… songs such as “Secret Handshake” and “Sweet Tooth” showcase the band’s guitar-driven roots, but then they can totally change it up and (surprise!) even get kind of twangy for songs like “Carolina Throwaway.”

Hey Marseilles have come a long way since I first saw them play a breezy 2 o’clock opening set for Capitol Hill Block Party.

On a soggy Thursday evening, my partner-in-crime and I made our way into Ballard’s Tractor Tavern for the perfect cure for our mildew blues: Julia Massey and the Five Finger Discounts, The Hoot Hoots, and the Great Um.

Opening with a spirited La Gallina, off of Don’t Mess with the Dragon, from 2007, Ozomatli made it perfectly clear that they were taking no prisoners.

Though based out of Portland, their breed of garage punk summons images of desperate times in 1970’s New York City.

… the theme of the night – three bands on the verge of great things, busting at the seams with new music to share.

wild and crazy; the performers danced insanely, instruments broke frequently, and bizarre howling duets happened (more than once). For those of you who enjoy music that messes with your mind and toys with that bit of childlike anarchy still lingering in our souls.. I hope you were at the show.

Self described as American Folk / Melodramatic Popular music, this Bellingham band, led by Jake Humming, accompanied by Steve Norman on Pedal Steele/Dobro and Trumpet, backed up by Mike Bergstrom on Bass and Derek Jackman on Drums, had no problem drifting into the ageless ballads of the West Coast folk tradition…