Artist Review: Leatherdaddy, 'The Plague House'

 

"The Plague House" out 10/22

Leatherdaddy at The Blue Moon 8/23

Your first impression of Leatherdaddy will be pretty straightforward: the Seattle foursome of Tristan Sennholz (guitar/vocals), Taylor Romoser (guitar/ vocals), Evan Anderson (bass), and Taylor Carroll (drums) have joined the venerable list of local musicians whose Google search results turn up far more than just useful band info (I’m looking at you Chastity Belt, Biosexual, #tits, Lazercrotch, Lesbian, etc).

Your second impression will depend slightly on where you decide to press play on their debut EP, The Plague House. Don’t get me wrong, this is a fantastic record, but what I really love about Leatherdaddy's work here is their ability to assemble and artfully link a wide range of stylistic approaches; press play on any one track and you’ll probably like what you hear, but stick out the whole EP and you’ll get far more than just the sum of the parts. 

Each track is broken down into 2 or 3 seemingly disparate sections. For example, on “Incest” what begins as a black metal dirge (a la local acts like Scriptures or Elk Rider), seamlessly transforms at the 3 minute mark into something that sounds more akin to post-hardcore (Drive like Jehu, Hausu) and finally into horn-laden art-punk for the outro. Likewise, while they spend the first half of "Simulacrum Child" working toward a crushing apex, most of the back-end is spent exploring prog/mathcore structures. Whether utilizing their vocalists, laboring away on measured, droning, psychedelic riffs, or hammering home power-cords, The Plague House is concerned more with engaging and developing themes than rigid adherence to stylistic subgenres. 

The result is thoroughly enjoyable and despite being just over 21 minutes from start to finish, all too brief. I want more and so will you. 

The Plague House will be released this Tuesday from the band on their bandcamp in digital format, and as a brown drip vinyl pressing of 300. Pick it up here and don’t miss the release party on the 27th at the Josephine with Mercy Ties, Livingston Seagull, and Where My Bones Rest Easy. 

SWL #42: Seacats, "Wrecked"

Seacats is composed of brothers Josh and Mike Davis, plus an entourage of live bandmates, out of Kelso, Washington. We were super excited to feature "Firewood" on our SeattleDIYPop mix, but to say that Seacats caught our attention is an understatement; "The 7' Burger" caught everyone's attention, including the stellar folks at Fin Records. Here we are less than 8 months later and low and behold the pair have just released their eponymously titled follow-up to 2011's "Metal Music". "Wrecked" is the first song off the album, and it's a great introduction to their alt rock greatness. It's hard not to appreciate the juxtaposition of the heavy drum and bass work with their playful vocals, and the lyrics are relatable for anyone who's ever been sucked into a relationship they know is probably not good for them, but stay because the lovin's just too good. The whole album has a great sing-in-the-car quality, similar to old-school Weezer; the Seacats have even tagged this album on their bandcamp as "sounds just like Weezer". Well, not quite. They're no copycats. They're Seacats!

They're out on a mini tour now in support of the new album (available from Fin here), but I bet we will get to see them again in Seattle, soon.

SWL #41: Lazer Kitty, "Dino Wipeout"

10/12/13: Lazer Kitty at Everyday Music

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I LOVE AUTUMN. Bright, chilly afternoons make for phenomenal daydreams and my listening habits over the past few weeks have evolved to match the changing scenery--namely, a steady diet of Superior Viaduct’s repress of Sensations’ Fix’s 1974 debut “Fragments of Light”, and “Wrong to Run”, that gorgeous new TJ Max disc from Debacle Records. Well, as of the 8th of this month you can add the new disc by Seattle’s Lazer Kitty to that list. The Seattle-based trio consisting of Scot Porter (aka. Vox Mod), brother Kyle Porter (founder of Unsound America and a ton of other stuff), and Jason Jordan (formerly Exohxo) is prolific. Don’t believe me? Between December of 2010 and June of 2012 they published more than 24 hours worth of improv-y, space-rock-y goodness to their bandcamp. “Moons” marks their first effort in almost a year and a half and listening to “Dino Wipeout” it's clear that they are as strong as ever. The track delivers careening percussion work tempered by sticky sweet, futuristic synths, and a baseline warm enough to make Simon Gallup jealous. My only regret is that you guys can’t hear the live version of this song that I recorded at their Everyday Music in-store last Saturday. No word on a physical release yet but keep an eye on lazerkitty.com for more.

