iamserio.us

Third night in a row seeing these guys and I still haven’t tired of their live performance. I finally got to see them play at an actual venue with a PA and soundsystem, which was nice. Because the venue had the proper amenities, they were able to play some of their other songs that use keyboards and drum machine beats. For tonight, they brought out “Quiet” and “Grandfather Clock” but couldn’t close with “There Are Some Remedies…” because someone stole Chris’ pedal steel the night before (or it was just misplaced, either way, he can’t find it right now).

I tried to get a soundboard feed but it didn’t quite pan out because of complications with the venue’s mixing board. I did, however, run two video cameras. I set up one on the far left side of the stage on a tripod and the other on the right side of the stage on a pocket tripod. I’ve never authored a multi-cam DVD before but I’m willing to try. Here are two sample screenshots: Screenshot One, Screenshot Two.

I also recorded audio/video for Sparrows Swarm And Sing (who played an amazing set as well). I think I’ll take some time with these to make the end-product really nice. I’m talkin’ full-motion menus and all that jazz. I know I can do it.

I’m sad to see all of these guys leave town. All of them, both the bands, were super nice guys and they all make such beautiful music. Chris tells me that TWDY might tour Alaska next Spring or Summer (which is where my parents live). If that happens, I will make damn sure I can be up there for some of those shows. I don’t know how but I will.

Sparrows Swarm And Sing – 2006-08-05 The Theatre – Seattle, WA
Download: sss2006-08-05.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: sss2006-08-05sample.mp3

This Will Destroy You – 2006-08-05 The Paradox – Seattle, WA
Download: twdy2006-08-05.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: twdy2006-08-05sample.mp3

I have an addictive personality, so of course I’ll go see a band I love two nights in a row. It doesn’t even matter that they played the same setlist both nights (due to technological constraints of the “venues”… I use hilarious quote marks to denote the fact that these are not venues, they are tiny, tiny rooms). Tomorrow night at The Paradox they’ll play some different songs that use the drum machine beats. They just need a proper PA and a DI box to kick out the jams (and the drummer needs monitors so he can hear what the hell is going on).

This Will Destroy You played at a community house in the University District called Camp Nowhere. It’s actually very close to where The Punkin House once was and very similar in nature. The way the performance space works is that there are two large barn doors that you enter through to see the show. Once the space is full of people, they close the doors and spray you with delousing powder to prepare you for cremation. Ok I made that last part up. But seriously, they close the doors behind you and you can’t really leave until the set is over. The room is no bigger than the room TWDY played at in Vancouver but it sounds different because instead of being made of wood, the walls are painted cinder blocks.

Basically, this set sounds pretty much identical to the previous night’s set with some subtle nuance between the two. If you’re a huge fan of the band then go for it and download this one, but you’re not missing much if you already listened to the Vancouver recording.

This Will Destroy You – 2006-08-04 Camp Nowhere – Seattle, WA
Download: twdy2006-08-04.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: twdy2006-08-04sample.mp3

There is a lot of writing to be done in order to fully explain this concert. If you like reading then feel free to do so, otherwise you can scroll to the bottom and just download.

I drove over three hours from Seattle to see this show in Vancouver. I got to the supposed venue which turned out to be a triplex. This didn’t make sense to me so I loaded up irc (lol nerd) on my phone and got some third party help:

mojo> need help
mojo> im in vancouver
mojo> for this twdy show
merk> you drove four hours for that shit? i thought you were kidding
mojo> im at the house where its at but im not sure if im at the right place
merk> you need an addy?
mojo> 3316 grand bld vancouver, wa
mojo> place is called ex-communicate house
mojo> just double check
mojo> and try to find a picture of the outside
merk> you got the address right
merk> this place has no website
mojo> ok
mojo> yeah i know
mojo> there are no band vans or trailers outside the place either.
mojo> maybe i'll knock on the door
merk> that would seem to be a logical next step
mojo> no answer
mojo> this is a triplex
mojo> any mention of a unit #?
merk> nope
mojo> hm
merk> show time is 8
merk> hm, twdy's bill had no info, but the other band has more
mojo> yeah
merk> it says 3316 grand blvd ..1
merk> 1? is that the number?
mojo> 1 has a lockbox on it
mojo> hm
merk> now just find the key
merk> wait, lockbox? al gore must be near
merk> he's the key master
mojo> dude at #1 has nfi what im talking about
merk> lol
merk> this is like a joke
mojo> yes
merk> well i found a photobucket of a show there
merk> but all shitty indoor photos

I knocked on each of the doors and finally got an answer when I inquired at the unit that was being renovated.

