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posted Friday, May 30, 2008 - Volume 36 Issue 22 |
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| The B-52s, Joey Fatone, Death Cab for Cutie and The Blakes
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by Albert Rodriguez -
SGN A&E Writer
Tin roof, rusted! The B-52s are interviewing right here in "The Music Lounge" on June 20! The retro pop band performed to a sold-out crowd earlier this month at The Showbox, in which many concertgoers sweated out nasty toxins to the sounds of "Roam," "Love Shack," and "Planet Claire." I spoke to a group member during a tour stop in Chicago, and we had a rather engaging conversation about all kinds of shit - mostly Gay stuff and the foursome's signature hit "Rock Lobster." Making parties a bit bouncier since 1979, the B-52s released a new album of goodies entitled Funplex in March that contains the let-loose single "Pump." The interview is part of our special Pride music section that will also feature this summer's hottest concerts and a list of 2008's best recordings, thus far. And don't forget to buy tickets for Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors Tour" at WaMu Theater on July 1 with the B-52s on the lineup.
I spotted Joey Fatone at a Gay bar in West Hollywood two weekends ago. The former N'Sync member, a solid competitor on TV's mega-popular Dancing with the Stars, was hanging out with his Gay posse at The Abbey on the night of May 17. He looked great in a T-shirt and jeans ensemble with a groomed beard and cocktail in hand. Fatone was the lone celebrity I spotted during my recent Southern Cal trip, although the rooftop pool at my hotel (Le Montrose) lured some rockstar types one afternoon, shortly after several SUVs with bodyguards pulled up to the main entrance. And, I did enjoy a fantastic spa treatment at Gay-owned Gendarmerie, where Ben Savage (Boy Meets World) was due for an appointment later that day, as was Billie Dee Williams (Star Wars). Related to music and West Hollywood, you must drop in at the legendary Whiskey a Go-Go on your next LA swing-through. I paid $12 to see a decent metal band called Rattlehead.
Congratulations to Death Cab for Cutie, who last week earned their first #1 debut on Billboard's album chart! Narrow Stairs, the Seattle group's second major label set, sold 144,000 copies in its initial week of release, toppling pop heavyweights Madonna and Mariah Carey. You might think I give special preference to Death Cab for Cutie because they live here, and maybe I do, but I'm certainly not the only one who loves these guys; their fanbase now stretches across the country and industry support pours in from national press like USA Today and Rolling Stone. I'm really proud of these boys, and happy they've chosen Seattle as their home - it's nice to know Ben Gibbard's condo is along my morning coffee path. Narrow Stairs is such a contrast to its predecessor, Plans (SGN's Top Ten Albums/CDs, 2005), in that's its deeper and moodier and more instrumental. The leadoff single is "I Will Possess Your Heart," though I recommend "Your Twin Sized Bed" and "The Ice is Getting Thinner." Grab a copy at your nearest music store or download it online at iTunes. Congrats again to Gibbard, Jason McGerr, and a pair of DCFC members who've interviewed with Seattle Gay News - Chris Walla and Nick Harmer.
Another great Seattle band is The Blakes, consisting of those smokin' Keim brothers - Snow and Garnett - and Bob Husak. The trio has toured extensively in Europe and US this year, including appearances at the Noise Pop and Sasquatch festivals, and they've just announced an upcoming concert date here in the Jet City, at Neumos on June 24. The punkish threesome, who interviewed collaboratively in "The Music Lounge" two months ago, just released an exclusive live session EP on iTunes - recorded during a stop in San Francisco back in January. Tickets are on sale now at all TicketsWest outlets, priced at $10 (advance) or $12 (day of show). Even though The Blakes are set to play Bumbershoot, I suggest seeing them in an indoor venue because they'll really bang it out in an intimate space. Hopefully, the same crowd from their Chop Suey gig will return at Neumos. If you haven't yet checked out The Blakes, visit www.myspace.com/theblakes and blast "Two Times," then come out on June 24 to get a good earful and eyeful - these boys wear their pants super tight (um, that ain't a roll of quarters swishing around those pants!).
Stay glued to Seattle Gay News this fall because we're bringing you exclusive coverage of Madonna's "Hard Candy" tour. Richard Kennedy and I are both headed to The Material Girl's concert in Vancouver, while fellow writer Jessica Price jets to the pop icon's Las Vegas show.
Lastly, singer-songwriter Joshua Radin is finally coming back to Seattle, playing Neumos on August 17. Find me at the show and I'll introduce him to you. And, if you bought tickets to see Sheryl Crow and James Blunt at White River Amphitheatre, note that the concert has been moved to Marymoor Park on August 30.
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