Despite the weatherman’s threat of heavy snow in the Seattle metro area, John Popper and the Duskray Troubadours attracted a good-sized audience at Neumos last night. As the first stop on an extensive U.S. tour, they played numerous songs from their forthcoming self-titled album to be released next Tuesday (3/1), as well as several Blues Traveler favorites. Also on Tuesday, watch for them on the George Lopez Show.
California natives Young the Giant played a sold out show at The Tractor Tavern in Ballard on Friday. All benefits went to YouthCare Seattle, an organization that works to end youth homelessness. For the excited audience members $10.77 was a small price to pay for the amazing show the band put on. The audience danced along, no doubt trying to catch up to the wild stage presence the band brought. Of course they saved their radio hit “My Body” for last! Check out some photos below!
To see the rest of the photos from that night click here.
The Presidents of the United States of America played Friday through Sunday last weekend at the Showbox Market for PUSAFEST 11. We’ve got photos and a review of Saturday night on their way, but first we’ll go backwards in coverage with photos by Geoffrey Gribbin from Sunday night’s PUSA performance. I see one of my favorite PUSA songs, “Kitty” on the setlist. Wonderful!
The Presidents of the United States of America
Blues guitarist John Hammond will have been on the road for an incredible fifty years as of 2012, and last night he brought his rich voice and authentic style to Seattle’s Jazz Alley, recalling the gritty Deep South sounds of Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, and Muddy Waters. Hammond’s quiet, easy, and personable stage patter contrasted notably with his emotional musical delivery. He is clearly still passionate about and enthralled by the history and legacy of traditional American blues, and is a true master of the genre. With only an acoustic guitar, a harmonica, and the stomping beat of his foot on the stage, Hammond proved an impressive and thoroughly enjoyable performer, whose own songs proved as strong as the classics.
Vocalist Mia Vermillion opened the night with a short set showcasing her folky-bluesy voice, and was very ably backed by Orville Johnson on acoustic guitar and dobro (with a tantalizing little bit of blues scat singing as well).
Photos & Review by Marianne Spellman
John Hammond
Mia Vermillion
The Dancy Party, a quartet from Washington DC, are a rabidly fun live band. I saw them open for Wallpaper a few weeks ago at Neumos and was drawn to their classic rock mixed with of course, danceability, and attitude. This was their first visit to Seattle. It should be the first of many.
The Dance Party – all photos by Dagmar