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Band:Universal Measure Album:T.B.A. Record Company:Unsigned Writer: -deathboy- MP3: Justify Click Album Cover To Buy Now

So...I wasn't actually prepared to do a live review this week, but I saw a band this weekend I just could not pass up doing a write up on. Of course being unprepared means no live photos, but, c'est la vie! Anyways, our tale begins with a hangover...

Saturday night, and the wife, kids and I are headed to Studio 7 for the second Dissonance/Enkrya show of the weekend. I'm not sure about my wife, but my head is a little thick and we had just had our asses handed to us the previous evening by these two local, soon to be rock legends at the Central tavern down in Pioneer Square. Upon arrival, we were immediately assaulted by a band that, even though the English language is vast and varied, there is just no better word for it, sucked. Straight up, plain and simple. Sucked with a capital S. I mean come on, for the baby jesus' sake, you can't tell people they are pussies for not moshing to your shit before one song, then tell them how much you love them after the next. I needed a beer and a shot of Patron for real. By the grace of the virgin mother the opening band finally finished and my head was starting to clear up. "So who's this next band?", I asked some of the locals that I was standing there bullshitting with. "Universal Measure." was one almost witty reply I was privvy to. Followed up closely with a mischevious grin. Hmmmm...

"Good lord," I thought to myself as the band started setting up, "Look at these guys. They look like they are sponsored by Hot Topix." Perfect. Just what I need is another shitty band to assault my earballs. So I grabbed another Red Stripe and settled in to let the suck storm begin. Well, check this out, they have a beautiful little pixie for a lead singer. Cool, at least there will be some eye candy. "I wonder if she can actually sing?", I asked of one beer drinking cohort saddled next to me. Again with the mischevious grin. There is something more going on here. You could just feel it in the air. So the lights go down and the music begins. "Hey these guys are pretty good.", I'm thinking, "but what about those vocals?". Then they began. Wow! Now that is a powerful, gorgeous voice. Perfectly on key. Everything is mixing well. The music is talented. Wow! Color me surprised. Then, out of nowhere, I realized the surprise was yet to kick in. Without warning, this little pixie lets out a huge powerful growl that sent shivers racing up and down my spine and raised goosebumps on my arms like skyscrapers! Holy shit! O.K., so it's true you can't judge a book by it's cover, but let's see if she can maintain it. Not only was she able to maintain the growl, but she was able to slip back into the clean vocals effortlessly. At one point, holding out a scream long enough that I thought for sure someone was going to have to call the paramedics for oxygen. Now you would think that the whole set was dominated by this entrancing little creature, but such was not the case. The band was not only the perfect backdrop for showcasing this amazing voice, but actually shined through on many occasions as an entity of their own!

In summation, I would like to quote our fearless leader from their website: "This jaded prick is impressed!" Universal Measure is definitely one of the underground bands to keep your eyes on in the future.

Band:Universal Measure Album:T.B.A. Record Company:Unsigned Writer: -deathboy- MP3: Justify Click Album Cover To Buy Now

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