0 LIST MANIA: SRG End of Year Coverage at a Glance

Hey Folks,

Here are links to all our end of year coverage, including lists by an amazing cast of local music folks including: Emily Pothast, Corey Brewer, Matt Koroulis, Roy Culver, Michael Freiburger, Adam Noble Bass, Luke Laplante, Benjamin Thomas-Kennedy, Andrew Chapman, Hannah Levin, Carly Henry, Chris Rasmussen, Natron Donnel, Shawn Kock, Aaron Krause, Eric Carnell, Bob Ham, and Mark Ostler.

We wish you a safe and happy new year and see you on the flip side with some last minute house cleaning, and my recommendations for "Bands to Watch in 2011".

Thanks for a great 1st complete year of SRG.

Cheers,

- Nik Christofferson (Founder of SRG)

----

The Crew:

Nik Christofferson

Favorite Records: http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-niks-10-favorite-records-of.html
Favorite Shows: http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-niks-favorite-live-music.html

Jerry Howard

Favorite Records: http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-jerrys-top-10-records-of.html
Favorite Shows: http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-jerrys-10-favorite-shows-of.html

Matt Abramson:

Favorite Records (Part 1): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/11/list-mania-best-of-2k10-part-1-metal.html
Favorite Records (Part 2): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/11/list-mania-running-down-voodoo-ii-matts.html

Palmer Sather

Favorite Records: http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-palmers-5-favorite-records.html
Favorite Shows: http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-palmers-favorite-shows-of.html

Guest Contributors:

Emily Pothast (Midday Veil): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-10-most-memorable-shows-of.html

Benjamin Thomas-Kennedy (Lesbian): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-top-5-records-of-2010-by.html

Andrew Chapman (Princess): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-best-concerts-of-2010-by.html

Brian Cook (Russian Circles, The Stranger): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-top-10-shows-of-2010-by.html

Eric Carnell (Android Hero): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-top-10-releases-and-shows-of.html

Bob Ham (Alt. Press, City Arts Magazine): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-best-shows-of-2010-by-local.html

Mark Ostler (Warning:Danger!):

A bunch of lists (Part 1) with Corey Brewer (Cold Lake), Matt Koroulis (Rocktographer), Roy Culver (Infinite Productions), Michael Feiburger (Throne of Bone), Adam "Superfan" (Ladies Choice Presents), and Luke Laplante (SEAN): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-bunch-of-2010-lists-by-some.html

A bunch of lists (Part 2) with Hannah Levin (KEXP), Carly Henry (Starbird Booking), Chris Rasmussen (Police Teeth), Natron Donnel (Brickbats), Shawn Kock (Absolute Monarchs), and Aaron Krause (High Class Wreckage): http://www.seattlerockguy.com/2010/12/list-mania-bunch-of-2010-lists-by-some_30.html

0 LIST MANIA: Top 10 Records of 2010 by Warning:Danger! Frontman Mark Ostler

My Top 10 Records of 2010

The following albums are my most favorite, most influential, most memorable albums of 2010. Lots of new discoveries, but some old favorites that played a significant part in my music listening life of 2010.

1. M.O.T.O. "2010 Japan Tour CD"

My most anticipated rock show of 2010 was the chance to see one of my punk rock heroes - M.O.T.O. or Masters Of The Obvious. In 2010, M.O.T.O. toured across the United States and Japan, and at a rare Seattle stop at The Funhouse, I scored a 200 press print run, 25 song greatest hits package. Its a tour specific release that chronicles the best M.O.T.O. songs of the past 25 years. The tracks are hand picked by Paul Caperino himself, the front man and founder of M.O.T.O. Its autographed, and you're jealous.

2. The Spits "Haunted Fang Castle" EP

Remember as a kid, those records that came with story books? All the action of GI Joe battling Cobra in a read along / vinyl combo? Well, in 2010, The Spits created just such a story book concept album called "Haunted Fang Castle". This 1000 pressed release comes with a 10 inch record and an accompanying full color book. The story follows a band of heroes on a mission to rescue a princess from Haunted Fang Castle. Between their misadventures with ogres, spiders, swamps and unicorns, are awesome garage rock songs. "When you here DING, turn the page."

3. Android Hero "Broken Hearted Songs for Sensative Tough Guys"

This Android Hero full length recording was released in 2009, but I literally scored it during the first week of January 2010, at a KEXP benefit at The Sunset. This album growls, smashes, destroys, and rocks heavy, heavy, heavy shit. Awesome!

4. Rat City Ruckus "Mustard Shot"

Another 2009 release that I scored in 2010. Punk rock party music played loud in a fire trap basement. No permits, byob, stand a mattress up against the door so the neighbor's "won't" hear the noise. Rules!! Rat City Ruckus's music makes we wanna throw beer at the band. Congrats on being voted King 5 TV's 19th best band in Washington, hahahahaha!

5. Consulate "Pointles Exercises in Futility"

An unmastered demo I got free when I purchased a band t-shirt comes in at the 5th slot. Still and incomplete record, but the preview rules. Its a CDR and its awesome! Technical, not mathy. Rockin, not sucky. Consulate are my top new local Seattle band to watch in 2011.

6. Neko Case "Furnace Room Lullaby"

In June 2010, I had some bad shit happen to me. I took comfort in Neko Case's soul searching, solace, solemn voice. "Want to get it all behind me... Want to close, up deep inside..." Its Neko Case's masterpeice, released ten years ago, but for its time withstanding healing power, "Furnace Room Lullaby" comes in at number 6. Who says these Seattle Rock Guy reviews don't have a sappy, sensitive side?

7. Jaguar Paw "All Wound Up"

Jaguar Paw is a rare band that perfects their live show, before releasing a recording. Winter 2010 marked the release of "All Wound Up" and its awesome!! 2 minute punk songs remaniscent of early Go-Go's material. Sassy and sexy vocal stylings from Heather Jane, over a well rehearsed band, help make this one rockin album.

8. Record Store scores!

At number 8, I just wanna brag about all the awesome music I scored at Record Stores this year. Record Stores are a vital arm of music, we gotta shop there, don't just buy your music on itunes. My bi-yearly pilgramage to Portland's Green Noise Records yielded an ultra rare The Silverkings 7 inch "King City", Triggers 7 inch "Gasoline", Beck's 3 song K Records release ($10 really?), and a CD/DVD of Gonerfest 2.

I love Easy Street Records here in Seattle, especially their 99 cent bin. This year, I scored cds from great bands like The Hunches, The Neins, A-Frames, Liz Phair, for guess what? 99 cents! I also nabbed a couple of funk classics- Casablanca Records Greatest Hits and the soundtrack to Car Wash... hey why not?

