purveyor of gypsy-folk tra la la stomping freaky pirate rock, wielding his accordian, guitar, microphone to amplify his stomping feet, jason webley brings a ton of energy to every stage he graces. whether it be in the frozen tundra of norilsk or the solar-powered shady grove stage at the oregon country fair. his live show is captivating when he performs solo or alongside his quartet (viola, upright bass, drum + webley). jason has a gift when engaging his audience. if you are lucky enough to see him live, you will most likely be dancing, clapping, asked to participate as trombones or violins, and hopefully he will get you really drunk without booze!
The band is Geoff Doolittle (vocals, keyboard, guitar, clanking chains), Anthony Stassi (drums), Von Stace White (guitar), and Jack Sheehy (bass). They play live with incredible energy and an array of instruments, including a marching band’s bass drum. Doolittle’s musical ambitions are refreshing, and if they aren’t soon college-radio darlings we — well, we should point out that we don’t listen to college radio, but good lord, this music is perfect for blowing out actual dorm room windows, or just the still-uncurtained dorm windows in your mind.
Doolittle reminded us of Seth Green’s musical alter-ego, and Sheehy’s thrumming bass lines had us hypnotized. The anthemic “Open Faced Crab Sandwich” was the crowd favorite, sparking a lot of jumping up and down and what seemed like a genuine attempt to dance, while “Man Down,” brought out for the encore, was a sung-spoken bit over drum and bass, punctuated with funked-up screamfest choruses. Nothing wrong here; this band is ready to go swash some fucking buckles. (Seattlest)
The Seattlest | Myspace | Sound on the Sound
The sea shanty was launched back into the American conciousness with the emergence of the Decemberists, and Seaweed Jack may just be riding their coattails (as Steven Colbert might remark). A heavy slow heartbeat, a raspy piratey voice, and a large chain as percussion all go toward creating the Seaweed motif. And the captain’s coat and hat on lead singer Geoff Doolittle was just the visual flourish the music calls for. (Sound on the Sound)
