One of my favorite songs of 2011 is Mal de Mer's "Bubble Bobble".  The relentless drum, guitar, and keyboard rifts overtop a striking chorus balancing fuzzy distortion and falsetto… yes please! It's no surprise then to find that the band is an imaginary supergroup, comprised of members of some of our favorite bands past and present: Jimmy Curran (the Divorce), Lesli Wood (Redwood Plan, Ms. Led, Saeta and also taking the stage during the night), and Eric Wennberg (Slender Means).

At our 10th Anniversary Rockstar New Wave Karaoke Bash {on Friday, June 1st at Chop Suey – tix}, Mal de Mer lead singer/guitarist Michael Lee is going to take the stage with his special guy (Joe Randazzo) to sing one of the more touching new wave songs in the catalog. Perhaps it will turn into an audience sing along (if we can't help ourselves!)?

Besides working feverishly on the first Mal de Mer full length album (a follow-up to their fabulous debut single), Michael Lee is also a part of the Young Evils (Cody of the Young Evils is also taking the karaoke stage to sing his own new wave hit).  The YEs finished up an EP earlier this year with producer Shane Stoneback (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells, Cults) and it will hit the record store shelves in July and summer touring and festivals (and The Young Evils will be at Bumbershoot!).

Oh, and besides all that work as a musician, you might also know Michael as one of the folks at Solo (in Queen Anne) *and* Capitol Hill's newest place to grab a tasty drink and meal, Saint John's!  Saint John's opened in February and I can't want to spend hours sipping iced specialities there this summer.