Sharkeologist Taxidermy Is Forever EP Release Party
October 3, 2026.
Easy Street Records — West Seattle, Seattle, WA.
Sharkeologist doesn't seem interested in choosing just one feeling. Instead, they embrace all of them and then
turn those emotions into music.
That philosophy was impossible to miss at Easy Street Records on Saturday, October 3, when Seattle's
Sharkeologist celebrated the release of their 2026 EP, Taxidermy Is Forever, while kicking off their first official
tour.
From the first moments of the performance, the energy was undeniable. Heavy guitars, driving drums, synths
, hooks, movement, and an almost manic sense of fun filled the front of Easy Street Records. But what made the
night special wasn't simply how energetic the band was. It was how easily that energy moved from the stage into
the audience.
Sharkeologist is made up of Jeff Grant on voice, Jesse Mazur, Connor on guitars, Joel Hoyer on bass, and Rick
Weber on drums. Together, they create a sound that pulls from different corners of rock, including the raw
emotional character of ’90s grunge, rock, punk, and ’80s-influenced synth sounds.
But trying to put Sharkeologist into a single genre doesn't really explain the experience of seeing them live.
You have to see them and must let yourself move.
Jeff Grant is at the center of that experience.
He doesn't simply stand in front of the band and sing toward the audience. He moves constantly, jumps, dances,
and pulls people into the performance. Before long, the floor in front of the band became part of the show, with
people dancing, jumping, and shaking alongside him.
At one point, Jeff apologized for getting so close to people and encouraging them to dance. And while everyone
has their own boundaries, what I saw throughout the night was something different: a respectful interaction
between a band and an audience that felt comfortable being together. That distinction matters.
There was no feeling of pressure. Instead, there was an invitation: Come closer, Dance, Jump, have fun, and
people did.
One of the most beautiful things about the night was seeing kids dancing alongside their parents. Different
generations were sharing the same music, the same space, and the same excitement.
It felt like a family environment—but one with loud guitars, big drums, synths, and plenty of rock ’n’ roll energy.
Most importantly, it felt safe and inclusive.
Sharkeologist's philosophy is that if music moves you, you're a Sharkeologist too.
Watching the audience that night, it was easy to understand what they mean.
People weren't simply standing there watching a band perform. They were reacting physically and emotionally to
the music. They were dancing, jumping, smiling, laughing, and completely letting themselves be part of the
moment.
The band's set also brought some wonderfully moments, including “Deck the Halls,” their twisted and energetic
transformation of Black Sabbath's “War Pigs” into a Christmas carol. It is exactly the kind of unexpected musical
choice that fits Sharkeologist perfectly taking something familiar and turning it into something completely their
own.
There couldn't have been a more appropriate Seattle location for this celebration than the awarded Easy Street
Records.
For decades, Easy Street Records has been an important part of Seattle's music community and a destination for
people who don't simply listen to music but live with it. The store has hosted countless artists and events and has
become part of the city's musical identity.
Seeing Sharkeologist bring Taxidermy Is Forever to that space felt completely right.
As a live music photographer, it was also a privilege to photograph them there.
There is something special about photographing a band that refuses to stay still. Every few seconds, there was
another movement, another expression, another interaction with the audience. The challenge wasn't finding a
moment; it was trying to keep up with all of them.
But after all the noise, movement, dancing, and energy, the night ended with something surprisingly simple.
Everyone gathered in front of Easy Street Records with the band for one big group photograph.
It was more than just a photograph. It felt like a snapshot of what the entire night had been about: Connection,
music, community.
Setlist: Aneurysm/ Sharky/ Shepherd/ Deck the Halls/ Pony/ Bread/ pocket/ Bomb/ Lake/ Gasp/ Sugger?/