For less than the price of bus fare, you can take a chance on bands with cool cover art or names like "Department of Homeboy Security". I feel a little leary about revealing my secret music shopping spot, but please shop at Record Stores.

9. Blood on the Flat Track Soundtrack

After months of delay, the soundtrack to the Rat City Roller Girls documentary "Blood On The Flat Track" finally arrived. Great compilation of bands, featuring the likes of The Dirtbombs, Kent 3, and The Gits. Also a bunch of great songs from "lesser known" local Seattle bands like The Gloryholes, A-Frames, The Authorities, and Steel Tigers of Death. Great comp, makes you wanna roller skate real fast!!

10. Peelander Z "P-TV-Z"

In Japan, Peelander Z plays inside stadiums; in Seattle, they play at The Funhouse. Imagine the Power Rangers rocking out on stage while a paper mache squid and tiger fight in the audience, or human bowling balls gently crash into audience members. High energy, high voltage, highly recommended CD/DVD combo. CD contains party songs about Mad Tigers and even a M.O.T.O. cover. The DVD showcases their music videos and chronicles their first North American tour. Fun!






Extras:

Worst of 2010

2010 also marked some sad music events in Seattle. Slats, the legendary Seattle music enigma, passed away, taking that flat brimmed hat with him. Some great bands broke up like The Keeper, My Bones and Organs, Hu Nab Ku, and Underdog Records closed its doors.

Most of all, some misguided idiots tried to steal the giant clown sign from above The Funhouse. The culprits climbed up on the roof, unratchetted the 200+ pound sign, and it fell to the ground. The fools drug it into the fastfood parking lot next door before abandoning it. This scheme caused irrepairable damage to the sign and an independant punk rock business must fork over unnecessary money to pay for their bumblings. Assholes.

Stuff to Watch in 2011

In 2011, keep an eye out for this stuff: KEG's Gong Show, the 2nd ever Belltown Block Party, HOZAC and Dirtnap record labels, and Seattle's own Bank Track Roller Derby League: Tilted Thunder. Although I hate to admit it, SCION Motors Audio/Visual project is releasing some pretty cool stuff too.

Here are some bands I'll have my eye on in 2011: TacocaT, Grenades, Princess, Hidden Number, Smooth Sailing, Pony Time, NightraiN, Consulate, Vultures 2012, and the recently reunited Ricketts! Some band called Warning: Danger! is also set to release their 2nd album in 2011, watch out!

Words by Mark Ostler

Note from Editor:

Mark fronts Seattle's own Warning:Danger!, the worlds only safety themed punk rock band. He is also a writer, stand-up comedian, and SRG contributor.

A sincere thanks to Mark for once again contributing to our end of year coverage. Warning:Danger! is featured as part of the MTV $5 Cover video series now available for viewing at http://fivedollarcover.mtvmusic.com/. Check them out under "Seattle Scene".

0 LIST MANIA: Best Shows of 2010 by Local Music Scribe Robert Ham

The Ten Best Shows I Saw In 2010 (In Chronological Order)

Magma Festival @ various locations, Seattle -- This fundraising event for Hollow Earth Radio was one of the most well curated fests around, mixing up genres of all stripes and tearing down anyone's preconceptions of what music can express. There were far too many highlights to get into each one, but the show that I likely won't ever forget was the reunion of slop-rockers The Thrown-Ups. Put two members of Mudhoney and Ed Fotheringham in bubble wrap suits, black out their teeth, and add a few plastic bags full of shaving cream and let them fuck around for an hour. The results will be hilarious and strangely revelatory. Bonus points for holding the show in a pot smoke-filled basement.

Pierced Arrows/Lullabye Arkestra @ Capitol Theater, Olympia -- My heart was a little broken for not being able to see Ludicra (they were to headline the show but had to cancel as their guitarist's appendix burst that day), but it was quickly spot-welded back together thanks to this one-two punch of a lineup. The boy/girl bass/drums fury of Lullabye Arkestra provided the tensions, and the nonstop garage rock swing of the Arrows gave me the release.

Sonny Rollins @ Paramount Theater, Seattle -- When you get offered the chance to see a jazz icon of this caliber for free, the only questions you should ask are "Where?" and "When?" Granted, the heat in Rollins' music has been dulled somewhat in his autumn year. But on this night, he still pulled off some amazing feats on this evening, including a robust and skin-tingling song that gave Rollins free reign to solo for a full 15 minutes.

Jandek/Thurston Moore @ Hollywood Theater, Portland -- A first-ever meeting of these two avant icons. It played to expectations with Jandek's slow strumming space blues slammed up against Moore's high-pitched wailings and quick jabs of grunting noise. But as the two snaked around one other for an hour-plus of improvisational glory, the meditative effect left me floating in mental amber for hours afterward.

Converge/Coalesce/Black Breath/Touche Amore/Great Falls @ Neumo's, Seattle -- This was an overwhelming assault on the senses. Just as I recovered from the blows of one band, another would take the stage and start landing some meaty punches. No one band stood above another, though I would give Black Breath the gold medal on points alone. They clearly loved playing to a hometown crowd and responded to the love by lopping everyone's heads off (sonically speaking, of course).

The Bad Plus @ Meydenbauer Theatre, Bellevue WA -- For the most part, the band set aside their kitschy covers of hard rock and pop tunes, and instead highlighted their intricate and devilish originals. As on record, they never play things straight when they're playing their own material, jumping through the hoops of time signatures and moods like circus clowns. And when drummer David King broke out the E.T. walkie-talkies to add a bit of feedback squelching to one song, there was no way to avoid grinning stupidly at their proto-bop antics.

MusicFest NW @ various locations, Portland -- The boys on this site have already rhapsodized plenty about some of the same shows that I went to, so a few highlights that are mine and mine alone: Major Lazer turning the entire all-ages crowd of the Roseland into a seething mass of hormones; The Bellrays spitting agitprop truths over blazing garage rock; the lucid new wave dance party that was the Dirty Mittens at Berbati's (RIP).

White Hills @ Rontoms, Portland -- I often ask myself, "What could possibly be missing from a psych band whose work that pulls you to oxygen-depriving heights before tossing you back down again into a fiery pit, leaving you laughing and euphoric by the time the smoke clears?" After seeing their frenzied and spine-straighteningly loud live act, the answer is clear: silver face paint.

Sir Richard Bishop/Bill Orcutt @ Hawthorne Eagles Lodge, Portland -- Perhaps I should have stayed until the bitter end to see some potential duets between these two guitarists, but after watching Orcutt grunt his way through a series of chilling blues improves followed by the intricate spirals of Sir Richard's gorgeous fretwork, I was full to the brim. I'll be sure to go into their next show with more of an empty stomach.

