The line-up at Sasquatch this year was certainly solid, but full of bands I've seen a zillion times before, so missing the trek to the Gorge was not something I was too concerned about (especially since I'm getting my festival fixes here and here later this year). However, I really hope I get another opportunity to see the New Pornographers cover ELO, because choosing "Don't Bring Me Down" is pretty much a stroke of brilliance:

One other thing. I just took this picture, but you see that blue can in the upper right-hand corner? It looks like Miller Lite, right? Whatever it is, I can't find it anywhere in my basement. Seriously, I just spent 10 minutes down there and it's freaking me out.

After a weekend at the certifiably carbon-neutral Sasquatch! Festival, I'm going to bring home more green than just the stain on my ass. I'm inspired, and I'm cleaning up my act. I'm not using paper towels to dry my hands after I go to the bathroom (I may even give up excessive washing, a habit I also picked up at The Gorge this weekend), I'm not driving to Bellevue for my haircut, and, most importantly, when I enjoy a tasty bucket of the Colonel's extra-crispy chicken, I'm not kicking the receptacle to a landfill. This time, I'm using little bucket in the basement, where "rock and roll" and beers are often consumed with vigor. We needed a waste basket. We got a bucket. It doesn't end here. There are literally millions of ways to reuse a bucket from KFC. And I crave this chicken fortnightly.

The Hives. Photo by Renee McMahon. Watch a slideshow of Monday's bands.

The Hives, 2:30ish, Sasquatch! Mainstage

Frontman Pelle Almqvist's performance will never get any get anywhere near as advanced as his ego. That'd be one hell of a tall order, to be sure. But what we're stuck with ain't half bad. Dude's a live wire, working the entire stage, dancing, jogging, bringing the act into the crowd. Sure, he asked for a tip for doing all this in the desert sun (dressed all in black, no less). But I won't hold that against him. There are worse things in life than performing as if you're at an audition for the lead role in a Mick Jagger biopic.

Say Hi, 3:15 p.m.ish, Yeti! Stage

The friendly kid from Calgary standing next to me was really into the set. I can't complain, myself. This duo has a surprisingly full, satisfying sound when they want to.

The Little Ones, 3:40 p.m.ish, Wookie! Stage

This was the happiest band I saw all weekend, despite their claim to have cruised into the festival in a KIA Sedona.

Built to Spill, 4 p.m.ish, Sasquatch! Mainstage

I've seen Built to Spill three or four times over the last decade and I've always: a) found their show extremely boring, and b) left early. Today's experience was no different. The music's not particularly compelling in a live setting, especially when the five dudes stand motionless for 40 minutes. Somebody, please, tell me what I'm missing!!!

Cedric Bixler-Zavala, seconds after he tried to snatch our photog's livelihood. Photo by Renee McMahon.

The Mars Volta, 7:15 p.m.ish, Sasquatch! Mainstage

When I saw The Mars Volta at EndFest 2007, the band walked off the stage early, with frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala explaining that someone had thrown urine at the band. During today's set, we discovered why: he's the kind of guy who should be showered in piss. Consider the evidence:

-- During the first song, he picked up the drummer's ride cymbal and stand and chucked it into the audience. (In junior high, I observed such a combo fall off a table and crack a kid's head open.)
-- He later tossed an electric fan into the audience.
-- He then tried to take a videographer's camera away from him, in front of the stage.
-- When he couldn't get the video camera, he turned his attention to SW PHOTOGRAPHER RENEE MCMAHON and TRIED TO TAKE HER CAMERA AWAY FROM HER.

I have to wonder: What would it have taken to have the plug pulled on these clowns? I ask you, Live Nation brass, what had to be hurled into your ticket-paying audience's face to make this happen? A guitar? An amp?

Where's freshly bottled urine when you need it!?

The Holly Lama & Dr. Moi Chateau
Where are y'all from?
Holly: Capitol Hill. Do you live on the Hill?
No, I live in Bremerton.
Holly: Oh.
Who'd you come to see?
Holly: Lotsa people: Jamie Lidell, Battles, Ghostland (Observatory), Rodrigo Y Gabriela.
What inspires your wardrobe?
Holly: The zombie life.
Thanks. Have a good weekend.
Holly: Have fun in Bremerton.

This guy's one of their friends. I didn't get a name. But I felt bad that he felt bad that I didn't initially ask to take his picture. So, I took it.

Photo by Renee McMahon. Watch an audio slideshow featuring Death Cab for Cutie and The Cure.

For our coverage of all this Sasquatch!, including reviews and photos from Saturday and the rest of Sunday, check this out.

