Seattle Rock Guy | NW Rock and Metal Blog

WATCH OR DIE #21: SRG 3rd Anniversary Show Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry) — Thu, 31 May 2012 01:38:00 +0000

Three years, man. Just a blur. I vaguely recollect multiple Red Fangovers, rants about KISS, "NW Noise" zine making sessions, a "going for the authentic look" Spits $5 Cover tv shoot, a Sandrider smash upside the head, the Rendezvous bouncer having a minor fit/melt down aimed at Diesto, Rabbits day, Lord "Fucking" Dying and their legions, Monogamy Party intensity, Don "Chile" Ortega's couch, my camera getting kicked at Toxic Holocaust, blood and vomit, Green House poison beer, Throne of Bone, Good to Die Records, and a killer band with the greatest band name of all time: Gaythiest.

Ahhhh, the memories.

After being informed of the S.R.G. Third Anniversary line up, I smiled and muttered aloud:

"Well, no shit!"

Grenades, Mico de Noche, Princess, and Smooth Sailing have been S.R.G. regulars since its genesis. Hell, Mico played on the first show the blog cosponsored with Algerbay Records called YOUR VILLAGE SUCKS! I shot some killer footage that I cannot find - go figure! I shot ok footage of the band (term used loosely) who played a lap top, but cannot keep it together to film one of the raddest local bands around.

Blame alcohol. It's convenient.

Let's break it down.

Grenades. Great energy and excellent live show. These dudes always bring it. When I first started to attend their shows, one appealing characteristic stood out: their between song banter. Hilarious. Looking forward to the new album.

Princess. If walking down Pike Street, you might see a big dude with glasses shouting outside The Comet. Don't cross the street, go inside. It's Princess front man, Andrew Chapman, up to antics. One promise can be made at a Princess show: there will be antics!

I had the privilege of making a music video for the Princess song, "Remember to Breathe." It combined two of my favorite things: heavy music and zombies. Can't miss combo if I do say so myself.

Smooth Sailing. These guys triumphantly return from their massive tour. Holy shit, Smooth Sailing inflicted tons of miles on their van and even made it south of the border to Tijuana!

TIJUANA!!!

Smooth Sailing's debut album, xoxo, takes listeners on a head wrecking trip - that's a good thing! Everyone should buy it. Plus, they come fully equipped with a light show. I am sure some heads still meander about the calles de Tijuana ruminating about the long gone, Smooth Sailing.

Mico de Noche. Heavy, heavy stuff. As previously mentioned, I dropped the ball on the footage I shot of Mico. Fortunately, JewelThief2010 did not when he shot Mico de Noche performing at a S.R.G. show last August. Do not miss Mico de Noche lay waste on Saturday. It will make you smile.

WATCH ALL THESE VIDEOS OR DIE!!!!

by Jerry Howard

SHOW PREVIEW: Red Fang, Sandrider, Serial Hawk at Highline

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:31:00 +0000

Imagine, if you will, an intelligent alien race that subsists exclusively on meaty riffs. Now, just suppose that they happen to pass within a couple light years of Earth this Friday night (which would still be well in range of the sonic shockwave emitting from the Highline on Capitol Hill, physics be damned). Not a single member of any band playing this night would be safe from abduction and, presumably, a short, torturous existence as one of the most highly-prized, hair-laden plants in their grotesque riffgarden.

Eesh. Perhaps less morbidly, imagine if a mad scientist was attempting to build a huge beast with riffmaking superpowers – a perfect creation of profound heaviness. He would likely want to start by kidnapping and sedating each member of Red Fang, Sandrider, and Serial Hawk in order to surgically sew them together in some kind of “centipede” formation…

Ah, never mind all of that. Let it simply be said that these three bands make some amazing heavy shit, and Lori LeFavor is serving up a treat for the continuing celebration of her Infinite Productions’ 25th Anniversary by bringing all three to the finest vegan metal bar/venue on Capitol Hill.

Red Fang’s contribution to the heavy music community goes far beyond their hilarious music videos, though they deserve inclusion in the LARPing hall of fame for their self-deprecating take on who would actually have the upper hand if metal dorks drunkenly fought actual dorks in real life.

Praise need also be bestowed upon them for taking the stoner rock genre and boozing it up with melody, a strong reverence for classic metal, and gallons and gallons of blue ribbon-winning Milwaukee lager while still maintaining strong musical integrity and blazing a cheery grin across the distant parts of the World they repeatedly traverse.

Despite having such a noble and experienced headliner, the rest of this bill is equally as attractive. In fact, if this bill were a formulaic romantic comedy, Sandrider would play the beautiful friend of Red Fang, who would be cast as the handsome and aloof lovelorn schlub who is simply too stupid to see Sandrider as anything other than a friend – even though they have so much more in common with each other than whichever supporting band Red Fang mistakenly fancies at the moment. It will be this night that they finally kill the sexual tension and hook up, much to the cathartic satisfaction of the audience.

With the addition of the rumble-ready Serial Hawk – whose upcoming EP release will soon be making a splash comparable to an elephant falling from a humanitarian airlift into an above-ground pool – the night is looking to become a glorious ménage à trois of sonorous thickness that will turn the packed audience into a beer-slicked, throbbing mass, locked in voyeuristic gaze at the pulsating spectacle before them. Fair warning: this show will sell out, so come early and come hard.

TL;DR: Aliens, riffs, human centipede, sexy times, don't miss

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/123637547767253/

By Jake Weller

WHAT'S NOT WEAK THIS WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:06:00 +0000

WHAT’S NOT WEAK THIS WEEK – a local show roundup

By Jake Weller

Wednesday, May 23^rd

https://www.facebook.com/events/144314675700467/

It will be quite the experience to experience this much experience in the same room on the same night! International mathy-hardcore supergroup, Narrows, features both Dave Verellen from Botch and Ryan Frederiksen from These Arms Are Snakes sounding like, well, Dave Verellen from Botch and Ryan Frederiksen from These Arms Are Snakes. In fact, all of the bands performing this Wednesday at El Corazon have stong sonic ties to their members’ former projects: Justin Pearson’s spazzy Retox are similarly as frenzied and driving as The Locust; Great Falls, featuring Shane and Demian from Playing Enemy, have somehow accelerated their velocitas into the depths of darkness with the addition of Jesu drummer, Phil Petrocelli; and ex-Hungry Crocodiles make up the vast majority of the funky, thump-blasting Brokaw roar collective. But don’t mistake this for a reunion show of nostalgic geezers for one second. Each one of these new incarnations have picked up from where they left off, learned from mistakes, refined and brought in different elements and enhancements, and are offering something fresh and (still) far ahead of their time. An easy pick for show of the week. Hell, show of the month. [NOTE: All-ages show, Brokaw starts promptly at 8pm!]

Friday, May 25^th

https://www.facebook.com/events/203368916442532/

As of this year, Lori LeFavor has been putting on shows for two-and-a-half decades with her company, Infinite Productions. To celebrate this amazing feat and her long-standing position as queen of the Seattle heavy scene, she will be putting on a string of incredible shows – some of which rival anything seen in recent years. This is definitely saying something, considering the strength of the heavy scene lately. It is hard to say when this season of shows technically begins—as Infinite Productions puts on approximately a shit ton of fine shows every week—but, since it hasn’t been mentioned in this column up until now, The Highline on Friday is as good of a place as any to join in the party. Memphis-via-Portland’s Tragedy will be throwing down their quasi-melodic hardcore with local trio, Streetwalker, whose cake walk through blasty grind and murky sludge will help to work out the tension of the ol’ neck muscles. With the support of Cross and Frustration, this bill will leave the gravitophile weak in the knees and begging for more (see Saturday). Thank you, Lori!

