Q: A Gun-Shaped Knife

A: Bright orange camouflage.

Recommended shows for the week of 2/24/08

Tuesday the 26th:
Young Sportsmen at the Sunset Tavern

Friday the 29th:
Tullycraft at Easy Street Records (Queen Anne) at 8 PM

Thee Sgt. Major III at the High Dive

The Quit at the Comet Tavern

The Hands/The Whore Moans/The Earaches at Neumo's

Thee Sgt. Major III play The Who's Greatest

What happened to the lovely and talented Carmella? Sgt. Major seems to have become Thee Sgt. Major III. Well I suppose change is inevitable and not necessarily evil. A note on the Thee Sgt. Major III MySpace page has this to say about that, “The onslaught of 2008 will ring in changes far and wide to this and EVERY OTHER rock band you know, love, loathe and detest” and further declares that “THE SUBVERSION SOCIETY will PREVAIL and you won't remember what you liked in the past, as even YOU know, you can't change what’s already past: the FUTURE.... YOUR FUTURE.”

Also on their MySpace page is this nicely produced video by Chris Force of Thee Sgt. Major III and several special guests, most of whom should look familiar to regular readers of this blog, performing a great set of solid gold Who songs at The Sunset Tavern on New Years Eve. It looks like a fine time was had by all. Wish I’d been there.

Another show this weekend for your radar

Here's another show for your consideration for this weekend. I'll be out of town (for my wife's family reunion in Leavenworth). But, those of you who are in town should consider the show. Looks like rock.

Anyone know anything about "the new hardcore ufo's"? It's a clear GbV reference, which I'm all for. But, I can't find anything about them online.

Sgt. Major mp3

Just for giggles, here's an mp3 for one of my favorite Sgt. Major tracks, called "In the Garden."

And here's a shot of them at the Sunset, taken back in '03.

SPB Anniversary countdown: Day 1

Day 1??? That's right, tomorrow is Day 0. So, this is the last blog of the ten-day countdown to the SPB Anniversary Show that is happening tomorrow (Friday, June 29) at the Sunset Tavern.

To close out this countdown, I want to do a thank-you-in-advance to all the bands on the bill. You guys all rock. Thanks so much for being part of it!

Here's a rundown of the schedule (starts at 9pm sharp!):

First up: The Knast. These guys blasted onto my radar back in January with a myspace friend request that had a single song posted called "Sittin' In My Tree." Since then they've played around town a bunch and added three more songs to their site and have been in the studio laying down tracks. I love what they're doing. It feels very NYC, very dirt-under-the-fingernails, but still very catchy.

Second on the bill: Andy Werth. Andy's sunny 1970s pop is a stark contrast to the Knast, but what they share is an undeniable ability to write catchy melodies. I learned of Andy last year with the release of the "Back To the Sun" ep, which immediately brought a smile to my face. I expect the same will happen on Friday.

Third at bat: The Small Change. I've said it before and I'll say it again -- These guys are hands-down one of my favorite bands in town. The energy, the melodies, the retro-mod sounds that are somehow completely modern-day... I love it all. I only wish I had a better camera so that I could actually snap a photo of Greg in mid-air instead of after he lands (stupid shutter delay!).

On fourth: Shake Some Action. I play bass in SSA, so I'll keep the praise to a minimum. But, suffice it to say that James has crafted some incredibly catchy tunes, and I feel lucky to be able to hold down the bottom end for them.

Coming on fifth: Dept of Energy. There's something hypnotic about these guys. I remember first seeing them and thinking Robb had a voice that, while it's sometimes all over the place, you can't stop listening to. Unique lyrics, unique melodies, no bass player. Quirk pop at its finest.

Closing out the night: Sgt. Major. What can be said about this motley crew of rock dudes (and dudette)? Sgt. Major is like the aftermath of a head-on collision between one van full of pure rock energy and another van full of Seattle powerpop history. Kurt gave me a bit ol' tease by sending an email saying "Many surprises... this I know." I can't wait to find out what they are!

And you shouldn't miss it.

Two weeks until SPB anniversary show!

You've probably all seen the graphic over there --->

But, perhaps you've not paid very close attention. Well, now is the time to start paying attention, as the one-year anniversary party for the Seattle Powerpop Blog is in 12 days!

The show is taking place at the Sunset Tavern and has a rediculously cool line up. But, as if the line up wasn't cool enough by itself, in addition to their own music, during their 20 minute sets each band will be paying tribute to (at least) one other Seattle pop band by performing a cover tune. So, while you'll be seeing six bands, you'll be hearing the music of over a dozen!

Here's the scoop:

FRIDAY, JUNE 29

Midnight -- Sgt. Major, paying tribute to: Young Fresh Fellows, Model Rockets, The Sonics and The Fastbacks
11:25pm -- Dept of Energy, paying tribute to: Harvey Danger and/or Western State Hurricanes
10:45pm -- Shake Some Action, paying tribute to: The Heaters
10:10pm -- The Small Change, paying tribute to: Green Pajamas
9:35pm -- Andy Werth, paying tribute to: The Color Bars
9pm -- The Knast, paying tribute to: Screaming Trees

Now if that's not a fun evening, I don't know what is. Go ahead and mark your calendar for the night. Only a fool would miss such a party!!

Photos: Tripwires, Sgt. Major & The Riffbrokers

I headed out to the Comet last night to take in the Tripwires, Sgt. Major, The Riffbrokers and Llama. It was a solid night of music and well attended. An interesting thing happened that I've never seen at the Comet before. As soon as the Tripwires kicked off their set, everyone crowded over to the band side of the room and got right up close to the stage area, leaving the bar side considerably less crowded.

I applaud everyone for doing that. It totally changes the vibe of a rock show to have people crowded around the stage, enjoying the band. Once the Tripwires ended their set, people dispersed to the bar side and to outside the club. So, I was wondering what would happen with Sgt. Major took the stage. Turns out, same thing! Everyone came back over and stood close to the band (thereby allowing Kurt Bloch to better behave like the rock and roll giant that he is -- running into the crowd, leaning on audience members, and pogo-ing like a mad man).

Anyhoo, as per usual, the lighting at the Comet leaves the photos less than ideal. But, here are the snapshots as they are:


The Tripwires, with audience


Sgt. Major - Kurt Bloch


Sgt. Major - Carmella

After Sgt. Major's set, but before The Riffbrokers took the stage, Heather Riffbroker brought a box of cupcakes out and put them on the merch table. It turns out that this coming Tuesday is her birthday. So, happy early birthday, Heather!

Here's a shot of the box of cupcakes... just because.




The Riffbrokers - birthday girl, Heather


The Riffbrokers - Nick's guitar

Unfortunately, I didn't get to hang around to see Llama. My energy meter hit empty, and I packed it in around 12:20am.

Monday Morning mp3

For his heroic efforts in rescuing the smashed telecaster of The Small Change back on Friday (see previous post), today's Monday Morning mp3 is "A Battleship Called Greed" by Kurt Bloch's group Sgt. Major.

They've got a show at the Jules Maes on December 8 (this friday!).


Sgt. Major

Day 8: Two mp3s per day for 16 days

We're officially half way through the Two mp3s Per Day For 16 Days series. I hope folks are enjoying it.

Sgt. Major's "Underneath It"

The Tripwires' "I Hear This Music"


The Tripwires