I was fortunate to make it out to a lot of shows this year. My estimate is right around 100 as far as I can tell. Shear number of bands is a whole other story, especially when you factor in 3 festivals. These are my favorite shows/performances of the year with honorable mentions. Rock!
10. Jesus Lizard @ CHBP (7-24-09): The announcement of Jesus Lizard and Sonic Youth as headliners for the annual Capitol Hill Block Party was quite the awesome news this year. The entire festival was a blast and chalked full of amazing bands. I chose the Jesus Lizard set because it was balls out fun. As the crowd thinned after Built to Spill, I made my way into the pit just in time to help David Yow on one of his many stage dives. They were unrelentless and didn’t give a fuck that all the pussies in the audience were off watching some crappy local hip hop instead of taking in their legendary agro sound. Needless to say, I went ape shit for “Nub”.
9. Mastodon/Converge/High on Fire @ Wamu Theater (10-3-09): This was the best metal lineup of the year. Mastodon played a seamless performance that ended with the mother of all Melvins covers “The Bit”. As great as Mastodon was though, this night belonged to Converge who by no stretch of the imagination destroyed all. I just remember standing there and thinking “Holy fuck, is this for real?” Mind blowing intensity and musicianship, and better than any previous time I have seen Converge live. High on Fire also killed but was hampered by an extremely short set time. I don’t care about Dethklok.
Couldn't find a Converge video from this show.
8. Murder City Devils @ The Gorge (Sasquatch 2009): This performance beat out an earlier show from Jan of 2009. Known now as the infamous Spencer Moody rant performance, it easily ranks as one of the greatest rock frontman performances I have ever had the pleasure to witness. Moody basically told everyone to fuck off, while the band effortlessly made the Animal Collective tweens cover their little ears and run for cover. It was beautiful and was surely the kick in the nards that the Sasquatch needed. Just watch the video.
7. Melvins/Green River @ Showbox at the Market (5-22-09): The crazy guy I am, and huge Melvins fan that I am there was no way I was going to miss their 21+ 25th Anniversary show even though I was headed to Sasquatch early the next day. Green River destroyed for almost an hour as an awesome primer and the Melvins played two sets: one as the Melvins of ’83 with Mike Dillard on drums and Dale on bass. Then Buzz, Dale, and Trevor Dunn proceeded to play “Houdini” in its entirety. Every single time I hear “Night Goat” live I am quickly whisked into the happiest place known to man.
6. Sunny Day Real Estate @ Crystal Ballroom (PDX) (9-18-09): One of the biggest surprises of 2009 was the reunion of Sunny Day Real Estate. Immediately I jumped at the chance to see the band in their first announced show as part of Musicfest Northwest in Portland. The Crystal Ballroom was a sweet venue, and the band sounded perfect. Every tune I had loved from “Diary” was spot on and Jeremy Enigk’s voice was flawless. It was a sweet road trip, and I was pumped to see the band before most had the opportunity in Seattle. Their show in Seattle a month later was great also but had nothing on the PDX show.
5. Mastodon, Kylesa, Intronaut @ Neumos (4-22-09): Crack the Skye was out and I was in the midst of realizing what an incredible album it was. If I hadn’t made up my mind before this show, I surely had after. I mean Mastodon at Neumos? It was an amazingly intimate performance from one of the biggest bands in metal. The show featured “Crack the Skye” from start to finish as well as an awesome selection of cuts from their previous records. It was pure and simple an awesome peformance. Kylesa and Intronaut were also impressive in their supporting roles.
4. Alice in Chains @ Moore Theater (9-24-09): Having seen the rebooted lineup on several occasions prior to this set, I knew full well what they were capable of with William Duvall at the helm. Something was in the air on this occasion and though I expected an awesome show, it was quickly obvious this night was going to be very special. The band was firing on all cylinders, and you could feel the intense love in the room. Hearing a few new tracks and very nice ode to Layne complete with solo Jerry, and an empty stool made the night something to remember. In the words of Frank Constanza “They’re Back Baaby!”
3. Pearl Jam x2 @ Key Arena (9-21/22-09): Pearl Jam rocked Key Arena two nights in a row in support of “Backspacer”. Night 1 leaned heavier on the new material and was a great but proved to be merely a warm-up. Night 2 was spectacular and showed the band in tip top form. From start to finish the set list was a fan’s dream including ‘Yield’ rarity “No Way” and “Supersonic” complete with lyric change directed at the Seattle Supersonic fiasco. It was a magical two nights anyway you put it.
2. The Knitters @ Tractor Tavern (1-20-09): It was Inauguration Day, Obama had done it and spirits were high at The Tractor for what was sure to be a fun celebration with John Doe, Exene, DJ Bonebrake, and Dave Alvin-- The Knitters. The night quickly turned into one of my favorite concert experiences of all time when Eddie Vedder jumped on stage to help with “New World”. He then proceeded to hang out for the remainder of the show amongst the crowd and for a time rocked out shoulder to shoulder with my wife and I. Jeff Ament and Mike McCready also were in attendance.
1. Tadgarden @ Crocodile (3-24-09): Tom Morello’s Justice Tour made a stop in Seattlewith Kim Thayil and Ben Shepard both listed as guest musicians so it was a no brainer to be at the Croc this night. About half way through the evening Matt Cameron pokes his head out of the back stage curtain, at that moment a chill went down my spine and the hugest grin ever grinned was plastered on my face. I then knew something was up-- the rest is history. My wife and I stood right next to Tom Morello and watched in utter jubilation as 3/4 of Soundgarden with Tad on vocals tore through “Nothing to Say”, “Hunted Down”, and “Spoonman” for the first time in 10years.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Pissed Jeans / Suck Machine @ Chop Suey (8-21-09)
2. Butthole Surfers @ Showbox at the Market (10-13-09)
3. Dungen @ Neumos (9-3-09)
4. Jeremy Enigk with Orchestra @ Neumos (5-14-09)
5. Pig Destroyer @ El Corazon (3-28-09)
6. Meat Puppets / Dead Confederate @ Chop Suey (9-23-09)
7. The Moondoggies @ Crocodile (5-9-09)
8. Russian Circles @ Neumos (11-18-09)
9. Alice in Chains @ EMP/SFM (8-26-09)
10. Android Hero / Madraso / Dog Shredder @ Sunset (11-20-09)
11. Mudhoney / Brothers of the Sonic Cloth @ Neumos (11-13-09)
12. Eyehategod / Akimbo / Samothrace / Lesbian / Grey @ El Corazon (12-4-09)
Only Show Regret of 2009: Them Crooked Vultures
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