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

The Blood Brothers

The Blood Brothers are one of those bands that you either love to death...or you hate with every bone in your coffee enriched body. For me, they were one of the most brilliant "noise-makers" I've ever heard. My adoration for this band started with a bias because i knew a couple who owned a Taco Del Mar were various members of the band worked, and I also went to church with the guitarist brother. That being said, i would still love this band without any connections.

The Blood Brothers were formed in 1997 by Jordan Blilie, Johnny Whitney and Mark Gajadhar. They were all around 15 years old. They released there first album,This Adultery Is Ripe, in 2000. The Blood brothers, if you have never heard of them, is a mixture of punk screamo/hardcore/alternative/dancing around in your underwear at four in the morning down 3rd and Pike (this may or my not have happened...) They have incredibly screechy vocals with pounding drums and piercing/minimalist guitar. In all this band rocks so hard and loud that they hand out ear plugs at there shows, and there is no way to see them without inserting foam into your ear canals. Seriously.
They sadly broke up in 2007, but they remain to this day as a total staple for Seattle music.


This Adultery is Ripe


March on Electric Children

Meet Me at the Water Front After the Social
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W_0c61QPJE

Kiss of The Octopus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUnTOhwQcdk&feature=related


...Burn, Piano Island, Burn

Burn, Piano Island, Burn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCRsJKnLppU

Cecilia and the Silhouette Saloon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRaHDK3CeVs&feature=related


Crimes

Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OEtlteAojI

My First Kiss at the Public Execution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRcj2j1XgY


Young Machetes

Laser life (one of my favorite songs ever)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwZ0OuUrDes

Set Fire to the Face on Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGovcXvmbU0&feature=related