A bevy of free downloads from Shake Some Action!

Yes, yes. I know I'm in this band. But, we've just made a whole buch of mp3s (26 to be exact) available for free download on our site today. So, if you're in the mood for some live SSA!, just head on over there and get to clicking.

Powerpop house for sale

For sale: 1800 sq. ft. split-level powerpop house

Okay, it's only a powerpop house because I live there. But, if you live there, it could continue to be a powerpop house. So, buy it! :)

This week's post on KEXP blog

This week in my KEXP post I focused on Sarah Shannon, former Velocity Girl frontperson and current PacNW chanteuse. You can read it here or you can click on the link to the right to see all my posts there --->

Friday Night at The Comet

There’s a pretty amazing line-up at the Comet Tavern Friday night: The F**king Eagles, The Hands, The Knast, Branden Daniel & Everybody Gets Laid. Powerpop, Garage, Rock, whatever you want to call it this is going to be good.

Me, rocking out a decade ago

About ten years ago I lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and played in a pretty rocking little combo called Gumption with my buddy Kurt Hagardorn. Well, that band's EP is now available via CD Baby and several online music outlets. So, if you find yourself wondering, what was Gary doing ten years ago? The answer is making a Gumption CD with Chris Stamey of the dBs. You can hear samples at the band's CD Baby page.

Ignore that page's bio, though. It looks like someone took something really old and removed every third sentence. It makes no sense!

Andy Werth & Curtains For you on Thursday

Here's a show happening tomorrow with two of my fave local pop bands. Go!

The Boss Martians in an E*Trade commercial

Just got this through myspace:

BOSS MARTIANS NEW ALBUM TRACK "HEY HEY YEAH YEAH" FEATURED ON BRAND NEW INTERNATIONAL *E-TRADE* COMMERCIAL!!!

Keep your eyes and ears out for a brand new E*TRADE commercial featuring a Boss Martians track called "HEY HEY YEAH YEAH" from our upcoming album "Pressure in the S.O.D.O." What better reason is there to stay glued to the old boob tube??? (Well, that, and WEEDS on DVD.) Park your ass in front of that TV, have plenty of ice cold Olympia on hand, and just WAIT for that mother to roll -- someone out there let us know when you see it will you?

Big ol' SPB announcement

You may or may not have noticed a subtle change to SPB last week. Namely, one Mr. Andy Miracle is now blogging directly to SPB. Andy has contributed in the past, so it's cool to bring him directly into the fold, which will allow him to post any time he wants to.

It is that note that brings me to the "big ol' SPB announcement" promised in this post's subject line.

Namely, I'm moving back to the East Coast.

There are a lot of things going on in life that demand a closer proximity to my and my wife's families. So, this week we're putting our house on the market (and taping an episode of HGTV's "My House Is Worth What?"... I'll have to tell you all about it after we tape the show tomorrow) and once it sells, we'll be off.

But, fret not. Rather than let SPB die, I'm turning over the reins to the aforementioned Mr. Andy Miracle. So, we'll probably have a few months of the both of us blogging, and it will then transition over to Andy when I'm gone. So, I won't say "bye" just yet.

The Tripwires on Audioasis

Be sure to tune in to KEXP 90.3 FM tomorrow (1/12/08) at 6 pm, The Tripwires will be playing live in-studio on Audioasis.

In the meantime enjoy this excellent video by Chris Force of The Tripwires’ rockin’ New Year’s Eve at The Sunset.

This week's post on KEXP blog

This week in Rock n' Roll Pest Control (my weekly column on the KEXP blog) I focused on the glammy side of Seattle powerpop. You can read all about it here to go to that post specifically or by clicking on that link on the right to see them all --->

The Cute Lepers performance video

Here's some video from The Cute Lepers performing their tune Terminal Boredom. Don't click play unless you have a high tolerance for distorted audio. If you'd rather hear it nice and "clean," just head over to their myspace page. Fun stuff, terrible band name. :)

A rock show note from Young Sportsmen

I just got this from Young Sportsmen via email:

Happy New Year Everyone!

You may have noticed that we haven't played a show in a few months. Well, I'm happy to say that it's because we've been working on our second full-length record with the one-and-only Johnny Sangster producing. We're absolutely thrilled with the way the songs are turning out and we can't wait to share them with you. You see, many of the songs on this record are brand new--we've never even performed many of them live. As of now, we don't have a release date yet. But don't fret! We're dying to share the new songs with you and rock on a stage, so we're sneaking out of the studio this Friday night to play a show at Jules Maes in Georgetown. Come on down to say 'hi,' celebrate the new year, and hear a live sampling of songs from the new record. We'd love to see you!

Friday, January 11, 2008
Peter Parker / Guns N Rosetti / Young Sportsmen (we play first at 9 PM)
Jules Maes Saloon, 5919 Airport Way S in Georgetown (Seattle)
Only $5 gets you in!

Ta-ta!

