APRIL 2015 Vol 18 #2

Contents APRIL 2015 NEXT ISSUE: May Vol. 18 # 2 Deadline: April 20

The Goods To place an ad or 4 Le Beat: Who’s who and what’s happening locally submit information, 11 Rock ‘n’ Roll Moment of the month call 398-1155 or 13 11 Questions: Kevin Chryst e-mail editor@ 24 Calendar whatsup-magazine.com. 32 Monthly Pin-Up: Dinofour 34 Tales from the Road: Wild Throne in LA 35 Stuff Yer Face: The Black Cat (le Chat Noir) SUPPORT spotlights LOCAL 6 Painters: The next wave 7 Soft Sleep: Local music vets in new project MUSiC 9 Smalls All Stars: A bit of NYC in Bellingham Thanks for reading! features 14 The Ded Reckoning: Space Musical 16 Bass Area Crew: : Bringing bass to the Bay 18 The Handsome Family: A couple of great musicians 21 Pictorial: What’s Up! 17th anniversary/200th issue show 22 Bill Horist: Impeccable variety of strange things

reviews 10 Live Shows 29 Recordings

360.398.1155 • P.O. Box 30373, Bellingham, WA 98228 www.whatsup-magazine.com • [email protected]

Co-publisher/editor-in-chief: Brent Cole Co-publisher/design director: Becca Schwarz Cole Contributing Writers: Brandon Stahlbush, Matt Long, Kellan Green, Daniel Roth, Jared Curtis, Charlie Waltentiny, Rip Langston, Raleigh Davis, Bailey Cheney, Aaron Kayser, Aaron Apple, Josh Holland, Sarah Bryant, Keenan Ketzner, Adam Walker Contributing PhotographerS: Ryan Russell, Sarah Day, Shasta Bree, Tommy Calderon, David Johnson, Ken Kearney Ad Sales: Brent Cole, Victor Gotelaere Cover design: Amy Marchegiani Distribution: David Johnson, Brent Cole Web genius: Django @ Seatthole SUPPORT: Harrison, Ruby, Autumn, Bucky-O What’s Up! is a free, independent monthly music magazine covering the Bellingham/Whatcom County scene, and is locally owned and operated by Brent Cole and Becca Schwarz Cole. What’s Up! is a member of Sustainable Connections, and a sister publication of Grow Northwest. Please take only one copy per person. Copies are circulated in Whatcom County. All content © 1998-2015 and may not be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. Deadline for submissions is the 20th of each month for the following month’s issue. E-mail information to editor @whatsup-magazine.com or call (360) 398-1155. All opinions expressed in What’s Up! are the opinions of the individuals expressing them and not necessarily the opinions of What’s Up! Back issues are available for $1 per copy. Archives are available online at www.whatsup-magazine.com. April 2015 • What’s Up! • TABLE OF CONTENTS • 3 Le Beat little more… could it be an extra layer mus, and Bellingham’s “folkier” flavor this of maturity? That would certainly make is sure to be a unique release to add to sense as they just spent months refining Bellingham’s local music collection. Local notes on what’s happen- their sound recording with the legend- ing with musicians, events ary producer Ross Robinson. Their debut and more. Have something to album Harvest Of Darkness will be out COMINGS & GOINGS share? Send your info to editor@ this summer on major record label Road- runner Records. I think a huge congratu- There is a new band on the horizon whatsup-magazine.com. lations is in order, if anyone deserves all looking to bring head-banging, sludgey, this it’s you guys! metal to the people of Bellingham. A o it must be time for your monthly Actionesse, the spiritual successor to Collection of Cyclops Skulls just an- helping of Le Beat! Some of us here the now defunct Gypsters, have just re- nounced their birth and with members Sstill have bang-overs (a head bang- leased their first bits of music. The boys of Thieves Of Eden, Maszynaz, KVRSE, ing hangover for the uninitiated) from just dropped a 2-song EP called Wew that and The Vaticxnts it’s hard not to get ex- last month’s big birthday bash but that showcases their new style, one reminis- cited about what they have in store for doesn’t mean that Bellingham is slowing cent of those ole Gypsters that you used us. The band is still in its infancy so no down any. The 201st issue can be just ex- to love but with plenty of new flavor to solid news on shows or recordings yet citing. We have a lot of great stuff for you offer. Combining horn instruments, gui- but keep these guys on your radar and this month so let’s dive on in! tar and keyboard in a truly unique way, stay tuned for awesome things down the Actionesse aims to get your toes tapping road! and it’s working. Catch some Actionesse RECORDING & RELEASES tunes April 3 at The Shakedown with Panda, Panda, Panda and Moonhat. good times New Wild Throne! New Wild Throne!!!! A known guitar instructor in Belling- The ass-kicking trio just recently pre- ham is ready to show off how he plays! Western Washington University is miered the first single off of their debut Bob McDonald, who has been teaching putting on their own Ted Talks! TEDx- full-length album, on freaking NPR no guitar in Bellingham for almost 20 years, WWU 2015 is a conference that will be less! The song, “War Is A Romance” finds has announced that he will be releas- held at the PAC of the university on April the Throne boys at their best with all of ing his debut album. Entitled Robert T. 11 with events starting at 10 a.m. There their trademarks: blistering guitar and McDonald III, You’re Already There, the will be 13 speakers in all with topics bass riffs, punishing drum beats, unfor- release will feature 15 original composi- ranging from design to science. Tickets givingly intense vocals that can still find tions for solo acoustic steel string guitar. are $6 at presale for students and $15 melody without devolving into guttural The album will be released on his and for the general public. A complimentary screaming. But there’s also something a his wife’s newly started independent lunch will be provided for those in at- label Living Spectrum Recordings. tendance. Get some knowledge bombs Bob’s style explores contemporary steel dropped on your brain noggin! string techniques that combine alternate Have you checked out the new Bell- tuning, percussion, tapping, and slap ingham Soundcheck yet? This one is harmonics with old time finger picking, quite a doozy. The legendary Naviga- chord melodies, and a polyphony of torCommunicator have burst forth voices that the guitar has to offer. This from the dark shadows of elusiveness album is sure to be a sonic treat for any- to put 22 minutes of atmospheric, in- one who digs the various facets of guitar strumental, prog-rock beauty down to playing! tape. Recorded at North Wave Electric The Illogicians, a band relatively the performance sounds phenomenal fresh-faced to the scene, recently an- in hands of the very talented Shibusa nounced work on recording their debut Sound. And would you believe that album. If their current demos on band- there is another one coming down the camp are any indication then I think we chute for you this month?! Stay tuned to might be in for a real treat. Featuring a see who will be featured next. complex, improvisational style, Illogi- Did someone space SPACE MUSICAL?! cians have fused together aspects of That’s right folks, Bellingham’s own Idi- classic rock, prog rock, and more south- om Theater will be hosting many nights ern bluegrass styles… and that’s just of a new SPACE MUSICAL! The new per- scratching the surface. Sounding like formance is locally written, sci-fi driven, a mutant love child between Rush, Pri- and features an all-original soundtrack.

