0 LIVE REVIEW: With Friends Like These (CD Release) @ The Croc

Review by Nik Christofferson

November 23rd, 2009 - With Friends Like These @ The Croc

I have a new local band to tell you about that I’m currently digging. Actually I already mentioned Seattle’s With Friends Like These in a brief show preview last week. A relative unknown at the moment and because the only other press coverage they’ve received in the city belongs to a couple very brief touches by The Stranger, I’m going to go ahead and take credit for bringing this fledgling rock tour-de-force to your attention.

Recently signed to local indie label Sound vs. Silence which also boasts Shawn Smith as part of their current roster, With Friends Like These have released a fine debut record entitled “Dead and Gone” that is a must hear for fans of bands like Against Me!

The record is choked full of hard driving post-punk tunes, the kind you scream with in your car while fighting traffic on your commute not to mention the kind you raise your drink to and sing along with live in concert. Last Wednesday at The Croc, with a supporting cast of other local up and comers Palmer Electric Company, Ships (featuring ex-members of The Lashes and The Divorce), and Patrol, With Friends Like These captured every bit of the emotion contained in the angst-filled anthems included on their debut.

I’m not going to lie and say that the place was packed for their record release party, it was far from a full house, but ex-City Light member Matt Shaw on guitar and vocals, Ex-Spook the Horse members Tyler Coffey on guitar and backing vocals, Brian Pake on bass, and ex-Vendetta Red guitar player turned heavy hitter Justin Cronk on drums persevered though the pre-Thanksgiving lull and proved that they should be added to everyone’s local bands to check out in 2010 list.

Shout out loud choruses and abrasive tendencies ala sure influences like Fugazi and Jawbreaker kept the songs high above the emo Mendoza line. Stand out tracks off “Dead and Gone” like ‘The Ones We Used to Love’, ‘Run and Hide’ and my favorite ‘Clean Brake’ were even more powerful live; while Shaw unleashed his emotive vocal strain front and center, Coffey was the ying to Shaw’s yang on backing vocals and stage presence; energetic and charismatic. Impressive lead foot Justin Cronk added some powerful kick drum along with Brian Pake’s sturdy bass lines elevated the hard driving post-punk gems to another level all together.

I'm going to go out on a limb and make a prediction. With Friends Like These will make an impact on our fine local music scene in 2010. You heard it here first.