Seattle's own Visqueen will rock the house too. Unfortunately, they play at the same time as Ozo.

Decisions, decisions. All I know is that I would easily pay $25 just to see Ozomatli, so in the end it's a win-win for lovers of music. Saturday looks promising! C'mon sunshine, don't fail us now.

Words by Jerry Howard

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PHOTOS: Lesbian / Jucifer / Heiress @ El Corazon

PHOTOS: Lesbian / Jucifer / Heiress @ El Corazon

Sometimes a photo can paint a much more descriptive picture of a rad show than some pointless review, case in point, the Jucifer headlined "metal fest" from a couple weeks ago that included one of the best local metal lineups to congregate in sometime. I could sit here and gush over how brilliant Lesbian's and Heiress' new material was or how friggin' brutal Great Falls sounded with a live drummer or how mind blowing Jucifer was on all levels, but I won't. Instead here are my photographs of Heiress, Lesbian, and Jucifer from the evening. Just so you know the show was BAD ASS! You really should have been there.

PS. Please excuse my over usage of sepia, I really dig the gritty tone it gives metal photos. Enjoy!

Lesbian:

Jucifer:

Heiress:

Photo Credits:

All Lesbian, Lucifer, Heiress Photos | by Nik Christofferson

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LIVE REVIEW: The Keeper Debuts "Dearly Deloved" @ Linda's Fest

LIVE REVIEW: The Keeper Debuts "Dearly Deloved" @ Linda's Fest

Nothing can be more off putting than a wooden front man. Watching a band shred and a lead singer make like a statue seems a bit oxymoronic. Where's the sweat? Where's the thrashing about?

Wooden is not even in The Keeper's vocabulary. Go ahead and say it to any of them - they won't understand. These guys don't speak the language.

It's apparent The Keeper love to perform and the energy kicks off as soon as they launch into their set and never stops until the final note. From the get go, Andrew Chapman heads into the crowd, inviting patrons to sing-a-long, encouraging audience participation, and even drinking some of the crowd's beer. Shit, Andrew doesn't even care if it's Hamms. If that swill is offered, down the gullet it goes! Meanwhile, Izzy, Ryan, and Brian blast away with a ferocity to assuage any metal head's jones for ass kicking rock and roll!

NOTE: It is not easy for bands to achieve successful audience participation. For example, if the band or group suck, then it proves a fruitless endeavor. Case in point: The Black Eyed Peas. A long time ago, I witnessed these assholes 'perform.' It was all, "Raise your hands..." and "C'mon everyone.." almost begging us all to enjoy their shit ass performance. The entire production verified their commitment to suck - a commitment that still exists today.

But that doesn't matter here because, here, we celebrate everything right about music: The Keeper. Do not take for granted what they give during their shows. Right now, The Keeper is in the midst of their victory lap, and the finish line draws near. Let's hope the hiatus is only temporary.

It gives us great pleasure at the Seattle Rock Guy to debut The Keeper's new song "Dearly Deloved" through video taken at Linda Fest. Watch the video and see this shit in action!

As of now you have only two more confirmed chances to see The Keeper live, including a Pre-PAX party at The Comet September 2nd and the last rites September 24th.

Stay tuned...

Words by Jerry Howard

Photo Credit:

Andrew Chapman of The Keeper | Photo by Chase Mendenhall

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VIEW FROM ACROSS THE POND #2: Black Sunday IV: Brighton Metalfest

VIEW FROM ACROSS THE POND #2: Black Sunday IV: Brighton Metalfest

Next Sunday sees Brighton venue, The Hydrant plays host to Black Sunday IV, a local all day metal fest that showcases some of the best in local music, including previous SRG interviewees Sonace who will be opening the show. I was lucky enough to be able to talk to the man behind Black Sunday, promoter Shaun Lonergan, in advance of the show to get an idea of what kind of thing to expect.

SP: So Shaun, how did you get into promoting and how long have you been doing Black Sunday for?

SL: I used to play in a metal band called Synbiote as a vocalist and I found it a real buzz playing in the band and organising the shows; I enjoyed it, so I got interested in promoting. Then doing both at the same time got to be a bit difficult and unfortunately over time the band fell apart so I got more into promoting. I got to know the people at the venues and to start with I was only doing a few shows at a time, but then I thought, I want to do more of this. So I started getting into the club work and ran a really successful club night, which got reviewed in Kerrang magazine as a place to go in Brighton for a good night on a Saturday. For one reason or another the night fell apart so I thought I’d work independently as a promoter in future.

