El Corazon

Photo: Cute is What We Aim For at El Corazon, April 2, 2007.

Check out these upcoming shows at El Corazon:

June 15, 9pm, $15, 21 and up
Johnny Cash's Legendary Tennessee Three
Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands
Heartbreak USA
Scarlett

June 16, 5pm, $8, all ages
LittleBen's Birthday Bash featuring
Future Fossils (CD Release)
Esitu
Temperedcast
Omni

June 20, 8pm, $14, all ages
Funeral For A Friend
Alexisonfire
Emanuel
Fightstar

June 22, 8pm, $12, all ages
Schoolyard Heroes
Forgive Durden
The Assailant
Theme For Murder

June 29, 8pm $14, all ages
3 Inches Of Blood (CD Release)
Akimbo
Hell Promise
Witchburn

For more information on these shows and the bands, visit El Corazon's web site.

Check out new Seattle band: Alone

Members of the rock/hardcore band Alone were formally members of X-Nilo before they broke up, moved back and forth from Alaska and rejoined in this new band. Listen to their songs on the MP3 player below.

They will also be playing at El Corazon on July 10. Click here for details!

New Kids on You Block tour

This July Rockstar Energy drink and Epidemic Music will present the New Kids on You Block tour with Tysen, Thieves and Villains and The Real You. Making a loop around the United States in just three weeks, the tour will reach Seattle on July 19 at the Showbox. Until then, fans of melodic rock and post hardcore should listen to these bands. Below you will find links and videos on each band, as well as information on the Seattle show.

The Real You
MySpace Page
Web site



Tysen
MySpace Page
purevolume





Villains and Thieves
MySpace Page
purevolume



Click here fore more information on the July 19 show in Seattle!

Amber Pacific and Melee

This was a great show. Unfortunately the time was posted differently on different band's websites so I arrived very late, missing Search/Rescue and Monty are I. However Melee and Amber Pacific more than made up for it. I've been pretty attached to Melee's latest record, Devils and Angels and it sounded amazing life. What's more, the band's upbeat energy and was contagious. The vocals were gorgeous and I didn't want the set to end. Luckily, after it did, Amber Pacific took the stage and played a great set. The majority of the crowd were fans of theirs who had never heard the new album live, and the band blew them away.

Unfortunately Melee won't be back in town anytime soon, but you can see Amber Pacific on June 16 at The Showbox.

Listen to both bands below:
Melee Myspace
Melee web site
Amber Pacific Myspace
Amber Pacific web site

Exciting summer concerts

I recently wrote an article about some outdoor concerts coming up this summer in Seattle. You can find it by clicking here, or check out the list below to enjoy the sunshine and some awesome music in our rainey state!

The Gorge Amphitheatre: George, WA

August 18 Vans Warped Tour
August 31-September 2 Dave Mathews Band

White River Amphitheatre: Auburn, WA

June 16 Gwen Stephani
July 25 Projekt Revolution Tour
July 27 Toby Keith
July 28 Kube 93.3 Summer Jam

Marymoor Park

June 22 O.A.R.
July 11 The Tragically Hip
July 27-28 The Fray
August 29 311

Seattle Center

Sept 1-3 Bumbershoot

Alki Beach

Seattle Music Fest August 18-20

On The Last Day loses lead singer

Photo: courtesy of flickr.com

I just read that local post-hardcore band On The Last Day's lead singer Geoff Walker is no longer in the band. On their website the band does not specify whether he quit or was kicked out, but they did explain that Geoff did not want to take the band in the same direction as the rest of the members. Apparently this was not a difference they could overcome. Now the band is auditioning new vocalists that it seems they want to add immediately. When considering applicants, On the Last Day wants someone who fits with their current sound and is in their 20's (but younger can still apply). If you, or someone you know, is interested in auditioning On The Last Day requests you email them at singforotld@gmail.com with something that the band can listen to.

These will certainly be big shoes to fill.

If you haven't heard this band check them out here:
MySpace
Pure Volume
Victory Records web site

You can watch On The Last Day with Geoff Walker in the video below.

