Tablet Magazine #89 - Music

Plugged In

Words: Dan Halligan

I saw ONE CARPER GREEN up at Jimmy Z’s in Everett, of all places. The floppy haired emo-looking boys looked and sounded out of place playing with SIX STATE BENDER and THE AUTHORITIES; as I watched them perform, I imagined them more at home playing one of those old Sunday afternoon shows at the Velvet Elvis. But the band was kind enough to pass out free copies of their demo to the crowd and I’ve got to say I’m more impressed now that I’ve heard the three-song CD a few times. They are quiet and building, unique, pretty damn melodic and pop, but occasionally roughen things up enough to keep someone like me who’s more into punk rock interested. The bandmembers are just kids, but they certainly have promise.

BRISTLE is starting to play out again. They were a punk rock staple for Seattle during a lot of the ‘90s, working their way up from tiny shows at the Storeroom to being heroes of the Lake Union Pub scene and playing some pretty damn big punk shows at places like RCKCNDY. Catch these guys live if you get a chance, they always put on a fun show and their CD is still on steady rotation at my house. They play Funhouse in Seattle July 17.

Just in time for a summer road trip, the ORPHAN PROJECT’s four-song demo is packed with catchy melodic punk to sing along to in your car. I really like what they have going on, with a nice use of multiple singers, catchy guitars and good songwriting. What would push them to the next level would be more edge—either a little faster pace, crunchier/heavier guitars, or a little more of that emotion and screaming that only occasionally creeps into their vocals. I like the band as they are, but I’d just like to see them go a little less in pop direction as they develop.

Portland’s Marriage Records recently released THANKSGIVING’s “Nothing” CD. Thanksgiving is Oregon’s Adrian Orange, with a little help from Curtis Knopp. It’s passive and mellow singer/songwriter is more interesting than some, but to make you and your guitar not just sound half-assed or boring, you’ve really gotta have something special going on.

Portland’s ‘70s punk/new wave stars THE EPOXIES have been touring Europe and have played a few recent Seattle shows debuting new material that we will be hearing on their upcoming album on Fat Wreck Chords.

The FCS NORTH boys warned me their new CD would surprise people because it was a departure from their previous sound. The verdict? Yes and no. They still are playing some ambient chill music perfect for the end of a light night of drug abuse, but they’ve added a lot more beats, samples, vocals and some of the songs hit more of a dance club pace. Hell, on “Unamerican Activities,” which is re-mixed a couple times on the album, they are full-on rapping. What I like about these guys is they come at electronica from a punk background, so their take on it is always unique, experimental and creative. Whereas Felix Da Housecat and Ladytron play around a lot, they do it within defined boundaries. With FCS North there are no boundaries, yet they never seem too scattered.

THE BRIEFS' “Sex Objects” is now out on BYO Records and it’s great, buy it now! I’ve had a promo copy for about a month and have probably already listened to it 100 times. Catch the Briefs on July 11 at the Seattle’s Vera Project.

I’ve had the new CATHETERS CD sitting on my stereo for a good two months and just finally got around to listening to it. I’m not sure why it took me so long. Damn… it sounds like the band has been listening to the Hives a lot since 2002’s “Static Delusions and Stone-Still Days.” I like the production; while the band seems to be going towards more of a commercial garage rock sound (White Stripes and Jet also come to mind), they keep things fairly lo-fi and the vocals have a nice hollow sung in a small room tone. I guess I just hate to see a band that’s been around for a long time changing their sound (again actually, they were once a bratty punk band) towards what’s commercially hot right now. I hope it’s more because that’s what they are listening to and like, rather than it being a grab for attention. Either way, the album rocks and has been definitely growing on me.

THE SPITS celebrated their ten year anniversary recently with a packed show at the Hideaway. I fucking love the Spits, although they joke around so much I’ve gotta wonder if they’ve actually been together for a full decade or if that was just another prank.

Someone asked me why we don’t cover more HARDCORE in Tablet. Well, mainly because hardcore bands aren’t sending us demos, records or news. I’ll happily plug Northwest hardcore, punk, garage and heavy rock bands, but it’s up to you to promote your band. Easily the best place to catch up with local hardcore is at nwhardcore.com; it’s packed with news, links to band websites, show info and a pretty lively discussion board.

