On a mission to see more local shows, I randomly came across Pillow Army and Ravenna Woods. When a show popped up where they'd be playing together, it was added to my Google Calendar pronto. It promised to be a long Wednesday night with four bands on the bill, but luckily for this old lady, the two that prompted my trek out to the Crocodile were the first two up.
Pillow Army at the crocodile
If you've been paying attention at all, you've noticed a huge movement of something called orchestral, symphonic, or chamber rock in Seattle.
My first taste of the local wave was Hey Marseilles and now I'm hooked. Pillow Army jumped on the bandwagon, and they ride it well--really well. The six-piece group (sans flute for Wednesday's show) consist of a guitar, distorted violin and cello, flute, bass, and drums.
As Seattlest put it, "If you’re a fan of deceptively bouncy pop songs with clapping hands and hollered choirs, the hard gnaw of strings, and/or The Starlight Mints and The Pixies, we think you’ll rather enjoy the show...." You can check out their next appearance at El Corazon on the 7th of April. Doors are at 7 p.m. and tickets are $8 adv/$7 dos--chump change!
Revenna Woods at the Crocodile
As for the next set, it may have been the first time I'd seen the three-man collection that make up Ravenna Woods, but undoubtedly they have a fantastic time at every show. The energy and spirit in each song, in each beat of the drum, draws you in.
What really clinched it was their rhythmic clapping while encouraging the audience to join in. The energy spread to the crowd and soon the room was filled with the sound of emphatic downbeats. They treated the stage like a living room and invited everyone in to their party.
The good humor continued after their stage-time; while buying a CD, my friend spoke to the lead singer/guitarist Brantley Duke, and he couldn't have been more gracious. It never hurts to love your fans, especially when you mean it. You can see them next at The Sunset Tavern in Ballard next Saturday, April 3rd. Doors at 8:30 p.m. and tickets $7 adv/ $8 dos.