https://www.facebook.com/events/342446969148945/

Look at that poster! It’s a goddamn wizard, ostensibly perched upon a precipice, smoking a pipe, holding a staff, and gravely pointing down below to some ordained goal, or maybe a gathering evil… It’s beautiful. Is there any need to give any further description to a show with this poster and a band called Ancient Warlocks headlining? Yes, there will be immeasurable beards, denim, fuzzy guitars, and perma-grins. Yes, it will be heavy, it will be stony, and it will be awesome. Come Friday night, the U-district’s Rat & Raven will begin to fill with the thick fumes of Uzala, Fellwoods, and Crawlin’. Hopefully, all that bitchin’ riffage will be enough frat poison to convert the open-minded and send any willful douchebags scurrying back east of 17^th in time for the Warlocks to summon their superwizard from outer space.

https://www.facebook.com/events/432460296767049/

A notable local show promoter once remarked that he liked the music of Portland’s Ninja, but that he especially liked the (perhaps unintended) idea of the band: they are pretty much the worst ninjas in the World. They show up—announced—and proceed to make a hell of a racket for a good chunk of time. However, mastery of the silent and deadly art of ninjutsu is not a skill that is required to rock the fuck out of the Blue Moon on a Friday night and, luckily for them, they are otherwise fully equipped for that particular task. Guns of Barisal will be starting things off proper and loud, while recent Portland transplants, Key of Solomon, will be ending the night with a bang. A full night of bands that folks will be talking a great deal about before too long.

Saturday, May 26^th

https://www.facebook.com/events/229228577169412/

After 20 years and many struggles—finally deciding that they’re getting too old for this shit—classic Swedish grinders, Nasum, are headlining the Highline on Saturday on their final tour of the US and one of the first all-but-guaranteed sellouts of the Infinite Productions summer. Local buzzmakers, Black Breath, and the Vancouver crustpuppies in Mass Grave are their strong support, along with the epic blackened death grind of openers, Theories. This is one of those shows where earplugs are used less to keep the sound out than they are to keep the brains in.

Sunday, May 27^th

https://www.facebook.com/events/259802157441086/

In what must be an effort to ward off the over-30 senior (scene-ior?) citizens who would dare to think about attending a Sunday hardcore show, The Black Lodge has scheduled an arduous six-band marathon of unrelentingly punishing shit that somehow still escalates to a climax with the ultra-tight and briskly-paced brutality of Weekend Nachos (you know, you can always tell that a band lets the music speak for ifself when they pick a ridiculous name like Weekend Nachos). With a lineup including two Southern Lord signees, Dead In The Dirt and Heartless, as well as Cynarae and Raw Nerves, there will be no time to lie down for a nap, or room in the venue to do so anyway. Even openers, Teeph (hailing from Chico, CA), have been getting crazy good buzz lately. Come early, stay late, prepare to be packed in like a tin of sweaty, jostling sardines—if your old bones can handle the assault, you will feel fifteen again.

LIVE REVIEW: Belgium's legendary Aborted brutalizes Studio Seven

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:49:00 +0000

There must be something about Belgium that just makes people want to be brutal musicians. So many good genre-defining bands have come out of the country, (Leng Tch’e, Serial Butcher, Die) and Aborted are no exception. An excellent follow up to 2008’s Strychnine.213 and 2010’s Coronary Reconstruction, 2012’s Global Flatline has been a constant on my stereo since it came out in January. Featuring guest vocals from some of the best in the industry, it’s a serious bone crusher, and I just couldn’t wait to see them live.

Their stage show is absolutely brutal. Vocalist Sven "Svencho" de Caluwé is a like a savage animal crossed with a middle school kid with ADHD. Full of energy and never stationary, he simply refused to let the pit die down, taunting the audience and calling them “silly vaginas”. Not many frontmen can keep up such an animated live show while singing.

Guitarists Eran Segal and Mike Wilson are no slouches either. Head banging so low that they came dangerously close to knocking themselves out on the monitors on every song, while displaying a total mastery over the fretboard. Blues influenced solos over the brutal grinding riffs leave the experienced metal listener with little to complain about.

Ken Bendene’s drumming is impressive to say the least. His work with Abigail Williams is excellent, but with Aborted his skills on his instrument really get a chance to shine. Intense blast beats and intense grind grooves abound, complimenting the onslaught of guitars without overpowering them or getting in the way.

The band as whole is flawless. Extreme metal is difficult to write, a royal pain in the ass to record, and even harder to pull off live, and Aborted have obviously mastered all three. They play and act as a single unit, with the little to no egos involved, making them a truly powerful live experience.

by Ryan Schutte

Seattle stalwarts AKIMBO call it a day

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:55:00 +0000

Bummer news came yesterday as one of the most revered heavy bands in Seattle music history, AKIMBO, announced that after 14 and a half years, 7 records, having toured the globe on multiple occasions, and accomplishing more than most bands of their ilk could ever dream to accomplish are calling it quits. Akimbo’s last release, the always impressive shark attack concept record “Jersey Shores”, came out back in 2008, and with the band only playing sporadically in the past 2 years, I'd have to say that this announcement did not come completely out of left field.

One thing is for sure, in Akimbo’s thunderous 14 year wake, their influence on countless bands from the NW and beyond in unquestionable. They are hugely important to many bands currently populating the local scene, and in the past few years have assumed somewhat of an elder statesmen role as local bands strive to deliver a live sonic punishment anywhere near that of what Akimbo is known for.

As far as the members continuing to make music in other projects, guitarist Aaron Walters wishes to pursue other interests than rock and roll, but founding members Jon Weisnewski and Nat Damm will continue playing music together in the much buzzed about Good to Die Records band Sandrider. Next show is June 1st at the Highline with Red Fang and Serial Hawk.

As sort of an obituary, Jon took to the internet yesterday and posted a final blog on the AKIMBO website that pretty much sums up everything you need to know about the breakup as well as some awesome tidbits for fans. I’ve reposted Jon’s blog below.

RIP Akimbo! You will be missed, but never forgotten!

Here is a helpful FAQ for the inquisitive fuckers out there:

• We decided to stop playing because Aaron is leaving the band for non-dramatic reasons. He just wants to do other stuff. Nat and I are completely busy/fulfilled with our various other projects and see no need to drag you people through any more nonsense than you deserve. Also, Aaron is really good, and rather than try and outshine his contributions we'd rather be lazy and just do other bands.

• The decision was totally boring. We talked for a bit, agreed it was the best call, and started talking about the last show. Nobody punched anyone, nobody was the asshole, voices were not raised. So far in my experiences breaking up with a band is way easier than breaking up with a girl.

• Akimbo has been actively playing shows since October of 1998. That's roughly 14 & 1/2 years, which is longer than I did anything else. Including school.

• We have almost a whole album written. We might try and record some songs, we might not. It all boils down how little of a pain in the ass that is going to be and if any labels are foolish awesome enough to release a half complete record that will never be performed.

• Counting touring guitar players, Aaron was the band's 11th member.

• We released 6 albums. I love and hate all of them equally.

• The single greatest influence on this band is/was Nomeansno. If you are reading this and don't know them you need to correct that.

• When we started booking tours the internet wasn't a thing. We used phones and we cold called angry people who did not want to talk to you.

• When I try to think of bands that can outdrink us night for night on tour I really have to dig deep. Saviours is probably the closest. Lords' original line up also came close. Everyone else got dusted.

• Five vans have fallen under our touring battle cry.

• I think my favorite show of the band's lifetime was a last minute show to 20 people in a wine cellar in Paris, France. It went off like a pipe bomb. You weren't there.

• Considering the casual nature of all this I'm not going to say we'll NEVER play again. It could happen with the right circumstances. We'll probably be fat and gross and if you go you'll probably be initially stoked but end up disappointed that it wasn't as good as you remember. Just to be dramatic I want to put a ridiculous disclaimer on that, so I'll say we won't play a reunion show unless it is also Botch's reunion show.

• I don't care if you never liked this band. It was always for me, never for you. You were just a happy accident.

... that being said ... Ferocious and sincere thanks to all of our friends and supporters. We have had a gift of an experience and take none of it for granted. Each one of you have a seat saved at our banquet hall in Valhalla.