Young Sportsmen
http://www.youngsportsmen.com

Thee Sgt. Major III play The Who's Greatest

What happened to the lovely and talented Carmella? Sgt. Major seems to have become Thee Sgt. Major III. Well I suppose change is inevitable and not necessarily evil. A note on the Thee Sgt. Major III MySpace page has this to say about that, “The onslaught of 2008 will ring in changes far and wide to this and EVERY OTHER rock band you know, love, loathe and detest” and further declares that “THE SUBVERSION SOCIETY will PREVAIL and you won't remember what you liked in the past, as even YOU know, you can't change what’s already past: the FUTURE.... YOUR FUTURE.”

Also on their MySpace page is this nicely produced video by Chris Force of Thee Sgt. Major III and several special guests, most of whom should look familiar to regular readers of this blog, performing a great set of solid gold Who songs at The Sunset Tavern on New Years Eve. It looks like a fine time was had by all. Wish I’d been there.

Friday Mile performance video

Here's some video from Friday Mile's set this past weekend:

“Big Electric Light” NPR’s Song of the Day

[Here's another post from official SPB correspondent, Andy Miracle]



One of my favorite songs of 2007 The Tripwires' “Big Electric Light” was chosen as Song of the Day last Wednesday 1/2/08 on NPR.org. You can listen to a live stream of the song while reading Barbara Mitchell’s enthusiastic review, “…sounds classic to its core: Guitars chime, harmonies shine, and the rhythm section lopes along in an ode to making dreams come true. The result sparkles with such innocence and optimism, it's hard to believe it wasn't written 40 years ago.” on the Song of the Day site which also includes links to The Tripwires home page, their MySpace page and a link to Amazon.com where their fantastic new album Makes You Look Around can be purchased.

The Tripwires have also caught the attention of Joe Belock who has recently played several of their songs including “Big Electric Light” on his excellent Three Chord Monte show on New York station WFMU. You can check out his playlist and listen to an archived stream of the show here.

It’s great to see The Tripwires getting some of the national attention their music so richly deserves.

New video from The Blakes

The Blakes were one of the true breakout rock bands in Seattle last year. But, they have always been kind of hit or miss for me. Not surprisingly, I dig them more when they're being melodic than when they're being scream-y.

They just posted a video for their song "Don't Bother Me," which is one that I enjoy (in spite of the "caught up in your legs" lyric hook...)

New mp3 from The Doll Test

The Doll Test informs the world that their new record is almost done and might be out in a month or two. And to tempt us, they have made a new song ("The Decider") available for download on their myspace page.

Since we as a nation took our first steps toward picking The Decider's replacement yesterday, it's an appropriate song to download today.

This week's post on KEXP blog

The latest post in my weekly column on the KEXP blog (Rock and Roll Pest Control) is now up. This week is focused on a show that is happening tomorrow night at the Tractor Tavern, featuring Brides of Obscurity, Friday Mile and Central Services. You can read it here and read all posts by clicking the link over there --->

Facts About Funerals show and video

Facts About Funerals are headlining a show at Chop Suey tonight (1/3)! Here's some nice video of them perfoming with a guest pedal steel player.

Curtains For You show tomorrow

Curtains For You is playing at the Seattle Art Museum tomorrow, Thursday the 3rd. It's a free show and seems to be happening at 8pm [blogger note: There seems to be some confusion about the start time. The band's myspace page says 8pm, but a fan in the comments of this post says 7pm]

I've posted this video of them before. But, hey, it's a new year -- so it's like it never happened. :)

New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year, everyone! As 2008 begins, my thoughts are of resolutions. I'm not one for resolutions. But, for the purpose of this post, I am.

In 2008, I resolve to:

1. Get on a mac and switch to an iPod. I've been using this sansa 1gb mp3 player for however long, and it just isn't rocking for me anymore.

2. Get my lazy behind out to more shows. I was really good about seeing shows all year until around October. I've been to hardly any shows since then. I suck. Sorry bands, and sorry readers.

3. Do more band profiles and interviews. I haven't done one in a while, although they were common features during the first year of the blog.

That's it. No resolution to lose weigh. No resolution to be more social. No resolution to buy a new car.

But, I will have big news regarding my life to post very soon. So, keep your eyes peeled for that, if you care about such things.

Battle of the powerpop New Years shows

In this corner: The Lashes at the Comet

In the other corner: The Tripwires and The Small Change at the Sunset

What will you do, what will you do?

Croc employees benefit show

This in from TIG about a show tonight (Sunday):

Greetings!

Even though we're in the midst of a celebratory time of year, the shock of the sudden closing of the legendary Crocodile Cafe is still with us.

To help the stellar group employed there who found themselves suddenly without income, Chop Suey and Three Imaginary Girls have assembled a benefit show for those fine Ex-Croc folks this Sunday, December 30 at Chop Suey.

Join us this Sunday for an evening of fine songs from some of Seattle's rock star royalty, share your Croc story, and get a chance to say goodbye...

Unscrew the Crocodile Employees Benefit Show
with members of Fleet Foxes, Peter Parker, Siberian, Pale Pacific, J.Tillman, Damien Jurado, Pleasureboaters, Dave Bazan, Triumph Of Lethargy, Dave Terry (of Aqueduct), Sonny Votolato and many more!

$10 adv | 7pm doors | 21+

* Auction/raffle prizes too! Show your support!

