We originally got tix moths ago to see Ayron Jones and the Pretty Reckless play at the Moore Theater for only $10. Day of I was excited to go and Jake called me and let me know tix were going for Motley Crue and Def Leppard for only $10 on Stub Hub.
As much as I love Ayron Jones I’d seen him before and felt I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see some killer 80’s band. We got the tix and I bussed downtown to meet up with them. We unfortunately missed Joan Jett who I would have absolutely loved to have seen. Poison was playing when I finally sat down.
Although Poison isn’t my favorite band by a long shot, and although it think they’re very cheesy, they put on an awesome show and sounded great. Guitar playing was phenominal and Brett’s stage presence was great as well. “Win big, mamma’s fallen angelllll” and “ain’t looking for nothing but a good time” were stuck in my head for days afterwards. Me Jake Paige and Scott went and It was fun seeing Paige up and dancing to the 80s songs.
Next up was Motley Crue and they seemed to play for hours. I was surprised at just how many songs I knew of there’s, a lot of them I didn’t know they sang. They weren’t as tight and Vince’s voice wasn’t as good as it used to be. That being said they’re definitely entertainers and knew how to put on a show. They had supermodels up on stage doing basically strip dances and at one point Tommy Lee asked girls in the audience to show their boobs. That was a first for me and kinda lived up to the Motley Crue vibes I was expecting.
After Motley Crue was Def Leppard. It was getting late on a Wednesday though and I only got to see 3 songs. I really wish I would have stayed because they absolutely killed it. They were by far the best sounding band of the night and the guitar playing was the best as well. I hope I can catch them again one day.
Overall it was a great last minute thing to do on a wednesday and something I’m sure I’ll remember forever. 80’s is fun!
Doing a bunch of posts the same night so I don’t forget so I’m going to make this quick too. This one is different from most shows as this was paid for by my work and part of a Costco charity event. I was excited to see Brandi Carlisle was playing as I know she’s amazing and also love that she’s local.
She said they had flew in from Philadelphia so regrettably didn’t have drums. She was surprised she was playing in the middle of the field, I think she must have assumed it be a much smaller event. Nevertheless she put on an acoustic show and although I don’t know many of her songs it was killer and her voice blew me away. Everyone was pretty transfixed the whole time, especially for a corporate type event.
Anyways, looking forward to seeing her play again, with a full band, at bourbon and beyond festival!
These were actually 2 different shows but both at Climate Pledge. I would love to expand on both of these in detail but since I’ve waited so long I’m going to keep it brief. My main reason for doing this is to just remember shows I’ve been to and when so I suppose this accomplishes that task. I’m irritated its taken me so long and I’m worried I may have forgot some other shows that I’ve been to just due to taking so long. I guess I should cut myself some slack, what with getting married and all!
Paul McCartney was first and a lifelong dream of mine. That show was May 3rd. I honestly thought I’d never get to see him live and it amazes me that I was able to. Tickets were very expensive, I had to talk Jake into splurging but told him its probably our last chance. We didn’t quite get the club seats I wanted and were back corner but on the first tier.
The show was, of course, amazing. The sound where we sat could have been better. We were under the overhang of the second tier and I think it made the music more bass-y. Some highlights of the show for me was when the platform raised and he played blackbird as well as when some fireworks went off inside for “Live and Let Die”. Paul told a lot of funny stories, one about Eric Clapton, and was so personable. He’s a great entertainer and a living legend so of course the show was great. I think we went to bad bar after the show and I left around midnight but I may be confusing that w/ Jack White now that its been so long.
For Jack White it was awesome as well! That show was June 8. It was my second time seeing him solo and my third time seeing him if you include the Raconteurs. I thought this time was better. Me and Jake were definitely dancing in the stands and we had great seats in the club section. Jake was able to weasel a pass from the bartender and we were able to walk up in the suite section to check that out. We also tried to get down on the floor but the guard wasn’t having it. guess the pass wasn’t that great!
Im amazed at how some of his weirder songs that I don’t necessarily enjoy listening to at home sound so great live. Especially songs from boarding house reach. Before I forget, the opening band was good too. They were called the backseat lovers. Maybe a little too much reverb but a respectable rock show nonetheless! Overall one thing I do recall was there wasn’t as many people there as I would expect.
