sub pop 20th b-day bash

So I went out to Sub Pop's 20th Anniversary Bash this weekend and overall had a nice day. It was cool to see the blend of new and old acts put together. One thing I realized is that Sub Pop has a pretty solid list of current artists.

One of the reasons I went, The Ruby Suns, started the day off and I was completely enamored of everything they did. Ryan McPhun, the leader singer, keep apologizing for sound issues, the fact that this was the first show they'd done as a two piece, amongst other minute details. None of the things he was apologizing for caught my attention in the least. Ryan is a really talented musician, and for obvious reasons I'm really into the fact that he plays a unique drum setup but obviously has an amazing sense of rhythm. The only thing that went wrong during their set was the fact that some annoying kid was heckling Ryan in-between songs, which really didn't matter too much, as Ryan keep his jovial spirit. I've been listening to their album heavily all week and I don't know how it didn't get on my list of favorite albums made this year. I get the Animal Collective/Panda Bear comparisons, but The Ruby Suns feel much more communal in their happiness and less lyrically introspective. It's super eclectic, with no two songs sounding quite the same but a continual sunniness existing throughout. 

Check out the myspace link above to hear an English cover of El Guincho's "Palmitos Park"

The next band to play that I really cared about was No Age. I've read so many different things about these guys, but I could never quite understand all the hype. And, I think it's because I'd never seen them. On record, they're good but the full effect hits you when you're watching these two guys who really love making music playing some super fuzzed-out pop songs, all the while with the biggest smiles on their faces. I can't wait for their show at the KEXP parking lot in a week. 

Then, there was Wolf Parade. Obviously a draw, as they are one of my very favorite bands. I saw them last fall and this show wasn't as epic due to some sound issues, but Wolf Parade cemented their spot as a great live act. Drawing equally from both albums, the set was just the raucous but somehow organized sort of thing I've come to expect. The best part was when Arlen began hitting his snare drum to start a song and Spencer said "no, stop. That's the wrong song. You're drunk." All I can say is thank you Sub Pop for putting these guys after Green River. Yeah yeah, I get that Green River were instrumental for Grunge and all, but Wolf Parade was leagues better live. 

mp3: The Ruby Suns - Kenya Dig It?