Black Sunday’s been going for about three years. The first Black Sunday was like a test because I didn’t know what it was going to be like, I mean I was fucking nervous but that one went really well. The second one didn’t work out as well though, it was like 28 degrees [Celsius; 82 degrees for our American readers – SP], really hot and only about sixty people or so turned up. Who wants to pay seven quid to go into a venue on a day like that or who would rather pay seven quid towards a crate of beer and sit on the beach? So I re-thought my whole plan, organised it a lot better and Black Sunday III earlier this year went really well, so I thought, sod it there’s another bank holiday coming up, let’s put another one on.

SP: So I guess you’re on a tight budget then?

SL: Yeah of course, but it’s not a money making thing, you have to put money in but as long as I make back what I’ve spent I’m happy. The thing is you can’t predict a show; you can’t predict the unpredictable. I did a show last year in December at the Freebutt called Headbangers and Thrash with Divine Chaos headlining, Terrathorn and a couple of other local bands. There was snow and sheet ice on the roads, and I thought I was going to have to cancel the show because no one would want to come out. Loads of other local promoters cancelled their shows because they thought the weather would stop people coming out. We got to the Freebutt on the day and it was like, shit… there was ice and snow everywhere but loads of people came down, it was probably the best show I’ve done. Like I said, you can’t predict the unpredictable, and all shows are unpredictable.

SP: What inspired you to start up promoting in the first place?

SL: When I was playing in a band we were always looking for gigs and another band helped us out and gave us a stepping stone; we ended up supporting the likes of 3 Inches of Blood and Orange Goblin. You know, my main reason behind what I’m doing with Black Sunday is to look after the younger bands, the developing bands, building up their self esteem, their confidence, getting them more notability. It’s got to the point where a lot of bands I’ve worked with have gone on to do well. The first Black Sunday back in 2007 had bands that are starting to get really big now, like Divine Chaos and there’s a band I worked with two years back called Stone Circle who’re getting pretty big, they just played at Bloodstock last week. But yeah, it’s always been about looking after the younger bands. It takes a good couple of years to work your way up the food chain and the stuff I promote, like Black Sunday gives them a place to start.

SP: How do you go about picking your bands?

SL: The purpose of Black Sunday is that it’s a local all-dayer. I usually bring back the best local band from the previous Black Sunday, who’ve got the best stage presence, pull the best crowds, you know the crowd favourites from the day, and then I put them further up the bill next time so they’re kind of co-headlining.

SP: So Black Sunday’s about local music primarily then?

SD: It is yeah, the majority of it. The line up is mainly local bands but I always bring in a guest headliner. This time it’s Terrathorn who are a really good thrash band from Southampton; well, the vocalist lives in Brighton but the rest all live in Southampton. They’ve played Bloodstock, they’ve got a music video out [See below - SP], they’ve been on Skuzz TV at some point doing an interview. But picking the bands is down to musical merit, who’s the best you know?

SP: What have you got planned for the future?

SL: Well, year by year I’m getting… well, not bigger as such but more established. For the last Black Sunday I had eight bands on, this time I’ve got nine. If I can get The Hydrant again on a bank holiday weekend I’m looking to expand it to a two day show with eight or nine bands a day and get a load more local bands on board. Do it on a Saturday and Sunday so people have their bank holiday Monday for their hangover. I’m only starting off small but if things go well maybe in a year or two try and move it to a bigger venue, but only if I can afford to do it. Bigger venues are so much more expensive. And I’m setting up another all dayer on October 7th, I just got the date confirmed. I’ve got some big bands coming down from London for it and I’m going to get some local bands on as well, try and turn it into a nine, ten band bill.

SP: So what’s that one going to be called?

SL: [Laughs] I don’t know yet, I’ve only got the date! I’ve got this headlining band from London called Fleshrot and they’re really, really fucking good death metal. And since Synbiote split last year I’ve been out of action as a vocalist for a bit and I want to join another band because I miss singing. I do enjoy getting on stage and the energy that goes with it.

