Author – Madeline Thomas
(All photos taken from the artists’ respective Bandcamp sites)
Guess how many shallow beanies were spotted at Chop Suey last week? More than usual thanks to the presence of Montreal band Ought. The show was opened up by Versing, a local noise-pop group. Their set was everything a good opening act should be—energizing, easy to move to music with witty one-liners thrown out like you’re on a first date with the first band, and they really want you to stick around for the last. At Seattle shows, if an artist can get the crowd to do more than just head bob, they’ve proved their musical prowess. The Seattle quartet started off the night with tunes from their latest release, available to stream on Spotify and Bandcamp, Nirvana.
When I first moved to Seattle, one of my first punk shows featured Versing on the line-up. All these years later (ok, three isn’t that many years) I still come back to Nude Descending when I need a pick me up, or want to ride the wave of nostalgia. Keep your eyes peeled for local gigs with Versing, you won’t want to miss it—they put on a hell of a show.
Flasher was a long way from home. The three-piece post-punk band is from the other Washington—D.C. that is. When the crowd asked which of the two they preferred, Seattle came out on top. Give this city a punk’s choice award. The highlight of Flasher’s set was the performance of their latest single “Skim Milk,” an escapist, unapologetic anthem with lyrics that tell the time-old tale of unsatisfied desires. Though the song is about not getting what you want, the set gave me all that and more. Which is to say, I’m a sucker for any band with a female drummer, especially one with an early Sonic Youth vibe. Think Bad Moon Rising, prime Kim Gordon era, and listen for yourself to decide.
So it’s been three hours, I’ve seen the merch, realized I don’t have enough money for the merch, and have come to terms with my loss. Protecting punk profit is no easy task. Luckily for me, lead singer of Ought, Tim Darcy, walked onto stage wearing a bolo tie. Any qualms I had about my lack of graphic tees faded into the haze of the fog machine, later turned off per Darcy’s request, who felt like he was “in a haunted house.” The band was prepared, technical without lacking stage presence, and having fun. Darcy moves with the music just like any Ought fan would at home or in their car.
We saw the classics—the hip sashay, the somewhat suggestive foot tapping and shoulder bouncing, even a little body slide up and down the mic—but with a lot more finger wagging and suggestive eyebrow raises. If you’ve listened to their music before, and are familiar with the resonant weight of the vocals, maybe you’ll understand what I mean when I say he moves in the same way he sings—purposeful, a bit awkward, and unabashed.
The best part about small venues like Chop Suey is how close you can get to the stage, and thus the pedals. Ought definitely brings it home for the most intricate board set up. Salutations to Matt, keyboardist, for his instrument arrangement. As long as I’m giving shout outs, it’s worth noting that Ben, bassist and poker face champion, has some seriously impressive driving bass lines. And of course, Tim on drums kept the sound tight. He was wearing the same sweatshirt he donned for their KEXP session the day before along with a huge smile. Their set choice offered fan favorites alongside work from Room Inside the World, the band’s latest album. I twirled with the glam guitar of “These Three Things” then jammed my hands into my pockets and stomped to the cutting, terse drum of their well known song “Beautiful Blue Sky.”
(P.S.: The KEXP session from March 22nd isn’t online yet. Until it drops, watch Ought’s recordings from two years ago when they last entered the studio.)
The show, true to Ought’s discography, was almost a new-wave homage. Their previous work is more rooted in punk, while the introduction of synth, drum machine, and vibraphone on Room Inside the World hints at a whole different genre. Or maybe, post-punk is a new wave all on it’s own. Can there be another new-wave, if the bands are riding a different wavelength? It takes a good live show to make you wonder, what genre is it anyway?
Keep up with the bands here:
Versing: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram
Flasher: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram
Ought: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram
MADELINE THOMAS | Should I start a podcast? Don’t answer that | KXSU Music Reporter