Grayceon, Slender Means, and We All Have Hooks For Hands are also

September 24, 2012 12:00 am
Rooney, Wednesday, December 2:Rooney is like the anti-Interpol. With their shiny and ebullient take on sunny American rock of the aE˜70s and early aE˜80s, and their shaggy, post-hippy rocker looks, they stand as a mirror image of InterpolaE™s noirish, British post-punk inflected sound and sleek, sharply dressed public face. Taken in that context, the band helps with hindsight exploration of one of the most hotly contested stretches in musical history, fiercely advocating for the lush and heavily produced pop that in part influenced the rise of the punk and eventually post-punk groups so inspirational to Interpol and its ilk. Whether or not you appreciate what Rooney does, take a minute to think about what Rooney means. These days, both the excessive, popped up and glossy sound of 1970s American airwaves, and the reactionary simplicity and edginess it inspired in the punk and post-punk movement exist side by side in the iPods, minds and hearts of the children (both literal and metaphorical) of those musical moments. Everything thataE™s uncool will one day be cool. ItaE™s only a matter of time before something comes along to Rip it up and Start Again, but itaE™s all gonna come back around someday. With Tally Hall, Crash Kings. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E. 381-3094. 7 p.m. $13 adv./$15 DOS. All ages. Note by NICHOLAS HALL
Rooney, Wednesday, December 2:Rooney is like the anti-Interpol. With their shiny and ebullient take on sunny American rock of the aE˜70s and early aE˜80s, and their shaggy, post-hippy rocker looks, they stand as a mirror image of InterpolaE™s noirish, British post-punk inflected sound and sleek, sharply dressed public face. Taken in that context, the band helps with hindsight exploration of one of the most hotly contested stretches in musical history, fiercely advocating for the lush and heavily produced pop that in part influenced the rise of the punk and eventually post-punk groups so inspirational to Interpol and its ilk. Whether or not you appreciate what Rooney does, take a minute to think about what Rooney means. These days, both the excessive, popped up and glossy sound of 1970s American airwaves, and the reactionary simplicity and edginess it inspired in the punk and post-punk movement exist side by side in the iPods, minds and hearts of the children (both literal and metaphorical) of those musical moments. Everything thataE™s uncool will one day be cool. ItaE™s only a matter of time before something comes along to Rip it up and Start Again, but itaE™s all gonna come back around someday. With Tally Hall, Crash Kings. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E. 381-3094. 7 p.m. $13 adv./$15 DOS. All ages. Note by NICHOLAS HALL

Grayceon, Slender Means, and We All Have Hooks For Hands are also performing in Seattle this week. Check out our picks and pic for the week of December 2 through 8.Published on November 30, 2009

Grayceon, Thursday, December 3:Diverse as it is, this cityaE™s metal could really use some more progressive thrash artists, and luckily a few are starting to fight their way to the surface. Dog Shredder is a relatively new project featuring guitarist Josh Holland and drummer Noah Burns, who used to head up Bellingham aE˜s arty, instrumental, thrash rock outfit, Cicadas. They pricked quite a few ears during a recent Sunset Tavern show, and their roughly hewn demo hints at an amalgamation of elegant arrangements buttressed precariously by a churning undercurrent of sludgey bass and scattershot drums. This will be an interesting (if potentially schizophrenic) pairing with the more down-tempo tone of San FranciscoaE™s Grayceon, which features cellist/ethereal vocalist Jackie Perez Gratz, best known for her role in Amber Asylum, and Heiress, the post-Himsa hardcore project helmed by John Pettibone. With Heiress, the Abodox. Funhouse, 206 Fifth Ave. N. 374-8400. 9:30 p.m. $7. Note by HANNAH LEVIN

Grayceon, Thursday, December 3:Diverse as it is, this cityaE™s metal could really use some more progressive thrash artists, and luckily a few are starting to fight their way to the surface. Dog Shredder is a relatively new project featuring guitarist Josh Holland and drummer Noah Burns, who used to head up Bellingham aE˜s arty, instrumental, thrash rock outfit, Cicadas. They pricked quite a few ears during a recent Sunset Tavern show, and their roughly hewn demo hints at an amalgamation of elegant arrangements buttressed precariously by a churning undercurrent of sludgey bass and scattershot drums. This will be an interesting (if potentially schizophrenic) pairing with the more down-tempo tone of San FranciscoaE™s Grayceon, which features cellist/ethereal vocalist Jackie Perez Gratz, best known for her role in Amber Asylum, and Heiress, the post-Himsa hardcore project helmed by John Pettibone. With Heiress, the Abodox. Funhouse, 206 Fifth Ave. N. 374-8400. 9:30 p.m. $7. Note by HANNAH LEVIN

