Seattle Live Music Review: The Teenagers at Nuemos, Seattle, WA ~ April 19, 2008

So, the Teenagers played at Nuemos on April 19 in Seattle. I dig the Teenagers. I dig the Teenagers for many reasons, but the biggest reason is that they don't take themselves too seriously. I mean, most music in the mainstream now is no fun. Why do musicians ALWAYS have to take themselves so f-ing seriously?

The Handsome Furs, from Montreal, opened for the Teenagers. The duo did an electronic and guitar set that was hollow, electronic, and dark. Alexei Perry, who plays the keys and drum machine, stole the show. She reminded me a bit of Nico. I was a bit hypnotized by the music, and I have to admit that they're much better live than in recordings. The music is a bit sparse and brash but still communicates an emotional message--what a feat.

The Teenagers put on an enjoyable show. By the time they were on, Neumos was completely full of people. The music was cheerful, cheeky, and freaking fun. AND they have an entertaining, polished show.

I still dig the Teenagers.

http://www.myspace.com/theteenagers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngHDYzhDBk4

Live Music Review: The Russian Circles at Neumos, Seattle, WA ~ April 2008

So I was planning on another dullish, rainy, April night in the neighborhood when a friend with great musical taste told me to head to the Russian Circles show. Hailing from the Windy City, the Circles are an instrumental metal band with a sparse, haunting sound.

They made metal beautiful. Seriously. Listen.

http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles

Live Music Review: New York Dolls at El Corazon, Seattle, WA ~ March 7, 2008

I dig the New York Dolls. Inventing the whole glam-rock thing was no easy task, and I for one f-ing appreciate it. Without the NY Dolls, there's no Ziggy Stardust and without Ziggy Stardust there's no Bowie and without Bowie there's no The Cure and without The Cure my first make out session at age 13 with the super hottie named Jason would have been soundtrack-less. I bet I could connect that whole thing to Kevin Bacon...hmmmm...

The NYDolls were back in Seattle at El Corazon, and I haven't had enough time to get out lately, so I wanted to be sure to go.

As you may or may not remember from my last entry, the Dolls show last year was a huge deal--their first US Tour since being reunited by Morrisey, who was the President of their fan club at age 15. Last show was kind of a circus: there were go-go dancers, tons of punk kids, Camel f-ing sponsorship and a huge tour bus. Before the Dolls went on, there was a palpable buzz in the air.

This time, there were a couple of opening bands (which were okay), lots of floor space, and tons of drunk punks making fun of the "old rockers." The place was pretty empty. I downed a couple of beers and listened to their set. The Dolls seemed a bit more polished than last time but also a bit less excited. I guess I would be too in a small venue only half full. They sucked it up, though, and put on a great show.

Lately, most of the roots-of-punk shows have been pretty dead (the Slits show had so much floor space it was pitiful). Typical Seattlelite music goers have become snobby, ignorant hipsters. Maybe it's a modern Seattle thing. Maybe that's what the Seattle music scene has become just another Alaskan Way Viaduct--foundation less and waiting to collapse.

The Dolls, however, are rock solid.

Event Review: Shake! at Cafe Racer ~ January 19, 2008

We left Shake! grinning from ear to ear. Produced by the ultra-talented Agent Double-O Soul, the event draws sixties music addicts from around Seattle to the intimate Cafe Racer in the University District. Downtown kids don't often venture out of our zip code, and man, this was so worth it.

Cafe Racer has the vibe of one of the counterculture coffee shops that used to pepper The Ave prior to its corporate takeover by University Village (remember the Last Exit, people???). I figured out a formula: 60s Ave Coffee Shop - patchouli wearing hippies + showered, aftershaved mods + booze = Cafe Racer. Or something like that. Anyway, two native Seattlelites felt right at home.

After downing a martini and reading a regular his horoscope, we headed up to the dance floor. Agent Double-O Soul was drawing on his encyclopedic knowledge of soul music to play a great set. Trippy, 60s-inspired visuals projected on the wall behind us, we chilled out with some friendly, hilarious mod boys. Next up, DJ Vodka Twist, played crowd-pleasing, fun, super-danceable cuts. We danced our asses off and pretended we were Bond girls. FUN!

Shake! is like eating a double-fudge banana split. Shake! is those butterfly feelings you got while listening to your dad's Donny Hathaway records in the basement with the neighborhood kid you had a crush on. Shake! is the spirit of 60s Seattle incarnate.

I heart Shake!.

Live Music Review: The Owl N' Thistle Irish Pub, Seattle, WA ~ January, 2008

First Thursday in Seattle means a lot of things to me. First, a free night at the Seattle Art Museum. Second, amazing artists opening their spaces to the public. Third, bar hopping: wandering the streets with a handsome, creative man looking for the next lonely bar is a recipe for greatness.

This city is my home. I could wander streets, alleys, deserted walkways, desolate byways and never feel lost or alone. I know it intimately: every flaw makes me love it more.

The Owl and the Thistle is one of Seattle's beloved, flawed places. The linoleum floor is worn, the booths are sagging like an old man's ass, every inch is covered in layers of dust rivaling King Tut's tomb, and the band isn't tight because of too many drink ticket beers.

But damn, the walls ooze sweet memories of years and years of drunken joy. Even the air has a sparkle. And that broke-down linoleum booth feels like bliss when that made-for-me man puts his arm around my shoulder.

Add a pint of Guinness and I'm halfway to Mars.

Lecture Review: Crispin Glover at Northwest Film Forum, Seattle ~ January 13, 2008

Crispin Hellion Glover is a rat catcher. He knows how to catch rats.

He also knows how to make a movie about Cerebral-Palsy afflicted psychokillers and then talk about it brilliantly and unceasingly to an enraptured audience every member of which wishes he or she could unzip Crispin Hellion Glover's pants and show their appreciation but couldn't possibly because they are packed in like sardines and can hardly move or breathe let alone blow and Crispin Hellion Glover keeps talking and talking and talking.

Crispin Hellion Glover is a rat catcher. He knows how to catch rats.

Live Music Review: Trenchmouth at the Comet, Seattle, WA ~ January 9, 2008

Once again, Trenchmouth pulled off an amazing drunken debacle of a show. Despite being distracted by thoughts of a hot rude boy, I savored every minute of their whiskey-fueled sea shantey frenzy.

God I love those guys.