The final line up for Black Sunday IV is:

TERRATHORN
DEMENTAL
MOTHER RUIN
PYRE
SEVEN YEAR KIZMET
HER LAST WORDS
DROWN IN ENTROPY
SONACE

Check out headliners, Terrathorn's official video for their track No Pets Allowed

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SHOW PREVIEW: Greenriver Thrillers / Hurry Up Shotgun / Bismarck @ Rendezvous

SHOW PREVIEW: Greenriver Thrillers / Hurry Up Shotgun / Bismarck @ Rendezvous

The Greenriver Thrillers will play anytime, anywhere!

That's right!

Doesn't matter if a hundred people or two stragglin' hobos attend the gig, count on the Greenriver Thrillers to kick your ass. Hear some music blastin' from under a bridge? That might be G.R.T. thrashin' away on "Power Troll!" Shit, these mofo's played Renton.

RENTON!

Several Rentonites probably staggered into the local dive expecting some soothing sounds of Hall and Oates karaoke, but soon found themselves in the midst of a drubbing by the mighty G.R.T.!! That's a good thing!! Hopefully G.R.T. left a Zorroesque imprint on all their asses.

The Greenriver Thrillers will drive into your barrio, kick down the door, drink all your damn beer, blow your ear drums, and leave you with a smile big enough that Bill Cosby would get a hard on.

On Saturday, August 29th at The Rendezvous, The Greenriver Thrillers will beat the old mechanical meat with Oakland products: Hurry Up Shotgun, who will feature special guest Conan Neutron (Victory and Associates, Replicator, and Mount Vicious) on second guitar. The show will also feature local band, Bismarck, who sing a ripping song about former baseball free agent extraordinaire: Curt Flood.

Now go enjoy your Saturday!

Words by Jerry Howard

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LIVE REVIEW: COC / Goatsnake / Black Breath / Eagle Twin / Righteous Fool @ Neumos

LIVE REVIEW: COC / Goatsnake / Black Breath / Eagle Twin / Righteous Fool @ Neumos

I feel like I talk about show attendance quite a bit, but for some reason I can never grasp why certain shows can sell out and others barely attract 300 people through the door. This came up again with the recent COC / Goatsnake show that took place at Neumos back on August 12th. After a bit of chin stroking I realized why Neumos remained partially full with upper bar closed to patrons on a Thursday night that boasted one of the best all around metal bills to saunter through town in some time.

The Reason: This show was a total “fans” show-- a rare commodity that comes around almost never and really only appeals to a very small slice of heavy music fans. Think about it, we had the “Animosity” era Corrosion of Conformity, that’s right the trio of Mike Dean, Woody Weatherman, and Reed Mullin playing songs that have been dormant for decades. Unless you are a COC completest, or were lucky enough be around during the early years, shit you probably have never even heard the metallic crossover thrash side of COC.

Goatsnake as well, there is the very real potential that people have all but forgotten about a project that is well overshadowed by the members’ other more recent endeavors (Sunn O))) for example), or just plain anonymity all together. Whatever the case may be, this show just seemed to be too obscure for the run-of-the-mill metal fan despite a few stellar up and coming acts in direct support.

The lack of headbangers in the room had absolutely no effect on the outcome of this one though; it was an ass kicker from start to finish. Corrosion of Conformity ransacked the early 80’s material with gusto in front of huge tapestry sporting the all too familiar spiked skull logo. COC kicked it old school for over an hour, and the night owls that stuck around beyond the 12:30am mark seemed to love every minute of it-- Kim Thayil and Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden were among those in for the long haul.

I will say that it was sweet seeing this version of COC, and I dig the recent wave of nostalgia tours especially the ones that predate my time, but nothing, NOTHING can stand up what the mighty Goatsnake did just prior. Bottom line is no one should ever have to follow such brilliance, and due to the sheer volume and energy, Goatsnake most definitely should have headlined because COC’s stripped down set was just no match sonically speaking.

