Seattle Rock Guy | NW Rock and Metal Blog

TONIGHT! Brokaw "Interiors" Record Release Show at the Sunset

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:06:00 +0000

There's a party happening at the Sunset in Ballard tonight that you are all invited to. We are celebrating the third release from Good to Die Records, Brokaw's fantastic debut "Interiors". Also, on the bill are Seattle stalwarts AKIMBO, one of my new favorite local bands Deadkill, and Crawler starts things off around 9:30pm. Both gatefold 10″ LP ($15) and compact disc ($8) will be available for purchase at the show.

Let's rage!

Good to Die Records and Seattle Rock Guy presents:
Brokaw (record release show) with guests Akimbo, Deadkill and Crawler.
Doors at 9pm. Show time at 9:30.
$8 tickets. 21+ only.

More background info about Brokaw:

"Led by Seattle rock lifers G. Stuart Dahlquist, Mike Henderson, Rick Troy, and Rich Medic, Brokaw is one of a breed of new groups that are paying heed to the mean, masculine sound of '90s rock outfits like the Melvins and Hammerhead. They meld that pounding attack with the rumble of drone metal like Sunn O))) and the fury of hard rockers like Goatsnake (both of which Dahlquist has spent time with on stage and in the studio). Mix in the influences of freeform jazz a la Miles Davis in the '70s and the winking post-punk of The Fall and you get a sound unlike any other in the heavy rock world today.

Their first full-length Interiors was recorded by Greg Norman (Pelican, Russian Circles) at Electrical Audio, the Chicago-based studio built and run by Steve Albini. A vital blast of fierce, literate rock, it's a record that manages to bridge the sometimes cavernous divide between lovers of experimental, post-punk sounds and the fist pumping, devil horn flashing fans of metal. [RH]"

Download Lesbian's "Pedomorphienne/Autoeroticasphyxiography" for FREE

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:05:00 +0000

This just in...

Until noon tomorrow, download Lesbian's split with Ocean "Pedomorphienne/Autoeroticasphyxiography" for FREE!

Pedomorphienne/Autoeroticasphyxiography - Split with Ocean by LESBIAN

VIDEO: Gaythiest - Live at Plan B (PDX)

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:17:00 +0000

Two promises that will be kept if you go see Gaythiest live:

You will have your face rocked off and you will enjoy it - thoroughly.
Between songs, there will be antics! You will laugh and enjoy it - thoroughly.

Seriously, Gaythiest is a monster live. Back in August, they tore up the 2Bit along with Consulate and Monogamy Party. Then a couple weeks back, they pulverized Plan B in Portland along with Mongoloid Village, Brokaw, and Sandrider. It ruled and front man/guitarist, Jason Rivera, even wore his flannel so the Seattle heads felt at home.

Ahhhhhhhhhh.

Fortunately at this show, I was able to film two of their new songs. Audio at Plan B proved tough (loud as shit!), but still turned out alright. If you have not checked Pentagrams are Super or Rainbows Have Nothing to Hide, I suggest you do that today. Rainbows has been on steady rotation since I acquired it and made my 2011 Top 10.

Bottom line: Gaythiest rules! They're one of SRG's favorite bands. Check out their two new tracks at Plan B! Enjoy!

VIDEO: Red Fang - "Hank is Dead"

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:39:00 +0000

Stop what you're doing! There's a new Red Fang video.

Tonight! Dog Shredder / Monogamy Party / Great Falls / Serial Hawk

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:45:00 +0000

It's been kind of a long week. Who needs ROCK?!

Write-ups in both The Stranger and Seattle Weekly:

Dog Shredder, Monogamy Party, Great Falls, Serial Hawk

(Comet) Remember this time last week, when you were losing your mind after being stuck in your igloo of an apartment for days because of all that snow and slush? Tonight you'd be smart to get your ass to the Comet to work out whatever's left of that stir-crazy energy with this killer bill of some of the Northwest's most brutal noisemakers. Bellingham's Dog Shredder really do shred—guitars, not dogs—and they will knock you over with their hurricane of thrashing rock. Their 10-minute jams are relentless, summoning the most wicked side of metal, hardcore, and even a little prog. Openers Serial Hawk are just as vicious, but on a more sludgy, stoner rock tip. Get in the pit. Beat down the walls. You are no longer a rat in a cage. MEGAN SELING

