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Seattle’s Bumbershoot festival promises four days of live music, food, indie films, comics, artists, writers, people watching and, most importantly, beer gardens and pot smoking. 2004’s line-up is packed full of exciting national acts, as well as probably the best line-up of local musicians and artists in recent Bumbershoot history. Hell, there are so many good bands performing that we’ve vowed to get our Tablet asses out of the beer garden twice as often, and that’s sayin’ something! Our crack team of writers are here to provide you with Tablet’s absolutely biased opinions on what you just can’t miss at this year’s ‘shoot, as well as answer the all important question: Which bands go best with booze and which go best with bonghits?
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Vying for the Attention of the Drunk |
Against Me
Exhibition Hall, Friday 9/3, 9:15pm
I first experienced Against Me! back in 1998 when my old band opened up for them at a tiny show on their first tour in Seattle. There was nothing around that sounded remotely like them, and it was surprising and refreshing to watch them skyrocket in popularity in the years to follow. Taking anarchist punk rock and fusing it with ‘60s-era protest folk (a la Joan Baez and Phil Ochs), this quartet based in Gainesville, Florida has pushed the envelope of the underground punk movement and brought it to a completely different level. Definitely a highlight of this year’s Bumbershoot festival, and one of the more original groups to emerge in the past ten years. —Robert Hanna
Aveo
EMP Sky Church, Monday 9/6, 2pm
It would be easy to call Aveo the closest approximation to a Smiths cover band in town. But they have stretched and outdone themselves with their latest release, a testament to a band growing and coming into its own. Vacillating between bouncy pop and atmospheric songs that seem infused with the heavy green/gray landscape of Seattle, they definitely have the highest vowel-to-consonant ratio of any Bumbershoot band—Brian Graham
The Black Keys
Mural Amphitheater, Saturday 9/4, 6:15pm
If you thought the White Stripes could raise up a pretty mighty blues-rock ruckus for a mere duo—especially on early recordings like “De Stijl”—you haven’t heard the Black Keys. On “The Big Come Up” (2002) and last year’s “thickfreakness,” the two Akron, Ohio lads of the Keys, Dan Auerbach (vocals, guitar) and Patrick Carney (drums), manage to sound as heavy as Cream or Mountain and as funky as early ZZ Top. How they do it is beyond me. Fans of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, the Dirtbombs, and Mr. Airplane Man would do wise to check ‘em out.—Kathleen C Fennessy
The Briefs
EMP Sky Church, Friday 9/3, 3:30pm
To many, Seattle is known as the grunge capitol of the world. But that was then, this is NOW! So men, cut off your hair. Girls, shave your legs. Get rid of that flannel plaid shit from the ‘90s and trade it in for some pink shoes and skinny ties, cuz the Briefs have taken over! Four bleach blonde dudes from our very own Seattle have been rockin’ the Northwest since 1999 with their spazz-out, sing-along punk anthems. If you like the Weirdos, the Dickies, the Damned, or the Angry Samoans, you’ll love the Briefs. See them while you can, because they are bound to be punk rock legends!—AH-NAH C LoBoToMEEEEE
The Catch
EMP Sky Church, Saturday 9/4, 2pm
With each member bearing matching band tattoos, the gals of the Catch are showing the world that they’re not just riding a trend. Power pop with a punk attitude, ala the Go-Go’s, that bounces and shimmies enough to get even the weariest smiling. Their set will be packed with knocks on ex-boyfriends, power chords and high-energy girl power. Not to be confused with sullen riot grrls, the Catch starts parties.—Nathan Walker
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Mural Amphitheater, Monday 9/6, 8:45pm
Whatever expectations you might have of blues music, Brown will surpass them in every way you can imagine. He hates being pigeonholed as a bluesman; he’s one of the people directly responsible for the enormous variety and invention of Texas music. Lots of musicians claim to transcend genres, but Brown actually does it. Blues is quite possibly the last musical genre where the older you are, the more cred you have, and in his 80 years on this earth Brown has racked up more than enough to do things his way. Prepare yourself for a treat. —Genevieve Williams
The Fitness
Exhibition Hall, Monday 9/6, 2:45pm
The Fitness grab you from the opening of their set and drag you straight to the dance-floor with electro-clash keyboards and punk rock riffs. Strong female vocals and catchy ironic lyrics combine with a sound that makes you want to dance uncontrollably, ensuring that the Fitness is a force to be reckoned with. Still touring in support of their first record, “Call Me For Together,” this band is finally getting the attention they deserve. —Tom Conquergood
The Girls
Sky Church, Saturday 9/4, 12:30pm
