Tonight in Seattle:  

Great new band alert: Free Energy

 

Photo by Scott Thrift, from myspace.com/freeenergymusic

The Philadelphia-based rock band Free Energy makes 1970s-influenced classic rock in the vein of ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, T-Rex or Thin Lizzy, but does so without a touch of irony. They don’t so much as borrow liberally from that era as try to put them in a time when people drank cheap beer because it was both cheap and beer.

The five-piece band is nearing the release of their much anticipated debut album Stuck on Nothin’ early next month (March 9 on digital and vinyl, May 4 on CD), which was produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy (and released via his DFA Records label). That has bigger implications than mere name-dropping, though. What Murphy’s seal of approval and endorsement means is that this is unpretentious music that was made to collectively shake asses. The spiritual ancestor of “Bang Pop” (one of Free Energy’s catchiest songs) is The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” and Pitchfork approved of their single “Dream City”, saying it is “totally rad”.

Free Energy comes through Seattle on Sunday (February 28), playing Chop Suey as part of their national tour with Foreign Born and Salmon Thrasher. $10/doors, 21+.

This is a fantastic band, but just as the Hold Steady had its origins in an even more amazing Minneapolis band (Lifter Puller), so does Free Energy. The two primaries in the band (Scott and Paul) were once the core of the Hockey Night. http://www.myspace.com/hockeynight Just sayin'.
That's one thing I always like to remember and remind other writers: Unbelievably good new bands usually spring from somewhere. It's common to say, "Yeah, I remember her from that one band," but people do earn their way and learn their styles in some noteworthy first attempts (and the occasional first, and even better, groups). ... My dream of course is being at the First Avenue with Mark B. with some good Scotch as Kevin C. spins on their big boom system and Prince walks in with Bob Mould going, "Let's jam!" Because I am a silly Seattleite. (I think EMP had a Minneapolis exhibit before they had a Seattle one ... brothers of the flannel and the funk.)
Chris They don't have Scotch in Minneapolis. Just whiskey, wine, or beer. EMP Mpls thing was neat-o. First time I've ever got nostalgic seeing a cash register.
And you know what's playin' on that First Ave. sound system, Chris? "Complicated Fun." Oh yeah!

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