Freakout Pageant was again in full power this weekend, that includes over 100 bands at seven venues. For his or her twelfth go round, the historically Ballard-only pageant invited the nice people of Fremont alongside for the experience. From November 7–10, Tractor Tavern, the Sundown, Conor Byrne, Ballard Smoke Store, Salmon Bay Eagles Membership, Nectar Lounge, and Excessive Dive hosted worldwide, nationwide, and native performers. The predominantly psych-rock pageant welcomed heavy-hitting touring acts just like the Black Angels, Flamin’ Groovies, and Black Lips—in addition to hometown heroes Biblioteka, TeZATalks, Shabazz Palaces, and Acid Tongue, simply to call just a few. The Mad Alchemy Gentle Present (an analog liquid gentle present produced by Lance Gordon) labored their magic to supply trip-worthy psychedelic visuals, and also you had been by no means too removed from a mosh pit. If this seems like a spot the place you do mushrooms in fake fur and crowdsurf by a lava lamp… it completely is.
Whereas we sincerely want we might have attended each set, that was actually unimaginable. (Belief me, I attempted and was very offended by the foundations of science.) However we nonetheless managed to groove with some wildly far-out bands—and fortunate for you, we’re right here to freak and inform. Listed here are a few of our favorites from the weekend.
Seaside Tryst / Thursday / Ballard Smoke Store
Seaside Tryst (which is what the band describes as a gayer manner of claiming “intercourse on the seashore”) commanded Ballard Smokeshop’s stage Thursday evening. Hailing from Olympia, the brand new wave-indie-twang-goth conglomerate earned their pageant spot after successful the Freakout Weekender battle of the bands earlier this 12 months. Greatest described because the lovechild of Orville Peck and Future Islands’s Samuel T. Herring, frontperson Avery Kanode is the moody queer cowboy of our goals. Sauntering throughout stage whereas clutching his pearls, Kanode flirted with band members and doe-eyed the viewers throughout crowd favourite “Ghoulfriend,” a music about gender-neutral love within the afterlife. Synth participant Frankie Champagne periodically left their keys station to bop in entrance of the viewers, Ryan Pangilinan (donning a yellow “No One Is Treading on You, Large Man” tank) held it down on bass and backing vocals, and Jesse Peoples on drums. The foursome can be taking part in Ballard once more on December 1 at Sundown Tavern–which, for one evening, is about to develop into Seattle’s twangiest, twinkiest new-wave goth membership.
Valgur / Thursday / Salmon Bay (Decrease Degree)
Put up-punk Oaxacan sibling-duo Valgur was a fever dream I didn’t wish to get up from. Their lyrics are in Spanish, however Valgur communicated a narrative that didn’t require translation. In what gave the impression to be a story of youth, the siblings entered the stage joyfully, interacting playfully with each other. After a mid-set recreation of pat-a-cake, their youthful naivety started to wane—facial expressions and physique language turning into heavy, unhappy. Elizabeth held a teddy bear and gazed dolefully on the ground previous to taking out a cellular phone throughout their music “Vanidad.” The music begins with an unsettling synth and swells right into a videogame-worthy digital beat. A driving bass rhythm makes you’re feeling rushed, like somebody operating previous you on an airport walkway. Elizabeth turned away from the viewers, holding her telephone excessive sufficient for these in entrance to see the display screen. She started frantically scrolling by Instagram and taking part in movies of herself. Valgur later defined the music was about hyper-fixating on the web and caring too deeply about how others understand you there. Similar to their set, Valgur’s newest album, ARMEGGEDON, is a synth-pop commentary on faith, violence, and the downfalls of modernity.