Grinderman @ King Cat Theater, Seattle -- This id tickling side project for Cave and some of his Bad Seeds has obviously injected some devilish life into the 53-year-old icon. His usual command of the stage had an extra in-your-face strain as he taunted the audience, squeezed some playfulness into his already weird and wonderful lyrics, and turned him, his band, and the capacity crowd into a sweaty, blissful mess.

Words by Robert Ham

Robert "Bob" Ham is a local music writer who has had his work published in Alternative Press, Willamette Weekly, The Oregonian, and City Arts Magazine just to name a few. Bob currently resides back in his home town of Portland, Oregon.

A sincere thanks to Bob for contributing to our end of year coverage.

1 LIST MANIA: Top 10 Releases and Shows of 2010 by Android Hero Bassist Eric Carnell

Eric with Android Hero | Photo by Phlash Photo

Releases:

1. Bastard Noise - (/Endless Blockade split)
If you don't know who Bastard Noise is, where have you been?

2. Devo – Something for Everybody
I know this was not at all accepted by the mainstream, do not understand why, this is the best Devo album since “Freedom Of Choice”. By Far.

3. What What Now - Fingers & Toes
Just a great local album, you will be hearing more from these guys, if they don't get big heads.

4. Black Tusk – Taste the Sin
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Baroness...the shit...didn't come out in 2010, or even close...

5. Cee-lo – The Lady Killer
I know, this isn't punk, right? Wrong. What can be said about I record who's hit (that you have heard on the big three national networks) says: “Fuck You” 20 times?
That is a minor point though, because this is a great record.

6. Angry Snowmans – S/T
Yeah, I know it came out December of last year, but it is still #6, without a doubt. Early punk songs with lyrics about Christmas...Brilliant!

7. Absolute Monarchs – Demo
The only reason this isn't # 1 is because it wasn't recorded better, and/or it isn't longer. If either changes would've been made, this the best release of 2010.

8. Triclops! - Helpers On The Other Side
Took me a while to get it (10 listens), but this record is bad ass.

9. Naked Raygun – Riotfest 7” Series 1 & 2
I know these were tough to get, but damn if they aren't good!

10. Witch Mountain – South Of Salem (EP)
Not even sure if this was released, but I got it, and it rules.

Shows:

1. Bastard Noise/Iron Lung at The Vera Project
If you don't know Bastard Noise, I'm sorry. You should've been there. Your loss, try back in 5 years.

2. Child Abuse at Funhouse
Can't believe I saw them. Everyone should experience Child Abuse first hand! Only negative is they didn't have an XL with the Kitten on it that said Child Abuse. This was the shit.

3. Obits/Nightmarchers at Radar Hair & Records
Old school. They pulled the door up on the loading dock and had an amazing show after hours, all of Hot Snakes, but no Hot Snakes songs...still amazing.

4. Baroness at Bumbershoot
Okay, you have no idea how bummed I am to site a Bumbershoot performance anywhere here, but it was Baroness, and they were that good. The only band I saw at that shitty festival was in fact Baroness. 125 db at that.

5. Flag Tribute at East End (PDX)
Didn't expand on other shows I saw outta town, but this one was crazy. Akimbo did one final show channeling Black Flag with help from Black Elk's Tom Glose. Much beer and many bodies flying, and great times by all. An experience that was better than the last actual Flag show I saw...

6. Peelander Z at Funhouse
What can be said, these guys always put on the best show...

7. Melvins/Totimoshi at Hell's Kitchen, Capitol Theatre
Didn't see them in Seattle or Bellingham, but the even though the sound at the new Hell's Kitchen is truly awful, this was a great show. The Capitol Theatre show was probably the best I've seen these guys in years, and I have seen them well over 150 times...

8. Black Tusk/Sin Dios at Funhouse
Honestly wasn't a fan of Zoroaster, they were alright, but Black Tusk should be seen.

9. Unsane at Funhouse
I hate having so many Funhouse shows, but let's face it, since Brian has started having more hard/metal shows, there have been a bunch of really, really good bands there. This show was crazy, Unsane in a small venue, off the hook.

10. NoMeansNo/Neutralboy at Hell's Kitchen
Actually probably the second worst time I've ever seen NoMeansNo, but even with that, they are better than 90% of the rest of the world on a good day.

Words by Eric Carnell

Note from the editor:

Eric Carnell is the bassist for one of the SRG crews favorite local bands, not to mention one of Seattle's best kept secrets, Android Hero. He is the proprietor of Independence Printage and has been in the screen printing business for years, and he also volunteers at the Vera Project teaching screen printing classes. Eric is probably my favorite music person to talk to. He's kind of like my obscure punk rock muse, always has a new band to check out or a killer story to tell.  

A sincere thanks to Eric for contributing to our end of the year coverage, a ton of killer stuff to check out on that records list. 

Links:

Independance Printage MySpace

1 LIST MANIA: Top 10 Shows of 2010 by Russian Circles Bassist Brian Cook

Brian with Russian Circles in Belgium | Photo by Davy De Schrooder

Harkonen @ the Comet, Seattle

They hit the stage just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, so theoretically they played on January 1st. By the time 2009 came creaking to a close, I was so fucking tired of that decade. What the hell was it called anyway? The ‘00s? How do you say that out loud? The zeros? The aughts? Even that petty annoyance aside, it was a decade of lousy Republican rule, war, and neo-yuppie consumer culture. And it was a decade that never gave the thunder barons Harkonen their proper due. But after the larger latter portion of the decade was spent without their heavy-as-fuck stomp, they came back to whip a sold-out crowd into a frenzy. I’ve got high hopes for this decade.

Five Seconds to Leave @ the Matrix, Prague

Points off for having a band name that sounds uncomfortably close to Thirty Seconds to Mars. However, this crusty dirge outfit earns those points back tenfold for delivering one of the most surprising and mind-trippy moments in recent memory. Projecting the theater scene from Mulholland Drive onto the stage, the band crafted an original score to the a cappella Spanish rendition of Roy Orbison’s “Crying”. Armed with their signature sound--like Neurosis playing in a giant reverb chamber--it completely transformed the mood of the original and made something new and fascinating in its place.

Boris @ the Metro, Chicago

For their most recent U.S. tour, Boris was capping off their set with the epic 20-minute untitled closer off their Smile album. Traversing from dark psych pop to heavy sludge to ethereal rock to SunnO)))-volume doom drone, it’s a masterwork that displays the scope of the Japanese band’s range in one epic sweep. A friend of mine dragged me into the sound booth for that final number at Chicago’s landmark Metro, and those huge looming riffs nearly made my knees buckle numerous times over the course of those twenty minutes. Total perfection.

