|
Two of Seattle’s most exciting live bands have brand new albums out. The Hollowpoints have been belting out punk rock anthems for a few years, while relative newcomers Go Like Hell have blasted onto the scene with unbridled energy. Both bands are drawing attention and fans because of their kick-ass, balls-to-the-wall rock. Haven’t caught on yet? Still staring at your feet listening to yet another indie rock band? Here’s your tip on two hot bands that will be rocking the Northwest this year.
Go Like Hell
AGo Like Hell quickly made a name for themselves within a few months of their first show in Seattle. The two main reasons for this are that they fucking rock and they're totally energetic live. The band formed in the fall of 2003 when a couple of ex-Pleasure Elite members hooked up with a few friends for drinks and bonded over their love for Motorhead, Kiss, the Plasmatics and Hellacopters. After a year of playing live shows, the band recently released their debut CD “Hell Bent Rock n’ Roll” on Buttermilk Records.
When asked about the origin of their name, guitarist Luvleggs explained, “I was looking for a name that matched the image of what we sounded like, looked like and wanted to project in our live show. I ended up reading an article and the guy said ‘I wake up and go like hell and then when I’m completely worn out and have nothing left, I go to sleep. Then I wake up and do it again the next day.’ That to me is what every song, show, practice or whatever we touch should feel like, like you’ve given everything you’ve got and then some.”
If you’ve witnessed the band live, you can testify to that energy; the band really feeds off the crowd. “We would love it if they all got laid, drunk, debaucherous and unruly,” said Luvleggs. “But most of all we want them to understand anything can happen and that they are partially responsible for all of us being exhausted and giddy at the end of the night. The crowds are hungry for something that they can have a good time with and let go, which is a lot of the reason why we started. We were tired of seeing a bunch of scenesters and rehashed indie bands looking at their shoes.”
What provides inspiration for Go Like Hell? Frontwoman Alexi said it’s “the guys in the band and bringing back the rock star and the rock show.” Guitarist Elvis continued, “It’s a hell of a lot of fun to play in this band,” while drummer Dick finds his inspiration in “chicks, drink tickets and the occasional deli tray.”
Since this is Tablet’s Smut Issue, I asked the band what was the smuttiest thing to ever happen at a Go Like Hell show? Luvleggs happily replied, “When Alexi pulled the cherry sucker out of her twat and fed it to Cherry for her birthday. The rest of us are pleading the fifth—unless of course if you consider cold-cocking fans, eating broken teeth, bloody lips, spit raining in all directions, men and women groping boys in skirts, young teenage girls losing their clothes and offering their innocence ‘smutty.’ We just call that foreplay. For those who agree, you get two thumbs up and we’ll see you at the next show.”
The HollowPoints
 |
Benny and Matty from the Hollowpoints have been playing together for over eight years in various bands. They began the band that became the Hollowpoints under the moniker St. Louis Smiles, but it wasn’t until about three years ago when things gelled with the current line-up and name. The band’s catchy political punk stood out from the indie and garage rock scene that comprises a lot of what’s going on in Seattle’s clubs. Over the past few years they’ve toured the country and released a couple of records, including an EP on Dirtnap Records. Right now they are standing on the edge of something bigger, with a great new album entitled “The Black Spot” coming out this month on Duane Peters’ Disaster Records. |
The new record should draw hordes of new fans to the Hollowpoints, who complain about not quite fitting in with Seattle’s music scene. “We’ve definitely been way better received in the Bay Area," said bassist Benny. "If you’ve got a lot of friends in Seattle you can have a big show, but it seems like you have to have the right friends to pack out a local show.” Drummer Dan said, “San Francisco is way more happening for local shows. It seems like in Seattle you have to be around forever to get a good turn out.”
The Hollowpoints have, however, played quite a few big shows opening for bands like the Exploited; it’s just that politically oriented punk rock has never been big here—neither have very aggressive bands. Benny said, “It definitely makes it harder to find bands to play with, for sure. People have always been into the rock’n’roll in Seattle though, so we try to find bands we can at least sort of fit on the bill with.”
When it comes to shows, the Hollowpoints prefer to play all-ages or all-ages shows with a bar for those with ID. Singer/guitarist Matty exclaimed, “I love those shows!” Ben continued, “What’s been apparent from all the shows and touring we’ve done is at a bar show, people come to see the band they know and that’s all. When you play all-ages shows, people get way more into all the bands.” Dan added, “You can’t sell merch at a bar show either, they are saving their money for the next drink!” Ben laughed and said, “It’s either a shirt or a gin and tonic. Hell, if I was at a bar show, I’d probably choose the gin and tonic.”
While the band may be a little down on Seattle’s music scene, they’re absolutely excited about their new album. They had a fun time recording with Duane Peters. Matty said, “This is the first album that really sounds like us. A lot of people like ‘Bullet Holes in City Walls,’ but that doesn’t sound at all like we do now. We are really happy with how the new album turned out.”
The Hollowpoints head out on a three-week tour in February ending with their CD release show at the Vera Project, February 25. Go check them out, it will be a hell of a good show.
|