4 • What’s Up! • April 2015 The musical entitled Ded Reckoning sly $2, and the event will be starting at lent Comedy at the Wild Buffalo April was written and directed by WWU play- 9 p.m. Make sure you get there at least 12. The show is 21+, tickets are $8 and write Kamarie Chapman and longtime 20 minutes early if you wanna submit a doors open at 9:30 p.m. Bellingham musician/singer Spencer trailer. Also word on the street is there The Jacuzzi House is putting on Willows. Ded Reckoning has been de- are only 8 Trailer Wars left in the works, an afternoon of low-key acoustic jams scribed as “the tale of three sisters and so if you love it come and give it your this month. The “Jacouzstic Show” on their ship’s engineer, who have been lost support! Thursday April 30, will feature acoustic in space for six long years, when one day Logan McQuaig, punk rock guitarist acts such as Mathew’s Comatorium, they find out that they are not alone af- turned artist, has opened up Nova Shop ECO, Schizophrenogenic Mothers and ter all…” The show will open with a free and Studio space at 115 W Chestnut. more.There may even be some room for performance on Thursday, April 9, and He’ll be showing different artists work as participants to hop in front of the lime- run Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sun- well as selling cool stuff – Logan custom light with their own songs! As always, day on April 9-12 and April 16-19. Doors paints Vans shoes among other things. If half the fun of house shows is decipher- open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at you haven’t checked ‘em out, do so be- ing the location, so get to sleuthing and 7:30! cause they’re absolutely amazing. Logan support all ages music in Bellingham. Local film aficionados Film Is Truth 24 is a fantastic artist and has a unique take Make.Shift is having a free show the Times a Second are thrilled to announce on where he puts his art, so go down night of Art Walk on Friday, April 3. Enjoy that they have been incorporated by the and check it out. The grand opening is sweet croonings from Baltic Cousins state of Washington. This is a grand step Friday, April 3, also the night of Art Walk. (performing as an acoustic duo), Hooves in the group’s ongoing goal to turn Film and Beak (seattle indie hard music), and Is Truth into a non-profit resource for lov- Reasoner! Music starts a little earlier at ers of all things film in Whatcom County. SHOWS 7:15 p.m. so make sure you don’t miss a The new non-profit face of Film Is Truth note! will be taking over their expansive film Bellingham Benefest is here! The B-Side Magazine is having another collection and making sure that it stays all-ages festival will be taking place variety show. Who is ready for Volume intact and continues to be accessible to April 8-12 this month at various all-ages 3?! The magazine has collected many of the community. The future goals of this spaces around town such as the Make. Bellingham’s diverse artists under one new organization are far from mainte- Shift, Loudhouse, Jacuzzi House, and roof for a night of bands, poetry, live art nance though. Future plans for Film is the Alternative Library. All shows will and more. The show takes place Friday, Truth include classes, workshops and be $5 and every bit of the proceeds will April 3 at The Majestic and features opportunities for interactions between be going to benefitMS Society and Do- Crooked Neighbors, Hillary Susz, slam local and regional film lovers. Looking mestic Violence and Sexual Assault poet Dee Dee Chapman, and many forward to seeing what’s in store guys! Services of Bellingham. Bands from more. Bellingham’s beloved Trailer Wars is Massachusetts, Oregon, Seattle, and back at the Pickford Film Center! The Minnesota are coming up to entertain as Well that’s all we could squeeze in for long running event pits local filmmakers well as many local groups for your listen- this month. As always there is a plethora to compete in making fake film trailers ing pleasure. Check out their facebook of musical news and events this month with a theme chosen by the previous page for more details. that we couldn’t pack into this little ar- event’s winner. This month the theme Bellingham heartthrobs Black Beast ticle so grab your mag and get to page is “Based On A True Story” and is sure to Revival will be gracing us with a per- turning. This is a good month to love be a fun ride for all involved. The event is formance this month. The group will be music in Bellingham! taking place on April 1, cover is a mea- opening up for California rockers The Si- –Raleigh Davis