Earthless @ the Underworld, London

A cursory listen to Earthless’s set comes across as a 40-minute-long guitar solo. A really awesome guitar solo, but a 40-minute-solo nonetheless. But knowing their records beforehand or, even better yet, catching multiple live sets from the band reveals the patterns and nuances in their playing. I got to see these guys roughly a dozen times over the course of a European tour, and they have some fleeting guitar lines that are more infectious than conventional rock choruses from other bands I’ve seen twice as many times.

Nomo @ Tractor Tavern, Seattle

Every now and then you need some NPR-approved Midwest post-industrial Afrobeat.

Nomeansno @ Neumos, Seattle

I bought my first Nomeansno tape 19 years ago. Yet in all those years I never had the chance to see ‘em (well, except for one time where I was broke and under the weather). And while most bands that I got into during my early adolescents have lost some of their luster, Nomeansno seems to become more relevant and intriguing as I grow older. Based on reports from other attendees, their set in October lacked some of the big hits they played during their previous Seattle appearance, but their deep album cuts are still strong enough that their show made me feel like an ecstatic 14-year-old again.

Wilco @ Paramount, Seattle

Jeff Tweedy is kind of a bad ass. Even still, at this point in their career, Wilco is really all about Nels Cline. That guy exudes fretboard awareness.

Tiny Vipers/Crystal Hell Pool/Dave Knudson/Demian Johnston @ Josephine, Seattle

What an awesome and diverse line-up. Demian Johnston used a guitar and a spread of effects pedals to make a harrowing wash of densely textured noise. Dave Knudson used a guitar and a spread of effects pedals to make a glitchy sample-heavy club banger. Crystal Hell Pool channeled Thomas Koner and made a gargantuan sound that felt like the space ship from Independence Day was landing on my face. And Tiny Vipers just used her acoustic guitar and modest voice to bring everyone to an awed hush.

Torche @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Have you heard “Tarpit Carnivore”? That song is the epitome of heavy. I thought the building was gonna collapse when they played it.

Keelhaul @ somewhere in the Western United States

I feel like an asshole because most of the bands on this list are bands we played with on tour. I can’t even pick out a specific show for these guys. Every song is just a heap of perplexing and amazing riffs cobbled together, and they were on point every night.

Words by Brian Cook

Note from the editor:

Brian Cook is like a god in these parts -- I'm talking the SRG crew, but of course his musical and writing talents are also widely known throughout the NW and world. Not only has he played bass in some of our all-time favorite bands such as Botch, These Arms Are Snakes, Roy and currently Russian Circles, but his is one of the most prolific music writers I have ever had a chance to read. His admirable work in The Stranger helps keep heavy music in front of local readers every week, and he always seems to have killer new bands and records to talk about. To my knowledge Brian has also written for Alarm Press, which is by far one of the most important underground music periodicals available.

A sincere thanks to Brian Cook for taking the time to contribute to our end of the year coverage, and thanks for keeping it real and continually spreading the good word with the utmost of integrity. We appreciate you.

0 LIST MANIA: A Bunch of 2010 Lists By Some of Our Favorite Local Musicians, Photogs, Promoters, Writers, and DJs (Part 2)

Hannah Levin (KEXP, City Arts Magazine, Seattle Weekly)

Top 10 Live Shows.

1. The Black Angels and Black Mountain @ The Showbox
2. Converge, Coalesce and Black Breath @ Neumos
3. Soundgarden @ The Showbox
4. Sleep @ Roseland (Portland)
5. Red Fang @ The Sunset
6. Portland Cello Project @ Triple Door
7. Black Keys @ Roseland (Portland)
8. Kaylee Cole, My Goodness, The American Girls, and the Head and the Heart @ My Birthday Party
9. Absolute Monarchs opening for Les Savy Fav @ Neumos
10. EVERYONE that participated in the Vic Chesnutt tribute nite, particularly Ian Moore:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Risve3IakxY

Carly Henry (Starbird Booking)

Top 10 shows of 2010.

1 - Grinderman @ King Cat Theater, Seattle, WA
2 - Sleep @ Roseland, Portland, OR
3 - Black Flag Tribute Night w/ Akimbo @ East End, Portland, OR
4 - High On Fire @ Dante's, Portland, OR
5 - Harkonen @ Comet, Seattle, WA (technically this year since it happened on New Years and they played after midnight)
6 - Billy Bragg @ Bumbershoot, Seattle, WA
7 - Black Cobra @ Berbatis, Portland, OR
8 - The Body @ The Know, Portland, OR
9 - Tom Tom Magazine Benefit with 8 "one night only" bands made up of all female drummers @ Holocene, Portland, OR
10 - Cough @ Plan B, Portland, OR

Chris Rasmussen (Police Teeth)

Favorite Records of 2010:

1. Bottomless Pit - "Blood Under the Bridge"
2. the Bismarck - "Great Plains"
3. Nina Nastasia - "Outlaster"
4. Dynamic Truths - "Understanding Is Overrated"
5. Coliseum - "House With A Curse"
6. Unnatural Helpers - "Cracked Love and Other Drugs"
7. the Ruby Doe - "Getting Ahead In The Music Business"
8. Generalissimo - "Western Medicine"
9. Bear Claw - "Refuse This Gift"
10. Black Breath - "Heavy Breathing"

Live Shows:

1. Bottomless Pit, Electrical Audio Forum BBQ, Chicago, June 2010
2. Triumph of Lethargy, Neumo's, January 2010
3. Guided By Voices, Showbox SODO, October 2010
4. Coliseum, Funhouse, September 2010
5. Black Breath, Capitol Hill Block Party, July 2010
6. Obits, Crocodile and CHBP, July 2010
7. Night Marchers, CHBP, July 2010
8. Wedding Present, Crocodile, April 2010
9. Superchunk, Showbox Market, October 2010
10. Unsane, Funhouse, November 2010

Nathan "TRON" Donnel (Bands: Brickbats, Mercy Sounds / Promotion: Greenhouse, Carousel Fest)

Top 10 Shows.

10. Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! w/ Dr. Steve Brule @ Showbox Sodo. (I feel like it's kind of blasphemy to have a show at Showbox Sodo on my Top 10, but this was a pretty fun show.)

9. Carousel Fest Day 3 @ the Black Lodge w/ Ravenna Woods, Constant Lovers, Great Falls, Cold Lake, Mongrel Blood, Carson McWhirter (Hella/Advantage), XDS, & Wild Orchid Children.

8. Pavement @ the Paramount

7. Blonde Redhead @ the Showbox Market

6. Tortoise @ Neumo's

5. Isis's final show @ Neumo's

4. Night Marchers & the Obits, Capitol Hill Block Party afterparty @ Radar Hair & Records

3. The Need, The Bangs, CAverage, & Thrones @ the Crocodile & The Loft in Olympia

2. Helms Alee, Thrones, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, & Lozen @ the Greenhouse

1. Soundgarden Reunion show @ Showbox Market

Shawn Kock (Absolute Monarchs)

Top 10 Records.