Moneta with A Chance Without

Friday night I stopped by the Showbox to see Moneta and caught opening act A Chance Without before hand. I have to say, I was pretty disappointed. A Chance Without is a band who has seen multiple member changes but has been playing around Seattle for over three years now. Those years of experience didn't show. While one guitarist, who resembled side show bob, stood out for his awesome skills and energy, the music itself was unpolished and sloppy. It was hard punk meets whiny emo vocals and I just could not appreciate it. The drummer also had some skill, but overall I found myself watching the set and wondering, what have they been doing over the years? Are there that many new members?
Nonetheless give them a listen and decide for yourself. If you like it Check out the band on
June 8 at Studio Seven or June 9 at Kirkland Teen Center

A Chance Without Myspace page
Moneta Myspace page

Here's a video of A Chance Without live at The Showbox in January.

Quadstock's a letdown, but Macklemore shines

Well, to say the least I was very disappointed with my first Quadstock experience. For one there was not many people there. I had expected to see all of my friends gathered together enjoying the music, but most of them had too much to drink before the show and didn't make it out. The opening acts were disappointing too. While Party! At the Vatican's set was alright, the lead singer of The Passenger got ill so their guitarist played an acoustic set instead. While he did the best he could in a poor situation, the set really brought down the mood of the whole event. I was terribly bored.
The Macklemore took the stage. I have to say that was quite a contrast right there, going from one performer who couldn't keep the crowd's attention to another who owned it. He was on point, enigmatic and flowed very nicely. And the crowd really appreciated it, getting into the music more than any of the previous acts. So well done. Thanks to you I actually had fun at Quadstock, for a moment.

Party! At the Vatican to play Quadstock

Okay so I apologize right here and now for being slightly obsessed with Quadstock, it's just that it's pretty much the only cool event we host here at SU!

Two student bands will be playing the event after winning the Battle of the Bands earlier this year. Check them out below!

Party! At the Vatican
The Passenger

Sunderlyn, playing shows all over Seattle

Seattle indie rock band is playing shows and breaking hearts all over Seattle these days! This band is pretty emo but also fun to watch and pleasant on the ears. Give them a listen, because if you like them you'll have plenty of chances to go see them live!

Sunderlyn MySpace
Sunderlyn web site

Click on a show for more details

May 24 Nectar Lounge Fremont, Washington
May 25 El Corazon Seattle, Washington
June 7 The Birth Seattle, Washington
June 9 The Showbox Seattle, Washington
June 16 Kirkland Teen Center Kirkland, Washington
June 23 Club Impact Tacoma, Washington
July 7 The Fire Festival Seattle, Washington

Amber Pacific: Truth and Sincerity

I recently was able to talk with Amber Pacific guitarist Will Nutter and base player Greg Strong about their new album “Truth In Sincerity.” Check it out!

How has your band changed since the last record?
Strong: “We’ve all just grown as musicians with our own instrument, vocally, we’re just tighter as a group and we’re more concentrated on what we’re going after, music.”
Nutter: “We’ve all just gotten a lot better at what we’re doing, and understanding different aspects of what it takes to be in a band. From a business standpoint we understand more, and musically we’re just getting better and better at our instruments. We’re learning how to work off of each other better, and I think that all shows on the new record.”

How has your sound developed?
Strong: “I think we’ve definitely stayed true to what our sound is, I think this record’s a little more on the pop-punk side, while our last album had little hints of hardcore, but I definitely think it’s still Amber Pacific, 100%, we haven’t made drastic changes in our sound.”
Nutter: “I was really tired of hearing bands that used to sound one way and would completely change their sound, and they felt like they had to mature. I just wanted to write a record that I would enjoy listening to, and something that was really poppy because there isn’t really anything like that out right now.”

What is the content of “Truth In Sincerity?”
Strong: “Lyrically it’s just mostly about our fans and problems that they’ve gone through. This record’s almost strictly about our fans and trying to help them through a hard time.”
Nutter: “This record is strictly for the fans that have been there from the beginning till now. I wrote it not really knowing what’s going to happen to our band in the future, because we’re done with hopeless records. So I kind of wrote it almost as if it were the last record I was going to write, and it was for the fans because their support has really helped us out on the road. I wrote it with them in mind, and a lot of their stories that they’ve told me along the way about how our music has helped save their lives and helped them in certain situations.”