Boss Martians performance videos

Here's some footage of the Boss Martians that was posted a few weeks ago. The actual performace appears to be a few years old, taken from a show in Chicago.



You can actually find a ton of footage of them on their fall European tour on YouTube right now, as well. For example, this footage was taken on 11/30 in Germany.

This week's post on KEXP blog

I put on my future-predicting cap in my weekly column on the KEXP blog. The weekly column is titled Rock n' Roll Pest Control, and you can access my posts by clicking the link over there on the right --->

to read this weeks' post directly, just click here.

More on Llama's new stuff

I've been listening to the new Llama recordings pretty much non-stop since finding them for download yesterday, and I've got to tell you that they're amazingly good. It's pretty straightforward in terms of instrumentation -- mostly drums, bass, vocals and percussion. But, the production (Sangster?) is wholly effective.

The songs are simple and short. But, dang, they're melodic and get under your skin without being overtly "hooky." If you didn't go get them yesterday when I posted the link, you should go do so right now and enjoy.

Rusty can write some brilliant tunes.

Now you can get free Llama mp3s

A few weeks ago I posted about Llama's new record being available for free download, and it looked like I had misreported.

Well, NOW it's out there for you to grab. In fact, they've made the first record available, as well. Act fast, because who knows how long this page is going to be available.

Happy holidays to all!

To everyone who might read SPB, I wish you happy holidays. I'm sitting here at work (what kind of university is open on xmas eve???), and it's quiet as could be. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. I have, however, had one student come in for advising. But, they didn't bring a mouse.

So, again, happy holidays. I wish you all the best.

Amateur Lovers video from this year's IPO

I didn't see this when it was originally posted.

Shake Some Action! lands on top records list

Steve at Absolute Powerpop has posted his annual picks for top albums of the year (the list ran to 125 this year). There is a lone Seattle entry for 2007, and it's Shake Some Action! coming in at number 27.

This week's post on KEXP blog

This week on my KEXP weekly column ("Rock n' Roll Pest Control"), I focused on the best of 2007. Head on over and take a look.

Performance video from Conservative Dad

The Croc as real estate

The Croc is now official a real estate listing. It's listed at $495,000. Here's the listing description at the John L. Scott site:

Approx. 6,400 SF Space with (2) Bars, Kitchen, and Live Music Stage. Brand New 10 Year Lease Term. Fabulous Location on corner of 2nd Ave & Blanchard ideal for any full service restaurant or bar concept. Character-filled single story masonry building. In the Heart of Chic Belltown Scene - Txori, Zoe, Mistral, See Sound Lounge and More! An excerpt from the Seattle Weekly raves:'A central meeting place for Seattle's world famous music scene.' Become part of the Legend that is the Crocodile Cafe.

The Crocodile Cafe - KUOW's "The Conversation"

There was a big conversation on KUOW today regarding the closing of the Crocodile. You can listen simply by going to their website and selecting today's date on the drop-down box. Guests and callers involved in the conversation include Pete, the former club booker, John Richards from KEXP and Liz from Three Imaginary Girls.

Shake Some Action! KEXP footage

Here's some newly acquired footage of Shake Some Action! in our appearance on KEXP sometime back in the early part of 2007. The song is called "Sound of Your Mind."

No Croc.... TIG party moved

If you're at all tuned in, you've probably heard that the Crocodile Cafe is closing. That's the word all over town. It's going to reverberate and have a trickle effect in a number of ways.

The first one for me to share with you is the displacement of the Three Imaginary Girls holiday party, which has been relocated to El Corazon. Here are the (new) haps:

Thursday, December 20th
at El Corazón
109 Eastlake Ave. East
Three Imaginary Girls present:

- Tullycraft
-Rachel Flotard (Visqueen) & Jon Rauhouse (Neko Case) and friends {Bill Herzog, Mark Pickerel, and Paul Rigby}
- Your Favorite Book

....The night also features INDIE-ROCK SANTA John Roderick (of the Long Winters)

All proceeds go to Treehouse4Kids.org

Tix: $8
8p Doors
21+

This week's post on KEXP blog

This week on the KEXP blog I focused on a newly-released powerpop book and the Seattle bands found therein.

My mailbox was a twitter this past weekend when I finally received my copy of the new book from Not Lame, titled Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Powerpop Guide (no immediate relation to the Seattle band of the same name, but no doubt inspired by the same Flamin’ Groovies tune). Aside from being a nice primer on powerpop for the newbie, the book is a nostalgic look back for long-time fans. Of particular interest to me, of course, were the Seattle-related entries, of which there were many.

You can read the rest of the post on the KEXP blog.

New & old videos from The Heats

Super duper thanks to Krys Lilly (wife of bassist Keith) for these videos, one newer and one older, of The Heats:

The booking agent merry-go-round

I didn't write anything about the recent "controversy" (I use quotations because I don't know how contentious it actually is, since all my info is second and third hand) over the departure of Pete Greenberg from his booking duties at the Crocodile.