Recent Good To Die Records signees Monogamy Party are a riotous, punk-driven three-piece fronted by a man called “Kennedy” with more photos of his partially clothed body--most nearly naked and drenched in sweat--on the Internet than Channing Tatum. The group’s Facebook profile says they’re about “3 dudes getting weird, getting heavy,” and everything from their lambasting live show to their Chris Proff (Strong Killings, Mercy Ties, Ravenna Woods)-produced debut EP Pus City expresses this very claim. The music is driving and expansive, as on track "Hard Feelings" with its percolating bass line, metal distortion, and lyrical barrage. Sensitive indie rockers beware: you will be sweat on, pushed, shoved, and possibly crowd surfed over. All other hard rock lovers: rejoice. With Dog Shredder, Great Falls, Serial Hawk. GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT

NEW MUSIC: Deadkill - "Oh God Help You"

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:50:00 +0000

So stoked that Deadkill is close to releasing their first 7". A four song scorcher that should appeal to fans of excellent hard rock and punk the world over. The Seattle based quintet has written some seriously rippin' and ferocious tunes, not to mention they are one of the best live bands in the city. You need a little Deadkill in your life, trust me...here's a sample.

<a href="http://deadkill.bandcamp.com/album/deadkill">Deadkill by Deadkill</a>

NEWS: Dog Shredder signs with Good to Die Records

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:13:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24th, 2011

Good to Die Records has proven itself to have its finger firmly on the pulse of the Seattle heavy music scene with its signings of such vital acts as Sandrider, Absolute Monarchs, Monogamy Party, and most recently Brokaw. You can consider that reputation solidified, but for the first time the label has ventured outside the confines of the Emerald City, and has signed one of the NW’s most remarkable heavy bands, Bellingham, WA’s Dog Shredder.
This spring Good to Die Records will unleash “Brass Tactics”, the follow-up to Dog Shredder’s debut vinyl release the “Boss Rhino” EP. For anyone that has ever seen the band’s unique brand of heavy music in a live setting, the slight play on words of this next release’s title should ring familiar. A Dog Shredder show is an intense and cacophonous musical experience that is nothing short of controlled chaos – these dudes flat out bring it – and that live energy is more than present on “Brass Tactics”

“Ever since I saw Dog Shredder’s second show in Seattle back in 2009, I’ve been completely floored. Not only because of their immense talent, but because of their incredible live energy. “Brass Tactics” is brilliant, and if people aren’t already impressed by this trio, they will be soon enough. I am very excited that they have joined the Good to Die family, and believe they add a very exciting dimension to the current roster.” -- Good to Die Records owner Nik Christofferson.

Led by Josh Holland, Noah Burns, and Jeff Johnson, Dog Shredder is best known for impeccably played metal, overlaid with impossibly fast technical guitar playing and ridiculously nimble drumming, anchored by strong bass lines, broken up by tricky time signatures and informed by a collective love of bands like Botch, Battles, and Nomeansno. Needless to say, this is a band that purposefully defies easy categorization. Dog Shredder somehow manages, through sheer musicianship, to dance on the razor’s edge between innovation and inaccessibility—a neat trick they pull off with seeming effortlessness. That high-wire act, performed at their unbridled live shows, has led Seattle’s Stranger to dub them “downright unfuckwithable,” which is a description as accurate as it is succinct.

As for the matter of the songs on “Brass Tactics”, those were meticulously crafted in a dark, often cold and sometimes sweaty rehearsal space over the course of more than a year, so that when they were unleashed on a by-now anticipatory public, they would be fully formed and crackling with energy. From the beginning, Dog Shredder’s music was designed to be a jaw-dropping onslaught of sound and technique that would leave audiences in awe—and if the bands that followed them onstage were ever-so-slightly intimidated that would be O.K. too.

The band has played frequently, sharing stages with everyone from Melt Banana to Marnie Stern, Helmet to Black Cobra, earning dedicated fan bases in the highly critical and discerning music scenes of Seattle and Portland. As well, they’ve toured regularly, garnering new fans up and down the West Coast and beyond. “Brass Tactics” was recorded and mixed at Portland’s Toadhouse Studio by Adam Pike (Red Fang, Black Elk, Norska), and mastered by Levi Seitz at Black Belt Mastering.
Dog Shredder is:

Josh Holland: Guitars/Vox
Noah Burns: Drums
Jeff Johnson: Bass

NEW MUSIC: Princess - "Harsh Magic"

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:05:00 +0000

Princess loosened things up nicely last Saturday as they opened the Black Elk reunion show at the Funhouse. They also just posted a mastered version of "Harsh Magic" on bandcamp, the lead track off their debut release "The Grim Energy" EP.

