Born Anchors

Stage: Sunset Tavern ı 5:30PM (Click here to buy your wristbands)

Born Anchors, have received plenty of buzz (much deserved by the way) over the last year since their debut full length album, Sprezzatura, dropped in early April. Straddling the line somewhere between pop-rock and post-punk, they are one of only a few bands able to do what they do, and do it so damn well you don’t even notice its happening. Searing guitar riffs paired with beefy bass lines and a drummer who can fill the pocket or spank you into submission, make for a lively, well-rounded sound on disk, but Born Anchors truly shine brightest on-stage. Not only do Born Anchors bring the heat, energy, and talent to the stage one would expect from a rock band, but they leave you humming or singing their pop-like lyrics for weeks on end.

Band Members:

Jason Parker – bass & vocals
Justin Martinez – drums
Gregory Scott – guitar
Born Anchors on MySpace

The Maldives

Stage: The Tractor Tavern  ı 12:00AM (Click here to buy your wristbands)

Seattle’s thriving alt-country/Americana/folk scene seems oddly out of place in the city known the world over for it’s grunge-y history. Not to be confused with the other anti-grunge movement, indie rock, this faction has banjos, beards, and a touch of swoon-worthy twang. The Maldives join the likes of the Fleet Foxes, Cave Singers, and The Moondoggies who have all been doing their part in the revival and modernizing of a generations old genre. Songwriter and founder, Jason Dodson, pens haunting lyrics based on disappointments and heartbreak as well as optimism and hope. Jason’s beautiful poetry brought to life as epic musical tales and journeys only after working collectively with the other eight members to develop the arrangements. With plucky banjos, weepy steel guitar, foot-stomping beats, and guitars galore, The Maldives bring their twangy rock to the masses and yes, there are masses flocking to see them (most of them without cowboy hats).

Band Mambers:
Jason Dodson – Guitar
Jesse Bonn – Guitar, Piano
Tim Gadbois – Guitar, Piano
Ryan McMackin – Drums, Percussion
Chris Warner – Bass Guitar
Chris Zasche – Pedal Steel Guitar
Seth Warren – Violin
Kevin Barrans – Accordion, Banjo
Tomo Nakayama – Percussion, Piano
The Maldives on MySpace