{I’m Now screens at the Triple Door June 8 at 8 pm and 10:30pm. Tickets are $15, and you can buy them online.}

Unlike so many of the great grunge granddaddies, Mudhoney have never had a reunion. That’s because they never broke up. Mudhoney just kept fighting the fuzzed-out good fight against all things slickly packaged and highly marketable. It’s kind of appropriate that Mudhoney, the O.G. Seattle band that has managed to survive mostly under the radar for the last twenty years, would have a documentary made about them by a local production company, and it would practically be a secret.

But a movie like this should be seen, so we’re going to spill the beans and let you all in on it.

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Seriously, people. How can you not love the Young Evils? On top of playing great shows and just generally being awesome, they've been building up some great press lately -- even moreso than usual -- like the recent recommendation in Paste magazine as an upcoming Seattle band to watch, for example. The band is making good on that bet with the release of their newest track, "Darker Blue Bayou," which is off of their forthcoming EP Foreign Spells -- and while we haven't gotten our hands on the whole EP yet, we're pretty damn sure that we're in for something good. Perhaps even a contender for our best-of lists for 2012.

Even way back in November, the new material was sounding brilliant -- and to prove it, here's a snippet we typed up after the show they played that blew us away at the Rendezvous, (coincidentally enough, with a nod to the newly released track):

While we're still in hearts for everything we know and love off of Enchanted Chapel, we've got to say -- this performance, and particularly the newer songs we heard in the set, made us giddy with joy to hear what's next so far as studio efforts go from the Young Evils camp. With a solid lineup finally in place, we're able to really hear the beginning stages of the evolution of this band, as they go from playing together to playing as a cohesive unit. Perhaps they've felt solid for a long time, as they well should -- but whatever's going on with this next crop of songs we're hearing is really starting to translate off the stage and out into the crowd for a tangible, can't-deny kind of shift. We're particularly swooning over -- if the set list was in order -- a ditty called "Darker Blue Bayou," a track that was so good that the people behind us in the crowd were trying to discern what mega-band wrote it and how great the Young Evils were for choosing to cover it.

You don't have to take our word for it -- you can catch that heady new-music buzz for yourself, and do some good while you're doin' it: The Young Evils will be playing at the Crocodile this Friday {tomorrow!} with The Redwood Plan, and Land of Pines {holy lineup, Batman!} as part of the 2012 series of Noise for the Needy shows. These fundraiser shows have been going on around town since June 1st, and on top of the Young Evils show, there's still plenty left to catch. The NFTN gigs are going on through this Sunday, and you can catch up on what's left of the calendar the official site here.

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Japandroids are the high-energy musical collaboration of Vancouver, B.C. natives Brian King (guitar/vocals) and David Prowse (drums/vocals). Much like No Age or The White Stripes, Japandroids make the most out of their two instrument set-up --often giving the impression that the full sounds they are making are coming from more than just two people. Their 2009 release Post Nothing was a 36-minute blast of energy, highlighted by shout-along anthems "Young Hearts Spark Fire", "The Boys are Leaving Town" and "Wet Hair".

June 5th marks the release of their second full length album, Celebration Rock. The album doesn't veer far from their familiar formula of grabbing the listener by the arm, taking them on a wild ride, and not letting go until the album is done. The album is already getting rave reviews and is currently streaming over at NPR, which you can take a listen to here.

If their recorded work is any indication, their live show promises to be a sweaty, beer-fueled affair. They kick off an American tour at Neumos on Monday, June 11th with Cadence Weapon opening up -- and we want to send you and a friend to a show! Just send an email to us at tig {at} threeimaginarygirls {dot} com with the subject line "CelebrationRock" sometimes between now and the end of the day on Thursday, June 7th. We'll pick a winner and let you know by Friday that you're on the list for Monday's show!

Good luck!

{Japandroids with Cadence Weapon / Neumos / Doors at 8:00 / 21+ / $13.50 adv. Photo courtesy of the Japandroids Facebook page.}

We've loved the Young Evils something fierce since those first strains of Enchanted Chapel made their way onto our iPods and into our headphones back in 2010. Since then, the music they make has proven the perfect soundtrack for those beautiful, sunny Seattle days, the mornings covered with grey when we need a little pick-me-up, and everything in-between. We've emphatically featured the YEs on our best-of-2010 playlists, faithfully recommended show after show, leapt into the air with glee when they agreed to come on the bill for our oh-ten holiday party, shimmied stage left when they played a killer set at the 2011 Sasquatch! Music Festival... the list goes on and on.