Have a good time all the time.

See you 8/11

Link: http://livetocrush.blogspot.com/2012/05/last-show-will-be-811-at-comet-in.html

Melvins Lite to release "Freak Puke" on June 5th

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:54:00 +0000

The Melvins have come a long way since the inception of the band in 1983. In that time the band has changed drummers once, added a second drummer in 2006, and cycled through around five different bass players. As of 1984, the core foundation of Buzz and Dale has seen just about all the music industry as a giant can provide, and how doing things independently can have its payoffs. The Melvins are a band of eras. The music has always remained fresh, unique, and ever evolving. They have never been afraid to try something new, and each Melvins record has a distinct feel around it. With the Melvins latest release Freak Puke the band is yet again changing things up, adding Lite to the name and dropping second drummer Coady Willis and bassist Jared Warren for the release. Coady and Jared will still be active members, and have recently released “The Bulls and the Bees” EP for free in March (available at http://www.scionav.com/collectiohttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2748908737506855961n/917 ).

For the Lite line-up, they have added mad bassist mastermind Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk) after a few California dates as the Melvins Lite last year. Freak Puke will be released on June 5th by Ipecac Recordings, the bands home since 1999. The record is rumored to have more of the lean, yet off-the-wall sounds the Atlantic era releases are known for. To me it sounds more like some of the recent Melvins offerings, and even elements of the Hostile Ambient Takeover record from 2002. Check out the first released track, "Leon Vs. the Revolution," here (http://www.spin.com/articles/hear-first-taste-melvins-lites-freak-puke-leon-vs-revolution ).

by James Ballinger, The Seattle Passive Aggressive

Smooth Sailing US Tour - May 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:00 +0000

After a very successful kickstarter campaign, and a delicious send-off barbecue, our beloved Smooth Sailing have a new engine for their van “The Crimson Tide” and have headed off on a month long tour across the United States. As of now, if looks like the band is going as far as Chicago, then heading back West for a string of California dates, and finally returning home for their final date of the tour in Seattle at the Comet Tavern on June 2nd. Upon returning home, the band will be working with a local theater company Blood Ensemble, to work on their heavy metal opera of sorts. The band will be scoring the music from the orchestra pit, doing about an hour or so of music, so that should be interesting to say the least. The band also plans on working on a new EP to be released at some point, which can’t come fast enough.

The band will be supported here by Princess, Grenades and Mico De Noche. Princess just had their CD release show with Wah Wah Exit Wound and White Orange at the Comet May 5th, and that will surely be available for purchase then. Grenades have finished recording their new record “Heaven is Empty” hopefully to be released sometime this fall, and Mico De Noche will no doubt bring the loud and heavy, so earplug up folks.

Check out their confirmed dates below:

www.smoothsailingtheband.com

05.03.12 - Portland, OR @ The Laughing Horse
05.04.12 - Boise, ID @ The Shredder
05.05.12 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Underground
05.06.12 - Denver, CO @ Lion's Lair
05.09.12 - Wisconsin Rapids, WI @ New Arkham
05.10.12 - Milwaukee, WI @ Frank's Power Plant
05.11.12 - Grayslake, IL @ The Oasis
05.12.12 - Chicago, IL @ The Stage Bar
05.25.12 - Tempe, AZ @ The Fixx
05.26.12 - San Diego, CA @ Bar Eleven
05.27.12 - Tijuana, MEX @ TBA
05.27.12 - San Diego, CA @ TBA
05.28.12 - Ventura, CA @ Billy O's
05.29.12 - Monterrey, CA @ Jose's Underground
05.30.12 - San Jose, CA @ The Blank Club
05.31.12 - Walnut Creek, CA @ Red House Live
06.01.12 - Eureka, CA @ The Ink Annex
06.02.12 - Seattle, WA @ The Comet w/ Princess, Grenades, Mico De Noche

By James Ballinger (The Seattle Passive Aggressive)

SHOW PREVIEW: Meshuggah, Baroness, Decapitated

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:23:00 +0000

Not many bands could weather the kind of adversity that Decapitated have. From a tour accident that took the life of their drummer and put their singer in a coma in '07 to a near catastrophic plane accident last year, this young band who helped breath life back into death metal in the early 00s has not only survived but has consistently released some of the best metal coming out today.

Decapitated's latest record, "Carnival is Forever", builds upon the band's past technical proficiency displayed on records like "Nihility" and the death metal classic, "The Negation", but steps outside the death metal circle just enough to appeal to a larger audience. It's an incredible album!

Decapitated will be in Seattle on Wed, May 9th, where they'll be performing at Showbox Market with label mates, the unmistakable and unrivaled Meshuggah. It's hard to believe that over the last 25 years Meshuggah has only released 7 full length albums. The band's influence on modern metal is undeniable. The band's latest record, "Koloss", is in many ways what one would expect from Meshuggah. That's not a put down. The band are masters at tension and technical ferocity and the entire length of the new record is full of it. If you're a fan of Meshuggah, the band has delivered again!

Also appearing will be Atlanta's Baroness whose new record, "Yellow & Green", will be released this summer on Relapse.

By ROY CULVER

SRG Noise for the Needy show finalized

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:18:00 +0000

The bill for this year's SRG Noise for the Needy show has been finalized. Joining Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, Wizard Rifle, Shelter Red, Monogamy Party, Deadkill, and special guests Sir Dander are Absolute Monarchs and Swayze! with DJ Nik C spinning wax all night long. The show benefits the Seattle Community Law Center, and also doubles as SRG founder Nik Christofferson's 32nd birthday party. Pre-sale tickets are available now for this righteous event right HERE:

WHAT'S NOT WEAK THIS WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:40:00 +0000

WHAT'S NOT WEAK THIS WEEK – A local show round-up

by Jake Weller

Monday, May 7^th

https://www.facebook.com/events/352155058173906/

Since emigrating from Portlandia mere months ago, Key of Solomon have made an earnest effort to ingratiate themselves with the Seattle heavy scene by being out there, going to shows, and showing great support for local musicians and music lovers alike. Their groove-proggy riff blasts will be opening this Metal Monday at the 2Bit in Ballard, also featuring the spacebar-averse Bloodhunger, Ninthgate, and Powerhitter. Despite the melodious racket intermittently expanding the walls from within, Monday nights at the 2Bit are surprisingly laid back, unpretentious affairs. They are the perfect way to kick off any cheery, beery, damage-your-heary week of rock.

Wednesday, May 9^th

https://www.facebook.com/events/415889965096227/

Due to the banishment of one of its members to the Great White North, psych captains Black Science will be playing their final show on Wednesday at The Funhouse. The riffalicious Crawler and Blöödhag alumnus, The Grindylow, will serve as the primi and antipasti piatti to Black Science's dark and hallucinogenic ravioli al noise (not to be confused with a similar dish, the ravioli al noiose, which has been largely praised by the indie-rock diners in our fair city in recent years). Come hungry.

Thursday, May 10^th

https://www.facebook.com/events/216282481806327/

Something must happen in mid-August that causes people to start making babies, because there are birthday shows abound this time of year. Thursday's event is for Colin of Haunted Horses and Stickers+ at the Black Lodge, with Nucular Aminals from Portland, and a couple of Cali tourists, Teenage Sweater and All Your Sisters. Stickers+ pound out the type of ageless garage rock that lurks in the shadows of wave after wave of contemporary fad bands, but ends up gaining recognition as a mighty influence to the following generation and has the awkward result of deifying the don't-give-a-fucksters who were only doing what they felt in their hearts. These kind of things are always good to check out as they are actually happening, lest you end up as one of those miserable souls who regret that they had all those chances to see Sonic Youth or Bikini Kill way back in the day, but now have no choice but to put up with the loud, shirtless, ignorant drunk kids who mob whichever fairgrounds are hosting whichever expensive festival is featuring their depressing reunion.

