Alternative music star Morissey plays Sunday
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, May 3, 2007
Like many musicians, Morissey fronted a prominent band (The Smiths) and then carved out a successful solo career when the influential alternative-rock band broke up.
Morissey performs Sunday in Seattle.
The Brit’s album “Your Arsenal” earned a Grammy nomination for best alternative album. He’s also known for his outspokenness on many issues. His stands have not always endeared him to his record companies or made it easy for him to get a contract, sometimes making it hard for his music to reach a wider audience.
He’s verbally attacked politicians on both sides of the Atlantic, the British ruling family, rap and rave. His political comments have earned him interviews with British intelligence and the FBI. He’s also an advocate for animal rights, and last year said he wouldn’t perform in Canada because that country allows seal hunts.
Los Pinguos: The infectious sound of the quintet has attracted fans worldwide. The Argentinian group creates a mixture of Latin rhythms from Spanish guitars, a Cuban tres (guitar-like instrument with three double strings), Peruvian cajon (a box-like drum) and vocals. The music has been heard on TV shows such as “The Shield” and “The L Word” and is featured in the film “Imaging Argentina.” Saturday, Edmonds
Manntis: The band that has toured with Anthrax and Hatebreed releases an all-out thrash assault with good old-fashioned metal domination. They will hit an Everett stage with music from “Sleep in Your Grave.” Tuesday, Everett
Angelique Kidjo: The much-celebrated West African singer-composer sings in several languages of love, poverty and family with a sometimes-wailing voice that brings to mind Miriam Makeba. Her new CD, “Djin Djin,” focuses on tribal and pop rhythms, but also crosses genres and countries. Today through Sunday, Seattle
Velvet Revolver: The hard-rock quintet, which formed with three former Guns N’ Roses musicians, the frontman for Stone Temple Pilots and an ex-Wasted Youth player, will release a new album, “Libertad.” The Actual, a punk-rock band that has gained favorable notice, will open the show. Rolling Stone magazine said lead singer Max Bernstein “… knows his way around both a melodic hook and an understated chorus.” The show is sold out. Monday, Seattle
Ernestine Anderson: Cabaret-style seating and an elegant, expressive songstress will be a treat as Anderson sings jazz ballads, sassy swing and the blues. The four-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist emerged from the big-band era. In 2004, she was given the IMPACT award from the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy, recognizing her 60-year musical career and achievements. Saturday, Seattle
Yard Dogs Road Show: A mix of rock ‘n’ roll, cabaret and vaudeville, a Yard Dogs’ show is visual and auditory. There might even be a sword swallower. The group was founded by Eddy Joe Cotton, who before he settled into the road show, wrote the autobiographical “Hobo: A Young Man’s Thoughts on Trains and Tramping in America.” Today, Seattle
Hiromi: Multi-award-winning pianist Hiromi Uhera’s roots are in jazz but she explores the entire genre. “Time Control,” released in March, is helped on that front with a mature band that includes a British bassist, a Slovakian drummer, and a jazz-rock guitarist born in the U.S. and raised in Germany. Tuesday and Wednesday, Seattle
Raul Midon: The singer and guitarist will perform his signature syncopated rhythm, a flamenco- and jazz-infused acoustic guitar style and music from a new recording, “State of Mind.” The blind musician works through a mix of soul, R&B, pop, folk, jazz and Latin music. Wednesday, Seattle
On other stages: Lorie Line and her Pop Chamber Orchestra perform Thursday (Benaroya, $42). She started as a pianist in a department store but has now sold more than 1 million recordings in the new-age and light classical genres … Fall Out Boy’s concert has been moved to June 27 at the Tacoma Dome … Andrew Bird brings music from his latest CD, “Armchair Apocrypha,” to the Showbox (Saturday, $17.50, $20) … Porcupine Tree is on a world tour with “Fear of a Blank Planet” (Tuesday, Showbox, $25, $27), complete with a song cycle and films and projections.
Fabio Lovino photo
Morissey performs Sunday in Seattle.
Los Pinguos perform Saturday in Edmonds.
Angelique Kidjo performs next week in Seattle.