*Updated 10/13* Upcoming Seattle Shows

Hey all. Lots of good big name acts this week including Thee Oh Sees, Crystal Stilts, Holy Ghost!, The Joy Formidable, Phantogram, and Wavves with King Tuff; however, my personal favorite option is definitely the Melt-Banana show at Chop Suey on the 17th. The Tokyo-based punk/no-wave/noise-pop band is touring behind its new record "Fetch", which was released earlier this month, and they are being supported by Monogamy Party and Kinski. Kinski released its first record is 6 years back in April and Monogamy Party is touring behind "False Dancers", one of our favorites for September. Other good looking local shows include: Battle Ground Grammar at Barboza tonight; the free La Luz in-store at Sonic Boom on Tuesday (also supporting a new record); the Spencer Clark, Mega Bog, Huge Rock show at Cairo Seattle on Friday; and the Reclad, Total Life, Widesky show at Hollow Earth on Saturday. Much more below. Have a great week!

October

13 Gang Cult at Everyday Music--6 pm, free

13 Behold the Arctopus, Botanist, Lesbian, and Spacebag at Highline

13 Battle Ground Grammar with Helado Negro at Barboza

14 Thee Oh Sees at the Crocodile

14 Palma Violets, and Skaters at Neumos

15 La Luz at Sonic Boom--Free

15 Holy Ghost! at Neumos

15 Crystal Stilts at Barboza

17 Melt-banana, Kinski, and Monogamy Party at Chop Suey

17 The Joy Formidable, and Feral Children at the Neptune

17 Phantogram at Showbox at the Market

17 Shadows, A God Or An Other, X Suns, ReignaKaz at Josephine

15 Prog! feat. Explorateur, Veins, Gel-Sol, and Narvan at Vermillion--Free (note change)

17 Dessa, Dude York, and Wishbeard at Neumos

18 John Vanderslice, and Prism Tats at the Tractor

18 Hunx & His Punx, Wimps, and Coconut Coolouts at Chop Suey

18 Red Fang, Helms Alee, and Gaytheist at The Shakedown

18 Vexx, Vats, So Pitted, and Freak Vibe at Black Lodge

18 Spencer Clark, Mega Bog, and Huge Rock at Cairo Seattle

18 Tiffamomo Birthday w/ DJ Hojo, DJAO, Casewag, DJ R-Pal at Tai Tung Restaurant

19 The Comettes with Bright White Lightning, Lures, and Children of Kids at Neumos

19 Wavves, King Tuff, Jacuzzi Boys at Neptune

19 Gaytheist,  Author and Punisher, and Making Fuck at Black Lodge

19 Relcad, Total Life, and Widesky at Hollow Earth Radio

19 Death By Stars, The West, and Ever So Android at The High Dive

20 Airport, Hair & Space Museum, Troller, SSleeper Hold at Therapy Lounge

20 Dustin Wong, Takako Mineka, Secret Colors, and WIll Do at Chop Suey (note change)

22 Vice Device, Male/Female, and So Pitted at Chop Suey

23 Keep Shelly in Athens and Chad Valley at Barboza

23 Empire of the Sun at the Paramount

23 Braids with Hundred Waters and Special Guests at The Sunset

23 Widowspeak, and Pure Bathing Culture, and Case Studies at Chop Suey

23 Haim at Neumos

23 Braids with Hundred Waters at the Sunset (note change)

23 Walk the Moon at Showbox SoDo

24 Us On Roofs, Specters, and Winnebago at the Sunset

24 Useless Eaters, Unnatural Helpers, Lindseys, and Freak Vibe at Bogart’s Airport Way

24 Goldflesh, Prurient, Nails, and House of Low Culture at Neumos

24 Bonobo with Grey Reverend at Showbox at the Market

