"Praise Jesus" = Preachy, "Eat Local" = Responsible
A couple of years ago I was at the Gorge with a first-timer and recent Northwest transplant. Sitting on the grass—hundreds of miles and a massive carbon footprint away the city—he told me something along the lines of, "You know, the further and further we get from Seattle, the less preachy people are. Then there's that guy with an 'Eat Local' T-shirt on."
Cheeseburgers on his mind. Moby appears at Town Hall on March 26.
This is my favorite contradiction. Maybe you'd say hypocrisy. People—especially in this town—love to whine about other people forcing their belief system on them. They hate any whisper of religious judgment in the form of a personal boundary or belief that they feel encroaches on their space. But this allergy to hearing someone tell you that something you're doing is wrong, is mostly contained to religion in town, and has certainly never been a problem in politics or, most of all, food.
Over on Voracious, Jason Sheehan tells us about Moby's upcoming to visit to Town Hall to pitch the new book he edited, Gristle: From Factory Farms to Food Safety. Do I think Moby's being preachy? Not necessarily. I haven't read his book. But I don't think he would be encouraged if Jason and I discussed the finer points of his tome over a Royal Red Robin Burger and a basket of fries. And if he were touring in support of a book of Christian-based essays, you can bet your butter lettuce that the "shut up and quit preaching" posts, columns, and articles would be out in full force.
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A.M. Music News: Bonnaroo So Far, The White Stripes vs. the Air Force, and More Military Madness
— MySpace: Bonnaroo's rolling out the lineup for this year's fest one artist at a time. John Fogerty, Phoenix, and The Flaming Lips performing Dark Side of the Moon have already been added.
Laura Musselman The Flaming Lips
— Third Man Records: Wow, so the White Stripes didn't want the Air Force to use "Fell In Love With a Girl" in that Super Bowl ad.
— LiveDaily: Deer Tick plays The Tractor on April 22.
— Pitchfork: Fleet Fox Robin Pecknold joins Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Vetiver, and Brendan Benson on Be Yourself: A Tribute to Graham Nash's Songs for Beginners. Read our recent chat with Nash, including his comments about performing "Military Madness" from Beginners.
— OK, Two Bits of Michael Jackson News: First, his doctor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter; his father, Joe Jackson, says it was all part of a conspiracy to kill MJ, and that MJ even told his kids that he thought he was going to be murdered.
Tonight: Dawes, Van Dyke Parks, X-Ray Press
Van Dyke Parks and Clare and the Reasons at the Triple Door, 7:30 p.m., $24, all ages
Van Dyke Parks loves collaborating with the fine young ladies.
X-Ray Press, By Sunlight Noise-a-tron, Levator at the Comet, 8 p.m., $6
If you like AFCGT or psychedelic noise in general, Hannah Levin suggests you check out X-Ray Press.
Dawes, Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons, Jason Boesel at the Tractor Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $10
Dawes' '60s California pop isn't boring or predictable, but it's familiar.
Tea Party or Rock Party? There's A Mood Brewing For Both
Right on the heels of my column last week regarding the Rock Party, the big political news of the weekend was the Tea Party convention in Nashville. Sure, these folks have momentum right now, but Tea Partiers shouldn't feel too special. Like Tea Partiers, Americans from across the political spectrum share an anxiety about the economy and feel disconnected from Congress. Ask almost anybody and they'll tell you how there's too much special-interest money in elections.
Krist Novoselic's column on music and politics runs every Tuesday on Reverb. Check back on Friday when he writes about what he's been listening to.
The Tea Party is the latest political phenomenon resulting from the powerful tools provided by the information revolution. It's good when common people become invested in our democratic system; it adds balance to the privileged financial interests who have done the same for too long. When a movement grows to the size of the Tea Party, they have a real chance to affect change on a local and national level. But is it really about change or more business-as-usual?
Continue reading "Tea Party or Rock Party? There's A Mood Brewing For Both"...
Music in Movies on Mondays: The Pharmacy Contribute Score, Songs to Fast Friends to Friday Harbor
Local band the Pharmacy recently contributed songs and instrumentals to the soundtrack for forthcoming local thriller Fast Friends to Friday Harbor. I spoke briefly with director Rylan Scherer about how they came to be involved:
The Pharmacy
"They recorded the songs for their album Weekend, and gave them to me to use for the film a while ago, when they were playing as "guest band" or something, and I was shooting video of Implied Violence's performance on Governor's Island in New York. I really dug the new songs live, and [frontman] Scotty [Yoder] gave me some instrumentals that they recorded around the same time as album. Not only did I get music from their new album, but these songs that are otherwise unreleased ... awesome, moody little songs without lead vocals (which can be distracting at times in movies)."
