1 TICKET GIVEAWAY: Mico De Noche | Mos Generator | Ancient Warlocks | Serial Hawk

Mico de Noche are one of those bands that we at SRG will always point to as a perfect embodiment of what this Cascadian underground rock scene is and should always be.  Their unrelenting brutality can absolve the most anguished listener of their pain, while uplifting those seeking pleasure with sheer headbanging revelry.  Even more epic and lush than the sum of their four parts, they create beauty in a wall of sludge and bellowed words.

Sadly, it is a rare opportunity these days to see Mico in all their glory.  It's nobody's fault; they're all busy dudes with many amazing projects to devote their time to.  But the advent of a brand new 3-song 7" EP on Violent Hippy Records gives us mossy beardos at least one more chance to rejoice.  Not only is it bringing the dudes to Chop Suey this Friday to cap off a great lineup, but this little bundle of vinyl goodness is a LONG-awaited follow-up to the 2009 split 10" w/Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, and despite its brevity is a welcome addition to the legacy of a band that has consistently pummeled us into delightful submission over the last decade plus.

In fact, with the permission of the band, we are offering up three copies of this baby to the winner and two runner-ups for a ticket giveaway (see details below).

Of course, Mico de Noche don't play with no slouches.  There is nary a stony itch that Mos Generator and Ancient Warlocks can't scratch.  Serious riffs, denim, and grins abound.  And it would be a sin not to address the tour kickoff of Serial Hawk, whose expansive, yet full-bodied flavor will make you wanna hold up your pint and cheers the one next to you.  (That was all a reference to beer -- know why?  Because Serial Hawk will fuck you up, that's why)  Come early, come all night long.

***To enter the drawing for a pair of tickets and a free copy of the Mico de Noche 7" simply send an email to jake@seattlerockguy.com with "Mico de Noche" as the subject and your full name in the body. While only one entry will win the tickets, we will draw two other winners of a free copy of the 7" (please note: these will only be redeemable at the show).  Winners will be drawn Thursday at 5pm, so don't fuck about. Good luck!***

Oh, and be sure to catch Serial Hawk on tour in March!

03/01 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
03/02 - Boise, ID - The Shredder
03/03 - Provo, UT - Provo Bicycle Collective
03/04 - Denver, CO - 7th Circle Music Collective
03/05 - Omaha, NE - West Wing
03/06 - TBD - TBD
03/07 - Chicago, IL - House show
03/08 - St Louis, MO - Blank Space
03/09 - Conway, ARK - Sound Stage
03/10 - Austin, TX - Beerland
03/11 - San Antonio, TX - Night Rockers
03/12 - Scottsdale, AZ - The Rogue Bar
03/13 - San Diego, CA - The Void
03/14 - Los Angeles, CA - Los Globos
03/15 - Sacramento, CA - Oak Park Boiz House
03/16 - Portland, OR - Club 21

0 [SHOW PREVIEW]: Overwhelming Colorfast Live Tonight @ Sunset

A New Years Eve hangover is not an option because there is a special show happening tonight.

90's Bay Area alt-rock band Overwhelming Colorfast which features non-other than sometimes Seattle Rock Guy contributor QuitterDan is playing a free show at the Sunset.

OC was founded by Dan's brother Bob Reed, and signed to Relativity Records in the early nineties. Their self-titled debut was produced by Butch Vig and released in 1992. In 1994 they hooked up with Seattle's own Kurt Bloch, to record a great record in "Two Words". I found a copy at Easy Street a few years ago, needless to say I was stoked.

The band was successful through the first half of the nineties touring with the likes of The Ramones, and was hugely popular in the Bay Area. They have played reunion gigs in the past including a two night stint at favorite San Fran venue "Bottom of the Hill" four years ago.

This show will feature the Reed brothers with help from members of The Riffbrokers. Check out more info on OC and listen to some tunes on their myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/overwhelmingcolorfast

0 LIVE PREVIEW: AFCGT @ Chop Suey 12/17

When I heard the news that the melting pot of mind bending awesomeness known as AFCGT had plans to release a record in early 2010 I raised my arms to the sky and thanked...Sub Pop Records. That might sound odd, but I thank them for continuing their relationship with the conjoined outfit formally known as the A Frames and Climax Golden Twins and releasing their new self-titled album on vinyl in early 2010. After two years of melding the A Frames' science fiction punk sound and the Climax Golden Twins expansive arrangements, AFCGT has produced an early front runner for best of 2010. Yes, I have previewed the self-titled release due January 26th and it's phenomenal. This Thursday the conglomerate bring their grandiose vision to Chop Suey as part of a bill that I am expecting to be quite the revelation. This particular show is sponsored by local psyche enthusiasts Portable Shrines, the group responsible for the excellent Escalator Fest from earlier in the year, and also features Magik Markers, Sic Alps, and A Story of Rats. Expect an exhilarating and expansive journey, anyone care to join me for the ride?

