I’ve probably seen somewhere between 800 and 1000 live shows in my life, and yet I still keep going. I saw Dave Brubeck and Slayer on back to back nights. I saw Santana play the whole second set with the Grateful Dead on a Chinese New Year show, and I saw The Pharmacy almost light The Comet Tavern on fire. I saw The Melvins open up for themselves, I saw Fantomas’ first show ever, and I saw Big Business’ first show ever (thanks Visqueen). Basically I’ve seen everything from hip hop to grindcore and it all boils down to two things, energy and songwriting. If musicians or bands have that going for them then someone out there will like what they are trying to say. But now I can’t go see shows as much anymore, sometimes life gets in the way of having fun. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. If you have the time and the money I think you should go see as much live music as possible. So here is a little something to help you decide what is coming to the greater Seattle area.Sunday November 11
The Glasspack / Valis / The Valley @ The Funhouse

We just finished an interview and Chicken Shack Video Session with The Valley. It’s so good, I can’t wait to relkease it. In the meantime, see them blow out The Funhouse with local rock veterans Valis and Kentucky riff mongers The Glasspack. Play some basketball in the patio, rock out and drink cheap beer. What else you gonna do when the football is over?

Monday November 12
Lydia Lunch @ Neumo’s

Rock poet and iconic figure Lydia Lunch is giving a spoken word performance. She rules and you should listen to every word she says. There will be a test later.

Tuesday November 13
Ween @ The Paramount Theatre

WEEN! Mmmmmmmmmmmmm Ween.

Wednesday November 14
Isis / These Arms Are Snakes / 27 @ Neumo’s

Had a bad day, listen to some Isis and let it out. Had a good day, listen to some Isis and let it out. Go to the show and scream your guts out along with one of the heaviest, most dynamic bands out there. It’s so good you’ll throw your hands in the air, scream YEEAAHH at the top of your lungs, and then look around and see everyone else dooming the same thing. It’s a special moment to share with like-minded music fans. Seattle’s own These Arms Are Snakes are supporting and they are amazing as hell too. They are part hardcore, part progressive, part punk, part heavy metal, and fun as hell to watch. You might even catch yourself in that hands-in-the-air-screaming moment before Isis even takes the stage.

Thursday November 15
David Allen Coe / Redneck Girlfriend / Bob Wayne & The Outlaw Carnies / Dragstrip Riot @ El Corazon

Dragstrip Riot is a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. I like ‘em a lot and interviewed the band in the first issue of Disheveled Magazine. Knuck and Nils are a shit-load of fun and the band is fun to watch. Knuck’s songwriting is great, his lyrics are funny and poignant, and the band is tight as hell. The band is definitely not Rockabilly, it’s a little bit country, and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. Knuck (the guitarist, and lead singer) will tell you the difference. Go see them early and then go drink with the band. Tell ‘em Jason from Disheveled sent you and try not to get punched in the face. The other bands are fun too.

Friday November 16
The Cops / The Whore Moans / The Pleasureboaters @ The Crocodile
Mudhoney / Zeke / Pride Tiger / Top Heavy Crush @ El Corazon
M.I.A. / The Cool Kids @ Showbox SoDo
Alejandro Escovedo / Cory Branan @ The Tractor Tavern

Really? How am I supposed to choose? They’re all great shows, but M.I.A. is sold out, Alejandro Escovedo is awesome, but only if you like bluesy Tex-Mex music (I happen to like everything). Mudhoney and Zeke annihilate, both have been in the game a long time, and both helped change rock ‘n’ roll. If I had to choose, however, I would probably choose The Cops. The band just released Free Electricity, and they are celebrating at The Crocodile with The Whore Moans, and The Pleasureboaters. It should be an over-the-top, turn-it-up-to-11, screaming, wild, rock ‘n’ roll fantasy.

Saturday November 17
Ozomatli / Samba Da @ Showbox at the Market
GWAR / Horse the Band @ Showbox SoDo
Heavy Trash / Power Solo / The Fucking Eagles @ Chop Suey

Ozomatli music is the shit, watching GWAR will cover you in shit, and Heavy Trash will wipe it clean.

Sunday November 18
Madlib / Peanut Butter Wolf / J Rocc / Percee P @ Neumo’s

Peanut Butter Wolf. With a name like that you have to like him. His music is really cool too, blending hip hop, electronic music, rock, and a love for the Casio Keyboard sound. His rhymes are awesome, and in the hip hop world he is kind of a musician’s musician. He’s creative and a lot of people want to work with him. It should be a great show.

Monday November 19
Zappa plays Zappa @ The Paramount Theatre

Down at Joe’s Garage we didn’t have no dope or LSD, but a couple a quarts of beer would fix it so the intonations would not offend your ear. You always wondered what it’s like to from place to place, so darlin’ take a little ride on the mixers face. I got it from the toilet seat. It jumped right up and grabbed my meat. Make it go fast. Keep it greasey so it go down easy. Playing guitar solos in. I’ll lay here on my back until dawn, in a semi catatonic state, and dream of guitar notes that  will irritate… an executive kind of guy. And remember most of all The White zone is for loading or unloading only. If you have to load or unload go to the white zone. You’ll love it. It’s a way of life.

Queens of the Stone Age comes to The Paramount on December 18^th and everyone who can go, should go. I already know the show will be awesome, because I’m psychic like that. When I saw this band in September of 1999, it was one of the best shows I had ever seen. It was in a small rock club in San Jose that is now some kind of sushi bar. My friend recorded it (with the band’s permission, of course) and I still listen to that show today. Now the band is all grows up and playing in big theaters all over the country. Josh Homme is a great guitarist, and an even better songwriter. The new album is great… what can I say other than the show will be great, and it would be great if you attended.

Here are a couple of videos so you can see for yourself…