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Win Tickets to See NighTrain, Watch it Sparkle, and Black Tones at Columbia City Theater (2/18)!
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NighTrain are four females hailing from various corners of the Pacific Northwest who play what they ...NighTrain are four females hailing from various corners of the Pacific Northwest who play what they describe as “Locomotive Punk;” that is, a sound characterized by elements of Punk, Motown, Soul and Funk. It seems the group coined the phrase themselves to describe their unique sound and it fits. When asked to name their influences, bassist Selena “No Pick” Whitaker-Paquiet, drummer Taryn Dorsey, vocalist Rachael Ferguson, and guitarist Nichole Peoples cite artists from Captain Beefheart to Cee-lo, to the New York Dolls to Florence and the Machine. Musically, they are hard to pin down.
The intro track on NighTrain’s debut album Derailed, entitled “NTN” cracks open with a Cramps-like riff before Vocalist Rachael Ferguson cautions “Choo choo motherfucker/We’ll beat your ass on this train”—a line which sets the perfect “take no prisoners” tone for what follows. On “Hey Hey,” Ferguson’s vocals trigger recollections of Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein while her threat of “I’ll cut yaaaaa” on “The Diss,” sounds more Parallel Lines era Debbie Harry. Fresh off their first West Coast tour, NighTrain have played a handful of dates around Seattle in the past few months, but this is the last show listed on their official website.
To get an idea of what their set might be like, check out the band’s video for “the Diss:”
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Best New Bands Poll 2011: The Ballots
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We asked Seattle's music insiders to tell us what new bands made the biggest impact in 2010. Here's ...We asked Seattle's music insiders to tell us what new bands made the biggest impact in 2010. Here's how they voted (and how we scored them):
Daniel Ahrendt
Live Reviews Editor, SSG
Unranked
Ononos (3)
Flexions (3)
Black Breath (3)
Absolute Monarchs (3)
Spurm (3)
Alicia Amiri
Marketing manager, Neumos
Unranked
Absolute Monarchs (3)
Let's Get Lost (3)
Horde and the Harem (3)
My Goodness (3)
Ravenna Woods (3)
Eli Anderson
Senior talent buyer, The Crocodile
1. Yuni in Taxco (5)
2. Thousands (4)
3. Beat Connection (3)
4. Brent Amaker (2)
5. SOTA (1)
Amy Bauer
VP of marketing, Sarathan Records
1. My Goodness (5)
2. Ravenna Woods (4)
3. The Royal Bear (3)
4. Staxx Brothers (2)
5. The Physics (1)
Mark Baumgarten
Editor-at-large, City Arts
1. The Head and the Heart (5)
2. Shabazz Palaces (4)
3. Perfume Genius (3)
4. The Young Evils (2)
5. Beat Connection (1)
Nikki Benson
Founder, SSG
1. Ravenna Woods (5)
2. Beat Connection (4)
3. Campfire OK (3)
4. Thomas Hunter (2)
5. Lovesick Empire (1)
Cheree Best
Entertainment account executive, The Stranger
1. The Head & The Heart (5)
2. Macklemore (4)
3. Butts (3)
4. Head Like a Kite (2)
5. Thee Satisfaction (1)
M.L. Birdsall
Boss, Don't Stop Believin' Records
1. Cold Lake (5)
2. Pony Time (4)
3. Wet Paint DMM (3)
4. Tit Pig (2)
5. Stickers (1)
Chris Burlingame
Founder, Another Rainy Saturday
Unranked
Beat Connection (3)
Concours d'Elegance (3)
Shelby Earl (3)
Shabazz Palaces (3)
Viper Creek Club (3)
Nik Christofferson
Founder, Seattle Rock Guy
Unranked
Smooth Sailing (3)
Throne of Bone (3)
Grenades (3)
Vultures 2012 (3)
Curse of the North (3)
Scott Colburn
Producer
Unranked
Staxx Brothers (4)
Uncle Pooch (4)
Jabon (4)
Marco Collins
DJ, KEXP
1. The Head and The Heart (5)