Friday, May 11^th

https://www.facebook.com/events/168073046645658/

Every time Ladies' Choice impresario Adam Noble Bass clears another fantastic pop-a-wheelie around the Sun, Seattle is given a generous gift in the form of an amazing rock show. He always manages to bring an unexpected treat to his birthday party, and this year is no different. Since going on hiatus more than a couple years ago, it seems like every show The Ruby Doe reforms to play will be their last (and should probably be treated as such). Any band that can still shine after following the likes of local heavy rock legends, Black Elk, Akimbo, and Dog Shredder, is worth catching any time that they play. Arrive early, as the entire bill for Friday's show at the Comet is one of the strongest of 2012 so far, and will absolutely sell out while Dog Shredder are filling the shorts of everyone within a two-block radius of 10^th and Pike. [NOTE: Adam is feeling extra generous this year and has scheduled the exact same line up to appear at the best damn venue in Bellingham, The Shakedown, the following night. It will be worth the hike.]

Saturday, May 12^th

This Blinding Light, Floorian, Scriptures, Kaleidosaur

https://www.facebook.com/events/295013413916855/

The veteran lushmongers in This Blinding Light—headlining the Rat and Raven in the U-District this Saturday night with Floorian, Scriptures, and Kaleidosaur—deal in a gorgeous and menacing psych-rock that swirls and winds through the mind like a lemon juicer, setting the listener adrift on a cloudy ocean of churning gray matter. If you are at all familiar with the pleasure and recalcitrant fear of a communal pillow fight that has gone spiraling out of control into a no holds barred, hardcore tickle match, then you will be prepared for what a bill like this will do to your pearly pink head goo.

WHAT’S NOT WEAK THIS WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:06:00 +0000

WHAT’S NOT WEAK THIS WEEK – a local show roundup

By Jake Weller

Thursday, May 3^rd

[Yohobitat/RUINS Alone/Bill Horist]

http://www.facebook.com/events/216092218506726/

Yoshida Tatsuya—the brain and one of the hands behind legendary avant-prog duo, Ruins—is going it alone at Chop Suey on Thursday as the aptly named Ruins Alone. Luckily, Seattle native, guitar virtuouso and fellow perpleximatician, Bill Horist, has his back. Each of them will be performing their cacophonous and bewildering, yet mesmerizing and ultimately mind-blowing solo sets before joining together under the ridiculous moniker Yohobitat to baffle the crowd into submission with their mini-Voltron of weird and awesome. Horist recently held center ring at the Josephine in a collaboration with noise veteran, Darin Gray, tossing each other around on trapezes in a circus of sound. It was as if two future humanoids had unearthed a couple guitars and attempted to work the strange sound devices by assaulting them with various household items and tools. One particularly inspired section found Horist tossing corks into an inverted cymbal resting balanced on the strings of his fretboard. Only someone who has truly mastered his instrument ever gets bored enough to try out that kind of shit.

Friday, May 4^th

http://www.facebook.com/events/272924769457416/#!/events/272924769457416/

Argonaut’s frontman, Matt Sader, sure knows how to celebrate the aging process. Almost as if he felt the need to display the proud feathers of his vitality to ward off the AARP pamphlets, he has sandwiched his sludgy noise rock outfit between two absolutely essential Northwest bands, Lozen and Mico De Noche, for his birthday show at the New Frontier in Tacoma Friday night. Expect loud, expect awe, and expect at least one bare-breasted Argonaut guitarist. That alone is worth ten times the price of admission.

http://www.facebook.com/events/247818021983339/

For those of you who want to stay Seattle-side for the evening, The Sunset in Ballard is doing some sonic soundscaping with Fungal Abyss, Noise-a-Tron, and X Suns (pronounced “Ten Suns”). Philistines may complain about the lack of a vocalist throughout this lineup, but those people have never sat in a room experiencing the tantric succession of 7-minute orgasms each of these bands induce. The more worldly lager-swilling showgoers know that they will stumble out into the night, after the refraining fog from the last fungal thunder chord finally dissipates, feeling cherished, emboldened, and completely spent.

Saturday, May 5^th

http://www.facebook.com/events/390345824338863/

Who doesn’t like helping people? Okay, it can be kind of a pain in the ass. KEXP’s Audioasis is going to make it easy for everyone on Saturday by thrusting Brokaw, Blood Orange Paradise, and The Riffbrokers onto The Sunset’s stage to shake their moneymakers and save the World. Brokaw alone is worth the cost of being charitable, as they can work that pole like no other band and have a habit of blowing nearly everything in the room – well, minds and speakers, at least. Only tried and tested scene veterans like these are capable of bring in ‘da noise and bring in ‘da funk in such a face-melting fashion.

http://www.facebook.com/events/203380506442844/

In typical present-day Seattle fashion, there are too many great shows happening at once. Portland’s White Orange will be erecting their stoney wall of sound at the Comet Tavern, following the one-two punch of Princess, and Wah Wah Exit Wound. Lucky for White Orange, they are incredible, since the spiraling psychedelia of WWEW guitarist Dave Webb and spasmodic display of Princess frontman Andrew Chapman have a tendency to rush through the eyes and ears, sending the audience into a maelstrom of esctatically grinning confusion that would leave most bands impotent if they find themselves in the unfortunate position of following both sets.

The Funhouse Property Has Been Sold, New Location For Venue Sought

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:29:00 +0000

Gah! This news and final blow to the Funhouse came yesterday from owner Brian Foss...the search begins for a new location.

I am sad to report that it is now official - The Funhouse will be moving from our current location.

Our landlords sent us a notice informing us that the building has been sold and we have 6 months to vacate the property, ending our tenancy on October 31, 2012.

Obviously we are devastated by this news.

My business partner Bobby & I are now going to begin the process of finding another location for our business. Ideally we'd love to find a somewhat central location that can host a bar & live music. In the best case scenario we'd love to find a place to buy, but barring that renting another space would be acceptable too.

Our hope is to take over another space by Oct/Nov, thereby minimizing down time and at best keep all of our staff employed.

The building the Funhouse occupies originally opened in the late 1930's under the name Tex's Tavern. Tex's was in business for 50 plus years, until it became Zaks in the 1990's. Bobby took over the business, opening the doors on Halloween night 2003.

When word went out about us possibly losing our business the public outpouring of support was overwhelming, and while we desire no charity (The Funhouse is a for profit business, after all) we are hoping to hear suggestions from our supporters about possible new locations.

One of the things some folks were hoping for was getting some kind of landmark status for the building, but my understanding is this happening is way on the outside of possibility. Obviously we'd love some kind of last minute miracle to keep us in our current location, but we must be pragmatic and plan on moving.

So this ain't over yet. I have to look at this as something positive. Who knows what cool stuff will happen in the next few months?

And to anyone wanting to support us - please come down and buy a drink. We could use your business!

Brian Foss
Funhouse Co-owner/Booking Agent

Good to Die Showcase has MOVED to HIGHLINE BAR!

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:13:00 +0000

In case you haven't heard yet and were planning on coming out tonight, the Good to Die Showcase has been moved from Barboza to the Highline due to Barboza not quite being ready to open their doors.

Address: 210 Broadway Ave E. Seattle, WA 98102

All pre-sales tickets purchased through either Barboza or Good to Die Records will be honored at the door!

Tonight is also Dog Shredder's official Seattle record release show for "Brass Tactics", the LP will be available along with all the other GTD vinyl titles at the show. Collect 'em all!

The doors open at 8pm and show will get going around 9-9:30pm, so don't be late. See you all tonight!

