Rocky Votolato: Power In The Dark Side

Rocky Votolato w/ Dave Hause & Chris Farren
The Crocodile, Seattle, WA
08.29.15

Just take a glance at Rocky Votolato’s influences in the “about” section of his Facebook page and rather than musical icons or contemporaries you’ll find a swarm of spiritual, philosophical, and civic leaders from Gandhi to Dr. King, Thoreau to Ginsburg. This is just a tiny drop in the bucket of understanding that Votolato continues to strive for via his two-decade career of musical release.

Having taken a couple of years off after his Kickstarter-funded Television of Saints, during which he found himself second-guessing his role in the music industry, Votolato returned to his pulpit in 2015 with Hospital Handshakes. The self-released album, produced by Chris Walla – of Death Cab For Cutie fame – is full of visceral self-realization and a sense of purpose that comes through with a renewed energy on full display in his live show. A homecoming at the end of a 44-stop tour, the Crocodile show saw Votolato accompanied by a gang of friends – brother Cody Votolato (My Goodness, Blood Brothers) on guitar, Andy Lum (My Goodness) on keys, Matt Badger (Ravenna Woods) on drums, and Andrew Hartley (Waxwing) on bass –creating a super group of sorts.

The show opened with the Television track “Little Spring,” a warm, folksy lead in to a set that leaned heavily on his revered 2006 release Makers and Handshakes. His lovely, friendly banter and shared stories are just about the nicest you’ll ever hear, and his belief in what he does is evident if previously questioned. Votolato took on “She Was Only In It For The Rain” and “Silver Trees” solo before bringing Cody and opener Dave Hause back out for an energetic “Suicide Medicine.” Overall, a completely captivating set that showcased both his folk-punk songwriting and masterful melodies, proving evermore why he’s become a hometown hero of sorts for the indie punk set with hearts of gold.

Co-headliner Dave Hause – finishing up touring for his second solo release Devour – and opener Chris Farren were the fulfillment of a perfect lineup. Hause explored optimistic heartbreak in his Philly rock wheelhouse, accompanied by younger brother Tim Hause. His former-punk sound carries a working class, Springsteen-esque vibe, notably on tracks like “We Could Be Kings” and “The Great Depression.” Rocky joined him on stage for “Time Will Tell” from his 2011 album Resolutions before all four artists came on stage for their final #YessBaby rendition, getting an audience member to jump on stage to film it. Check their Instagram accounts for the video.

Renaissance man Chris Farren, the adorable Floridian multi-tasker, opened the show with a beautiful set of acoustic songs and a story about getting blocked on Twitter over the request for a free Martin guitar hat. His DIY, hands-in-all-the-buckets approach brought out “Bang!” (a song about sex) from his Soulmate Stuff album as half of pop-punk group Antarctigo Vespucci as well as “Songs For Teenagers” from his other band Fake Problems. His proficient songwriting and charisma made a perfect formula for the opening slot of a night full of good friends, good humor and undeniable talent.

Rocky Votolato Set List:
Little Spring
Tinfoil Hats
Boxcutter
The Hereafter
Royal
Portland Is Leaving
(I legit missed writing down whatever song he played here being otherwise enthralled.)
White-Knuckles
Hospital Handshakes
Sawdust & Shavings
Goldfield
White Daisy Passing
She Was Only In It For The Rain
Silver Trees
Suicide Medicine
Montana
Encore
Alabaster
Makers