Awesome Band @ Chop Suey | 02/06 | 9 pm | $8 In Advance,  $10 At The Door

The first time I saw Awesome, they were playing at Dante’s in Portland opening for a pirate band called Captain Bogg and Salty.  I walked in about halfway through the last song of their set and that was all it took. Right away I knew there was something special about this band.  It probably had something to do with  the manic music they were playing coming to an abrupt halt, then starting back in with a five part vocal harmony followed by more mania. In that short minute and a half, this band conveyed to me what they were all about, and in five years of going to their shows, I have never been disappointed.

Awesome is more of an artist collective than a band in reality. While it is true that all seven members are amazing musicians, that is really just the tip of their collective iceberg.  Their wide range of talents and interests are what make Awesome’s music so worthy of their name.  To say a band’s music defies a genre is a bit passe these days and rarely warranted.   However, in this case it would be futile to attempt to force one on them.  They can go from vaudeville to rock, then stop for a beat and go right into swing, with all of these changes often occurring in the same song. I have said for a long time that they are possibly the most talented band in Seattle.  Their music is truly hard to classify, and consequently it may not be for everyone, but the shear talent cannot be denied.  If you haven’t seen them yet, give them a chance and you might just find a new favorite band. At the very least, you will see something that is becoming increasingly rare: a band with actual musicians!

It was hard to find a video that captured both the great quality of their sound, and their infectious stage performances, so I posted one of both.  You can also listen to high quality recordings on their MySpace, or even more of their music on their home page.

SSG has a pair of tickets to give away to this show. Click HERE, or e-mail contests@seattleshowgal.com with the phrase “I WANT TO BE AWESOME!!!!” in the subject line for your chance to win! Don’t forget to include our name for the guest list. The contest winner will be notified by 3PM on the day of the show.