I’m looking forward to catching jack white again at bourbon and beyond festival!
Before I forget completely, I’ve seen a lot of shows. I’ve probably forgotten one or two unfortunately but quick list!
-Maroon 5 at Whiteriver Amphitheater -My Morning Jacket at the Paramount -Kevin Morby at the Moore -The Eagles at Climate Pledge -Mudhoney at the new Crocodile -The Darkness at Showbox Market -John Mayer at Climate Pledge.
Maroon 5 was like a 2 year delayed show that we finally got to see in August or so of 2021. It was a Wednesday or Thursday and was a late Christmas present for Alyssa so I got off work and drove us down there. Traffic was great both ways and we had a good time being out and about with no masks. I waited in line for food for no joke an hour so I missed a few of the beginning songs but since I’d seen Maroon 5 I wasn’t too worried about it. I was happy to see Alyssa having such a great time. The opener for this show was a guy I hadn’t heard before named blackbear. Wasn’t my style of music but wasn’t terrible. Overall was a good time, and was nice to make it out with my fiancee!
My Morning Jacket was at the Paramount and was actually going to be a 2 parter. The first night we were supposed to go see Kings of Leon at Whiteriver but their mom passed away so the show was cancelled. This was my second time seeing My Morning Jacket and it was great time. It was even more special since most of my friends were there since this was my bachelor party. I rented and air bnb in bell town so it was a stress free time seeing the show and then doing some bar hopping afterwards. My Morning Jacket absolutely killed, and the lights as always were perfect.
Kevin Morby at the Moore was in October or November. this was a great show I talked Jake Flatt into going with me to. I’d like Kevin Morby for a long time and I had showed Jake the song “City Music” and he really liked that one so agreed to go. This show was slower paced than most shows I like going to but I was surprised at how rockin’ it got. Jake and I did get yelled at by our seat “neighbor” for having too much fun but other than that we had a great time.
The Eagles was a free show. Work gave me 2 free tickets to the “club” section at the new Climate Pledge. I was really excited to go to the new arena cause I’d heard it was really great and had awesome sound. I was not disappointed. Best stadium/arena I’d ever been to, and the club section was amazing. The eagles were damn near perfect. The show was Hotel California from front to back. The first song they came out to was of course Hotel California and a guy came out and put a record on and then the band was revealed. It started out a little rough as Don Henley’s voice “adjusted” but by the second song it was perfect. And I mean that. Vince Gill filled in for Glen Frey and he did amazing as well. overall I was really impressed with the show. Joe Walsh was hilarious, reminded me of an old Jake Flatt. Alyssa and I knew every song, I’m pretty sure. We had a great time and finished it up with some drinks at a local bar as we waited on an Uber to take us home.
This next one is a two parter. I got free tickets to Mudhoney at the new crocodile on ST. Patty’s day so I took off work that Friday. As luck would have it The Darkness was playing The Showbox market that Friday so Jake and I lined these up and settled in for a rowdy couple of nights. I’d seen Mudhoney twice before but lets just say the memory was hazy. I’m not the biggest fan of them but they undeniably have great energy. The opener was a local punk band and they were punk for sure. I think every song they played was a minute or less. It was great night out with all the Flatt guys and we did some barhopping afterwards. I really enjoyed the new crocodile and I’m looking forward to the next shows I go to there! The Darkness at The Showbox was one of my favorite shows ever simply due to how fun they are. It was nice to take a break midway through the show and look around and realize how much I’d missed live music. I was overcome by how much I missed it! this show was great and I knew most every song, but I was VERY tired from the night before as we’d stayed up until like 6 in the morning. Overall a great couple of nights.