2. Fences (4)
3. The Young Evils (3)
4. Beat Connection (2)
5. Seapony (1)
Toby Crittendon
Outreach director, Washington Bus; contributor, Last Night’s Mixtape
1. OCnotes (5)
2. WD4D (4)
3. Made in Heights (3)
4. 10.4 Rog (2)
5. Militant Child (1)
Melissa “Meli” Darby
Outgoing talent buyer, Nectar Lounge; talent buyer, The Crocodile
1. IG88 (5)
2. Shabazz Palaces (4)
3. Fly Moon Royalty (3)
4. Jus Moni (2)
5. Head and The Heart (1)
Christina Eichelberger
VP Digital Media and Artist Relations, Sarathan Records
Unranked
Ravenna Woods (3)
Curtains For You (3)
The Absolute Monarchs (3)
My Goodness (3)
Fences (3)
Ryan Ellis
Promotions & Public Relations & Bar Manager, Tractor Tavern
Unranked
The Chasers, formally the Chevy Chasers (3)
Grynch (3)
The Redwood Plan (3)
The Lights (3)
Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth (3)
Jeff Gilbert
Owner, Feedback Lounge
Post Modern Heroes (3)
Star Anna (3)
Witchburn (3)
The Bend (3)
Gunn And The Damage Done (3)
John Gilbreath
Founder, Earshot Jazz
1. A G O G I C (5)
Christen Greene
General Manager and Head of A&R, Onto Entertainment
Unranked
Cataldo (3)
Fences (3)
The Head and The Heart (3)
Shenandoah Davis (3)
TacocaT (3)
Travis Hay
Founder, Guerrilla Candy
1. Hobosexual (5)
2. Sol (4)
3. Curtains for You (3)
4. My Goodness (2)
5. Viper Creek Club (1)
Nicolas Heliotis
General manager, Hardly Art
Unranked
Hausu (3)
Seapony (3)
WAMU (3)
Naomi Punk (3)
Broomsticks (3)
Michael Jaworski
President, Mt. Fuji Records; booker, The Sunset Tavern
Unranked
Mal De Mer (3)
The Night Beats (3)
Pony Time (3)
18 Individual Eyes (3)
Spurm (3)
Kyle Johnson
Photographer
Beat Connection (3.5)
DJ Introcut (3.5)
Campfire OK (3.5)
Perfume Genius (3.5)
Tony Kay
Music writer, The SunBreak
1. Curtains for You (5)
2. Lesbian (4)
3. THEE Satisfaction (3)
4. The Fucking Eagles (2)
5. The Redwood Plan (1)
Garrett Kelly
Co-founder, Hollow Earth Radio
Unranked
Santee (3)
Thousands (3)
Prawnyxx (3)
Agatha (3)
Megabog (3)
Josh Lovseth
Photographer, writer and publishing editor; Sound on the Sound
1. Drew Grow and the Pastor's Wives (5)
2. The Head and the Heart (4)
3. My Goodness (3)
4. Lemolo (2)
5. Pickwick (1)
DeVon Manier
President and co-founder, Sportn' Life Records
1. Fly Moon Royalty (5)
2. The Young Evils (4)
3. Shaprece (3)
4. NighTrain (2)
5. Kung Foo Grip (1)
Nathan Marion
Director, Fremont Abbey Arts Center; founder, The Round
Unranked
Tony Kevin, Jr. (3)
Kelli Schaefer (3)
Land of Pines (3)
Bryan John Appleby (3)
Gregory Boyd (3)
Sharlese Metcalf
Producer/DJ, KEXP
Unranked
Reporter (3)
Ravenna Woods (3)
Absolute Monarchs (3)
My Goodness (3)
Metal Chocolates (3)
Barbara Mitchell
Freelance writer and publicist
1. Curtains for You (5)
2. Cobirds Unite (4)
3. Ivan & Alyosha (3)
4. Lindsey Fuller (2)
5. Fences (1)
Michele Myers
DJ, KEXP
1. Victor Shade (5)
2. Titus Andronicus (4)
3. Thee Satisfaction (3)
4. Fences (2)
5. The Intelligence (1)
Kayte Olsufka
Live music coordinator, Hard Rock Cafe Seattle
1. The Head and The Heart (5)
2. State of the Artist (4)
3. Fences (3)
4. Campfire OK (2)
5. Beat Connection (1)
Jen Petersen
Co-Founder, Cafe Society; co-founder, Sportn' Life Records
Unranked
Fly Moon Royalty (3.5)
NighTrain (3.5)
Jus Moni (3.5)
Shaprece (3.5)
Chris Porter
Programming director, One Reel/ Bumbershoot
Unranked
Ivan & Alyosha (3)
Allen Stone (3)
silOHS (3)
The Young Evils (3)
Perfume Genius (3)
Steven Severin
Owner, Neumos
Unranked
Shabazz Palaces (3)
The Head and the Heart (3)
Young Evils (3)
Black Breath (3)
Campfire OK (3)
Abbey Simmons
Editor & Co-Founder, Sound on the Sound
1. Drew Grow & the Pastors' Wives (5)
