Battleme, Keaton Collective, and Timothy Robert Graham and the Debate Team Band at The Sunset Tavern 10/11

Battleme, Keaton Collective, and Timothy Robert Graham and the Debate Team Band @ The Sunset Tavern | 10/11 | 9pm | $8 Advance (Get Tickets) | 21+

Battleme, Photo by Dave Estep

Familiar with Sons of Anarchy? How about Battleme? If you’ve watched the former, I’m pretty positive you’ve heard the latter. Battleme is presently based out of Portland, but it’s probably his previous residence of Texas that gives him a gritty, rock and roll vibe. His music is a wonderful surprise from song to song, as he guides the listener through each falsetto laced song. Battleme is primarily Matt Drenik, but take it from me, his live show is just as much about his touring drummer and bass player. The trio come off as modest rockstars on stage- they’re not condescending or pretentious. Instead, they focus intently on drawing the audience in by stunning us with music that is catchy as it is completely unique like “Woman I’m a Lost Cause” and Closer.” Drenik will get your hips shaking, whether you like it or not, but if for whatever reason you manage to stay stationary he’ll more than make up for it by wailing away on his guitar and strutting around the Sunset stage. Rock and roll is finally having a resurgence in Seattle, and Battleme’s going to be a name you see around our city streets with more regularly. Get on board now.

Keaton Collective, Photo via Facebook

Battleme is incredibly complimented by one of my favorite Bellingham bands, Keaton Collective. This band is the best and most polished I’ve ever heard them sound. Keaton’s most recent release Tercera is the best thing they’ve ever put out- they’ve always had a great feel to their records, but this release from start to finish defines everything a new listener would need to know about the guys. Have you heard “Fallin Asleep” yet? It’s one of the best songs they’ve ever written, and will keep you pressing repeat over and over. Pro-tip: make a playlist with it and only it and press “repeat.” Keaton is able to produce a record that has undeniable rock undertones, but is at the same time sort of mellow. I’m not sure how they came up with it, but they’re just perfect. Enjoy one of the PNW’s best kept secrets, and one of Battleme’s openers on Thursday night.

Timothy Robert Graham, Photo via Facebook

The first opener of the night is Timothy Robert Graham. Graham is a music writer who’s lyrics are the sort that make a listener want to dig in to verse after verse. He’s more thoughtful and a touch more melancholy than the other bands on this bill, but don’t for a second let that convince you he’ll fade into the background. He’ll be playing with a full band for this show, and according to what I’ve heard, he believes the louder the better. Seattle, I think that’s something that we can get behind, right?