25 Ritual Addict, Ratbite, and Sciatica at The Kraken Bar and Lounge

25 Upside Drown, Night Cadet, Lovers Without Borders at Heartland

25 Cocorosie at Neumos

25 Twins, Stalebirth, Funky Photos, and Geological Creep at Cafe Racer

25 Zebra Hunt, and Detective Agency at Anchored Ship

25 Twins, Stalebirth, Funky Photos, and Geological Creep at Cafe Racer

26 Black Nite Crash, Tokyoidaho, Souvenir Driver, and The Purrs at High Dive
26 Red Alder, Leaving the Fall, and Early Atoms at Gallery 1412

26 Noise-A-Tron, Plains, Spaceships, and Lightning Kills Eagle at Highline

27 Au Revoir Simone at Neumos

27 Maria Minerva, Cherushii, and Youryoungbody at Chop Suey

27 Mercy Ties, Leatherdaddy (Record Release), Livingston Seagull, and Where My Bones Rest Easy at The Josephine

29 Tangerine, Maiah Manser, Lures, and Lady the Beard at Barboza

30 Charli XCX at Neumos

31 Decades Cover Night at Black Lodge

31 Smooth Sailing, Android Hero, Old Iron, and special guests at the Josephine

November

1 White Lung and Antwon at Barboza

1 Slayer with Gojira and 4ARM at WaMu Theater

1 Case Studies, and the Waxing Hearts at Heartland Seattle

2 Glasser at Fred Wildlife Refuge

2 SoMo and special guests at Vera Project

2 Death with Unnatural Helpers at Chop Suey

4 Mazzy Star at the Neptune

4 Sepultura at Neumos

6 Of Montreal at Neumos

6 Acapulco Lips, Gang Cult, and Red Ribbon at Chop Suey

7 Deerhoof, LXMP, and Jarv Dee at Vera Project

7 Nada Surf with Mates of State at Showbox at the Market

8 Minus the Bear with Constant Lovers and Slow Bird at Showbox at the Market

8 Cass McCombs at the Crocodile

8 Weed, Vats, and Thee Samedi at Heartland

8 Tim Hecker at Chapel Performance Space at Good Shepherd Center

9 Barsuk 15th Anniversary Celebration ft. Cymbals Eat Guitars at Neumos

10 Scorpio Party Feat DJ sets by Justin Timbreline, TRANQ, and Menami at Vermillion

11 White Lung, and Antwon at Barboza

11 Crystal Antlers, and Elephant Stone at The Comet

11 Black Black feat. Grave Babies (Live + DJ Set), DJ Hojo, and Dutty Wilderness at Neighbours

12 Toro Y Moi and Classixx at Showbox at the Market

12 Crocodiles wiht Wymond Miles at Barboza

13 Crypts, Pop 1280, Haunted Horses, and Clayface at Chop Suey

17 Cults at Neumos

15 Jessie Ware at Sonic Boom--Free

15 Jessie Ware at the Neptune

16 Love in Mind, Paleo, and Whitney Ballen at Heartland

20 James Blake at Showbox at the Market

20 Vienna Teng at Neptune

20 Bill Callahan with Mick Turner at Neumos

21 The Meat Puppets with The World Takes at The Crocodile

22 Blues Control at The Tractor

23 Vibragun, Piano Piano, Foreign Resort, and Scriptures at The Sunset

26 Jon Hopkins, Clark, and Nathan Fake at the Crocodile

27 Waxahatchee, Swearin’, and Dead Bars at Chop Suey

29 Daniel Bachman and Chris Forsyth at Gallery 1412

30 Weeks of Wonders, Charms, Sun Angel, and Gang Cult at The Comet

30 The Cave Singers at the Neptune

30 Sandrider (LP release), Constant Lovers, and Dust Moth at Neumos

December

107.7 The End's Deck the Hall Ball, Seattle, December

7 The Dismemberment Plan at the Neptune

14 Holograms, TV Ghost, and Atomic Bride at Chop Suey

14 King Krule at Barboza

27/28 Built to Spill at Neumos

30/31 SRTFKR at Neumos