2. The Head and the Heart (4)
3. Kelli Schaefer (3)
4. Lemolo (2)
5. Ravenna Woods (1)
Michelle Smith
Booker, Comet Tavern
Drew Grow & The Pastors' Wives (3)
Kelli Schaefer (3)
Wayfinders (3)
Midday Veil (3)
Lonesome Shack (3)
Daniel Steinberg
Founder, Square Peg Concerts
1. The Head and the Heart (5)
Kevin Sur
Founder, Artist Home Booking/ Artist Home Presents
1. Campfire OK (5)
2. Lemolo (4)
3. Baltic Cousins (3)
4. Cobirds Unite! (2)
5. Butts (1)
Scott Teske
Music director, Seattle Rock Orchestra
Campfire OK (3)
Ivan & Alyosha (3)
The Thoughts (3)
Bryan John Appleby (3)
James Lanman & the Good Hurt (3)
Ben Verellen
Owner, Verellen Amplifiers, LLC
Unranked
Absolute Monarchs (4)
Dog Shredder (4)
Great Falls (4)
Adam Ydstie
Co-founder, The Warehouse
1. Pickwick (5)
2. Rockwell Powers (4)
3. Elk & Boar (3)
4. Land of Pines (2)
5. Bryan John Appleby (1)
Jonathan Zwickel
Associate editor, City Arts
1. The Head and the Heart (5)
2. Flexions (4)
3. Wheedle's Groove (3)
4. Pearly Gate Music (2)
5. Petty Party (1)
Final tally
1. THATH 45
2. Campfire OK 19.5
3 (tie). My Goodness 19
3 (tie). Ravenna Woods 19
5. Beat Connection 17.5
6 (tie). Absolute Monarchs 16
6 (tie). Curtains for You 16
6 (tie). Fences 16
9. The Young Evils 15
10. Shabazz Palaces 14
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Up & Coming
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Thee Emergency, NighTrain, Secret Shoppers, Sugar Water Purple
(Funhouse) NighTrain may have spun o...Thee Emergency, NighTrain, Secret Shoppers, Sugar Water Purple
(Funhouse) NighTrain may have spun off from fictive origins (the members first played together in a band invented for, and central to, Dirty Girl Productions' Hot Grits musical), but nowadays the local foursome keep things real as fuck. Trading in swaggering, soulful, punk-inflected rock, NighTrain have been unapologetically (if somewhat discreetly) wowing crowds since 2008. Part of their appeal undeniably derives from the band's aural homages to their PNW riot grrrl forebears, but thankfully, they own their sound completely, incorporating traces of wide-ranging influences, from synthy post-punk to lo-fi pop, into one charming package. They'll fit nicely alongside this bill's other estimable performers, but the night—their CD release celebration—should belong to them. Secret Shoppers and Sugar Water Purple will bring the beats, NighTrain and Thee Emergency will bring the heat. JASON BAXTER
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The Short List: The Week's Recommended Shows
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Dyme Def / Friday, December 31
In 2010, the reopened Columbia City Theater has done wonders to ma...Dyme Def / Friday, December 31
In 2010, the reopened Columbia City Theater has done wonders to match its rich history (Ella Fitzgerald and Jimi Hendrix both played here) with contemporary local acts. In the surprisingly quiet wake of their June release Sex Tape—a stellar record that could as easily place the blame for its understated reception on its mature subject matter as anything else—Seattle rap trio Dyme Def headlines the venue's first New Year's Eve party under the new management. Support on the bill comes from garage-rockers Hounds of the Wild Hunt and the all-female punk quartet NightTraiN, making for a wildly eclectic way to ring in the New Year. Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave. S., 722-3009. 9 p.m. $10. NICK FELDMAN
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WIN TICKETS to the Columbia City Theater New Years Show with Dyme Def, Hounds of the Wild Hunt, and NighTraiN!