Want to check out the new AFCGT song? Here you go, download "Two Legged Dog" for free now. AFCGT’s self-titled new release is available on Sub Pop Records on January 26th, 2010 as both a vinyl LP (with bonus 7-inch single!) and as a digital album (without bonus 7-inch single!), though not as a compact disc.

PS. Oh yeah, have you heard "Black Forest"? Seek it immediately!!

www.themagikmarkers.com
http://www.myspace.com/afcgt
http://www.sicalps.com/
http://www.myspace.com/astoryofrats
http://www.dumbeyes.com/

0 LIVE PREVIEW: Friday Conundrum

4 Shows. 1 Night. Tough Decisions.

Big night tonight in Seattle, plenty of excellent rock and metal to behold if so desired. I'm personally having a hard time choosing between these 4 shows in particular:

3 Inches of Blood, Red Fang, and Heiress (Power, stoner, and sludge metal can't go wrong) @ El Corazon

- This show is a sure bet for metal fans. 3IOB always impress, Red Fang will knock your socks off, and Heiress features ex-members of Himsa.

Melt-Banana, Tera Melos (Japananese noise addicts with proggy math-rockers) @ Chop Suey

- Melt-Banana will spin your head with a mix of grind and noise. Tera Melos play math rock like no one I've heard before, well worth checking out the Sargent House up and comers.

Pierced Arrows (ex-Dead Moon) @ Funhouse

- It's Funhouse owner and KEXP Sonic Reducer DJ Brian Foss's birthday party and you know he has booked a solid lineup which includes Fred and Toody of Dead Moon's newest project Pierced Arrows.

Exhausted Prayer (LA Progressive Death Metal) @ Galway Arms

- Exhausted Prayer play crushing death metal, and I have no idea how Galway Arms will be able to hold them. I'd be worried the place might disintegrate.

1 LIVE PREVIEW(S): Two Killer Shows Tonight

There are a couple ass kickers going down in the city tonight. First, down at Studio Seven Sweden's legendary black metal troop Marduk are finally here, after they were forced to cancel a gig earlier in the year with Mayhem. These guys have been around 20 years and are the epidemy of what black metal is all about. Also on the bill is Chicago psych-black metalists Nachtmystium. They put out one the best metal records of last year with 'Assassins: Black Meddle Part 1' and also released as solid EP entitled 'Doomsday Derelicts' in 2009. It isn't often we get black metal of this caliber in Seattle, so for me it's a can't miss opportunity.

The second show is a killer all local bill featuring the sonic punk of Mobile Slaughter Unit, the D&D inspired metal of The Keeper, and if you like the Murder City Devils you'll surely dig The Cold Cold Ground. These are some of the most interesting bands playing in Seattle at the moment, and since many of the players in these bands are friends it should be one big family reunion party.

Want to hear some of these killer local bands?

Download a free sampler from Algerbay Records here

0 SHOW PREVIEW: EYEHATEGOD @ El Corazon

Oh yeah if you haven’t heard…..This show is TONIGHT!

A gratuitous and epic display of some of Seattle’s best metal with AKIMBO, LESBIAN and GREY, and I shouldn't have to mention infamous New Orleans’ sludge legends EYEHATEGOD. They deserve no introduction, they are back and are actually fucking playing Seattle tonight. I've only felt this way maybe a few other times in recent memory: Celtic Frost in 2006, Carcass reunion in 2008, At the Gates reunion in 2008, and Pig Destroyer earlier this year. Oh, the unadulterated blackened joy.

0 LIVE PREVIEW: Heiress, The Abodox, Greyceon & Dog Shredder @ Funhouse

Stellar is only one of the words to describe tonight’s billing at the Funhouse. Let me just list those involved:

Dog Shredder
The Abodox
Greyceon
Heiress

Bellingham’s Dog Shredder blew minds at the Sunset a couple weeks ago with their impressive technical thrash. The Abodox released their first record in 6 years in 2009 and has returned to claim their throne in the world of sick grind. San Fran’s Greyceon brings a cello into the mix creating a totally different sound in dark progressive metal. Topping it all off is Heiress, now fronted by ex-Himsa front man John Pettibone, bow down and prepare to be brutalized.

