the blakes

Another band that's shared the stage with The emergency is the hard-hitting combo The Blakes. With swampy guitar leads and agonized vocals that sound as if they're being pulled apart by a torture rack, the band taps into the primal gut of rock 'n' roll like a less produced Kings of Leon. Their "Little Whispers" EP came out late in 2005 and has received an almost absurd amount of airplay on local station KEXP. - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Bringing my list back to the Northwest--The Blakes; from Seattle, are also a band strongly influenced by bands not of this era. The Kinks seem to be making a huge appearance on this list, but yes, The Blakes are very influenced by The Kinks, but more so by another 70s band--The Cramps. The guitar and bass of The Blakes are very much like those of the Cramps. The Blakes are helping in the reviving of the 60s and 70s in the music scene which is good because you people these days! The Blakes also have many 80s influences (yes, I know, you love the 80s) with bands like Talk Talk and Duran Duran. The Blakes have a potent sound that if you don't love, it would shock me.

Think: David Bowie smoking cigs with DeeDee Ramone in the empty living room of Lex Luger when Duran Duran busts in with Robert Smith wanting to dance.

My Favorite Song: "Two Times" - myspace blog

...The Blakes do a hell of a job playing last. They're as garage-oriented as the other guys, but just a bit more pop flowing through their veins. I swear, one of their numbers reminds me of "Twilight Zone" by Golden Earring. - www.bluemoonseattle.blogspot.com

"...I caught a fiery, somewhat chaotic set from The Blakes. This reckless-but-talented rock trio sound as ambitious as they do unhinged, thanks in large part to drummer Bob (yep, just 'Bob'), a preternaturally talented kid with a spastic, hard-hitting presence that will draw inevitable Keith Moon comparisons. They currently have an EP, Little Whispers (Red Dear Records), but for a more accurate taste of their current sound, you should wait for their new full-length (set for release later this spring), or better yet, catch them Thursday, May 4, at the Crocodile with Stabmasterarson, the Young Sportsmen, and Trip the Light." - The Stranger

"The Blakes...are fantastic. Whether it's their pre-show hilarity in the bar, their obvious camaraderie or their winning stage presence, it's no wonder these three Seattle dudes are making it big around town. Yes, that was them that the P-I named as a 'band to watch' in 2006. So deserved. If you haven't been able to catch them at one of their fantastic shows, you should head to their myspace page--I'd highly recommend 'Pistol Grip,' though the live version is soooooooo crazy-good, and I can't imagine it's as good in recording. But maybe I'll go have a listen myself... (i just squealed in delight at the prospect...and then listened...and what do you know, this version is fabulous too). - thewigfitsallheads.com

I have no idea who said, “Hey, you should check out The Blakes ” back in January, but for some reason I wrote down their name in my notepad. I had a faint recollection of hearing their name here and there last year… but for all I know, I could have dreamt this scenario.

Who are The Blakes? Either divine intervention or my acute intuition told me to see for myself on that February evening.

The Blakes, my friends, are the pure joy of some bluesy, toe-tappin indie rock from Seattle… but not trying with all their might to sound like many other too-cool-indie-fuckin-shoegazer bands in this town. The Blakes will get you (and drunk Canadians, as I witnessed) movin and ready to party with tunes similar to early Stones and Kinks with a touch of new wave (sans synth) powerpop, jacked-up-to-Jesus in the garage with Nirvana and The Vines. You’ll dance, you’ll shout and you’ll keep on playing their tunes in your car, like me.

The venue added some glam to this gritty, party rock show: Seattle’s Baltic Room, located on Capitol Hill, looks much like an exotic opium den, complete with red velvet curtains, deep wood walls and red silk lanterns, oversized mirrors, tall ceilings.
I waited outside for a spell as some drunk guy kept ranting that he wasn’t gay, (I’m gonna leave that one alone) as the water he was gifted from the friendly bartender dripped quickly from his chin. Waiting for dramatic events, I grew impatient and cold, so I headed in.

