White Orange - White Orange

Loud.  Insane.  Tritely comprehensive.  A shit ton of fun.  This could pretty much sum up Portland Oregon’s newly founded thrash rock sensations White Orange.  They are a loud brand of pyschedlic madness, the likes of which have rarely been noticed until now.  With their self titled debut album in hand, this is a group that is approachable for metal, punk, and good old rock and roll fans alike.

While a track with a title such as “Kill The Kids” might disrupt the average not-so-hard rock listener, it is actually a track that holds a 90’s alternative to everything sound that was so highly acclaimed when Sonic Youth did it a decade before, while being accepted in the grunge era as well.  Sure, White Orange is prone to a bit of screaming, but they are without a doubt a much finer portayl of thrash core than their previous successors of this age.  They take sort of classical element when composing tracks like “Save Me” and “Color Me Black”, the latter of which is very reminiscent of the highly underrated Stabbing Westward.

While we have become prone to only loving simplistic indie rock and understandable heavy metal, there should always remain a soft spot for the hard edged, exterminators of reality sound that a group like White Orange has blessed us with in this strangely distant day and age.  Sometimes we just need to rock.  But how can we do this without losing our artistic integrity?  Just throw in White Orange’s self titled beauty and begin to relive the glory years when “alternative” was not a brand name for bullshit radio stations playing “Spoon Man” on repeat while advertising mattress outlets.  Rather the period where you could be loud, proud, and purposely deprived of adhering to the social norms.  You know, the way rock and roll was suppose to be!

Lotte Kestner

Even the meekest and most pretentious hipster on earth should clearly admit Beyonce Knowles has a voice that can call upon the angels of the midnight hour tstare the world down until all of their children are safe.  We also know, based upon the words of the one of the finest artists of the modern world, that she made “THE GREATEST VIDEO OF ALL TIME!!!”.  But, what happens when the king of modern R&B is unintentionally outdone?  Is it possibly that a goddess from the independent music world could legitimize a pop princess?  The answer is yes.  Yes, because the great Anna-Lynne Williams decided she would strive for such a feat.

Lotte Kestner — “Halo” | download
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Lotte Kestner’s (Anna-Lynne William’s solo project) latest album, a collection of somewhat obscure covers, is obviously beautiful.  Her interpretations of Trash Can Sinatras and Interpol are obviously commendable as she spews her beautiful vocal chords upon the world.  But, somewhere on the bonus disc of the aptly titled Stolen, we find the wife of the hip hop legend Sean Carter.  We find Williams creating something so sensual and captivating, it is extremely hard to believe these words did not come straight from her heart, but from any given songwriter who will probably always remain nameless.

Beyonce can sing.  This is obvious.  But, anyone who hears Lotte Kestner spill out her heart to the same words the lady of R&B once did, should instantly realize that an improvement was made.  Should Mrs. Carter ever come across this track, I can feel that even she would agree that she was trumped.  Hopefully she can understand.  And if she doesn’t, we can still be entirely thankful that we have beautiful voices all over the world.  From Knowles to Williams, we can be happy for these tones of beauty that plague even our darkest moments.  Within these folk’s talents, we can find peace.  We can find love.
Lotte Kestner’s latest album “Stolen”, and the 5 song bonus EP, featuring “Halo”, can be found at SaintLoupRecords.com.  The critically acclaimed debut of Lotte Kestner, “China Mountain”, can also be purchased from the site as well.

Jonathan Jones

Jonathan Jones of We Shot The Moon is coming to you, Utah! Yes, the piano man behind the acclaimed indie pop troubadours We Shot The Moon is striking out on his own to support his latest solo effort, Community Group. He’s got a swell band to cover his ass on the way through the Inland Northwest as well. To help distribute the wealth of piano laced excellence, Jones has enlisted his fellow Moonies, as well as some new recruits including Spokane, Wa., based drummer Ben Hilzinger (The Young Professionals). It is suffice to say, something brilliant is in the work for you his already adoring fans.

