I would like to introduce you to our newest reviewer,Nick Larzalere! The first thing you need to know about this guy is that he means business! Aside from his work with Seattle Show Gal, he is a video editor for a small company. His main job there is editing promotional clips by taking the best 1-2 minutes of a 16 minute video for use promoting our material. How perfect is that for Seattle Show Gal? Before that, Nick interned at KIRO radio for a show called Too Beautiful to Live.
So we know that Nick has got the media side down. What about Nick’s love for our community? Nick comments, “Recently, I have really been into indie-pop, so bands like Tullycraft and Bunnygrunt. That means I’ve been going to house shows and smaller bars like The Comet Tavern.
What I love about live shows is the intensity. When even mediocre bands really get into it and get the crowd involved, it’s a great show. One of the reasons I love small shows is that it is such an intimate affair. Large shows are great, but they turn into an over-produced affair; then I lose connection with the band.”
Could Nick be a better fit for SSG??? I mean really … Somebody pinch me … I’m waiting … Hello?
I would like to welcome Nick Larzalere to the Seattle Show Gal staff! (Clap…) Nick, we wait on baited breath for your continued contributions. Below you will find Nick’s first Seattle Show Gal review. Please enjoy the critical review of … The Cute Lepers!
Review By: Nick Larzalere To See Rating 6/10
Just Curious Rating 7.5/10
Band Members
Steve E. Nix – Guitar, Lead Vocals
Stevie Kicks – Bass
Prisilla Ray – Tambourine, Handclaps
Duffy – Tambourine, Handclaps
Brian Yeager – Guitar
Josh Blisters – Drums
I love the Seattle music scene, but I admit that when Nikki told me that my first review for Seattle Show Gal would beThe Cute Lepers, I had no idea what to expect. When I researched them, I found out that two members of The Briefs started The Cute Lepers; that is a very good thing!
The Cute Lepers are a power-pop punk band, with strong influences from The Clash, and other 70s punk. They were at The Funhouse and the show was a part of Scooter Insanity, a scooter rally that had taken place earlier in the day. Scooters and punk music are two of my favorite things, and if I had known about the rally earlier I would have taken my Vespa down to the Seattle Center to get in the spirit of the show.
The Cute Lepers have a few catchy songs, but one that stands out is their single Terminal Boredom. It had a bit of classic punk that everyone was dancing to. Prove It, was also memorable; it’s a bit slower then Terminal Boredom with a more modern feel to it. Their other songs were not as remarkable, but they were not bad. Duffy and Priscilla had a special dance for almost every song; watching them move and Steve E. Nix play was not a bad experience.
One of the problems with The Cute Lepers is that while they seem to have plenty of energy playing, they don’t show it on stage. None of the boys really moved around once they got on stage and in position. Also missing was any banter from the band between songs. There was just the title of the song and they started playing. Duffy and Priscilla were more than willing to pick up the slack during the songs. It was their singing and synchronized dance moves that got the crowd moving, but the energy visibly dropped whenever a song ended. Luckily the band was always quick to start their next song, so the crowd didn’t have to wait to start moving again.
The Cute Lepers is a show that you should see if you love punk and cute girls with tambourines. They have catchy songs and the girls provide the energy, but that energy is hard sustain. The Cute Lepers have a show July 2 at the Seattle Art Museum before they go on tour in England.
Here they are at the Funhouse performing “Terminal Boredom”:
Upcoming Shows
Jul 2 2009 6:00P Seattle Art Museum Seattle, Washington
Jul 31 2009 8:00P The Vic Derby, England
Aug 1 2009 8:00P tba w’ Red Flag 77, Cyanide Pills Sheffield, England
Aug 2 2009 8:00P Steamboat w’ Red Flag 77 Ipswitch, England
Aug 3 2009 8:00P 12 Bar Club London, England
Aug 5 2009 8:00P West Coast Rock (pre-Rebellion show/party) Blackpool, England
Aug 6 2009 8:00P REBELLION FESTIVAL, Empress ballroom-w’ Damned, Bay City Rollers, Killing Joke, etc. etc. Blackpool, England
Aug 9 2009 8:00P Beat Night Club (Rebellion aftershow/party!) Blackpool, England
Say what you will, but Honky Tonk and Rockabilly are alive and well here in Seattle; they’re not just for those with a cowboy hat. Case in point, Friday’s show at The Tractor Tavern features the veterans, The Dusty 45’s and the new kid, Vince Mira.
With sparkly western shirts and a pompadour Elvis would be jealous about, Vince Mira is well on his way to stardom. If you’ve never heard Vince sing, then you’ll be amazed when this 17 year-old kid standing in front of you sounds just like Johnny Cash. Discovered playing in Pike Place Market, teenage Vince was quickly thrust into the national circuit of television appearances and the media buzz began. Since then, he and his style have continued to develop and mature. Originally known for his Johnny Cash and Elvis covers, Vince has been writing his own music lately and it’s good to hear his talent is not just limited to his voice. Fresh off the main stage at this year’s Sasquatch festival and with upcoming dates locally and nationally, now is the time to witness the rise of a star.