What's Not Weak This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:11:00 +0000

WHAT’S NOT WEAK THIS WEEK – a local show roundup

By Jake Weller

Wednesday, April 25^th

http://www.facebook.com/events/317263191654043/#!/events/344856362222159/

Tristan Shone, the maniacal genius behind San Diego’s Author & Punisher, is bringing his one-man band of insane faceless robots to roost at The Comet Tavern Wednesday night. As a mechanical engineer, he has skillfully created a menagerie of industrial sound machines to do his bidding while he sits behind the curtain, vocalizing and puppestrating this psychotic orchestra. It is definitely a feast for the mind, body, and ears. And yet, as exciting as it is to have A&P in town, the big story of the night will be Golgothan Sunrise (feat. the lumberjack section of the mighty Lesbian) reuniting and spreading their laborious and beautiful doom rug over the hardwood floors to cozily swaddle the tallboy-swilling, red-eyed audience in heady lushness. Supporting bands [A] Story of Rats and Taurus are both very noteworthy in and of themselves (and will likely be praised greatly in a future column), even if somewhat overshadowed by the bands sandwiching their sets. An all-around amazing evening of heavy tunage is in store.

Thursday, April 26th

http://www.facebook.com/events/317263191654043/#!/events/313363832046197/

It always seems a little masturbatory to promote shows featuring Good To Die Records bands on the very same blog started and run by label-owner Nik Christofferson, but who could look at the lineup for this showcase and not want to rub one out? It’s Sandrider, Dog Shredder, Brokaw, and Monogamy Party, for fuck’s sake. Anyone that has somehow missed out on the local buzz for any of these bands is either not into the rock and roll music these days (and obviously not reading this site), or is suffering in a hospital, hooked up to some sort breathing apparatus, surrounded by family and friends who are trying in vain to tell them about these bands. It is quite a predicament for the new venue, Barboza (underneath Neumos!), to have to look forward to utter demolition via soundquake on its very first day of operation. Poor, poor Barboza.

***UPDATE: It looks like even the idea of rocking this hard has struck fear into the heart of Barboza, and they are unable to prepare themselves to handle it in time. This incredible show has moved to The Highline Bar, which has the proper shielding and structural support to take such a beating.***

Saturday, April 28^th

http://www.facebook.com/events/#!/events/317263191654043/

Level 25 Dark Paladin Riffmistress, Thérèse Lanz, and her trusty, stick-wielding, slay-happy sidekick, Stefani MacKichan, comprise the two halves of the dragonborn behemoth, Mares of Thrace. Hardened by an existence spent at the wintry northern rim of the World, they thrive on culling the meek and unaware metalheads of less rugged climes and spellbinding them with such mesmerizing doom wizardry that there’s nary a die in all the land with enough sides to make a successful saving throw. Consider this a warning—for they are making their way South, preparing to descend upon Seattle Saturday night. As if their mere ultrasonic presence wasn’t enough of a menacing threat to the lowly mortals inhabiting this region, they come armed with their most advanced weapon yet, The Pilgrimage (Sonic Unyon Records). The Highline Bar, sitting aloft that shining Castle on the hill, will be the last bastion and only sanctuary remaining once the fires have been set. Into The Storm, Ninth Moon Black, and Crawlin’ will be lowering a cone of loudness over the bar to safely barricade those within, and will proudly serve as your steadfast metal militia throughout the night.

Record Store Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:05:00 +0000

Record Store Day is tomorrow, the one day a year that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the continued existence and importance of local record stores, and of course music itself. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists across the globe make special appearances and performances. It's a day above all others to make an appearance, and hopefully a purchase at your local independent record store.

Easy Street, Sonic Boom, Silver Platters, Jive Time, Bob Street, and number of other local stores are all once again participating in this years festivities by either stocking the limited edition RSD releases, hosting in-store performances, or just plain offering customer discounts.

For a full list of RSD vinyl and CD releases go here, but I'll certainly be picking up exclusive releases from Hydra Head Records like the re-issue of Botch's "An Anthology of Dead Ends" on 12" wax.

For all in-store performances and discount info visit the website of your favorite local store. Here's some links, and happy crate digging!

Easy Street Records
Sonic Boom Records
Silver Platters
Everyday Music
Jive Time
Bop Street
Leary Records
Wall of Sound

Support Kick the Ox!

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:48:00 +0000

Few bands take advantage of every opportunity they are given to promote their music, or get help from other outside sources. He Whose Ox is Gored is absolutely not one of those bands (Mmmmm, Popchips). They are shameless self-promoters for sure, doing whatever it takes to get the name out, the music heard, and the band seen. I recently sat down with band members Brian McClelland and Lisa Mungo over high-priced caviar and champagne to talk about all of the work they are doing, and more importantly their Kickstarter campaign to help fund their very first full-length. “We realized that when we were planning the new record we wanted to put out a really great product, realized that it was going to be a chunk of change and this was a great way to get people involved, provide incentives and just try something new” says Brian. And what are these incentives? “Brian for example decided to tattoo the name of any person who donates $100 and it has been hilarious to watch those pledgers dial in for that prize,” Lisa says, but other tiers include everything from a personal thank you on your Facebook page, exclusive merch made for the project, a copy of the record, to having the band play your house, or even having you book their tour, and even getting to go along for the ride.

Pledges start at just a dollar, but go up to a thousand depending on the tier. As for the recording plans, Brian says “We're still in the the writing process right now, but it should be about 8-10 songs. There will be a couple tracks that we've released before and a pile of new songs. We're all really stoked on the material so far. As for the production plans, we'll be tracking with the phenomenal Robert Cheek at a few different studios. Drums and basics will be split between Red Room, where we did the Nightshade EP, and Avast. We like to do a lot of the overdubs and final touches at Bob's ExEx Studios. Randall Dunn will be doing some tracking with us as well. From there, we've got Matt Bayles (Isis, Pelican, Minus the Bear) to mix. Mastering is still up in the air, but tracking should start by the end of the summer, and hopefully out by the end of this year”.

The Kickstarter campaign ends Saturday April 28th at Midnight, so head on over to the page and donate a little cash, and help the band get this record out.

http://tinyurl.com/KICKTHEOX

By James Ballinger, founder of The Seattle Passive Aggressive

What's Not Weak This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:57:00 +0000

What’s Not Weak This Week – a local show roundup

By Jake Weller

Tuesday, April 17^th

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/399790850037813/

Absolute Monarchs are having their coming out party this week. Tonight’s regatta gala will be held at the Easy Street Records in Lower Queen Anne as an in-store performance. Come live the dream and witness these brash and bouncy post-punkers launch the audience into glittery fantasia with songs off their stellar debut full-length, 1. The formal cotillion is scheduled for Saturday; see below for details.

Later in the evening, it’s time get all warm and cozy at the Tractor Tavern on Ballard Ave. with Japanese collective Acid Mothers Temple & Melting Paradiso U.F.O., whose oft-improvised collaboration has the power to firmly tuck you into a psychedelic envelope and ship you to a separate location from your mental faculties. Joining them will be The Phantom Family Halo. All in all, a good excuse to go on a little vacation between your ears.

Wednesday, April 18^th

The edgy, yet danceable, space rock quartet, Battle Stations, play The Funhouse tonight. They have been getting quite the good buzz around town, mostly due to the dearth of bands that sound anything like them. If Devo and Hint Hint got it on and pooed out baby named Spencer Moody, he would probably grow up to be a Battle Stations fan. Take that however you like. The Botherations and Chad Cook fill out the rest of this strong bill.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/255854361174412/

Blue Ridge, VA’s stony throwbacks, Pontiak, will bring their dynamic live set to The Comet tonight for an extremely rare treat. Supporting them will be the dark and heavy psychedelic moods of Midday Veil, as well as Scriptures, and The Midget (The Midget? really?! They had better be really awesome to overcome that name…or an actual midget…ideally both). Pontiak sound like the really good shit from the ‘70s that was way ahead of its time and is just now becoming relevant, and you are just now discovering and wondered how the hell it slipped past you over the last few decades. You know, it’s like when your friend holds up the album and looks at you incredulously, as if to say, “How have you not heard of these guys? They just seem so much like something you would have been into from way back when!” And you feel really dumb and unhip, and also a little scared, like you had a section of your brain that SHOULD HAVE FUCKING KNOWN BETTER removed by aliens… They’re kind of like that.

