High on Fire/Goatwhore/Lo-Pan
Neumos 9pm
Get to the show on time my friends because first of all, who can fault a band named after the evil Chinese sorcerer from ‘Big Trouble in Little China’?!? Of course, that isn’t enough to recommend a band from out of town you’ve never heard of but LOPAN (from Columbus OH on Small Stone records) have all the kick ass gear and all the heavy riffs. I like anyone who collects vintage Ampeg stuff and these guys have it in spades! I was fortunate enough to work Highline show the last time they were in town and they blew doors.
Goatwhore are the odd man out on the bill. Long time death metal stalwarts, Goatwhore always bring it live. I got a chance to see them once back in the day and I immediately went to their merch table and bought everything I could afford. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard anything new. I need to get off my ass and get their new record ‘Blood for the Master’!
The guys in High on Fire have been kicking ass for close to 15 years now. ‘The Art of Self Defense’ is one of my favorite records EVER but they have gotten progressively more brutal with each consecutive album. Honestly, I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard of High on Fire after how trendy those last Sleep shows were. (I swear if I see one more chick in a barely worn Sleep shirt I’m gonna cry…)
High on Fire have had the best of the best on the four-string throughout their career (most notably Joe Preston of Melvins/Thrones fame) but the man who has been holding it down the longest is Jeff Matz, formerly of Zeke, a Ballard homie and a badass in his own right. Apparently, both Jeff and Matt have gotten sober lately which is a great thing because Matt had to go to rehab after that Sleep show in Seattle. Congrats you guys I’m sure you will rock harder than ever!
Gaytheist/Survival Knife/Mass Games/Glose
Comet Tavern 9pm
Another killer show on Friday is fortunately across the street from Neumos so you don’t even have to choose really. You can easily see both like I’m planning on doing. Or maybe you don’t feel like fighting the metal crowds.
Gaythiest is one of my favorite bands in the Northwest; I love anything Jason Rivera (who is a dapper genius on a shirt vest and bowtie) is involved with, but Gaythiest is easily the best so far. Heavy, fun, punk and super smart lyrics, in short, everything I like in rock! Their new record on Good to Die is kick ass if you don’t have it go get it from them on Friday.
Main support for this killer show are Olympia’s Survival Knife and they a lot going for them: AKA they have members of Unwound!!! And as if that isn’t enough, their drummer Chris from ‘I’m a Gun’ is one of the most bad ass drummers I’ve ever known. I guarantee you will be blown away. This is my ‘band to watch’ for 2013.
I saw Mass Games recently and they rule as well. A sort of Seattle super group with members of Das Llamas, Absolute Monarchs and Black Whales you know its quality my friends. And speaking of super groups, Glose is opening this show and some of these guys are members of The Ruby Doe one of the hardest hitting bands in Seattle ever! And for those who are in the know their name is an inside joke… (Hint: Black Elk singer) This show is highly recommended!
By Jeffery McNulty
Smooth Sailing/Into the Storm/A God or an Other/Gladiators Eat Fire
Black Lodge 9pm
I encourage you to leave the coziness of your abode and head to the Black Lodge this Friday night. Why, you ask? Cause Mama Pam says so! Don’t make me pull this car over!! Okay, tell you what…I’ll make it a FREE show so as not to bust your “I have no money ‘cept these laundry quarters I planned on buying beer with”. SO! We have a FREE show at the best all ages venue in town, The Black Lodge on Friday night! How will this benefit you? Try moving to the front row for the audio onslaught that is Smooth Sailing. How about warming your hands to the blazing tunes of Into The Storm? The boiling hot riffage of Gladiators Eat Fire will get your blood going but only after A God or an Other spike your party drink with Fireball. Sound good? Did I mention this awesome show is FREE and starts at 9pm? You can also tack on the fact that this is going to be a birthday bash for James (ITS), expect a MAJOR RAGER!!
By Pam Sternin
