The excellent duo known as Pony Time celebrated the release of their album, Go Find Your Own on Friday evening at the Black Lodge. Get this album – it’s really good! Pony Time’s next show is on March 5th at Chop Suey. It’s the kick off their tour, which takes them all the way to SXSW, with Stickers. All photos by Rod Tipton:
Pony Time
A Silent Film, Royal Teeth & Gold Fields @ the Crocodile, 2/24
Show Review & Photos by Heather Fitzpatrick
A Silent Film
Australia, Oxford, and New Orleans came to Seattle this past Sunday, in the form of three bands gaining recognition . . . Fast! Royal Teeth, hailing from New Orleans doesn’t even have an EP out yet! Their first single, “Wild,” can be downloaded here FREE; they anticipate their full-length to be available later this spring. They have a similar sound to Youngblood Hawke, with plenty of extra snare drum beats, female background vocals, and high energy on stage and off. They were “discovered” by CNN via twitter, and showcased last year during Austin’s SXSW festival .
Royal Teeth
Taking the middle slot was Australian band Gold Fields. Their first EP, Gold Sun was released February 26th in the U.S. and Canada, with a wider distribution set for March 8th. With minimal light during their set, it was periodically heightened by timed strobes set off by drum beats. Picked as one of MTV’s Artists to Watch in 2013, they will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live Wednesday night, February 27.
Gold Fields
A Silent Film headlined the night. Previous tours saw them share the stage with bands such as Blue October, Civil Twilight, One Republic, the Smashing Pumpkins and more. Sunday marked their third stop in Seattle in under three years, and I have seen all three. Their set list consisted of songs off their first EP, as well as their latest release, Sand and Snow. Their catalog is full of pop rock energetic songs that a crowd could definitely dance to, and dance they did. On stage lead singer, Robert Stevenson, who goes from serenading the crowd at the front of the stage to belting out vocals at the keyboard – along with playing the guitar periodically – mentioned many times throughout the show that Seattle continues to be a favorite stop for the band. I’m sure they will return again soon, and you should make it a point to see them.
A Silent Film
Royal Teeth
Gold Fields
On Tuesday, February 19th, Showbox SoDo had New York’s Coheed and Cambria as headliners. Coheed and Cambria’s latest releases are the ambitious – and awesome – 2 part albums, The Afterman: Ascension and The Afterman: Descension. If you don’t know, singer/guitarist Claudio Sanchez writes science fiction, and his stories provided the plot for the two albums. Coheed and Cambria is touring the world as you read this – possibly near you. Between the Buried and Me and Russian Circles held down opening duties. All photos by Josh Daniels:
Coheed and Cambria
Between the Buried and Me
Russian Circles
Coheed and Cambria
ZZ Ward played a sold-out show at the Crocodile Café last week. Born Zsuzsanna Eva Ward, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed singer-songwriter is touring in support of her debut album, Til The Casket Drops. Delta Rae co-headlined and Martin Harley opened.
ZZ Ward
Delta Rae
Martin Harley
Retox @ Showbox at the Market, 2/12
Show Review & Photos by Dagmar
From the second Retox took the stage at Showbox at the Market I had a feeling I would like them. Maybe it was singer Justin Pearson’s mohawk. Maybe it was the bassist Thor Dickey’s black sheep tattoo. Maybe it was guitarist Michael Crain’s rather sinister look, or drummer Brian Evans’ ready to explode vibes. I am not sure what it was in particular, but if you hope you’ll like a band based on its combined look alone, I loved this band something rotten. Then they started playing, assaulting the audience with a vigorous pelting of screams and loud, angry guitars and drums. Hell yes, I loved them – after adjusting to the volume. Was I expecting this? No. Was it great stuff? Yes. As I moved to the back of the Showbox, I appreciated the grooves within the groove of Retox’s songs. The songs were short, punching and exciting. As openers for Tomahawk, it all made sense. Sure they’re label mates, but that doesn’t always mean the opening band will do it right. Somehow I’ve missed Retox’s other appearances in the Seattle area – and I kind of hate myself for it. This will not happen again. Get yourself a copy of 2011’s Ugly Animals, right away. I am happy I did, right after the show.
Retox