April 2015• What’s Up! • LE BEAT • 5 Local Spotlight Painters: The next wave by BRENT COLE get some friends together and try the band flushing out the ideas as to write a song,” stated Duncan. a whole. ne of the beauties of a Liking the sound, they decided to “I have a lot of solo work, loops, college town music scene keep going. and different ideas I like playing is the constant churn All five members are exceptionally with that I then try to turn into a ofO bands. They start out early in talented and have played in larger song,” Nathan said. college, play, learn, develop over the previous bands, though often not As the band continues to grow next few years, eventually graduate, getting past the beginning stages. and mature, the songwriting and move on. The cycle plays itself Austen played in Honey Dotson has followed. “The emphasis has out over and over and over again. and Morgan in Rat Riot, both changed from writing music via jam to something more focused Painters Polaroid. But when a band is especially young Bellingham bands that were seen COURTESY PHOTO and making interesting music, then around the scene. on songwriting,” said Duncan, the town is in for something cool As far as influences to their with Morgan adding, “The music and hopefully for years to come. sound, guitarist Nathan cites At has gotten a lot harsher, and that’s With that, Bellingham, meet the the Drive-In as one of his primarily awesome.” “sixth” Painters if you will. Devin added, “I personally Painters. influences with writing structure, The band plans on hitting the “The recording process took a consider Clark to be the sixth Ranging in age from 16-20, The while Duncan adds, “I think in a lot road this summer, and are pursuing long time, certainly longer than Painter. He’s pretty much been Painters are made up of Duncan Ogg of ways, it’s too early to talk about shows out of town. “Our tour is I think any of us expected. We there since Day One, fixes all our (vocals), Nathan Malick (guitar), influences. None of the songs really really coming along well, we already actually ended up breaking up in gear, goes to all our shows, really Devin Vigor (guitar), Morgan Call sound like one another, and we’re have quite a few dates booked. the middle for a few months and was sort of the driving force behind (bass) and Austen Kahn (drums). not really modeling ourselves after We’re only going down as south as really only got back together right us getting back together when we The five-piece began a year and a any particular groups. We’re just Portland, but that’s a big deal for around the time everything was split up. He’s a great guy.” half ago as a class project. trying to write interesting songs.” us. We’ve never gotten to play out- being finished, last August. We “We ended up getting together The songwriting duties in of-state.” recorded everything at Clark’s LIVE SHOW: Painters will originally for a project in my Painters shifts; at some points Painters will also be recording, studio, Third Floor Recording, and perform April 9 at the Alternative Humanities class at Whatcom Duncan and Nathan come up with with hopes of releasing a record he was nice enough to give us free Library as part of Benefest. For more Community College. Thean idea of a song, other times it’ll in the future. In the mean time, recording time and as much of it about the band, see www.facebook. assignment was to simply do be Nathan’s origins with Austen they’re selling a collection of demos as we wanted. It really was a sweet com/paintersband, and something creative, so I decided to working out the rhythms, all with recorded by Clark Lavigueure, the situation,” Duncan said.

6 • local spotlight • What’s Up! •April 2015 Local Spotlight Soft Sleep: Local music vets in new project by BAILEY CHENEY Forest was signed to Walla’s record label Trans Records. ith the days of indie- “Chris will be like an auxiliary rock band The Lonely member; giving us his input Forest behind him, Tony and his opinions in addition to RulandW focuses on his new project, playing,” Ruland said. Walla can be Soft Sleep, with the help of fellow expected to play keyboards or bass, music veterans and friends to or even assist with vocals. pursue his self-described “labor of With Walla, Holland, Walters love.” and Ruland all having previously After The Lonely Forest’s last played in other bands, Ruland PHOTO by Chona Kasinger show in summer 2014, Ruland believes they will be less likely to began sifting through a collection make similar mistakes as in years the decisions you want,” he said. just catchy enough without being Sleep plans to record a full-length of microcassettes he had recorded past. “We’re ready to navigate, Ruland writes the songs depressing,” laughed Ruland. “I record sometime this summer or over the last several years but ready to make better choices at the alternating between guitar, bass keep coming back to this word, but fall, but their EP record is available had not yet used. Deciding he helm of the ship,” he said. and keyboard, and then once it has sort of a narcotic vibe.” for pre-order now with a digital needed to do something with the Ruland’s first decision at the brought to the rest of the band, Their first song off of Soft Sleep’s release coming soon (see www. tapes, Ruland called together Kyle helm was specifically choosing to Holland and Walters do the “cake eponymous EP to demonstrate such rocketheartrecords.com). Holland and Erik Walters, from the sign with a small local label, Rocket decorating.” “Cake decorating,” sound is “Unravel.” “It’s whatever Listen for Soft Sleep to play bands Cumulus and Silver Torches, Heart Records, despite offers from Ruland clarified, is touching up the the opposite of ‘anthemic’ is; it’s a soon on “Live Wire,” a radio variety respectively, to get to work. larger record companies. music and finishing the details. little slow, a little dark,” described show recorded in Portland, Ore. “The band started by accident,” “I wanted a real community feel. The completed product is a Ruland. “Even though I am self- for NPR. Ruland said. “The first practice I wanted to do this the same way dreamy, slow sound mixed with a depreciating, I am truly proud and went so well, it just felt like a band.” I go about eating food – I want to little 1980s new wave, according to excited about this batch of songs.” MORE DETAILS: For more After confirming the other know where things come from, I Ruland. “It sounds like a perfect fit Though no shows have been information see softsleepband.com members felt Ruland’s same want to be able to shake the hands between the Red House Painters finalized yet, Ruland hopes their and follow them on Facebook and “band-vibe” feelings, they created of the people involved,” Ruland and Sunny Day Real Estate. It’s first show will be in Seattle. Soft Twitter at softsleepband. Soft Sleep – its name a reference explained. “It’s OK if this [project] to Ruland’s insomniac sleeping fails, it’s about putting out what patterns. we want to do. Soft Sleep is Soft Sleep plans to feature many aesthetically and creatively where guest appearances, with its first we want it.” being Chris Walla, former Death To achieve Soft Sleep’s aesthetic Cab for Cutie member. This will and sound, Ruland explained the also be Walla’s first collaboration band works like a sports team with since his departure from Death each player doing their part. He Cab for Cutie. admitted that since the project is Ruland explained that Walla his brainchild, the band encourages and himself had wanted to record him to take control and lead. “I’m together for a while, as they not a control freak, but it feels became friends while The Lonely good to have the support to make