What is your relationship like with your fans?
Strong: “We’re very close [with our fans]. We make sure we’re at our merch table after every show and we’re always hanging out with them. We write people back on our myspace as much as possible, we do things for our fans and We realize that without them we’re really nothing, so, why act like a rock star and hide.”

What was recording like?
Strong: “We had more time to write, more time to record, and we were able to get everything down the way we wanted to. I don’t think there’s anything we would like to have changed at all.”
Nutter: “Everything was just a lot more laid back because we’re used to [recording,] we’ve done it a few times now. So we kind of knew what to expect.”

Why did you choose to work with the same producer?
Strong: “We chose [Martin Feveyear] again because he’s the man and he could make the record sound the way we want it to sound. And he’s a great person to work with, he has a great personality, he’s fun, he’s a hard worker.”

How did you end up working with Mike Herrerra from MXPX?
Strong: “We’d gotten to know [Herrerra] through various shows and warped tour and Dango’s pretty close with him and we really wanted him to be on a song so we asked him and he said ‘yeah no problem’ and he came in and sang it and it was awesome.”
Nutter: “When I wrote that song I just had Mike in mind and I thought his voice would sound super sweet with the melody I was writing for it,”

What are your favorite songs on the album?
Strong: “‘You’re only young once’ because I think it’s a fun song to play and it just reminds me of being in high school and having a good time. Also, ‘Runaway’ because for me it’s just one of those classic pop-punk songs, and it’s got Mike Herrerra on it, and he’s freakin awesome on it.”
Nutter: “I would say the power ballad ‘Take Me From This Place.’ It sounds really really cool because it has the strings in it and it’s just really really powerful, passionate.”

What kind of reception have you gotten from playing the songs live?
Strong: “Kids seem to like it, sometimes it’s harder for them to not be able to sing along but from what we can tell the kids are liking it.”
Nutter: “[The songs] been getting a really good reaction. Fans seem to like what we’re doing, and some of them are actually singing the songs, and now that our album is leaked we’re seeing more people singing it so, I think people are really enjoying what they’re hearing. We’ve haven’t really heard anything bad about it yet.”

What has been your best experience in Amber Pacific?
Strong: “Making all the friends I have across the country, friends in other bands, and being able to see the country countless times, over and over. I’ve been to 49 states not, I think.”

What are your plans for the future?
Nutter: “We have no idea [what’s ahead.] This year is going to be very interesting, (laughs). It’s all up in the air we have no idea what’s going to happen, if anything’s going to happen at all.”

Upcoming shows in Seattle

Here are some shows coming up. Click on the band name to listen to their music. Enjoy!

May 17:

Front Line Assembly, The START, Desillusion and more, El Corazon, 8pm, all ages bar with ID

May 18:
BURY YOUR DEAD, Suicide Silence, Since The Flood and more, at Studio Seven, 7pm, all ages

May 19:

Low Thin Square CD Release show, Burning Hearts Burlesque, Omni and more at The Showbox, 7pm, 21+

May 20:

Tysen Tour Kick off show with New Heights and The Real You at The Showbox, 7pm, 21+

Aiden, Kane Hodder, Patient Patient, and more, El Corazon, 7pm, all ages

May 21:

Sugar Skulls, Loom, Sleeping in Gethsemane, Funhouse, 9:30pm, all ages


May 22:

The Audition, The Graduate, My American Heart and more, El Corazon, 7pm, all ages

May 24:

Dyslexic 33, Lessons in Regret, Rukut,and Off Centered, Funhouse, 9:30pm, all ages

May 25:

Moneta, Dating Delilah, A Chance Without at The Showbox, all ages

May 26:

Amber Pacific CD Release show, Melee, Monty Are I, Search/Rescue, El Corazon, 6pm, all ages

Search/Rescue

I recently heard a new Seattle band, Search/Rescue for the first time. Comprised of members from Acceptance and Gatsby's American Dream, this trio has recorded a couple beautiful, peaceful songs that really resonated with me. I encourage you to give it a listen. They will be playing May 26 at El Corazon.

Search/Rescue MySpace page


I was also able to interview a member of the band, which you can read below:

Rose: When did Search Rescue get together? What are your musical backgrounds?

