Video from the vault... The Posies

This is a live acoustic performance by The Posies of "solar sister" on Mtv's 120 Minutes.

TIG - indieRSS and podcasts

Our friends over at Three Imaginary Girls have been kind enough to include the Seattle Powerpop Blog in their cool new indieRSS. They have this to say about the RSS and their podcasts.

indieRSS
Here's how it works: indieRSS is a webpage that feeds in the latest headlines from the best indie websites and blogs. It's a one-stop shop for the latest news headlines, reviews, gossip, music, and more.

TIG debut podcast!
The debut Three Imaginary Girls podcast is ready for your downloading pleasure! The podcast features ten of the finest tunes the Pacific Northwest has to offer, including tracks from You Say Party! We Say Die!, Kristin Allen-Zito, The Superficials, Thee Emergency, Daylight Basement, Patience Please, Boat, Tullycraft, The Salteens, and Miraflores.

The Long Winters' new disc

Thanks to the folks at Mammoth Press, the new record (titled, "putting the days to bed") by The Long Winters can be heard online. So, tonight as I found myself looking for something to listen to while playing online poker, I fired it up and listened top to bottom.

Gut response: it's a really good record, well produced and inventive.

There is an undercurrent of "rootsy-ness" to the record. But, at the same time, it throws a heapin' helpin' of curved and angled melodies and dropped beats at the listener -- without ever losing the hooks.

"The Sky Is Open" was a stand-out track upon first listen. I'm looking forward to their CD release show Saturday 7/22 at Neumo's, and I'm also looking forward to picking up the disc and giving more rotation time.

Song of the weekend 7/15

I spent some time perusing bands outside of the Seattle area this weekend, and I came across a band from East Vancouver (Canada, that is) called China Syndrome, and they provided me with my "song of the weekend" in a little ditty called "Here Comes That Monday Feeling".

With vocals vaguely reminiscent of Andy Partridge and a classic powerpop guitar bounce, this is the perfect Monday song to kickoff your work week.

Shows for week of 7/16

I'd love to see more Northwest bands adding their shows to the list. Remember you can just hit the "comments" button below to add yours. But, I'd like to point out a few for the week myself.

Tuesday 7/18
Central Services is at Sunset Tavern with Kiss Kiss and Caleb Engstrom.

Wednesday 7/19
Billie Burke Estate is at the Tractor.

Saturday 7/22
The Long Winters have their CD release party at Neumo's with Tim Seely and the Lake Society.


Seeing the Billie Burke Estate won't make you crinkle your face.

A fresh look

If you're a regular reader of the Seattle Powerpop Blog, you probably did a double take as it loaded on your screen. After a few weeks I decided it was time for a new look. This was primarily motivated by finding another powerpop blog that was using the old template. But, I think I like this one more anyway. If y'all think it sucks, feel free to post comments. :)

Capitol Hill Block Party tickets

Just a heads up: Word has it that tickets for the Capitol Hill Block Party are going fast. The schedule includes bands of interest to Seattle Powerpop Blog readers, including Slender Means, The Village Green, The Pale Pacific, Smoosh, Visqueen and The Cops (among many others, of course).

Another video - Daylight Basement

"Godspeed Girl" by Daylight Basement

Video from the vault... pusa

I just stumbled across this video of the TV debut, on Letterman specifically, of the President's of the United States of America. Enjoy!



My favorite random part is toward the end when they flash to Paul Shafer, rocking out on the organ. Ah, such a lovable dork. :)

Shows for week of 7/10

I think I'm going to take a new approach to show promotion here on the blog. I'll still point out a few that are of particular interest. But, I'd post a message each week and allow bands and readers to add shows to the post via comments.

I ask only that you imbed a link to a myspace page or website with sound samples. As always with the blog, I'll be pretty flexible in the definition of "powerpop". But, links to shows from bands that are outside the realm of this blog will be removed.

I'll mention that Ray Davies is performing tonight (7/10) at the Moore Theater. I have to admit I don't know what he's up to these days. But, the songs on his myspace page are mellow but pretty enjoyable.

I'll also note that The Tripwires, who provided my "Song Of The Weekend" (see below) are performing at the Tractor Tavern on 7/14.

Add your own by clicking "comments" below.

Song of the weekend (7/8)

This weekend it was The Tripwires who caught my ear. Their tune "Arm Twister" is equal parts 70s boogie, 60 bounce, and Big Star-esque guitar riffin' to keep me smiling for its duration.

The Riffbrokers on a Buffalo Springfield compilation

Not Lame is releasing "Five Way Street," a compliation tribute to Buffalo Springfield. Seattle's The Riffbrokers are on the comp, and you can hear a sample of their contribution to the record here:

Sit Down, I Think I Love You

Henry Boy video

For your viewing pleasure, here's some Henry Boy footage.