So, you can imagine how beside ourselves with happy we were when Cody Hurd agreed to come and spend some time at our 10th Anniversary Rockstar Karaoke New Wave Bash this Friday! He'll be taking the stage at Chop Suey with the likes of Sean Nelson, Lesli Wood, Alicia Amiri, Cristina Bautista, and more all-stars than you can shake a stick at. As is the case with the rest of our performers, there's no divulging which song he's going to serenade us with -- but we can tell you that it's going to be completely spectacular and that you won't want to miss it! A duo with Cristina Bautista, perhaps? Or with bandmate and Mal de Mer member Michael Lee? The possibilities are endless!

Tickets are only ten dollars {whoa!} and are going fast, so pick up a few here before the night sells out. Don't forget, the show is 21+ and doors open at 8:30pm!

{Photo of Cody Hurd at Sasquatch! 2011 by Victoria VanBruinisse.}

In the venn diagram of talent, kindness, enthusiasm and sincerity, Exohxo's Jasen Samford and Danny Oleson are certainly in the middle of it all.

For years they made Seattle smile with pop-goodness as part of Speaker Speaker, and now, with their current band, Exohxo, they have taken their enchanting chamber pop one step further.  They not only spread joy at the holidays, releasing three holiday Exohxmas albums (mostly) of original songs, but all year long they take the stage to fill the air with brilliant songs like "These Are The Days" and "Beacons."  

In fact, they are so talented that they didn't even flinch when I asked them if they had a song for our Imaginary Zine mix cd.  They jumped to the task recording a brand new song just for us and delivered it in record time.

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The Mangles are an illusive group of guys.  We were lucky enough to meet them in TIG's infancy and immediately BFF'd over all things vinyl, indie, and rad.

Even though the group only comes out of their Mangle den a few times a year, it's always to the extreme delight of all at the show.  Whether they  use the moniker of The Mangles or the long-retired Scottish Men of Science or as some of the fellas behind Blue Disguise Records (responsible for the early Visqueen releases, among other things), they treat every show as a covert basement show, bringing everyone into the fold of secret handshakes in the name of an authentic college-rock show, minus the attitude and fake poses. 

Beyond that, they translate their genuine love and respect of everything from Linda Ronstadt to Quasi to Hüsker Dü into an unforgettable performance that reminds you of the giddiness you felt the first time you snuck into an over 21 show.

Their songs gather a most exquisite range of influences, from The Replacements to The Bangles to Gang of Four to the Clash.  They are smart guys, and their writing and performance style reflects that (and I'm not just saying that because they are responsible for writing the best song ever, "Liz Riley").

They've taken the TIG stage in the past, notably at our 2008 Holiday Spectacular, 2004 Shamrock the Vote show (at which they were an all-boy Bangles tribute band) and on the karaoke mic at our Suicide Karaoke show to mark our 2nd anniversary.

We're not sure what song they are going to do this year at our 10th Anniversary Rockstar New Wave Karaoke Bash at Chop Suey {tix} on Friday, June 1st, but we know it's not to be missed!

{photo: John E. Hollingsworth}

There's no denying that every single member of Tullycraft has a firm place in our hearts.  Their songs encompass all things we love.  They spice up indie-pop with aggressive guitar and swoon-worthy campfire sing along harmonies.  Blips and bleeps are sprinkled through out as are record store clerk culture references and nerd-core punchlines.  Beyond that, the folks that make up the band more than make our heart flutter.

Our ties with Tullycraft go all the way back to 2003, when at our 2nd anniversary Rockstar Suicide Karaoke show a very brave Tullycraft-er took the stage to sing Juice Newton's "Queen of Hearts." Since then, we've been able to cajole Tullycraft into performing at many an imaginary event (YAY!).  It's hard to pick a favorite moment, but we still watch video of their performance at the Magnetic Fields 69 Love Songs show over and over (video sample of the night below). And then there was our 2007 holiday show, the 2004 Shamrock the Vote showcase… well, you get the idea. We can't get enough Tullycraft in our lives.