But, I did just learn this from TIG, sent by Kris K the now-former booker at Chop Suey:

"I'm writing to inform you that I will be leaving my position at Chop Suey at the end of December. I'm very happy to announce that Pete Greenberg, who recently departed the Crocodile Café, will be taking my place.

I have been at Chop Suey for a year now and am very proud of my time here. I have navigated the club through a very difficult transition period. I have been pleased to work with all the promoters and artists that have come through such as The People's Republic of Komedy, the Broken Disco crew, Club Pop, Comeback and Neumos. I have come to this decision, which was made about a month ago, simply due to what I want in life and taking a look at my long term goals and working for a club isn't part of those goals.

Pete comes over with a vast amount of experience of professionalism. He will still be working in tandem with Steven Severin and Jason Lajeunesse from Neumos making sure the best possible programming happens at Chop Suey. All regular programs and nights (Laff Hole, Broken Disco, Club Pop, Comeback) will still remain for the foreseeable future.

Pete will start at Chop Suey effective tomorrow, Friday Dec 14. I will remain as long as it takes to get him up to speed and introduce him to all the necessary people so as to make as smooth of a transition as possible.

Thanks to everyone for a great year. I hope to still see and/or work with you in some capacity in the future."

While you're downloading

I just happened to be out on the Color Bars' myspace page, and it looks like they've got a handful of songs set for download now, including "Id Incinerator," which is a strong contender for my nomination as "song of the year."

New download from Young Sportsmen

Fans of the Young Sportsmen should jump over to their myspace page and grab their latest addition to their music player. They've added "Trucks and Snakes" and made it downloadable! It's a quality fave from their live show that didn't make their latest album. So, it's great to grab a recording of it.

[blogger edit... turns out it's NOT downloadable. But, you should go listen anyway]

[Blogger Edit #2... Now it's dowloadable again. YS are messin' with me!]

Shows for the week of 12/10

There's some rock to check out this week:

Thursday the 13th
Electric Tape at the Comet

Friday the 14th
Lund Bros, The Small Change and Guards of Metropolis at Skylark Cafe (West Seattle)

Conservative Dad & Sirens Sister at The Comet

The Blasters and All American Playboys at The Crocodile

TIG best of polling

Three Imaginary Girls has their annual "best of" voting happening right now. So, head on over and give your local powerpop faves some props.

Thusfar my ballot includes The Tripwires, Young Sportsmen and Andy Werth. I'm not sure about the other two just yet.

Speaker Speaker & some spazzy fans

The post title says it all. :) You can experience this first hand tonight at the VERA Project, as it's their last show of '07.

This week's post on KEXP blog

The third post in my new weekly column on the KEXP blog is now up. The column is titled Rock n' Roll Pest Control, named after the Young Fresh Fellows song of the same name. This week's post is dedicated to that band and that song.

Go see it here.

Llama's new record, streaming online

Llama has made their new record available in streaming form on their website. I'm listening as I type, and it sounds really good. I'm not really sure when this bugger is going to be release for real. But, you should keep your eyes open for it.

You should also note that they've made some of their first record available to download via their myspace page.

Wreckless Eric & The Tripwires, this weekend

This Sunday The Comet Tavern is hosting former Stiff Records sensation Wreckless Eric. The Tripwires are on the bill, too. So, it'll be a solid night of rock music. Here's some old school footage of Wreckless Eric.

Top albums of 2007: Vote @ KEXP

KEXP is doing their annual listener-driven voting for best albums of the year. So, head over there to submit your list of faves. There were a lot of great powerpop records coming out of the PacNW this year. So, give 'em some love.

One thing that's cool on the site is you can start typing the band name, and it will give you a drop down list of albums to choose from. Neato.

New Jon Auer videos

Michelle Auer does some really cool videos for many of Jon's songs. Many of them are stick-figure-ish-animated, very cute and often emotionally effective. That's true of this first one for "Four Letter Word."



She also did one recently that isn't animated. It's for the song "Bottom of the Bottle," and here's what Michelle had to say about it: I used the whole process of putting on make-up as the backdrop for this song because putting on that pretty mask even if things are messed up conveys that same idea of sadness/being lost to me. Wouldn't it be interesting if we always looked how we felt?

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.

********************
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.

Review: The Tripwires' "Makes You Look Around"

If you're a more-than-occasional reader of SPB, then you know that one of my favorite Seattle bands is The Tripwires. So, the release of their debut disc, titled Makes You Look Around, is one of the most anticipated of the year for me.

When Jim from Paisley Pop Records sent me a message last week that he was sending me a copy of the disc, the salivation began immediately. Through their website and myspace page I had heard dribs and drabs of the the record, so I was anxious to hear the whole thing top to bottom.

The disc essentially provides much of what you experience with the live show -- catchy melodies, interwoven guitars with varying degrees of twang, and a rootsy sheen to accompany their pop polish. While there are some differences in dynamics and, less frequently, guitar tones than the live act, if you've seen them in person you'll relate immediately to the recordings.

Of course, if you've seen them live you know that this is meant as a strong compliment, because in that setting you get near perfect performances (even when it's in a "rugged-but-right" kind of way).