Damn, that sounds so much better!

Word to wise kids, spend the extra cash for a good mastering job, makes a world of difference. I recommend Ed Brooks at RFI or Levi Sietz at Black Belt. Princess used a friend in Pittsburgh, and in turn they have never sounded better. "The Grim Energy EP" is a stellar debut, and I hope to hear the remaining tracks as booming and chaotic as the newly mastered "Harsh Magic" sounds.

<p>&amp;lt;a href="http://princess.bandcamp.com/track/harsh-magic-blind-wino-master"&amp;gt;Harsh Magic (Blind Wino Master) by Princess&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;</p>

SHOW PREVIEW: Helms Alee, BLACK ELK, Nether Regions, Princess

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:01:00 +0000

Nice cack!

This show is kind of a big deal.

Tonight marks the return of Portland, Oregon's Black Elk. Much to the dismay of pretty much anyone who has ever heard the band-- infighting caused the much ballyhooed noise-rock act to go on hiatus back in 2009-- not long after they had the opportunity to open a string of west coast dates for the Jesus Lizard. The resurrected Black Elk is sporting a new rhythm section with bassist John Cota and drummer Alex Organ, but founding members Erik Trammel (guitar) and Tom Glose (vocals) are still intact. Original bassist Don Capuano, who is laying it down thick for SRG favorite Lord Dying, declined to participate in the reunion.

Black Elk is joined by the always amazing Helms Alee, Portland's Nether Regions, and Princess, who took the rest of 2011 off after they played an SRG show back in September. If you haven't had a chance to check out Princess' "The Grim Energy" EP, you are in luck as they have made it available for download for the first time on bandcamp, and it's FREE.

Excellent four band bill here, perfect way to shake off the cabin fever of this past weeks snow fall.

VIDEO: Sandrider - "Children": Live at The Shakedown

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:58:00 +0000

I had the privilege of accompanying Good to Die Records owner/founder, Nik, on a three day Sandrider/Brokaw tour. This footage is from the Shakedown in Bellingham, WA. Great venue, awesome people! It seems like every video I shoot of Sandrider, Jesse (bass player) is back in the shadows! When I post the Oregon footage, you will see I remedied this! Sandrider is the best band out right now. If you are interested in purchasing their record, got to the Good to Die website. Enjoy!

by Jerry Howard

Absolute Monarchs' debut LP is nearing completion

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:53:00 +0000

The Matt Bayles engineered Absolute Monarchs debut has been mastered and is that much closer to finally seeing the light of day. Needless to say it sounds KILLER! Artwork is going to be handled by the amazing Aaron Edge, and the band and "their label" are currently plotting the best way to roll out the first sample from the record, a blistering track called "Attack". Stay tuned!

Brokaw: Live at Joonior Studios

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:49:00 +0000

A few weekends ago Brokaw traveled to Port Orchard to film a live video session at Joonior Studios, much like Grenades and Monogamy Party had done previously. The end result is totally badass!

The man behind these Joonior Sessions is Chris Matthews Jr., check out THIS recent interview piece about the man from The Stranger's Megan Seling. You can view the three other Brokaw Joonior Session videos featuring new tunes below:

"Interiors" is out January 24th!

VIDEO: Sandrider "The Corpse": Live at the Comet

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:12:00 +0000

I filmed this video of "The Corpse" from last night's packed Sandrider release show at the Comet. Have a good weekend and enjoy!

Sandrider record release show is TONIGHT!

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:45:00 +0000

The Sandrider record release show happens tonight at the Comet. Actually, this whole weekend is a Sandrider party as they head up to Bellingham on Friday and down to Portland on Saturday with label mates Brokaw in tow. People seem geniunely stoked on this record, and many have never heard of Sandrider prior. It's a rebirth of one Seattle's long kept secrets if you will, and the timing is perfect. Tonight's show is bound to sell out, so DO NOT be late and bring some extra flow if you want to add that killer piece of wax to your collection.

