First can't-miss shows of the new decade

michaelh — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:00:21 +0000

michaelh Tue, 12/29/2009 - 11:00am

Bellingham's No-Fi Soul Rebellion play Jan. 2 at Nectar Lounge in Fremont.

Ryan Murphy

With a new decade comes a new decade of live music to dance to, to drink to and to tell friends about. The new year brings with it some can't-miss shows right here in Ballard and Fremont. Here are the top five.

Jan. 2: No-Fi Soul Rebellion at Nectar Lounge

No-Fi Soul Rebellion, a husband and wife duo from Bellingham, put on a must-see show whenever they make it down from the great white north. No-Fi’s catchy, spastic pop would be reason enough, but the band’s real draw is vocalist Mark Heimer’s nonstop kinetic energy – gyrating, jumping and getting uncomfortably close to audience members while asking for their clothes. With Boy Eats Drum Machine, Fun Fun Fun, Lisa Dank & The White Widows, File Jerks. $6.

Jan. 2: Thee Satisfaction at High Dive

Hip-hop duo Thee Satisfaction are making some of the most interesting music in Seattle right now. Simultaneously old-school and futuristic, the raps often takes listeners back to the glory days of A Tribe Called Quest and the Jungle Brothers, while the spare beats and otherworldly singing blasts them into outer space. With Macklemore, Dark Time Sunshine, Candidit. $10.

Jan. 9: Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme at Tractor Tavern

If you like your bands large and funky, get yourself to see Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme at the Tractor. Eldridge Gravy’s stock is on the rise lately as they crank out danceable tunes of the Tower of Power/Sly and the Family Stone variety. An Eldridge Gravy show is a powerful wall of funk in an increasingly unfunky city. With Olympic Sound Collective, Black Cherry Crush. $8.

Jan. 20: Honky Tonk Revue at Conor Byrne

Honky Tonk Revue is described as Seattle’s number-one Hank Williams Tribute Band. There’s not better time to get lost in a beer and the plaintive sounds of classics like “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart” than a cold, drizzly January night. Also, it is the perfect opportunity to check out the newly remodeled Conor Byrne.

Jan. 30: The Lonely H at the Sunset Tavern

The Lonely H, a couple of Port Angeles young adults who look like extras from “Almost Famous,” started blasting out classic rock convincingly while only high schoolers. Since then, the band’s grasp on the sounds of the 60s and 70s has only gotten more solid. Plus, they used to play an epic ode to a video game character. Anachronistic! With Massy Ferguson. $8.