A very necessary, but no less sincere happy birthday should be extended to Hannah Levin, author of the must-read "Rocket Queen" column in the Seattle Weekly every week, co-owner of Gainsbourg and host of KEXP's Audioasis program - and all-told, she was my favorite music writer in Seattle long before we ever met several years ago and, of course, still is. Tonight, Levin is celebrating her birthday with a kick-ass show at the Sunset. Rock writers' birthday shows are always a great time (see here and, uhh, here) and this one is certainly no exception. Levin has booked a great night that promises to be "ear-bruising" with loud rock bands Helms Alee, The Ruby Doe and The Keeper. My favorite local hip hop group Dyme Def was recently added to the lineup as well, which makes perfect sense because they always know where the party's at.

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The band made an announcement earlier in the week that the show tonight would be the last for its current lineup, with their bass player and drummer both (most amicably) parting ways with the group.

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You voted, we tabulated. Here's a print-ready list of the top 100 Pacific Northwest releases of the year for your post-holiday-gift-certificate shopping pleasure...

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Always With Wings is the third release by this three-piece post-punk/rock outfit and it abounds with full-throttle guitar rock — jagged, raw and teeming with machismo.

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We all know that nothing says 'Happy Holidays' like Bon Jovi and Big Country. So, we've rolled them all together and on Thursday, December 2nd, Three Imaginary Girls will present the Buttrock vs. New Wave Rockstar Karaoke Holiday Bash at Chop Suey!

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More imaginary fun-in-the-sun than any three imaginary girls should have...

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Bad-ass drummer with the ability to sweet talk a Girl Scout Troop Leader.

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at The Crocodile

Judging from this performance, I'm not sure Sweden ever bought the Nirvana record.

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Since the top five on this list all also appear on our Top 10 overall imaginary albums of the year list, we've added some Honorable Mention local bands!

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