Visqueen photo slideshow/live audio

Here's a slideshow w/live audio of Visqueen that I just came across via YouTube. The audio is from a KEXP show at the High Dive. The slide show includes older and more recent photos.

This week's post on KEXP blog

The second post in my new weekly column Rock n' Roll Pest Control on the KEXP blog is now up. You can head over there to check it out. It discusses powerpop bands in the studio, a Small Change show, a Kiss Her For The Kid show and a mention of the new Pris EP, which I'll be reviewing here at SPB early next week.

Ian Fisher tribute show

The details of Ian Fisher's death on October 22 have been covered effectively here, here and here.

But, I did want to help get the word out that there is a tribute show for the Cowboys frontman happening this Sunday, December 2 at the Tractor Tavern.

The Cowboys were among the leaders of the Seattle club scene in the early 1980s, and some of their remaining members will perform at the tribute along with other friends and fans.

Blender's Top 100 indierock records

Blender put out a list of the 100 Greatest Indie Rock Albums. Some folks made the list (Nirvana, Mudhoney), and other Pac NW related folks are represented, as well (The Shins, Beat Happening, etc.). No real Seattle powerpopsters on the list -- The New Pornographer is the closest thing to that.

Any list like this is completely debatable, of course. What's your list include?

While you debate that, I'm going to head back upstairs and continue refinishing my hardwood floors. Man, it's dusty in my house!!

Young Sportsmen prep for new record

The mighty Young Sportsmen posted a blog recently that they're taking time off from live shows to begin prepping for their next record, slated to be recorded by Johnny Sangster (The Tripwires, Dear John Letters, producer of many). So, bummer that we can't see them live, but joy that we should get a new record sometime early (?) next year. If you didn't pick up their awesome Death To Palaces, then go get it, fool. It was only one of the best powerpop records of 2007!

I'm blogging for KEXP!

While it won't impact my ongoing blogging here at SPB (which, given, has been pretty thin the last few weeks!), I wanted to make an announcement that I'm now an official blogger for KEXP! My weekly blog series is titled Rock n' Roll Pest Control, after the great Young Fresh Fellows song.

The series will appear each Friday as part of their NW Fridays. The first one is up now, and it features The Sonics, The Tripwires and a few words about Synchronicitylive.com. Thanks to KEXP for adding me to the choir. Hopefully it will help spread the SPB gospel.

Myspace surprise: The Quit

It's happened again. A band that I've never heard of found me on myspace, and I totally dig what they're doing. The band is The Quit, and they have a show on November 27 at the Crocodile. If the live tracks on their myspace page are any indication, it's a show worth catching!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for friends, family, music and my dog.

Young Fresh Fellows - performance vid

Here's another video from the recent YFF show at the Tractor with The Tripwires. Rock!

The Apple Jam - track & show

I got a message from Steve from The Apple Jam with two tasty bits of info:

1. They have an upcoming release that you can preview online.

2. They have a show at the Triple Door on January 11 (note date correction) for which the tickets are already a third sold.

So, check both of those out if you're a Beatles/Apple Records fan!

Shake Some Action! studio footage

Shake Some Action! is currently laying basic tracks for our third record (if you include the live disc). James shot some video over the course of our second day at Rob Sharp's Playroom Studios.

The Sonics Return!

Here's another report from SPB's occasional (and only!) correspondent, Andy Miracle.

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Arguably the greatest garage/punk/rawk/r&b band ever, Tacoma’s The Sonics played their first gigs in nearly four decades when they recently headlined the opening and closing nights of Cavestomp 2007 (The Garage Rock Festacular) in New York. By all accounts they gave amazing, scorching performances and Gerry Roslie still has his awesome blowtorch of a voice.

This video, though not the best of quality, gives a pretty good idea of how hard they rocked. As of yet there are apparently no plans for any further shows but wouldn’t it be great if they played somewhere in the Sea/Tac area?

New Visqueen tunes

Hat tip to Three Imaginary Girls for hipping me to the fact that Visqueen has new songs posted on their myspace page. The songs appear to be for a new EP. Sounds like typical high-quality Visqueen output. Go check 'em out.

And while they're on your mind, they have a show slated for this Saturday, November 17th at Neumo's with The Walkmen.

X-Ray Eyes CD release

The fellows of X-Ray Eyes are having their CD release this weekend (Saturday the 17th at the Crocodile).

Although I'm so busy at work that I haven't had a chance to digest the whole thing, there are some interesting sounds on the parts that I have heard. It's got a very quirky, somehow-80's vibe to me.

Here are a few mp3 cuts for you to experience: Simple and Social Splash

Young Fresh Fellows video from the Tractor

Thanks to the anonymous poster who left this little gift for me! Young Fresh Fellows live at the Tractor this past Friday.

Solid video with good audio! Yay!

Battle of the CD releases

I've reviewed two CDs over the past week, and both release parties are Friday, November 9. You can't go wrong with either of these shows. But, since I'm a Tripwires fanatic, and haven't seen the Young Fresh Fellows in forever, I'll be at the Tractor Tavern shooting photos.

Here are the flyers:

Review: The Purrs' "the chemistry that keeps us together"

The combination of being busy at work and getting a bunch of CDs within a week of each other nearly caused me to forget I had the new disc by The Purrs in my hot little hands! Thankfully my pal Chris reminded me that this Friday (November 9) is their release party at the Sunset Tavern.

So, after band rehearsal tonight I came right upstairs, searched three or four rooms and finally found the disc, which had been placed on a table where I supposedly wouldn't forget about it. Funny how that never works. But, in any case, the disc is in my player as I'm typing, and what follows is a relatively incoherent set of thoughts about it.

If you've been living on mars or are perhaps new to Seattle rock music, here's the 411 on The Purrs: They're the best swoony/gazy/druggy/swirly pop band in town. They are dreamy and semi-psychedelic, but also melodic and expansive. I won't go as far as to say their sound is "epic," but they're always reaching and stretching and grasping but never quite reaching the outer limits of their sound. And I mean that in a really good way.

This disc, titled the chemistry that keeps us together sounds more crisp and sparkly that their previous recordings, and a few songs feel like 1970s-era Bowie. But, I suppose right now I'm hearing primarily a mix of the Verve and Mazzy Star with Jima's droll delivery replacing Hope Sandoval's.

The recordings really allow them to bring different textures and layers to the forefront, such as the effective use of organ and delay on "you don't look so good," the gurgling drone of "disconnected," and the percussive push of "miles away."

For me, the disc is ideal for either chilling on rainy afternoon, coming down after a long night on the town on a Saturday night, or getting revved up before heading out. Live, the whole thing kicks up a notch and rocks a little harder. So, be sure to head out to the Sunset this Friday to see them release the disc.

The Riffbrokers tonight @ Skylark

If you're looking for something to do tonight, you should head over to the Skylark Cafe in West Seattle to catch The Riffbrokers. And while we're on the subject, you should click on the link there to go to their myspace page and download some tunes, especially Evaporate, which rocks mightily.

Also on the bill are Speedmop and Survey Cez both of whom have some cool sounds online.