Martin Bisi, Friday, December 4:Even if other producers like Steve Albini and Dave Fridmann have attained as much underground cred as Martin Bisi, few if any can touch his versatility. From the early days of hip hop to the downtown New York noise scene to Brian Eno and Sonic Youth and on down a mile-long list of recording credits, if thereaE™s an underground movement thataE™s taken place over the last thirty years thereaE™s a good chance Bisi has had a hand in it. But that part of his career has for all intents and purposes drawn to a close. When Bisi came to Seattle last June, SW reported that his appearances were rare. Well, that was true at the time but not so much anymore, as Bisi continues to make up for lost time by putting his own music first. He returns with his band on the heels of his new EP Son of a Gun. Where Bisi employed female characters as symbols for broader social observations on his 2008 full-length Sirens of the Apocalypse, this time around he turns to masculine imagery and looks inward. With the Curious Mystery, Bill Horist, Strong Killings. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 322-9272. 9 p.m. $6. Note by SABY REYES-KULKARNI

Martin Bisi, Friday, December 4:Even if other producers like Steve Albini and Dave Fridmann have attained as much underground cred as Martin Bisi, few if any can touch his versatility. From the early days of hip hop to the downtown New York noise scene to Brian Eno and Sonic Youth and on down a mile-long list of recording credits, if thereaE™s an underground movement thataE™s taken place over the last thirty years thereaE™s a good chance Bisi has had a hand in it. But that part of his career has for all intents and purposes drawn to a close. When Bisi came to Seattle last June, SW reported that his appearances were rare. Well, that was true at the time but not so much anymore, as Bisi continues to make up for lost time by putting his own music first. He returns with his band on the heels of his new EP Son of a Gun. Where Bisi employed female characters as symbols for broader social observations on his 2008 full-length Sirens of the Apocalypse, this time around he turns to masculine imagery and looks inward. With the Curious Mystery, Bill Horist, Strong Killings. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 322-9272. 9 p.m. $6. Note by SABY REYES-KULKARNI

John Doe, Friday, December 4:John Doe (nee Duchac) playing a club gig in Seattle isnaE™t all that uncommon. ItaE™s just that when heaE™s touring aloneaE”or with Kathleen Edwards or The Knitters or whoeveraE”he tends to play the Tractor, the sort of aEœofficialaE music venue youaE™d associate with an artist of his magnitude. Now, the High Dive has featured an often-stellar schedule of live music for some time nowaE”but itaE™s usually local (usually aE“ Grant Hart of Husker Du recently played there). So the fact that DoeaE™s stopping in Fremont caught my eye like it wouldnaE™t were he to descend upon Ballard Avenue again. ItaE™s intimate enough seeing this living rock legendaE”best-known for being a founding member of the punk band XaE”at a place like the Tractor. But catching him at a venue like the High Dive is on par with having Ichiro show up to play pickup softball with you and your beer buddies at Woodland Park. DoeaE™s no Dylan, but heaE™s a star of widespread notoriety nonetheless, with a sterling, durable body of work and the onstage demeanor of your coolest uncle. The fact that MaldivesaE™ frontman Jason Dodson is opening for Doe makes this nothing short of a must-see/hear for roots music fans. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-0212. 9 p.m. $15 adv./$18 DOS. Note by MIKE SEELY

John Doe, Friday, December 4:John Doe (nee Duchac) playing a club gig in Seattle isnaE™t all that uncommon. ItaE™s just that when heaE™s touring aloneaE”or with Kathleen Edwards or The Knitters or whoeveraE”he tends to play the Tractor, the sort of aEœofficialaE music venue youaE™d associate with an artist of his magnitude. Now, the High Dive has featured an often-stellar schedule of live music for some time nowaE”but itaE™s usually local (usually aE“ Grant Hart of Husker Du recently played there). So the fact that DoeaE™s stopping in Fremont caught my eye like it wouldnaE™t were he to descend upon Ballard Avenue again. ItaE™s intimate enough seeing this living rock legendaE”best-known for being a founding member of the punk band XaE”at a place like the Tractor. But catching him at a venue like the High Dive is on par with having Ichiro show up to play pickup softball with you and your beer buddies at Woodland Park. DoeaE™s no Dylan, but heaE™s a star of widespread notoriety nonetheless, with a sterling, durable body of work and the onstage demeanor of your coolest uncle. The fact that MaldivesaE™ frontman Jason Dodson is opening for Doe makes this nothing short of a must-see/hear for roots music fans. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-0212. 9 p.m. $15 adv./$18 DOS. Note by MIKE SEELY