Goatsnake is one of the melodically heaviest bands on the face of the planet, and the reunited stoner metal goliaths featuring Greg Anderson of Sunn O))), Pete Stahl of The Earthlings?, and the dude who played bass on fucking “Demon Cleaner” **High Five**, that’s right Scott Reeder of Kyuss, just about decimated and perforated any sense of the word heavy that I had previously known. After the show I questioned so many bands I deemed the heaviest before. The few that have retained their stature post-Goatsnake 2010 are of course the Melvins, Eyehategod, and probably Torche but few others. There was one point in the show were Reeder hit a pedal or something that elevated his already immense testical shaking bass tone into the upper stratospheres of massive. The sound that emanated from his cabinets literally had me grabbing to make sure my balls didn’t full on separate from my body. It was intense, fucking intense enough for Matt and I to instantly turn to each other and mouth the words “holy fuck!” or some other similar fervent expletive. A major highlight was indeed “El Coyote”, a song I contend to be one of the grooviest tracks ever laid to wax. It features an intense stoner metal guitar riff courtesy of Anderson, mixed with some disgusting harmonica filler supplied by Stahl and live was the equivalent to a stoner metal orgasm.

Also on the bill was Seattle’s own Black Breath who was way over shadowed by the headliners of the evening. They meagerly warmed up the crowd but this really wasn’t their crowd. Their crowd packed the hell out of the Black Lodge a few days earlier. No worries we all know they rule.

Eagle Twin played second. It took me a while to warm to Eagle Twin initially, I had given the duo’s record a spin or two but it never stuck. Unfortunately for me too, I missed last year’s opportunity to check them at Southern Lord Fest because I was late. So for my first time I stood directly in front of guitarist Gentry Densely, who in turn stood in front of an impressive wall of Sunn stacks. This man is a mad scientist, and some truly amazing and otherworldly shit was laid down right before my eyes. I’ve honestly never seen a guitar played like that. It was like he was making the most passionate attentive love to that modded see-through guitar-- such intricate picking and odd chord structures-- even as a guitar novice I can tell that he is doing something special. The result was some seriously brutal sounding molten sludge metal. If he didn’t get off, somebody in the room had too.

Opening was the new project from COC bassist Mike Dean and drummer Reed Mullin. Solid sludge metal with lots of meaty riffs and of course one of the best bass players ever, making it look so easy-- definitely worth checking out.

Words by Nik Christofferson

Photo Credits:

Mike Dean of COC | Photo by Nik
Greg Anderson of Goatsnake | Photo by Nik
Gentry Densely of Eagle Twin | Photo by Nik
Eagle Twin's Amps | Photo by Nik

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TICKET GIVEAWAY: Thee Sgt. Major III / The Fucking Eagles / The Femurs @ Columbia City Theater

TICKET GIVEAWAY: Thee Sgt. Major III / The Fucking Eagles / The Femurs @ Columbia City Theater

There have been rave reviews aplenty concerning the newly restored Columbia City Theater since it reopened its doors back in June-- praise of its historic beauty and warm intimate setting have been spreading like wild fire around town. We just so happen to have a pair of tickets to give away courtesy of fine folks at the Columbia City Theater to see Thee Sgt. Major III featuring ex-Fastbacks guitarist Kurt Bloch, The Fucking Eagles, and The Femurs this Friday, August 27th. I can’t think of a better opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of a burgeoning Seattle hood-- with a kick ass show on us.

Thee Sgt. Major III are celebrating the release of a brand new record entitled "The Idea Factory". Yes, Kurt Bloch is still playing and releasing new original music despite the fact that he also shreds frequently in a number of local tributes bands with his friends. Thee Sgt. Major III also includes Mike Musberger on drums or “Murderberger” for you Supersuckers fans, Jim Sangster on bass, and Leslie Beattie on vocals. Together the current foursome bring a poppy garage rock sound to the table. If you loved the Fastbacks, and enjoy a little guitar pyrotechnics time and again from one of Seattle’s legendary 6 stringers-- Thee Sgt. Major III will fill the void.

Also, on this bill are Tacoma’s The Fucking Eagles and The Femurs, both rock ‘n roll machines that should supply some energetic and possibly even raucous support for TSMIII. The Fucking Eagles have a great reputation for their enthusiastic garage rock and live shows, this local favorite should not disappoint. The Femurs are the long running one man punk-rock project of Rob Femur – basically what the Ramones would have sounded like if they experimented with other instruments. The Femurs’ 5th record entitled “Honeymoon” was released earlier in the year.

Want to see this show for FREE? Email us your full name at giveaways@seattlerockguy.com with TSMIII in the subject. We will pick a winner and notify by noon tomorrow.

Good Luck!