April 2015• What’s Up! • Local spotlight • 7 8 • What’s Up! • April 2015 National Spotlight Smalls All Stars: A bit of NY jazz in Bellingham by brent cole musicians like to go to hang out is an adjuct professor at Julliard and it’s run by a musician - it has School of Music and Rutgers n the jazz world, New York a real authentic thing happening.” University. Finally, Spike Wilner’s is considered the Mecca, the The All Stars include Peter magic transcends his life as a club hub where many of the best Bernstein on guitar, Grant Stewart and label owner, having played Iand the brightest jazz musicians on tenor sax, Joe Magnarelli on all over NY as well as performing reside. Of course, jazz musicians trumpet and Smalls owner Spike with the Artie Shaw Big Band and and jazz scenes are found all over Wilner on piano. The band will The Glen Miller Orchestra, just to the nation, but New York… well… be rounded out with Michael name a few. New York is in a world of its own. Glynn from Seattle on bass and MacDonough looks forward to And within that scene, you can MacDonough on drums. performing with such legendary find the bigger, more tourist-driven All four players are prominent in players. “Peter Bernstein is types of jazz venues – The Blue the jazz scene – Peter Bernstein’s considered one of the greatest jazz Note and Birdland for example – Live at Smalls is the best seller on guitar players alive today,” he said, adding, “Grant Stewart and Joe Top: Peter Bernstein on guitar and Joe but underneath that layer, you’ll the Smalls label (a record label Magnarelli on trumpet. Bottom: Grant find great venues producing and run by Spike of live recordings Magnarelli are both at their top of Stewart on tenor sax and Spike Wilner on showcasing some of the finest from the venue) and he’s played their game,” with Spike, obviously, piano. COURTESY PHOTOS musicians around in intimate with such jazz legends as Joshua being a key figure in the jazz scene. settings. One of these clubs, a Redman, Diana Krall, Eric Cory Weeds, former owner of forward to coming out to play the Stewart. This will be my first time favorite among jazz musicians, is Alexander and the amazing Sonny The Cellar in Vancouver, is bringing Pacific Northwest for the first time in The Pacfic Northwest,” he said. Smalls, a tiny spot in Greenwich Rollins. Stewart was one of the The All Stars out to play four and checking out the scene. “From Village. This month, Smalls will first jazz artists to be invited to shows, with one in Bellingham, what I hear the Pacific Northwest LIVE SHOW: See the Smalls All bring four “all stars” to the Pacific play at the historical Hermitage another in Tacoma, and two in responds very well to the jazz Stars perform Wednesday, April Northwest, including a show in Museum in St. Petersberg, Russia, Vancouver. “They’re coming out shows that are presented there. 29 at WJMAC (in The Majestic) at Bellingham at the Whatcom Jazz as well as being a featured artist with Spike because they play the Bernstein has performed a lot 7 p.m. For more details, see www. Music and Arts Center. at the Guggenheim Museums’ club all the time and Cory wanted out there as has Magnarelli and wjmac.org/calendar.html. “It’s a musician’s haven, it’s Jazz series with his trio including to show what can happen there where the real stuff goes on,” the legendary Jimmy Cobb on on any given night,” MacDonough said WJMAC’s organizer Julian drums. Magnarelli has performed said, adding “To give people a slice MacDonough, who will also with such acts as The Glen Miller of what’s being presented at Smalls be sitting in with the All Stars Orchestra, Harry Connick Jr, Louis and showcase that special scene.” on drums. “Smalls is the place Hayes among countless others, and According to Wilner, he’s looking

April 2015• What’s Up! • national spotlight • 9 Live Reviews A look at some of the live show performances over the past month. Got photos? Send your live show photos to [email protected].