Somewhere between the catchy ‘70s punk revival of the Briefs classic new wave, and the rock’n’roll swagger of T-Rex, lurks the Girls. They may be a bit heavy on nostalgia, but their new album on Dirtnap Records is proof that they have staying power; it’s packed with undeniably catchy rock. Add in singer Brown, who knows how to put on a show, and you’ve got one of the more entertaining local bands performing this year. —Dan Halligan
Hint Hint
Sky Church, Sunday 9/5, 3:30pm
Frantic and moody, Hint Hint combine the relentless energy of a punk band with the more expansive sounds of post-punk by mixing in a healthy dose of melancholy lyrics and eerie keyboards. All thumping drums, jagged guitar riffs and urgent vocals, most of their songs mine the fertile territory between disaster and resolution. Well known as dynamic and fervent performers, you can expect enthusiastic crowds at this one. —Brian Graham
The Killers
Exhibition Hall, Monday 9/6, 6:30pm
The Killers Hatched out of the glitzy splendor of Las Vegas, The Killers (Island Records) have skyrocketed to indie rock fame via MTV video spotlights and rave articles in New Musical Express. They wowed industry bloodhounds at CMJ last October and toured the UK before ever playing outside Sin City. Their debut CD Hot Fuss features songs about psychotically jealous lovers, androgynous girlfriends and a mini-rock opera centering on a murderous love triangle. Hailed by many as the next geniuses of pop music, will these young dudes from the desert become the new Fab Four? —James Burdyshaw
Koko Taylor
Mural Amphitheater, Friday 9/3, 7:45pm & Saturday 9/4, 2:15pm
To be the Queen of Chicago Blues is no small thing; Chicago is a city that has been synonymous with blues music for over 50 years. The titles of Koko Taylor’s albums hint at her power: “Queen of the Blues,” “The Earthshaker,” “Force of Nature.” With a powerhouse of a voice that rumbles like the earth speaking, Taylor is the heir of women like Bessie Smith who, with equal parts attitude and talent, forged a path for female blues singers. Taylor sings the blues as they’re meant to be sung: forceful, sexy, and blisteringly raw. —Genevieve Williams
Kuma
EMP Sky Church, Sunday 9/5, 12:30pm
Kuma is Seattle’s sexiest band. Even the music made by this foursome sounds like all kinds of sex: it can be sweet sex, loving sex, ravishing sex, and then sometimes they just fuck your brains out. Beyond the carnal sensibility of the sound they create, Kuma is also a gripping live show. Eyes cannot escape the entrancing Bre Loughlin, who dances and moves with the magic of a night queen while her minions rip their guitars and electronics to her every whim. It’s a haunting experience that will tie you up and turn you on. —Shawn Telford
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Nick Lowe
Backyard Stage, Monday 9/6, 4:30pm
The past four decades have found this seminal artist and producer from England releasing everything from pub rock to energetic pop to roots rock to straight up country. His most recent work falls closer to the latter, a kind of k.d. lang meets the Byrds blend, but he may still find time in his set to wonder why you still find peace, love, and understanding so goddamn funny. —Brian Graham |
Nancy Sinatra
McCaw Hall, Saturday 9/4, 3:45pm
Sexy ‘60s siren Nancy Sinatra has carved a deep groove into the collective conscious of feminine rock‘n’roll. Her coy bad girl, vicious man-eater persona was first unleashed with her brilliantly sadomasochistic hit “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.” She has inspired legions of girl rockers from Suzi Quatro to Kim Gordon with songs that reduce men to shivering dung heaps begging for just one crack from her whip. In “The Wild Angels” she rode with Peter Fonda terrorizing innocent townsfolk and she tamed Elvis in “Speedway.” GIs in Vietnam pinned her image to their beds. This lady is as much an icon of her generation as was her old man Francis Albert. —James Burdyshaw
Pedro the Lion
McCaw Hall (opening for Robyn Hitchock), Saturday 9/4, 8pm
A wavering mix of folk, indie-rock and bittersweet pop that’s a perfect soundtrack to an evening at home in a Seattle winter. Dave Bazan, principle member, crafts songs that revolve around relationships: human and spiritual. Live shows can reveal the louder, hardcore-inspired personality or, quickly turn into an intimate affair with Bazan’s softer side. Take a break from the crowds and see which man shows up. —Nathan Walker
The Popular Shapes
EMP Sky Church, Sunday 9/5, 2pm
If you play punk long enough, you’ll eventually learn how to play your instrument. That’s what seems to have happened with the Popular Shapes. Once members of various punk bands, they’ve come together to produce a vicious sound that can only be created with the anger and energy of punk combined with individuals who are bored playing the same riffs over and over. Bearing the post-punk torch that Wire lit years ago, their raw sound is guaranteed to satisfy. This is rumored to be their last show! —Nathan Walker
Sun City Girls
EMP Sky Church, Friday 9/3, 5pm
