This is a band that describes themselves as a novelty act, though their music is far too complicated and off-putting to land them a spot on a Dr. Demento compilation. A piano-punk trio more on the Don't Stop Or We'll Die side than the Ben Folds Five side, Swingset Showdown find themselves building richly melodic jams that end up getting sidetracked by absurdity halfway to the triumphant chorus.
At times, their music comes across like a friendlier version of Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies era Of Montreal. Even their sweetest melodies are infected with an eeriness that offsets the sugar. Off-kilter rhythms and tempo shifts serve as obstacles to keep the listener from passively absorbing the music. Swingset Showdown want you to be an active participant.
Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Swingset Showdown in the Music and Culture section.
SWINGSET SHOWDOWN, w/ Vacant Seas, Smashie Smashie and Infinite Flux, 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Bob's Java Jive, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, $5, 253.475-9843
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