Contact: rubsounds@gmail.com

Web: rubsounds.com

Players: Princella Ray, lead vocals; Malia Seavey, keyboards/synth, backing vocals; Taryn Dorsey, percussion, backing vocals; Robbie Luna, guitar; Shaun Crawford, bass; Bob Husak, drums. 

Material: Rub is a mega-band comprised of Pacific Northwest-based artists who have been fixtures on the Seattle music scene for several years (Acid Tongue, Trick Candles, Salt Lick, NighTrain, Killer Workout, Cute Lepers, and Panama Gold). The group’s live set tilts toward disco-tinged sensibilities (Nile Rodgers & Chic) complete with similar guitar sounds and basslines made famous by Nile Rodgers' slick production (Sister Sledge's “We Are Family,” Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams’, “Get Lucky,” Duran Duran with Janelle Monae’s, “Pressure Off”).  

Musicianship: Lead singer Princella Ray’s vocal timbre is smooth and warm. Her high range evokes hints of Shelia E., which she projects with ease in the band’s live arrangement of “Contentment.” Guitarist Robbie Luna’s flanged-out guitar techniques slide in well with the band’s ‘80s style material, while elements of The Minneapolis Sound (Prince’s “Delirious”) are brought to light by keyboardist Malia Seavey’s super-poppy synths and percussionist Taryn Dorsey’s plethora of rhythmic instruments - tambourines, egg shakers, and cabasas. 

Performance: Huge boxes with bright colored letters spelling out R.U.B. served as perfect props for the Seattle-based sextuplet. Needing no introduction, Rub immediately walked across the Tractor Tavern’s stage and burst into their electro-pop show. The group’s prismatic selection started with “Rob’s Song” and “Leave it Behind” before they moved into the measured “Keep Up with The Vibes,” a reflective song describing dogged perseverance in a personal world gone awry. The band shifted into high gear for the sparkling “Hands Up” and KEXP song of the day “Contentment” before ending the show with a slight curveball, a cover of Phantogram’s “When I'm Small.”  

Summary: Rub is a band that draws inspiration from a wide range of old-school and new-wave genres. The band has great potential and could easily further explore their darker musical tendencies—therein lies the Rub. Look for Rub making rounds throughout the Pacific Northwest!

(hardcover) $75.00

Documenting the former Reggie Dwight’s accomplishments on and off the stage, every page is illustrated with concert and candid offstage photography, including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, and more. This package also includes a gatefold Elton John timeline, a previously unpublished gatefold artwork, an 8×10-inch glossy print, and a pullout poster. The result is a fitting tribute to one of our most admired stars.

(hardcover) $50.00 

This tribute tome is packed with artwork, outtakes, memorabilia, and archival photos, an altogether eye-pleasing volume that chronicles the bands’ influence on rock music, art, design, fashion, photography, and filmmaking. New commentary from Jagger, Richards, Watts, and Wood, plus Anthony DeCurtis’ expansive essay examines the band's history and success, and contributions by Don Was, Martin Scorsese, Anna Sui, John Varvatos, Buddy Guy and many others take on various aspects of the Stones' impact on pop culture. A comprehensive compendium on the musical career and creative life of the “greatest rock & roll band in the world.”

(hardcover) $26.99

In this self-described “bizoir” (part memoir and part business primer), Twisted Business chronicles how guitarist French developed Twisted Sister into a global brand with multiple revenue streams, building it into one of the most licensed metal bands in history. French offers honest, funny, heartfelt, entertaining in-the-rock-band-trenches stories, as well as unique, hard-earned tips and advice to anyone hoping to create their own brand, re-invent themselves, grow a business or simply love what they do.

Through interviews with those who were there, and a presentation of the late psych-rocker’s own words, Atkinson mostly chronicles the solo years of the revered rocker and frontman, formerly of the Thirteenth Floor Elevators, showing that Erickson was haunted by mental illness, likely compounded by his usage of hallucinogenics and other drugs. Despite that, however, his influence on Texas musicians is chronicled in hours of interviews with veteran and up-and-coming artists.

(hardcover) $28.00

What happened to punk after Green Day exploded onto the mainstream scene by signing with a major label in 1994? Ozzi chronicles the evolution of the punk scene during this era, focusing on prominent bands as they experienced the last “gold rush” of the music industry. He tracks the rise of successful outfits, like Green Day and Jimmy Eat World, as well as the implosion of groups like Jawbreaker and At the Drive-In.

(hardcover) $30.00

Acclaimed journalists Harvey and Kenneth Kubernik celebrate the iconic guitarist with a multi-voice narrative that includes fascinating contributions from musicians of the time, including previously unpublished excerpts from interviews with the recording, producing, and engineering principals from Hendrix’s career, with a focus on his music. Along with stunning photos (Henry Diltz…!) and memorabilia, the book is the ultimate keepsake for Hendrix fans. The authors, who specialize in this kind of deep-dive rock & roll exploration, pull off another pleasure-filled page-turner with this one. 

(hardcover) $55.00

If you’re looking for a book that’s chock-full of iconic artists doing their thing onstage, then look no further. Barnett began in New York City in the ‘60s as a teenager, using her camera to capture dynamic performers (Tina Turner, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Laura Nyro) who were redefining pop music. Subsequently, Barnett settled into the west coast’s Laurel Canyon scene where she documented a young Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, and the Carpenters before seeing the punk upheaval deliver the Go-Go’s, Prince, and the Eurythmics.

sherrybarnettphotography.com

(hardcover) $40.00
Go-Go’s drummer Gina Schock takes fans behind the scenes for a look at her personal photos documenting her band's wild journey to the heights of fame and stardom. Featuring posters, photographs, Polaroids, and other memorabilia from her archives, Made In Hollywood also includes stories from each member of the band, along with other cultural luminaries like Kate Pierson, Jodie Foster, Dave Stewart, Martha Quinn and Paul Reubens.

(paperback) $34.00

Worth every penny this is a down-to-earth new book written by two musicians and industry pros (and Music Connection contributors) with decades of experience. They’ve organized it into seven clearly written sections that will help musicians, students, songwriters, beat makers and others save time and avoid getting screwed.

Topics include the basics of copyrights, types of publishing income, publishing companies and types of deals, creative matters of music publishing, and things you need to know about music publishing’s future.