Ryan: We started writing together in July of 2006. Bobby and I (Ryan) were in a band called Gatsby's American Dream. Gatsby's decided to take an indefinite hiatus and so we started talking about doing something different musically. Bobby was friends with Kaylan who was in a band called Acceptance that had just broken up. We wanted to start a band based on friendship and musicianship. It just seemed to click well together.

Rose: How would you describe your sound?

Ryan: We try to provide an atmosphere with our music. We want it to rock because we are all used to playing in those kind of bands. However, we are trying things musically that we've haven't before such as writing slower songs and having solid structures to them.

Rose: Who are your influences?

Ryan: Cold play, U2, The Killers.

Rose: What do you write about?

Ryan: The lyrics are more on the obscure side so people can take many different views and feelings from these songs. It is important to make each person feel like they can connect with every song in some way.


Rose: Your favorite think about being in this band?

Ryan: My favorite thing about this band is the people. I like going to practice because I like being around these guys. I also love doing something different musically than we did in our old bands.

Rose: What are your live shows like?

Ryan: Well, our first live show is May 26th at El Corazon in Seattle. I can tell you that as we continue to play shows we want to create an atmosphere with a great light show and make sure fans are entertained. We don't want to be boring!

Rose: Do you have a record out yet?

Ryan: No, but if not by the end of this year we will have one out next year.

Rose: What are your plans for the future?

Ryan: Make a record and tour non-stop. Then repeat that same cycle.

Kane Hodder

Alright, First I must admit that I am not a huge Kane Hodder fan. It is not my personal taste. But I do have respect for the band. They have an awesome following and have continued making awesome, original music for years now. They will be playing several shows in Seattle and Tacoma this week, so if you have never heard them before, you ought to give them a listen. Though this is a hard band to put in any genre, if pressed I would say punk meets hardcore with a whole lot of other things thrown in. On their myspace page the band themselves describes their music as "totally like that movie Back To The Beach having carnal relations with Poseidon, a Cupid, and a Takashi Mike movie." Whatever that means....

Upcoming shows:
May 12 Hells Kitchen
May 20 El Corazon
June 2 El Corazon


Check their music out on Myspace, Purevolume, or the bands web site. Or you can watch their video for "I think Patrick Swayze is Sexy" here:

Gabriel Teodros

Now is the time to check out Seattle's own Gabriel Teodros. Before he takes off on tour for one month Teodros will be playing a few shows in Tacoma community- and anyone who is remotely interested in hip-hop should check it out. Both an activist and a musician, Teodros' music is influential, with jamin beats and soulful lyrics. His music is both personal and political, touching on his own struggle and that of people in East Africa. He is an excellent representative of NW hip hop and should help move music in the right direction with intelligent lyrics and fresh ideas.

Gabriel Teodros upcoming shows: Click for more info
May 17, Hells Kitchen Tacoma,WA
May 26, Sasquatch Festival, Quincy,WA

To hear Gabriel Teodros check out his myspace page.

Aiden is coming to town!

Well I am pretty excited tonight because I just found out that after coming home from Europe Aiden will be playing a show in Seattle on May 20 at El Corazon. If you have never seen Aiden live you should really check out their show. Few bands can connect with a crowd and get them going like Aiden can. Great music, moving music and intense energy onstage make them one of my favorite acts to see.

What's even more exciting is that Aiden will be recording their new album this month. I can't wait to see how their music has matured since Nightmare Anatomy.

If you haven't heard them give a listen, you will fall in love. If you have tell me, what do you think? Who should I check out?

Aiden web site

Aiden Myspace

Here's the music video for "Die Romantic":

Seattle University Quadstock, The Lashes

I recently wrote an article for Seattle University's campus paper, The Spectator, for a feature spread previewing one of our largest campus events, Quadstock. My article focused on one bad that will be performing this year: The Lashes. As I sat down to interview the band's lead singer Ben, it came to my attention that few bands are willing to advertise themselves as a pop band. The Lashes openly announce that they belong in this genre. What's more, they promote dancing and want their fans to have a good time at their shows. I fond this refreshing. So many shows are dense with performing musicians that take themselves too seriously, when they should be about having a good time. Life is to short to not want to smile, dance around and sing along to pop music once in awhile. The Lashes should put on a great show that will allow SU students to relax and have a good time. Plus their music is great to dance to! Check them out and come have a good time at Quadstock!