Having played all over Seattle and nationally for the last decade, The Dusty 45’s are veterans at providing an awesome show that has been known to include a flaming trumpet solo that can only be described as insanely cool. Who are the Dusty 45’s:
Billy Joe Huels – trumpet / guitar / lead vocals
Kelly Van Camp – drums / harmonica / vocals
Guy Quintino – upright bass
Jerry Battista – lead guitar / vocals
What I love about The Dusty 45’s is the wide range of styles they bring to the stage. Blues, Swing, American roots and Rockabilly, they do it all. Billy Joe’s solid, soulful vocals belong right here, straight out of another era. Who doesn’t love the upright bass? Providing the thumping back beat that only the upright can give, Guy reminds us how cool it is to play the upright. With a blues and rock background, Jerry has the chops needed to keep things moving and when the moment is right, the man can seriously shred. I always admired a guitar player who could simultaneously play the harmonica but Kelly has shown me drummers can do that too; I imagine it’s similar to patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time, neither task is one I would do well with.
The Dusty 45’s are keeping the past alive while exposing a whole new generation to a greatly under appreciated genre of American music.
You won’t find much press about the Sound Dialog Improv that happens the first Friday of every month at the Victory Lounge; in fact, you probably won’t find any. But don’t fret my pets, that’s why I’m here. This hidden gem plays host to some of Seattle’s finest musicians every month and you never know who may pop by to sit in.
Comprised of:
Kent Halvorsen – keys (Sky Cries Mary, Dabouge, Emilia Sosa)
Sabu Miyata – bass (Flowmotion, Eric Miller band, Bee Craft)
Skiff Feldspar (aka Zach Stewart) – guitar (Goat, Flowmotion, Bee Craft)
Tyler Orion – drums (Van Hunt & numerous local projects)
Mesa Taylor – vocals (Big High, Black Vinyl Allstars)
This amazing group gets together and magic just happens. Mesa’s vocals give me goose bumps every time and rival the heaviest of hitters; think Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant.
The evening ranges from jazzy to funky; for me, the best part is that you never know what to expect. The fluid, unrehearsed sets really make you appreciate what incredible skill each one of the players brings with them. Sabu’s bass can be so subtle yet still take control on the fly. Kent’s ability to add just the right notes and effects will have you wondering if he’s reading everyone else’s mind. Tyler is slick as grease; he transitions so smoothly from a simple jazz beat into a smashing funk groove you may not realize it’s even happened until you notice you’ve stopped bopping your head and your butt is shaking. Skiff has the knack for filling in the blanks, including the ones you hadn’t heard until his guitar pointed them out.
Each one of these guys has played in front of the masses and we are lucky to have them showing us how it’s done — right here in our backyard. Don’t let another month pass by before you get over to witness some of the finest in Seattle’s music community.
Band Members
Jowed Hadeed – Vocals
Justin MacDonald – Guitar
Ryan Jander – Guitar
Brian Paxton – Drums
Seth Humphrey – Bass
When arriving at Nectar, there were high expectations laid upon Eclectic Approach. Having listened to their tunes for a while and doing my research, I felt that I was up-to-date with the band. Boy, was I wrong. Eclectic Approach represents themselves on MySpace and YouTube as having six members in the band; a four-piece instrumental section and two vocalists. Live, there was only one vocalist. It was like going to see OutKast and Andre3000 not being there. Well, not quite, but you get my drift. If you represent your band a certain way in promotions and present a different package live, then you are setting the audience up for disappointment. Frankly, that’s how this show went.
Eclectic Approach has very relaxed stage presence. They all looked at home and felt like they were performing for family. The guitarists were amazing musicians; they TORE up their respective guitar solos. It had been awhile since I’d seen or heard some of licks that sounded so crisp and melodic during a solo; It was very impressive. The drummer played a solid tempo and seemed to be the glue of the band in general. The bassist was a bit bland and didn’t really stick out, but that appeared to be a good role for him in a group like this. Frankly, when every member of the band was showboating it got a bit overwhelming.
Jowed Hadeed showed great diversity with his singing and being able to rhythmically flow in a similar rap style as LFO. Although versatile, his vocal quality was pitchy at spots. Also, Jowed didn’t show that he had depth of range when they covered “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley. Eclectic Approach’s music had a feel-good vibe that reminded me of the vocal style of Maroon 5 with a bit of rapping; musically they sounded similar to Sugar Ray.
Eclectic Approach puts on a decent stage show, but nothing mind blowing. They were musically sharp and seemed to enjoy themselves on stage. However, the set seemed relatively short at barely over 30 minutes. In addition to that, none their favored MySpace songs were even play. All and all, the evening turned out to be a bummer.
On a positive side note, Eclectic Approach played for free last and contributed in raising over $700 for the fight against Leukemia. Thanks Eclectic Approach!
Please enjoy their video captured June 24, 2009 at Nectar Lounge.
How many great bands are out there that are slipping through the cracks? Seattle is saturated with so much music, it would be nearly impossible to sift through it all to find the good stuff. I'm not so proud to think that I can bring you all of it, but Seattle Show Gal is actively pursuing all different types of acts to give you a pulse on what is going on, right here in Seattle! (See more in "About")
SSG is looking for new writers! Click for details.
The Thermals put on such good show, I decided to feature them front row center! Or would that be front row side-panel? Whatever! Enjoy the live performance of “A Pillar of Salt.” To see the full post that includes live footage of “How We Know,”
