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Monday, December 19, 2005

R.I.P. Waxwing.

Posted by on December 19 at 12:39 PM

This past weekend the vastly underrated local rock band, Waxwing, played two last shows before officially breaking up. I attended Friday night’s show at Vera. Prior to this weekend the band hadn’t played in about three years and they were going off only a few days of practice, so they weren’t as tight as they were in their prime, but they still played really well and littered the set with favorites from all three of their albums. I was sorta sorry that they didn’t play their U2 cover, though. The vibe in the room was really great too. Lots of people were dancing and singing along. And band members teased singer Rocky Votolato for being out of breath (his solo project doesn’t require nearly as much energy, and he thrashed all over the stage just like the old days…). Waxwing appeared to be having just as much fun as the crowd because during song breakdowns, they’s often exchange smiles while rocking out.

If anyone went to Saturday’s show at the Old Fire House in Redmond, I’d love to hear how it went.

And I just want to give props to opening band Slender Means. I had seen ‘em before, but on Friday I was reminded just how great that band is. Singer Josh Dawson has the dreamiest voice in Seattle, and during the set I kept being reminded of Wilco and Ted Leo. Take a minute to check ‘em out here.