BARONESS APPARENTLY THE ONLY F’ING METAL BAND AT SEATTLE’S BUMBERSHOOT FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND

With a close sect of the Wingerschmidt clan having settled years ago out in Seattle, I have spent a week or two out in (coffee)Beantown almost every Summer for as long as I can remember. And this week or two is always in August, and I never stick around town long enough to experience this “amazing outdoor music festival, brah” known simply as Bumbershoot.

Each year I peruse the schedule, and each year there are plenty of bands I would love to see, especially all in one place. But alas no — clearly I’m a masochist to some extent — I never allow myself the scheduling openness to get my B-shoot on.

This year is no different. I recently spent a week in the rainy city (and brought the sunshine with me from NYC to boot), and noticed that the lineup for this year’s fest included such greats as soulfunkafrobeatposse The Budos Band, Portland emo-punksters The Thermals, countrified poppy sweetie-pants Neko Case, world-music party brigade Ozomatli, plenty of unexpected legends (Bob Dylan, Solomon Burke, Meat Puppets), and…..BARONESS????? Those dudes gon stick out like a dismembered thumb.

I would imagine it’s quite the double-edged sword to be the only heavy band on such a lineup — on one hand, it’s amazing to reach a whole new audience. On the other hand, it must be frustrating to play to a crowd that surely doesn’t wanna hear yr man-scream. And on a third hand (!) any opposition or wincing due to heaviness/volume/RAWK can also stir up feelings of indignation, which might make for a powerful set. (i.e., “Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me!”)

In any case, if you’re in the Seattle area, be sure to check out some of these bands and more (movies too!); Bumbershoot runs from 9/4-9/6 at the Seattle Center.

More info on their website.

-KW