CLUB MOTOR; SEATTLE, WA Aury Moore plus four Rock The Blues

By Ty Hughes

Club Motor in Seattle’s SODO District was the scene of one hell of a night of music, famous musicians, and off-the-hook talent that really lived up to Seattle’s reputation.

Saturday, February 13 seemed like every other Saturday until Aury Moore and friends bombarded the Motor with back-to-back-to-back bands and high profile musicians performing for an intimate audience of around 300.

Rocktheblues.com hosted a fantastic event, and the Aury Moore Band was the main act scheduled for later, so in the meantime we had to make due with Randy Hansen himself, unplugged and up-close. Dude is amazing on that there guitar. He perfected, solidified, and man-handled a whole set of Jimi classics, finishing up with a few licks, guitar licks that is, with his tongue! The crowd goes crazy. Extremely rare to see Randy Hansen in this capacity, a real treat for everyone.

Following Randy Hansen was Heartless fronted by Brenda Kashmir and Darlene Tyler, who made such a huge impression on the audience that night. Their chemistry on stage is undeniable and contagious as they roll out high-energy Heart hits one after another. They really stirred up the crowd, who seemed to be loosening up. Everybody was singing along, dancing proud and out loud.

Club Motor was crawling with highly respected musicians who eventually took the stage at some point. Somar and her band by the same name had a surprise in store when Steve Fossen, Heart’s Bassist from ’72-’83, stepped in and started galloping his fingers over his bass during Barracuda. Standing there, not ten feet from Steve as he played Barracuda (practically a childhood anthem) on the bass, was one of those awestruck moments for me. The weight of it all did not go unnoticed by anyone else either. The cheers were long and loud.

Soul Solarium played a couple songs with their newest band member, David T. Hall on bass. And finally, it was time for Aury Moore’s Band to play. Everyone was completely amped up. Fans crowded around the foot of the stage, cell phones poised. Press photographers clambered for the shot of the century. Aury and her guys killed it! Eddie Mendoza on drums, Manuel on lead guitar (AMAZING!), Joel Gamble on Keys, Dominique Stone on Bass and even Pamela Moore, Aury’s sister who sings with Queensryche, stepped up and threw around her hair some with lil’ sis. Just an incredible night of jams and amazing vocal displays all the way around.

For like, fifteen bucks, this crowd got a $150 experience at the Club Motor that night. Congratulations to Aury on such a great event and thanks to all the musicians who made the evening a smashing success. Oh yeah, we can’t forget about the guy in the straight-jacket! Jonathan holds the World Record for fastest straight-jacket escape; 19 seconds. Awesome!

The very next night, everyone gathered uptown for Roger Fisher’s (lead guitarist for Heart) Valentine Birthday celebration with even more amazing acts and loads of rock and roll hits, and the party poured on through the entire weekend.

I’m betting Monday morning brought more than a few live music hangovers. They’d probably love to do it all over again next weekend too.

Thanks Aury, you’re beautiful!