Beggars can't be choosers with guitar straps, but the band oozes forth

The Beggars rage on. (All Cat Rose photos)

By Andy

Broken guitar straps be damned.

Hell, even duct tape can't fix those bastards sometimes.

So, what do you do? You say "fuck it," you grab your six-string off the floor and you carry on with the show. And maybe it's a good thing that the strap crapped out on you. As the emotions flow stronger and the sweat pours profusely down your face while you're holding that guitar in place the best you can... maybe as you spit out those words, the songs take on an even more intense meaning. And as the band crunches on beside and behind you, you guys have reached a whole new cathartic level that came about unexpectedly. And the crowd is eating it up. It's fucking brilliant.

And all because of that stupid guitar strap.

That's The Beggars in full-on oozing, blistering mode at The Funhouse in Seattle last Friday night.

If you were there, you know what I'm spouting about. If not, get out there next time.

Here's some Cat Rose photos of The Beggars in action, plus more from the killer punk n' roll openers, Die Nasty, Communist Eyes and Thee Perfect Gentlemen.


THE BEGGARS

DIE NASTY

COMMUNIST EYES

THEE PERFECT GENTLEMEN

Beefed-up ‘Singles’ soundtrack on the way May 19

Mudhoney and Heart...or Lovemongers  (All Cat Rose photos)

Filmmaker Cameron Crowe said in a press release this week that the stellar soundtrack to his 1992 movie “Singles” was a tribute to the hard-working bands that welcomed him, with open arms, into Seattle to get his camera rolling. The music is still loved by many fans, he added.

Epic Soundtrax and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of "Singles" with the release of a newly expanded and remastered edition of the soundtrack on May 19.

"The album itself was always designed to be sort of an anti-soundtrack, more like a souvenir and a simple mix-tape of some of Seattle's finest," said Crowe in the release. “Anyway, here we are now revisiting 'Singles,' the film, as well as the soundtrack you hold in your hands, expanded with a special tip of the hat to the fans of the original release.  Included are unreleased and raw elements that helped shape the experience of making the movie back in 1991. Hope you enjoy the trip back as much as I did – Viva Seattle!"

Eddie Vedder

Get ready to dig in to these tracks. Especially cool will be Chris Cornell’s Poncier tunes, with the moniker named after Matt Dillon’s smug rockstar character in Citizen Dick — and oh, yes, “Touch Me I’m Dick” is included:

SINGLES: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK-DELUXE EDITION
track listing
1. Would? – Alice In Chains
2. Breath – Pearl Jam
3. Seasons – Chris Cornell
4. Dyslexic Heart – Paul Westerberg
5. Battle Of Evermore – The Lovemongers
6. Chloe Dancer/Crown Of Thorns – Mother Love Bone
7. Birth Ritual – Soundgarden
8. State of Love And Trust – Pearl Jam
9. Overblown – Mudhoney
10. Waiting For Somebody – Paul Westerberg
11. May This Be Love – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
12. Nearly Lost You – Screaming Trees
13. Drown – Smashing Pumpkins

Bonus Disc (included in 2CD and 2LP editions)
1. Touch Me I'm Dick – Citizen Dick (first time on CD)
2. Nowhere But You – Chris Cornell (Poncier)
3. Spoon Man – Chris Cornell (Poncier)
4. Flutter Girl – Chris Cornell (Poncier)
5. Missing – Chris Cornell (Poncier) (first time on CD)
6. Would? (live) – Alice In Chains (first time on CD)
7. It Ain't Like That (live) – Alice In Chains (first time on CD)
8. Birth Ritual (live) – Soundgarden (first time on CD)
9. Dyslexic Heart (acoustic) – Paul Westerberg (first time on CD)
10. Waiting For Somebody (score acoustic) – Paul Westerberg (previously unreleased)
11. Overblown (demo) – Mudhoney (previously unreleased)
12. Heart and Lungs – Truly
13. Six Foot Under – Blood Circus
14. Singles Blues 1 – Mike McCready (previously unreleased)
15. Blue Heart – Paul Westerberg (previously unreleased)
16. Lost In Emily's Words – Paul Westerberg (previously unreleased)
17. Ferry Boat #3 – Chris Cornell (previously unreleased)
18. Score Piece #4 – Chris Cornell (previously unreleased)

Sleep hits the road; 'The Clarity' on the way from Southern Lord

Matt Pike with Sleep in Seattle. (Cat Rose photo)

As the dope hovered in the air and people inched forward to get just a bit closer to the stage, someone cried out, “Matt Pike for President!”

Pike had just set up shop in front of his mammoth wall of amps at the Showbox in Seattle on a Sunday evening last October and he gazed into the sold-out crowd, nodded his head and smiled.

It was still about two weeks away from election day. Maybe, just maybe, Pike could fill the presidential slot. But nope, we’re screwed… however that doesn’t mean that Sleep can’t still roll into town amidst its Weedian wave of humongous riffs to give the Stoner Caravan a bong-full of tunes to suck upon.

Bring it on, Pike, Al Cisneros and Jason Roeder.

And, oh yeah, “The Clarity” — a monstrous, head-spinning tune — will receive new life on 12” vinyl via Southern Lord Recordings next month.

We witnessed Pike with High on Fire last Saturday at El Corazon in Seattle. It was fucking loud and our teeth were rattling while we leaned against the stage.

Pike was fired up. Get ready.


Jan. 27
With the Melvins at The Fonda Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
SOLD OUT

Jan. 28
With the Melvins at The Fonda Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
SOLD OUT

Jan. 30
At The Granada Theater
Dallas, TX

Feb. 1
At Cannery Ballroom
Nashville, TN

April 19
At First Avenue
Minneapolis, MN

April 20
At Majestic Theater
Madison, WI

April 22
At White Oak Music Hall
Houston, TX

April 23
At Decibel Metal and Beer Festival
The Fillmore
Philadelphia, PA

April 30
At Desertfest London 2017
Camden Roundhouse
London, UK

June 3
At Primavera Sound 2017
Barcelona, Spain

Pure Punk Rock Fury: Seattle’s 10-band marathon | Part Two, The Funhouse

Die Nasty (All Cat Rose photos)

So, we're back with another round of rippin' Seattle tunes. If you missed Part One of the 10-band extravaganza, we'll hit repeat on the following intro:

You gotta build up your stamina for nights like these. You know, jog from the car to the club, and then rip through a couple jumping jacks or a few air punches before entering the fray.

When inside, knock down a beer, a Red Bull or a cup of coffee and you should be set to kick off your evening.

Cuz it’s not that often when you’re treated to a full-tilt, 10-band night. It was billed as Pure Punk Rock Fury, and we got that — some unhinged thrashy rock was offered up as well — as we skanked from one stage to the other during the 5 1/2-hour marathon gig last Saturday night at The Funhouse and El Corazon in Seattle.

Throughout the course of the night, guitar strings were attacked, vocal chords were shredded, cameras were clicked, boots were stomped and backs were patted by friends greeting each other or giving props to band members after they exited the stages.

People were clearly stoked to attend this gig. It was one for the ages and showed that Seattle’s got a damn good punk scene that we should all be proud of.

So, here’s Part Two of photographer Cat Rose’s night of shooting all 10 bands. Here, we bring you The Funhouse action.



DIE NASTY

ACID TEETH

THE SKY RAINED HEROES

REPUDIATE

UNBIBLICAL CHORDS