One of the most prolific underground bands of the last 25 years, Sun City Girls have secretly nurtured their sonic collage of aural bombardments in the homey confines of Ballard since 1993. Equal parts jazz/noise/punk/folk/puppet theater and beyond, their sound remains unquantifiable for rock journalists and unpredictable to the audiences lucky enough to have seen their rare live shows. SCG have traveled the world re-shaping and poly-morphing their sound while keeping their identity mysteriously ambiguous. Don’t miss this chance to have your mind ripped open as you scarf down a corn dog. —James Burdyshaw
These Arms Are Snakes
Exhibition Hall, Sunday 9/5, 3:15pm
With a live show that has been described as “explosive,” These Arms Are Snakes are one of the more highly anticipated local acts performing at Bumbershoot. Their show is an aggressive assault on the senses, leaving the audience awestruck by the level of intensity. Occasionally the Snakes deceive the listener with a momentary sense of calm, only to pummel them with their ferocious arrangements. The band will release their debut full length this fall and describe it as “a confident testimonial, a vicious revision, and a true confrontation in every sense of the word.” —Ben Allen The Walkmen
Backyard Stage, Sunday 9/5, 8:15pm
Riding on the strength of frontman Hamilton Leithauser’s wrenching vocals, the Walkmen construct raucous, plaintive valentines that drift drunkenly between experimental rock and pop hooks with scatological abandon. Liberally employing searing guitars, subtle keyboards and athletic drumming, their concerts could be considered unrelenting tour-de-forces and it would only be a minor exaggeration. If you miss them, it will be a very bad decision. Your friends will mock you and say insincere things behind your back. —Brian Graham
Robyn Hitchcock
McCaw Hall, Saturday 9/4, 9pm
As one of the beneficiaries of the proliferation of “college radio,” Robyn Hitchcock has slowly built up an impressive cult following over the last 20 years. When he wasn’t being mistaken for Nick Lowe, Hitchcock was playing on “Letterman” and hosting “120 Minutes.” While his latest release, “Luxor,” is a collection of straight forward, acoustic Drake-esque love songs, the festival crowd should expect to hear the silly and surreal Egyptians-era classics such as “I Somethingyou” and “Balloonman” —John Lankford
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Vying for the Attention of the Stoned |
Beta Band
Exhibition Hall, Sunday 9/5, 8:45 pm
auspicious appearance, or from Radiohead’s 2001 tour. Maybe, like me, you think “The Three EPs” is one of the best Sunday morning albums ever recorded (you know, that album you put on continuous play while drinking coffee and reading the "New York Times" on a lazy weekend morning). “Heroes to Zeroes” is the band’s third album and first self-produced effort. It’s also one of their best. If a cross between Beck’s “Odelay” and Air’s “Moon Safari” sounds appealing, the Betas are the band for you.
—Kathleen C Fennessy
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Byrdie
Backyard Stage, Monday 9/6, 4:30pm
Armed with a wicked flow, playful wit and charisma to spare, the man known as Byrdie is unquestionably a “Fan Favorite.” His top-notch second LP, “Nflight,” features a who’s who of Seattle’s hip-hop talent on the mic (Candidt, Central Intelligence’s Citizen Cain and Grayskul’s Onry Ozzborn) and behind the boards (local superproducers Vitamin D and Bean One, among others). No one-dimensional MC, “Pretty Byrdie” can comfortably spit game to the ladies, drop humorous one-liners, and address society’s ills at the drop of a hat. My man rocks a hell of a show to boot—so be sure to come out and support one of the best in the Northwest.—Larry Mizell Jr. |
DJ Cheb i Sabbah
Bumbrella Stage, Sunday 9/5, 4pm
Dig into the burgeoning Asia Massive/global trance/Bhangra beat phenomenon, and if longtime DJ Cheb i Sabbah (he’s been at this for 30 years, folks) isn’t at the root, at the very least he’s a major branch. The roster of artists he’s worked with and remixed reads like a who’s who of musicians that have successfully expanded their audiences into the Western hemisphere. Lots of DJs talk about bringing people together on the dance floor, but Cheb i Sabbah has been doing it for longer than many of us have been alive. —Genevieve Williams Electro-Deck Electronica Showcase
Sky Church, starting at 7pm each night
Coming from London to bring you the smoothest drum‘n’bass licks from across the pond, Photek shall not disappoint at this year’s Electro-Deck. His thick bass-lines and darkly-danceable beats have had crowds going strong for the sound since 1995. Also sure to have the crowd moving is San Francisco’s Kaskade. A relative newcomer to the electronic scene, Kaskade’s uplifting organic house beats are guaranteed to have a smile on your face and your hands in the air. Local highlights this year include Brandy Westmore, with her eclectic blend of rock and techno, and the always bangin’ Donald Glaude.
