iamserio.us

This band has been slept on so hard it’s ridiculous. They put on such a great show and their music is so powerful and full of energy that it amazes me that they don’t sell out clubs every time they play. Also, Benjamin Weikel is far and away the most entertaining drummer to watch play. He’s like a muppet playing drums. Mouth hanging open in a huge smile. Eyes all huge and wide. You can tell he’s genuinely excited to be playing the songs.

Crystal Skulls – 2006-04-28 The Paradox Theater – Seattle, WA
Download: cs2006-04-28.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: cs2006-04-28sample.mp3

The Helio Sequence – 2006-04-28 The Paradox Theater – Seattle, WA
Download: hs2006-04-28.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: hs2006-04-28sample.mp3”

Silversun Pickups – 2006-04-28 The Paradox Theater – Seattle, WA
Download: ssp2006-04-28.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: ssp2006-04-28sample.mp3

Second night in a row taping The Paramount, but this time on the main floor instead of the balcony. The real danger of taping from the main floor is making sure you don’t get caught under the huge overhang of the balcony. There is probably about 30 feet of space from the lip of the stage to the edge of the overhang which kinda sucks if the show is sold out… I imagine the sound is super muddy back there when it bounces all over the place.

So anyhow, Massive Attack played The Paramount last night and I was there, the lonely stealth taper. I like going to shows by myself because if I feel like leaving early I can do that without feeling bad for anyone else, but it sucks because you don’t have anyone to talk to. All you do is stand around and stare at a few hundred douche bags and overhear their inane blathering. You desperately want to have your own inane blather-fest, but you have no one with which to do that. Le sigh.

Regardless, the show was really good. I wouldn’t have gone if a buddy of mine hadn’t asked me to go and tape it for him, but I’m glad that I did. I can’t say I’m a real huge follower of the band but I’ve heard most of their stuff over the years at least once. I was curious to see how they would do a live show given that the genre they pretty much invented (trip hop) is based on samples and synths. To counter my skepticism, the band produced two live drum kits, a bassist, an electric guitarist, and a keyboard player. The sound was huge and impressive. It sounded just like the albums but it didn’t feel like you were listening to karaoke. And without further ado, I give you Massive Attack live in Seattle

Massive Attack – 2006-04-26 The Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA
Download: ma2006-04-26.at943.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: ma2006-04-26sample.mp3

I think there’s a reason I’d never been to The Paramount before. I was always put off by the hugeness of it… it never made sense to me that a rock show should occur in a place with chairs.

Last night, Yeah Yeah Yeahs played The Paramount and I was there. Well, I was in the balcony. Sitting in a chair. Like I was watching tv or something. It was comfortable since I was taping… I could just sit there and watch while I recorded instead of stand up and get a sore neck. I don’t know, it was just kind of weird to see a rock act from a hundred feet away sitting in a padded chair.

As for the performance, it was good. I’d never seen Yeah Yeah Yeahs before for various reasons and even though the venue wasn’t my favorite place to see them, it was a pretty fucking good performance. Go see them if you get the chance.

P.S. Thanks to Jerry for the extra two tickets. I already had my ticket that a friend bought for me, but two friends of mine who really wanted to go didn’t have any. They were most appreciative so you rock.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – 2006-04-25 The Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA
Download: yyy2006-04-25.at943.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: yyy2006-04-25sample.mp3

Edit: Sorry for the talking in the beginning of Dudley. My buddy Woody was asking me a question about the light projection on stage and he forgot I was recording.

I don’t usually follow artists’ tours outside of my own city but I got motivated and decided to trek to Bellingham to see Mates Of State play for the second time this week. It was a fun trip for me and the ladyfriend as she got to see an old high school friend and I visited a friend who goes to WSU and played Street Fighter with him for a bit.

The Mates played in what is officially dubbed “Bakerview Auditorium” but really it’s a community church center called “Christ The King”. For being a huge room with a modest sound system, the recording turned out pretty good. It’s always nice to record at unusual places like that because the venue staff is usually really helpful with getting mics set up and such (I was offered a spot behind the board to set up my mics). Nobody ever hassles you for taping at venues like these, so it’s nice.

I also ran video because I knew I’d be able to. I’ve never mixed separate audio and video sources together so we’ll see how well I’m able to accomplish authoring my own DVD. If it turns out nice enough, I’ll post the DVD on my site for a limited-time download (or maybe a torrent, not sure)

In the meantime, here is the set from the show. If there’s any demand I’ll post Viva Voce’s opening set as well.

Mates Of State – 2006-04-22 Bakerview Auditorium – Bellingham, WA
Download: mos2006-04-22.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: mos2006-04-22sample.mp3

Went to see The Books at the UW Husky Student Union Building on Friday and all I can say is “Fucking wow”. They were so amazing. So so amazingly impressive and good and everything you would expect from them based on their albums.

I recorded their set (with permission from Nick Zammuto) but he requested that I keep it for personal use and not put it on the Internet. Given that I am a man of my word, I won’t post the recording on my site. I will, however, share the opening band’s set.

P:ANO is a four piece sit-down act consisting of drums, accordian, bass saxaphone, and ukulele. Very mellow, low-key stuff with vocals to accompany in a similar manner. I have a thing with bands that use accordians… it always reminds me of pirate music. Not a good or bad thing, just the way it is.

P:ANO – 2006-04-21 UW HUB – Seattle, WA
Download: p-ano2006-04-21.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: p-ano2006-04-21sample.mp3