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Friday is New Years Eve. The end of 2010. The beginning of 2011. Weird, I know. Even weirder is this...Friday is New Years Eve. The end of 2010. The beginning of 2011. Weird, I know. Even weirder is this New Years Eve show lineup. Starting at 9pm at the Columbia City Theater on Rainer Ave, Dyme Def, The Hounds of the Wild Hunt (previously The Whore Moans), and NighTraiN will be curating the evening in mismatched Seattle style. The three emcees of Dyme Def will represent the commercial hip-hop party, The Hounds will supply all your sweaty basement punk adrenaline, and NighTraiN will be trippy ESG throwback divas. If that doesn’t quite meet your hierarchy of needs, there is a bar. Stop on by and you’ll be sure to hear something to satisfy all your personalities.
For your chance to win tickets, e-mail contests@ssgmusic.com with the phrase “Dyme Train of the Hunt (12/31)” in the subject line. Be sure to include your first and last name. We’ll holler back if you’re the winner!
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Win a Pair of Tickets to Columbia City Theater's New Year's Eve with Dyme Def + Hounds of the Wild Hunt + NighTraiN
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?If you can't decide whether you want to kick off your New Year with rock and roll or hip hop, Colum...?If you can't decide whether you want to kick off your New Year with rock and roll or hip hop, Columbia City Theater is your best place to be this Friday night. CCT's New Year's Eve party is featuring the best of both worlds -- Seattle's most swaggering hip hop trio Dyme Def will headline, and the lovely Hounds of the Wild Hunt and the glamorous NighTraiN will open.
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NighTrain will bust your you-know-what on Friday {11/19}
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Hello. Two of my favorite Seattle bands are sharing a bill at the Funhouse on Friday the 19th. NighT...Hello. Two of my favorite Seattle bands are sharing a bill at the Funhouse on Friday the 19th. NighTrain brings the filth with soul, funk, rock & roll and feminism. You'll be ready to start a fire or a riot grrrl band after watching them play. Seriously.
Pony Time is awesome. Stacy Peck is a crazy good drummer, and singer Luke Beetham has this "love child of Buddy Holly and Gary Numan" vibe to his vocals which is fantastic. Not to be missed is bratty 70's style pop punk group Jaguar Paw and Dan Dan MacInTire's comedy - I am assuming it will be hilarious. With the Funhouse's famed Jell-O shots and cheap beer, how could it not?
This also happens to be Funhouse booker Brian Foss' wife's birthday show. Don't be lame, put your dancing shoes on and come buy the birthday girl a shot!
Show at 9:30, $6 at the door. See you there!
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Hobosexual Has Something Special Planned for Tomorrow Night …
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ANNOUNCEMENT! Hobosexual has joined forces with the vocal power of fellow locals NighTraiN for our S...ANNOUNCEMENT! Hobosexual has joined forces with the vocal power of fellow locals NighTraiN for our Sept 10th Columbia City Theater show! The lovely Taryn, Selena and Rachael will be joining Jeff and Ben onstage for the most rip roaring party this side of the continent for ONE NIGHT ONLY! This is going to be AMAZING! If… you miss this one, you’d better be DEAD or IN JAIL…and if you’re in jail….BREAK OUT!
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NighTraiN & Atomic Bride: Saturday Night at the Funhouse
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In the last week, I've heard NightraiN & Atomic Bride mentioned at least six times each in different...In the last week, I've heard NightraiN & Atomic Bride mentioned at least six times each in different (or the same) conversations. I figured I'd ask roughly the same questions to each band so we can all go ahead and get an idea of what is happening in the world of music today. It's insight, for free! NightraiN first:
Can you please explain to me what you're going after musically?
Rachael F: I think we're going after your mom, musically. Maybe your hot ass sister. She digs pre-programmed midis on keyboard and dancing in polyester. Aside from that I think we try to connect with our audience through driving rhythms and soul-like harmonics. Our destination is balls deep.
Selena: To express our diverse musical influences and create our own voice and unique sound which we have dubbed “Locomotive Punk” that is sort of a punk/funk/soul fusion.
When did NighTraiN form?
Selena: We were formed approximately 3.5 years ago for a stage production called "Hot Grits."
What are your prime musical influences?
Rachael F: Ike Turner, Parliament, ODB, The Dictators, Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, ACE, James Brown, Chuck Berry, Grace Jones, Diana Ross, Cee-Lo, Dolemite, Chaka Khan and Rufus.
Selena: Glam punk like the New York Dolls, Motown, James Brown and classical jazz.
Nicole: Blues, Florence and the Machine, Kurt Cobain, Christina Aguilera, and The Wallflowers.