Death Cab for Cutie, 8:15 p.m.ish, Sasquatch! Mainstage

I'm gonna make this quick, 'cause I'm jonseing for a truck-stop breakfast and I have to check out of the hotel. Wonderful set last night. DCFC drew the sun-setting slot, so they had to compete for attention with the spectacular views.

The set was much the same as they brought to Bremerton last month, but after a short tour it already feels tighter. They're starting to open up more on "I Will Possess Your Heart," but they haven't made it the show-stopping, epic jam that I'm hurting for. Any improvisation the band's throwing at this 7-minute song feels rather rehearsed. I want them to melt the stage with this one, and I know they can.

The Cure, 10 p.m.ish, Sasquatch! Mainstage

I was whining yesterday about how I with there were more country-affected acts on the bill. And as I stood there, motionless with the rest of the audience during this set, I couldn't help but think that what the day really needed was a show-closing set from The Allman Brothers Band, not The Cure. That's all.

Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America. Photo by Renee McMahon.

The Presidents of the United States of America, 5:30 p.m.ish, Sasquatch! Mainstage

Say what you will about the makers of “Lump,” “Peaches,” and “Kitty,” but P.U.S.A. Is, above all else, a tight, energetic, crowd-pleasing band. From their most cherished '90s hits through “Mixed Up S.O.B.,” from their latest rccord, the band never wavered. Do I wish more bands sounded like P.U.S.A.? No. But, I'm so glad we have the one.

Mates of State, 6 p.m.ish, Wookie! Stage

Meh. I'm still warming up to these two. I enjoyed their cover of Jackson Browne's “These Days.” But, there was nothing happening that had me begging for more.

Sera Cahoone, 6:30 p.m.ish, Yeti! Stage

I was just talking to a friend this morning about how I wish the Sasquatch! lineup was heavier on the country-tinged acts. Cahoone's exactly what I'm talking about. I just want more of it.

Michael Franti & Spearhead, Nowish,

The man just told the audience to “wave to the sun!” I can't see him. I'm listening to him from the press area where I'm filing this. His voice sounds great. His stories are a little cumbersome. Plus, he's already brought up Iraq, and asked the audience to put their hands in the air if the came with their friends. Aside from R.E.M. And Mr. Franti, there's been very little talk of politics, which has been nice.

J. Tillman. Photo by Chris Kornelis.

J. Tillman, 2 p.m.ish, Yeti! Stage

J. Tillman's reserved, acoustic melodies provided an easy entry point to day two of a rain-or-shine event that's continues flirt with the former. Tillman -- the newest member of Fleet Foxes (drums), which played two sets yesterday -- admitted to some fatigue, to which he received a collective "Amen" from the audience.

There's no debating that Tillman's a talented songwriter, gifted with a calming voice. But, halfway through his set I began imagining his tunes fueled by an electric guitar and a full band to kick the momentum forward. I've never caught one of his full-band sets, but today's performance has certainly whetted my appetite.

Cold War Kids, 3 p.m.ish, Sasquatch! Mainstage

Seeing the Cold War Kids in action is like watching a coordinated train wreck. Out of control with a purpose, never so far gone that it can't be righted. A low tackle to the bass player? No problem. He'll return the favor when you're on the keyboard. During their frenetic afternoon set, the band mixed the old with the new to an audience already well-schooled in the band's debut, Robbers & Cowards. The new material is promising, particularly “Mexican Dogs.” Hustle up with the new record, boys.
Set List: “Avalanche” (new), “Mexican Dogs” (new), “We Used to Vacation,” “Passing the Hat,” “Every Man I Fall For” (new), “Hang Me Out to Dry,” random new song, “Hospital Beds,” “Saint John.”

White Rabbits, 4 p.m.ish, Wookie! Stage

I meant to catch this set, but couldn't pull myself away from Cold War Kids. But, I loved the pair of songs I caught. Dual drums? Sunshine? The Smell of sauerkraut? SOLD!

Tony Orian, left, and Chris Johnson. Photo by Renee McMahon.

Chris Johnson (Salem, Ore.) came out to Sasquatch! to see Modest Mouse. His advice for this year's high school graduates: “Enjoy music and live well.”

Tony Orian (Belltown) came out to see Modest Mouse and The Flaming Lips. His advice for new graduates: “Don't worry about any of the rules. Anyone can get into college. That shit's easy. Living off tuna fish, thats what's hard.”

Watch the slideshow. All photos by Renee McMahon. Production by Chris Kornelis.

M.I.A., Modest Mouse, and R.E.M. all performed on the Sasquatch! Mainstage on the evening of Saturday, May 24.