On Tuesday I previewed some of the artists scheduled to play at the Seattle Music Revival this Sunday. Today we'll be taking a look at the set lists for the stages at Fuel Nightclub and Merchant's Cafe.
Fuel
Angela Hammontree
Like a hard rock version of Melissa Ethridge, Angela Hammontree brings a burley female vocal style to decidedly grunge-inspired melodies. For those who dig the ass-kicking woman routine, Fuel at 6:30 PM on Sunday is the place to be.
Honoring the Past
Not a band, but a special presentation surrounding Seattle's deep musical roots.
Grim Smiley
These rockers hail from what some may call the polar opposite of Seattle. For some reason, maybe the music scene or maybe the lack of a year-round tourist season, the boys of Grim Smiley decided to pop up from Hawaii this past summer to play their mix of heavy guitar pop and minor production flourishes in Coffee Town. At the Revival they'll be playing both Nirvana covers and their own original tunes.
To The Sea
Emotionally resonant indie rock is something Seattle does often and well. The same can be said of To The Sea. They're brand-spanking new, having formed in 2008, but the band already has a full schedule of gigs all around Seattle's most respected venues. They sound professional but soulful, ready to break into the big leagues any day now.
Boomzzilla
This funky electronic trio expects its listeners to hit the dance floor hard with tongues firmly in-cheek. They're a little bit disco, a little bit rap and a whole lotta colorful.
Aeolian
This tight band of psychedelic troubadours has a tribute set earlier in the night at Heaven, but their original music is set for the closing slot at Fuel. When they're not playing acid music, they lean acoustic grunge with Vedder-like vocals and twisty-flat melodies.
Merchant's Cafe
Tai Shan
Who likes acoustic folk? Seattle likes acoustic folk. Filling that particular quota is Tai Shan with her lilting vocals, unplugged guitar and the occasional flute. Yeah, flute. What of it?
Perry Acker
Not terribly far from Tai Shan's pastoral leanings, Perry Acker is a country-influenced boy with a guitar. He wouldn't be out of a place on a Coldplay tour or a Starbucks CD rack, so I guess it's good he lives so close to the corporate HQ.
Kissing Girls
They open at Heaven and have another set at Merchant's Cafe. See Tuesday's entry for details.
Aaron Hart
Seattle's resident purveyor of smooth R&B, Aaron Hart will bring his sultry tunes to this quasi-rock show. His is the most traditional approach to hip hop at the Revival, mixing sentimental slow-dance tracks with pumping club mixes.
Martin N' Terry
Transplants from Burkina Faso, this roots reggae group brings a francophone twist to what has been empirically proven to be the most laid-back music in the world. But this is no mere nod to multiculturalism. Martin N' Terry are a band of heart and beauty. Their higher register vocals give a vulnerability to the music that is largely absent from the more hardcore dancehall styles dominating the genre these days.
Along with the musicians, the Revival will have the usual smattering of vendors and other festival fare floating around. The doors at all three venues open around 6:00 PM. Seattle Concerts will be covering the whole event. Look for our two-part article Monday and Tuesday next week.
