Throw Me the Statue played the last date of their extensive first tour last night at the Doug Fir. Many of their friends came down from Seattle for what was not quite a homecoming show; the band looked very happy to be (almost) home. Throw Me the Statue’s album Moonbeams is primarily the studio work of main Statue Scott Reitherman, but live it is very much a band effort. The chemistry between the five members was solid, and they all took turns and switched instruments, moving between guitars, floor toms, keyboards, tambourines. Only the very deft, speedy Jarred Grimes stayed on one instrument (drums) throughout the show.
No, this picture is NOT from the Doug Fir show.

I initially thought Throw Me the Statue took their name from Raiders of the Lost Ark, but I discovered the actual quote from that movie is “Throw me the idol.” It turns out TMTS threw a bunch of magnetic words onto a fridge and took their name from the random assortment of words that stuck. At any rate, the origin of their name is apt for a collagist style that takes canned drumbeats, guitars, and percussion and puts them through a giddy, infectious pop filter. Their super-catchy tunes sound like colorful scrapbooks where every corner of the page is covered with some souvenir or remembrance. In a live setting, their set seemed speedy—over too quickly—but a satisfying, bubbly comedown after a long tour.