Community Group is likely to be known as Jonathan Jones’s finest work to date. One listen to a track like “East Coast Feeling” brings to might the powers that be as being ever present and phenomenal in an entirely non-theological sense. Only the sense that one man’s sensual ability can bring your heart ablaze as melodies and harmonized beauty sweep and swill through your body. The kind of feelings only a wonderful song can invoke within you. So, find your way to whatever fine venue our hero of virtue and musical genius might be spitting his venom of positivity into the faces of an adoring crowd. Go ahead. Go get spit on!

To hear Community Group in its entirety and for three free downloads, including the amazing “East Coast Feeling”, visit jonathanjonesmusic.com.

Find Jonathan Jones in a city near you very soon:

6/22 – Logan, UT @ Logan Arthouse

6/23 – Provo, UT @ Velour

6/24 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court

6/25 – Rexburg, ID @ Hemming Village Complex (FREE Show)

6/27 – Boise, ID @ The Venue

Soul Distraction

If you’ve ever dug through your parent’s vinyl collection and felt a slight sense of apathy you can’t really explain, trust in me that you are not alone.  Most of us in our 20’s and early 30’s know that there was a period of time, in which some of us were actually alive, that you could turn on the radio and hear a song that was absolutely to die for.  Although most of us can’t really remember such a time.

Soul Distraction — “Talk About It Later”
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Now, we all know such ideals are pretty much dead and gone (save for the resurrection of Cee Lo Green), and we are more app’ed (get it?) to digging around on our iPhones and finding the next underground sensation from a city we may have never heard of, and will probably be disbanded within a year after a SXSW appearance and a west and/or east coast tour.  We love the music for the music.  But, we seem to have lost the Cheap Tricks and the Deep Purples that once were ruling the airwaves, as well as our hearts.  And if you long for that classic rock vibe that has seemed to disappeared into the depths of the indie rock sea, fear not, because the sound has been recaptured in a way you probably never imagined.  And the high definition lens showing us the future, as well as the past, is seen through the eyes of Portland’s Soul Distraction.

Soul Distraction is to old school rock n’ roll what renaissance fairs must be to monarchy buffs.  Hearing these their heavy guitar riffs mash up with Elsa Faith’s soothing yet demanding vocal chords is a sure fire reminder of what it used to mean to be an all around talented group of folks making music that not only appeals to the masses, but shows an array of emotion that is trumped only by the spirit and courage to move forward in a world where total obscurity is more important than the ability to turn the old into something completely fresh and original.

There are many bands from the golden years of rock n’ roll that always seem to stick out in the mind’s of most when it comes to pure musicianship.  And, in their own right, they might have deserved the recognition they have earned.  But it can mostly said, most of these bands are shit.  This could be a potential tangent that is best saved for a later date.  So let’s just leave it with this theory:  Soul Distraction takes the original blueprints from their predecessors, and perfects in a way that they never did, and never will, really be able to portray on stage or on the recorded surfaces.

For an in depth perspective of Soul Distraction’s ability to create a more defined and original “classic” rock sound, check out their new track “Talk About It Later” from their latest album set to be released later this year.  For even more examples, their 2009 release Ticket To Paradise is chalked filled with wonderful rendition of original tracks that will definitely send you through the looking glass of time, and contemplating all that you thought was holy in in your Dad’s collection of hand me down vinyl pressings.  Soul Distraction is the finest definition of homegrown rock n roll redefined for the new age.  There is absolutely no question about that.

The Seldon Plan

In the world of music criticism, there are a few on rules that are supposed to be followed, but are routinely dismissed.  One is using the first person reference in a review.  Thankfully, blogging as completely destroyed this concept, so we, actually I, can say whatever the hell I want.  Amongst the probably hundreds of other ridiculous rules is to never make assumptions about a record/artists/burlesque show if the standards are too high for a band that can’t live up to the expectations you have set.  It’s also not a good idea to use foul language.  So, on that note:  The Seldon Plan’s Coalizione del Volere is an album that I believe is absolutely fucking fantastic, and you will absolutely adore it.  Rules are meant to be broken.  And with an album like this, it is perfectly acceptable to raise the bar all the way to the heavens.  They have the means to back themselves up on product alone.

The Seldon Plan — “Fractionation”
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This Baltimore based indie pop group has been impressing audiences and critics alike for the better part of the last decade with their 90’s anti-aspiration towards change attitude they generously fuse with unique vision of a band living independently the age of now.  They share a strong comparison to another Baltimore based group known as Lowell, who’s posthumous releases happen to be share a label with The Seldon Plan, known as The Beechfields Record Label.   They both involve label founder Michael W. Nestor, so it’s not that hard to comprehend, but it’s still a beautiful coincidence.  The real common denominator here is just plain raw talent and an engrossing consciousness that allows these rockers a chance to create some beautiful indie pop treasures.

Andy Botterill

The danger with lo-fi pop is pretty obvious.  It draws the same sort of sometimes warranted typecasting of non-creativity that punk music received in the late 1970’s to the mid 80’s:  it all sounds the same!  Now, those who actually listen to the music know that this is not entirely true at all.  But, give one good reason why The Ramones are world renowned, and The New York Dolls, although critically and cult acclaimed, are just a quick blip in history.  Both were sensational in their own way, but someone always has to stand out.

Andy B – “Talk About it Later Baby” from Days Pass Me By
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And who stands out the most in lo-fi pop?  More specifically, British lo-fi pop?  Well, Simon Bish and Andy Fonda of Pop Noise Records might get nods for obvious reasons.  But, the man that simply cannot be left out is the sensational Andy B.  This is a guy who truly understands the beauty and power of a simple pop song.  And he works his ass off!  He’s released two DIY albums, in less than a year on his, also very DIY, label Pastime Records.  He’s also the driving force behind the spectacular group Falling Trees (who’s Youth Disco EP was one of my favorites of 2010.  See “Recession Proof Music“).  And even better, his first studio album is in store for a 2011!  The man doesn’t stop!

Andy B’s (B for Botterill, by the way) work ethic is trumped only by his immense talent.  He may stick to a similar style throughout his catalog, but he’s sticking to what works.  His work as a teammate to the likes of Bish and Fonda is absolutely nothing to balk at.  He also happens to be the bassist for the brilliant act A Fine Day For Sailing from the Pop Noise roster.   But in his solo efforts, we see the man at his finest and most personal.  And as he moves from recording on the living room floor up to the real recording booth, you can definitely expect some wonderful things.  But, he only needs to perfect the sound in a physical sense.  He needs no changes in the spiritual sense.  He’s got that one nailed to the wall.

To learn more about Andy B’s solo work, visit his Myspace Page.
To learn more about his work with A Fine Day For Sailing, and more, visit the Pop Noise Records Website.

Art by Kathie Bayne

Disclaimer:  Folks, if you don’t know by now, your further searches into this project will show that, yes, this is my project.  And I am basically using my own pull to advertise my own work.  I am the editor and coordinator of this project, came up with the idea and what not.  I feel as though I can rationalize doing this since we have so many other great folks involved with this project that deserve all the recognition they can get.  And we are doing it all to find a cure for cystic fibrosis.  So leave judgements at the door, and you will find something awesome below!

With the holiday season upon us, an almost nearing completion, it might be a good time to start thinking about one of the finer, and probably more noble, sides of the season – The Giving.  But, as most of us know, but may not want to admit, sometimes the benefit of giving is actually the getting.  So how we solve the dilemma of trying to give back, and at the same time receiving something awesome in return?  I’d like to say, “there’s an app for that”.  And there may very well be.  But, there is also a nice charity project in development that could very well offer just what we need.

The project is a book entitled Children Of Mercy:  Tales and Teachings From The World Of Independent Music.  It shall be a collection of essays and poems written by several elite individuals from all over the world, as well as all over the independent music spectrum telling tales of glory and woe they have experienced in this somewhat deviant, yet delightful world we call independent music.  Contributors to the book include artists, journalist, bloggers, label owners, dj’s, etc.  And in some cases, a contributor might hold all of these titles.

Contributors of note include:  Anna Lynn Williams (one half of Trespassers William), Shawn Fogel (Golden Bloom, Neutral Uke Hotel), Cyndi Kimmel (DJ, KZUU 90.7 Pullman, WA home of WSU), Kaytea McIntosh (XO Publicity), Christopher B. (Series II Records, founder of the Nebraska Pop Festival), Angel Russell (Sergeant Sparrow Records & Magazine, DJ WVVY 93.7 Martha’s Vineyard, MA), Alan Cohen (Alan Cohen Experience, “The Obama Groove”), Janelle Rogers (former BMG publicist, Green Light Go Publicity founder), Jess Gulbransson (artist, graphic novel author) and so many more wonderful people.  Over 40 in all!

What makes this project even more special?  It is all for charity.  All royalties and proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in the U.S., as well as the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in the UK.  Ola and Collen Nyberg, a musical family based in Sweden, two of our contributors to this project, have a son Gordon who has been diagnosed with a severe case of CF.  It is our hope that by using the power of independent music, and the spirit that it embodies on a regular basis, we can make CF stand for “Cure Found”.

And a project about independent music would most definitely not be complete without, well, music!  This is why we have developed the Children Of Mercy Compilation: Volume One.  This album is a wonderful collection of tracks that perfectly embody the said spirit of the book, and are just downright beautiful tunes.  Several of the contributing artists to the album will be featured as writers as well.  And some are just brilliant artists that were kind enough to lend their music to help support this project.

Artists include the likes of Anna Lynn William’s solo project Lotte Kesner, former underground legends The Pristines, one of Thom Carter’s many praised projects Menhirs Of Er Grah, the top Creative Common License downloaded folksmith Robin Grey, Copenhagen’s own best seller Cleemann, and Indonesia’s acclaimed indie pop superstars Bangkutaman.  As well as terrific indie acts such as  Westfold, The Cryogenic Strawberries, Ira Rat, The Factory Kids, Phil The Tremolo King, Moneytree, Before I Got Convenient, and more!

The album will be released as a digital download courtesy of The Beechfields Label, based in Baltimore, MD, in early 2011.  The album will also soon be for sale via the Children of Mercy Bandcamp page.  But, as of now, the only for fans to receive a free handcrafted physical copy (as well as a digital download) is to pledge at least $10 to the project’s Kickstarter page by January 18^th 2011.  Those who do this, shall receive a CDR with a beautiful album sleeve created by pop artist Kathie Bayne, and developed courtesy of Workerbee Records, which is based in Ames, Iowa.

The Kickstarter page can be found HERE.  Aside from the compilation album, there are many more goodies to be had.  Including the book itself!  For just a simple $25 pledge, you can receive your own copy of the book, as well as a physical copy of the album and it’s corresponding digital download.  This is indeed a sweet deal.  And for everything you pledge beyond that amount, more great opportunities such as autographs and dedications arise.

Children Of Mercy has begun a bit of radio airplay, as well as a bit of blog love.  But, the support of this project really depends on a strong word of mouth oriented community. And we all know that this is what really keeps independent music alive and thriving.

So, if you find yourself in the holiday spirit, and with a few quaint checks from Grandma, take this opportunity to find out how your love for independent music can help so many people suffering from Cystic Fibrosis.  How could this not be a perfect “give a little, get a little” scenario?  Whether it’s that warm feeling in your gut that makes you want to help out, or your undying support for all things independent, you can rest assure that you will be a part of something spectacular.

For more information on Children of Mercy, find them on Facebook or find the latest news on the official blog.

In the end, it doesn’t matter. Some wonderful tunes were made, and that is all that really matters.  So, here is a list of ten of my favorite EPs from the year:

10)  The Flying Change – Singer/Songwriter.  Sam Jacobs went an entirely different route than he did on his 2009 album, Pain Is A Reliable Signal, that appeared on many “best of” lists, including mine.  He traded in the acoustic guitar for some dancable beats.  Although it is only two tracks, it is very exciting.  I wouldn’t expect to hear an experiment like this from Jacobs again, as he is constantly looking to create something new.  Just be thankful he did this at all.

9)  Collider – Strobos EP.  I fell in love with the San Francisco based indie rockers on when I heard the BBM EP they released only 6 months prior to this one.  Apparently six months was plenty of time to upgrade even their sultry style even more.

8)  The Ambience Affar – Patterns.  Indiecater Records was a great find of 2010, mostly on a personal level.  And Patterns from the lovely group The Ambience Affair was by far my favorite release from this cool new label.

7)  Lille – Tall Shoulders EP.  Grace Bellury may be a youngster amongst her indie colleagues, but her spirit is definitely aged well beyond her years.  This album was a brilliant debut for this Atlanta songstress.  I can guarantee you that this young lady will be heard from again.  She is much like Anna-Lynn Williams in so many ways.  Absolutely beautiful stuff.

6)  Falling Trees – Youth Club Disco EP.  Lo-fi British pop music really seemed to dominate my playlists this year as I learned about acts like Andy Botterill at Pastime Records, as well as Andy Fonda and Simon Bish over at Pop Noise Records.  These are wonderful artists creating special and lovable pop songs that get right into your head, and never leave.

5) Simon Bish & Andy Fonda – Silly Things Lovers Do EP.  This EP was a very special treat from Pop Noise Records as two of the albums frontrunners joined together to create something beautiful.  Like I stated previously, I just can’t get enough of this lo-fi British pop songs.  Call me pretentious if you will.  I might call you an asshole.

4)  The Modern Skirts – Happy 81 EP.  I might just discredit myself a bit with this one.  This EP was absolutely fantastic!  But, it was simple a small precursor the The Modern Skirt’s forthcoming release Grammahawk.  So, maybe this was just a promotional tool, but it was a damn fine one!  The Skirts switched up their whole style on this one.  They took a back country road away from their signature highway of indie pop they had been following.  You just gotta hear it!

3) Alexipharmic – Good Side Of Bad Vol. 3.  I sort of based right by the hip hop scene this year.  But, not fast enough to pass by Alex and his beautiful addition to his Good Side Of Bad series.  This man is not just a rapping philanthropist.  He is a genious with words, and a truly devout artist.  He is your favorite indie rocker’s favorite rapper.  Everyone appreciate the wonderful thing this guy creates.  And I know that this album is 10 tracks long, but if he says it’s and EP.  It’s a damn EP.  End of story!

2) Westfold – self titled EP.  Although I spent most of 2010 indulging in indie pop, soft acoustics, and experimental indie rock, I still found time to rock out with one of my favorite bands as they released their third, and best, EP.  There just aren’t enough ways to explain how damn hard these guys go, and how brilliantly they write a song that will simply set your hair on fire with intensity.  They’ve only progressed over the last few years, one can only dream about what they will come up with next year.

1)  The Fenbi International Superstars – self titled EP.  I waited too damn long, and followed these guys for too long as well not to have this triumphant release top my list everywhere.  It has almost been two years since Fenbi was nominated for a Portland Music Award in the Best World Music category.  And now we have the physical evidence to prove why these gypsies of the drunken era are as fabulous as they have been praised to be.  Fenbi is without a doubt, a brilliant act that needs more and more praise each day.  There just aren’t enough good things to say about Michael Phillips and his band of merry gentlemen.

Danko Jones

Hard rock has earned an ill report lately in certain artistic circles.  And sadly, some of the negativity being thrown at the genre is actually well deserved.  What with some of the same tired old bands screaming out lyrics you can’t understand to the same 3 or 4 chords bursting with enthusiasm but lacking any creativity, it does make sense.  But thankfully there is still hope.  Yes, spread out amongst the damned and bitter under world, there are some things to get excited about.  And making his way, after a very long journey, through the current mainstream is none other than the Canadian guitar-wielding maestro of the insane, Danko Jones.

Spokane is not much of an indie rock centered city in its entirety.  If it were, you may have heard of it more.  Fact in point:  who is the most famous musician to come out of the Lilac City?  Answer:  Bing Crosby.  Therefore, it only seems fitting that that there may be a half a million people yearning to rebel against the normal simplicity and mundane existence of not exactly having the cultural significance of their neighbors to the west like Seattle and Portland.  But, who gives a shit right?  Spokane just wants to rock! And they flooded the Knitting Factory to shelter themselves from the freezing rain that was falling, and to spend their Thursday night beating the holy Hell out of each other in classic moshing fashion.  And whether they noticed it or not, they were surely witnessing a revolution in the hard rock scene as the wide eyed and immensely talented Danko serenaded them with a wide array of intense sounding tales of love, hope, and of course, rocking and rolling!

As the lights dimmed blue, and spilled into red over a packed house, Danko Jones and his electrifying duo on the bass and drums came out faster than a bolt of lightning moving through a wind turbine.  The set list may have mainly stuck to tracks of his latest, and much more modernized, album Below the Belt, there were a few throwbacks from his last twelve years as a musician.  The highlight of the evening was definitely when he bolted out his 2006 single “Do You Kiss On The First Date?”, of which many of lady Spokanites were quick to answer “Hell Yeah!” as bodies surfed across the pit, and brassieres were flung to the stage (and then properly display by bassist John Calabrese, such a gentleman!).  Jones properly acknowledged that most of his songs are about, well, women in some way shape or form.  Many who broke his heart, some who uplifted him, and some who he might have had the opportunity to “pleasure”.  More specifically – pleasuring orally.  It doesn’t get much more rock and roll than that!

Danko Jones has been playing and touring since the alternative hey days of the mid 90’s.  And he has not lost that sense of actual creativity that seemed to have been lost as the new millennium took hold.  There was a time when rap lyrics where not necessary to be a successful hard rock/alternative act.  And this guy is still compelling us with this form to this very day.  Let’s be extremely proud that our man is keeping it much more Stabbing Westward than Linkin Park in this day and age.

There is something absolutely captivating about watching a thousand people lose their minds over heavy guitar riffs and ear splitting and powerful lyrics being tossed around the room harder than a pop star’s genitalia.  There is also something very inspiring to know that an actual artist and brilliant songwriter has gathered so much support and popularity in this time of screaming with a vengeance into a sad little microphone.  Danko Jones and Spokane were in perfect unison on this very night.  The sad youth and aging metal fans of this fair city lost all sense of reality for a short while, and the only thing that mattered was the pursuit to have the best time possible.  And that proved pretty damn easy as this high spirited and tremendously talented hard rocker left the crowd bruised and tattered, both physically and emotionally.

And as the final song played, and Danko saluted the crowd, there was a certain magic that was undeniable.  Sure, there wasn’t going to be a finale.  But, the look in his eyes as he prepared to depart was exciting enough.  It was the look of extremely hard work.  It was the look of a man filled with surprise by every bit of success he has achieved.  There was humility in this electrifying Canadian’s eyes.  He had down it.  He had invaded a midsized city, packed its favorite venue, and stole the hearts of old fans, and definitely created some new ones.  He would surely be off to another city that would steal his heart once again.  But, he can leave Spokane knowing that he left twelve years of his guts and glory lying upon the stage, as well as on the shoulders of a thousand Eastern Washington thrill seekers.  Just as any real entertainer should try and do.  And there is one thing that Danko Jones has that most artists of his spectrum have seemed to have forgotten about.  Grace.  That and the ability to write the shit out of a song, and put it display in the age old fashion out of this world, dirt in your eyes and blood on your shoes, rock and roll!

The Gracious Few

The recent snowfall in the Lilac City is reaching its final stages of existence.  The snow has turned to slush and has easily complicated the downtown streets of this fair city.  But somewhere in the deafening night, a strange bit of alternative music history is about to be put on display, as well as up to the test of time and understanding of fans who have devoted themselves to this genre of music for two decades.

The young have become old; the rebellious have become sales associates and marketing experts.  Grunge is gone, and where Bill Clinton stuck his dick is no longer important. But, where there is a glimmering light of hope for those who have lost their vibrant ways, you will probably find a band.  And on this cold November night, that hope lies within a franchise music venue.  And the band would be The Gracious Few.

For those who know The Gracious Few, it is pretty much old news that they might very well be one of the most unique 90’s alternative super groups to develop in recent years. For those who have no clue as to who these fine gentlemen are as of yet, they are three dudes from Live (the entire band minus Ed Kowalczyk and his scary pony tail) and two cats from the 4th best alternative band from the Northwest, Candlebox (including Kevin Martin on vocals).

What might not be entirely known at this point is that a live showing of The Gracious Few is one that is surely never to be forgotten.  And that these guys might be just as good now as they were in their heyday 15 years ago.  And for those expecting to hear “Far Behind” at high volumes, or that soft acoustic version of “Cover Me” you downloaded from Limewire a few years ago, prepare to be disappointed. These guys have their own shit to say.

But it is safe to say, the true fans are sure to enjoy these tremendous fivesome just as much as they would from seeing the band’s preceding outfits.Within their three hour set, the band managed to pull off playing their self titled debut album in its entirety, as well as developing a sort of “intermission from the hard stuff” section where they broke out the wooden stools and acoustic guitars to play from what they called the Front Porch.

As if they really needed to showcase it any more, The Gracious Few’s music is heavily inspired by old blues and soul music.  But, they’re influence seems to only be inspired in the way of blues music being a strange emotional outlet.  Much like the Rolling Stones and how they created their own Brit pop version of Chicago blues.  And just like Mick and ‘dem, the Few pulled off something magnificent on this night.

They highlighted themselves, as expected, by the working stiff ode of a track “Honest Man” which has the ability to hit your conscience harder than a shot of whiskey poured in an open wound.  They don’t pull out the old material, which might be disappointing to some, but should be respected by all.  Times change.  People change.  And some people just need to get the hell over it.

Kevin Martin may have left the long hair back in the late 90’s, but his spirit is as lively as ever as he belts through tracks like an opera singer on acid.  He has always been one of the best voices in alternative music, if not for any reason other than that he seems to respect the fact that he is only singing.  He has no instrument to tie him down (not in this group anyway) and he gives it a thousand percent as he drips sweat from his now middle aged forehead.  Guitarist Sean Hennessy has definitely not lost a single step in his lick abilities.  If anything, he has improved in ways that probably once seemed unimaginable.  Like that hidden jug of Merlot hidden in your Grandpa’s basement, he has only gotten better with age.

And the boys from Live (Chad Taylor, Chad Gracey, and Patrick Dahlheimer) seem to be getting along fine without their friend with the demons leading them in song. The one reasonable fear that many fans of the glory days of alternative music might have is what sort of influence today’s bullshit excuse for hard rock music might have had on these guys.  They obviously want to appeal to at least some of the youth, but how far are they willing to go?

Well, as the clearly showed here in Spokane, not that far at all.  Sure, there are a few moments where they seem to drift off into a Saving Abel sort of vibe, but they always seemed to revert back to the waves of sound that have always proved effective and much more crafty.  If an example is necessary, here goes — in the 80’s when Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page saw their former band’s brand of pure bred rock and roll desecrate in front of their eyes by a batch of synthesizers and weird hair cuts, they stuck to their guns and created The Firm.  Though short lived, it was obviously a brilliant testimonial on how solid rocks never crumble.

This is was The Gracious Few have created when they saw their own brand of music turn into whining and loud for all the wrong reasons rock mixed with turntables and Livestrong bracelets.  The wheel of rock and roll has to be constantly reinvented.  And these are the guys who can do it. Though the night was slow and mostly uneventful off stage here at this Knitting Factory (one of many across the land), it was an intense mind blowing display of raw talent by a few legends in their own right.

Yes, The Gracious Few might not seem as powerful as their original bands seem to make you feel, but that should be just fine.  But when these geniuses hit the stage here in eastern Washington, to a crowd that was easily  1/16th the size they were once accustomed to, they still came off as energetic and tyrannically stable as they ever were years ago.   Welcome everybody, to the rebirth of real rock and roll and all its undying and eternal glory.