Saturday, April 21^st

http://www.recordstoreday.com/

Hey, it’s Record Store Day!! Enjoy lurking outside a local record store in the early hours of the morning alongside fellow drooling music geeks, flask in hand, waiting for the doors to unlock. Help support everything music fans love, and get some great exclusive albums by one of the brazillion (or even, Brazilian, perhaps?) artists who contributed to the mayhem. Get drunk by lunch and yell at children passing by, as you drop your cellophane-wrapped collectables into a puddle that swiftly flows towards an open storm drain and on out to sea… Good times.

http://www.facebook.com/events/339844576056929/

Resident busy beavers, The Absolute Monarchs, are at it again for the second time this week. Their new album, 1, has finally finished its arduous journey towards completion and release on Good To Die Records. They will be whipping it out tonight and exposing it to the audience at The Comet Tavern on Capitol Hill with support from Constant Lovers, Deadkill, and Murmurs. Considering the (well-deserved) hype and support they have been getting from the radio stations and rags around town, it could be a rarity in the near future to see them play venues as small as the Comet. And seeing as how they are likely best enjoyed in tighter, sweatier confines, this would be a good time to expose yourself to them as well.

http://www.facebook.com/events/375738689126065/

Tacoma has itself quite a lineup at The New Frontier tonight as well. Seattle’s own Smooth Sailing and Grenades have been practicing their competitive cartwheeling skills and are marching Fifeward to rock the fuck out with a bunch of T-town metal junkies in Bloodhunger and the duo Tummler and Solomon. Expect the three Bs: Brutality, Bruising, and Baby Wipes. Oh, and Blistering! There will definitely be some blistering involved.

Sunday, April 22^nd

http://www.facebook.com/events/286311478112356/

The Cha Cha Lounge has been playing host to a number of great bands on a few special Sundays of late. Even though it’s a school night, a free show is hard to turn down, especially one that features Thinking Thieves, Haunted Horses, and Crime Wave. Having spent the last ten years cutting their teeth (as well as two instantly classic albums) in the highly competitive and creative artist stewpot that is Brooklyn, NY, Thinking Thieves have their finger on the pulse of outsider America’s desired sound, and yet, have still managed to retain their underground mystique and DIY ethics. All this, despite a near constant demand from major labels to forego self-releasing and sign for ungodly sums to their soul-less industry meatgrinder. This night marks their first time bringing their acclaimed fiery and frenetic live show to a Seattle audience, and their demand that it remain a free show is worthy of respect and attendance.

JUST ANNOUNCED! Noise for the Needy Festival w/ Brothers of the Sonic Cloth + MORE

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:55:00 +0000

The Noise for the Needy Festival announced its 2012 beneficiary and festival lineup yesterday. This year's festival will run June 1st–10th and will benefit Seattle Community Law Center, serving low-income people with disabilities. Visit HERE for full details.

SRG is once again proud to be co-sponsoring the BIG hard rock and metal show down at the Underground Events Center this year.

The bill was hand picked by SRG founder Nik Christofferson (me), and will double as my 32nd birthday party as well. So bring your fucking party hats because the whiskey will be flowin'!

Now for the bill...

It's been over a year since they played a show but Brothers of the Sonic Cloth featuring former TAD frontman Tad Doyle have regrouped with The Annunaki mainman Dave French on drums, and have been tapped to headline this massive mini-festival.

Joining them are buzzworthy Portland metal duo Wizard Rifle, who just released their debut EP on Seventh Rule Records to much acclaim. Playing a much overdue Seattle show is another metallic Portland duo called Shelter Red. This instrumental act makes more noise than 2 people have any business making, and fans of bands like Don Caballero, ISIS, and Botch should take a liking to this band. Seek out their most recent release "Strike A Mortal Terror" on Sound vs. Silence Records and get stoked. Also, bringing the fury to this stacked bill are Good to Die Records acts Monogamy Party and Deadkill, two of the most impressive, electrifying, and riotous live acts in town. Rounding out the bill is a secret special guest that will be announced all in due time.

Here's all the pertinent info, and please mark your calendars for a excellent cause, and even better party.

Noise for the Needy and Seattle Rock Guy Present:

Brothers of the Sonic Cloth
http://brothersofthesoniccloth.bandcamp.com/

Wizard Rifle (Portland)
http://wizardrifle.bandcamp.com/

Shelter Red (Portland)
http://www.reverbnation.com/shelterred

Monogamy Party
http://monogamyparty.bandcamp.com/

Deadkill
http://deadkill.bandcamp.com/

+

Secret Special Guest!

--

Nik's birthday show!

Underground Events Center
$10 | 21+ | 7PM

*Underground Events Center is cash only

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/420816221278592/

What’s Not Weak This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:32:00 +0000

What’s Not Weak This Week – a local show roundup

By Jake Weller

Tuesday, April 10^th

http://www.facebook.com/events/365646583458027/

To look at the hulking, menacing, bearding, metal scene veteran who embodies the persona, King Dude, you might imagine something far more disturbing coming out of him than the darkly lush beauty he effuses when he performs. You wouldn’t be silly to do so, of course; his other projects include Book of Black Earth and Cross. Perhaps you would therefore imagine him stepping on stage only to devour a live goat and then return to his dressing room to await the encore chants – no one could blame you. Fortunately, this project is much more digestable than that, and he will be closing an incredible night of not-quite-quiet introspection at the Josephine on Tuesday. Geist & The Sacred Ensemble, [A] Story of Rats, and the indomitable Demian Johnston will provide the rest of the night’s moving sounds.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/285664534835055/

Sage-burning and self-serious, the doomy Portland black metal outfit, Atriarch, may be a little off-putting to the uninitiated, but given a chance, they will have you at their behest, kneeling, staring creepily and grinning, ready and willing to open a vein in gleeful sacrifice to the darkness by the end of their set. They are headlining The Highline Bar, also on Tuesday, along with Alaric, the doom-mongering Bell Witch, and Countdown to Armageddon.

Thursday, April 12^th

If you have a Facebook account and are between the ages of 15 and 80, there’s a good chance that you are at least online friends with Sir Adam Bass. For those of you who currently enjoy a cave-dwelling lifestyle: Adam’s unending devotion to heavy music—as well as his hilariously chatty, extroverted stoner dynamism—has made his production company, Ladies’ Choice, a sure bet when scanning the weekly rags for loud entertainment. This night kicks off Choicefest (or rather, CHOICEFEST) – a four-night marathon of some of his favorite bands from around the region. The one stipulation for all bands performing is that they need to contain at least one female. While the existence of a sexist tinge to this requirement could be argued at length in the undergraduate classrooms at any number of liberal institutions around the US, it most assuredly was employed merely as a creative parameter for booking, and really points out the greatly increased participation and acceptance of women in the heavy music community today. The fact that the quality of the lineup on any given night hasn’t suffered one iota by limiting the pool of bands able to play it has rendered the limitation almost completely unremarkable.

http://www.facebook.com/events/382852361729560/

Princess officially start the broiling process at The Comet on Thursday, supporting a tour-launching ubik, along with the always fantastic Kinski and Elk Rider. If you have not been fondled or hugged by Princess frontman/teddy bear, Andrew Chapman, at least once in your life, then you have never truly lost your virginity. His spastic dancing, screaming, climbing, and crowd-interacting have been producing grins since his days in the sorely-missed orc warrior troupe, The Keeper. Equally-impressive is the pedigree of the musicians behind him, plowing through their angular, groovy riffs like you just wrote them in your own head and decided they were amazing.

Friday, April 13^th

http://www.facebook.com/events/191684084272052/

Tacoma’s tight drum/guitar (and sometimes, drum/drum) duo, Lozen, headline The Highline for the second night of the LC Choicefest, and are always a highpoint on any bill they share. This one happens to give them some strong competition in Portland’s Fist Fite, as well as Sioux City Pete & The Beggars, Swayze, and Broxa. The string-playing half of Lozen, Hozoji Matheson-Margullis, divides her time with her other band, Helms Alee, and plays through a burly custom Verellen Meat Smoke amplifier called Jizz Toke. There really should be no other reason needed than that to find yourself at the Highline on Friday.