A DJ spun an eclectic mix of new wave, Britpop andrandom beats that people like to dance to… while I swilled $1.50 PBRs and waited for that drunk guy to reappear and entertain me further. He did, of course.

Its 11:40… and The Blakes finally take the stage on this school night. While modestly setting up, this 3 man attack let loose with steady, melody of Garnet onguitar over Snow’s throbbing bass and Bob’s tight work on his minimalist kit results in a sweet and dirty sound spiking The Blakes catchy, pop beat.

My picks: Two Times, Pistol Grip


Lilting and obliquely rockin!!

(I asked… no one in the band is actually named Blake). - sugarbuzzmagazine.com

"Then came the Blakes. Holy Shit! In case you don't know who they are (you should), they are a three piece powerpop/indie rock band from Seattle. They impressed the crap out of me. I see why they were picked as one of the ten up and coming bands to watch in 2006. I heard influences of Echo and the Bunnymen, The Pixies, The Vines, Nirvana etc.. The crowd went crazy for 'Two Times'. I've been listening to that song a lot in my car and it was quite epic seeing it live.They seem ready for big things to happen. I got a chance to talk to them all after the show and they were extremely humble friendly gents. There was a large amount of interesting people from Seattle as well. Many thanks to The Blakes for hitting up Langley."

"The third band of the evening was 'The Blakes'. They are a swaggering 3-piece powerpop assault to your senses from Seattle. Garnet and Snow play the guitars and switch off vocal duties. Bob packs a punch on drums. I bought their first CD a while back and love it. The newer songs I have are even better (especially Two Times). I hear the new album is gonna be sick. The sound fits in nicely with current groups like 'the Arctic Monkeys' and 'the Rakes', but also has a classic feel like 'the Pixies' or 'Echo and the Bunnymen'. Very cool indeed. I think it's just a matter of time before they break into the mainstream. The sound was really good also (last time I saw them was at the Doghouse). They are born performers. You can tell they feel comfortable on stage (something I need to get good at). The set seemed short and they left the stage leaving the now full house wanting more. Levi and I had a nice chat with the guys after the show. Rightious folks. I can't wait to catch them again. They are one of the best bands in Seattle. Check them out on my friends list." - myspace blogs

Why We Love… The Blakes… by Dagmar

The Blakes are cool and they rock. Theirs is a sexy, vicious sound coming from a trio of usually black-clad guys who go by first names only: Garnett (vocals & guitar), Snow (bass & vocals) and Bob (drums). They are dark and gore you with screams and shouts. I love all these Blakesian elements. The songs are all memorable, brief but tight, and swell with emotion and visceral, crafty lyrics. Their live performance is a wonder and I can’t help but have the feeling that I’m watching something very special—imagining it’s the feeling of watching an early show by the Beatles. (Yes, WOW!) They inspire an excitement and energy rarely seen, and yet so very necessary, in great art.
- thewigfitsallheads.com

I totally agree with your impression of The Blakes. I "stumbled" upon them about a year ago playing their first show at Sirens in Pt. Townsend and had the same reaction to them that you had. Port Townsend can be a virtual desert when it comes to the, as you say, powerpop/indie rock genre of music. Walking in unawares to The Blakes was like coming into the oasis. A night of unabandoned dancing and thorough music appreciation followed. They have come back to PT several other times with their reputation preceeding them and Sirens has become packed on those nights. It is one of my favorite nights in town. Everyone seems to have a good time on those nights. You are also right about your impression of them personally. Snow, Garnet and Bob are true and genuine human beings without any of the egotism that seems to go along with a lot of other bands. Last time they were in town they even played a small house party at my place and jammed with some of the under 21 musicians in town that couldn't get into their show that night at Sirens.

I think they are headed for bigger things to happen also. Their new producer Brian was the perfect choice for them. I think he has brought out their sound much better than their first two EPs. Once that album is out I think they will really take off. Which is why we should all try and seem them as much as possible in the small venues while we can. I'm getting a crew of people together to catch them at the Crocodile next Tuesday and, when they come back to Siren's, which I hope they will, you should do the same.

- myspace blog