Thee Emergency returns as headlining act

Thee Emergency is an unquantifiable voltage of electricity that can shock anyone into feeling good. The energy in the air when these guys are wailing away is infectious, undeniable and, quite frankly, awesome. As such, they’re getting our nod as Pick of the Issue, our opinion of the one show over the next couple of weeks that’s truly not to miss.

Thee Emergency, from Seattle, is a four-piece rock ’n roll band that channels the energy of the 1970s, and they do it with conviction. Maybe saying that they reincarnate the period is a better description, as they pull off the look and sound with authenticity. When they played the Blvd. for Mistress and the Misters CD release show on October 20th, for example, guitarist Sonic Smith was decked out in tight, flaring bellbottoms, with an American flag hanging off the headstock of his guitar, while Dita Vox – the immensely talented lead singer – jumped up on the banister at one point to belt out one of their hippie anthems and give everyone a better look at her quintessential afro. That particular show was entertaining and energetic from beginning to end, complete with full contact musical chairs and some outstanding rock bands from across the state, but to say that Thee Emergency didn’t play a huge part in fostering that atmosphere would be flat-out inaccurate.

Thee Emergency’s latest album, released over the summer, is the appropriately titled Can You Dig It?, a poster for what this band gets across at their live shows – simple guitar riffs, repeatable phrases and a heightened, familiar, feel-good pace in all corners of their sound. Shut up and have a good time, their songs, CD and live set all scream at you, bludgeoning listeners over the head with recognizable chants and chord happy, blues-rockish punk riffs. It’s a sound that, no matter what you think going in, is impossible not to enjoy once they get going.

Thee Emergency will be performing at The Spread on Sunday, November 12th with The Lashes, Yokohama Hooks and Tokio Weigh Station. This 21 and over show gets underway at 9ish (usually more like 9:30). For more information on all sorts of fun stuff, check out www.spokanesidekick.com, the greatest resource in the history of the world (or at least the county).