Good to Die Records Presents:

Sandrider (record release)
sandrider.bandcamp.com

Lesbian
lesbian.bandcamp.com

Brokaw
brokaw.bandcamp.com

Thursday January 12th at Comet Tavern

9pm | $8 | 21+

WATCH OR DIE #19: Brokaw - "Boots Randolph": Live at the Spot

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:18:00 +0000

Pulling off an extended shot proves quite a feat. The payoff: it sticks on memory like a Red Fang riff. And why not go for it? The masters do. Who would dare walk out after witnessing Orsen Welles's perfect extended shot in A Touch of Evil? Or who doesn't feel like their getting the V.I.P. treatment when Henry Hill takes his date KA-ren through the back door of the Copa and meets all the wise guys in Goodfellas? Even the overrated and pretentious Jean Luc Godard can trick an audience into sitting through his painful Weekend with a brilliant extended shot. Any fan of cinema knows the extended shot is Brian De Palma's move. Just look at Snake Eyes and audiences will truly comprehend the meaning of polishing a turd. And don't you cinephiles out there forget the most bad ass, mother fucking face smashing extended scene of the modern era: the fight Dae-su Oh brings to the fools who wronged him in Old Boy.

Yeah, the extended shot sinks its claws into a viewer's brain, but these influential filmmakers had every resource at their disposal: crews, fancy cameras, and money.

Brokaw front man, Mike Henderson, had his iPhone 4, a killer band, and a fog machine.

Yes, FOG! Listen to me horror filmmakers, when in doubt, add more fog. FOG GOD DAMN IT!

I digress.

Starting an extended shot with Frank Zappa on the shitter foreshadows goodness. In this case, the pay off is Brokaw! Henderson manages to capture everyone in action with surprising fluidity while perfectly framing himself in the process to deliver the vocals for "Boots Randolph", thus creating the most slick and original no budget video I have ever seen. The formula: extended shot + Brokaw + FOG = some bad ass, mother fucking shit.

Brokaw will kill your head and are taking their show on the road with label mates, Sandrider, this weekend. See details below and their debut "Interiors" is out January 24th.

1/12/12 at the Comet in Seattle, WA with Lesbian and Sandrider.

1/13/12 at the Shakedown in Bellingham, WA with Lesbian and Sandrider.

1/14/12 at the Plan B in Portland, OR with Gaythiest, Mongoloid Village, and Sandrider.

2/3/12 at the Sunset in Seattle, WA - RECORD RELEASE show with Akimbo, Deadkill and Crawler.

Writer note: I admit to liking Breathless and Alphaville but Godard still makes me want to smack him.

by Jerry Howard

Big show at Neumos tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:59:00 +0000

Four deserving heavy NW bands get to test out Neumos' amazing sound system tonight, and it's imperative that we have a good showing. I want to see more of Seattle's heavy bands playing bigger venues like Neumos and the Croc, but that won't happen without attendance. Come out and show your support of Mico de Noche, He Whose Ox is Gored, White Orange (pdx), and Ancient Warlocks tonight, this could be the start of a new trend.

Year in Review: Rocktography of Matt Koroulis

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:51:00 +0000

Matt posted a rad slideshow video on YouTube yesterday featuring his favorite shots of 2011, set to his favorite song of 2011 -- Sandrider's "Children". Some damn good stuff, and we are looking forward to whats in store for 2012. Enjoy!

LISTEN TO: Shrouded by Veils - Parhelion (EP)

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:56:00 +0000

I'm not the biggest post-rock fan in the world, I appreciate the big dogs in the genre like Explosions in the Sky and Russian Circles of course but I pretty much draw the line there.

Despite my tastes there are two excellent local post-rock bands that demand your attention the first being Shrouded By Veils and the second X Suns. I want to give X Suns the credit they deserve, so I'll save them for another post down the road.

I caught Shrouded by Veils at the Into the Storm release show and I was really impressed by the trio for the most part. It was obvious that all three members possess big time chops. Musically they steer more in the prog arena than straight up post-rock, and the first band that came to mind in comparison was Porcupine Tree. A band I love.

Shrouded By Veils just put their 4 song Parhelion EP on Bandcamp for FREE download, and I highly recommend "Frogmen". Love the chunky guitar riff and their drummer is a mad man.

Keep an eye out for these dudes.

Frogman by Shrouded In Veils

Master Musicians of Bukkake: Live and Interview (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:25:00 +0000

This is rad...

Master Musicians of Bukkake - Arte, Tracks 2011 from Fabien Bouillaud on Vimeo.

Next local show: February 17th - Ladies' Choice Presents: Master Musicians of Bukkake, Darsombra, and Fungal Abyss at the Funhouse

LIST MANIA: Eric Carnell of Android Hero

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:17:00 +0000

One last straggler...

