Line-up

Headliner
The Airborne Toxic Event Last time in Seattle: 1 year ago

Venue

The Showbox

Seattle, WA, US

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Additional details

Doors open: 20:00

Concert in your area for Indie & Alt and Rock.

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The Airborne Toxic Event biography

The Airborne Toxic Event (formed in 2006) is an American indie and alternative rock band hailing from Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Named after a passage in the Don DeLillo novel “White Noise”, The Airborne Toxic Event was formed by novelist and essayist Mikel Jollett during a troubling and turbulent time in his life. Events in Jollett’s life led to an intense period of songwriting and through a mutual friend met drummer Daren Taylor, who together began to expand on Jollett's lyrics.

Before long Steven Chen on guitar and keyboard, Adrián Rodríguez on bass and Anna Bulbrook on violin were added to the mix. The band’s first show was at the Echo, in Echo Park, Los Angeles, U.S. with a number of others to follow which led to the band being named as a band to watch by Rolling Stone and the Los Angeles Times.

In 2007 came The Airborne Toxic Event’s debut single “Does This Mean You Are Moving On?” released on the UK label Square Records, as was followed by a short tour of the UK including shows in London and Brighton. The band returned to the U.S. to record a number of songs that would feature on their debut, including “Sometime Around Midnight” which proved to be a radio favourite. In April 2008 the band signed with the indie label Majordomo Records after being approached by a number of major labels.

The Airborne Toxic Event’s eponymously-titled debut album came in August 2008 to a majority of positive reviews, which led Island Records to sign the band in 2009. The band embarked on an extensive tour including 30 shows in 30 days in the UK, a North American tour supporting The Fratellis and a number of major festival slots. The band has subsequently released the albums “All at Once” in 2011 produced by Dave Sardy and “Such Hot Blood” in 2013.

Live reviews

Drawing roots from the likes of The Clash and Bruce Springsteen, The Airborne Toxic Event have quietly produced a unique sound of punk and alternative music fused with a classical style. "TATE," as called by their fans and themselves alike, put on a show that will have you craving more the minute you leave the venue.

Very few bands have the ability to produce a show this intimate. That is exactly what TATE is all about. Frontman Mikel Jollett's stage presence compares to an early 80's Bono, breaking down the barrier between band and audience. Musically, the band is highly proficient, having a smooth rhythm section backed by Daren Taylor on drums and Noah Harmon on bass. Anna Bulbrook provides jaw dropping additions with her viola and backing vocals. Along with Harmon, Bulbrook is a classically trained musician. Last but not least, Steven Chen is a tactical guitarist who literally just looks like a rock star. Together, they complete The Airborne Toxic Event, and bring all of their energy every night. They're the best of friends, and it shows as they always have a great time at their own shows as do the fans.

Whether it be small bar-sized venues or festival stages, TATE can handle and adjust to the environment like no other. Known for their orchestral fusion, it is not uncommon to see TATE leaving their punk roots to play a show backed by an Orchestra or Quartet. In fact, their show at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater was an impressive spectacle backed by the Colorado Symphony. But they are no stranger to your back alley music venue, where the bar is fired up and stage diving might occur!

A general experience at one of their shows will have you feeding off of the band's energy. The crowd's presence throw the shows over the top. The thing about TATE is that despite them being the world's best kept secret, those who go to their shows are devout and are not the kind of fans who merely wait for the big song to be played. The fans are also incredibly nice, and of all ages.

After the show, the band loves to meet their fans and hang out and chat if they can. They are down to earth and it shows both in their performance and in person. All together, it is a guaranteed great time at a TATE show. Just beware -- it is highly addicting!

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