The Lashes on purevolume

The Lashes Myspace

My article on the lashes!

Here's a video of the Lashes at Sonic Boom Records in Seattle

Moneta at the Showbox

On Saturday, April 28 I went and saw Moneta at the Showbox and interviewed the band after.

When Moneta came onstage an energetic atmosphere was instantly created as they thrashed around the entire stage. Lights quickly flashed, illuminating their “Hope” banners.
At the start of Moneta’s set the keyboard stands out in a bold pop song. As a six piece, their all of Moneta’s songs are thick with layers.
I noticed immediately the lead vocalist Jerry Kansky’s unique on stage persona. He is clearly absorbed in the music and also connects well with the audience. I also appreciated the bands back up vocals. While Mike Rapson’s vocals are distinctive and contrast nicely with Kansky’s, Devin Bazemore’s blend beautifully to give their music support.
In one transition between songs Bazemore and Rapson harmonized together, just one of many ways they made their whole set flow together nicely.
The band’s own enthusiasm spread to the crowd. They especially enjoyed Moneta’s version of the song “Connecticut,” which members of Moneta wrote in their old band Roundabout. By the end of the set fans were clapping, cheering and dancing to Moneta’s music.
The band’s camaraderie shows during their set when they share mikes and even pour water in each other’s mouths- which of course drove the ladies crazy. While they each have a unique style on stage, they also move together as a unit with the music.
My favorite songs included “Kayla” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
“Beauty and the Beast” adds an acoustic guitar to the two electric to create a nice full sound that really builds in the choruses.

Check them out for yourself!

Moneta's web site
Moneta on purevolume
Moneta on MySpace


Interview with the band after their set, April 28:


Rose: When did you guys start the band?

Devin Bazemore: We got together six or seven months ago I would say. But, me and Mike and Dustin all knew each other, a friend named Josh introduced us to Jerry and then we met Chris later down the road.

Rose: When you first started the band where did you want to go with it?

Mike Rapson: We all really love pop music. We wanted to try and stray away from the emo title, but we had a few practices and it was just kind of apparent right away that it was going the pop-rock and me and Jerry and Devin just kind of sat down and wrote the songs.

Rose: Who are your influences?

Kansky: It’s pretty across the board, I’m stuck in the 70’s and 80’s like Springsteen…

Bazemore: Dustin listens to Slayer, Slayer and Converge.

Dustin McGhie: That’s not all I like okay! I don’t just like Slayer and Converge. I like other stuff too, like, um Refused.

Rose: What Other bands have you guys been in?

Kansky: Well I was in Blue Sky Mile for about four and a half years.

Chris Holbrook: I was in a band called Meridian for a little while but it never really got off the ground.

Bazemore: Dustin was in Gatsbys American Dream

McGhie: and Mon Frere!

(Rapson, Bazemore and McGhie were also in Roundabout)

Rose: How would you describe your sound?

Tim Borquez: I always say Yellowcard meets the Killers.

Kansky: I always wanna throw Foo Fighters in there but I don’t know why. I don’t know that’s like a really hard question.

Rose: How have your shows been so far?

Bazemore: The Shows have been nothing short of amazing, and we can’t wait to play more shows and meet more people.

Kansky: I feel really lucky that we’ve gotten to play the shows we have.

Rose: What are your plans for the future? Where do you want the band to go?

McGhie: To take over the world.

Bazemore: I think the plan is just to keep on playing as many good shows and have fun with it. See where it takes us.

Rose: What kind of reception have you gotten so far from listeners?

Kansky: It’s been amazing, the amount of people who are really passionate and outspoken about our music, though our Myspace and even at shows. So many people seem to love it as much as us if not more.

Borquez: I don’t know Jerry, I don’t know if anyone in the audience would have broken their nose…

Rose: And what exactly happened to you? How did you hurt yourself onstage?

Kansky: At some point I spilled a bottle of water onstage and I was going back, because at all of the shows I get in Dustin’s face and yell “Slayer”, because it gets us both pumped up, and I slipped on the water and went face first into his drum kit.