1. OFF! - First Four Ep's
2. OFF! - First Four Ep's (its that fucking good)
3. Black Breath - Heavy Breathing
4. Swans - My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky
5. Grinderman - 2
6. Thee Oh Sees - Warm Slime
7. Black Angels - Phosphene Dream
8. See Me River - The One That Got a Wake
9. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (don't tell anyone)
10. The Spits - Vol. IV

Aaron Krause (High Class Wreckage, Ancient Warlocks)

Top Shows of 2010 (INPO)

1. Pierced Arrows/Monotonix at The High Dive
2. Kylesa/Lesbian/Book of Black Earth at The Funhouse
3. Buzzoven/Akimbo/Atriarch at The Funhouse
4. Boris/Helms Alee at Neumo's
5. Red Fang/Valient Thorr at El Corzon
6. Tit Pig/Christian Mistress/Milk Music at The Comet
7. Hobosexual/Police Teeth at The Blue Moon
8. The Whore Moans/What What Now at The Josephine
9. Imperial Legions of Rome/Android Hero/This Blinding Light at The Belltown Underground Events Center
10. Converge/Coalesce/Black Breath at Neumos

h/t and a sincere thanks to Hannah, Carly, Chris, Natron, Shawn, and Aaron for their contributions to our end of year coverage.

0 LIST MANIA: Best Concerts of 2010 by Princess Frontman Andrew Chapman

Andrew with The Keeper at Linda's Fest | Photo by Chase Meandenthal

1. Deftones at Key Arena

I knew this show was going to be special. Chris S., Brian G., my girlfriend Angela R. and myself, ventured out to the Key Arena to catch Mastodon, Deftones, and Alice In Chains. Mastodon was criminially under attended being that the fools at the Key Arena start the bands at the same time as the doors open. After Mastodon, Angela snuck us into the floor area for Deftones. She just walked right through and then we breezed by behind her. We had no idea what was instore for us. I looked nervously at all the wrist bands that we didn't have, but then we just melted in the churning crowd. Then our minds were blown. Deftones played with a vigor and immediacy that I never expected. It was an amazing set. They played every good song they had and nothing that sucked at all. Truly staggering. You could feel the show as much as you could hear it. Not only was this one of the best shows of the year, it was one of the best I have ever seen.

2. Rush at White River

My dear friend Kat (from The Roanoke- go there and spend your money,) bought us tickets to see Rush. I knew that they were good seats, I did not expect the incredible treatment we recieved. We could reach out and touch the band from our seats. In addition we got a private bar and a hot meal in the VIP area. Trust me folks- anytime you go to White River get VIP tickets. The experience is excellent. That aside, hanging out with Kat, who is also a maniac Rush fan like myself was incredible. If you have never seen Rush, fix that as soon as possible.

3. Melvins at The Croc

They played Sacrifice and Bacon Industry. NUFF SAID. Ang is now a fan, which rules too.

4. Red Fang at The Sunset

I showed up to the show in a suit and black cowboy boots. I ended the show on the side of the stage in my suit calling for an encore after screaming along with them to Prehistoric Dog. The night ended with a Seattle Rock Guy party at Nik and Tiffany's house. Then I went home in the morning, still in my suit and cowboy boots.

5. Smooth Sailing at The Sunset

Smooth Sailing is the best band in Seattle. This was my favorite set of theirs so far. Please see them.

6. Your Village Sucks Fest at Rendezvous

If you missed out, look back through this site and see the Dio Tribute. The look on Timmy from Smooth Sailing, his face will say it all. Watch for the next one soon.

7. REVERB in Ballard

This is the best music party of the year hands down. No lie. The bands at The 2-Bit slayed. Man. I wish I could resee that show. Check out the videos to see what you missed.

Extras:

Bands That Ruled In 2010:

Smooth Sailing
Watch It Sparkle
Nazca Lines
Vultures2012
He Whose Ox Is Gored
Throne Of Bone
Cold Cold Ground
Mico De Noche
Helms Alee
Viss
Sex With Strangers

Heartaches of 2010:

Madraso
The Keeper
Mobile Slaughter Unit

Ones To Watch In 2011:

Nazca Lines
Princess (wink wink)
Smooth Sailing
Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth
Consulate
Grenades
Brickbats

Words by Andrew Chapman

Note from Editor:

Andrew is currently fronting a new heavy project with the ex-members of Mobile Slaughter Unit called Princess, who played their first show a couple weeks ago. He is most known as the charismatic frontman for The Keeper, who called it quits in 2010. Under the psydonym Suncrusher, Andrew is a prize winning remix artist and has remixed bands as wide ranging as The Austerity Program and Peter Gabriel. He is also the proprietor of Algerbay Records and the creator of Your Village Sucks Fest.

A sincere thanks again to Andrew for contributing to our end of the year coverage. Check out The Keeper's final release, a compilation of demos and live recordings entitled "We Had a Wonderful Time", available on Amazon. Princess plays January 29th at the Josephine.

2 LIST MANIA: Top 5 Records of 2010 by Lesbian Drummer Benjamin Thomas-Kennedy

Ben with Lesbian at El Corazon | Photo by Nik Christofferson

I actually listened to a lot more music this year than I have in the past. I was excited to sit down and think about what my top 10 favorite albums of the year would be. As I started to do so, I realized that most of what I was listening to was made in the 70's. Below is a top 5 of 2010 releases. Its the best I could do.

Far East Family Band - Nipponjin

Okay so I am already cheating. This was reissued this year so that's my loophole. Recorded in '75, this album has some of my favorite Japanese psychedelic eastern-hippy space jams on it. It grooves for miles and has lasers!

Solar Bears - She Was Coloured In

This is the perfect soundtrack for a spaceship joyride. It sounds like these guys were making techno music in the 90's but could only listen to Cluster's Zuckerziet and the Tortoise songs that everyone made fun of. It totally works. Plus, it actually came out in 2010.

Lesbian - Stratospheria Cubensis

My Lesbros and I released this album this year. The truth is, we wouldn't have put it out if we didn't think it was good, so it has to be on this list. Hear it here: http://lesbian.bandcamp.com/

Sun City Girls - Funeral Mariachi

This is the final Sun City Girls album. Not all of their records are good; but when they are, they are better than everyone else. This one is really good. RIP SCG

Coil

Okay so I am cheating again; but while on the subject of death, Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson died in 2010. He was the last living half of Coil. They are the only band whose entire catalog is in my I-Tunes. I recommend all of it.