(MORE AFTER THE CUT)
Is everybody in the group from Seattle or did you come from other places?
Selena: Selena Whitaker-Paquiet, our bass player, is the only true Seattlite. Our Drummer, Taryn Dorsey comes from Portland, Oregon and Rachael Ferguson and Nicole Peoples are from California.
Rachael F: I’m from Pasadena. You know, where the 90210 house is.
Nicole: I’m from San Jose, do you know the way?
Do you play a lot outside of Seattle?
Rachael F: We just started to play out. We just got done with our west coast tour.
Selena: This year we have made strides in performing out of state by doing a show first in Boise, Idaho and we just finished our west coast tour, which took us through Oregon, California and Nevada.
Have you released recordings?
Selena: We first released an EP entitled NighTraiN and our first full length CD entitled NighTraiN dERAILED
What are the favorite foods of the group?
Selena: Watermelon, tacos and anything that stays in the belly! We are very diverse in our eating habits, vegetarians, omnivores and cutetarians.
Nicole: Watermelon, tacos, and almond butter!
Rachael F: I’m the cutetarian. I don’t eat things that I think are cute. Fuck birds and fish. I’ll eat the hell out of them. Nothing cute about ‘em.
Taryn: Breakfast sandwiches!
Is the name NighTrain more like NIGHT RAIN or NIGHT TRAIN OR BOTH?
Selena: Actually it is NighTraiN (nTn, NtN)
Rachael F: Like the cheap wine, son! Hop on it, mother fucker!
Where did the name NighTraiN come from?
Selena: The James Brown dance!
Do the members of the group ever argue about anything? Have there been any fights of note?
Selena: Yes, we have argued. We are passionate about the music so of course, that leads to disputes. It is upsetting to disagree or feel your contributions are not being recognized so all fights are of note. We have set rules for communication which has been very helpful in allowing everyone's voice to be heard.
Nicole: I argue about a lot of things. Yeah... but we work it out.
Rachael F: One time I shot Selena in the foot.
As a whole, what are some things that the group NighTrain love?
Selena: Laughing, making music, bunnies, sparkly things and loving!
Rachael F: Food and drinking and ogling at hot dudes.
Nicole: All but one loves dick. Can you guess which one that is?
What can a person expect from the show Saturday night at the Funhouse?
Selena: High energy entertainment and fun!
Rachael F: Mayhem!
Nicole: Pussies!
Also, please add anything you'd like here:
Selena: Choo choo mutha fuckas!
Well, well, wellington! Thanks a lot, NightraiN!
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Noise for the Needy Bands and Bios 2010
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NOISE FOR THE NEEDY 2010 RAISED $24,781 FOR TEEN FEED!
Seattle-based non profit Noise for the Nee...NOISE FOR THE NEEDY 2010 RAISED $24,781 FOR TEEN FEED!
Seattle-based non profit Noise for the Needy has just announced its final totals for 2010’s Noise for the Needy Festival! This year, the organization is thrilled to announce that it has raised $24,781 for Teen Feed.
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Photos: Thee Emergency, the Spinning Whips & NighTraiN @ the High Dive
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Thee Emergency, the Spinning Whips and NighTraiN played our first show at the High Dive last Saturda...Thee Emergency, the Spinning Whips and NighTraiN played our first show at the High Dive last Saturday night – and wow each band put on a fascinating show. I’ve seen Thee Emergency many times and yet they’ve stayed fresh and exciting live. It’s a testament to their performance and musical abilities that they can do this. The Spinning Whips have just gotten better – this was my third time seeing the band and it’s wonderful to see a band form and grow so strong so fast. My note to NighTraiN: you are totally stunning. My note to readers: See any of these bands at any time.
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Show Preview: Thee Emergency, the Spinning Whips & NighTraiN @ the High Dive, Sat. 8/7
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Back Beat Seattle is presenting (along with the High Dive) its first show at the High Dive this Satu...Back Beat Seattle is presenting (along with the High Dive) its first show at the High Dive this Saturday, August 7th. The bill is one I am particularly excited about as it will feature new music from Thee Emergency. Their latest, Cracka Slang came out just last month, and it will also feature the Spinning Whips, a relatively new band but one I have seen twice already. I can’t wait to hear more of their twisting sound. NighTraiN, whose singer Rachael Ferguson recently collaborated with Brent Amaker and the Rodeo, rounds out the bill.