Finally John Mayer at Climate Pledge. I got these tickets for me and Alyssa but Alyssa couldn’t make it due to her bachelorette party being the next morning. I thought about it and my buddy Cody had been talking about how much he’d been enjoying the new John Mayer album so I hit him up and told him I’d give him the tickets for free if he drove. I’m really glad he did! We stopped in Bad Bar beforehand and had a few drinks and met up with my buddy Nick who was bartending. We talked about recording and then we left for the show. John Mayer absolutely killed it. I was surprised, but not sure why. All musicians were world class. He came out in a white 80’s style suit and the backdrop was of course all 80’s out in support of his latest album Sob Rock. I just loved seeing/hearing all the guitar solos. A lot of the songs I heard I never truly appreciated hearing on their own but seeing them live gives them a whole new dimension. John also jams them all out. Really it was just a spectacular night and me and Cody were both buzzed up. Afterwards we met up with Jake Flatt and Collin at Bad Bar and they had karaoke going. We had an absolute blast but Jesus, I probably wasn’t home until 1:30 and had to work the next day. WORTH IT.
So that covers all the shows I think, and as far as what I’ve been listening to lately it’s been Spoon’s album “Lucifer on the Sofa”, some Glen Campbell and Doug Sahm, Modest Mouse “The Lonesome Crowded West” and the new Red Hot Chili Peppers record “Unlimited Love”. Im obsessed with the song “Here Ever After”, its a BANGER.
2020 was a drag. A year I initially thought was going to be the best ever when it comes to live music ended up with a lot of masks and alone time. I’ve been busy. I grew my record collection big time. I guess I needed to find some way to spend the money I would have on tickets on something else music related. I also spent a lot of money getting a very basic home studio going. I’m still working on those building blocks but looking forward to improving.
Anyways just wanted to check in on this thing and leave some notes as to what I’ve been listening to lately for posterity purposes. List below!
ZZ Top – Just watched a documentary and got back into them. A couple years ago my band Dirty Rugs covered one of the songs of Tres Hombres. I really got into that album but never listened to anything else from them. I just ordered their first album and their album deguello(sic??). Their first album arrived today and I love it, can’t wait for deguello.
Royal Blood – I got bored of these guys a couple years ago. I remember when they first came out and I was OBSESSED. Complete rock and roll. However after a while their sound kind of got old to me. Their new album they’re definitely switching things up, and their new song LIMBO is one of the best new songs I’ve heard. Im just in love with the drums and the outdo.
Procul Harem – Actually I’ve only been listening to “Whiter Shade of Pale” but what a great song. I actually heard this from a King Curtis cover. It sounded so familiar but I couldn’t place it. Such a great song. highly recommend and I want to do a cover some day!
Paul Cauthen – Kinda Cheesy but so unique and good. So happy Kayla’s husband Lukey showed me him. Just a good infectious sound that I’ve been spinning a lot.
Cheap Trick – What an amazing, awesome band. Always one of those bands I’ve heard of but never gave a chance or got into. I got two of their albums and love them both. They really embody the rock and roll spirit.
Wow, here it is mid-July and I’m just now getting around to writing about my last concert of 2020. Obviously a lot has happened since then which has caused my severe delay on writing this. Lol who am I kidding, I don’t keep up with this that well anymore…
Anyways, at least I have a good reason this time. IN THIS CASE, the delay is due to a Pandemic which essentially shut down everything I love to do. Go to a bar with friends? FORGET ABOUT IT. Travel to see Pearl Jam in Arizona? FORGET ABOUT IT. Travel to see Rage Against the Machine in New Mexico? FORGET ABOUT IT. Social life ended.
For the first time since I was 16 (estimate) I was completely sober for 2 months straight. Yes you heard that right. When I say completely sober I mean no alcohol, no cigarettes, no weed. For two months. Straight. I don’t know what caused me to stop but it helped me realized I’m a completely social, extroverted person. When that “extrovertedness” was taken from me, I quit doing anything fun.
Some of my friends asked me how it was. I mean most everyone drank even more being isolated. But really I told them it wasn’t that great. I don’t understand the big hubbub about not having any vices. Life loses a sense of excitement and “realness”. But hey, do whatever makes you happy. Thats my motto.
Since mid-May I’ve settled into drinking a couple beers twice a week and having 2 or 3 cigars a week. Cigars are my new thing. Way better than cigarettes. Alyssa is upset that I’m smoking something again but hey its better than packs of cigs. I haven’t had a single cigarette since my birthday and I plan to keep it that way. Weirdly enough I have no want to ever smoke another one.
