Two Pierce County bands will compete Saturday in the finals of EMP’s Sound Off music competition.
Tacoma’s The Fame Riot and Puyallup’s SHEBEAR will compete with the third finalist, Bothell’s As It Starts, and wild card winner Dave B. of Renton in the museum’s SkyChurch.
The event is considered the Northwest’s premier 21-and-younger battle of the bands. More than 130 bands from around the region vied to make the semifinals.
Not only will the winning band be able to herald its title, but they also will perform at this year’s Bumbershoot over Labor Day weekend. The finalists have already won gear, studio time, radio airplay and one-on-one time with industry professionals.
The Fame Riot is made up of Tacoma’s Liz Scarlett (17) and Shazam Watkins (20). The glam electro-rock duo have pulled in crowds at The High Dive, The Comet and LoveFest. In Bowie-esque shades and fur coats, they lay Scarlett’s guitar and Watkins’ synth licks over bubbly pop beats with gritty, falsetto vocals.
The members of indie-pop band SHEBEAR met at Puyallup’s Whitewater Church. Members include Jeffrey Andersen (21, singer/guitar), Evan Bedlion (17, keyboards), Tobin Risser (22, base, vocals, keyboards), and Kody Kissner (18, drums). Risser, who exceeds Sound Off’s age limit, is being subbed by Jakob Kelley, 18, for the competition. They cite M83, Passion Pit, Kings of Leon, The Temper Trap and Ben Folds as influences. They’ve performed at El Corazon, The Central Saloon and Chop Suey.
Sound Off
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: EMP at the Seattle Center
Tickets: $12; $8 students
Information: empmuseum.org
craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com
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