K Records honcho Calvin Johnson was instrumental in putting
Washington State on the do-it-yourself map with his founding of K
Records back in 1982 and his pioneering punk bands Beat
Happening, the Go Team, and Dub Narcotic Sound
System. Lately, though, besides the occasional collaboration or
guest appearance, Johnson has mostly been flying solo, recording and
performing introspective singer-songwriter material.
Even without a band, it’s hard to deny Johnson’s charm—his
gloomy croon, thick and heavy with love and loss, booming over his
nylon-stringed acoustic guitar. Between songs, Johnson banters about
quirky matters like his new pair of glasses or his travel to the show,
all with the ease of a veteran entertainer. But after a few acoustic
numbers, one begins to long for the upbeat vibes of his previous
projects.
So it’s great to hear that Johnson has been performing his newest
material with a full band, the Hive Dwellers, who make their
Seattle debut this Friday, May 29, at the Vera Project. The band is
touring, and shares members, with Chain & the Gang. The
thought of seeing Johnson back in front of a full rock-and-roll band is
thrilling, making this show a can’t-miss.
Fri May 29: Chain and the Gang, the Hive Dwellers,
Wallpaper at the Vera Project, 7:30 pm, $9 ($8 with club card)
Fri May 29: Heir to the Throne, Cornerstone, We
Move Mountains, To Paint the Sky at the Old Fire House, 8 pm,
$6
Fri May 29: Navigator vs. Navigator, Thousands, the
Unit Breed, Anchors, Analog Destroyer at Ground Zero, 7 pm, $6/$5 with
can of food
Sat May 30: Thee Emergency at Full Tilt Ice Cream,
8 pm, free
Mon June 1: World History, Twig Palace at Arctic
Circle, 8 pm, donation