Slender Means, Saturday, December 5:Slender Means is basically the go-to for effusively perfect indie-pop in Seattle. ThataE™s been the case since their 2005 jewel of a debut, Neon and Ruin, and the quintetaE™s new record, Adrift in the Cosmos, stays true to their lively, golden pop sound. Josh DawsonaE™s vocals have all the soul and pathos of MorrisseyaE™s, only delivered via DawsonaE™s cleaner, more dazzling falsetto. And Slender Means is a complete package aE“ the keyboards and guitar are always fluid, the drums are always tight, and youaE™d be hard-pressed to find sweeter vocal harmonies than those sung by the delightful Sonny VotolatoaE”which makes every Slender Means song sound satisfyingly complete. The songs on Adrift are intricately built on these soaring layers of melodies aE“ halfway through the opening track, Dawson and an escalating unison of backing voices assure us, aEœAll in all it was a good life.aE ItaE™s an appropriate lead-in to the stirring sequence of songs that follow. Proceeds from this show will benefit Teen Feed. With the Sea Navy and Spanish For 100. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. Note by E. THOMPSON

Slender Means, Saturday, December 5:Slender Means is basically the go-to for effusively perfect indie-pop in Seattle. ThataE™s been the case since their 2005 jewel of a debut, Neon and Ruin, and the quintetaE™s new record, Adrift in the Cosmos, stays true to their lively, golden pop sound. Josh DawsonaE™s vocals have all the soul and pathos of MorrisseyaE™s, only delivered via DawsonaE™s cleaner, more dazzling falsetto. And Slender Means is a complete package aE“ the keyboards and guitar are always fluid, the drums are always tight, and youaE™d be hard-pressed to find sweeter vocal harmonies than those sung by the delightful Sonny VotolatoaE”which makes every Slender Means song sound satisfyingly complete. The songs on Adrift are intricately built on these soaring layers of melodies aE“ halfway through the opening track, Dawson and an escalating unison of backing voices assure us, aEœAll in all it was a good life.aE ItaE™s an appropriate lead-in to the stirring sequence of songs that follow. Proceeds from this show will benefit Teen Feed. With the Sea Navy and Spanish For 100. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. Note by E. THOMPSON

Garage A Trois, Tuesday, December 8:Okay, this band name is misleading on two counts. First, there are four guys in Garage A Trois, though originally there were three, and garage rock is not on the menu. Rather, the freaky New Orleans outfit dishes out a cosmic stew of equal parts funk, soul, rock, and jazz. The playersaE™ collective resume is dizzying, and includes stints with Les Claypool, Galactic, Trey Anasatio, and Karl DensonaE™s Tiny Universe, but thereaE™s no jam-band tedium. In fact, Garage A Trois is surprisingly accessible. Famed guitarist Charlie Hunter was even a founding member, though he departed in 2007. Now a decade running, the unique sax/drums/vibes/keys quartet has a new third album, Power Patriot. ItaE™s a study in both wild-eyed range and play-it-cool finesse, going from burly to chill to arty in seconds. Doing a quick tour before heading to Japan in January, Garage A Trois are kindly prefacing their Seattle bar show with an all-ages appearance at Easy Street. Easy Street Records, 4559 California Ave. S.W., 938-3279. 6 p.m. Free. All ages.Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9 p.m. $13. Note by DOUG WALLEN

