Author Archives: Michael Beck

Bumbershoot 2011, Sunday: Warpaint

By Michael Beck | Published: September 5, 2011

LA female quartet Warpaint played a dusk set full of stellar percussion (lots of offbeat snare and polyrhythm) and hypnotizing, swirling three and sometimes four-part harmonies. There is something about a band that has multiple talented musicians that can all sing - it makes for an awesome spectacle. Warpaint is part of the goth-tinged new-wave-yRead more...

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Bumbershoot Music Lounge 2011, Sunday: Davila 666

By Michael Beck | Published: September 4, 2011

The six members of Puerto Rico’s Davila 666 have described themselves as akin to “Menudo on drugs,” and it’s as an apt a descriptor as any. The 70′s-punk-obsessed collective combines Stooges-esque garage-rock fire with infrequent twee pop melodies. Fittingly, the band took their theatrical live performance (including themes, props, costumes, and dancers) on tour withRead more...

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Bumbershoot Music Lounge 2011, Sunday: Shelby Earl

By Michael Beck | Published: September 4, 2011

Shelby Earl is deeply rooted in the Seattle music scene, whether it’s booking, mentoring, or promoting bands. Now, she’s adding to the flavor of the bands she’s helped, in the form of her debut album Burn the Boats. In addition to her own girl-and-guitar indie-folk artistry, she’s teamed up with a myriad of collaborators forRead more...

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Bumbershoot Music Lounge 2011, Sunday: Tennis

By Michael Beck | Published: September 4, 2011

Tennis burst onto the indie scene this year with the release of their self-titled debut album, Cape Dory, earlier this year. OK, maybe “burst” is too strong of a word for Tennis’ delicate, Cape Cod-inspired pop tunes -- how about they gently sailed onto the scene? Led by the angelic voice of Alaina Moore, TennisRead more...

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Bumbershoot Music Lounge 2011, Sunday: Mad Rad

By Michael Beck | Published: September 4, 2011

It’s next to impossible to talk about Seattle hip-hop quartet Mad Rad without referencing their more notorious antics (the Seattle Weekly referenced them just last week), but regardless of their on or off-stage high jinks, Mad Rad gets people’s attention. Whether or not it’s an illusion of danger created by these seemingly sweet, crazy, hipRead more...

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Bumbershoot 2011, Saturday: Little Dragon

By Michael Beck | Published: September 4, 2011

Fresh off the release of their third studio-album, Ritual Union, Swedish-band Little Dragon played a dusk set on the opening day of Bumbershoot 2011. A scarf shrouding her head, front-women Yukimi Nagano seduced the crowd with her sly vocals, gold leggings, and generally mysterious nature. At times, she seemed thoroughly hypnotized by the trio ofRead more...

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Bumbershoot 2011, Saturday: Campfire OK

By Michael Beck | Published: September 3, 2011

Recently signed Seattle band Campfire OK put on an eccentric and theatrical set to kick off Bumbershoot 2011. In the midday sun, plucked banjos, flourishing trumpet and chaotic piano were included in the set, highlighted by the unique mannerisms of each band member. Frontman Mychal Goodweather led the members through some slow-burning love ballads thatRead more...

Posted in Bumbershoot, KEXP, Local Music | Tagged Campfire OK | 2 Comments

Live Review: Weezer with The Thermals @ WaMu Theatre 8/19

By Michael Beck | Published: August 22, 2011

My first car was a ’92 VW Jetta and I decided to name her Jonas. She was often personified -– after bravely overcoming a heart-attack (the transmission fell out), she died of a broken leg (axle) back around 2004. Nearly every Friday in high-school, my group of 10 to 12 close-knit friends (all guys andRead more...

Posted in KEXP, Live Reviews | Tagged The Thermals, Weezer | 4 Comments

Live Review: Jesse Sykes and The Sweet Hereafter w/ The Sadies @ Showbox at the Market 8/4

By Michael Beck | Published: August 8, 2011

Last week, Seattle’s Jesse Sykes and the Sweethereafter celebrated the release of their latest album, Marble Son, at the Showbox at the Market to a small but adoring crowd. Toronto-based band The Sadies, donned in sharp Western attire, started the night’s music with a set full of instantly impressive guitar-work and a song-writing genre thatRead more...

Posted in KEXP, Live Reviews, Local Music | Tagged Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter | 2 Comments

Live at the Capitol Hill Block Party: Explosions in the Sky

By Michael Beck | Published: July 26, 2011

Has anybody ever written a good live review of Explosions in the Sky? A review that, when read, might perhaps reflect some amount of the energy and environment found at an Explosions show? I found myself asking this question after their set during dusk on the closing day of CHBP 2011. During the music, thereRead more...

Posted in Capitol Hill Block Party, KEXP, Live Reviews | Tagged Explosions in the Sky | 3 Comments

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