Tyler Morrison: I went there to see Carl Cox around 2002. Bargeld scolded the audience for being complacent in allowing corporations to dictate copyright law in America, to the benefit of big business and the detriment of artists. The band took them to court and won the rights to the concept of "recording your own music and live performance and then selling it." Clear Channel then canceled dozens of their dates across the country, and the band had to scramble to find other venues. Blixa took great pains to explain to us the legal hoops they had to jump through to do this, as Clear Channel, who owns thousands of venues across the country, won't allow it, as it tacitly falls under "bootlegging" laws. The band recorded almost the entire show, then, during a very long encore, burned recordings of the show on the spot and sold them afterward. Their set was over two hours, spanning tracks from over 25 years of music.
But no, the very best show I saw at the Showbox was the last time Einstürzende Neubauten played there. Meagan Angus (Thunder Grey Pilgrim): Initially, I thought it was Fantômas in 2004 ('05?) because it was blistering, fast, and just incredible to watch masters like Mike Patton and Dave Lombardo from such a close distance. So many amazing Decibel shows over the years. Seeing a different ex for almost the last time in the crowd while I was onstage. Talking to an ex for the first time in the green room. The horrible novelty band I worked with hiring a glass-eater to open for them at the Showbox and discovering onstage that he had never eaten glass before and the ambulance coming. Doing visuals for Shabazz Palaces and Helio Sequence and meeting the Sub Pop guys afterward. Jonathan Womack: Drinking with Ian McCulloch after an Echo & the Bunnymen show at the Showbox and talking about John Wayne movies for an hour. Since he was new to performing the song live, he accidentally repeated the lyrics of the second verse two verses in a row, so decided to start the entire 10min progressive R&B song over from the top.
Was fortunate enough to hear Frank Ocean play "Pyramids" live for the first time ever with a full band. The Channel Orange Tour on Jat Showbox Seattle. Lu Ying: Pin Down Girls! I had no idea women's wrestling was so awesome.īen Friedlander: The first show of Frank Ocean's only full US tour. If they destroy it, I won't ever be able to visit some my happiest memories again. I may not own it, but my life is in there. The first time I saw REAL DJs with huge video screens and bass for days was Basement Jaxx at the Showbox. I've seen Medeski Martin and Wood at the Showbox. (".on the 2 and 4, ya'll!") He breathed excellence and passion. When the crowd was clapping on the wrong beat he stopped and taught a quick music theory lesson. One of the first cassettes I ever owned was Prince. More than ten years later, my wife and I are looking for a table seat for a show at what would become Prince's last tour. It was as intense as an AC/DC show in 1988. I remember feeling the floor move under the weight of jumping people. It convinced me that I was in the right place. That Ween show might still be the most fun I've ever had in my life. I had just moved to Seattle from a tiny town in Illinois. That record was a sonic gamechanger.Īdam Kutchman: I saw Ween on the White Pepper tour at the Showbox. Fairly epic after having visiting the studio while they were recording the record. Sean Curley ( New Weather): Seeing the Flaming Lips (before they stank?) perform Soft Bulletin two nights in a row with a who's who of the PNW music scene.