Music
•
Bad Religion Before True North, the latest from California punk-rockers Bad Religion, begins to play, song titles give away the issues with which the band has a bone to pick: “Robin Hood in Reverse,” “Land of Endless Greed,” “Dharma and the Bomb,” “Dept. of False Hope,” and what is perhaps the most appropriately titled Bad Religion tune of all, “Fuck You.” The six-piece is known the world over for its musical bursts of social commentary, and True North only adds to that claim to fame. The drums are thundering, the guitar riffs fast, and lead singer Greg Graffin is just as eager to vent. With each album Bad Religion releases, a new group of discontented youths find their voice. With OFF! All ages. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., Seattle WA $30 adv./$35 DOS Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 8pm
•
OK Go More often than not, Chicago-born, L.A.-based OK Go’s increasingly creative music videos overshadow the music in them-which is unfortunate, because from one release to the next, the band seems keen on flipping musical expectations on their head while still keeping its alt-rock base intact. The quartet’s latest, Hungry Ghosts, for instance, is just as diverse as its predecessors, but on Ghosts, the band experiments with electronic elements that seem both otherworldly (“Another Set of Issues”) and straight from the ‘80s (“Obsession,” “I Won’t Let You Down”). It’s not surprising to hear so much innovation from OK Go, but it is impressive how many tricks the band still has up its sleeve. With White Arrows. All ages. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105 $22 adv./$25 DOS Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 8pm
•
Prom Queen Leeni Ramadan never falters in her character as Prom Queen, carrying herself with a Heathers-style mix of beauty and wickedness. She manages to make a pink guitar look totally hardcore instead of “Girl Power!” gimmicky. The band, whose music sounds like ‘60s bubblegum pop on Quaaludes, lists David Lynch, Quentin Tarantino, and Alfred Hitchcock as influences, hinting that for Prom Queen, aesthetic is just as important as the music. Ramadan’s period wardrobe is pretty spot-on-she looks like she just walked off the set of Valley of the Dolls. Going to a Prom Queen show is a must for any Twin Peaks fanatics who loved the musical acts at the show’s swoon-worthy Bang Bang Bar. With Saul Conrad, Levi Fuller & The Library. 21 and over. DIANA M. LE Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98122 $8 adv./$10 DOS Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 5pm
Hamsaz Ensemble Over 700 years of Iranian history explored through music. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th AvenueSeattle, WA 98101 $20 adv./$25 DOS Thursday, March 26, 2015, 7pm
Colin Hay The former Men at Work frontman is gaining new acclaim for his troubadour-style solo career. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle, WA 98101 $35 and up Thursday, March 26, 2015, 7:30pm
•
Geographer In a way, Ghost Modern, the fourth album from synth-heavy indie-rock band Geographer, wouldn’t have come together had it not been for writer’s block. The main force behind it, singer/guitarist/synth player Mike Deni, would visit a beach in San Francisco when he was stuck on a lyric, only to be inspired by the ocean: its size, beauty, and ability to allude to so much yet reveal so little about itself, a trait Deni found very human. This influence, as well as the idea of letting go of the lies we tell ourselves, made its way into several songs on the album, most notably the soaring “I’m Ready.” With Wild Ones, De Lux. 21 and over. ACP Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 $15 Thursday, March 26, 2015, 8pm
Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield perform songs from their new collaboration, a tribute to Elliott Smith. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105 $45 adv./$47.50 DOS Thursday, March 26, 2015, 8pm
Marilyn Manson Hide your children and come out for a night of freaks and theatrics. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $59.95 and up Thursday, March 26, 2015, 9pm
March is Cabaret Month “The Cocktail Hour” runs every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in March and includes performances by different artists each week. See website for complete details. Egan’s Ballard Jamhouse, 1707 NW Market Street, Seattle WA, 98107 $15-$25 Friday, March 27, 2015
•
Viet Cong As so often happens, from the ashes of one band rise another. Canadian art-rock quartet Viet Cong was formed by Women bandmates Matt Flegel (vocals/bass) and Mike Wallace (drums) after the group broke up in 2012. The duo wasn’t finished exploring Women’s art-rock sound, and recruited guitarists Scott Munro and Daniel Christiansen for a new project. On its self-titled debut, Viet Cong mixes industrial, noise-rock, and ‘60s influences with the art-rock base Women fans are familiar with. The album can be jarring at times, but there’s no denying its captivating power, especially on the 11-minute epic closing track, “Death.” The band is currently undergoing some heavy scrutiny for its loaded name, which got them barred by concerned students from a planned show at Oberlin College this month. With What Moon Things. 21 and over. ACP Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 $10 Friday, March 27, 2015, 7pm
Colin Hay The former Men at Work frontman is gaining new acclaim for his troubadour-style solo career. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle, WA 98101 $35 and up Friday, March 27, 2015, 7:30pm
March is Cabaret Month “The Cocktail Hour” runs every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in March and includes performances by different artists each week. See website for complete details. Egan’s Ballard Jamhouse, 1707 NW Market Street, Seattle WA, 98107 $15-$25 Saturday, March 28, 2015
Caspar Babypants Caspar Babypants, aka Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the United States of America, he writes simple, fun sing-alongs for children and their parents. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105 $6 Saturday, March 28, 2015, 10:30am
Craft Spells Justin Vallesteros is behind this dreamy, lush 80’s-inspired synth-pop. With Bilinda Butchers and Snuff Redux. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 $13 adv. Saturday, March 28, 2015, 8 – 9pm