Records

01. Rabbits - "Lower Forms"
It really is as good as all the hype, get it.

02. Princess - "The Grim Energy EP"
It needs mastered no matter what Andrew sez, but it's still amazing

03. Wizard Rifle - S/T
Killer new band from Portland, strong first effort, wanna hear more!

04. Angry Snowmans - "What We Do Is Festive"
Old punk classics turned into Christmas songs!

05. The Blind Shake - "Seriousness"
For my money this one is there best yet

06. Big Crux - "Nature Cruising"
Think Minutemen/Big Boys. But new and from Seattle!

07. Obits - "Moody, Standard and Poor"
Thought it was a little weird at first, but it really, REALLY grew on me

08. Future of the Left - "Polymers Are Forever EP"
This is really more like a McKlusky record than FOTL, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Now waiting for the full length in 2012...

09. 400 Blows - "Sickness and Health"
There back!!!

10. Witch Mountain - "South of Salem"
If you haven't heard Portland band's second record, you should

Shows

01. NoMeansNo @ Bumbershoot
After 32 years, 20+ original releases, thousands of shows, and literally hundreds of thousands of miles in shitty vans, NoMeansNo was asked to play Bumbershoot. I don't know how. It was weird to see them at a venue like the Exhibition Hall, and with a crowd that the majority of had never heard them before, but they destroyed. It was really cool seeing them with great sound for a change

02. Cro-Mags/Zero Boys/Crutches @ The Vera Project
It was like 1986 again at this CRAZY ASS show in September at the Vera

03. The Church @ The Triple Door
These old fuckers played three full records, one from each decade back to there beginning. I could write a book about it, it was mind blowing.

04. Archers of Loaf/Sebadoh @ Crystal Ballroom
Every bit as epic as when they were younger, and sonically just as devastating! Just as good the next night in Seattle with Constant Lovers.

05. 400 Blows/White Jazz/Lozen @ Funhouse
Unbelievable. And White Jazz's Swan Song T-Shirt is the best shirt ever, they almost sold all of them in 1 night

06. Shellac/Hellen Money @ The Vera Project
It was by far the worst time I've ever seen Shellac, Todd Trainer was really sick, they cut some songs short, didn't brutalize quite like they normally do, but with all that it still was deserving of #5 in 2011

07. Scratch Acid/Dinosaur Jr @ Crystal Ballroom
Scratch Acid is always one of the best bands on the planet. AND, I got to ask Henry Rollins if he was serious about wearing a Back Sabbath Masters of Reality t-shirt. He was too cool to respond to me. The show was great too.

08. Young Widows/My Disco/Helms Alee @ Comet Tavern
This show was fantastic, even with the power going out like 5 times on Young Widows.

09. Federation X @ Block Party
Seeing Fed X twice in 24 hours was great. The second night at Neumos was WAY better than the first, but both still awesome!

10. The Ex @ The Vera Project
Just realizing it's all nostalgia shows this year. Weird. I saw other shows, too. Oh well.
The Ex is another bunch of really old guys ripping it up. They basically invented anarcho-punk in the early 80's. Still amazing after all these years.

PREVIEW: Grudge Rock: Sandrider vs. Dog Shredder

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:44:00 +0000

I mean what's there to say...I think simply writing Sandrider vs. Dog Shredder is pretty self explanatory. The first Grudge Rock: Rock N' Roll Family Feud of 2012 is a killer one for sure. These two NW behemoths will go head to head in rock trivia and then take turns doing what they do best -- destroying live! I smell the beginning of a Helms Alee vs. Akimbo type rivalry here.

The first part of 2012 is going to be a busy for both bands...

For Sandrider, January is jam packed, and this show is just the tip of the iceberg. Tune into KEXP on Saturday at 8pm to hear Sandrider ripping it up live on the radio. Next week, they play 3 belated record release shows. First, the 12th at Comet Tavern with Lesbian and Brokaw, then The Shakedown in Bellingham on the 13th w/ Lesbian and Brokaw, and finally Plan B in Portland on the 14th with Brokaw, Gaytheist, and Mongoloid Village. So much to look forward to! Pick up the vinyl yet?

Sandrider by Sandrider

Bellingham's Dog Shredder opened for LA's Black Cobra last Wednesday and absolutely blew them off the stage. It was amazing! DS is working on their second vinyl release and will be hitting the road in March followed by a European tour in the summer.