Words by Benjamin Thomas-Kennedy

Notes from editor: Benjamin Thomas-Kennedy is the skinsman for the mighty Lesbian, he also produces ambient music under the pseudonym BLOUSE (u.s.a)

Listen: blouseblouse.bandcamp.com

A sincere thanks to Ben for his return contribution to SRG's end of the year coverage, so much cool stuff to check out once again.

Links:

Lesbian's MySpace

0 LIST MANIA: A Bunch of 2010 Lists By Some of Our Favorite Local Musicians, Photogs, Promoters, Writers, and DJs (Part 1)

Corey Brewer (Cold Lake and Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive to Death)

Best of 2010.

1. Mary J. Blige at Bumbershoot. The best show of the year NO CONTEST.
2. Grinderman "2" lp
3. Trap Them "Filth Rations" ep
4. Black Breath "Heavy Breathing" lp
5. Xasthur "Portal of Sorrow" lp
6. Melvins "The Bride Screamed Murder" lp
7. Mash Hall "They La Soul" lp
8. Dum Dum Girls "I Will Be" lp
9. NAILS "Unsilent Death" lp
10. Das Racist "Sit Down, Man" mixtape
11. Wolves in the Throne Room/Earth live at Neumos
12. Grinderman live at the King Cat Theater
13. Boris/ Red Sparrowes/ Helms Alee live at Neumos
14. Converge/Coalesce/Black Breath/Great Falls
15. NEED, Bangs, C Average and Thrones live at the Crocodile
16. White Shit "sculpted beef" lp
17. Abe Vigoda "crush" lp



Matt Koroulis (Local Rocktographer, SRG Contributor)

Here are 10 shows that stand out for me (in no particular order)...

1. The Cops at the Comet on Dec. 10th

2. Unnatural Helpers, Wild Orchid Children at the Sunset on Nov. 19th

3. The Murder City Devils, Past Lives, Cold Lake at the Showbox on Oct. 16th

4. Nomeansno, The Ruby Doe at Neumos on Oct. 7th

5. The Melvins at the Crocodile on Sept. 25th

6. Helms Alee, Akimbo, Narrows, The Dark at Neumos on Sept. 16th

7. Past Lives, Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive to Death, Blood Red Dancers, The Absolute Monarchs at the Sunset on August 27th

8. The entire Capitol Hill Block Party, especially Friday July 23rd

9. Carissa's Wierd at the Showbox on July 9th

10. Red Fang, Kinski, Virgins Islands at the Sunset on June 26^th

Roy Culver ( Infinite Productions, SRG Contributor)

Top 10 records of 2010

1. Grinderman - Grinderman 2

2. The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream

3. Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

4. Ceremony - Rohnert Park

5. Wovenhand - The Threshingfloor

6. Starflyer 59 - The Changing of the Guard

7. Punch - Push Pull

8. Fukpig - Belief is the Death of Intelligence

9. Divorce - Divorce 10"

10. The Southern Shame - self-titled demo

Top 10 shows of 2010

1. Grinderman at the King Cat Theater 11/27

2. Ceremony, Punch and Nails at West Seattle American Legion Hall 8/20

3. Sufjan Stevens at the Paramount 10/30

4. The Black Angels and Black Mountain at the Showbox 11/30

5. Dropdead at Neumos 7/31

6. Testament at WaMu Theater 9/03

7. Trash Talk and Alpha & Omega at Chop Suey 7/20

8. Nevermore at El Corazon 9/24

9. Misery Index at Studio Seven 10/03

10. mewithoutYou at El Corazon 6/07

Michael Freiburger (Throne of Bone)

Favorite Records.

10. Black Breath - Heavy Breathing
9. High on Fire - Snakes of the Divine
8. Ludicra - The Tenant
7. Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini
6. Kylesa - Spiral Shadow
5. Iron Maiden- The Final Frontier
4. Nachtmystium - Addicts: Black Meddle Part 2
3. Agalloch - Marrow of the Spirit
2.  Melvins - The Bride Screamed Murder
1. I believe Helms Alee is done with their new record and without listening will put that at number one.

Adam "Superfan" (Ladies Choice Presents)

Best of 2010 in no particular order.

1. Rollerball (live at Josephine/The Black Lodge & Two Feathers LP)
2. Torche (Coheed & Cambria tour & Songs for Singles LP)
3. TOOL (live at Key Arena, July 10th)
4. Melvins (live x4, including my 20th Melvins show of all time & The Bride Screamed Murder)
5. Cephalic Carnage (new lineup rules! Summer Slaughter Tour & Misled By Certainty LP)
6. A Perfect Circle (seeing albums "Mer de Noms" & "eMOTIVe" performed live)
7. Michael Cera (Youth in Revolt & Scott Pilgrim vs. the World both kicked ass)
8. Eugene Robinson (live at The Comet/The Black Lodge & A Long Slow Screw novel)
9. Let Me In (if the Swedish adaptation is better than the US version, than it must be REALLY good)
10. December 11th (Roger Waters' THE WALL live! & ROY's first show in 3 years!!! A breathtaking evening!)

Luke Laplante (SEAN and Spirit of Radio)

Favorite Records of 2010.

#1 The Bastard Noise " A culture of monsters"
#2 Floor "Below and beyond" box set
#3 Rush "Beyond the Lighted Stage" DVD
#4 Torche "Songs for singles"
#5 The Bastard Noise/Endless Blockade split LP
#6 Marnie Stern S/T
#7 Torche/Boris split 10"
#8 Child Abuse "Cut and run"
#9 Wah Wah Exit Wound "3 woodpeckers"
#10 AOK Sucide Forest S/T

h/t and a sincere thanks to Corey, Matt, Roy, Freiburger, Adam, and Luke for their contributions to our end of year coverage.

0 LIST MANIA: 10 Most Memorable Shows of 2010 by Midday Veil's Emily Pothast

Emily with  Midday Veil at Escalator Fest | Photo by Andrea Brunson

1) Oregon Painting Society
Hedreen Gallery, Seattle, 10/09/10

Not technically a show as much as it was a multimedia happening. Oregon Painting Society are a Portland-based collective who create interactive audiovisual environments, blurring the line between audience and performer. Their installation at the Hedreen included plants, crystals, and other objects which were hooked up to electronic currents so they could be played as synthesizers.

2) White Hills
Rontoms, Portland, 9/19/10

Unfortunately we missed White Hills during their recent Seattle show, but I’m glad we made the trip to see them the next night in Portland. Their new record for Thrill Jockey is great; their live show was absolutely stellar. Possibly the best rock band I’ve ever seen live, no joke.

