0 SHOW PREVIEW: CHOICE FEST II, NIGHT 3: Lozen | Bad Powers | Tacos | Elk Rider

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One of the saving graces of the mid-'00s for this writer was the Brooklyn-based Made Out of Babies. And while I enjoyed the frantic vocal histrionics of frontwoman Julie Christmas, it was actually the powerful, steadfast burl brought on by guitarist Brendan Tobin, bassist Cooper and drummer Matthew Egan that made the connection for me. I listened the shit out of their tunes. Now, come to find that Christmas decided to go about her own business, leaving the rest of the dudes to make a (now obvious) plea for Seattle's own Megan Tweed (The Family Curse) to join up and vocalize. After giving Bad Powers' debut album a few dozen spins, it was clear why they had made the choice: everything that I had loved about Made Out of Babies was still there, if not improved upon, and this new vocalist was bringing it all to the forefront and, at the same time, making it all her own. Now they are making their Seattle debut tonight at The Comet to close out Choicefest II, and there is no lack of talent on this bill.

SRG and yours truly have gushed time and time again over the beautiful tones wrought by headliners Lozen. Their most recent work, Para Vida, was perhaps my favorite local album released in the last year, and is still a regular on the ol' turntable. And Tacos! are quickly becoming one of our favorite local bands. Both of these duos bring a sound many times larger and more impressive than many bands with double their numbers.

Elk Rider make a return appearance to Choicefest to kick the whole thing off, only adding to one of the more solid bills we've seen in these parts this year. It's honestly hard to decide who we are most excited to see.  Adam, damn it, you did it again.

0 SHOW PREVIEW: CHOICEFEST II, NIGHT 1: Skarp | Transient | Don Peyote

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Last year's Choicefest allowed longtime promoter/superfan Adam Noble Bass to spread his thrusting, fist-pumping wing and fly like the jovial, gregarious eagle of the PNW heavy music scene that he is.  Due to the success that his promotion company, Ladies' Choice, saw last April with the “No All-Dude Bands” theme, it has now become an annual event – one WORTHY enough that SRG will devote a show preview to each of the three spectacular events he has lined up again for this coming weekend.

 

It all starts on Thursday with the resounding clang of some of the heaviest metal our fair region has to offer.  Four bands at the Highline on Cap Hill, and, sticking to the theme, each one will have at least one female member.  It will also serve as a benefit show for Theories vocalist, Rick Powell, who was shot while on break outside of his Crown Car in West Seattle earlier this month.  He is scheduled to make a full recovery, but not without missing a few months of work.  He’s one tough motherfucker!  If you come to the show, you’re helping him out as well as helping the entire scene to show how much we care about one another.  But also, you are helping yourself to a bunch of great metal and a kickass night.

 

Back in the day—before they had signed to Alternative Tentacles, before their live performances became a rare and special event—veteran crust ‘n’ grind quartet, Skarp, used to scare me a little.  Perhaps it was the sheer, palpable intensity they would exude in those small, dark rooms that the more extreme types of music were relegated to at the time.  Or maybe it was Joe Grindo’s (Book of Black Earth, Splatterhouse, etc.) maniacal drumming that made my heart begin to pump overtime, striving in vain to align itself in perfect syncopation with the endless blast beats and brick wall stops…  Whatever it was, I can’t wait to get another taste of it at the Highline. 

 

Portland’s Transient also bring the grind as well as anyone out there, with a similar level of intensity to the headliners described above.  It’s great fun to watch the diminutive vocalist, Krysta Martinez (recently back from an international tour with Landmine Marathon), as she transitions between a fire-breathing, growling, unholy dragon, with some of the greatest range and rage one could expect to find in extreme music from any era, to a grinning and gracious host as she takes a moment to catch her breath between songs.

 

The filthy and fantastic Don Peyote and relative new-comers Murder in the Wood are opening.  The former are always a blast to see, and really help make this solid bill even more impressive, while the latter are honestly new to me – but that is what makes these kinds of fests exciting, and it’s nice to get the chance to check out a Superfan-approved new band on the scene.  (UPDATE: Unfortunately, Murder in the Wood will be unable to make the show.  But, it's still an incredible three-band bill for a measly eight bucks!)

Check back tomorrow for more Choicefest II previews!