Photos: Bumbershoot – Day 3 w/Rose Windows

Posted on 12/24/2014 by BBS

Seattle’s Rose Windows was at Bumbershoot this year, and three of Back Beat Seattle’s photographers caught the band’s set. The sextet (or perhaps septet?) – signed to Sub Pop – released The Sun Dogs in 2013, followed by the 7″, There is a Light in 2014. Rose Windows will appear with Reignwolf and Thunderpussy at Showbox at the Market on New Year’s Eve.

Rose Windows – photo by Kirk Stauffer

Rose Windows – photo by Abby Williamson

Rose Windows – photo by Simon Krane

Rose Windows – photos by Kirk Stauffer

Rose Windows – photos by Abby Williamson

Rose Windows – photos by Simon Krane

Photos: Black Flag, Cinema Cinema & the Loss @ Showbox at the Market

Posted on 12/23/2014 by BBS

Yes! Now here’s part two of two of Black Flag, Cinema Cinema and the Loss from their show in May at the Showbox! Thank you to photographer Monica Martinez for the photos, and the bands for being awesome photo subjects (and bands, naturally). And welcome back to the recording world, Blag Flag!

Black Flag

Cinema Cinema

The Loss

Video: “Ghost” by the Acid

Posted on 12/23/2014 by Dagmar

Artist: The Acid
Song: “Ghost”
Why you want to watch: Cosmic freak outs in the desert.
Details: The video was directed by Eliot Lee Hazel and Petecia Le Fawnhawk, who have worked with artists such as Interpol, Beck and White Lies. The Acid’s debut, Liminal, was one of my favorites of 2014.

Show Review & Photos: Total Slacker, PAWS & Flashlights @ El Corazon

Posted on 12/22/2014 by BBS

Total Slacker, PAWS & Flashlights @ El Corazon, 9/29/14
Show Review & Photos by Abby Williamson

Total Slacker

Hidden away in this rather sketchy corner of Eastlake Avenue sits El Corazon – a venue that I have literally only been to once before, at the second show I ever photographed, five years ago. What band, you may ask, brought me back to this venue for the first time in half a decade? Scottish punk three-piece PAWS opened for We Are Scientists five months ago, and when I saw that they were coming back to Seattle, I couldn’t miss it. Even if it was at a venue I was less-than-stoked about going back to.

This time the PAWS boys were on tour with Brooklyn’s Total Slacker and Orlando’s Flashlights – so it was quite the worldly bill, all cramped into – what I came to find out – not El Corazon, but the lounge next door. Shows how much I pay attention.

Opening the show was Flashlights, with punk rock that rang both sunny and melancholy at the same time. One might have the audacity to call them “emo,” but in the most endearing way possible. One might also compare them to Surfer Blood, but more free and less “twee.” I had no idea what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed their set. Even if it was a bit short. But they left me curious to find more, so that’s a good sign.

Flashlights

After a bit of a wait, PAWS took the stage, and I knew something was up. The set was awesome – ferocious, angsty, and powerful – but I could feel it all maybe too much. After a few songs, singer Phillip Taylor grabbed the case of water and threw it over his shoulder and exclaimed, “everyone, stay hydrated! It’s been a rough day at the office.” Now, some people might have been turned off by what’s called the “rock star” attitude, but PAWS was letting it all out on stage. Personally, I’d rather someone be real with a crowd and let us experience it with them than put on a façade and play a part. Sometimes you just have a bad day, and it’s moments of humanity like these that remind me of that. And honestly, what better way to get out frustration than screaming into a microphone, “Tired of acting like I don’t care, ‘cause you know I care, at least you think I care!”

PAWS

After collecting up water bottles from the floor, PAWS lugged out all their gear to make way for Total Slacker, who looked exactly like one would expect with a name like that. A hybrid of grunge and shoegaze, I guess Total Slacker calls themselves “slime gaze.” What does that even mean? Maybe the soundtrack to a bad horror movie you could find at Scarecrow Video? I’ll just tell you – the music truly bring me back to the days of Nirvana (though I was only five), but with softer and more melodic vocals. It was somehow dirty and sexy all at the same time. Smutty. Could one call music “smutty” in a positive way? Whatever, I’m doing it anyway. I’d gladly see Total Slacker again, so I’ll have to keep an eye out for the next time they come back.

Total Slacker

PAWS

Flashlights

Show Review & Photos: Chromeo @ Showbox SoDo

Posted on 12/19/2014 by Dagmar

Chromeo @ Showbox SoDo, 10/26/14
Show Review & Photos by Dagmar

Chromeo‘s David Macklovitch

With White Women, Chromeo released one of 2014’s best albums. The Canadian duo, who perfected the slinky and smooth disco sound early on, had a packed audience at their end of October show in Seattle. I also have to add that the Chromeo fans were some of the best put together I have ever seen. This is really neither here no there when talking about Chromeo’s music – although maybe Chromeo fans spend a lot of time dancing or working out to the music. Who can say?

Patrick Gemayel of Chromeo

When I am at a show, I don’t usually remember what music was played before a band comes on. Sometimes I will love it and other times I will hate it. Sometimes I have no clue what the music is, and want to know. Other times I don’t care. I don’t know if these recordings are something artists bring with them, or if they’re provided by the venue every time. But before Chromeo’s set, one of my favorite songs ever played: Skatt Bros’ “Walk the Night.” Thank you music gods. Because it suited Chromeo. I’m betting they brought that particular rarity with them. (By the way, get this album – it’s really good.)

Along with a continuous white laser beam, David Macklovitch and Patrick Gemayel excited the crowd with songs from each Chromeo album, holding off on the only song from She’s in Control, “Needy Girl,” until the very end. “Hot Mess, “Sexy Socialite,” “Over Your Shoulder” and the well-known “Fancy Footwork” were dazzling. My favorite though might have been “Night by Night,” even though this year’s “Jealous (I Aint’ with It)” was 2014’s ubiquitous tune. At one point I left a venue playing it, only to turn on my radio 10 minutes later, and there it was, again! For real. They also performed another of their other truly awesome songs, “Don’t Turn the Lights On,” which has been covered by Mayer Hawthorne.

The atmosphere was similar to what it would be like inside a shaken disco glitter ball. Good fun.