Tullycraft, Racetrack & Parenthetical Girls (7/8)

If you find yourself looking for some pop tomorrow (July 8), head down to the Sunset Tavern to take in:

Tullycraft
Racetrack
Parenthetical Girls


The many faces of Racetrack.

Video from the vault... the Fastbacks

Enjoy a video flashback with The Fastbacks and their tune "waste of time."

Ghost Stories, Human Television and The Lilys

There's a good line up of bands at the Crocodile tonight (7/5). Head that way to check out:

The Lilys
Human Television
Ghost Stories

The Lilys and Human Television are on tour together, and locals Ghost Stories are opening up. All three promise a poppy night of good music.

An unexpected success? The Young Sportsmen profile

The Young Sportsmen get good reviews. Don't believe me? Let's check the stats:

"...truly exceptional..." -- Three Imaginary Girls
"...going to be a highlight of the Seattle music scene in 2006." -- The Stranger
"...a rollicking, energetic pop-rock fiesta..." -- Randomville Magazie

But, such a solid set of reviews was unexpected, at least according to guitarist Ryan Maxwell. "Some music writers can be nasty, especially to pop bands, so I guess the positive reviews were, in themselves, somewhat unexpected."

I think he's just being modest, because if you've had an opportunity to see or hear the Young Sportsmen, you can understand exactly why they're getting such praise. If you haven't had such an opportunity, then stop reading this blog right now and go to their myspace page.

You can hear strains of Cheap Trick, Superdrag, and The Knack -- but all still with a unique voice as a band. The word that comes to mind for me is "classic." In my own mythical world where dudes with guitars writing catchy songs regularly have hit records, these guys would have solid careers. Back in the real world, I like to think that The Young Sportsmen are going to lead a new wave of powerpop out of the Northwest.

Whether or not that happens, Ryan likes what's currently coming from the scene, citing bands like, Ghost Stories, The Riffbrokers and Dept. of Energy as among his favorites. But, he also likes the diversity in Seattle.

"Bands like Siren's Sister, who have a real dramatic, almost theatrical sound can co-exist with Math and Physics Club, who are quiet and soft and subtle. These bands playing very different styles of pop can both do well for themselves. I didn't get that at first, but I think it's a really cool thing and says a lot about the sophistication of Seattle's music scene - both the musicans and their fans."

The fellas are currently recording their full length record at Fastback Studios and are pushing for a spring 2007 release. Until then, catch them around town, including a July 28 date at Sunset Tavern and again in late August at the International Pop Overthrow.

Reality show??

If you're thinking to yourself, "I sure wish there was a way for me to see some bands AND have the possibility to be on television," then you're in luck. Seattle's Mon Frere can provide just such an opportunity. Here's the word from their own mouths:

"of course you want to be on T.V. which is why you should come down to the chop suey wednesday, july 5th. (21+) we will be part of a indie music showcase reality t.v thing. or something like that. its all a bit shady. all i know for sure is that it's a 6 dollar show with us and three other rad seattle bands. worth it? fuck yeah brothers.

also, you're probably more likely to get on t.v if you're doing one of the following.

1) flashing
2) drunken, disorderly dancing
3) fighting
4) flashing
5) violently singing along to every song off a particular album you undoubtedly have and love. yeah. Ours.

yes. we're encouraging it.
rock on our adorable friends.
love, nouela"

According to the Chop Suey calendar, the line up is:

THE INDIE SHOW featuring Raz Rez, Mon Frere, Euphoriette, Magneto

Song of the weekend (July 1)

I wasn't on myspace quite as much during weekend of July 1 due to some long-overdue spring cleaning... Good times.

But, for the few hours I was online on Sunday, I'm going to give "song of the weekend" honors to The Small Change and their track "Too Busy Lovin' You." The tune's got a garage rock stomp driving it's powerpop heart. I've never caught these guys live. But, what comes to mind when listening to this track is rock-n-roll circa 1960s British Invasion. It's a little ragged (in a good way), but tight and focused.

These guys have an August 3 date lined up at the Croc and are in the bill for the International Pop Overthrow later that same month. I won't be deprived any longer.

From one blog to another

If you've not yet had the chance, then head over to read the CMJ blog posted by John Roderick of The Long Winters. It's an interesting read on his time at the Bonnaroo Festival.

While you're cruising around the web, visit their myspace page and listen to the song Pushover. This is from their upcoming release on Barsuk. It's a great song, and I can't wait for the full release (slated for later in July, I think).