Saturday, April 14^th

http://www.facebook.com/events/380563745303814/

LC Choicefest carries on like Baby Huey, crushing competing shows in its path, by bringing the guitarless Portland (via Olympia) icons, Two Ton Boa, to The Funhouse to drive the audience down into pounding, danky dark sweetness with the Bay Area’s Amber Asylum, The Family Curse, Eight Bells (also PDX), and Luminol.

http://www.facebook.com/events/178680648917989/

As much fun as Choicefest is looking to be, many folks may have a hard time turning down the chance to see the raw and driving Angelinos, Totimoshi, actually playing a smaller venue. The Comet Tavern, which fits the explosively dynamic trio perfectly, is hosting them on Saturday, along with the sarcastic and fun noisy punks in Android Hero, and the brilliant, head-ripping upstarts, Brokaw and Serial Hawk. There is no conceivable dead spot on this bill, and judging by the hoodie statements some of these bands’ members make, the good vibes and excitement of having them all play together should help blanket the crowd in cracktasmic ecstacy and beer foam.

Sunday, April 15^th

http://www.facebook.com/events/155913571193345/

Thus concludes LC Choicefest’s chokehold on the attention of Seattle’s heavy music hounds with a spectacular lineup at everyone’s favorite Eastlake cavern, The Black Lodge, featuring a trifecta of killer Portland bands, Black Pussy, Witch Mountain, and Transient. The misfits in this acclaimed batch of heaviness are Black Pussy, but that couldn’t make for a finer turn of events. Their soothing stoner psyche brings to mind what Fu Manchu would sound like if they wrote their songs during the part of a mushroom trip where everything is hilarious and fun, but nobody knows what the hell is going on. A blissed-out end to a long, wonderful night and weekend. Rounding out the set are local thundermuffins Don Peyote and everyone’s favorite neighborinos from the Great White North, Mendozza. This bill couldn’t be more awesome if it ate awesome for breakfast, then took an awesome dump, threw on some cologne called Awesome (for Bills), and walked around all day with no pants and a shirt that simply read “Awesome.”

Music News: Harkonen reunion and New Soundgarden track

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:08:00 +0000

An announcement from the Harkonen camp came out earlier this week, with the big news of the band reuniting for three shows to showcase the Brutal Panda label. Ready for the big bum out? These will only be East Coast shows. The shows will take place starting June 14th in Boston, Brooklyn and Philadelphia respectively. Chicago’s The Atlas Moth and Atlanta’s Whores will support all dates, while each show will have a different special guest such as Zozobra, Ladder Devils, and one yet announced. Both The Atlas Moth and Whores are extremely worth checking out on their own, and I’d love to see this bill make it out to the West Coast. The icing on the cake is that Harkonen’s 2002 album “Shake Harder Boy” (produced by Matt Bayles) will be repressed on vinyl exclusively for these shows.

Soundgarden has finally unleashed some new material after reforming in 2010, and for the first time in 15 years you’ll hear something completely new. “Live to Rise”, the bands first offering, will appear on the “Avengers” movie soundtrack, due out May 1st. While the fan reaction is mixed, the interesting thing about it is that it almost sounds eerily like what could have followed the bands last record 1996’s “Down on the Upside”. No throwback nostalgia here, just a track that sounds like the band has been frozen in time. Rarely do reformed bands sound as if they are picking up where they left off, so if you liked where Soundgarden was headed, this is most definitely for you. Sadly, the rest of the soundtrack is what you’d expect from a big budget superhero action flick soundtrack, with tracks by Papa Roach, Bush, and other radio friendly bro-rock juggernauts appearing on the release.

In other Soundgarden related news, the world’s first (and only?) all-female Soundgarden tribute band “Bleed Together” (insert tasteless menstrual joke here)has their very first show this Monday April 9th at Neumos in Capitol Hill. The Seattle group formed in late 2011, and has a few demos of material on their website www.bleedtogether.com.

By James Ballinger, founder of The Seattle Passive Aggressive music magazine

4/2 - Come Drink With Me by Jake Weller

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:16:00 +0000

COME DRINK WITH ME

By Jake Weller

Wednesday, April 4th

Smooth Sailing are still tending to their baggywrinkles, tensing their boom vangs, and preparing for their upcoming national tour in next month. Before they weigh anchor, The Kraken (formerly Galway Arms) in the U-district is courageously hosting them once again, with help from the cheerfully abrasive Mercy Ties and Virginia’s The Blue Letter. It is a mystery that a bar can keep their doors open after having them blown off repeatedly during shows like this, but nevertheless, the tiny Kraken persists. Those prone to claustrophobia may want to stay away from these cramped confines, but know that you will be missing out. Everyone else brave enough to get cozy with their neighbor and/or new drinking buddies will be enjoying the making of a brilliant memory they can use to bore drunk kids with in twenty years (they will never understand!).

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/409091595771568/

Thursday, April 5^th

Seattle’s dark no wavers, Haunted Horses, kick off their spring tour with the spazzy, angular geniuses, White Coward, at the Black Lodge on Thursday. In recent years, The Black Lodge has become the go-to venue for old fogeys to drop in on off nights and see what the kids are up to nowadays. Nights like these remind us of our youth, and the alcohol this drives us to drink helps us forget the maturity we’ve gained since. Sometimes waking up in a gutter can be a welcome nostalgic experience.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/115963258527512/

Friday, April 6^th

A true visionary, Mitch Hedberg, once said, “If carrots got you drunk, then rabbits would be fucked up.” Beginning on Friday night at the Josephine, Portland’s Rabbits are in town for a two-day stint, as if to show Seattlites how some unholy providence has lead to the realization of Hedberg’s nigh-apocalyptic prophesy: Rabbits are fucked up. They are also a great live band, though unprepared audience members may find themselves returning home confused and shivering, unable to form coherent words; struggling to recover from the beating their souls just underwent. If this should be the case this night, the rest of the bill will serve as a refreshing tonic to ease the tense joints and smile muscles. Fellow PDXers, Gaytheist (soak in the awesomeness of that name for a second), will be showing everyone present just how much fun being a human sound pinata can be. Sandwiching our friends from the south are local noise rock enthusiasts, Android Hero and Monogamy Party, neither of which are slouches in their own right when it comes to whipping a crowd into a grinning frenzy. [NOTE: This is SRG contributor, Jerry Howard’s birthday!!]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/282349478499049/

For those who prefer a little charity with their punk rock: The 2Bit is having a benefit for the recently, and tragically, departed Funhouse bartender, Mickey. Go raise a glass in her honor, along with the likes of Warning: Danger!, Church of El Duce (feat. mem. of Mentors), Neutralboy, The Hollowpoints, Kids on Fire, and more.

http://www.facebook.com/events/349925091715980/

Saturday, April 7^th

Rabbits return to play the Rendezvous in Belltown on Saturday. Joining them are local metallurgists, Hellgrammite, with “Seattle’s Premiere Unknown Supergroup,” White Jazz. Perhaps that is an accurate description of White Jazz, but for those that have been bathing in the heavy music stream of our fair city for the last 15 years, a band featuring (current and former) members of Akimbo, Blöödhag, Patrol, and Teen Cthulhu should hardly be “unknown” to you. Of course, it is doubtless that they have managed to slip past more than a few sets of eyes distracted by bands that have made sweatered-and-scarved Fogelberg-esque beard twee defiantly hip in this town. To anyone who admits to having fallen into this trap, but once again craves the rock, this show could be your redemption.

http://www.facebook.com/events/#!/events/317462601637569/

Infinite's 25th Anniversary featuring Red Fang, No Means No, Sleep, and MORE!

