Line Out Music & the City at Night

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Bumbershoot Saturday: The Whore Moans

Posted by on Sat, Sep 5, 2009 at 7:08 PM

Snazzy
  • photo by Dagmar Sieglinde
  • Snazzy jacket

For all their big talk, "the Whore Moans presents the Black Atom!" turned out to mean only that the guys in the bands wore suits (either black and sharp or gaudy game-show-host gold); that they were joined by a couple singer/dancer girls in black baby-doll dresses, straps falling off, the girls swaying rather off-time with the beat; and that in between songs the girls and the band engaged in some pre-planned banter, the girls speaking in semi-creepy semi-cute unison. Not exactly a rock opera. As for the music, it was fine—big, blown-out rock with not always discernable lyrics that seemed vaguely political and/or religiously-themed (something about jackals? something about a collection plate?), like a poor man's Thermals or Deseparecidos. And then sometimes it was a very throwback, kind of teen-pop rock'n'roll, like a John Waters Crybaby idea of rock'n'roll (only thrown off by some incongruous screaming on the choruses)—an impression made explicit by the band's interpolation of the Ronettes' "Be My Baby."

Previews of everything happening at the festival, plus a customizable schedule in the Stranger's Bumbershoot Guide.

 

Comments (12) RSS

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1
Dude you're crazy. That show was fan-fuckingtastic! I mean it was the whore moans. did you want them to suddenly turn into a different band all together?
Posted by Merrywheather on September 7, 2009 at 8:13 AM
2
This show was fantastic. These guys really have magic together. The organist was a positive addition, as was the sax player. As for the backup singers, they definitely could have been improved upon. I absolutely loved the music, but was distracted a bit by their off-rhythm and unsure steps. The band looked fantastic, though, and they stayed true to their loud and fun performance style while trying out something new--something most other bands cannot put on their resume. Can't wait to hear more!
Posted by Ballard Beauty on September 7, 2009 at 1:17 PM
3
Hey Eric Grandy, 

I don't know what kind of journalistic integrity you're trying to attach to your name, seeing as YOU DIDNT EVEN STAY FOR THE WHORE MOANS' WHOLE SET AS EVIDENCED BY THE DATE AND TIME STAMP ON YOUR POST.

Even if we were to overlook your opinion on the show, which completely and totally sucks by the way (what did you expect from the interview that you so happily and eagerly referenced in your review that they didn't deliver? A blow job perhaps?), I have a hard time taking your lazily underinformed word for it considering you reported half way through their set. 

Way to go Grandy, super professional. Look for that local Pulitzer you've been hoping for, it should be arriving in the mail any day now.   
Posted by XXX on September 7, 2009 at 10:35 PM
4
Their set sucked balls, so I left early. You know where to mail my Pulitzer.
Posted by Eric Grandy on September 7, 2009 at 11:34 PM
5
That night The Whore Moans stepped into uncharted land and pulled it off beautifully. It was one of the most inspiring performances I've ever seen at Bumbershoot.

Still, go easy on Grandy, guys. At least he didn't shut down an all-ages venue this time. Let the baby have his bottle.

Speaking of which, when DJ Fucking Up The Neighborhood shined the unwanted spotlight on Atlas Clothing and the fire marshal showed up the very next night to lay to rest one of Seattle's few havens for youth rockers (no, we haven't forgotten), it was during a Victory Smokes show. Amazing music from Missoula, MT, and they just happen to be playing next Saturday with The Whore Moans. Oh, the irony of it! I will definitely be in attendance.
Posted by some of us like sucking balls, man on September 8, 2009 at 1:23 AM
6
Don't blame Eric Grandy, guys. Grandy wouldn't know a good band if he actually heard one. He most likely the type of guy who would expect a Kid Rock or a Limp Biskit show (because he likes that type of music). Maybe he was having his time of the month so he was in the mood for some EMO type music instead. Let the baby write his story and hope his mood improves over time.

