The Andy Aupperlee Explosion 5000

The Fleet Foxes @ The Moore Theatre. Seattle, Washington.
October 19, 2008.

On Sunday night the Fleet Foxes played a homecoming concert at The Moore Theatre in Seattle. Their MySpace page had this date on the tour listed as “The Moore (scared).” The five scraggly members of the Fleet Foxes had little to fear; all 1400 or so seats seemed to be filled with friends and family. Lead singer Robin Pecknold even announced that all his elementary school teachers were in attendance. Although not as ambitious as Justice trying to play the Garden, expecting the humble Fleet Foxes to fill a venue like The Moore is no modest feat. The fact that the box office had a “SOLD OUT” sign plastered on its window Sunday night is a testament to the love Seattle has for these guys. The flawless, seventy-five minute set that ensued did more than entertain; it transformed the vast Moore into a cozy, intimate room. There might have been 1399 other people at the show, but it felt like it was just me and a few dudes with beards playing guitar and singing. (continue reading…)

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band. Live at Neumos.
Seattle, WA. October 11, 2008

What’s better than free live music? Not much—although getting drunk to help kids might be close. Local bars and spirit makers sponsored a week in Seattle known as “A Drink for the Kids.” On certain nights, participating establishments donated a portion of their sales to The Vera Project, an all ages music venue in Seattle. The week culminated in a music extravaganza at Neumos on Saturday, October 11. New Zealand’s The Ruby Suns opened up with Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band playing second before headliner Tokyo Police Club. Julie won a couple of tickets from The Stranger and took me along. I, of course, invited the Nikon and a few lenses. (continue reading…)