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:09:00 +0000

This summer Infinite Productions is celebrating their quarter century anniversary by bringing you super rare performances by Sleep (2 shows at Neumos!), No Means No, Nasum, Red Fang w/ Sandrider, Leftover Crack, and Whitehorse. There will also be shows featuring a recently reformed Kiss it Goodbye as well as the FINAL SHOW EVER by Seattle legends Undertow! Also don't miss out on the return of Doomriders, Yob, and Municipal Waste! And these are (mostly) just the June dates. Wait until you see what they have in store for July!

Tickets for all of these events go on sale this Saturday, and in the coming weeks they'll have another big announcement for July. This is just the beginning of some amazing Infinite Productions shows this summer!

APRIL 2012

Thurs. April 12^th – The Highline 21 + Only Infinite Productions Presents ALCEST , Addaura and Alda.$12.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. Tickets are on sale now! Doors: 9:00 p.m. Show: 9:30 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/319260711458511/

MAY 2012

INFINITE CELEBRATES OUR 25^TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THIS AMAZING SERIES OF SHOWS!

Sat. May 26^th – The Highline 21 + Only Infinite Productions Presents NASUM, BLACK BREATH, Massgrave and Theories. $13.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. $15.00 D.O.S.Tickets are on sale now! Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 9:30 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/229228577169412/

JUNE 2012

Fri. June 1^st – The Highline 21 + Only Infinite Productions Presents RED FANG , Sandrider and Special Guests. $13.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. $15.00 D.O.S. Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 9:30 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/123637547767253/

Sun. June 3^rdand Mon. June 4^th– Neumos 21 + Only- Infinite Productions presents SLEEP and Special Guests. $23.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, Moe Bar, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. $25.00 D.O.S. Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 9:30 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/302444273160377/
http://www.facebook.com/events/320781491309243/

Fri. June 8^th – The Highline 21 + Only Infinite Productions Presents YOB , Helms Alee and Bell Witch. $12.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. $14.00 D.O.S. Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 10:00 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/381711408527302/

Sun. June 10^th – The Highline 21 + Only Infinite Productions Presents KISS IT GOODBYE, Streetwalker, Marrow and Special Guests. $10.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. $12.00 D.O.S. Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 9:30 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/352909631412355/

Fri. June 15^th– Neumos All Ages Bar W/ID - Infinite Productions presents MUNICIPAL WASTE, 3 Inches Of Blood and Black Tusk. $15.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, Moe Bar, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 9:00 p.m. Curfew: 1:00 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/143644129096761/

Sat. June 16^th– Neumos 21 + Only- Infinite Productions presents NOMEANSNO (Only Washington Show, playing a very special set) and Special Guests. $15.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, Moe Bar, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. $17.00 D.O.S. Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 9:30 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/379973158692930/

Fri. June 29^th– Neumos All Ages Bar W/ID - Infinite Productions presents LEFTOVER CRACK ,Skarp, Snuggle and Juicy Karkass. $15.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, Moe Bar, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 9:00 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/297858170286714/

Sat. June 30^th– Neumos All Ages Bar W/ID - Infinite Productions presents UNDERTOW (LAST SHOW EVER!) and Very Special Guests. $20.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, Moe Bar, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. $22.00 D.O.S Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 7:00 p.m. Show: 8:00 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/331755060218122/

Fri. July 6^th – The Highline 21 + Only Infinite Productions and Ladies’ Choice present WHITEHORSE, Satya Sena , Golgothan Sunrise and A Story Of Rats. $10.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 9:30 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/193745074074732/

Sat. July 14^th – The Highline 21 + Only Infinite Productions presents DOOMRIDERS , Heiress, Baptists and Special Guests. $12.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, The Highline, Zion’s Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. Tickets are on sale Sat. April 7^th at 10:00 a.m. Doors: 8:00 p.m. Show: 9:30 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.
http://www.facebook.com/events/312015748864101/

SHOW PREVIEW: Helms Alee, Thrones, Sandrider at the Comet

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:30:00 +0000

There are some shows you go see that you’ll feel for the next 48 hours after. This Saturday at the Comet Tavern, Helms Alee kicks off a small West Coast tour right. Headlining the evening, Helms Alee doles out the heavy-yet-sugary riffs you should already know and love. After a very well-received LP last year entitled “Weatherhead”out via Hydrahead, and an equally awesome and funny video for the track “8/16” released in February, this show is enough to pack the Comet out by its own. For support, you’ve got Thrones, Sandrider, and Land of Pines. If you aren’t familiar with Thrones, Bassist/vocalist Joe Preston (Ex Melvins, High on Fire, Earth, etc) brings his one man, ever evolving project back to town. Always a hard band to pin-point genre wise, I can only explain it as sometimes sounding like Ween doing Black Sabbath covers, and high on Scotchguard. Any way you want to describe it, it’s a site to behold. Seattle’s own Sandrider never ceases to amaze me. One of my personal favorites in town, and after putting out (in my opinion) one of the best records of last year, the band will no doubt destroy your eardrums in the best way possible. Show up to this show early, you don’t want to get turned away for this bill. Land of Pines opens the show around 9:30pm.

By James Ballinger, founder of The Seattle Passive Aggressive music magazine

Watch or Die! #20 - Black Tusk: "Red Eyes, Black Skies" -- Ticket Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Jerry) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:16:00 +0000

The only bands I truly love make me want to drink beer. Does that make me shallow? Maybe, but who cares? As long as the liquid within I wade resembles a beverage of the hopped kind, one needs only to understand the smile on my face equates to a "Who gives a fuck?" smirk.

Black Tusk makes me want to drink beer. No, correction - Black Tusk makes me want to drink several beers. Black Tusk can do no wrong. Their last three full-length releases prove such a claim. The Savannah trio have delivered some of the best thrashy, heavy goodness in recent memory and they roll into town this Friday to administer the Highline a pounding in support of their new release: Set the Dial.

It's all here! Black Tusk mixes metal, punk, and thrash with skillful precision that separates them from their peers. Bottom line: Black Tusk rules!

Embrace the madness.

Black Tusk's video "Red Eyes, Black Skies" attests to their face melting capabilities. If they launch into this jam, the Highline might be reduced to a scrap heap.

Make sure you snatch up the beer - WATCH OR DIE!!!!

SRG has a pair of tickets to giveaway to the show on Friday. Just shoot an email to nik@seattlerockguy.com with Black Task in the subject to enter the drawing. Winner will be notified Thursday evening.

FRI. MARCH 30^th – The Highline 21 + Only Infinite Productions Presents BLACK TUSK, East Of The Wall, Samothrace and Crawlin'. $10.00 adv. @ www.etix.com, The Highline, Zions Gate, Singles Going Steady and Sonic Boom. Tickets are on sale now! Doors: 9:00 p.m. Show: 10:00 p.m. Curfew: 1:30 a.m.

3/27 - Come Drink With Me by Jake Weller

noreply@blogger.com (Nik) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:37:00 +0000

COME DRINK WITH ME by Jake

On Friday, Denver’s dark noiseniks, Leather Sky, are swinging through town and playing the Josephine in Ballard with the mighty Great Falls and Daniel La Rochelle and C.C. Parker. Veteran axe-wielder La Rochelle and Great Falls’ Demian Johnston have been joyfully pummeling brains to goo for years in their many previous and current bands, as well as side-by-side in their brutal noise project, Shining Ones. Highly recommended, as everyone needs to experience getting run over by a Mack truck at least once in their life. http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/217722288335070/

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://greatfalls.bandcamp.com/album/untitled-demo"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Untitled Demo by Great Falls&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Saturday sees a lineup of the high quality we should be preparing ourselves for before April starts and the shows get even more ridiculously—and consistently—good. Helms Alee, Thrones, Sandrider, and Land of Pines are likely going to sell out The Comet Tavern that night. Show up early to secure a spot, as this lineup is the potent sound Viagra your weekend needs: It’ll last about 4 hours, give you a stiffy (or, alternatively, a lady-boner), and you are guaranteed to begin creating with increased passion almost immediately after attending. http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/276792092386267/

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://sandrider.bandcamp.com/album/sandrider"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Sandrider by Sandrider&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>