P.S. In the meantime, go suck on your own balls Grandy.
Posted by unity9 on September 8, 2009 at 9:53 AM
7
Hey, Mr. Grandy. Why you such a hater? Speaking of which, why are so many staffers of the Stranger so eager to diss anything Seattle? We live in an amazing city that produces stellar acts such as the Whore Moans who take chances and go out on a limb to display their musical dexterity. So what if it might not have been a fucking Broadway production. Last I checked, Wicked was in town, and I'm sure a smarmy fuck such as yourself could easily get a free ticket... the play is a little long, though, so you'll have plenty of time to hurry home during intermission, not return, and spend the next three hours counting the ways it was a disappointment. Long live the haters!
Posted by The Stranger is a Stranger to Seattle on September 8, 2009 at 9:55 AM
8
Ah yes, my well-documented love for Limp Bizkit and Broadway musicals? Real cutting. Look, I'm sure the Whore Moans are nice guys or whatever, but they talked big and delivered an unimpressive set of middling trad rock'n'roll snazzed up with jackets and tarts. Seattle has birthed plenty of great bands, some of whom were playing this festival, from Modest Mouse to Truckasauras, but the Whore Moans are not presently one of Seattle's great bands. Not by a long shot.
Posted by Eric Grandy on September 8, 2009 at 12:11 PM
9
I more than applaud their willingness to try something new and "big" for their fans. God forbid that the band not pull it off in a way that might please the critical eye of the press--there's always going to be someone (or bunches of someones) who dislikes what they see...but the fact that this band attempted something outside of their normal (especially when they were unsure of it themselves) is a true testiment to their creativity and showmanship. As for being one of the greatest bands in Seattle...I cannot think of ANY other band in this city that packs their live performances with more energy, heart, and PURE-BLOODED ROCK 'N ROLL GENIUS than the Whore Moans. Period.
Posted by i say this on September 8, 2009 at 5:20 PM
10
Dear Eric Grandy,

I could speak volumes on your credibility as a music reviewer (or lack thereof) and how your penchant for amphetamine pumped electronica taints your opinions on local music. Your single-mindedness coupled with the soapbox that is your position as one of the most prominent figures in the Seattle scene reminds me of the media mess that a certain former republican ass wipe created and subsequently ruined his career. Jonathan Zwickel is the Bill Clinton to your George Dubya, but I digress...

Seriously, what's so wrong with some hometown guys trying to do something different, interesting, and worth the obscene amount of dough it cost to get in? I'd say that's worth ANY fan's respect and admiration. Not to mention the fact that it fucking ruled, and they delivered EXAXTLY what they promised in Chris Estey's article. Too bad you didn't stay for the finale, you missed what Estey conjectured to be a big hot mess- again, true to the Whore Moans signature style. And getting butt hurt over criticism of your "expert" opinion? Again, real professional. But then again, you're the best in the business, right?

Getting chewed out by so many loyal fans on what has become one of The Stranger's most commented blog posts of this weekend must feel like getting those chewed-on balls of yours cut off. It's gotta be really embarassing for the  music editor of Seattle's premier independent publication to be so out of touch with what his city really feels.

 Speaking of the Atlas/Fucking-Up-The-Neighborhood debacle, I hear the new Atlass Clothing is having a sale on shovels. Maybe you should go buy one so you can keep on digging the hole that is your professional career deeper and deeper...
Posted by XXX on September 9, 2009 at 10:46 PM
11
"....the guys in the bands wore suits.." Why is the word "band" plural in your 90-word opening sentence? Also, you spelled the name of the band Desaparecidos incorrectly. Don't hold your breath waiting for that Pulitzer, dude. Your writing sucks balls.
Posted by BonnieC on September 13, 2009 at 10:46 PM
12
Dear Eric Grandy,

How does it feel to do an article about Kanye West being an egotistical jackass and claiming to be a voice of a generation, after you just demonized yourself for slandering the Whore Moans?

I guess that makes Grandy to be the Kanye West of The Stranger and to the Seattle's music scene.
Posted by unity9 on September 15, 2009 at 4:24 PM

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