Harvey Danger

This is a blog were i will talk about various bands from the Northwest, it is a way of creating more awareness of whats out there outside of the comforts of mainstream radio etc.

Few bands have taken my interest as Harvey Danger has. What started as a cover band between college friends, grew into one of Seattle's most popular energetic bands. I grew up listening to them and if you are from the Seattle area, chances are you did to. Their mixture of humorously clever lyrics and punk rock riffs set them ahead of the run of the mill bands of the nineties. Though they ended their 14 year career in 2009, they will always be revered as one of Seattle's great bands.

Harvey danger was formed in 1992 by Jeff Lin and Aaron Huffman. They gained attention in the mid nineties with the single "Flagpole Sitta" from the album "Were have all the Merry Makers Gone?" This brought them into the main stream light. Since then, they have put out two albums and a few EPs.
You can really see the evolution of their sound on each album. "Were have all the merry makers gone" was very post-punk, it was pretty much a product of its time. The second album ,"King James Version" really stepped it up with a more aggressive sound that broke the nineties barriers. Finally their last album, that they posted for free on there website entitled, "Little by Little" completed the collage of great music. This album had more of a piano coffee shop smartness which makes it my personal favorite.

As a part of each of these posts i will suggest tracks from each of these Northwest bands.


Were Have All The Merry Makers Gone

Carlotta Valdez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejNoGEwVf1Y
Jack the Lion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRCIS7ak5Ag
Wreaking Ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxBP1gzssMw



King James Version

Authenticity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0mPyzUNrJU

Meeting the Remarkable Men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq6tlkt71sc

This is the thrilling conversation (you've been waiting for)


Little by Little

War Buddies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBYWqWUxAwk

Wine Women and Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-zrztGoycY

Diminishing Returns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=425sovGXfxk

Nirvana

Though i do not like dwelling in the past, and this blog is really about artists of today or semi-today, no list about the great northwest music scene would be complete with out tipping our hats to Nirvana.
Nirvana is arguably one of the greatest rock bands of the last couple centuries, those who say otherwise have only heard smells like teen spirit and i would say they smell like lame.
I've Loved Nirvana since high school, but my exposure to them came when i was about 11 when my best friends hippy mom that lived in the apartment above ours would blast them during the day. I was home schooled so i got to listen to their album Bleach all the time.
Nirvana is a staple in Seattle, if you dont like them you have to respect them for helping put our scene on the map. Most bands probably wouldn't be around today if it wasn't for Nirvana. Sadly Nirvana usually takes all the glory and time tends to forget other notable "grunge bands" like mudhoney and TAD. On a side note, if you ever travel to the sun and rain soaked shores of Seattle i will offer you this advice. Do not talk about grunge like it was a good thing! Grunge is like a four letter word to those who played or know anything about that scene. The music they were making was about freedom and rebellion, but corporations bastardized this sweet music into "grunge" so they could sell it. That when you get stupid people wearing flannel as fashion. Its to stay warm!
As much as i hate the trendy "indie" scene as they call it, bands like Nirvana inadvertently started it off. But believe me they didn't have hipsters in mind. I hate hate hate that.
But this is not a blog were i am supposed to rant, but since the music of Nirvana and the 90s were about rants, you can give me just a little.
Nirvana, much like the Beatles were only around for a small time.
But their legacy has lived on and a new generation it starting to see past the cheap tricks of lesser artist like the Ga and looking back towards what was good.
 Nirvana had the greatest sound, their guitars were fuzzy and insanely distorted, they usually didn't even play in tune...and they hated rednecks....thats probably my favorite thing about them.



