Remember when life didn’t suck? Yeah, me either. I try, though, oh how I try, and lately, I’ve found that there’s something contagious about the boundless optimism that is exhibited within the context of a flash mob. Especially the flash mob I witnessed today. Last year, I recorded the 2011 Glee Flash Mob as it made its way form Capitol Hill, to Seattle Center, to Westlake...

Many years ago, I was born in a small town called Washington, D.C. During those years, I was quite the Foreskin fan, seeing the team play in RFK Stadium on many occasions. Over the last couple of decades, however, I lost touch with football altogether. The chaotic demands of life coupled with a deep-seated cynicism toward corporate sports meant that nearly 20 years would elapse before I would...

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again … Love Battery is the most underrated band in the history of music. Over the years, I’ve mentioned this group in my various articles a few dozen times, and in the process, I’ve turned a lot of people on to the band. Not once has anyone been disappointed. Love Battery was one of the best bands in Seattle during Sub Pop’s meteoric rise,...

I’m just a bill, yes I’m only a bill, and I’m posted here on Capitol Hill. Thank God you were, otherwise I would have missed tomorrow night’s Love Battery gig at The Mix. Love Battery is one of the greatest Seattle bands ever. Hell, they’re one of the greatest bands ever, period. There are no advanced ticket sales, which means that posting this could result in my...

About a month ago, when the Cinerama began selling tickets for the premiere of the Pearl Jam 20 movie, I looked at my late September calendar and realized that my schedule would be chaotic. I might be available to see the show, and then again, I might not. Because of this, I decided against purchasing tickets. Not so much for financial reasons (two tickets would have been $18), but because I...

I know that this news has been out since last month, but I’m just now getting somewhat excited about it. Every now and then, a band comes along that blows your mind, and as you are listening to their albums or watching them live, you wonder “How is this not the biggest band on the planet? Is the world collectively deaf? What the hell is wrong with people?” Of course, you...

The Capitol Hill Block Party kicked off one hour ago, and I walked up the hill to check it out. So far, the only thing going on is security folks being kind of obnoxious. No music, no vendors, just guys in black shirts running around saying “you can’t walk here!” and “you can’t walk there!” while glaring at you in their most humorous,...

Yesterday during the Pro Shop opening, Sound Wave, the Seattle Sounders band performed a few songs. I recorded one of them.

I just had lunch in Pioneer Square where I discovered the “Out to Lunch – Summer in the City” concert series. What are the Out to Lunch concerts? I’m glad you asked. Twice each week, there will be free concerts held throughout the city in a variety of locations and genres from Cuban Salsa to Ragtime. Yes, Ragtime. I wasn’t aware that Ragtime was still being played,...

Yesterday, while hanging out in Lake Union Park, I observed a flotilla heading south toward Downtown Seattle. I watched as the fleet got closer and closer, and just before they made landfall, I was able to identify their origin. Sure enough, they were Canadian. Oh no! I knew this day was coming, I just didn’t expect it to be so soon. I thought we had another 5, maybe 10 years before the...

I just pulled some video from Folklife ’11 from my camera, and I put together a short piece from Calvin’s performance on Saturday. He starts off the set by answering the question “What do you think of Seattle Rex”, and then segues into a couple of songs. ...

Yesterday, I headed over to the Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center. To be honest, I didn’t head over for the festival as much as I did to catch a specific artist. You see, Olympia’s favorite son, Calvin Johnson was playing a set at the “Folklife Cafe” (which was inexplicably not a cafe at all). This is the same Calvin Johnson who is the primary namesake for the large park...

This afternoon, I was walking through Westlake Park when all of a sudden I was attacked by a vicious pack of zombies. Where did they come from? I don’t know. What did they want? Brains, I guess. Not wanting to miss the next season of American Idol, I wasn’t going to go easily. I made a dash for the nearby subway station, and the zombies quickly followed. They chased me down the...

The Melvins played a two-show residency at the Croc in Belltown this past weekend, and of course, they killed it on both nights. Both shows were quickly sold out, and the shows were great, but when Monday came around, I found myself nagged by a question. In 2011, why in the HELL am I still seeing The Melvins in venues like the Croc? Don’t get me wrong, the Croc is a great venue, but The Melvins...

Has been announced: A lot of hipster bands playing elevator music, but some really good bands too. The Posies TV on the Radio Explosions in the Sky Ghostland Observatory Thurston Moore The Cave Singers Battles Ra Ra Riot Les Savy Fav Handsome Furs Kurt Vile and The Violators Yuck F**ked Up Telekinesis Cults Cold Cave Woods Fences Pink Mountaintops My Goodness Papercuts Austra The Fresh and...

Wow. Seattle Rex has been nominated for “News – Best Website” in The 2011 Seattle Web Awards presented by the Seattle Weekly: http://polls.seattleweekly.com/polls/sew/webawards11/ I’m usually quite cynical toward “awards”, but when people take the time out of their day to vote for you, how can you not appreciate it? Also, no matter how much the whole “indie” thing dictates...

Today, auditions for the FOX show “The X Factor” are being held at the Key Arena, and I dropped by this morning to see if I would be amused by anyone in the crowd. Unfortunately, most of the contestants were fairly laid back and quiet, at least until the network cameras panned over them. What struck me the most about this event were the security instructions being blared on a loop...

An article with many photos from Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses.

According to a story on the Capitol Hill Blog, this year’s Capitol Hill Block Party will (probably) be a three day affair once again: http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2011/04/13/city-approves-third-day-for-2011-capitol-hill-block-party Final approval for the event is contingent on a safety plan, but I’m fairly certain that such a plan will be drafted. Last year, the expanded event...

I spent the day today following a flash mob all over the city of Seattle. Why? Because it was there … and a couple of friends were in it. The action started at 11:00am at the Cal Anderson Park ballfields for a final rehearsal. When practice was over, the mob headed down to the Space Needle where the first performance was scheduled. Once there, a couple of the main performers did a media...

At Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill: Watch live rehearsal video here: http://www.seattlerex.com/seattle-glee-flash-mob-rehearsals-video/ Read about and view final flash mob performances throughout Seattle here:...

The Melvins, the most important band of the last 30 years, will be playing The Crocodile on Friday May 13th and Saturday May 14th. On Friday, they will perform the entirety of records Lysol, Eggnog, and Houdini. On Saturday, they will perform the entirety of Bullhead and Stoner Witch. Tickets are only 25 bones, and all proceeds will go toward hiring a professional hair stylist for Buzz. This is...

Wow … J Mascis, singer/songwriter for Dinosaur Jr. and guitar player genius god is playing Ballard’s Tractor Tavern on April 29th, 2011. The Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Boston gigs are full (hipsters love J but don’t let that stop you), so the Seattle gig not being sold out currently is a gift to the Puget Sound. Apparently, this will be an acoustic gig instead of an ear-splitter,...

Earlier today, I found myself strolling past the new offices of Sub Pop Records. My, how it took me back. Pavitt, Ponemon, the whole “grunge” thing. Hours in cramped vans, smashed guitars, heroin for breakfast, and tinnitus for days. They were the best of times, they were the worst of times, but they were times. I haven’t looked Sub Pop’s way in awhile, but if I thought things were...

‘Tres Mts’ — Jeff Ament’s new project is playing the Showbox on March 16th. Joining him on stage will be none other than Mike McCready. Count me in.