Some major Seattle artists are spearheading an effort to preserve one of the city’s legendary music venues.
Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, Guns n’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard and rapper Macklemore are behind an open letter signed by more than 150 local and national artists that appeared in the Seattle Times on Friday, imploring the city’s residents to help save The Showbox, which would be demolished if a plan to build a luxury residential building goes through.
In a statement, which included personal messages from the organizers, Gibbard noted, “We have created a coalition to save The Showbox not just because we have great memories of playing and seeing shows there, but because we want it to be available for future generations of performers and music fans to create their own.”
McKagan added, “This Showbox Market demolition cannot stand! This place has musically flavored what Seattle IS at its core. Progress is great and all, but not at the cost of the soul of the city.”
Billboard reports that on Wednesday, the Seattle City Council committee moved forward on legislation that would temporarily protect The Showbox. A vote is expected on it today (Monday).
Meanwhile, after covering the Chris Cornell rarity “Missing” live for the first time during their 36-song “Home Show” at Safeco Field in Seattle on Friday, Pearl Jam were joined by the late singer’s Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil for three punk covers.
The guitarist first came on to play the MC5’s proto-punk anthem “Kick Out the Jams.” Thayil has been playing with MC5 this summer as they tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their debut album, also titled Kick Out the Jams. Pearl Jam and Thayil were later joined by Mudhoney’s Steve Turner and Mark Arm on two 1970s punk classics, “Search and Destroy” by Iggy and the Stooges and “Sonic Reducer” by The Dead Boys.
“Missing” was sung by Cornell in the 1992 movie Singles and later appeared on the EP Poncier.
The two “Home Shows” raised more than $11 million for the city of Seattle’s homeless.