I must admit there's something about the Tripwires that speaks to me at my core. Perhaps it's because I grew up in the South and cut my musical teeth on a combination of 1950s rock and 1980s "kudzu pop" and roots pop acts like Scruffy The Cat, Right As Rain, Uncle Green, Jason and the Scorchers, REM and Webb Wilder. The Tripwires thread the perfect musical needle for me -- they're as melodic and personal as Big Star, as tunesmithy as The Byrds, and bring as much boogie to the table as Chuck Berry (whose "Tulane" they cover here).

This is a disc that both the powerpop set and the alt.country folks should be able to hang their hat on.

With Makes You Look Around, The Tripwires have released an album that should grace any number of top-ten lists for the year. But, bigger still and on a more personal note, I think years from now I'm going to look back on this record in the same way I look back on Scruffy The Cat's Tiny Days or Uncle Green's 15 Dryden -- records that flew under the radar of a lot of a whole lot of people but that I can listen to today and enjoy as much as I did 20 years ago. It's got that kind of staying power.

The Tripwires CD release party is being held at the Tractor Tavern on Friday, November 9 with Seattle powerpop stalwarts the Young Fresh Fellows. It's a show to not miss.

Thriller in Seattle

Did you know there was an effort to have the choreography from Michael Jackson's Thriller performed around the world? It's brought to you by Thrill the World. Here's some footage from the Seattle version.

Happy Halloween!

Records to review

The US Postal Service has been good to me over the past week, as I have several new CDs to review. They include the new disc by The Purrs and the debut from The Tripwires. The latter is the most anticipated CD of the year by yours truly. I'm listening right now and it's killing me. Details to come.

Shows for week of 10/29

Here's some stuff to occupy your evenings for the remainder of "Rocktober."

Wednesday, October 31
Misfits cover night featuring a ton of bands, including Pris, Quadrillion, The Femurs, Sirens Sister, and more.

Thursday, November 1
The Pipettes and the Ladybug Transitor at the Crocodile

Over the weekend there is a ton of music, but nothing I'm jumping out of my shorts about. Anyone else have anything they're dying to see?

Sunday, November 3
Aqueduct and the Sea Navy at the Crocodile.

Late breaking rock show

I hadn't heard about the show previously. But, if you're looking for some rock tonight, Young Sportsmen, Twink the Wonder Kid and Tea Cozies are playing at the Skylark Cafe over in West Seattle.

In related matters, I clicked over to see Not Lame's review of the new Young Sportsmen disc, and they were very complimentary:

Death To Palaces is undeniably catchy and punchy, bursting with huge sing along choruses and a general feeling of youthful enthusiasm high energy, razor sharp guitar riffs and clean vocals. The type of pop we love to begin and end our days with. EXTREMELY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

I couldn't agree more.

Falsies on Heat video

Starting off the SPB Powerpop Night this Saturday (10/27) at the Sunset Tavern is a group from Japan called Falsies on Heat. They'll be taking the stage at 9pm sharp.

Other than just them being a cool band, the neat thing about having them on the bill is that the show is also the EP release party for Pris, whose new disc is being put out by Japanese label Powerpop Academy. So, it's fitting to have a Japanese band on the bill!

Here's a video for their song "Fat."

Did I mention....

.... that I'm the worst blogger ever? I know I haven't been posting much lately, and for that I apologize. It's been stupidly busy at work, and I have a nasty head cold. I know, "excuses, excuses."

Anyway, there is a ton of halloween related stuff happening this weekend. But, I'm also putting on a really cool powerpop show down at the Sunset Tavern on Saturday night. I hope you all can come join in on the fun.

Here's some video from Curtains For You, who are third on the bill. I have in the past described them as a jazzy New Orleans version of Jellyfish.

Check out this video: Heavens Waiting (Live)

mp3s from The Broadcast Debut

This Saturday (October 27) at the Sunset Tavern I'm hosting a Powerpop Night featuring Pris, Curtains For You, The Broadcast Debut and Falsies on Heat.

Here are a few mp3s from The Broadcast Debut to whet your appetite:

Brooklyn Bridge

Roller Skating

Shows for week of 10/22

Man, things just go from bad to worse. It's been really busy at work for the past several weeks, and now I've developed this nasty head cold. I'm miserable! But, that doesn't mean I don't have shows to recommend for this week.

Tuesday, October 23
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Quasi, and The Intelligence at Neumo's

Thursday, October 25
The Polyphonic Spree & Rooney at The Showbox

Friday, October 26
The Lights, The Girls, Paper Dolls and Quadrillion (formerly Boy Crush) at the Comet

Saturday, October 27
Seattle Poweprop Blog presents: Falsies on Heat, The Broadcast Debut, Curtains For You and Pris (ep release) at the Sunset Tavern - 9pm!

Friday Funny: Star Wars via Adult Swim

I saw this a while back and just remembered it. Good for a Friday afternoon laugh.

"What the hell is an alumnimum falcon?" Classic.

TIG show tonight

Head on out to the Crocodile tonight to take in the TIG-sponsored show featuring Tullycraft, Math and Physics Club, and Patience Please. Tullycraft and Patience Please are having their album releases and MaPC hardly ever performs. So, there's plenty reason to go.

