Block Party of Sorts

I went to the Capitol Hill Block Party yesterday for most all of the day. It was pretty crowded and I got to see alot of entertaining live acts. Here's a quick blurb on all of them:

Smoosh, main stage - The 12 and 14 year old girls still amaze me at their talent. I wonder how good they'll be when they're all grown up. They were seen running around with their little kiddie friends later during the block party festivities.

Silversun Pickups, main stage - The LA-based rock band has made a big splash on KEXP and the Seattle scene and now I really know why. I missed them last time I had a chance to see them in April when I got to the show too late, but now I can't wait to see them next time. I really like their indie-pop meets My Bloody Valentine sound. It's pop-core but loud at many times. Pretty pleasing.

Minus the Bear, main stage - While I've seen them before, I didn't mind seeing them again. They're music is solid, yet at the same time often too bland and too repetitive, which is a knack I've had on them since I first started listening to them years ago.

The Divorce, Neumo's - I remember seeing this band back in 2001 when they were playing random shows at Frat parties and small, small bars. They sounded like a pop boy band with instruments, and every time I've seen them since, maybe once or twice a year, they've gotten better and better. This past show was rockin'. They had lots of energy and sounded fantastic. The crowd was really into them.

Grayskuls, Vera Stage - I've heard alot about these local rappers but had not made it out to see them despite them playing shows at Neumo's and Chop Suey frequently. I've heard little of their music online so this was really a first time experience and it wasn't bad at all. Their beats were solid underground style rap. The duo reminded me a little bit of Timbaland & Magoo with a deeper voice MC rhyming alongside a high pitched MC. The asian guy in the group with the higher voice was goofy but cool at the same time.

Common Market, main stage - I've heard alot about these guys too and I knew that DJ Sabzi was their DJ (many may know him from Blue Scholars), so there's alot going for them already. They got quite an introduction from The Stranger newspaper and then they just exploded with tons of energy and great sounding hip hop music. Sabzi's production called for the blend of popular rock music of the past and hip hop beats. RA Scion's MC skills are pretty solid and this combination of rock and rap sounds like music to my ears.