Here is what I wrote about the Old Haunts in this week’s paper:

Olympia garage trio the Old Haunt’s new album Poisonous Times assembles a huge variety of sounds to make a record as perfectly rock ‘n’ roll as anything can be in this age of scattered influences and splintered subgenres. Joined by former Bikini Kill drummer Tobi Vail, singer/guitarist Craig Extine and bassist Scott Seckington create music that’s classicist—perhaps derivatively so—but splendidly enjoyable in its own right. Opener “Volatile” sets a twanging, Byrds-like guitar adrift in Television whirlpool riffs, with agitated vocals from Extine scaling the melody like a cat getting stuck up a tree. The Donovan-esque fingerpicking of “Hung Up on the Down Sound” is given an ominous melody to wrap around, and “Not Hopeless” pairs the country punk sound of X with a sneering, wretching vocal that’s part John Fogerty and part Bon Scott. Poisonous Times is a great album, and the band’s punch and drive will make sure these songs absolutely kill in a live setting.

And now I’m kicking myself that I can’t go to the show tonight. This really is one of my favorite new records. I liked it immediately on first listen, and it just gets better and better. I’m checking their (long) tour itinerary for a return date to Portland. There doesn’t seem to be one on the schedule, so I may just run up to Olympia on May 30 for their homecoming show. But you! You are not me. You can go to the Towne Lounge tonight, and you should! (And don’t tell me how awesome it is, I don’t want to know.)

MP3:
The Old Haunts: Volatile

w/Sleepwalkers RIP and Jenny Hoyston; Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Pl, 9:30 pm, $5