at Neumo's

I've been talking with my friends lately about how difficult it's becoming to conjure up new and exciting ways to describe noise rock bands. You can only use the term "wall of sound" or "epic guitar swell" so many times before it begins to sound repetitive. As much as I sincerely worship post-rock giants such as Mogwai, Mono, Explosions in the Sky and local greats Kinski and Bronze Fawn, what can I possibly say anymore that is new? Considering this, there I found myself again at yet another noise rock show with a notebook in my hand and a boatload of anxiety in my chest. Three bands with no lyrics and nothing but walls of sound and epic guitar swells to describe. Eeek!

Sleepy Eyes of Death started out the night surrounded by fog and lights, rocking the large-ish crowd early in the night with sounds reminiscent of some 80's futuristic movie soundtrack. My friend actually leaned over and whispered "This sounds like it should be in Blade Runner." Sleepy Eyes of Death are madmen onstage and kept pace by alternating a nice mix of electronic and post rock. Through their short set, they made good use of reverberated snare, crazy sampling, and embryonic drumbeats.

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Bumbershoot weekend is going to be hopping in and outside the gates of the Seattle Center.

By now you know what you should be on the look out for while walking the Bumbershoot campus, but once you exit the gate, I recommend you head over to Bumbershots! at the Solo bar this Saturday and Sunday.

Three Imaginary Girls, along with our friends at Easy Street, Makers Mark and New Belgium Brewing, have put together evening, complete with Seattle musician DJ sets and drink specials to help you wind down / rest up / keep the party going during your post-Bshoot hours.

• Saturday (9/5) - 10pm DJ set by Rachel & Ben from Visqueen
• Sunday (9/6) - 10pm DJ set by Cassidy & Andrew from Sleepy Eyes of Death

 

Sleepy Eyes of Death are a mostly instrumental rock band that puts on a very visual live show. They use lights and smoke to accentuate their sound, which blends atmospheric synths in the tradition of M83 with reverb-heavy guitar chords, while being a loud, intense rock band who turn the volume up to eleven. While putting more of an emphasis on the visual aspect of their live set, the ear-pounding intensity is the closest thing you're likely to get to recreating the My Bloody Valentine experience in a live setting.

I'm cautious to give too big of an endorsement to Sleepy Eyes of Death because I have a friend in the band, so I'm trying to stick to the facts and tread lightly. It should be taken for what it's worth but I really do enjoy watching the band's live show and think the Sky Church at EMP is an ideal location because they can accomodate the band's setup.

Here's the video to their single "Final Hearts Beat Black":

Sleepy Eyes of Death play in the EMP Sky Church at 6:30pm on Sunday, September 6.

{Sleepy Eyes of Death photo by Amelia Gyde from TIG's Flickr pool.}

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The Capitol Hill Block Party starts today!

We're so excited to have Team TIG of Chelsea and Dan to cover the fest and let us know the highlights and hot stuff of the fest. One of the bands hitting the stage tonight (Neumo's Stage at 7:45p) is Sleepy Eyes of Death.

What bands are you excited to see? Check back in and let us know what your favorite parts are (or if you run into Thurston at Vivace)!

(Photo by Amelia Gyde from the Sparkly Indie Pop Flickr Photo Pool)

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In advance of their sure to kick-ass show on Friday night at Chop Suey, the fine people from Sleepy Eyes of Death just released their first music video. It's to their song "Final Heart Beats Black", from their new Dark Signals album.

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Another day, another free ticket giveaway...

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at Neumos

Sleepy Eyes has stepped up their show, not just the lights and badass fog assault, but the music too.

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The brilliance of “Crushed By Stars” and “Final Heart Beats Black” with its haunting vocals and drums that seem to stall time make them my favorites, but every track holds wonderful conflict and beautifully contained chaos.

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By my standards, Sleepy Eyes of Death is one of the best bands in Seattle. They are incredibly fun to photograph and their music tops anything I can capture with a camera.

Their CD release show for Dark Signals is this Saturday and I for one am counting on an extraordinary night. Come to Neumos for Sleepy Eyes - their incredible live shows are not to be missed, but don't skip a second of openers Loving Thunder and Head Like a Kite. 

 

at Nectar

Sleepy Eyes is the first band since Hovercraft that makes me forget I’m seeing an instrumental band, makes me forget I’m seeing a band at all, and transports me somewhere completely else.

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