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LIVE REVIEW: Helms Alee / Boris / Red Sparowes @ Neumos

LIVE REVIEW: Helms Alee / Boris / Red Sparowes @ Neumos

Helms Alee ceremoniously jumped on the high profile Boris North American tour along with Red Sparowes this last Monday at Neumos. This short jaunt will see the band hitting the road with the much revered Japanese avant-rockers en route to California, before they begin a separate tour that will lead them across the US for a couple weeks in September.

Yes, we’ve talked about Helms a ton and yes they are indeed an amazing band-- you understand that right? Well, the bar was seriously raised Monday night as Helms Alee took the stage in the opening slot and unleashed a fully realized set that focused 90% on brand new material-- almost an entire records worth. I’ve heard tasty nuggets of this new material on a couple occasions previous but this particular show saw them going for absolute broke. Ben’s guitar work is more intricate, very melodic and chalk full of his signature rapid hammer on and off approach. The new songs feature even more vocals from Dana and Hoz than before-- an element that has always set them apart aesthetically. Helms wouldn’t be Helms though if not for those cataclysmic breakdowns-- there are frequent moments even more impressively furious than we have come to expect. I defiantly pulled out my earplugs early on in the set. Even though my hearing is essential to my existence, I had to sacrifice myself in the name of the crushing sounds spilling from Ben Verellen’s signature hand built “Meat Smoke” amplifier. To muffle the mighty Helms Alee is right up there with beating your own dog. Criminal.

Boris and Red Sparowes of course played this show. Both bands are well respected by myself and many. Red Sparowes is great on record, but boring live and I stand firm on this point. Boris on the other hand was sonically amazing, but kind of yawn as well. Don’t get me wrong, Boris is certifiable genius-- a brilliant band that have pushed the limits of what can be done in the genres of stoner, doom, and drone metal. They are artists of the highest order, but with that said after now seeing them now twice I’m still a little lukewarm on their live performance. My opinions may purely be a byproduct of personal preference but, man I was not feeling the dronier moments, and have never been a fan of Atsuo’s vocals. A bright spot was touring guitarist Michio Kurihara who did some amazing stuff with what I believe to be some sort of sustainer. It was cool to see Boris, but again not overly stoked on the performance. Commence conversation on the merits of Boris’ live show or if you wish trollish lambasting of my opinions, I can take it.

This video is of "Paraphrase" off Night Terror and unfortunetly is not one of the new tracks, ah well next time. Enjoy!

Words by Nik Christofferson
Video by Palmer Sather

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WATCH OR DIE #9: Jeff Fielder's Score of Girl Trouble

WATCH OR DIE #9: Jeff Fielder's Score of Girl Trouble

Note from the editor: Let me just premise this post by saying Jerry Howard is an extremely humble man. To his credit the lifeblood of Taco Cart Productions has written some truely creative and wickedly smart screenplays, and really is the ultimate story teller-- a little twist here and a pint of spilled blood there-- always coming up with brilliant new ways to retell time honored stories. It's an understatement to say that I'm fucking stoked to feature "Girl Trouble" on SRG, and his work will always have an online home here until this thing runs its course. Jeff Fielder is definitely one of the finest guitar players in Seattle, but I'll bet you'd be hard up to find a better guerilla film maker. Watch or Die fuckers! - N

Taco Cart productions has lucked out in the music department. On our last flick, Vampire Hunter Hank, D.R.I. and The Spits allowed us to use their tunes. Furthermore, we were fortunate enough to have local musician A.J. Linder score Hank and even our director, Wes Johnson, contributed with the little ditty "Stake 'em in the Heart."

Bad ass.

For our first film, Girl Trouble, Taco Cart hit a 550 foot home run when Jeff Fielder agreed to do the music.

Jeff shreds on the guitar. In fact, he's the best guitar player I've ever seen. If playing in a sparse restaurant, Jeff will captivate the entire room. He's that good people!

Jeff would call me up and I would venture over to his place. He had the moog set up, trying to capture the horror films of old. He would play over the film, similar to silent films. I would just sit there, mouth agape, marveling at how much his score improved the film.

We were lucky.

For anyone who has ever made a film, the music is the cement that binds the story. When Jeff busted out his guitar for the clean up scene, my heart stopped. He truly captured the poignant metaphor we were going for in that scene, adding a bit of melancholy to the whole situation. His music made that scene and, overall, improved our film big time. Jeff is a huge fan of cinema and definitely understood the role the score plays in storytelling. Without his contribution, Girl Trouble's tone would drastically change. His score made our movie significantly better.