—Tom Conquergood
Grayskul
Exhibition Hall, Saturday 9/4, 6pm
allucinatory, moody, and dark as hell, Grayskul is Oldominion’s Onry Ozzborn and JFK on the vocals, and Rob Castro on bass. The combination of Onry’s jagged juxtapositions and JFK’s hyperspeed hyperbole with Castro’s menacing bass lines made for one of the most fully realized and accessible projects in Oldominion’s considerable catalog—Grayskul’s debut “Thee Adventures.” Signed to indie-hop powerhouse Rhymesayers Entertainment, expect all eyes to be on the NW when they drop their next joint. I had the pleasure of witnessing their first gig in this incarnation and must say, the boys bring intensity by the bucketloads. Bear witness. —Larry Mizell Jr.
Harkonen
Exhibition Hall, Saturday 9/4, 2:15pm
Post-hardcore? Heavy art rock? Hell if I know, labels can only get you halfway there. Harkonen play dark rock with raging screaming at times, that almost surprisingly can segway into funky danceable music. With quite a few CDs and tours under their belt, this local band’s in their prime. They’re also one of the most heavy and loud bands playing the festival, and one that’s interesting enough to pull in the attention of more than just teenagers. —Dan Halligan
Halou
Sky Church, Sunday 9/5, 5pm
The music of Halou is the stuff dreams are made of: airy, light and yet able to travel great distances with its subtle breadth and vast arrangements. These lush electronic soundscapes wisk the imagination to other worlds while the ethereal wisdom of Rebecca Coseboom takes the heart home. In all, this San Francisco three piece has an incredible gift for unraveling the psyche; yet, they wield this delicate brush with sincerity and the uncommon wisdom of those who know not the magic they spark. —Shawn Telford
Himsa
Exhibition Hall, Friday 9/3, 5:45pm
Himsa is the kind of band that makes you want to scream “METAL!” with your devil horns raised high in the air. As the heaviest band playing Bumbershoot, Himsa bring to their metal a few punk, hardcore, and goth influences. They’ve definitely evolved over the years (along with a few line up changes) from hardcore towards the realm of metal, expect their ‘shoot appearance to bring the full head banging assault of their recent “Courting Tragedy and Disaster” CD. —Dan Halligan
The Turn-Ons
EMP Sky Church, Monday 9/6, 3:30pm
Seattle’s Turn-Ons have morphed over the last few years, changing from an early ‘70s glam revival into the second coming of Ride. They’ve been making appearances in support of the lastest CD “East” at new music showcases from coast to coast, and paid major dues opening for other “newgazers” such as Interpol, Longwave, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Get them before they’re hot because they might be calling New York home before long. —John Lankford Bumbershoot’s Brainstorm
MC Battles
“Battling is hip-hop on the most basic level—rhyming on the street in a cipher, stepping to the next man and showcasing your skills“, says Marc Matsui, the chief promoter of this year’s Brainstorm MC Battle. “However,” he continues, “with ‘8 Mile’ and certain rappers only battling, it has oversaturated things and turned it into more of a novelty. With Brainstorm we want it to be the standard and really mean something to those participating, attending, deejaying, hosting, etcetera.”
Brainstorm 4 ups the ante by staging regional prelims across the country, bringing the cream of the crop to fight it out for the $2500 at the finals, which will be at Bumbershoot. “Different cities value different skills,” Matsui says of the out of state battles. “In Detroit/Ann Arbor they would boo cats [that] weren’t saying shit even if they were flowing. In Chicago they would boo if cats weren’t flowing even if they were dropping some funny punch lines.” This attitude seems to differ from what we’ve seen in previous Seatown battles, where a good rehearsed punch line sub-par flowing can win over a crowd. “All in all, it really comes down to the emcee having the most all-around skill from his delivery, cadence, punch lines [and] charisma.”
Matsui is most excited that this has brought people from all over together. “Not too many people ever had a reason to come to Seattle, now they do. And in general, when we were on the road, people appreciated the fact that we came out to their town in an effort to raise the talent level and create that standard. We want to become what the DMCs are to deejaying in the emcee battle arena, and having [national regionals] is laying the foundation for that.” —Larry Mizell Jr
The Brainstorm MC Battles take place every afternoon of Bumbershoot at the Center Circle Spin, with the finals on Monday, September 6 from 4:15-7pm (at which the Blue Scholars will also be performing).
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