Carrion Youngsters / Friday / Sundown Tavern
Mexico Metropolis’s punk rock hellions Carrion Youngsters coated Sundown Tavern in blood, sweat, and beers Friday evening. The band has develop into a staple of Freakout Fest, and for good cause. For a number of Freakouts now, attendees have flocked to Carrion Youngsters units for moshing, crowd browsing, and, in case you’re fortunate, screaming into front-person Micki Navajas’s mic. Decked in crimson lipstick, blue eyeshadow, and facepaint, he wore a wrestling onesie with a bolo tie hung loosely round his neck. Recognized for his on-stage shock worth, he continuously enters the gang, contorting his physique on the bottom and even vomiting on himself. With raging guitar, aggressive basis, and an avant-garde solid of characters, Carrion Youngsters is greatest described as a sensory expertise. The group, who says they’re closely impressed by Devo, is at present on their “Shit Storm West Coast Tour” with Mexico’s wildly eccentric Silverio.
Hate Knife / Friday / Salmon Bay (Decrease Degree)
Seattle trash-punk gremlins Hate Knife ripped by Salmon Bay Low on Friday evening. The band is loud, raunchy, and humorous. With songs like “I Miss Intercourse” and “Knuk Tats,” Hate Knife consists of the perfect type of punks—ones that by no means take themselves too significantly. Paying homage to teams like Static Imaginative and prescient, Sizzling Tubs Time Machine, and Gustaf, Hate Knife is like that time in a university occasion the place the police arrive and everybody runs out the backdoor. Inappropriate and frenzied, Hate Knife is a more recent Seattle band that continues to blaze their very own path. The group earned their strategy to Freakout Fest as was one of many Freakout Weekender battle of the bands members. You’ll be able to look ahead to new music on different random but closely relatable matters within the new 12 months. Catch them on December 7 at Fortunate Dime in case you, too, get pleasure from intercourse and knuck tats.
TeZATalks / Saturday / Salmon Bay (Higher Degree)
Hardcore popstar TeZATalks ate the whole lot of Salmon Bay Saturday evening. Leaving zero crumbs, TeZA carried out music from her newly launched album, Black Woman American Horror Story. A mix of different, rap, and digital, TeZA (Tasia Thomas) has develop into a pioneer of the Seattle nu-wave scene. In fishnet tights and a singular yellow contact lens, TeZA carried out creepy-catchy hits like “ELVIRA,” through which she sings, “I’m the monster beneath your mattress / I’m the rationale why your mother and father advised you to be scared.” The genre-bending Seattleite, much like Tokyo Undertaking and Boon, took a second mid-set to exclaim, “Change the state of this nation or we’re all gonna fucking die,” earlier than a mosh pit broke out throughout her rowdy anthem “BREAKSHIT.” A Sonic Guild grant recipient, the politically charged TeZA makes use of her music to incite rage, protest, and a way of neighborhood. One factor is for sure: don’t sleep on TeZA Talks—she may crawl out from beneath your mattress and chunk you.
The Black Angels / Saturday / Salmon Bay (Higher Degree)
Underneath a sea of liquid gentle, Austin’s the Black Angels headlined Salmon Bay Excessive on Saturday evening. The psych-rock legends, influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, performed a 21-song set, that includes hits throughout their discography. Fan favorites like “Entrance Track” and “Younger Males Useless” despatched crowd members right into a hypnotic, head-banging sway. With trance-inducing tempos and fuzzy reverb, It’s straightforward to lose your self within the retro groove of The Angels. Whereas their musicality alone is definitely worth the pay attention, it’s the Black Angels’s lyrics that talk rock ‘n’ roll. Specializing in themes of environmental destruction, social motion, and political divide, the Black Angels felt additional related this Freakout season, with lyrics like, “Empires falling, it’s historical past on repeat. Our nations pleading from avenue to bloody avenue.” The Black Angels present a mighty reminder of the political, cultural, and social influence of music. Fueled by resistance and counterculture, the Black Angels transported us to the heartbeat of psych rock.
With one among their largest lineups but, it’s clear that Freakout Fest isn’t going anyplace anytime quickly. Greater than ever, this 12 months showcased the influence of different music actions. Bands used their place on stage to attract consideration to the present fuckery of worldwide destruction derived from damaged political techniques. Pageant-goers typically turned to one another throughout units, nodding their heads in settlement at lyrics which will have beforehand drifted out the door. The weekend served as a surprising reminder of the social influence (and duty) of music to talk to the lots. Lengthy dwell Freakout, and lengthy dwell rock ‘n’ roll.