Not a lot of "power" on the bill, per se. But, lots of pop. Plus, they have an awfully cute poster for the show!

A good day on Myspace

I got a few myspace friend requests today from interesting bands. So, go check out the following:

The Candystrippers from Portland

Karuna from Seattle

Bashful from Seattle

Good stuff on all three pages.

Chris Walla vs. Homeland Security

I was reading the DailyKos at lunch today and I just about spit my Coke Zero onto the computer screen when reading a particular diary entry that was referencing an Mtv News piece that states:

When Death Cab for Cutie guitarist/producer Chris Walla woke up on Monday, his "To Do" list probably read something like this:

1. Call MTV News to discuss upcoming, long-delayed solo record.
2. Call U.S. Department of Homeland Security to discuss seizure of hard drive containing said long-delayed solo record.
3. Head into town for weekly tuque fitting.

Yes, it seems that recently, Walla's solo record (which has been scheduled to come out at various points over the past, well, four years) took another step toward oblivion when the master hard drive — containing all song files — was confiscated by Homeland Security at the Canadian border, for reasons not abundantly clear, and sent to the department's computer-forensics division for further inspection.

If it sounds like a huge joke, Walla ensures you it isn't.

Apparently they confiscated his computer as it was crossing the border from Canada, and he can't get it back!

And though his song files might have disappeared into a web of government bureaucracy, Walla does still have the tapes containing all his songs, which he's now trying to master and mix on his own in order to have the record out — Lord willin' — in January.

"Luckily, the tapes are Plan B, so while I'm bummed about the whole thing, it could be a whole lot worse," he laughed. "I still get to play music. I mean, I'm not at Guantánamo or anything like that. I mean, my drive might be. They could be water-boarding my drive for all I know."

Crazy!

The Pranks and The Foxx tonight at Sunset

I just noticed that The Pranks are playing tonight at the Sunset Tavern with a rock/pop/glam group from New Mexico called The Foxx.

Now, these guys have a retro sound. Their myspace page sounds like Slade meets ABBA to me. But, the mp3s on their own website have more of the Slade/Sweet side. Here's an mp3 of their song Ready To Go, featuring both folks on vocals. Actually, now that I'm listening more, this tune has a bit of a rocked up Timbuk3 to me vibe for some reason... probably the vocals.

The Ventures R&R Hall of Fame nom

I meant to post something about this before, but it slipped my mind. A hearty congratulations to The Ventures (who many people don't even realize were Seattle-based!!) who just received a nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

You can read more about The Ventures on wikipedia or their official site.

The obvious thing to do would be to post something featuring "Wipeout" or "Walk Don't Run." But, here's a video from my favorite tune of theirs, titled "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue."

Worst. Blogger. Ever.

I know I haven't been blogging much in the past two weeks. But, as a higher education profession, October represents the busiest time of the year for me. I know, I know. Excuses, excuses. But, there are some things to see and do this week, and I hope to see and/or do at least one of them.

For example, on Saturday, October 20th, Andy Werth will release his fabulous new EP at the High Dive. You should go.

If there are other things happening this week that I should know about. Please add comments to this post!

Young Sportsmen tonight @ the Tractor

Just a heads up that the Young Sportsmen are playing at the Tractor tonight (Friday, October 12) with Dept of Energy and a couple of other bands.

I say without hyperbole that they are one of the best powerpop acts in America right now. The overwhelming majority of Seattle (and the rest of the country for that matter) just doesn't know it yet. But, trust me, they are.

Don't believe me? Here's your homework: Go to the show tonight. Then buy their CD. What's that? You're too broke? Then download the four songs they have available for download on their myspace page. Now, listen to each one twice this weekend. If you can come back here next Friday and tell me that those songs were not stuck in your head for the entire work week, I'll eat my hat.

And I HATE eating hats. :)

Pris new record sells out in Japan... maybe

I gotta say my Japanese is a little rusty.... Okay, truth is I don't read a lick of Japanese. I grew up in East Tennessee! Y'all are lucky I can even speak English!

Using a website translator (which never works, of course), I learn this:

At the power pop academy online shop Pris (プリス) which is in the midst of selling with the benefit attaching "The Kiss OFF"! Some time ago how last one SOLD OUT. Power pop academy online shop guaranty amount ended two days ago it just became sale regardless. You change to only reservation sale to next arrival. When presently 23:25 you order after, dispatch approximately October 10th please note.

In addition the shop front and the other online/being stock to be in the net shop, please ask the one which you hurry with there.

But, as best as I can tell, it appears the new Pris record has sold out in Japan's Powerpop Academy label store. If anyone can give me a better translation of this site, I'll take it!

While I'm on the subject, I'm thrilled to be presenting the official U.S. release party for the new Pris record at the Sunset Tavern on Saturday, October 27. The show also features Falsies on Heat (from Japan), The Broadcast Debut and Curtains For You.

Review: Andy Werth's "Seeing Stars"

At the end of last week Andy Werth sent me a copy of his upcoming new release, an EP titled "Seeing Stars." Much like his first EP ("Back To The Sun" -- I think Andy has a celestial fetish!), it's packed full of bouncy, uplifting pop that hearkens backs to 1970s pop in a lot of ways without feeling dated or kitchy.