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{Total sweetness: Rachel and Ben after the last Visqueen show / photo: Jason Tang}

We haven't been the same since Visqueen rode into the sunset last November, when they played their last show at the Neptune. It was a glorious affair.  Every song rocked like it was the first time we heard it.  Genuine love and appreciation (on both the part of the band and the audience) filled the air and as the final notes of the last song we're strummed, we all broke down into tears.  Sure we were sad that we'd never get to see another Visqueen show or pick up another new Visqueen album, but mostly the tears were grateful ones, that we were there and they were there and we were all together sharing this amazing moment of rad songs, rad people, and BFFs forever (video proof below).

BUT, come Friday, June 1st at our 10th Anniversary Rockstar New Wave Karaoke Bash at Chop Suey {tix}, dry those tears and wildly spray your Aussie Scrunch hairspray, because Ben Hooker (and possibly a member or two of his entourage) will take the stage to sing a favorite new wave hit.  

You might remember Ben's karaoke skillz as illustrated in his spot on performance of Iron Maiden's "Aces High" (with Cory Murchy of Minus the Bear) at our 2003 Rockstar Buttrock Karaoke Party, a performance which earned him the award for "Best Falsetto."  This time will be even better, because we will be celebrating a wonderful 10 years of imaginary togetherness (a love affair detailed in the 10th anniversary imaginary zine, which you can be the first to pick up AT THE SHOW!).

How can Ben possibly top "Aces High?"  We will see… oh we will see!!!

It's hard to remember imaginary life before Math & Physics Club came along.  We are forever honored to have been one of the first places they sent their demo to back in the summer of 2004.  With their sweet indie-pop blend of The Smiths with The Lucksmiths, and all things Sarah Records with Matinee Records, their beautiful songs (even as demos) immediately made us both jump with glee and fill with pretty heartache.

Besides being hella nice folks who write hella nice songs, we adore them because they have been kind enough to be a part of many of our (even wackiest) show endeavors.  They are brilliant when they play their own songs (as we've written about countless times), but they are also really great at covers! They did a couple magic Magnetic Field covers at our 69 Love Songs cover night and they even perfected a Stone Roses cover at one of our showcases (video of them performing it in CA below).

Ethan Jones from MaPC is going to represent the band on at 10th Anniversary Rockstar New Wave Karaoke Bash on Friday, June 1st at Chop Suey {tix}. You might also remember Ethan as a touring member of Eux Autres in addition to his MaPC responsibilities of bass guitar and harmonies.  Besides rumors swirling that MaPC are possibly talking about one day maybe recording something perhaps sometime, Ethan is also currently working on an EP of his own.  And, also of very important indie-pop note, Math and Physics Club donated a very rare and very exclusive song to the 10th anniversary commemorative imaginary zine, which you can be the first of your friends to pick up AT THE SHOW!

He was one of the first folks to send over their requested song, so we can only imagine that he's spent ever single moment working on his new wave poses.

Attention "Rainbow Connection" and Sean Nelson fans! There is a Paul Williams double shot of awesomeness happening this Friday {5/25}.

In honor of the documentary Paul Williams is Still Alive, playing at SIFF, Sean Nelson has set up a night of singing Mr. Williams’ songs—with Shenandoah Davis on the piano—at The Sorrento Hotel Fireside Room. Trust us: YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS.

First off, the movie looks hilariously amazing! Second, Sean singing in an intimate, cozy venue is an experience not to be missed (coincidentally, Sean himself is also hilariously amazing). Third: If you buy a ticket to the film, you can get in FREE to the show by bringing your ticket stub with you! So, you can buy a ticket for $11 ($9 SIFF Members) and get into the movie AND Sean’s show. Sweet!

FOURTH: We have a pair of tickets to giveaway to the 5/25 screening! Let us send you to both the movie and the show. Write us a love letter (short poems also accepted) and email it to tig {at} threeimaginarygirls {dot} com with the subject line "Phantom of the Paradise". This is super-short giveaway, so we'll pick a winner early on Thursday AM. Send ‘em now, people!

FIFTH: Paul Williams is scheduled to be in Seattle to attend the documentary screenings, which means he could possibly show up at Sean’s show! Can you imagine how rad that would be? I am imagining it right now!

{Sean Nelson Sings the Songs of Paul Williams | Friday, 5/25, 9:30pm | Sorrento Hotel Fireside Room | $10, or free with SIFF pass/ticket stub to Paul Williams Still Alive. The movie screens at SIFF May 25, 6:30pm at the Egyptian, and again May 26, 1pm at SIFF Cinema Uptown}