9 Black Alps and Silversun Pickups

Went to a show last night at Neumo’s. It was pretty rockin’. It’s been awhile since I’ve just gone to a show without knowing any of the bands. I received an email from 107.7 announcing the release of the 9 Black Alps album (if you don’t subscribe, it’s fabulous. You get to buy tickets before everyone else, and they send you coupons for 3.99 cds). I’m not too familiar with 9 Black Alps, however, they have been compared to Nirvana and the Pixies, so sign me up. It was apparent after their first song that they really did sound like Nirvana. Impressive if you ask me. The band hails from England, and they kicked-off their American tour in Seattle. It’s nice to live in a city of such musical importance. The lead singer kept telling the audience that they were giving out their “badges” for free. I had to turn to the Brit for a translation. Apparently, they were giving out their “pins” for free. Definitely a band to pay attention to…they’re even in the running for Spin magazine’s Band of the Year.

While 9 Black Alps were obviously good, I was actually more impressed with their opening act, Silversun Pickups. The singer had an amazing voice (sometimes melodic, sometimes raging) and they kicked ass. Plus, he was hot. There is definitely something to be said about a man pouring his heart and soul into the microphone while his hair hangs in his face and his back is wet with sweat. Damn. I really need to look into dating a musician. I take back what I said about mustache rides, he can give me one. Anyway, I couldn’t stand still while listening to them. The band also has a girl in it, which is sort of rare. At first, I thought the band had two girls. Me and the Brit had a hard time figuring out if the drummer was a man or a woman. (In their band pic, he’s obviously a man, but on stage, it was hard to tell.) We concluded woman, but upon further investigation on their web site, www.silversunpickups.com, the drummer’s name was Christopher. Male. Creepy. I like my men looking like men.

Currently Feeling: Tired, tired, always tired.
Currently Dreading: Two-hour Planned Parenthood Apt. Blech.
Current Weekend Plans: Howl at the Moon, Theatre Sports and catching up with Jill.

Little-Eddie-Vedder-Rock-Babies

For those of you who don’t know it already or are a fan, Pearl Jam is finally releasing a new album on May 2nd—four long years after their last album, Riot Act. My favorite radio station, 107.7, was true to Seattle’s obsession with Pearl Jam and bootlegged the single, “Worldwide Suicide” this weekend and played it every 107 minutes. It fucking kicks ass. I’m not just saying this because I love Pearl Jam (and I do) or because I’m following a cliché that everyone in Seattle is obsessed with Pearl Jam (even though they are). It literally rocks and is probably one of the most impressive album-debut singles that I’ve heard from a band in a long time. In a rather humble way, Stone Gossard (PJ’s guitarist) described the new album as, “A couple of rock songs, a couple of ballads—it’s not rocket science.” Sure it’s not rocket science for Pearl Jam, but honestly, they are musical geniuses. It would be rocket science for maybe Creed, Limp Bizkit or an American Idol finalist, so I think it would be safe to say that this album is going to totally rock. And whether it proves true to the rumor that it is going back to “the roots” of Pearl Jam, or follows Eddie’s quote that, “Our band is like an old car, and this record is our new engine.” I’m pretty fucking stoked either way. Something tells me this is only going to increase my need to have little-Eddie-Vedder-rock-babies. For more information, a chance to download “Worldwide Suicide” and future touring dates for this album—probably this summer! —check out the newly revamped Pearljam.com.