3 [LIVE REVIEW] Madraso / Salvador / Sandrider @ Comet Tavern (4/23/10)

Words and Videos by Nik Christofferson

If you came out to Your Village Sucks! Fest back on the 8th you would have noticed a slight discretion in the line-up upon entry. The mighty Madraso was unfortunately forced to cancel last minute for reasons beyond anyone’s control. A couple weeks earlier though, they tore it up at the Comet Tavern along with extra-stoney Akimbo side-project Sandrider, Portland behemoths Salvador, and cosmic rockers Valis featuring Van Conner of Screaming Trees fame. Another solid billing pieced together by the fine fellows at Ladies Choice Presents.

In Sandrider, Akimbo bassist Jon Weisnewski holds down guitar duties with gusto while partner in crime drummer Nat Damm does his best Animal impression; bashing it out behind his signature oversized kick drum. Meanwhile, Ruby Doe dude Jesse Roberts supplies the witty stage banter and sick bottom end. During this performance, Sandrider continued their brazen stoner metal onslaught on Seattle. The only issue I see, is I get a strong feeling these guys don't seem to be taking this project very seriously, which is a bummer because Sandrider rules; a blending of the elements that make both The Ruby Doe and Akimbo so good. In my mind this combination of veteran local musicians actually raises the bar; add Akimbo’s Aaron Walters as a second guitarist to this mix and fucking forget about it.

I discovered Portland’s Salvador during our little Red Fang road trip last March, and was stoked on their return to Seattle. The bands dynamic sludge metal was laid on thick, with burly Brent Hinds lookalike and frontman/bassist Kirk Evans doing his best King Buzzo impression. Maybe I’m generalizing but man does he do a sweet job channeling the silver afroed legend on their killer rendition of the Kiss/Melvins tune “I’m Going Blind”. Salvador is part of a Portland heavy music scene that continues to amaze. The shear number of rad bands calling PDX home at the moment seems to grow by the week, or is it we are just in the dark on the happenings just 3 hours south, and keep making new discoveries, I don’t know. However you want to look at it -- PDX bands need to drive up this way for a change. Yeah, I’m talking to you Mongoloid Village. At least send us music and stuff so we can help spread the word up here, eh?

I can’t say enough about Madraso, they are truly one of Seattle’s heaviest hitters. Though their debut full length “Van Horne” was one of the best local records of 2009, they are best experienced live and in the flesh. This trio continues to quench my thirst of noisey, abrasive, and intelligent heavy rock, not to mention they are also a class act bunch as well. There are so many reasons to support this Seattle powerhouse, and you can start this weekend as Madraso gets back in the saddle and plays Rendezvous Saturday with Mico De Noche and Thor Ark. Here are some videos from the Comet show to get you stoked!