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But there's already plenty said about the infamous four-day festival in that giant pullout guide in the middle of this here paper, and just because Bumbershoot is back again, that certainly doesn't mean that the rest of the city shuts down. So in case you're not a fan of wading through crowds of thousands while hectically jumping from venue to venue in hopes of catching a little bit of everything, take comfort in knowing that there's still plenty going down if you're planning on avoiding the entire Seattle Center neighborhood for the weekend.
For instance, Seattle's best straight-edge hardcore band, Champion, release their long-awaited new full-length record this month, and they're celebrating on Saturday the 4th with a CD-release show at the Paradox (which also features Blue Monday, the Answer, Lights Out, and Sinking Ships).
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Released on Bridge Nine Records, Promises Kept is only 24 minutes long with a 12-song track listing, meaning the songs hit hard and fast, and are held together with a storm of tight and furious drumming. The record is boiling over with enthusiasm, anger, and exhilaration, and as the songs bleed into one another, you're left with no time to catch your breath between blows.
Champion carry a message of standing strong, thinking positive, and calling bullshit when necessary, and while their familiar style of posi-core sounds great on record (especially this record; the band has never sounded better), they really explode when put in front of a live audience.
While guitarists Chris Williams and Aram Arslanian and bassist Ben Colton chaotically jump and thrash all over the stage, singer Jim Hesketh looks to the energy of the crowd to carry him through the songs. Kids pile in the front and on top of one another, hollering into the mic with Hesketh, with matching amounts of fury and passion, as if they had written and lived through the words themselves.
Without a doubt, the band will be in great form this weekend since they've had many opportunities to perfect their live show. Earlier this month they wrapped up an East Coast tour with Terror and Sick of It All, and there are plans to tour Canada, Europe, and Australia (and, of course, the U.S. again).
Saturday's show starts at 8:00 p.m., costs eight bucks at the door, and you'll want to bring some extra cash since the band will be selling a limited edition of Promises Kept pressed on maroon vinyl, which will be available only at this show. MEGAN SELING
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