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Maindingers, Nightrain, Council of Lions, Kimya Dawson, Rhombus – June 18 – Maritime Heritage Park
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Moandingers delivered an excellent heart-felt mellow acoustic set to start off a wonderful outdoor s...Moandingers delivered an excellent heart-felt mellow acoustic set to start off a wonderful outdoor show at sunny Maritime Heritage Park as Ladyfest organizers served ice cream to an enthusiastic crowd. Guitar, accordion, ukulele were all utilized throughout set by Kayla Brogden and Elizabeth Talbot. The Moandingers’ old time folk feel was spiced up with Bill Lohse playing cello, both bowed and pizzicato style lent well to the Moandingers’ aesthetic.
NightraiN moved up the tempo with their brand of ass shaking rock. Imagine Bootsy Collins playing bass for the Stooges. Much of the crowd started up a dance floor to this bass heavy power group. NightraiN was able to liven the crowd belting out sexy raw lyrics that were reminiscent of The Gossip.
Council of Lions was next and kept the crowd pumped up with stellar guitar riffs that made heads bob and bodies sway. It’s always nice to see band members switch instruments, which Council of Lions’ drummer and bassist did.
The show was powered from the pedal project’s bike-generator provided by Makeshift. Kimya Dawson commented that she wanted all her shows to be powered this way, and she wanted to do a tour where she traveled on a train and just could setup at different train stops along the way with someone powering her from pedaling. Right at this moment a train whistle happened to sound which caused the audience to laugh. Dawson joked you don’t know how much I had to pay to make that happen. This was a magical moment that really exemplified how everything really seemed to come together that night thanks to the wonderful volunteers of Ladyfest.
Dawson played poignant a superb set with a whole range of emotions from starting off funny and whimsical, and then went into a somber, solemn, and mournful song about a transgender friend who died of cancer. She finally ended with an uplifting and sober song about understanding, as the sunset gave way to the night.
The rhythm section of Rhombu$ really gave a hard pounding punch. After breaking the low E bass string while tuning up at the start of the show, Rhombu$ wasn’t slowed down a bit as Meg Coultertron tuned down the rest of her strings to make her A the new E etc. The first songs were played on this makeshift bass until both NightraiN and Council of Lions lent their basses to Rhombu$. They were tight knit with strong energy and ruled with keyboardist Audra Robson freshly back from Europe. Most of the crowd sang along with the lyrics as a mosh-pit erupted from a stoked crowd. Cat Sieh has true charismatic stage presence, and is really able to connect with the crowd. Nicole Zapel gave a stunning operatic about a conspiracy theory that has aliens sending their deviants to Earth to spawn the human race. Rhombu$ had their set complimented by some excellent fire poi being spun behind them which added to their already fever pitched intensity.
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Night Train and Spencer Moody at the Black Lodge for Haiti Benefit
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The earthquake that devastated Haiti last month was a tragic occurrence that caused over 200,000 dea...The earthquake that devastated Haiti last month was a tragic occurrence that caused over 200,000 deaths. In the spirit of giving, Black Lodge put on a benefit concert last Saturday in order to support the victims of the travesty, with a bill touting several local bands.
Night Train is a four piece all-girl band that plays jagged and rhythmically unpolished punk progressions over a soulful and boisterous lead singer with zany style to boot. Their set was highly danceable and very fun!
Spencer Moody, of legendary Murder City Devil fame, stripped things down a bit with his solo set on Saturday night at the Black Lodge. Quite the departure from the last time I saw him on stage at Sasquatch!, his low-fi, "dude with a half-stack" vibe well pleased the crowd, eager to help out with loose change in order to support the victims of the Haiti travesty.
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Get on Board the NIghTrain at Hidmo This Saturday
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This Saturday, local punk quartet NighTrain will perform, and based on their music video for their s...This Saturday, local punk quartet NighTrain will perform, and based on their music video for their song "The Diss"-- which features, in one frame, a shirtless man on a leash--they should bring a searing new sound and perspective to the usual hip-hop and R&B atmosphere of Ladies First. Lead vocalist Rachael Ferguson sings with a gravelly steadiness over NightTrain's raucous percussion and electric strings, and it's exciting to see riot grrl owned by women of color, inevitably expanding and deepening the potential of punk music to speak on an inclusive (black) feminist discourse in music. And it looks like a good-ass time. The show is $5 suggested donation (although nobody will be turned away), all ages, and features an open mic before the performance. After the jump, check out "The Diss."
