Long-dormant shoegazers My Bloody Valentine plug back in

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August 15, 2013 at 11:09 AM

Long-dormant shoegazers My Bloody Valentine plug back in

My Bloody Valentine (photo by Camera Press)

Dublin, Ireland’s My Bloody Valentine performs live at Showbox SoDo Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Camera Press.

Having defined the shoegaze genre with 1991’s landmark “Loveless,” My Bloody Valentine all but disappeared for two decades before finally breaking its silence this past February with “m b v.” While the existence of a new record from the Irish foursome is a surprise, the fact it’s excellent isn’t. The nine-song LP marries its predecessor’s astral guitarscapes and trance-inducing boy-girl harmonies to ultramodern electronic trappings, rewarding fans’ faith and patience — and then some. MBV plays Seattle’s Showbox SoDo Theater Wednesday, and though they may be older now, they remain one of the loudest bands on the planet — so don’t forget earplugs.

8 p.m. Wednesday at Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S. Seattle; $39-$53 (206-652-0444 or www.ticketmaster.com)

Comments | More in Rock/Pop | Topics: dream-pop, Dublin, shoegaze

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Seattle Times music coordinator Paul de Barros has written about jazz and pop music for the paper since 1982 and is the author of “Jackson Street After Hours: The Roots of Jazz in Seattle.” On Twitter @pdebarros.

Andrew Matson is a freelance writer and close follower of the Seattle pop music scene – especially the genres of rap, rock and electronic. On Twitter @andrewmatson.

Seattle native Gene Stout has been writing about popular music for more than two decades and has interviewed and profiled many of Seattle’s best-known musicians. On Twitter @popmusiccritic.

Charles R. Cross is a Seattle-based writer who has authored eight books, including the bestselling biography of Kurt Cobain, "Heavier Than Heaven." On Twitter @Charlesrcross.

Charlie Zaillian served as music director of Olympia’s influential KAOS-FM, has a particular affection for punk rock and has freelanced for The Seattle Times since 2011. On Twitter @czaillian

Owen R. Smith is a freelance journalist and music writer, country music aficionado, erstwhile sportswriter and one-time novelist. On Twitter @inanedetails.

Gillian G. Gaar has written extensively about music and popular culture and is the author of several books. On Twitter @GillianGaar.

Photos: Sasquatch Music Festival 2013

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