From the Jun 24 – Jun 30, 2004 issue

Music

Underage

by Megan Seling

Because I've loved the Dismemberment Plan since first hearing "Manipulate Me" back when I was 18, I was all kinds of sad to watch the band play their final Seattle show at Graceland last June. As bittersweet as the evening was though, it turned into a mostly happy finale because the band interacted with the crowd for most of their set, playing requests and doing their best to give fans nearly everything they wanted before the official goodbye.

Lucky for us D-Plan disciples, the band may be gone but the party is far from over, as its members still have more music in store. A couple of the guys started a band called Maritime (that also includes a couple boys from the Promise Ring). Maritime recently released a new record, Glass Floor, which was produced by J. Robbins, a man I'd happily marry should he ever ask. Travis Morrison, the energetic former D-Plan frontman who just can't stand still, went the solo route. With his new material, Morrison can't seem to decide whether he wants to be indie, funky, or sexy, so he does it all. He lays down the dance beats, throws out some synth sounds, and makes pretty pop melodies to connect it all together. (You can hear how it all comes together at www.travismorrison.com.)

The reason I bring up Morrison, besides the fact that I kind of maybe have a wee crush, is because he's one of the musical guests for this Saturday's (June 26) Free for All show at the Seattle Center's Mural Amphitheater. The 4:00 p.m. event also features the Red Light Sting, Infomatik, Smoosh (who are rightfully becoming more noteworthy as charming pop composers than they are for being preteen girls), and the Catch. Speaking of the Catch, a couple weeks back I stupidly reported that their upcoming three-song sampler will be called Hate Ball. That was a lie. It's actually going to be called After Party. I'm sorry. I messed up. But whatever they name it, the disc will be out June 29, and the band's full-length won't be far behind, with a release date set for end of summer.

Free for All is, of course, free, but you shouldn't come to the show empty handed. Local organization YouthCare will be on site to collect your donated hygiene items for homeless kids. They're looking for everything from toothbrushes and toothpaste to socks, washcloths, and soap, so long as they're brand new. More information can be found at www.youthcare.org.

megan@thestranger.com

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