photo by Christopher Nelson
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Daypodcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased tracks, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s selection, Today’s selection, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Attack” by Absolute Monarchs from their 2012 album, 1, on Good To Die Records.
Named one of the “6 Northwest Bands You Need to Know” by SPIN magazine as well as one of the 10 best local bands by City Arts magazine, the quartet of musicians collectively known as Absolute Monarchs have quite the forward momentum about them. Starting from a simple four-song demo, the band honed their craft by dazzling audiences at Seattle’s Capitol Hill Block Party as well as opening for other rock contemporaries like Les Savy Fav, Cold Cave, and Red Fang. On their newest album, however, they mined movies such as the Bourne Ultimatium and Highlander: Endgame for both emotional and lyrical inspiration. Tracks like album opener “Attack” bleed of distorted guitar riffs and howling vocals that, nevertheless, is post-punk rock that both hardcore and casual music listeners can gravitate towards.
On Saturday, April 14th, the band will play a KEXP in-studio performance on Audioasis at 7:30pm. The following Tuesday, April 17th, is their album release day, which the Monarchs will be celebrating with a free Easy Street Records in-store performance at 7pm. More tour dates and band information are available at either the band’s Myspace or Facebook pages. In the meantime, check out their scintillating 2010 Capitol Hill Block Party set, featuring the song, “Killing the Old,” here:
