Concert Diary: Blanket Truth, Da Bears and James Rabbit at Dog City on August 12

Though there's much to be said for the bone-rattling power of huge amps and stadium speakers, sometimes it just can't compare to the intimacy of a house show.

Despite the limitations of their performance space — a tiny, messy basement in the University District — the three bands performed with impressive energy.

The show began with a friendly and endearing set from Blanket Truth. Jon Manning sang lead and played the baritone ukulele, which was surprisingly sonorant for such a small instrument. Manning also runs the Seattle-based, lo-fi tape label Lost Sound Tapes.

Eli Damm brought the beat with a softer, indie-rock version of vocal percussion while Craig Salt Peterson complemented the songs with his sweet flute. The small crowd joked with the band between songs. like "Do You Love Me?" which wonders "do you really love me/or are you just crazy?" A few people even meowed on command for the chorus of "The Cat Song."

Da Bears, who had been listening to Blanket Truth just minutes before, reentered for their set in matching fringed leather vests with winged teddy-bear patches sewn on the backs.

The San Diego natives filled the smal space with a precocious poppy-punk rock, accented at times by lead singer Ryan Solomon's nasally sneer and EJ Binns' reedy Melodica.

By far their most catchy song is "Lindsey Lohan," whose lyrics seem to poke fun at the singer/actress' lip-synching slip up:

"just don't forget the words/when you're feelin' more absurd/chance you need to take/but I know you'll break/cause you're a child/just a little child"

Halfway through the set, the band rewarded one lucky fan with a VHS of Jungle 2 Jungle for correctly naming Abraham Lincoln as the tallest president ever.

Next came James Rabbit, who drove up from their hometown of Santa Cruz, Calif. on their West Coast tour with Da Bears.

Frontman Tyler Martin charmed the crowd with animated chatter and a whirlwind of dancing. Da Bears and Blanket Truth all watched with smiles, hinting at the tight-knit nature of their music community.

"Coast to Coast," epitomizes James Rabbit's vibe. The song, which focuses on the difficulty of traveling and maintaining a relationship, starts off with a short, spoken introduction performed by their guitarist and devolves into a chant-able chorus:

"Oh/you know/that I will go/anywhere you are/coast/to coast/and heart to heart"

The band continued to spread the love after their set, giving out CDs out for free as Manning collected gas money in a large plastic jar. He explained that the high price at the pump is a problem for low-budget bands.

Though James Rabbit's blog indicates it planned on heading back down south after their Seattle show, Martin said the band was considering playing in Port Townsend. Blanket Truth should have already left on their own East Coast tour, driving from Seattle all the way to their first gig in Athens, Ga. on August 17.

To see dates and locations for more local house shows, visit seattlediy.com's calendar here.

Concert Diary: Capitol Hill Block Party, July 26

Summer is the time to indulge in live music. This past weekend was no different.

The Capitol Hill Block Party sold out Friday, and Saturday was packed too. The Block Party is just how Capitol Hill residents like it — lots of cheap beer and local bands, and nothing starting before 2p.m.

Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground warmed up the Main Stage for a moderate crowd.

"Ain't no mother-fucking crime committed here last year!" Kay Kay enthused, reminding people to "keep it safe." After the brief PSA, the band got down to what they do best — a fun mix of jazzy blues pop sprinkled with a little bit of soulful violin.

The bands were spaced so that there might be half an hour or nothing between sets at different stages. Good thing there were so many other things to do, in case of the former.

People watching, photography, and drinking were popular activities. Some enjoyed all three. Ahem.

The Hands played an amazing show, energizing the dark stage inside of Neumo's. The Seattle band has garnered well-deserved tribute from local music writers for their hard, but not-too hard-to-dance punk rock.

A brief ramble through the main drag revealed Kimya Dawson to be charming the pants off the crowd with her cute voice and quirky songs. She said she had been scheduled to play the Block Party another year, but since she was due at any moment, her manager forbid her. She was disappointed, she said, because she'd imagined having her water break all over stage to spray down on the crowd.

In more pleasant news, Dawson also announced that she will be releasing a CD of children's songs soon.

Next up was The Builders and the Butchers, a rock group from Portland with folk and country influences. One group of fans had come from Portland to see the band, even though they'd never heard them before.

Lead singer Ryan Sollee sang with a passion that really lent some impact to their ballads. The two percussionists in back didn't hurt either.

Halfway through the set, the band sent all sorts of noise makers into the crowd: maracas, tambourines, baby rattles, and pot lids, to name a few. Drummer Paul Seely's surprise switch to trumpet topped off their performance and then it was off to...

Catch the first half of Fleet Foxes. This is one band that's got their shit together. From playing twice at Sasquatch this year (well, three times for drummer J Tillman), to signing to Sub Pop, and all the good press, it almost makes you want them to disappoint. But they don't.

Somebody must have planned their 6p.m. start time for the light, because it complimented the Foxes' airy, spiritual folk perfectly. Movement around the stage slowed as the band lulled their audience into contented amazement.

It was a whole nother story back at the Neumo's stage. Jaguar Power, fronted by former Blood Brothers singer Johnny Whitney, pumped out snarling lyrics and machine-gun drums as the bassist swayed slowly in '60s throwback white.

Throw me the Statue followed with a fun set where front man Scott Reitherman pulled out a drum and Jarred Grimes the glockenspiel, all made that much sweet by Reitherman's dreamy vocals.


Extra Bonus Scans!

• Saturday Schedule


• Kristen Ward Set List


• Darker My Love Set List


• 21+ Wristband

Concert Diary: The World Fair and Siberian at Neumos, July 18

Barcelona headlined yesterday's Neumos show, but I didn't see them.

Instead, I came for the openers: This World Fair and Siberian.

First up was This World Fair at one-third its usual manpower. Chris Kalgren — A.K.A. vocalist, keyboardist, and guitarist-extraordinaire — put on a one-man show though the band's Facebook page indicates that a guitarist and drummer were expected to accompany him.

Kalgren still gave a strong performance, and by the middle of the set he was dripping sweat. A faithful Neumos security guard tried to give him a towel, but he just kept on.

It might have been his endearingly shaggy hair, or it might have been his skillful singer-songwriter/rock combo, but the teenage girls who lined the front of the stage were very territorial.

As an extra-special treat, Kalgren wrapped up the set to enthusiastic applause with his new song "Come Of Age."

Apparently trying to switch sets quickly, two sound guys dropped Kalgren's keyboard while trying to tote it off-stage. They made a hasty and clearly embarrassed exit after gathering up all the disconnected cords.

Despite mishaps, Siberian came on minutes later, their equipment already set up. Luckily, someone left the stage plot lying around so I, intrepid reporter that I am, took the liberty of taking it with me. Fans who couldn't come can now imagine the set more perfectly.

Set lists were passed around.

Bassist Zach Tillman requested Skittles from the crowd, and someone actually bought some, which were then shared among the band members.

Fans clearly appreciated the band's sense of humor, as shown by one comment on Siberian's MySpace: "SKITTLES!!! hahaha i was cracking up last night."

The set opened up with "Belgian Beer and Catholic Girls" off of their debut album "With Me," released in October 2007. Clearly they've been practicing, because it turned out to be one of those performances that makes you never want to listen to a CD ever again. Well maybe just between shows.

Siberian channels the Seattle-Indie-rock influence well, converting it gracefully into a seemingly impossible combination of placid passion.

Lead singer Finn Parnell adds a special gloss to the band's powerful drums and pulsating bass with his coolly enunciated vocals. They skillfully blend twangy guitar riffs reminiscent of Islands and soaring harmonies to make a compelling style all their own.







At one point during the night, drummer Aaron Benson played so furiously he broke a stick.

The coolest thing? At the end of the night, my brother's girlfriend told me, "They're my new favorite band."