The EP opens with "Tower," a horn- and drums-driven track that blares joy from the mountain tops. The song is energetic and upbeat, but Andy has a very relaxed delivery and there are few rough edges. So, what pops to the top are the trumpets and the melody, both of which are entirely catchy.

The disc continues with a cavalcade of bouncy piano and hummable vocals and somewhat frenetic drumming (which would probably be my only critique -- the hi-hats are either mixed too high or the drummer uses a particular rhythm too often, I can't decide which). But, there isn't a throwaway song in the bunch. Unlike many EPs, which seem tossed off to tide folks over until the next full-length, Andy has put five strong songs on this sucker.

The work here occasionally reminds me of relatively-obscure Tennessee songwriter/pianist Seth Timbs (of the Fluid Ounces). But, where Seth tends to see life through shadows, Andy stands fully in the sunlight, basking in the wonder around him.

Andy and his band really present something unique on the Seattle music scene. Although there are certainly bands in an "affinity group" (like Tiny Volcano, Curtains For You and "Awesome") I don't think there is another group doing anything exactly like this. And, they really kick it up a notch live. So, allow me to encourage you to attend their next show, which is happening October 20 at the High Dive, which is serving as the official release party for the new "Seeing Stars" EP.

The Purrs have a song on Californication

This just in via myspace:

Hey Kids,

This coming week on the Showtime series "Californication" The Purrs tune "Loose Talk" will be used as background music. We're not sure when in the show it will happen so be sure to watch the whole thing. It is episode 10 and is entitled "The Devil's Threesome". Sounds good to me...

The Iconics do Young Fresh Fellows

Here's another video from The Iconics, the all-star Seattle band that performed at the Market over the summer. This one is is of the Young Fresh Fellows song "Rock and Roll Pest Control" and features lead vocals by Chris Ballew of PUSA.

Review: Roy Loney & the Longshots

Andy Miracle is fast becoming an official SPB correspondent. He beat me to the punch on a review of Roy Loney and the Longshots' new record.

If you don't know Roy Loney, he was a founder of the fabled Flamin Groovies, the mid-60s San Francisco powerpop progenitors. Loney left the group in the early 1970s, before the Groovies released the seminal album "Shake Some Action." His new record features a bevy of Seattle musicians, including Scott McCaughey, Jim and Johnny Sangster, Mark Pickeral, Tad Hutchison, and others.

Here's Andy's review:

*************
Roy Loney and the Longshots’ excellent new album Shake It or Leave It is a party waiting to happen, a trip through rock & roll history and a tragicomic tour de force.

Loney is an ace songwriter and for Shake It or Leave It he and the Longshots, his talented band of Seattle pop/rock luminaries, have crafted a dozen perfect songs full of humor, swagger and keen insight, that range stylistically from the supercharged Chuck Berry riffing of opening track “Baby Du Jour” to the swirling psychedelic shimmer of “Subterranean Waterfalls” a tripped-out ode to the joy of deep, deep massage that sounds like it could have been recorded at Abbey Road Studios sandwiched between session for The Beatles and Pink Floyd.

“The Great Divide” is plaintive, soaring folk-rock replete with chiming, twelve-string guitar and whining organ. Harpsichord and oboe add Baroque touches to the lovely “Hamlet’s Brother, Happy” a comic vignette of Happy, Prince of Denmark. Never heard of him? Well, he liked to keep a low profile.

You can really shake your mop top to “Danger Waves” an infectious Merseybeat number with joyous vocal harmonies that bolster Loney as he struts and boasts of his acts of brash belligerence in the face of danger: “Never been afraid of fire/I can bite down on live wire.” As tough as he may be Loney can’t help but let a woman get the better of him in the effervescent “Miss Val Dupree” which employs that fab Tex-Mex sound The Sir Douglas Quintet concocted shortly after the British invaded Texas back in the mid-Sixties. “Bahdang!”

“Raw Deal” is red-hot rockabilly that self-combusts in a minute nineteen. The song’s title is an apt description of both it’s sound and it’s lyrical content: “Got a raw deal, raw deal baby, baby/Wanna lay right down and bawl baby, baby.” The snotty garage rock of “Don’t Like Nothin’” with its fuzz-toned guitar rave-up courtesy of Radio Birdman’s Deniz Tek sounds like the Yardbirds fronted by Mark Lindsey.

Darker themes underlie the party spirit and raucous humor throughout much of Shake It or Leave It. “Looking for the Body” is a rocking metaphysical murder-mystery and the evocative country & (spaghetti) western number “Big Fat Nada” describes the heady liberation that can be achieved by embracing ones own mortality: “I never felt so free/Can’t believe that this is really me.”

A fitting epilogue to this outstanding album, “Hey Now” is pounding, straight ahead rock & roll with lyrics that describe the singers ascension to “Cloud No. 10” where he finds himself an Irish bar and sends his kudos and love back to the boys in the band. Kudos to Roy Loney and the Longshots, long may they rock.