The guy at the unit had no clue what I was talking about, but he decided to help me out and give me some directions and I returned to irc for more help:

mojo> i talked to dude
mojo> took i5 down to camus hwy
merk> that other band, the band that's playing with twdy, they had the fucking zip code wrong
merk> they had a zip code form fucking portland
merk> i'm looking at google maps now
merk> grand blvd is a north/south street
merk> and the arrow that should theoretically be pointing at the house is on the west side
merk> of grand blvd
merk> just a bit past e 33rd
merk> north of e 33
mojo> im back to where i was

The guy gave me directions that didn’t really help. I had just come back full circle to where I was in the first place. The funny thing is that the bands rolled up in their vans shortly after I returned and they had no idea what was going on either. The long and short of it is was that the guy moved (and, since his house is the venue, so did the venue) and hadn’t mentioned anything to anyone. One of the guys from Sparrows Swarm And Sing called someone and got the new address and I commissioned a fellow irc nerd to get me directions:

mojo> mike
mojo> call me please
mojo> 206 412 6711
mojo> need help
mojo> or anyone with a computer
mojo> and internets
tnl> i've got a quarter of an internet. i fail
mojo> someone seriously
mojo> i need google maps
merk> what
merk> why
merk> you not staying for the show?
mojo> i need google maps directions
mojo> to the new venue.
merk> whats the address
mojo> 1005 ne 88 circle vancouver wa
mojo> itll be easier if you call
merk> no you call me
merk> *** *** 5122
mojo> the bands are already late
mojo> ok

I called Mike (merk) and he gave me directions. I rounded up the guys in the two bands and we ran a convoy to the new venue, only arriving 45 minutes later than scheduled.

Now, the venue is something else. It’s a house with a detached garage and the bands play in said garage. The garage is about the size of a normal two-car unit, but the actual playing space is only half of the structure. The other half of the garage has a dirt floor where bands can stage their gear. I’d wager a guess that the actual playing space is about 8′ wide and 14′ long so that when a four or five piece band is playing, about a dozen people can fit in the room to watch:

The host of the show performed his noise set as Blowupnihilist and a Seattle punk band called Playing Enemies followed. I set up to record TWDY’s set and witnessed what is probably the most moving and impressive performance I’ve ever seen. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I hung out with the guys before the show and saw what nice people they were. I also think it has a lot to do with the intimacy of the tiny-as-hell venue (only 10 people witnessed this show). Even still, a lot of it has to do with the fact that these guys make beautiful, awesome music.

Following TWDY, their tourmates Sparrows Swarm And Sing played. A different brand of post-rock, Sparrows follow the tradition of GYBE! by employing a cello, a violin, alternative percussion and a xylophone. They had somewhat of an off-night due to the fact that a lot of their gear was stolen the day before so they were playing with new and borrowed instruments. Even still, I enjoyed their set a great deal. They had some very interesting takes on the genre that are worth listening to again… AND NOW YOU CAN DO JUST THAT!

Sparrows Swarm And Sing
2006-08-03 Excommunicate House – Vancouver, WA
Download: sss2006-08-03.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: sss2006-08-03sample.mp3

This Will Destroy You
2006-08-03 Excommunicate House – Vancouver, WA
Download: twdy2006-08-03.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: twdy2006-08-03sample.mp3

Sometimes, things happen. Sometimes, bands that you never thought would play together again end up playing a show. Last night was such a night. I know I know… Murder City played the Block Party the night before and that was awesome and whatever, but this is something more awesome.

Last night, as an unexpected and unannounced treat, they played at the same venue they played at for their final show in 2001. They played to a crowd that was pretty much entirely true-blue MCD fans. The place erupted with people singing along with raised hands and voices. It was something special.

Even more exciting than MCD playing (for me, at least) was that The Blood Brothers were the unbilled openers. They were billed as “Escape From The Laser Grid” because they can’t advertise any performances so close to their Bumbershoot date (radius clause). The boys paraded out four new songs that are sure to tear up the new album like all sorts of crazy and the crowd really got into it about halfway into the set. I’m sure there would have been more tight-panted fanboys at the show if they had known they were playing.

Also, an experimental guitar duo called The Bright Shiny Objects opened the show first. The crowd didn’t seem too into it but I enjoyed some of the effects they were trying to achieve… some really cool A/B guitar effects. They were definitely playing to an uninterested crowd, though… it happens.