Anyways, enough about my developments, 2020 was essentially shaping up to be my best concert year ever by far. I had bought and paid for tickets to see Jim James with a whole orchestra, Pearl Jam and Rage who I mentioned earlier. Was even eyeballing going to a concert a Red Rocks for Laren’s Bachelor Party. But as everyone reading this is aware, all concerts are put to a stop until further notice. It likely won’t be until 2021 when I see another show.
I was excited after beginning the year with Dirty Honey for my birthday and then this gem of a concert, The Strokes. Had I known it was my last hoorah I would have made it so much more special, but my experience just sums up where I am at life.
I ubered down and met up with Kyle and Jake. to be honest its been too long for me to even remember what we were doing beforehand, but I’d almost guarantee we went to the Central to pregame a few beers.
I do know we weren’t concerned about seeing the openers. When we showed up we went straight to the beer garden and had a few beers. After a few beers someone showed up, I can’t remember who, and Jake and Kyle ran off with them real quick leaving me holding the drinks. I waited for a while and ended up drinking all of them. I had to go to the bathroom so I left and Never saw Jake and Kyle the rest of the show.
While this may sound like a bad thing it ended up being a good thing. When I got done in the bathroom the strokes had just started. I rushed in and made my way actually pretty close in the crowd. Had I stayed with Jake and Kyle I would have been in the beer garden the whole time which is much further back.
At this point in time covid19 was well known and it was probably pretty stupid all of us being there. I did have an inkling in my head to try not to “breathe” too much or get too close to other people. Sounds stupid but I just want to give you all a sense of where I was at mentally. I was buzzed and a little paranoid of the close contact of the crowd I was in.
Anyways I stayed the whole concert but left before the encore. The Strokes put on a good show. Wasn’t near the top or the bottom of all the shows I’ve been to. Was just OK really. Can’t say I regret spending the money on it, or regret going. Did I expect more? Not sure I did honestly. It was an OK show and felt like one I needed to go to. I’m not the biggest Strokes fan but they have their place in rock and roll history and I wanted to see them while I could.
There was no screw ups that I could tell, they we’re really tight, and the light show was great. Vocals were great. Crowd was awesome as the “kids” in front of me were swing dancing and singing all the words. I always like seeing that. I guess after seeing The Who and Primus, and Raconteurs, and Dawes, and Eagles of Death Metal, and other great shows I’ve seen, what separates the GREAT shows is enthusiasm, and the Strokes really don’t run around stage much or do much crowd interaction.
However this is likely again influenced by the weird place the world was at when they played this show. I think it was like a day or to after this show the state shut down pretty much all bars/restraunts/and retail. So this was truly a last hoorah and many people expected this show to be cancelled.
All in all if you want my opinion, you should go see the Strokes. I really like their new album, and their performance of the music live was spot on and great. Granted, they didn’t have the energy of dirty honey or many other bands I’ve seen live, but it was still a good time.
Favorite song the whole night was Juicebox. I had never heard that song before, and the lights and music were just perfect and VERY ROCKIN.
I’ve been on a role with music lately and haven’t been paying much attention to posting on this site. The whole reason I started this up was to remember music I came across and essentially be able to look back and find all my old gems again. I haven’t been doing a great job, and so I’m just going to make a short, lazy list of all the stuff I’ve been digging so its documented
Jim James – The Order of Nature (Just bought tickets to Benaroya Hall!)
Andy Shauf – Neon Skyline (specifically dig Clove Cigarette, also in love with the “concept” of the album”)
Pearl Jam – Dance of the Clairvoyants single that just came out is absolutely KILLER. in love with it so much. Bought tickets to see them in PHOENIX.
WAYLON JENNINGS – The whole Leaving Town album. I got a cool record from Silver Platters for a steal of deal. A lot of the songs off of that were on this album and it coordinated fantastically with my trip to Canada. Specifically I really dig the song “Time to Bum Again”
Grand Funk Railroad – This is another record I got from silver platters that is absolutely phenomenal. Specifically love the song nothing is the same. So good, just rocking’ as hell.