Dave Crider, founder of Estrus records The Scott Greene and member of one of the transforma- tive bands of the early 90s, Mononen. Support Rally The audience then enjoyed the bril- March 8 • The Underground liant singer-songwriter stylings of Sher whose introspective stuff has been a In what can only be described as a mainstay in local folk circles for years. massive outpouring of love and emo- Sunset Superman then attacked the tion, 500 people jammed into the un- crowd with powerful renditions of ev- derground to join The Scott Greene eryone’s favorite cover songs from the support rally. Ten acts played short sets 80s butt rock era. The band had amazing which each included a Greene written chops offering hi octane entertainment song covered in tribute to him, who in in what already was shaping up to be a November was diagnosed with devas- powerful night of music and love. tating brain cancer. He has since under- Another highlight of the evening was gone serious treatment and is unable to the Odd Couple like interaction of co- earn income while battling this horrific MCs Stacy Bloch and Boris Budd. The in- malady. fectious laugh and master hosting skills Sher Vadinska performing at the Scott The show started off with a bang as demonstrated by Bloch combined with Greene benefit. PHOTO BY SHASTA BREE Boris Budd opened with a solo acoustic the snarky, humorous comments from version of Greene’s emotionally charged Budd kept the event fresh and moving. song “Kicking,” followed by what one This exciting new comedy team could to Scott as, this reviewer had the good ered a tight and polite set of pop rock audience member called a sublime definitely make their mark playing the fortune of discussing this with him. as a strong opening set for the night. A Sumac, Lozen, performance of songs about marijuana nursing home and or bar mitzvah circuit Scott had played and/or recorded and mix of Captain Von Bullshit-era Modest and God. Budd was joined onstage by if they so chose. did studio work with every act on the Mouse instrumentation with more re- Grenades sidekick vocalist Heather Bates and Things really started to get heavy bill in some capacity over the years. laxed vocals, they warmed up the crowd March 14 • The Shakedown Stone Jones on guitar. The show quick- as David Weiss took the stage with the The crowd was now bubbling as word with a healthy dose of contagious, up- ly jumped to the infectious groove of fabulous Shasta Bree, whose haunting has spread that the Scott Greene Band beat, delay-saturated rock in a compel- Bellingham’s sludge/metal/hardcore Spaceband. Dressed in street clothing vocals on some of Scott’s songs gave was going to take the stage. The first in- lingly paced package. community got quite the gift this month as opposed to their standard NASA suits this reviewer goosebumps. Weiss then carnation of the SGB came up without Taking the middle slot was local in- when a couple of Northwest legends that some people say resemble ISIS pris- brought Diva onto the stage that once Scott with special guests – Sean Meyer, strumental prog-math-hyphenated- stopped by the Shakedown March 14 to oner attire, the band achieved liftoff with again combined her amazing vocals Kevin Heath and Dave Weldon filling the genre-rock/metal group Minor Plains. As unleash their new side project. Sumac is a past Loyal Sinners song that showed and inherent hotness to bring it home holes and delivering big on some SGB usual, they delivered a blistering, brain the latest musical venture of ex-IsIs, cur- the tightness and power of the talented as usual. A weird buzz then kind of ema- tunes. The SGB line up was in top form melting set of builds, solos, breakdowns rent Old Man Gloom member and cer- Spaceband. Guitar virtuoso Adrian nated from the room as Luke Warm sent as stalwarts Phat Ron Steagall, nifty Nick and as always, dubstep-style drops. As tified viking Aaron Turner and Nick Ya- Clarke took the stage for an amazing a message to the audience explaining Robinson and Chip Westerfield geared with most shows at The Shakedown, the cyshyn, the drummer of Vancouver, B.C.’s display of musicianship, doing his thing his absence before his band The Moder- up for the return to the stage of the man sound was amazing, and a band with Baptist. I should mention they also en- delighting the crowd. ates played a spirited set without their of the hour who came up and played this dynamic of a sound makes the most listed the help of the mighty Brian Cook One of the highlights of the show beloved leader, who was on location in four fantastic new songs that brought of everything available. I could wax po- of Botch/Russian Circles/These Arms Are then took place as the legendary DT’s New Zealand filming the musical - ver the crowd to a frenzy like had not been etic about the face-smashing riffs, air- Snakes fame on bass. And that Sunn O))) donning Scott Greene t-shirts blew sion of his play Cool Hand Luke Warm. seen at a Bellingham musical event for guitarable chops and positively destruc- and Boris producer Mell Dettmer helped the roof off the place with their- pow Up to the challenge, DW one and the a long time. tive rhythm section for ages on end, but record Sumac’s debut ep the Deal. And erful rhythms that included a version rest of the Moderates blew it out, caus- Greene’s singing and guitar work for the sake of space and a modicum also Kurt Ballou of Converge did the of Greene’s “Little Things,” which was ing the crowd to have a powerhouse had not missed a beat over the past five of taste I’ll spare you. Minor Plains is a mastering for the Deal. I really bet you quite inspiring. Greene, of course toured dance reaction. As noted previously months of body draining radiation and band to see no matter what, if only for hadn’t missed this show, huh? the globe along with show organizer each act performed a Scott Greene com- chemotherapy. Wearing a hat and broad the explosive drop at the end of “Starfish The night started out with Seattle’s Phil Carter with his band headed by position, which was amazingly special smile, Greene obviously was finally back Omega”. four-piece hardcore act Grenades. home on the stage that has become his City Hall closed out the night with There’s nothing worse than a boring sanctuary for over two decades to the a solid set that brought a sort of blend or bad hardcore band, and Grenades, delight of us all. We all look forward to of the two previous bands in a way. The thankfully, are neither of those. Their many more songs and years of great boys in City Hall tend to err more on the brand of hardcore/post-hardcore has music from a true Bellingham musician side of indie-rock hooks and harmonies, the aggression and precision of bands and anchor of the local music scene. but occasionally throw in some really like Code Orange and Nails. Grenades’ –Rip Langston mind bending syncopation and guitar live performance was blazing and bru- lines that, while not necessarily heavy, tal, as Frontman/bassist Aaron Yost com- do give a lot to chew on. Spacious manded the stage with a contagious rhythm parts made each build taught amount of intensity and emotion. and tense, so every time they would hit Next up was Lozen, a Tacoma duo City Hall, Minor a chorus it became anthemic. Breaks that features Hozoji Matheson-Margullis and stops bring out the best parts of The of Helms Alee on guitar/vocals and Plains, Female Fiends Shins being smashed with a great set of Justine Maria Valdez on drums/vocals. March 20 • The Shakedown vocal work from the whole band. Lozen feels a lot more raw and a lot less The night ended smoothly and calm- concise than Helms Alee, which isn’t While Bellingham may empty itself of ly, and despite the sparser crowd for a a bad thing at all. The winding, almost its student population during the spring typical Shakedown show, the audience tribal brooding verses explode with a intercession, The Shakedown was not was treated to a great mix of pop, rock, full frontal, sludge assault that draws as wanting for fans as Kent natives Female and maybe learned a math lesson or much from the Melvins as it does from Fiends took the stage. With enough hair two along the way. Sabbath. In short, these ladies kicked and Fender logos on stage to make any –Charlie Walentiny some serious ass. guitarist in this town jealous, they deliv- After Lozen finished their set, every 10 • live reviews • What’s Up! • April 2015 dude with a neck beard within 100 miles the band has been around upwards of hippy cousin and the drummer playing piled to the front of the room, Rainier six years, their sound was so similar to copper plated gear – all this plus Ethan’s cans in hand, to bear witness to the The Black Angels, some in the audience now patented vintage 70s clothes with a sludge/metal gods that compose Su- were looking for more of a stretched mad scientist beard. All four guys looked mac. And they did not disappoint. The out sound. Those big fans of The Black like they were living the lifestyle, which riffs were a plenty, the volume maxi- Angels, though, were in heaven. If the had nothing to do with the music, but mized, and the sludge HEAVY. Drummer worst thing about your band is you did add to the mystic of awesome with Nick Yacyshyn is a complete and abso- sound too much like the Black Angels, the band. lute monster behind his kit, creating the then you’re not too bad. Opening up with “Meet Me in the most creatively disjointed rhythms and Next up were LA’s The Blank Tapes. Wheat,” Howlin Rain played songs off beats, while simultaneously somehow The trio went more retro than Low their new record as well as cuts from keeping it all together. Brian Cook was Hums, but stayed within the all encom- their catalog, playing with a reckless dressed like Daniel Day Lewis’ character passing genre of “psych rock.” For most abandon that is often time missing from from Gangs of New York (sort of) and of their set, I didn’t really feel anything the more song oriented recordings. explored the band’s lower register with about them – I wasn’t getting what they Miller, plays his Fender Jaguar as if it’s just as much ruthlessness and fury. This were trying to do, or, at least, it wasn’t an extension of his soul, was relaxed and foundation set the perfect scene for hitting me in my soul. It sounded great, inspired, flying through stunning solos Aaron Turner to let loose with his growl but didn’t click… until the final song, while the rest of the band worked to and his relentless riffage and shredding, when they spread their sound out more, keep everything in check. It was, for fans which made the remainder of the show loosely jamming within the structures of Howlin Rain, absolutely magical and a night of sludgy, doomy goodness. of a long song. The drums had a unique musically all one could hope for. –Sarah Bryant beat going on and the band really fell Midway through the set, Miller be- into a good groove – my guess is their gan talking about how kind everyone sold out show the previous night in had been in Vancouver the night before Vancouver was more spirited and their and Bellingham felt like an extension sound came across better. of that with the bartender, soundman Finally, Howlin Rain made their way and crowd being incredibly friendly, Howlin Rain to the stage, to cheers from the small endearing the audience to them that March 1 • The Shakedown but enthusiastic crowd. Fronted by much more. As they rolled through the Ethan Miller, also of Comets on Fire (my final songs of their set, Miller asked the It was a disappointingly sleepy Sun- all time favorite band) and Feral Ohms, audience if they wanted to hear a jam day when Howlin Rain, The Blank Tapes Howlin Rain is more of a blues/70s number or boogie number for the fi- and Low Hum made their way to The rock outfit than his other bands. With nal song. While the audience wanted Shakedown. In spite of the lackluster a new album having just been released jam, the bass player said boogie and turnout, those that made it out saw dif- and the band in the middle of a West off they went, with the boogie turning ferent spots on the psych spectrum as Coast tour, Howlin Rain was ready to into mammoth guitar solos followed by well as one of the best guitarists front- rock. The quartet looked as awesome both guitar players squealing feedback ing a phenomenal rock band. as they sounded with the bass player/ to close out the night. It was, simply put, Low Hums began the show playing guitarist sporting a double neck bass/ absolutely awesome. an indie rock/psych mix that’s best com- six string guitar and great vintage gear, -Brent Cole pared to Austin’s The Black Angels. While the guitarist looking like your crazy