Bright Shiny Objects – 2006-07-30 The Showbox – Seattle, WA
Download: bso2006-07-30.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: bso2006-07-30sample.mp3

The Blood Brothers – 2006-07-30 The Showbox – Seattle, WA
Download: bbrothers2006-07-30.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: bbrothers2006-07-30sample.mp3

The Murder City Devils – 2006-07-30 The Showbox – Seattle, WA
Download: mcd2006-07-30.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: mcd2006-07-30sample.mp3

EDIT 1: Some quick corrections to the MCD setlist:

1) #03 is “I Drink The Wine”, not “I Drank The Wine” (typo on my part)
2) #08 is “Murder City Riot”
3) #09 is “Dancehall Music”
4) #21 is “Officer”

Thanks to SxPxDxCx for the missing song titles and Jim Hirte for noticing the error.

EDIT 2: Some other corrections for The Blood Brothers’ set:

1) #02 is “Set Fire To The Face On Fire”
2) #03 is “Teen Heat” (woops!)
3) #05 is “We Ride Skeletal Lightning”

So the second day of the Capitol Hill Block Party was today. I missed the first day because I was out of town visiting my folks, but I caught some of the second day.

I was hoping to be able to to tape Minus The Bear, The Black Angels and The Murder City Devils but things didn’t quite pan out. I got there too late to set up in time for Minus The Bear and after The Black Angels played I was too tired to sit through a hip-hop act to wait for The Murder City Devils, so I bounced.

Don’t worry about the MCD and MTB sets being taped, though. There were three other tapers covering the show so they got taped and will be torrented about the land I’m sure. Also, I’m seeing MCD play tomorrow night at The Showbox so I’ll tape them then.

The Black Angels – 2006-07-29 Capitol Hill Block Party – Seattle, WA
Download: ba2006-07-29.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: ba2006-07-29sample.mp3

I would put all of the bands in the post title but it’d be way too long and #12 was the headliner. Full line-up was:

I’ve been listening to a lot of Fall Of Troy lately so when I got a chance to go out and tape the other band of which Thom is a member (The Hills Have Eyes), I totally jumped on it. I went to the show with my full rig in tow, but I packed my stealth gear just in case the venue denied me… I’d never taped at Chop Suey before so I didn’t know what to expect.

When I got to the venue security asked to look in my bag as they always do and right when I opened the bag the security guard said “Oh you’ve got all of this shit, get on in here man!”. Like he’d been waiting for me or something. He was almost excited that I was there to tape. I love Chop Suey now.

The other great thing about this show was that the 21+ area was a ghost town. Since these bands don’t really attract anyone over the age of 16, the bar was empty. It was nice because it gave me a nice comfortable spot to set up my stand and I didn’t have to be super close to anybody. Security looked out for me all night and a good time was had by Brian.

As for the music, color me impressed. I don’t really listen to much *.*core music these days, but I liked what I heard tonight. Especially #12. Those guys know what the hell they’re doing, I’ll tell you what. The recordings came out really nice and I’m glad I got a chance to tape all of the bands.

The Hills Have Eyes – 2006-07-13 Chop Suey – Seattle, WA
Download: hhe2006-07-13.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: hhe2006-07-13sample.mp3

The Jonbenet – 2006-07-13 Chop Suey – Seattle, WA
Download: jonbenet2006-07-13.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: jonbenet2006-07-13sample.mp3

Heavy Heavy Low Low – 2006-07-13 Chop Suey – Seattle, WA
Download: hhll2006-07-13.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: hhll2006-07-13sample.mp3

The #12 Looks Like You – 2006-07-13 Chop Suey – Seattle, WA
Download: ntlly2006-07-13.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: ntlly2006-07-13sample.mp3

The Fall Of Troy is playing tomorrow in Redmond. Guess who’s gonna be there? This guy.

I’m glad I got another chance to see Kimya play before she (presumably) goes on a long vacation with her new baby. While the crowd was a lot quieter this time, this recording is a little boomy due to the acoustics of the venue and the type of music she plays.

Kimya Dawson – 2006-07-11 The Paradox Theatre – Seattle, WA
Download: kdawson2006-07-11.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: kdawson2006-07-11sample.mp3

I’ve been looking forward to seeing Now It’s Overhead ever since my friend Trent showed me 6th Grade Roller back in our early days of college. Here I am five years later finally seeing them in concert and it was pretty damn impressive. A lot of well-timed guitar breakdowns and riffs that I can still play back in my head. Check out this set for some new songs from this band’s forthcoming LP in September.