"They are dear friends of mine, and also one of my favorite bands that just keep getting better and better, so this made me happy, despite previously thinking I'd be a some type of douche if I used rock music in my film. I had all this grandiose classical music that was out of place and I knew it, but the music of the Pharmacy elevates the whole thing. I have had difficulty not trying to re-edit the film for the backing songs, that's how awesome they are!"
View the trailer for Fast Friends after the jump.
Sasquatch! 2010 Predictions: In Which I Attempt to Debunk Rumors From the Festival's Message Boards
This might be a little preliminary, considering that just today Adam Zacks and the Live Nation folks announced that they will announce the Sasquatch! lineup next week, but I've been wondering about what bands (other than Pavement) will make the journey to the Gorge this Memorial Day. 
Like this crowd, the possibilites for Sasquatch 2010! seem endless. (But they're actually finite.)
Or maybe it's not preliminary at all, since I'm only thinking about this one week before the announcement and a few months before the festival. The official Sasquatch! message boards, on the other hand, have been blabbering about the lineup since last fall. Don't have time (or the stomach) to sift through the musings of
Ragin' Asian: Got Vodka? Barca Does, and Then Some
Barca (1510 11th Ave.) is gorgeous in a creepy sort of way, with giant wooden doors, blood-red walls, and glass-blown light fixtures that provide more aesthetic appeal than they do actual light. Victor Hugo's Quasimodo would be pleased. 
The Capitol Hill bar can feel depressing on weeknights, when only a limited number of patrons sit in the high-backed booths, quietly drinking and conversing. But on weekends, it transforms into a full-scale club, with techno and funk music playing so loud you have to let out a murderous scream to be heard.
Continue reading "Ragin' Asian: Got Vodka? Barca Does, and Then Some"...
Hard Rock Cafe Seattle Boasts a Rock Club, Rooftop Deck, and Plenty of Gear From Grunge's Glory Days
I had a chance to wander around the glossy new Hard Rock this morning (on Pike, between First and Second). The folks have really gone all out. It's shiny, it's new, and if you're predisposed to hating on big and tall tourist attractions with rock shows and outdoor decks with views of Elliott Bay, you may as well move right along. For my part, I was very impressed with what they've done with the building (and the fact that their happy hour runs from 3-6 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. M-F). 
Seattle's Hard Rock Cafe—at 116 Pike Street—opens to the public on Wednesday. Live music starts in March.
First things first: the "upstairs" room includes a full bar, stage (above), and room for 477 peeps if the tables and chairs are all taken out. Amy Bauer, formerly of Loveless Records, is the club's marketing manager and booking all the shows. She's planning on monthly residencies on Tuesday nights hosted by bands, blogs, and record labels. Sundays are reserved for all-ages matinees. By the end of March, Bauer expects to be booking three or four shows a night, local and national.
Rock Ages: Founding Heart Guitarist Roger Fisher to Ring in His 60th With an All-Star Concert
Roger Fisher (pictured, rocking) is an original member of Heart. How fitting, then, that he's holding a concert to commemorate his 60th birthday party on—when else?—Valentine's Day.
The show will be at the King Cat (2130 6th Ave.) this Sunday, and will begin at 6. KING-5 meteorologist Jeff Renner, of all people, will serve as master of ceremonies, and included on the massive bill of performers will be Steppenwolf's Goldy McJohn, Bad Company's Lynn Sorensen, and Jimi Hendrix impersonator Randy Hansen, all of whom made appearances in last year's SW profile of Jimi's brother, Leon.
A.M. Music News: A Story About a Great Record Label and the Yacht-Sailing Men Who Cocked It Up
— New York Times: Tax shelters, private-equity disasters, and Citibank. Yeah, we're still talking about rock and roll. Here's the story about how EMI became everything that is wrong with the music business.
TAXMAN!
— Pitchfork: Beck makes an appearance on the new Jamie Lidell record, Compass, due May 18.
— Wall Street Journal: Did The Who play the biggest TV event in U.S. history?
— KEXP: Seattle Improvised Music Festival starts on Thursday.
— NME: Does Phil Spector look like Disco Stu? And other doppelgangers.
