Spokane's favorite pop-punkers, Small Town Nation, throw a big ol' CD release party tonight at the Knitting Factory. Their newest album, Battlecry of the Lost Boys, includes a track, "Carpe the Diem," featuring Mike Herrera of MxPx on guest vocals. They take the stage tonight with Fallen Regiment, Take the Sky and Good Kids Bad Ideas at 7 pm. $5. All-ages.
They boast a falsetto like you've never heard. In fact, Cam Pipes sings so loudly and so high, I find it hard not to giggle just a little bit. He and his band, 3 Inches of Blood, return to Spokane tonight for a show with From Sword to Sunrise, Oceans of Red, Lessons in Chaos and Soblivios at Stage54. 8:30 pm. $12. Gotta be 21. They also play a show tomorrow at the Grail with From Sword to Sunrise, Seven Cycles, the Ohio Match Hellbillies and a Lesson in Chaos. You need to be 18 to attend that show.
They call it "transcendental folk." Elephant Revival, a Colorado-based experimental group makes a string-driven brand of Americana that is airy and soothing (check it out below). And what they do has won them some serious cred — they've opened for Michael Franti, Yonder Mountain String Band and George Clinton, to name a few. They take the stage at the Seaside tonight alongside Mark Ward and Mile Markers. $5. Gotta be 21.
Last year it was a benefit. This year it's a party. If you remember, at this time last year the beloved, all-ages music venue and coffeehouse Empyrean was fighting with the fire department over the sprinkler ordinance. They couldn't raise the money to stay in their old spot on Madison, and they moved last winter to the old Big Dipper space. This year — nestled happily in their new digs — Empyrean is not throwing one but three "Friends of" shows. One was last night, but there are still two to go. Tonight the Globes make the drive from Seattle to show their love. Locals the Sassmatrons and Joel Howard also play. Tomorrow Enola Gay plays with Henry Nordstrom, Hillary Susz and the Spokane Poetry Slam Team. Both shows start at 8 pm and cost $7. All-ages.
It's been a decade since we first heard Atmosphere's name. And since then, the hip-hop group has recruited a seriously loyal following and drawn heavy attention to the excellent Minneapolis hip-hop scene. Atmosphere takes the stage at the Knit tomorrow with Blueprint, Grieves & Budo and DJ Rare Groove at 8:30 pm. $24.50. All-ages.