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Photos: Thee Emergency, the Spinning Whips & NighTraiN @ the High Dive
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Thee Emergency, the Spinning Whips and NighTraiN played our first show at the High Dive last Saturda...Thee Emergency, the Spinning Whips and NighTraiN played our first show at the High Dive last Saturday night – and wow each band put on a fascinating show. I’ve seen Thee Emergency many times and yet they’ve stayed fresh and exciting live. It’s a testament to their performance and musical abilities that they can do this. The Spinning Whips have just gotten better – this was my third time seeing the band and it’s wonderful to see a band form and grow so strong so fast. My note to NighTraiN: you are totally stunning. My note to readers: See any of these bands at any time.
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INTERVIEW: All-Girl Punk Band NighTraiN Embark On West Coast Tour!
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Is there ever anything better than an all-girl band? How about an all-Black, all-girl, punk rock ban...Is there ever anything better than an all-girl band? How about an all-Black, all-girl, punk rock band? With a take charge attitude reminiscent of Sugar Babydoll and Sleater-Kinney combined with the same kind of charisma as The Go-Go's (or The Carrie Nations for everyone up on their cult film classics), NighTraiN are embarking on their first ever west coast tour in June, and would love nothing better than to have the support of a bunch of West Coast Afro Punkers who know how to have a good time. If you’re in Portland, San Diego, Las Vegas or any of the other cities set to receive these sassy purveyors of locomotive punk, (see complete list of cities below) please come out and show your support. They also launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the tour. Here, the ladies tell us why it will be worth every second of your time.
2 Questions for Selena:
* What was it like, being brought together as strangers as a “concept band” for the play Hot Grits?
I was excited for the challenge. I saw it as an opportunity to learn a new skill – playing an instrument – and I knew that something spectacular would come from it. I totally expected that this venture would be something that would change my life.
* What do you like most about rocking out on stage with this particular group of women?
The friendship. I genuinely love these women! We are so different from each other in every aspect and it is these differences that I have truly come to respect. They have taught me a lot about working together and sharing the creative process; as well as, taught me more about myself.
2 Questions for Rachael:
* Name some of the musical influences you and your band mates have in common.
We have so many individual influences. But we all generally love something with a hard driving rhythm, songs that make you want to move/dance, songs that have big voices and songs that are lyrically exciting. Grace Jones, Nina Simone, Janelle Monae, James Brown, Motown, Chaka Khan, Funkadelic, Hall and Oates, Fishbone, The New York Dolls, T-Rex, Yazz...
* What is one of your favorite touring pastimes?
Oh, we haven’t toured before. This will be our first time. The West Coast is going to pop NTN’s cherry.
2 Questions for Taryn:
* How did you decide that now was the time to embark on the first NighTraiN tour?
Well, we have been playing around Seattle for 3 years and have played with so many great bands, and venues all over town. So we thought it was time to put ourselves out there and rock the west coasts face off. We also got a lot of love and support from fellow musicians; they gave us tips and contacts to help us get on tour. As a band it’s just the perfect time for us to do so, I am beyond excited!
* Name three things about your band mates that inspire you.
There are of course many more than three, but I love their pure creativity, their wit and humor (you should hear our practice tapes, hilarious!) and their courage to do our own music our way.
2 Questions for Nicole:
* What can fans expect from a live NighTraiN show?
A lot of energy, sass, sweat, fist pumpin, and a dancin good time.
* Your website mentions a forthcoming album this year. How far along are you with the project, when can we expect it, and please describe locomotive punk!
We have been writing and creating new songs and are talking with people who would like to record us. But ya gotta wait til after tour!
Locomotive punk came from a few things; the fact that our chant is “Choo Choo Motha Fuckas!” When we would tell people about the band they would ask us what kind of music we play and we had a hard time describing our genre of music because we have so many influences! We also didn’t want to be boxed in and we came up with our chant “Choo Choo Motha Fuckas!”
Lastly, anyone can weigh in on the following (2 part question):
* Do y’all already have groupies, and what kind of style inspirations will be informing your onstage looks this summer?
I don’t think we have “groupies” per say, but we definitely have loyal fans.
Our on stage style is usually determined by how we feel at the time. We usually pick a color theme for a show, which allows us to express our fabulous individual style, but yet gives us a connection on stage. We definitely like color, vintage fashions, and everything in between! It’s important for us to look and feel good on stage, and we do!!
supersonic