Tonight (Dec. 3rd) at Funhouse
21+
$7 (Only $7? Support the bands and buy some swag!)

0 LIVE PREVIEW: SOTS Presents Blessed Deep & The Spinning Whips @ Blue Moon

Though I'll personally be knee deep in some legendary southern sludge at El Corazon for EYEHATEGOD on Friday. There are a few other shows happening that are worth your attention. One of them is being hosted by respected local music blog Sound on the Sound at the Blue Moon. Here is what they have to say about the show and the bands involved. Start making your Friday live music plans now!

Out of the remains of two of Seattle's most memorable rock bands of the 2000's, come the Spinning Whips and Blessed Deep Band who will both be playing their first show next Friday at the Blue Moon. The Spinning Whips is the new project of Ice Age Cobra's Jordan West (joined by members of the Magic Mirrors). The Blessed Deep Band is Holly Deye of Chuck Yay-Grr!, Lillydale, and your friendly Sunset Tavern bartender's latest musical adventure, Holly is joined by former members of Curious Mystery and Lake of Falcons. Opening the night will be What What Now, while the secret headliners will be "Sneaking Out & Getting Off" to close the night.
We think it's going to be an exciting night of local music and a chance to see some promising new bands.

Below are the full details:

Sound on the Sound Presents:
December 4th at the Blue Moon Tavern
45th St. NE & I-5 in Seattle

Blessed Deep Band
The Spinning Whips
What What Now,
and a special secret headliner who shall be called:
“Sneaking Out & Getting Off”

$5, 21+, 9pm

0 SRG Recommends: D.R.I. Tonight @ El Corazon

Preview by Jerry Howard

The soundtrack of my youth was provided by the Dirty Rotten Imbeciles and Metallica. D.R.I.'s Dealing With It and Four of a Kind would wind me up before heading out to cause a ruckus in little ol' Ogden, Utah.

I recall moanin' to whomever would listen about movie soundtracks. Sure we had the Repo Man soundtrack, but most soundtracks were just corporate schlock. Always a lover of film, I vowed if I ever had the opportunity to make films, I would use bands like D.R.I. in my movies. Little did I know, this dream would come true.

Figuring out what music to get for a film is critical. For the most part, dealing with record labels is a pain in the ass and costs a lot of dough. I decided to say 'Fuck it' and just shoot D.R.I. an email via myspace. Two weeks later, I received a message from Spike - the founder of D.R.I. who was cool and supportive and allowed us to use "Reaganomics" on our little film.

Now, tonight, I get to go thank the man in person. After twenty-five years, D.R.I. still kills it and, once again, I get to witness their madness live tonight at El Corazon.

For all you Seattle heads, get out and support one of the great punk/thrash bands of all time! Don't take these guys for granted. This is a must see opportunity!

0 SRG Recommends: With Friends Like These Tonight @ The Croc

Seattle’s With Friends Like These are celebrating the release of their new record "Dead & Gone" this evening at the Crocodile. A new discovery for me, I have been enjoying there infectious, melodic, sometimes abrasive indie punk sound. They have been compared to the likes of Jawbox and hold Jawbreaker and Fugazi as major influences. I have a gut feeling that tonight will be filled with hard driving guitar hooks, and intense anthemic rock.

With Friends Like These has recently signed to one time Salt Lake City label now based in Seattle-- Sound vs. Silence. SVSS has built up a solid roster of artists which includes Brad singer Shawn Smith. Come down to the Croc tonight and support a great local band as well as a great local indie label. Tickets available at the Door for $10. Also on the bill: Patrol, Palmer Electric, & Ships

0 SRG Recommends: Municipal Waste Tonight @ El Corazon

Thrash metal anyone? Tonight throwback party thrashers Municipal Waste are back in town. These guys seriously bring it live while rehashing a style of metal that was all the rage in the 80's. This is a good thing people! Equal parts D.R.I., The Accused, and old-school Anthrax, you can always expect neck snapping riffs, and plenty of beer chugging at a Municipal Waste show. These guys surely take their queues from the crossover metal phenomenon of the past, but in my humble opinion they may do it better than anyone ever has and surely better than anyone else currently trying today. Opening are Off With Their Heads, Phobia, and Cauldron.