Garage A Trois, Tuesday, December 8:Okay, this band name is misleading on two counts. First, there are four guys in Garage A Trois, though originally there were three, and garage rock is not on the menu. Rather, the freaky New Orleans outfit dishes out a cosmic stew of equal parts funk, soul, rock, and jazz. The playersaE™ collective resume is dizzying, and includes stints with Les Claypool, Galactic, Trey Anasatio, and Karl DensonaE™s Tiny Universe, but thereaE™s no jam-band tedium. In fact, Garage A Trois is surprisingly accessible. Famed guitarist Charlie Hunter was even a founding member, though he departed in 2007. Now a decade running, the unique sax/drums/vibes/keys quartet has a new third album, Power Patriot. ItaE™s a study in both wild-eyed range and play-it-cool finesse, going from burly to chill to arty in seconds. Doing a quick tour before heading to Japan in January, Garage A Trois are kindly prefacing their Seattle bar show with an all-ages appearance at Easy Street. Easy Street Records, 4559 California Ave. S.W., 938-3279. 6 p.m. Free. All ages.Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9 p.m. $13. Note by DOUG WALLEN

Kid Cudi, Tuesday, December 8:aEœIaE™m a Facebook prophet/ I told all the girls that IaE™d be the hot shit.aE Thus sings Kid Cudi on aEœSoundtrack To My Life,aE the uninflected voice of a generation that grew up staring at monitors for hours and spends nights cycling through social networking websites. Embodying the hipster-hop aesthetic, CudiaE™s soundtrack is essentially a stream of chatroom confessions and lamentations. Sometimes it worksaE”the sparse, catchy aEœDay&NiteaE captures the drone of restless solitude and somehow makes it danceableaE”and most of the time itaE™s mopey and unimpressive. But Cudi really is the hot shit right now: his smooth, intuitive cross-genre musical approach reflects our web-surfing, boundary-crossing, potentially infinite pop culture reality. ItaE™s artists like Kid Cudi who are best suited to speak to a generation of kids who conduct their social lives and define their identities online, rather than subscribing to any one scene or genre to find a sense of self. Showbox SODO, 1700 First Ave. S., 382-7877. 7 p.m. $27.50 adv./$30 DOS. All ages. Note by HOLLIS WONG-WEAR

Kid Cudi, Tuesday, December 8:aEœIaE™m a Facebook prophet/ I told all the girls that IaE™d be the hot shit.aE Thus sings Kid Cudi on aEœSoundtrack To My Life,aE the uninflected voice of a generation that grew up staring at monitors for hours and spends nights cycling through social networking websites. Embodying the hipster-hop aesthetic, CudiaE™s soundtrack is essentially a stream of chatroom confessions and lamentations. Sometimes it worksaE”the sparse, catchy aEœDay&NiteaE captures the drone of restless solitude and somehow makes it danceableaE”and most of the time itaE™s mopey and unimpressive. But Cudi really is the hot shit right now: his smooth, intuitive cross-genre musical approach reflects our web-surfing, boundary-crossing, potentially infinite pop culture reality. ItaE™s artists like Kid Cudi who are best suited to speak to a generation of kids who conduct their social lives and define their identities online, rather than subscribing to any one scene or genre to find a sense of self. Showbox SODO, 1700 First Ave. S., 382-7877. 7 p.m. $27.50 adv./$30 DOS. All ages. Note by HOLLIS WONG-WEAR

We All Have Hooks For Hands, Tuesday, December 8: We All Have Hooks for Hands are a dusty, riffy group of dudes from South Dakota, a less grating, not so insufferable Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (but just as hokey a moniker). They leave their guitars bright, and use all six strings to make more than a bed for heavily burdened lyrics. Lead singer Eli Show's screeching howl sounds as much like Ben Birdwell as Owl City sounds like Ben Gibbard. And if you favor your indie rock with just a hint of Americana that doesn't give way to alt-country, well, eat your heart out. With the Ironclads, Doctor Doctor. Neumos, 925 Pike St. 709-9467. 8 p.m. $7. Note by CHRIS KORNELIS

We All Have Hooks For Hands, Tuesday, December 8: We All Have Hooks for Hands are a dusty, riffy group of dudes from South Dakota, a less grating, not so insufferable Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (but just as hokey a moniker). They leave their guitars bright, and use all six strings to make more than a bed for heavily burdened lyrics. Lead singer Eli Show’s screeching howl sounds as much like Ben Birdwell as Owl City sounds like Ben Gibbard. And if you favor your indie rock with just a hint of Americana that doesn’t give way to alt-country, well, eat your heart out. With the Ironclads, Doctor Doctor. Neumos, 925 Pike St. 709-9467. 8 p.m. $7. Note by CHRIS KORNELIS