I caught Lady Sovereign at the Crocodile recently and wow, I really love this woman. She’s charming, talented, beautiful and smart. She came out in a Married to the Mob sweatshirt, then stripped down into a Married to the Mob T-shirt, and eventually to a purple tank top. She borrowed an audience member’s brush to fix her hair, she poured Heineken on the crowd – including about a whole bottle on my head. I can think of few people whom I wouldn’t mind doing this. She’s one of them. She made fun of herself without it sounding like an elaborate wind-up. And yes, she also did some great songs such as Love Me or Hate Me, I Got You Dancing, So Human and a very punk show-stopper Public Warning. I took some photos:

all photos by Dagmar
More photos of Lady Sovereign at the Crocodile

Metric pounced into Seattle last Thursday and put on a glowing show. I like their energy and I think Emily Haines is deservedly known as a talented and sexy performer. And they did some of my favorite songs of theirs, including Dead Disco and Help I’m Alive. I was also impressed that Haines mentioned their first show in Seattle where they played the Crocodile. According to her there were only 2 people there. Here’s looking forward to their return, which will have thousands seeing them when they play Bumbershoot in September 09. In the meantime, photos photos photos:





all photos by Dagmar – you can see more photos here.

And I placed what it is that Emily Haines reminds me of. This may seem pretentious but she reminds me of these kind of Pre-Raphaelite paintings:

Sophie Gengembre Anderson

It was rowdy and violent crowd that took over the front part of the stage for the Kills‘ Seattle show. Fortunately I got to stay up there through the show either on one side or the other, finding a safer pocket towards the stage door. Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart of the Kills sound and look so foxy it was worth braving the storm of their fans. Highlights for me: U.R.A. a Fever, Cheap and Cheerful, Last Day of Magic and Black Balloon of Midnight Boom, No Wow of No Wow, and Fried My Little Brains of Keep on Your Mean Side. I adore this band. Now some of my photos:

You can see more photos here:
Gallery of the Kills @ Neumos

The Whip comes from Manchester, England and far exceed their Mancunian pedigree. They’re a quartet of seductive talent and strength and I made it to their show even though I was recovering from a flu bug. I had to see them, I just had to and I was completely right about my suspicions that they’d put on a tasty as salt and vinegar chips show.

You may have heard what is their real breakthrough song, Trash. It’s got sexy synth & drums starting it out and a classic bass line. Then it’s got vocalist/guitarist Bruce Carter blends in with the only lyrics of the song I wanna be trash . . . and I have become the trigger for your gun. I love how they built this song and build it live. I love the rhythm of all their songs and I got this feeling of real affection among the band members – the way they interact is so connected and yet loose. Drummer Lil Fee is a major talent and it’s so great to watch playing her drums. The band has such a strong style and it hits you right in the gut, a visceral attack you enjoy.

I love Carter’s voice as well. He mentioned he was feeling ill that night but it didn’t hurt his voice – if it’s usually better live then that is an amazing feat for sure. The synth work Danny Saville brings to the band is literate and sparkling. Nathan Sudders’ bass is ideal. Trash though is not their only show-stopper – Save My Soul, Divebomb, and Blackout all rage with fire. Hell, all their songs are excellent.

Oh, and their debut CD, X Marks Destination is a must buy.

Bruce Carter

Lil Fee

Danny Saville

Nathan Sudders

Bruce Carter

Lil Fee
all photos by Dagmar – you can see more here & here.

Here’s their video for Trash:

Also on the way is the interview I did with Danny Saville and Nathan Sudders.