Bleach

School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvwzCobcxTw

Floyd the Barber
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5tBwCRxnZU

Negative Creep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xu-gp0XMmk



Nevermind

Something in the Way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg-yYi8saZY

Stay Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA5HbqgCIUE

Territorial Pissings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpqVrbylLTE



In Utero

Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle (one of the best songs written)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wev8W9PDAg

Pennyroyal Tea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO0qhbYkZJQ

Rape Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqseYiGA0us&feature=fvst

Rocky Votolato

Sand-paper smooth...This is the only way to describe Seattle singer songwriter, Rocky Votolato. His use of acoustic guitars and melodic melodies mixed with his fine tuned voice makes him the original Jack Johnson.
Rocky Votolato Was the founding member of the legendary Seattle band "Waxwing". He began writing new material that didn't fit so well with Waxwings ever changing sound, so he decided to start releasing solo stuff, and in 1999, that's exactly what he did. His debut album was self titled and wonderful.
Rocky Votolato is not very well know outside of the Northwest folk scene but after you listen to him, you'll wonder why. He really has a lovely voice with beautiful lyrics to boot. If you have ever met him or know someone who has, you will always get great feedback. He has a gentle manner that is reminiscent of folk artists of the 60s.
He has opened for such bands as Death Cab for Cutie and mewithoutyou. He resides on Barsuk based out of Portland and lives with his family in Seattle.
If you have never heard of him don't freak out! Just listen to these choice songs aaaaannndd go buy all his records.
Support the artist people!!!!


Rocky Votolato



Suicide Medicine(cant find tracks for these, so just buy the album)

Suicide Medicine
Alabaster


Makers

White Daisy Passing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA3CvV6X9WM

Portland Is Leaving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyIKwaliyow

She Was Only in It for the Rain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXkkUF-5Ptw



The Brag and Cuss

Silver Trees
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVjsA986LzY

Your Darkest Eyes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekEMKhdU3VE



True Devotion

Red River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMAekzOSjM0

Eyes like Static
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQGdt8AAcMU&feature=related

Vendetta Red

I really really really do not like emo/hardcore music. Its pretty simple, i think its really winy and annoying. That being said, i really like Vendetta Red. The reason that i set bands like Vendetta Red and The Blood Brothers aside from the usual crap that the emo/goth 14 year old girls in skinny jeans and heads listen to is this, originality. Screamo/punk/emo/mud doesn't have a original bone in its body, it is comprised of ripping of all types of loud music and i can't stand it, i honestly would rather listen to country or even...the new Sufjan Stevens album he ha!
But this isn't a tire raid against today's 13 year old bubblegum bands, its about a band that gets lumped into the same degenerate ditch as these abominations...Vendetta Red is really a standard.

Formed in Seattle in 1998, Vendetta Red grew in popularity until its untimely demise in 2006. Their music is a mixture of violent high voltage loud! Their music is actually quite good, they mix in the occasional scream with roaring guitars and thumping drums. The lead singer Zach Davidson, has one of the most unique and straight up beautiful voices I've ever heard. Their songs are lyrically genius and usually narrate crazy stories.
I unfortunately never got to see them live, but if they ever reunite, then i will definitely be selling organs to go.




 White Knuckled Substance

Seconds Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgZL_SYfN9g&ob=av2e

Forgetiquette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2E54H31aug&feature=related



Between the Never and the Now

Lipstick Tourniquets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05_ZJ-xO9wY&ob=av2e

Shatterday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2PqSViw3Ew&feature=channel



Sisters of Red Death

Shiver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU1dTAWtKYw

Silhouette Serenade (fantastic song and video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4dO6fXoJg0&feature=related

The Helio Sequence

I love duos. Some of my favorite bands are The White Stripes and The Black Keys. There is something about two people being able to make such a huge sound with only two instrument. The Helio Sequence is one such band.
Formed in 1999 in Oregon, they have risen to a respected status amongst Northwestern musicians. Comprised of Brandon Summers on guitars and vocals and former Modest Mouse drummer Benjamin Weikel. The Helio Sequence gives us a vastly diverse repertoire of sweet tasting music, ranging from straight up folk to rocking synthy wonderful.

