Date: Sun July 31
Place: Comet Tavern, 922 E Pike St
Time: 6:37 pm

"We're all sweating like we've been fucking for an hour!" shouts Dita VonVoxtraughten, frontwoman for the Emergency. Sure, it's a drag that it's so hot, but the beauty of a soft sheen of sweat on well-formed cleavage cannot be overstated—and I'm not just talking about the glistening décolletage of VonVoxtraughten. While the promising young band ignites the floor of this beloved Seattle institution with a fierce blast of soul-punk, I watch an impressive parade of minimally clad gals struggling with the overbearing heat, including a ponytailed brunette in a gingham halter top clutching a slippery pint of beer and weaving her way through the crowd in search of a better vantage point. The bass player breaks out a tambourine and the already agitated audience grows even more enthusiastic, particularly one energetic fellow standing directly in front of the band, banging his head relentlessly. The sound leaves something to be desired, but the energy and intimacy make the moment feel memorable. There's a difference between a band that exhibits the potential to be successful based on talent and one that deserves to be successful based on passion—the Emergency have both elements in their favor.