The Replacements – Went on a spree of listening to “Can’t Hardly Wait”and got into almost all their songs. So crazy I was completely unaware of these guys. Love his ragged voice, and their unbridled, raw energy.
Mason Jennings – Songs From When We Met. This album is such a wedding album. Some good love songs. He’s got a great voice, and super chill. Great for rainy days.
Kevin Morby – The Oh My God album got a bunch of spins this winter. Just hits a good vibe for the cloudiness of Seattle. Great driving music.
REM – Been listening to the remastered Monster album a bunch. Love the distortion on the guitars.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Getaway album I disregarded when it was released, what an idiotic move for me. Really got into this album. Listened to it a bunch on the way up to Canada as well. Specifically I just love the chorus of the song “The Getaway”. really connects!
Dio – Killing the Dragon – What would my list be without some DIO. I wear myself out every year around this time just playing nonstop DIO. I had never listened to this album before though and really got into the title track. Just rocking’, ya know?!
I like to post song spotlights as kind of a running tab on what music I’m listening to. Its so cool to look back and see the different songs I’ve been obsessed with. As the years go on I think this list will get more and more eclectic and interesting.
After my yearly Dio obsession I got real into Megadeth. I had never heard “Holy Wars” and became obsessed with some of the riffs within the song. (right around the 2:40 mark). I just think it’s a brilliantly heavy song. Definitely makes me want to rock out. Check it out!
2019 has brought a lot of changes for me. I got promoted at my job and it’s been a huge influx of work. I don’t feel like a “zombie” anymore but the mental toll has taken a bite out of my life outside of work hours. Anyways, not here to complain, but I would chalk that up as to why I haven’t been out and about as much. I believe this is my first big show of 2019 and hey, it was great one!
I’ve been trying to see Built to Spill since I first heard of them when I moved to Seattle 6 years ago. At that time I was in a band called Po’ Brothers and we had played the Blue Moon Tavern in Seattle. A guy there by the name of Larry told us we reminded him of Built to Spill. I had never heard of them and was intrigued so I bought their album “There’s Nothing Wrong With Love” in Bellingham.
While that Album was great, what really sold me on Built to Spill was “Keep it Like a Secret”. This album alone got me into a whole new universe of music and helped ensure that Built to Spill is one of my top favorite bands. Can I put a number to it? Not really but probably somewhere in the top 30.
Anyways I’m rambling but that’s good. I haven’t got on here in a while so sometimes you need to just let loose. Any whooo… I’d missed Built to Spill at the Showbox multiple times, probably at least 3 times but maybe more. Anyways I was on Facebook and saw that they were playing Columbia City Theater. I thought it was a fluke or something at first but once I found out it was real I bought tickets immediately. Alyssa didn’t want to go so I asked Jake Naville if he’d like to go.
Jake was kind enough to get us an uber down there. We were probably the first people there which surprised me. I must think more highly of Built to Spill than most people because I was picturing throngs of people just beating down the doors to get in there. We had a bunch fo beers, met some guy named John who was all of 5’3″ and all about smoking some weed. That definitely set the tone for the rest of the night
I wasn’t initially wanting to see the openers, rather I just wanted to focus on partying. But the show was delayed or there was a late start or something. Anyways a band called the French Tips opened it up. and MY GOD did they open it up. I was completely astounded at how great they were. Their bass tone was amazing and all the instruments tones were just perfectly spaced and complimented each other so well.
Seriously, The French Tips encapsulate great rock music to me. They had the tones, the energy, the rawness, the whole package. By the end of their set I was an instant fan. I really regret not buying merchandise but I had spent too much money to get to enjoy that part. I have to say it really surprised me, but I’m so happy I got to see them because now when they come back I’ll be there in a heart beat. 10/10 highly recommend.
Next up was Orua who was great as well. I feel bad writing so little about them but I probably wasn’t paying as much attention as I should to their set. After being so enthralled with the French tips it was back to drinking and smoking for me. They’re from Brazil so a lot of the words I didn’t understand, but I can tell you they rocked out and I did enjoy watching them.
Finally Built to Spill came on. I was surprised to learn before the show that Doug Martsch routinely changes members of Built to Spill and was honestly a little worried. I very quickly found out that I had nothing to worry about.