This band is really great and like i said, they make a huge sound for just two guys.
On a side note, the drummer, Benjamin Weikel, is one of the best drummers the Northwest has, if you ever watch a video of them playing or go to a show, you will be blown away by how much he gets into the music. Its actually really amusing.

The bottom line is, the Helio Sequence is a great band so if they come to an area near you, don't hesitate to go check them out.



Com Plex

Transistor Radio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqGLg7DPVaU


Young Effectuals

Give Give Give
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob_TzrBWBB0

Take Take Take
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PVBtnDFIAU&feature=related



Love and Distance

Everyone Knows Everyone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec0HPktR2hs&feature=fvw

Don't Look Away
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuhabW4BiAI



Keep Your Eyes Ahead

Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZoX5RDh9bI

Keep Your Eyes Ahead (one of my favorite songs)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8LIwXI0EI0&feature=related

Murder City Devils

I really like the "Murder City Devils".
This is what short brown haired girl said to me at a record store downtown almost 6 years ago.
I had never really heard of this band, but i was looking at a Modest Mouse vinyl when this girl looked over my should and told me that Dan Gallucci (Modest Mouse guitarist) was in this band.
I really liked them and i have been a fan ever since.
They are a weird mix between garage-punk and something else. There use of keyboards is really sweet.
They have really gruff vocals that are reminiscent of bands like flogging molly and the drop-kick Murphy's.
But this band transcends them. They are rough and wild and though i never got to see them live, i would recommend it if they were in a town near you.

I will warn you however, if you do get a chance to go see them, watch out for flying bottles and angry people because their shows are notorious for them.

The Murder City Devils

Boom Swagger Boom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzgLXWdAQas

Broken Glass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oED6Rld4kY4&feature=related


Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts

Dancin Shoes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHQSQWhfKyY

I Want a Lot Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KIEGmomABg


In Name and Blood

Press Gang: (really really great song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz375utJsWs

I Drink the Wine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9nR9DUUBJo

Modest Mouse

Every once in a while the universe decides to give man kind a precious gift, a gift that makes you forget about all the crappy things that are happening in the world or in your life. A gift so tremendous that like, no one knows about it! This gift is Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse is by far one of my top three favorite bands ever. I have been a huge fan ever since i was like 15. They are by far the most innovative, beautifully crafted band that has ever picked up instruments. I love love love this band, with every album they get better and more diverse. I actually pretty much base my opinion on peoples music tastes by seeing if they can appreciate this wonderful band. If not, i feed them to my lions.

Modest Mouse was formed in 1993 by Isaac Brock, Eric Judy and Jeremiah Green in the small mountainous town of Issaquah Washington. They have since produced five studio albums (not including b-sides, EPs and countless rarities).
I could sit here and tell you all about why this band rocks, but i will just tell you that this is one of America's  greatest and most important bands and if you do not think so, let me know on the comments, but be prepared to be thrown into a den of lions...
Instead, listen to these selected tracks, see if you can handle the brillance.


This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About

Dramamine (one of my favorite songs of all time)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAePJ3cpmn8

Novocain Stain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab0k8a7IRvA&feature=related



The Lonesome Crowded West

Teeth Like God's Shoeshine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT0qBdHLspQ

Heart Cooks Brain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2qgEl4KWB4&feature=related

Doin' the Cockroach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OGEiOgv86U&feature=related



The Moon & Antarctica

Perfect Disguise (also one of my favorites)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkFdbdQLaNk

Wild Packs of Family Dogs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnj3f35aVzc

The Stars Are Projectors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjjixLqGyFE&feature=related



Good News for People Who Love Bad News

Satin in a Coffin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDufUlDncZ0

Blame It on the Tetons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1UzPkkuOtU&feature=related

Bukowski
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj4RRGq8jNQ&feature=related



We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

Fire It Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLfFBj1Vk4U

Florida
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bTjjS_palc&feature=related

Spitting Venom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8rH80cBWjQ