Sub Pop is 20 and aging Gracefully
20th Anniversary Festival
Saturday, July 12th and Sunday, July 13th
Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA

Seattle record label Sub Pop came to fame in the late 80's/early 90's as the ultimate showcase in the "Seattle sound," which later became known as "grunge" or "punk/garage" or whatever you want to call it.

Over the years, the label has continued to release quality material that spans the wide musical landscape. Everything from over the top noise destruction (Wolf Eyes) to electronic Indie-pop (The Postal Service) has been fair game. In more recent years, the label's roster has mellowed significantly with bands like Fleet Foxes, Grand Archives and Blitzen Trapper exemplifying a new, post-hippie folk vibe.

No matter the musical style, the label's emphasis has always been on exceptional artists, regardless of their widespread commercial appeal. Luckily for the label, some of these great bands have garnered some widespread success, most notably The Shins, the aforementioned Postal Service and Nirvana's debut record Bleach, all of which have all sold hundreds of thousands of units.

To celebrate twenty years of outstanding music, Sub Pop is throwing themselves a big 'ole birthday bash in Redmond's Marymoor Park next weekend. The roster features a variety of artists throughout the label's history. Do yourself a favor and soak in the sound of the reigning label of cool.

Dropkick Murphys at Showbox Sodo
February 28, 2008

Dropkick Murphys are the greatest band in the world, and I’ll stab anyone who says otherwise.

Lumped in with plenty of great-but-inferior street punk bands like The Swingin’ Utters, Flogging Molly and The Bouncing Souls, DKM remind me what punk rock meant before my life crushed my delicate spirit.

I was a small town teenage slacker in the early 80’s, and punk promised me a community and an escape from suburban mediocrity. Punk then broke that promise, as will any subculture based on teen angst and beer.

After a few years of watching one dive punk bar after another become condos and parking lots, I got bitter. Then one day I heard “Cadence To Arms,” the opening shot from DKM’s Do or Die and it all came back to me.

The Wig Fits All Heads Bday Bash!
With: Shim, Das Llamas, Birdmonster, & Hockey
March 28, 2008
High Dive - Seattle

Local wordsmith shop The Wig Fits All Heads celebrates its fourth year of existence with commensurrate shows, including this Friday's gig at The High Dive with local heavies Shim, Das Llamas, Birdmonster, and Hockey.

But what is The Wig? It's the lively and growing three-headed baby of Seattle University alum Ashley Graham. Head No.1: A Seattle-based website featuring writing about music -- interviews, live reviews, album reviews, previews, occasional rants. Sorta like a little place you already know and love. Head No.2: Concert promoter booking local bands (and the occasional out-of-stater) at venues about the city. Head No. 3: Indie pr firm working with bands deserving of love and devotion. Bands like Shim, Das Llamas, Birdmonster, and Hockey.