Ever wonder where the largest coffee chain in the world originated from? I’m talking about Starbucks here, in case you haven’t seen it on every two block radius globally! Well it was founded in this city of Seattle, which is also home to the world’s wealthiest man Microsoft’s Bill Gates! Despite this cities obvious worldly recognition, the public is humble about its production of these renowned companies. Which makes the scene even more unique considering the bands that have also come out of this region ahem… Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Jimi Hendrix.. Over the span of four nights Seattle’s location for the Semifinals at Studio 7 were anything but ordinary! The bands rocked the stage with a multitude of genre’s and were on a road less ventured! The first Thursday May 4th started with the band Victrola who were caught up in their American rock, while Pagasys took flight with a progressive rock set. The Red Note picked up some brass and also included a 5 year-old shaking maracas on stage to hopefully win more votes which inevitably moved them on to the final (they could have done this without the preschool boost but it made their set more accommodating to the all age crowd). Inergroove chose to put their groove in the middle where it stirred things up, and Dangermart brought out their ambulance strobe light that added the effect of their burning shopping cart logo. While Midstokke dove into the crowd and sang with their people alternating between fans to finish the set! May 11th had the Kill Kill Orchestra perform an instrumental set that had the crowd dancing to a mean saxophone. Wide Eye Panic were unquestionably metal with their lead singer who had some serious ink done of an impressive tiger tattoo that covered his entire chest and torso. Next up was the Seeing Blind who included a Cello and played a song titled “Beautiful Country” that put the audience in full voting mode! The Charles Bonnet Syndrome performed only for the second time live as a band and looked like naturals which lead them into the final. Your Divine Tragedy had some rapid eye movement that put the crowd into their progressive rock dream. Friday May 12th started with Four Counts Dirty who performed a song titled “Too fast for love” that was definitely rock n’ roll. Kim Archer played on a soul set, while Missionary had a drummer from Heroes Amongst Thieves sit in for their missing synthesizer that didn’t show up until 2 songs in. Flingoctabob had the front of the stage full with their fan base as they rocked out before their Prom the following day! Homewrecker had some dirty power with a front line of females that shook the stage with their token male providing the beat on the drums. Last up was Tredd who didn’t surprise their crowd with an emo screamer female who didn’t run away at the sign of anger….. Saturday May 13th had the band Nearly Nine kick things off with a song titled “Cheap Emotions”, and a Street Named James had their lead singer withdraw from the band so the two guitarist picked up the vocals and completed their set. Host played a pharmacy of alternative rock, and Fool’s Fate brought out the leather and motorcycles of Seattle with hard rock and long hair! Brier Rose changed the tone and ended their set with the lead singers sister joining in on vocals. Then there was The Mob Law who flooded the room with a staggering performance that had the audience in full motion with their new song titled “Hold Us Down” that is definitely on its way to radio play! Up next with big shoes to fill was the band Pistol for a Paycheck that had its guitarist dive into the drum kit, that finished their set. To close off this round was Left Lane who steered their way right into the finals! Make sure to pencil in June 24th for Seattle’s final taking place at Studio 7 again, as this will be a rock show powerhouse with 13 of Seattle’s finest and the winning Portland band!!!