Shows for week of 10/8

I don't know if I've ever recommended so many Chop Suey shows in one week!

Tuesday, October 9
Electric Tape at the Sunset Tavern

Friday, October 12
Bob Mould at Chop Suey

Dept of Energy and Young Sportsmen at the Tractor

The Riffbrokers, Massy Ferguson and North Twin at the Sunset Tavern

Saturday, October 13
Shout Out Louds at Chop Suey

Sunday, October 14
Matt Pond PA at... you guessed it, Chop Suey

Friday Funny: Frank and Stevie

Classic. Un-PC. Hilarious.

Happy Friday!

ReverbFest this weekend

The Seattle Weekly is sponsoring "ReverbFest" this weekend (Saturday, October 6) in Ballard at a variety of venues. There are a number of bands on the bill(s) worth checking out.

I have to say, I could not for the life of me find a simple, snapshot version of the weekend's calendar on their website. When I was reading the print version, it was quite simple. But, not so much online. After much ado, I found one.


So, here are my recommendations for how you should spend the day:

4pm at Sonic Boom - The King's English (glammy pop rock)
6pm at Lock 'n' Keel - The Knast (rock with a sneer and a melody)
7pm at The Sunset - Fleet Foxes (melodic swirly americana)
8pm at Sonic Boom - Central Services (pleasant indiepop with moments of grit)
9pm at Conner Byrne - The Tripwires (a twangy, pubrock Big Star)
10pm at Conner Byrne - Shane Tutmarc (Americana from Dolour's main guy)
11pm at The Tractor - Boss Martians (energetic garage powerpop)
Midnight at The Tractor - Girl Trouble (garage rock comin' off the rails)

The Pranks and The Boss Martians tonight

If you head down to the Comet Tavern this evening, you'll see two of my local faves: The Pranks and The Boss Martians.

I won't be joining you, however, as today is my wedding anniversary, and I'm not sure the wifey would be down with rock for the fourth anniversary gift. :)

Here's some footage of The Pranks playing live on 107.7, acoustic style:

Shorthand For Epic hiatus

Hat tip to Three Imaginary Girls for this, since I missed the original myspace bulletin, which read:

If you like the SFE at all, you'd better to come to our High Dive show on Saturday, October 13th.

Here are the reasons you need to come:

1) It is Stormi's birthday and you should buy her drinks and bring her presents.

2) The line up is totally the balls, as the kids would say, as we will be playing right between Ms. Led and The Ruby Doe, which is quite the rock sandwich

3) The aforementioned Ms. Led will be shooting their music video that night, so you have a chance to be captured forever on film ... in the Phantom Zone!!!

4) It is sponsored by Dewar's so cheap whiskey all night! Woot!

5) Last, but definitely not least, it will be our current bass player Larry's last show with the band. It is also, as we found out last night, our current drummer Stormi's last show with the band. As such, we will be going on hiatus for a while to recharge our batteries and figure out how to recalibrate the beast that is SFE. So this will be your last chance to see us play for an indeterminate length of time. Get it while the getting's good.

Reviews on the way

Just a heads up that I've got reviews of Andy Werth's new EP and the new Ron Loney disc (that features "The Longshots" as his backup band, which is chock full of Seattle people). Hopefully I can get both reviews up in the next few days... and hopefully work will ease up a bit to give me more energy to do much of anything at all!

No powerpop content: Soapbox derby race

There are some awfully creative people in this city! My friend Joon is the dude in the baby stroller racer who crashes into the wall.

Pris releases new record in Japan

Powerpop Academy (or is it officially called OK Powerpop? I can't tell from the website) out of Japan is releasing a new album by Pris tomorrow. Here's the official announcement sent via myspace bulletin:

The new PRIS record is released JAPAN WIDE tomorrow Oct 3rd!!!! and online... www.powerpopacademy.com

New songs, New artwork, Banners and lots of extras including a downloadable version of "The Assassin" as heard on the upcoming Oct 10th episode of CSI:New York. STAY TUNED.

I'm pleased as punch to be sponsoring the official US release of this record at the Sunset Tavern on Saturday, October 27.

Next SPB Powerpop Night annoucment

You might have already seen the flyer on myspace or over there --->

But, the next SPB Powerpop Night is going to be happening on Saturday, October 27 at the Sunset Tavern. It's a cool line up, featuring:

Pris (ep release party)
Curtains For You
The Broadcast Debut
Falsies on Heat (from Japan)

I'll write a lot more about it as the date draws closer. So, just mark your calendar now!

Shows for week of 10/1

October. Holy crap, it's October.

Wednesday, October 3
Hungry Pines, Mono in VCF, Spectator Sports at the Crocodile

Thursday, October 4
Dept of Energy at EMP (6:30pm, free)

Boss Martians, Flux Capacators, The Pranks at the Comet Tavern

Built to Spill, Camper Van Beethoven at Showbox

Friday, October 5
The Blakes (album release) and The Cops at The Crocodile

The Green Pajamas (album release) at Easy Street Records in West Seattle

Saturday, October 6
The Love Me Nots and the Purrs at Lo-Fi Gallery (Studio 66 is back!)