Bottom line: Jeff is the shit.

Jeff continues plugging away making music. His last album. "Last Disguise," is available on iTunes so you should check it out. He also plays guitar with Lindsay Fuller and the Cheap Dates, Sera Cahoone, has collaborated with Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, and is currently set to join Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan's backing band on the road. In fact, Jeff is about to embark on a major tour with Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan that will hit Europe in September, the USA in October, then back to Europe for November and December.

We wish him much success! He certainly deserves it. No matter who Jeff plays with, you should go check him out. He never disappoints.

Listen to the awesome score Jeff created for Girl Trouble. We hope you enjoy!!

Words by Jerry Howard

"Girl Trouble" by Taco Cart Productions

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LIVE REVIEW: The Sights and Sounds of Summer Slaughter Tour (Video)

LIVE REVIEW: The Sights and Sounds of Summer Slaughter Tour (Video)

For those of you that decided to not spend your sunny Friday afternoon and evening inside the dark cavern known as Studio Seven, getting pushed around by a bunch of sweaty teenagers as a flood of kick ass extreme metal bands loaded in and loaded out one after another, I understand. I on the other hand could not resist.

Without a doubt Animals As Leaders was the band on this year's edition of Summer Slaughter Tour that caught everybody by surprise, and had them talking the rest of the show. (Sorry no video, too busy losing my mind). Everybody I chatted with over the course of the night raved about how badass they were. I knew exactly where they were coming from, because I had my first ear opening run-in with Tosin Abasi's mad axe skills last April when they opened for The Dillinger Escape Plan at El Corazon. I’d strongly recommend everybody check out their self-titled album out through Prosthetic Records, and come see them on November 10th at El Corazon when they’ll be touring with Circa Survive and Dredge.

Check out my videos of the rest of the bands. Enjoy damn it!

Decapitated:

The Faceless:

All Shall Perish:

Red Chord:

Veil of Maya:

Cephalic Carnage:

Decrepit Birth:

Carnifax:

Words and Videos by Palmer Sather

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Seattle Weekly's REVERB Fest 2010...So Far

Seattle Weekly's REVERB Fest 2010...So Far

Just the other day the folks over at Seattle Weekly opened their windows and dumped a big ‘ol bucket of local music ass kickery in the name of the initial REVERB Fest 2010 line-up upon the local blogosphere. REVERB is now in its fourth year and from the looks of the first splattering of bands announced, this one has the very real potential to be one of the highlights of this current concert-going year. I’m promising right now that there’s going to be a big party in my hood on October 9th, and there's still plenty more bands to be announced. 

Pencil it in, and then check out the preliminary list of talent.


Nettle Honey
Thee Sgt. Major III
Imperial Legions Of Rome
Combo Craig
M Bison
The Moonspinners
Massey Ferguson
DJ Dev From Above
Idle Times
Watch It Sparkle
The Chevy Chasers
Dawn Clement
Wild Orchid Children
Gregory Paul
Virgin
Lindsay Fuller & The Cheap Dates
Bernie Jacobs Quartet
Throne Of Bone
Roy Kay Combo
The Drunken Masters
Whalebones
Carrie Clark & The Lonesome Lovers
Kinski
Caspar Babypants
Yuni In Taxco
Post Harbor
Ivan & Alyosha
Vultures 2012
Feral Children
Eighty 4 Fly
Helladope
Hi-Life Sound System
The Not-Its
Lincoln Barr
Ravenna Woods
Shelby Earl
Lisa Dank
Sol
The Absolute Monarchs
Kristen Ward
Goat
Amateur Radio Operator
My Goodness
Low Land High
Thousands
Sparrow-Bot
What What Now
The Young Evils
He Whose Ox Is Gored
The Fucking Eagles
Kimo Muraki
The Jason Parker Quartet
Erin Jorgensen
Low Hums
Smooth Sailing
Hobosexual
Dog Shredder
Victor Shade
Cady Wire
JFK aka Ninjaface
The Sea Navy
EXOHXO

Words by Nik Christofferson

Photo Credit: Born Anchors @Reverb2009 | Photo by Nik

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