EDIT: The text file in the zip says “Kimya Dawson” for the artist. That is incorrect (obviously). My bad.

Now It’s Overhead 2006-07-11 The Paradox Theatre – Seattle, WA
Download: nio2006-07-11.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: nio2006-07-11sample.mp3

Now the headliner, Tilly & The Wall… I’ve never really paid attention either way so before I went to the show I didn’t know what to expect. I enjoyed the vocal harmonies and the tap dancing percussion, though I must admit that for the first few songs I didn’t realize she was tap dancing… it looked like someone was just dancing while they played. So, yeah…. good show. Good sets from all the bands and here they are for you.

Tilly & The Wall 2006-07-11 – The Paradox Theatre – Seattle, WA
Download: tatw2006-07-11.akgc1000s.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: tatw2006-07-11sample.mp3

I know I’ve been hyping a lot of TFOT material lately but they played a free show downtown, so I just had to tape.

The opening act sucked and I don’t think I need to say anything more than this: they’re name was Kut U Up. Seriously, what else do you want me to say about that.

The Fall Of Troy, however, rocked pretty damn hard. They played their new-ish song A Man A Plan A Canal Panama which I’ve been waiting to hear for a while. Also, for the word-savvy, that is a palindrome.

The sound at this show sucked but I didn’t expect it to be stellar. It was outside in a parking lot downtown, kinda windy and the PA sucked. Tim’s bass sounded like a Moog and the vocals were way too loud. All things considered, the tape came out pretty nice.

The Fall Of Troy – 2006-07-06 Zumiez Couch Tour – Seattle, WA
Download: fot2006-07-06.at943.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: fot2006-07-06sample.mp3

I work for Suicide Squeeze and I told David (guy who owns the label) that I would make sure that all of the performances got recorded. True to my word, every band’s set is on file and sounds great. I even got soundboard feeds for the second and third night to make some badass matrix mixes (though I screwed up on the first night by bringing the wrong cable).

The good news is that the recordings sound really good. The bad news is that I can’t share them with anyone because I told David I wouldn’t. Who knows, maybe he’ll tell me to do whatever I want with them but until I hear from him, they’re going to stay uncirculated. I seriously doubt any commercial effort will come of these tapes since the label is so busy right now as it is; so maybe I’ll be able to post my recordings at a later date. I really hope so; the Minus The Bear matrix is so damn sweet sounding.

Here is a list of the bands I taped

Russian Circles (AUD)
These Arms Are Snakes (AUD)
Hella (AUD)
The Magic Magicians (AUD/SBD)
Crystal Skulls (AUD/SBD)
Chin Up Chin Up (AUD/SBD)
The Black Heart Procession (AUD/SBD)
Metal Hearts (AUD/SBD)
Headphones (AUD/SBD)
Earlimart (AUD/SBD)
Minus The Bear (AUD/SBD)

In other news, last week was my 23rd birthday. I only mention it because my family collectively bought me a 2006 Yamaha Vino 50cc scooter and it’s probably the greatest thing to ever happen. I’ve got big things planned for this lil’ guy… we’re gonna scoot all around town and maybe even out of state. Who knows.

I really want to take a long-ish trip down to Olympia and stay with The Weaver Brothers for a weekend. I’m thinking early August for some sweet black metal action. I’ll even pack my stealth taping rig so I can tape.

It’s going to be a good summer.

It was way too hot to stealth last night, so I only taped the first band. It wouldn’t have been so hot but the only clean jacket I had (in which to stuff my gear) was a heavy Carhartt one which made it unbearable to stealth. Add this to the fact that I’m sort of burned out on taping shows just to tape them and you come up with me being a total pussy.

So last night was Tapes ‘n Tapes with openers Cold War Kids and The Figurines, respectively. I taped Cold War Kids for my boss at Suicide Squeeze because she was raving about them all week and I thought she’d appreciate a recording. By the end of their set I was sweating balls and not feeling well, so the lady and I ditched and went home. I’ll just tell people I’m so indie that I buy tickets to sold out buzz-band shows and then leave after the opener plays. Shit yeah.

Cold War Kids – 2006-06-19 Crocodile Cafe – Seattle, WA
Download: cwk2006-06-19.at943.flac16.zip
MP3 Sample: cwk2006-06-19sample.mp3