What a strange and great show. Radio Birdman has a new album. How strange is that? I mean, it’s all the rage for oldies to come out a rock, but wow! This is a band that started in 1974 and was scary and cool as all get-out. Here’s hoping they sound as good in their later years as fellow oldsters Mission of Burma.

The A Frames are a good match, but the Cops seem a bit too good natured and earnest. All the same, it should make for an exciting night of rock at a club that seems to have trouble putting together much of interest these days.

This weekend is dull. After last weekend’s craziness, I guess we should expect a bit of a sleeper.

Friday, 8/11
I think I’ll see a movie, because I have no idea what show I’d want to see. I’m certain it’s because I’m out of touch with the thriving and vibrant Seattle music scene. Surely someone somewhere will be laying it on the line, singing his or her little heart out, going for broke, rocking the pants off eager audience members, etc. I just don’t know about them, and that’s my bad luck. But, come on! It’s Friday! Somebody tell me what I should see.

Saturday, 8/12
Things improve a bit on Saturday. Blue Light Curtain at the Blue Moon (fittingly enough), and despite some fairly hefty editorial conflicts of interest, I’d recommend checking them out without reservation. It’d be pretty fun to see the Hot Rollers at the Monkey Pub (by the way, nice Web site, ladies!). Neumo’s has Devotchka, and while I haven’t heard a song of theirs before, people i like like them a lot, and that’s good enough for me. South Lake Union Park has a boat load of local acts (King of Hawaii, Conrad Ford, Mon Frere, Tourist, Heather Duby, Ghost Stories, Fruit Bats, Tim Seely), and it’s free! Hard to argue with that. KNDD is having some sort of party/show that looks BORING, and I have a bone to pick with boring.

Sunday, 8/13
There’s more stuff going on at the South Lake Union Discovery Center, this time it’s some sort of KEXP function & perhaps a tad less exciting than Saturday’s event. Mars Accelerator is playing at El Corazón, which strikes me as only appropriate if it’s raining cats and dogs. The clear winner for the whole entire weekend is happening at the Funhouse. The Old Haunts! Coconut Coolouts! The Light Year (? dunno about them) and the Snake Bites! What a freaking great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

This weekend promises a whole lot of great music.

Friday
The pick for tonight is Awesome along with Captain Bogg & Salty, Miss Mamie Lavona: the Exotic Mullata and her White Boy Band Sunset Tavern. Awesome may be a bit too Broadway for the cool kids, but they are truly Awesome. They always seem to be working on adventurous new compositions, but maybe they’ll play some golden oldies from their CD Deleware tonight.

Alternatively, you can catch the always entertaining Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hands (they lay awfully nicely, too) opening for Johnny Dowd down the street at the Tractor.

Otherwise, why not head to the Funhouse (don’t know any of the bands, but one of them is called Jesus Fucking Christ, which is kind of funny), Comet or SSMA? All venues good for serving up quality music you might not know about.

Saturday
The pick for tonight is the Headphones/Panda & Angel and S show at the Crocodile. What a great bill! well, I know nothing about the Headphones, but the other two are just fine.

Another plug got the Sunset – Boat is having their CD release. Also playing are The Salteens, Tullycraft and Voxy. I really like Boat. Not only do they put out some of the most interesting eclectic music in town, they’re swell folks to boot.

My friend Nate tells me that No-Fi Soul Rebellion is an incredible band to see live, and they’re playing at the Comet, which should be quite a treat.

Sunday
What a great Sunday for music. Not only is Kelly Clarkson gracing the stages of White River Amphitheatre, but local favorites the Riffbrokers are appearing at one of the Funhouse’s lovely matinee (4 PM) shows. What could be better than some great rock, cold beer and basketball on a Sunday afternoon?

Later that evening is your chance to catch the non-stop rock of Touchdown Eagle at Chop Suey. Word on the street is that shiny new recordings will be available at the show (and nowhere else!).

After all that you should take a deep breath, drink a cup of tea and go to sleep. You deserve it.

  Chicago based rock group, Magnolia Electric Co aka Songs:Ohia will hit the streets of Seattle’s Capitol Hill on July 29th. Often compared to bands such as Bob Seger and Neil Young, singer Jason Molina is sure to rock the hill with blues so deep and dark, you will be glad the sun is shining. I seriously don’t think there is anything better than some good ol’ country at an outdoor venue. Their latest record, What Comes After The Blues, is a beautiful symphony of dark, twangy sounds that feature Jason’s impeccable storytelling lyrics. Expect a new album in August.

The Capitol Hill Block Party is a two-day affair held on July 28th-29th. Bands such as Band of Horses, Pretty Girls Make Graves, the notably buzzworthy band Black Angels, and more are scheduled to play this year’s street bonanza. The festival is held on “The Hill” between Pike and Pine Street past Broadway . For more information, visit http://www.capitolhillblockparty.com 

CROCODILE 7/11/06

A couple of weeks ago, I was happy to hear the So Said They song “The Final Chapter” on KEXP’s Audioasis. They self-released an EP this year already and have been playing around Seattle quite frequently. I’ve seen them play before and lemme tell ya, this three-piece is a ménage a trios of guitar noise, drum din, and even some hidden melody. One of So Said They’s many strengths lay in the vocals of guitarist Iris Montes. Go to the Croc on Tuesday and see for yo’ damn self. Then go home, log on and comment this write-up…lemme know if I’m wrong.

$6/9pm
SO SAID THEY
SPANISH FOR 100
THE SWIM TEAM

Friday, July 7^th

I’ve read some reviews of The Zero Points describing them as “party” or “good time” music, and I wouldn’t disagree with those assessments. But I would like to add that these cats play some of the most sincere live rock-n-roll that I’ve ever seen. If you want to hear a band that has their roots in the primordial sludge of punk that is garage rock, then The Zero Points will be your li’l green bag. These guys will be playing songs from their new album Blue Collar Billionaire, along with some ZP classics. Speaking of the new album, this show is their anticipated album release gig and it’s at the historic Comet Tavern. So come out and join them! But, by the end of the night, don’t be ashamed if you’re that inebriated pud-wapper yelling “PAAAAR-TAY!” in between their songs.

The Zero Points are sharing the bill with The Honey Hush and Good Time Gil and the Champagne Cowboys. Dig that poster!