Boss Rhino EP by Dog Shredder

LIST MANIA: Nik's Favorite Non-Local Records of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:48:00 +0000

I was able to squeeze these records in amongst all the great local releases. Looking forward to what 2012 will hold. Happy New Year! - Nik


#1 Rabbits - Lower Forms (Relapse): Furious, loud, and intense.

#2 - The Men - Leave Home (Sacred Bones): Blew my mind at Total Fest

#3 - Red Fang - Murder the Mountains (Relapse): Couldn't have asked for a better followup to the debut


#4 - Vaz - Chartruese Bull (Sleeping Giant Glossolalia): This band marches to their own drummer, truly original noise rock

#5 - Cave In - White Silence (Hydra Head): One of my favorite bands is back and badder than ever

#6 - The Blind Shake - Seriousness (Learning Curve): Finally captured their live brilliance

#7 Disma - Towards the Megalith (Profound Lore): Death metal hasn't sounded this fresh since I first heard "Altars of Madness"

#8 - True Widow - As High As The Highest Heavens And From The Center To The Circumference Of The Earth (Kemado): A late addition to my list, just finding this to be an original mixture of psych rock and stoney heaviness.

#9 - Retox - Ugly Animals (Ipecac): Intense and raw hardcore punk

#10 - Gaytheist - Rainbows Have Nothing to Hide (Corflax): Portland band makes a ton of noise. Only in the NW.

LIST MANIA: Nik's Favorite Local Releases of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:21:00 +0000

**Just because the Sandrider and Monogamy Party records were released on my Good to Die imprint doesn't mean I can't plug them on here. It's called putting out my favorite records and they fall 1 and 2 even without my involvement.**

1. Sandrider – s/t (Good to Die)

The long awaited debut from the band comprised of Jon and Nat from Akimbo, and Jesse from The Ruby Doe is hands down the best local release of the year, and my favorite record released all year period. It’s a very well written record from start to finish, accessible enough for the generic hard rock fan and brilliantly executed enough fans of underground music fans to get behind as well. It’s a riff barrage and mighty one at that. It’s a record that opens the serotonin flood gates on each listen, a perfect kick in the ass for anyone needing a pick me up.

BUY

2. Monogamy Party – Pus City (Good to Die)

Monogamy Party are known locally for their unabashed and unhinged live performances, and to their credit with help from producer Chris Proff they have captured a good amount of their live energy on this first release, “Pus City”. Monogamy Party is setting the tone for things to come in the city, apologetically kicking ass and getting weird. Here’s a bandwagon to jump on.

BUY

3. Smooth Sailing – xoxo (self-released)

Smooth Sailing began the year on cloud 9 as they finished up their much anticipated debut record. Released back in April, “xoxo” was everything fans of the band could have hoped for. From the brilliant and beautiful “Introlude” through the destruction sounds of stand-out tracks like “Sunday Morning Margaritas” it runs the gamut of post-rock elegance and crushing metallic breakdowns. For us locals, we may be looking ahead to the next release already but the fact of the matter this record has a lot of life left in it and in 2012 Smooth Sailing have plans to bring their amazing live show and this excellent debut to the rest of the country.

BUY

4. Helms Alee – Weatherhead (Hydra Head)

Helms Alee’s sophomore full length on Hydra Head Records features even more of those brilliantly fuzzed out Ben Verellen riffs (see: Elbow Grease). Balancing out the heaviness of “Weatherhead” are numerous moments of melancholy harmonies courtesy of all three members (see: Epic Adventure Through The Wood). For me, these can drone on a bit but I think they also set the tone for a record and band that is quintessentially NW. “Weatherhead” is moody and dark and sounds nothing like anything ever laid to wax before. Helms Alee can do no wrong at this point.

BUY

5. Consulate – Feeding the Ducks (self-released)

It’s a bummer to say but Consulate is no more, but not before unleashing a fantastic debut album and leaving a lasting mark in my ears. On “Feeding the Ducks” Consulate completely ignore typical rock arrangements, blending elements of math rock and prog. This record is chalked full of odd time signatures, and it’s just plain different than anything I heard all year. RIP Consulate.

BUY

6. Constant Lovers - True Romance (self-released)

Constant Lovers are one of Seattle's most imaginative and unique rock acts in current times. They along with the Absolute Monarchs are leading the charge of angular noisy bands springing up in Seattle, and self-released their long awaited debut back in October. "True Romance" captures their vibrant and percussion heavy noise rock perfectly, and is certainly deserving of all accolades it has received thus far. Great band.