Rock ‘n’ Roll Moment

Watts performing at Aaron Smith’s 40th surprise birthday party! PHOTO BY SARAH DAY

April 2015 • What’s Up! • live reviews & Rock ‘n’ roll moments • 11 11 Questions Kevin Chryst: He’s got it interview by BRENT COLE come from (tell us about yourself)? play drums? I am Kreestoe. The Original You know, the earliest human ’ll be honest, for the longest Wizard, the Administer of Salty memory that I can recall in my time, I didn’t know Kevin Licks, the Chief of Entertainment. life was being at a parade with Chryst’s last name or how to I’m your ice cream man, I’m your my folks, watching a marching Ispell it – he was and will always puppet, I’m your huckleberry, band go by. I was absolutely be to me, Kreestoe. It’s a name I’m whatever you need me to be. entranced by the men with the that fits him, kind of badass and A product of Portland, Oregon bass drums, HUGE drums being a tich quirky, but damn inviting. but raised in Seattle, I came to beaten with big ol’ baseball-bat- To know Kevin is to love him, he’s Bellingham in the fall of 2003 to looking mallets. I knew right then just one of those guys in the music begin school at WWU. Music is I had to be and would forever be a scene that’s always got a smile, is a my mistress and my number one drummer. I’m all about that bass. little cocky but has the ridiculous passion in life, we have a fantastic talent to always back it up. When I relationship. My roots are in jazz Tell us about your new project, think about the folks on the scene and primarily big band swing, but Baby Cakes. How did it come that I appreciate the most, he’s I love the blues, R&B and of course about and what are your goals for right up there, and that’s why he’s funk and soul. Im also a sucker the band? this month’s 11 questions. for pop hits, more on that later... Baby Cakes was definitely born in the fire. I was bestowed the Who are you and where did you What initially inspired you to honorable privilege of putting together a New Year’s Eve band PHOTO BY SARAH DAY for Chair 9 out in Glacier this past year. The owner of that club said, “I want a cover band.” That’s now looking forward, I am so As a drummer to the core, my exactly where we started, covering excited to not only take this band right hand man and partner in the most amazingly soulful and on the road and show the world crime is always the bass player. I classic material in the history of what we can do but to also create love a pure bass player that plays American music (in my opinion). organically with original material. the bass like a BASS. Now thats So naturally, I went out and hired There’s no limit to what we can do, sexy, I’d definitely do that. But a group of complete badasses. I we are an amazing family. if I were to play with my mouth believe the members of this band instead of my hands, I would most are the very best at what they If you weren’t playing drums, certainly attack the trumpet. do. I’m amazed and humbled by what other instrument would you There is nothing as powerful as their talent and proficiency. And tackle? a lead trumpet scream. That gets me going.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Well I am a bit of sweet tooth after all... My favorite ice cream flavor would involve salted caramel or toffee, brownie chunks, and vanilla. Gotta have a little crunch to it.