3) Brother Raven (with Megabats, Expo 70)
The Rendezvous, Seattle, 11/01/10

Seattle-based synth duo Brother Raven is one of my favorite local bands right now. Co-founded by Gift Tapes mastermind Jason E. Anderson and multimedia artist Jamie Potter, Brother Raven specializes in improvisations recorded directly to tape, so their live shows are as free and spontaneous as their recordings. This particular show (with Megabats and Expo 70, which are also great bands) was Brother Raven’s last before Jamie moved to Portland in November. Here’s hoping they can keep the activity level high despite the long-distance relationship.

4) NYMPH (with Tiny Light, Shana Cleveland)
20/20 Cycle, Seattle, 5/06/10

NYMPH are based in Brooklyn, they’ve signed to Social Registry since their first Seattle show last May. Guitarist Matty McDermott channels Malian masters Tinariwen and Ali Farka Toure, while vocalist Eri Shoji’s style stems from her study of Gagaku and Butoh. The resulting combination is something that must be experienced firsthand.

5) Kali Descend!
Neumo’s, Seattle, 09/07/10

Kali Descend! is a fusion ensemble featuring Hindustani classical vocalist Sumitra Guha and drummer Peijman Kouretchian (Secret Chiefs III, Girth), performing heavy-hitting compositions glorifying Kali, the dark mother of cleansing death and rebirth. If you get the rare opportunity to see them perform, I highly recommend it.

6) Barn Owl (with Tecumseh)
The Funhouse, Seattle, 7/26/10

Barn Owl is the San Francisco-based duo of Evan Caminiti and Jon Porras. They play drone music that involves layers of heavily effected guitars and vocals into a swirling mass of trance-inducing goodness. Their set at the Funhouse utterly transformed the space and transported the audience to another plane. (It’s no wonder why their 2009 LP for Root Strata is called “The Conjurer.”)

7) Jeffertitti’s Nile and Dahga Bloom (at Portable Shrines Escalator Fest, Night 1)
Lo-Fi, Seattle, 10/22/10

Full disclosure: I’m involved with the Portable Shrines Collective and helped book this year’s Escalator Fest. But I had never heard of either Jeffertitti’s Nile or Dahga Bloom before their names came up for this year’s fest, and I feel like we couldn’t have discovered a pair of nicer bands. Topanga, CA’s Jeffertitti’s Nile played an energetic and charismatic set of hyper-enthused rock while Fullerton, CA’s Dahga Bloom sound like a long lost gypsy carnival through a psychedelic desert.

8) Prince Rama (with Deakin, Tiny Light)
Vera Project, Seattle, 9/23/10

Almost a year to the date after Prince Rama’s appearance at the first Portable Shrines Escalator Fest, they once again took to the Vera’s stage to play a solid set of astral jams to a small but appreciative audience on the heels of Shadow Temple, their new record for Animal Collective's Paw Tracks label.

9) Purple Rhinestone Eagle (with Eternal Tapestry)
Comet Tavern, Seattle, 4/01/10

Portland-based Purple Rhinestone Eagle also rocked the hell out of the first Escalator Fest. Since then they have toured Europe and the US extensively, honing a savage, Sabbathy sound. Word on the street is that the Eagle is playing the Comet again on New Years Eve...

10) Master Musicians of Bukkake and Arrington de Dionyso’s Malaikat dan Singa (with Midday Veil)
Comet Tavern, Seattle, 11/13/10

OK, not only did I help book this show, it was my band Midday Veil’s record release party. But even if we hadn’t played this gig, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Arrington de Dionyso’s Malaikat dan Singa has the finely-tuned presence of a shamanic ritual, while Master Musicians of Bukkake fuse sacred music influences from around the world with sweaty riff-rock. Sharing a bill with these two Northwest greats was a truly humbling experience.

Words by Emily Pothast

Notes from the editor:

Bio: Emily Pothast is a multimedia artist, musician, and writer based in Seattle, Washington. She is most known as a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist in the band Midday Veil. She is also the author of the blog Translinguistic Other, the co-founder of an indie record label of the same name, and a member of the Portable Shrines Collective.

A sincere thanks to Emily for her contribution to SRG's end of the year coverage, so much cool stuff to check out. Please go buy Midday Veil's fabulous debut "Eyes All Around", available at many of Seattle's fine indie record shops.

Links:

Midday Veil
Emily Pothhast

3 LIST MANIA: Nik's Favorite Live Music Experiences of 2010

Post-Red Fang at MusicFest NW | Photo by John Sherman

10. Goatsnake at Neumos; August 12th, 2010

The reunited super group featuring Sunn O))) mainman Greg Anderson, Scream/Wool frontman Pete Stahl and on bass guitar mutherfucking Scott Reeder of Kyuss fame, came to town in a package deal with the "Animosity-era" lineup of COC back in August. Goatsnake are one of the heaviest bands I have ever seen live, and between Stahl’s crowd interactions, Anderson’s massive riffs, and let’s not forget Scott Reeder slapping the bass a few feet away, it was utterly mind blowing. Matt and I at one point turned to each other, both sporting shit eating grins and mouthed the words “Holy Fuck!” It was amazing!

Goatsnake at Neumos | Photo by Nik Christofferson

9. Christian Mistress at Phoenix House (Olympia); November 9th, 2010

Christian Mistress is easily my favorite local discovery of 2010. I had the opportunity to see the band three times in 2010 but easily the most amazing experience was seeing them live on their own turf back in November at a long running DIY venue called the Phoenix House. Palmer and I headed south to Olympia on a dreary Thursday night to catch Christian Mistress along with California’s The Makai. Despite the shortcomings of the sound system, seeing a band of this caliber in a basement of a house, all the while being pushed and shoved and whipped in the face by charismatic CM vocalist Christine Davis’ hair, it’s a no brainer that this one is top 10. Let’s not forget this is a band whose debut record has been included on just about every important metal publication's “best records of 2010” lists to come out so far.

Christian Mistress | Photo by Nik Christofferson

8. Musicfest NW 2010; September 8th-12th, 2010

For the second SRG crew road trip Jerry, Matt and I decided once again invade Portland and visit our buddy Don 'Chile', this time for Musicfest NW. On paper the sheer amount of amazing bands we saw over the course of the three days should probably make up this entire top 10 list, it was a phenomenal weekend. Night one featured Rabbits, Red Fang, and Baroness at Dantes. Badass! Night two featured a Black Lips matinee and then Thee Oh Sees and The Gories at Dantes too, not to mention a surprise visit from "Ninja Metal". Amazing! Night three featured a Trash Talk / Toxic Holocaust warm-up followed by Scott Kelly, YOB and the first half of SLEEP followed by the second half of an amazing NoMeansNo set. Holy fuck, what a weekend!