It seems he had members from Orua filling in for all the positions of the band. I gotta admit I didn’t notice any funkiness or anything that was off. That is crazy to me from a musicians standpoint because I’m not sure I could just going a band and play their music with the same gusto and perfection that I’ve come to have with my own music.
I was really excited that they played “the Plan” towards the beginning of the set. Probably one of my favorite one of their songs so it really drew me into the rest of the set. If your a newbie who hasn’t heard their stuff I would definitely start there.
Doug is looking old these days but he sings perfectly and moves around stage like a young guy. One guy I was standing next to described his demeanor on stage as that of a bobblehead and I laughed and had to agree. It’s funny seeing this high pitched “nice” voice coming from a balding 50 year old guy that kind of bobbles his head as he sings.
They went on to play “Center of the Universe”, “In the Morning”, and “Randy Described Eternity” among others. As I said earlier everything came through perfectly. That speaks to how great the musicians are that he had play with them.
Anyways it was a great night, and I think me and Jake may have had too much fun. the next day was rough at work but it was well worth it. I got to hold on to these times, I never wanna miss out or lose out on a good time because I’m worried about what tomorrow will bring. Thats no way to live!
Mark another concert off my list and I hope to get out and see another one soon.
Its always been a dream of mine to see CCR. They’ve always had this mystique behind them that just makes it seem like there was no world of music before they were around. Seriously, they have so many hits in the short amount of time they were together it truly is insane. And its just a distinct classic sound, it really does blow my mind that John Fogerty is only 70.
Jake came through in the clutch and offered me a free ticket to see Fogerty at the Chateau Ste Michelle Winery. Well I should say Paige came through since she ended up bailing so Jake had the extra ticket to begin with. Anyways I had my reservations. First off, its only John Fogerty (not the full CCR band), 2nd he’s super old, and third it’s at a winery. But it’s free and I’m easy, so I said yes.
Jake kindly drove all the way there. We pulled up to park (which was completely full) and Jake just drove past all the security to the “reserved” area and parked. Easy enough! We even crossed some barricades and red tape and went in the back way. Didn’t get to meet Fogerty though.
So anyways we’re finally in this joint and it’s wayyyyy fancier and nicer than we were expecting. I mean I don’t know what we were expecting since we knew it was a winery, but this was..uhh…not our scene. Lots of old folks. We even saw people eating salad, AT A ROCK CONCERT. Everyone apparently got there after their early morning mall walks because the place was packed.
Me and Jake went immediately to the wine bar and bought 2 bottles which we would then drink from the bottle the rest of the concert. we attempted to find a cool spot but literally everybody had claimed huge amounts of land with their picnic baskets and chairs and coolers and what-have-yous. We brought nothing so we made our way back to the dumpsters. That place sucked so then we went to the very, very back. This was a much better spot and actually not too bad of a view. We could drink our wine from the bottle in relative peace and also gander at the peacock that was randomly walking around the concert.
Alright so nows about the time John Fogerty hits the stage and right away we knew it was going to be a good show. He sounded amazing! To top it off he was even playing CCR. I was worried since it was a solo show he’d only stick to his solo stuff but fortunately I was wrong.
He was running around stage like a wild man. It was cool to see. His crowd interaction was great and he even had some cool stories to tell the crowd. He held up his guitar and told a cool story about how it had been stolen back in the early 70’s. Apparently his wife found it in 2010 , bought it, and gave it back to him as a birthday present. Pretty neat! If it had been my guitar that would have been stolen I would have fallen apart, can’t imagine how great it must of been to be reunited with it.
About halfway through the show he brought up his kids on stage. One son plays guitar and the other is a definite front man. He came out in an all red (looked to be velvet) 70’s one piece suit and was jumping around and singing with his dad. I thought that was pretty cool. Apparently their in a band called Hardy Har. I haven’t listened to them yet but I can’t imagine its terrible with a legend as their father.
Anyways, was a great time and I’d definitely be down to see him again, although if its at the same venue next time I’m getting there early and bringing lawn chairs. Here’s a vid (that I didn’t take) from the same concert!