Coffee or tea? There’s no question here. Coffee, baby. I like my french pressed coffee black as night, but I really love a good mocha. You know I like a little chocolate in my life. ;)

What has kept you in Bellingham throughout the years? Man, Bellingham has kept me close for so many reasons. Our community is hip. We are cool folks that strive to progress together. We are artistic, conscious, active and political. 12 • 11 questions • What’s Up! • April 2015 I’ve made some of my best lifelong If you could play with any might be their biggest influence friends here. I have come of age musician in the world, who would in life. And I certainly agree here. I have fallen in love and had it be and why? with this sentiment, my parents the heart broken here. Bellingham This one’s easy, the great Count have blessed me with so many and its people have certainly Basie, my favorite music and opportunities to learn and travel shaped me into the person I am bandleader of all time. To feel and enjoy myself. But my brother, today. I always look forward to the power and emotion of Count Tim Chryst continues to inspire leaving town for adventure, but I Basie’s Orchestra swinging to and influence me in everything absolutely love to come home. your beat, to be the drummer that I do. My man has stood by driving that train... Wow. That me through everything, every If you could change one thing would be heavenly. Listen to the accomplishment and every failure. about our community, what would album Montreaux ‘77 and tell me I thank him for continuing to it be? otherwise. make me a better person, brother Ethnic diversity. Diversity and son every day. Family above promotes an open mind! I don’t Do you still have nightmares all. know how we accomplish or about Super Bowl 49? encourage this, but I do know we It’s just a game, baby. But yeah Any last thoughts? all would benefit greatly. that one was on my 30th birthday In past editions of this piece, and i didn’t think anything could I’ve seen you ask, “What are Which drummers have been the go wrong for us... I thought we you currently listening to?” and most influential to your playing? ‘won’ the game to be honest and like I mentioned above, pop Such a hard question to ask of course you can’t define that music is alive and well in my any musician. But, some of my game with any one play, but what world! Here’s my current top favorite drummers and also most a heartbreaker! five guilty pleasure songs: “Want influential to my playing have to Want Me” by Jason Derulo, been Adam Deitch, Steve Jordan, Who has been the biggest “Sugar” by Maroon 5, Brian Blade, Carter Beauford, Jeff influence on your life (not “Jealous” by Nick Jonas, Porcaro, Sonny Payne, ?uestlove, necessarily a musician)? “Style” by Taylor Swift, and and Ari Hoenig. Google these cats! I think many people would “You Can Have It All” by JRDN. naturally say that their folks

April 2015 • What’s Up! • 11 questions • 13 theatER Ded Reckoning: A space musical by BRENT COLE home and if they should continue 48 Hour Festivals, writing a into the unknown, they’re hit with 10-minute musical. “It was kind of n the world of local theater, another power surge. It’s then they a test, we’d either hate each other it’s not often an original realize the power might not be after that pressure or we’d work musical comes onto the radar. random and someone is trying to really well together,” Kamarie said IThankfully, Kamarie Chapman and communicate with them from “the with a laugh. Spencer Willows are changing that, deep unknown.” It went well, so they did another at least this month, presenting “It’s real heady,” said Spencer, one. That one went so well, they Ded Reckoning to the Bellingham a local musician and business pitched a full play to Idiom, who theater audiences at Idiom over an owner. “There’s no love story, went for it. “We were lucky enough Ded Reckoning includes live music performed by the band (above), with CDs available for 8-date run. no physical fight breaking out at to have it included in their next purchase after the show. Front: Kim Turpin (Halley) Second row: Spencer Willows (music and Ded Reckoning is the story any point. Just dealing with deep season,” Spencer said. Kamarie lyrics), Joan Harris (Clementine), Jake Foerg (N.O.R.T.T.H), Rochelle Robinson (Aurora), Kevin Wharton (bass). Third row: LP (drums), Sarah Jerns (keyboards), Matt Curtis (guitar), Michael of three sisters and an older human emotions that happen to added with a laugh, “And I was like Gill (Max). Not pictured: Kamarie Chapman (book), Grant LeMaitre (tech), Blake Hamrick mechanic/mentor on a space ship, be taking place in a spaceship.” He ‘Oh shit, we actually have to do (stage manager). PHOTO BY SARAH DAY which has been flying through added, “The themes it touches on this!’” space without any navigation for are really popular themes with me When the play opens in April, of that plot that would be good the stage. seven years. After a huge power and Kamarie. Figuring your place it’ll be a year since they were given fodder for songs,” Spencer said, “Every song has to move the surge kicks the navigational system with things - belonging or not the go ahead. “Then I would usually just start - action forward with character and back online, NORTT (Navigational belonging.” With the green light, the two character development, then plot plot development through each Operations Run Through Titanium The origins of Ded Reckoning kicked into writing mode – Spencer development. Then hand it to song,” said Spencer, adding, “30 Humanoid – a robot) comes back date back two and a half years ago focusing on the music, which Kamarie and she writes the scene percent of the story outline or online and says he can chart a path when Kamarie (a theater professor constitutes approximately two- before and after it.” song schematic are the same.” to earth. Unfortunately, they’ve at Western) approached her friend, thirds of the play while Kamarie When Kamarie would write Both playwrights noted the been traveling at near the speed of Spencer, about working on a play worked on the dialogue. The those parts, it would sometimes play is free of swear words and light and everyone back on earth is after finding out he was, as she back and forth between the two morph into a different story than any bad content, which hopefully 50 years older – the world they’d be puts it, a “closet theater nerd.” The proved fruitful, if not complicated, initially laid out, causing Spencer will entice middle school and high going home to will be nothing like timing wasn’t right at the time, so during the writing process. “We to alter his lyrics. This back and school kids to attend. when they left. As they’re thinking they held off, reconnecting a year had an outline for the entire forth went on for months, pushing While the play has been in about the grand concepts of what is later to take part in one of Idiom’s plot. Then I kind of picked pieces and pulling, until it was ready for the works for a year, the actual production of the show kicked into gear just recently. The play was cast in January after an open audition call with rehearsals beginning in mid-March. “We had some awesome people who auditioned,” Kamarie said, who was thankful