NoMeansNo | Photo by Nik Christofferson

7. Capitol Hill Block Party (in paticular sets by Helms Alee, Absolute Monarchs, My Goodness, Virgin, Night Marchers, Cold Lake, & Black Breath); July 23rd-25th, 2010

The Cha Cha Lounge was home to the CHBP’s underground sounds and having the opportunity to see both the mighty Helms Alee and the Absolute Monarchs each destroy in the cavernous booze hole, not to mention catching My Goodness and retro rockers Virgin for the first time, made for quite a few memorable moments over the course of the CHBP weekend. On Saturday of the festival the Vera stage was nearly melted to the ground when Cold Lake and Black Breath took turns sticking their boots up the asses of the aimless bystanders looking for Mad Rad merch, and yes that was me dancing like a crazy person during the Night Marchers’ killer Neumos set.

Black Breath at CHBP 2010 | Photo by Nik Christofferson

6. SRG Presents: Smooth Sailing, Sandrider, Dog Shredder, Grenades at Rendezvous; December 4th, 2010

I decided it would be a sweet idea to end 2010 on high note, so I took to the task of building one of the strongest local heavy bills of the entire year. I was able to finagle 4 of my favorite local bands and stick them into one of the city's more intimate settings. It was a special night and I am very proud of this show. It not only marked the beginning of monthly SRG sponsored shows but also it featured four amazing local heavyweights in: Smooth Sailing, Sandrider, Dog Shredder, and Grenades. The fact that this show came together and pulled in the attendance it did, it made me feel like we are truly involved with something cool-- mini-movement if you will. Thanks to the bands for killing and to everyone else who rocked in the Jewelbox Theater that night. Be on the lookout for more SRG shows in 2011, including January 8th at the Comet and February 19th back at the Rendezvous.

Smooth Sailing | Photo by Nik Christofferson

5. REVERB Fest; October 9th, 2010

The scene at the 2 Bit was the amalgamate of everything I love about Seattle’s current rock and metal musical landscape, and featured so many of my favorite local bands all playing back-to-back. Between the Sunset Tavern and 2 Bit Saloon, Reverb featured eight bands that SRG has backed vigorously throughout 2010: Kinski, Absolute Monarchs, Throne of Bone, Vultures 2012, Dog Shredder, My Goodness, He Whose Ox is Gored and Smooth Sailing. Each and every band gave stellar performances, the vibe was amazing, and it was great to see so many friendly faces throughout the long day of live music. It really doesn't get much better, despite the lame ass sponsor of the party.

My Goodness at Reverb | Photo by Nik Christofferson

4. Bonnaroo 2010; June 9th-12th, 2010

I can't think of a better 30th birthday present than taking in the sights and sounds of my first major out of state festival and it was one of the highlights of my life so far. The only reason it doesn’t top this list is probably due to the absence of the 4 bands that I ranked higher. Over the course of 4 sleepless, showerless days and nights, my wife and I saw over 50 performances by bands ranging from The Flaming Lips, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z to The Black Keys, Melvins, Isis, Clutch, Against Me!, and even Seattle’s own Moondoggies. I met King Buzzo and Aaron from Isis backstage and the 3am Gwar bloodbath will forever be tattooed in my brain as a concert highlight. I really want to go back in 2011, but am currently weighing the options with so many other amazing festivals available. I highly recommend you do Bonnaroo at least once; I personally didn’t want the experience to end.

Isis at Bonnaroo 2010 | Photo by Nik Christofferson

3. The Spits at the Funhouse / Throne of Bone at Bumblefuck; September 4th, 2010

Billed as Dokken due to a Bumbershoot black out policy, The Spits packed the Funhouse for Brian Foss’ birthday with Warning: Danger! as openers, a couple days before they were scheduled to take the stage in the Sky Church. The crew stood front row center and for 40 minutes fought off one of the most raucous crowds of the year, rocking about as hard as humanly possible. We gave everything The Spits gave us and more. It was mayhem and will easily go down as a classic in my book.

The Spits at the Funhouse | Photo by Nik Christofferson

…wait there’s more

We weren’t even close to done for the night. Down the way in Belltown an anti-Bumbershoot festival was winding down in the early morning hours and we showed up just in time to catch one of our local favorites headline the event. In the shitty confines of one my favorite DIY venues, Throne of Bone systematically crushed my head in one of the most brutal performances I witnessed all year.

Throne of Bone at Bumblefuck | Photo by Nik Christofferson

2. Soundgarden at Showbox at the Market; April 16th, 2010

This still seems like a dream. I never thought I would ever have the chance to see Soundgarden live after missing my opportunity as a teenager. Getting my hands on that coveted pair of golden tickets and having the opportunity to share access to the once in lifetime show with Mr. Abramson, it was definitly a major highlight of 2010. Standing sandwiched between Jack Endino and Tad Doyle, we looked on in astonishment as Cornell hit the highest of high notes like he had saved them for the moment, all the while Thayil, Shepherd, and Cameron mightily brought the classics back to life. It was a celebration bitches and I feel more than blessed to have had the opportunity to be in attendance.

Showbox Marquee | Photo by Nik Christofferson

1. Red Fang at Dantes (PDX); March 12th, 2010

The crew’s first Portland road trip way back in March still resonates as my favorite show of the year and was seriously a wild experience. You would think by our massive Red Fangovers following only one night in PDX that the crew probably doesn't get out much. I mean we set on Portland like a pack of wild dogs. We tore Portland apart, or was it that Portland tore us apart? The details are still a bit hazy. One thing is for sure, sitting in on an interview with the Fang gang, hearing new music at soundcheck, and then seeing Red Fang destroy on their home turf with the SRG fellas made for the most memorable concert experience of 2010. This show still gets me amped as fuck.

Red Fang | Photo by Nik Christofferson

Honorable Mentions:

1. Android Hero, Vultures 2012, The Keeper, Dog Shredder, Jan 2010
2. Your Village Sucks Fest at Rendezvous, May 2010
3. NoMeansNo at Neumos, September 2010
4. Escalator Fest Night 1 at Lo-Fi, September 2010
5. Helms Alee, Thrones, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, Lozen at Greenhouse, June 2010
6. Melvins at Hell’s Kitchen, September 2010
7. Red Fang, Kinski at Sunset Tavern, July 2010
8. Black Mountain, Black Angels at Showbox at the Market, December 2010
9. Slayer, Megadeth, Testament at WAMU Theater, September 2010
10. A Frames at the Funhouse, May 2010
11. AIC, Deftones, Mastodon at Key Arena, October 2010
12. The Keeper, Madraso, Vultures 2012, Grenades at Comet Tavern, September 2010
13. Smooth Sailing at the Blue Moon, April 2010
14. Tool at Key Arena, July 2010
15. Kylesa, Lesbian, Book of Black Earth, December 2010
16. Helms Alee, Narrows, Akimbo at Neumos, October 2010

Words and Photos by Nik Christofferson