BUY

Other local releases that I dug:

Princess – The Grim Energy EP
ASVA - Presences Of Absences
Police Teeth - Awesomer Than the Devil
Fungal Abyss – Bardo Abgrund Temple (cs)
Midday Veil – Subterranean Ritual II (cs)
My Goodness – My Goodness
Grenades / Mercy Ties Split
The Spits – The Spits V
Warning:Danger! – The Safe and the Dead
Into the Storm – Captains!
Strong Killings – s/t
Great Falls - Coextinction Release 10
Bell Witch – demo
Ancient Warlocks 7”

What am I missing?

LIST MANIA: Demian Johnston of Great Falls

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:55:00 +0000

I am always at a loss to list five things that really effected me at the end of a year. As 2012 is still mint in the box I will list five random musical discoveries as they occur to me...

1. Monogamy Party - live.

Total insanity. Fuck.

2. Mournful Congregation - live.

Everyone needs to thank Dan Fried for not only bring Mournful Congregation to Seattle but for also being in Anhedonist.

3. Anhedonist - live at the Mournful Congregation show.

They owned that night.

4. Mawdyrn - s/t cassette on Universal Consciousness.

The best thing in metallic satanic drone. It's the most majestic and hateful thing you will hear for a long time.

5. Blue Sabbath Black Cheer/Irr. Apt. (ext) - Skeletal Copula Remains (Gnarled Forest/Errata In Excelsis)

The most terrifying music ever. I think I called this "comically scary" and I stand behind that. It is so fucked up that you almost have to chuckle at how creepy this thing sounds. It's heavy and dark and it is crucial that you find this so we can talk about it.

LIST MANIA: Mark Ostler of Warning:Danger!

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:18:00 +0000

Mark Ostler's Top 10 Records of 2011

1. The Spits - Kill The Kool: The Spits Brothers have been busy this year. They released their 5th album, recorded a split 7" with NOFX, and dropped new material from their side projects Black Orphan and Blood Wing. The best of The Spits’ new releases is "Kill The Kool", a full length compilation of rare recordings and new material. "Kill The Kool" is only available at live shows or at inflated prices on eBay. Rules!! #1 for a reason.

2. Sandrider - Sandrider: Sandrider's official record release happens January 12, 2012, but there's a few copies floating around. It rocks!! Sounds like the soundtrack to a medieval war.

3. Them and Us – Korea’s punks at Club Spot: One of the best shows I saw in 2011 was a band from Seoul, Korea, named "Whatever That Means". At the show, I scored this compilation of various Korean bands. It's comforting to know, there are others throughout the world that feel disenfranchised and angry just like you and me.

4. The Black Lips – Arabia Mountain: At first, I hated this album. "Why would a drunken garage band like The Black Lips use a horn section in their latest recording?" Then I listened to it more and it really grew on me. Beneath the glossed up recording, you can still hear the old party band.

5. The Coach Whips - Bangers and Fuckers: This was my bargain record store score for 2011. $0.99 was well worth this muddy, fuzzy, high-energy gem. Ok, this album was released in 2004, but it’s better late than never. Wish I owned this one sooner.

6. Princess - The Grim Energy EP: Don’t let the name Princess fool you, this band is one of the heaviest around. Screaming vocals, screaming guitars, thundering drums. Can't wait to see what they do in 2012.

7. Red Fang – Murder The Mountains: Red Fang is an all around awesome band - intense music, hilarious videos, and near religious live performances. In 2011, Red Fang toured with Mastadon; good to see this awesome band is getting the attention they deserve.

8. Warning: Danger! - The Safe and The Dead: Seattle's own safety punk rockers are back with their 2nd full length release. Less goofy, more rockin', still got that quick, dirty edge. Who needs a song to be longer than 3 minutes, right?

9. Kramer - (self titled): Tacoma is a hard living, hard knocks kind of a town. So you'd think Tacoma would produce some hard rockin' music? Besides Lozen, Girl Trouble, and Seaweed's reunion, Tacoma has been kinda quiet… until now. Kramer is ready to bust onto the scene. Kramer's recording a 2nd album right now, so look for that in 2012.

10. Smooth Sailing - XOXO: It takes a bit to get going, but once the album kicks in, it's like a boot to your face. Awesome live performances too. If you don't know, you should know.