The Souvenirs

To an outsider, Seattle's music scene is not known for much outside of '70s rock or, of course, dark and inevitable grunge. But in truth, it is the home of a formidable underground vintage and alt-country scene, taking everything from roots rockabilly, to Western swing, to distortion twang in its sweep. Artists like Neko Case, Old 97's, and the Souvenirs are some of the talents whose success has reached well beyond the city limits. One local writer encapsulates their sound: "Storming through an Orbison-like vortex of honky tonk, Western swing, rockabilly, and timeless country ballads, the Souvenirs boast a triumphant sound that blurs the line between modern and vintage, country and old-time rock & roll" (see www.thesouvenirs.com). This ability to "storm" is gained in part through their focus on electric music, as opposed acoustic, and choosing Texas rockers over bluegrass ruminations. In live sets rhythm guitarist Terry Bratsch will frequently swap the acoustic for a Stratocaster, bringing the lineup to a full three to four electrics, including the bass guitar of Buck Edwards, attractive and stoic in the shadows of "stage right." Don Pawlak works his genius on the pedal steel to bring out some solos that verge on psychedelic, and embraces the instrument like a lusty cowboy in from the desert. Artists like Buck Owens, Ray Price, Patsy Cline, and Merle Haggard have been cited as influences to the band's style and sound. Likewise, lead singer and songwriter Lucky Lawrence, with his pink Fender Strat, Dwight Yoakam-like hint of sex appeal, and tight, but-not-as-tight-as-Dwight trousers, perpetuates classic country themes of heartbreak, seduction, and self-pity. Still, the more things change, the more they stay the same. To this day, Seattle seems to be a landing point for...