Sasquatch! Lineup to Be Announced Live at the Croc on February 15 With Fresh Espresso and Atlas Sound
In an unorthodox turn of events, Adam Zacks and the Live Nation folks will be announcing the Sasquatch! music festival's lineup live at the Crocodile next Monday, February 15, at 7 p.m. Not only can you learn who else we can expect to see at the Gorge next Memorial Day weekend (though you can be sure there'll be plenty of overlap with Coachella), Surfer Blood, Atlas Sound and Fresh Espresso will be performing.
Pavement, the only band confirmed to play Sasquatch! 2010 so far.
Best of all, it's a free show. Of course, there's a catch: if you want a ticket, you have to listen to 107.7 The End to win tickets, or alternatively, stop by Easy Street or Sonic Boom Records starting Friday, February 12, to pick up a pair (no, seriously, each person can only pick up two tickets at a time). Apparently, you can also win limited-edition posters and prize packages from Esurance and Xbox at the show, too.
Tonight: Mudhoney, Sleepy Sun at Neumos
Mudhoney, Sleepy Sun at Neumos, 8 p.m., free
Mudhoney
Initially, there was talk of having to buy a beer at Moe Bar to get into this show. First it was a New Belgium 1554. Now it's a Ranger IPA. Good news, though: you can get into the show with or without buying a beer, but buying a beer gets you in the door first. We're confused, but we're not going to question a free Mudhoney show. Basically, if you want a spot near the stage, you'll have to buy yourself a cold one.
Photos: St. Vincent, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, and Fences at Neumos
Laura Musselman St. Vincent played Neumos on Friday, Feb. 5, with Fences and Wildbirds & Peacedrums.
Continue reading "Photos: St. Vincent, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, and Fences at Neumos"...
Listen to Jonesy's Jukebox For Your Fix of The xx, Little Dragon, Sweet, and Other Delights
I was glad to find out that Steve Jones has a new radio show at long last. The former Sex Pistols guitarist is on the "airwaves" every day from noon to 1 p.m. at IAMROGUE.com. For those of you who weren't fortunate to hear it the first time around, Jones had a highly rated and widely listened-to radio show on Indie 103 in Los Angeles aptly called "Jonesy's Jukebox." Indie 103 had to close last year, however, due to dwindling advertisement revenue.
The xx Duff McKagan's column runs every Thursday on Reverb. He writes about his current listening habits every Monday.
What Steve does with radio probably hasn't existed in this form since sometime in the early '90s: He plays what he wants and has on any guest that he finds interesting. From the newest and hippest band on the road to a cop who walks the local beat, Jonesy makes it all somehow human, and totally listenable and interesting. Here are a few of his musical choices that you may hear when you listen to his new show:
Little Dragon, "My Step" (Machine Dreams): One dose of Beach House mixed with a touch of Cocteau Twins. I don't know, but Little Dragon are a sweet and dreamy affair.
The xx, "Heart Skipped a Beat" (XX): I know that these guys have received a ton of media play in The Weekly already... that doesn't mean that I'VE heard them, though! I have now and I like it a lot.
Sweet, "Action" (The Very Best of Sweet): One of the great things about Jonesy's show is that he plays music that he likes NOW, and also music that influenced him as a kid. The '70s glam era gets little play or recognition these days. Listen to the Sweet, Slade, T. Rex, Bowie, Mott the Hoople, and Jonesy's Jukebox if you want more!
CD Review: The Watson Twins Shuffle and Step Up to Sophomore Record Talking To You, Talking To Me
Band: The Watson Twins
Album: Talking to You, Talking to Me
Label: Vanguard Records
Release Date: Tomorrow (Feb. 9)
Rating (Skip, Stream, or Buy): Stream
In 2006, Chandra and Leigh Watson established themselves as the powerful songstresses backing Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis on her solo debut Rabbit Fur Coat. In 2008, they released the harmonically sound but largely disappointing Fire Songs—so disappointing, in fact, that its page was removed from online info giant Wikipedia for being a "non-notable album."
But with TTY/TTM, The Watson Twins' second full-length album is a dramatic improvement. Pulling a "Bon Iver" and retreating into a Sierra Nevada cabin to record demos, the duo emerged with a new approach: By incorporating a beefed-up backing band and alternating verses rather than relying on the intricate sisterly harmonies (both strengths and weakness of their debut), the soulful vocals and artful songwriting shine through. Between the bouncing pop-folk rhythm that drives "Modern Man," the bluesy lilt of "Midnight", and trademark Louisville alt-country track "Devil In You," the twins don't succumb to the sleepy harmonies that held them back.