Rose: When is your next show?

Bazemore: May 29th at the Showbox.

Borquez: We’re pretty much becoming a house band here.

Rose: What’s been the best experience in your band?

Bazemore: For me it was recording. Recording was awesome. It was during the windstorm and we were stuck in the studio for four days without power while we were supposed to be recording. We player dome Crunk-que.

Kansky: That’s our customized version of drunk croquet.

Bazemore: We hung out and really got to know each other.

Tysen, Quiet Drive, Bleeding Alarm

Tonight I went to the Showbox to see a friend's band Tysen, and was treated to some other musical acts as well. I arrived late but saw most of Bleeding Alarm's set. Musically they were pretty good, melodic, almost hardcore. I enjoyed their guitar sound and the lead vocals, but I wish the bassist and guitarists would have moved around more. Still I would be interested in seeing them again.
Next was Tysen. I have seen them a few times and their know lead singer from another band I worked with called Roundabout. I have always enjoyed his vocals and performance style- the way he commands the attention of a room without trying too hard and can go from singing to screaming fluidly. The second half of their set featured some of their harder songs, such as "Another Mistake" and the band really got into their music, moving around more individually and as a unit. They were far more energetic on that song than any other track. Just before they closed their set they thanked Jesus, suggested that kids live a life free from the tangles of alcohol drugs and told them that life was worth living. I could see the security team role their eyes and give the band the middle finger. I have to say that while I think bands have a right to voice their opinions and beliefs. Certainly kids paid for music and not preaching but Tysen certainly wasn't droning on and on. Also, it is their set, and their time in stage in my opinion. As long as they are not being offensive or hateful I think bands should be allowed to voice their ideas.

OK sorry for the tangent. Now for my discovery of the night, Quietdrive. I had heard of this band but never actually heard them. Upon hearing the first song I wasn't quite turned on. Their onstage persona was super flamboyant and it seemed like they were trying to hard, but I kept listening. Their second song was a little more appealing, and then the played a new song they claimed to have written a few days ago, "Hollywood." This one blew me away. Just looking at the song's structure it was awesome. Great hooks and I could imagine kids rocking out to it on the radio. Later the lead singer brought out an acoustic guitar for a sweet and deeply melodic "song for the lovers" title "Rush together". Later still he brought out a violin, but this was no yellow card flashback. The guy played beautifully and flowed gorgeously with the guitar. It was not like a random instrument thrown in for effect, but an major piece of that song. I appreciated the three guitars, which game the band a full and layered sound without being too extreme. I also grew more comfortable with their onstage performance. Although the lead single is a little outlandish, at least he is absorbed with the music, and the band is fun to watch. Can't wait for them to record Hollywood!

Give them a listen, but if you want the full experience, see them live! Are they coming to your town? Find out!

For Quietdrive: visit their web site

For Tysen: their MySpace profile or web site

For Bleeding Alarm: their web site

Too Slim and the Taildraggers

I apologize to readers for not posting this sooner, the hectic Easter weekend has kept me busy. Nonetheless I wanted to write about a weekend show I saw, Too Slim and the Taildraggers at the Triple Door.
First of all, this was my first visit to the Triple Door, and it was an awesome venue. Great ambiance, great drinks and great food. Upscale, but still a rockin good time with cheering and even a little dancing.
I have to say though, it might not have been the best space to see Too Slim, especially since it was my first sight of the blues band. My companions at the show had seen the band in some "more casual" bars and said it was a completely different experience. nonetheless I look forward to my next trip to the Triple Door, a great outing for a classy evening.
As for Too Slim, I was impressed. I am not a blues aficionado by any means, but I had a good time rocking out to songs like "She gives me money" and "The fortune teller". It was good, casual music that got people dancing and laughing. If you go to one of the shows and give the music a chance, you cannot help but have a great time. I also really appreciated Too Slims collaborations with Henry Cooper, where they really jammed and some great sounds came out as a result. The drummer was clearly talented, playing with one hand when he needed to move his mike around and the base player was very amusing to watch as he rocked his head and shook his head to the beat.

give it a listen and tell me what you think.
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