Capitol Hill Block Party showcases local music

Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood could be considered one of the most culturally colorful areas in the city. For the past three summers, it has shown its colors with flair during the Capitol Hill Block Party. This weekend, the neighborhood will host the event for the fourth time and it will feature more than 50 local artists on four stages.

The block party will include the requisite booths filled with arts and crafts and other knick-knacks to purchase and will have plenty of food, not to mention political messages. But the focus of this neighborhood gathering is still local music. Some of the Emerald City's best and brightest up-and-coming acts will perform during the two-day event.

Headlining on the main stage Saturday is Seattle rap legend Sir-Mix-A-Lot, who is slotted to perform a 90-minute set at 8:30 p.m. Performing before Mix is Pretty Girls Make Graves, a homecoming performance for the indie rock group that just returned from its nationwide tour. The tour included a set in front of a massive crowd at the Coachella Valley Music Festival in Indio, Calif. While at Coachella, Pretty Girls road-tested new material, so expect to hear a few unfamiliar songs not found on either of the band's two albums.

Sunday's main-stage action includes headliners The Melvins, one of the bands that influenced Kurt Cobain to pick up a guitar, and The Blood Brothers, a band the Seattle Post- Intelligencer. dubbed Seattle's "punk rock heroes."

The Divorce, one of the most promising local groups, will perform on the main stage at 3:15 p.m. The band has been performing sets consisting almost exclusively of new material and it has been reported the band has more than 100 new songs ready to record.

The Bad JuJu stage -- the only stage strictly for those 21 and up -- will feature one of the best lineups Saturday. Emo-punk Blue Sky Mile brings its intense, high-energy show at 6:30 p.m. and Kane Hodder -- possibly the hardest-working band in Seattle -- will perform at 10:15 p.m.

While the above bands are worth checking out if you meet the age restriction, what could be a momentous performance for the block party at the Bad JuJu stage Saturday is the band Wade Amongst the Dead. It is possible that Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse may make an appearance during the band's set. In fact, rumors are circulating that Modest Mouse might be performing under the fake name Wade Amongst the Dead.

At press time neither a representative from Modest Mouse nor Epic Records, the band's label, was available for comment. An appearance is possible since the group's nationwide tour has a two-day break during the block party. In The Stranger Musician's Directory, published by the alternative weekly The Stranger (one of the biggest sponsors of the block party), Wade Amongst the Dead is described as "gay strip metal cover band of Sugamo nomads."

Although you shouldn't show up expecting to see Brock or Modest Mouse, given the goofy band description and a tour itinerary that accommodates time off during the block party (and also doesn't include a stop in Seattle), you might be pleasantly surprised if there is a cameo appearance. Regardless, the band's set is at 4:15 p.m. Saturday.

For those not able to legally raise a pint while watching live music, the Vera Stage will feature some of the Northwest's best youthful talent. Saturday, the pre-teen sister duo Smoosh will perform. The group's infectious pop can be a bit gimmicky, given that if you add up both members' ages, you can barely buy a beer, but the music is catchy and the pair is more adorable than Hanson circa 1997.

Sunday, the stage is opened by Bellingham duo Idiot Pilot. The band recently signed a record deal with Warner Brothers/Reprise Records. The Vera Stage's Sunday headliners will provide a one-two punch of sci-fi horror rock as performed by Bloodhag and Schoolyard Heroes. Schoolyard features three UW students -- vocalist Ryann Donneley, bassist Jonah Bergman and drummer Brian Turner. Bloodhag takes the stage at 8 p.m. and Schoolyard follows one hour later.