Chastity Belt You’re invited to the Seattle party with these humorous dreamboats. With Cool Ghouls, Dude York. The Highline, 210 Broadway Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98102 $8 Saturday, March 28, 2015, 9 – 10pm
•
Chastity Belt Seattle’s brash and goofy Chastity Belt is beginning to break out of the bubble of the local music scene, scoring recent profiles in Rookie and on NPR and a mention in Paper. Time to Go Home, the band’s sophomore album, was released earlier this week to lots of fanfare focusing on the group’s cool-as-ice, lackadaisical approach to feminism. The ladies of Chastity Belt give teen girls everywhere the slutty role models they deserve with the record’s undisputable anthem “Cool Slut,” which boldly defuses the term’s demeaning connotations by assuring us all that “It’s OK to be slutty.” Yooooo-these girls are kinda magic. With Cool Ghouls, Dude York. 21 and over. DML The Highline, 210 Broadway Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98102 $8 Saturday, March 28, 2015, 9pm
Jazzy Bluesy Sunday Brunch Enjoy brunch and live music with a different featured musical act each month. Artists include Eugenie Jones, Kareem Kandi Band, Ann Reynolds, Charles Mack, and more. See website for complete details. Maxim’s, 5608 Rainier Ave SSeattle, WA 98118 $15 Sunday, March 29, 2015, 1pm
•
!!! Just as I hate the use of the word “quirky” to describe . . . anything, I’m also starting to hate “weird” as a descriptor for bands. But keeping it real, the dudes in !!! (pronounced Chk Chk Chk) are straight-up WEIRDOS. Everything is a joke for them, every party a dance party. The band is a Frankenstein mishmash of Sacramento punk bands Black Licorice, Popesmashers, and Yah Mos, so between the thrashing and the dancing, there are a lot of vibes all chaotically vibing at once. Listening to the band’s self-described dance/punk/crunk/jerk elicits a couple of reactions-sometimes I’m like “!!!” and sometimes I’m like “???” With OCnotes. 21 and over. DML Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118 $15 adv./$18 DOS Sunday, March 29, 2015, 8:30pm
Guster The veteran alt-rock band has made a stylistic departure with its new record, Evermotion. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105 $26.50 Monday, March 30, 2015, 8pm
Oh Honey It’s been a pretty stellar ride for Brooklyn duo Oh Honey (vocalist/guitarist Mitchy Collins and singer Danielle Bouchard) since the release of “Be Okay” from the With Love EP. The song’s folk-pop bounce and the tried-and-true “oh oh oh”s in the chorus caught the attention of Fueled by Ramen, home to acts like Paramore and Young the Giant, and led to two more EPs, Sincerely Yours and the recently released Wish You Were Here, the third of four parts in the duo’s “Postcard” series. Wish is as feel-good as “Be Okay” and should appease fans until Until Next Time is released later this year. Then a debut full-length is most likely on the horizon. With Public. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618, thecrocodile.com. 8 p.m. $12. All ages. ACP The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., Seattle WA 98121 $12 Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 8pm
Dark Star Orchestra Grateful Dead cover band. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $25-$35 Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 8pm
Happyness Like its spelling, the South London band’s music has a subtle strangeness. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave., Seattle WA See website for details. Friday, April 3, 2015
Roy Rogers The acclaimed slide guitarist performs with the Delta Rhythm Kings. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle, WA 98101 See website for details. Friday, April 3, 2015
Twerps The band has been championed in the lo-fi world, having toured with Yo La Tengo, Deerhunter, and the Black Lips. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave., Seattle WA See website for details. Saturday, April 4, 2015
TRIBE-olution Explore the roots of hip hop dance through African, Brazilian-Capoeira, and Asian Kung Fu though cross-cultural dance. Ensemble members include b-boys from Massive Monkees, Dogg Pound, and more. Open Space for the Arts & Community, 18870 103rd Avenue SW
Vashon, Wa 98070 $15-$20 Saturday, April 4, 2015, 7pm
Jazzy Bluesy Sunday Brunch Enjoy brunch and live music with a different featured musical act each month. Artists include Eugenie Jones, Kareem Kandi Band, Ann Reynolds, Charles Mack, and more. See website for complete details. Maxim’s, 5608 Rainier Ave SSeattle, WA 98118 $15 Sunday, April 5, 2015, 1pm
The Sing-Off Live Tour NBC’s top-rated a cappella music competition performs with VoicePlay and Street Corner Symphony. The Moore, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 See website for details. Monday, April 6, 2015
Willie Jones III This highly appreciated jazz drummer is known for his speed and control. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98121 See website for details. Tuesday, April 7 – Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Goapele Goapele just released Strong as Glass. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98121 See website for details. Thursday, April 9 – Sunday, April 12, 2015
Chris Tomlin This Grammy Award-winning Christian artist reliably fills arenas. KeyArena (Seattle Center), 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109 See website for details. Saturday, April 11, 2015
Keith Sweat The R&B and soul singer left his day job on the New York Stock Exchange and found success in music. Emerald Queen Casino, 2024 E 29th St, Tacoma, WA 98404 See website for details. Saturday, April 11, 2015
Jazzy Bluesy Sunday Brunch Enjoy brunch and live music with a different featured musical act each month. Artists include Eugenie Jones, Kareem Kandi Band, Ann Reynolds, Charles Mack, and more. See website for complete details. Maxim’s, 5608 Rainier Ave SSeattle, WA 98118 $15 Sunday, April 12, 2015, 1pm
Ariana Grande The breakout pop star headlines her first North American tour. With Rixton. KeyArena (Seattle Center), 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109 See website for details. Tuesday, April 14, 2015