Have fun in that warm california sun...dan@tabletmag.com

Rest In Peace, Alan

I met ALAN WRIGHT in the early ‘90s when we were both writing about punk and rock'n'roll. He did some writing for my zine “10 Things” and was doing his own great zine called “Cryptic Times” (later followed by the zine “Do The Pop!”). Alan was a rabid music fan and freelanced since the ‘80s for publications including “What Wave,” “Maximum Rockandroll,” “Flipside,” “Between The Lines,” “The Rocket,” “The Stranger,” “Brutarian,” “Ugly Things,” and “Hit List.”

Alan also played in a number of bands over the years, including Thee Upper Crust, Primate 5, the Castros, the Infernal Three, the Reckless Bastards and most recently he was the drummer of the Earaches. Alan took his own life Saturday June 12 and his enthusiasm for rock'n'roll and his mark on the Northwest music scene will not be soon forgotten.
Alan worked at Lifelong AIDS Alliance in Seattle. Alan is survived by his wife Lisa Lindstrom, who asks that remembrances for Alan go to the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, 1002 E Seneca St, Seattle, WA 98122; Purrfect Pals No-Kill Cat Shelter, 230 McRae Rd NE, Arlington, WA 98223; or any organization devoted to defeating George W. Bush in November. A memorial for Alan will be held Friday, July 9 at 9pm at the Lobo Saloon featuring the Earaches and special guests.

JUNE ROCKS! 6/1 Dashboard Confessional, Thrice, Get Up Kids @ Seahawks Exhibition Center/Seattle (6/2 @ Metro Expo Center/Portland), 6/2 Black Nite Crash, Infomatik, the Jeunes @ Sunset Tavern/Seattle, 6/4 Gas Huffer 15th Anniversary, Plaster, Bug Nasties @ Graceland/Seattle, 6/4 Riot-A-Go-Go @ Lobo/Seattle (6/5 @ Twilight/Portland), 6/5 Mission of Burma, Kinski @ Neumo’s/Seattle, 6/5 Lars Fredericksen, Nekromantix, Roger Miret, Die Huns, Horror Pops, Graceland/Seattle (6/6 at Roseland/Portland), 6/5 Local H, Nebula, Fireballs of Freedom @ Ash St. Saloon/Portland, 6/6 Thrones, Replicators, Dove @ Funhouse/Seattle, 6/8 Franz Ferdinand @ Showbox/Seattle, 6/10 Three Imaginary Girls Rockstar Karaoke 2nd Anniversary Party @ Crocodile/Seattle, 6/11 The Minds, Winks, Hunches @ Twilight/Portland, 6/11 Hudson Falcons, Quick 66, Amazombies, Foulmouthed Scoundrels @ Funhouse/Seattle, 6/12 The Divorce, Turn-Ons, Slender Means, Blue Sky Mile @ Graceland/Seattle, 6/13 Moral Crux, Glorious Days, Rabid Dogs @ Funhouse/Seattle, 6/13 Blood Brothers, Challenger @ Neumo’s/Seattle, 6/14 Barfly Barfight, Hudson Falcons, Ill Gotten Gainz @ Twilight/Portland, 6/16 Von Bondies @ Showbox/Seattle, 6/17 Toxic Narcotic, Defiance, Drongos, Bristle, Rabid Dogs @ Graceland/Seattle, 6/17 The Fitness, Cripples, Tyco Party @ Chop Suey/Seattle, 6/17 Alabama Thunderpussy, Rwake @ Sabala’s/Portland (6/19 w/Cougars, No Means Yes @ Graceland/Seattle), 6/18 Eddie Haskulls, Gloryholes, Idol Threats, Fuckin’ Chachis @ Funhouse/Seattle, 6/23 Tablet’s Queer Rock Show: The King Cobra, Scream Club, Dead Vampires @ Hideaway/Seattle, 6/26 Legendary Pink Dots @ Berbati’s Pan/Portland (6/28 @ Chop Suey/Seattle), 6/26 Harkonen, Fall of Troy, Gods Among Men @ Ground Zero