14 • DED RECKONING • What’s Up! • April 2015 they opened it up to everyone. Musically, Spencer likens the overall sound to a Broadway musical with different styles popping up in different parts. “I was pretty loose with any particular genre or structure for songs. Some songs sound like 50s rock and roll, some songs sound like Bowie and some have a real 70s country vibe.” The music for Ded Reckoning will be performed live during the play with CDs of the music available for sale afterwards. The band, which includes LP, Sarah Jerns, Kevin Warton and Matt Curtis, are all long-time fixtures in the Bellingham music scene. and Spencer has worked with each one before. (Spencer, Kevin and Sarah were part of the Halloween performance of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Redlight.) Creating a play with music available to take home has made for an added complication and stress as everything comes together. Kamarie and Spencer are not only working with all the logistics of putting a play together, they’re also, essentially, releasing a full length album over the same period – one that needs to be recorded, mixed and released. support the locals “We’re doing a full length musical and producing an album in just over three weeks,” Spencer added with a laugh. While the play will run in April, that isn’t the ending point for Ded Reckoning – if anything it’s just the beginning. “We’ll have a copy of the cast singing songs and I’ll have the script. There are all kinds of places where we can submit the script,” Kamarie said, including different festivals and universities. She added the creative process is far from finished as well. “I can think of three songs that we need and the scenes to go with it.” As the process for this run of the play nears a peak, Kamarie displays an ease about her. Play production is her world and she thrives in this type of work, stating nerves won’t strike until the last minute. “For me it’s another production, I’m really focused to get it where it needs to be. Nervousness hasn’t set in - it’s really just go time,” she said. “I’ll be nervous five minutes before curtain on opening night.” Ded Reckoning will be performed at the Idiom Theater Thursday- Sunday, April 9-19.See idiomtheater. com for more information.

April 2015 • What’s Up! • DED RECKONING • 15 LIVE SHOW: Bass Area Crew DJs Fear and Loathing and Shadow Variable perform at FilthFest 5 on April 4 at Eagles Hall. Follow www.facebook.com/ BassArea1. PHOTO BY SARAH DAY

Bass Area Crew: Bringing bass to the Bay by Daniel Roth few years, and Bass Area Crew grew out of said. “We just got together one night and Weidenbacher said. his desire for an easier in to performing at branded ourselves the Bass Area Crew.” He added the name Bass Area Crew is revor Weidenbacher is busy almost local clubs. Altogether, Bass Area Crew now contains a homage to the Bay Area as referenced all the time. Besides spending nearly “When I moved to Bellingham, there 17 different DJs, lighting and sound in countless Too $hort songs, as well as a 40 hours a week putting on shows was this feeling of ‘where do I play?’” technicians, promoters and more. reference to the Bellingham Bay. withT his EDM collective, Bass Area Crew, Weidenbacher said. “I went around town As for his own position in Bass Area Crew, As for Fear and Loathing, the name he he works as a sound technician at the Wild talking to promoters, and either the shows Weidenbacher calls himself a “marketing goes by when DJing, Weidenbacher said Buffalo and studies marketing at Western. were full or they weren’t too interested in coordinator,” though he’s a bit hesitant with the works of Hunter S. Thompson inspired How does he balance all his various duties giving someone who hadn’t played club that title. Weidenbacher’s responsibilities him. and responsibilities? shows a shot.” extend far beyond what his title covers. “What I really liked about his books was “By having almost no social life and After getting a feel for the local scene, Of the 40 hours he spends each week on how he captured the world through his eyes barely sleeping,” he said, laughing. Weidenbacher frequently noticed the Bass Area Crew’s shows, Weidenbacher said and recreated it for people,” Weidenbacher Weidenbacher’s hard work is paying same people organizing shows, though he he is involved in almost every step of the said. “What I wanted to do through music off, though. Over the past two years, remembers the planning was something process. was capture and recreate the world in a Bass Area Crew has gone from an idea in of a mess. Weidenbacher saw this as “I’m helping set up the light rigs, doing similar way.” Weidenbacher’s head to an established something that he could change. all the marketing work, setting up all the Despite the growing popularity of the name in Bellingham’s burgeoning EDM “The idea was if we could put together advertising and promotional work, booking EDM scene in Bellingham, success wasn’t scene. a core group of dudes, we could do more the shows, and then actually being there for immediate for Bass Area Crew. Weidenbacher has only been DJing for a shows more effectively,” Weidenbacher the show and running sound for the show,” “We were doing shows on Wednesdays, 16 • bass area crew • What’s Up! • April 2015 and we’d be lucky if 40 or 80 people showed up,” Weidenbacher said. It wasn’t long before things turned around for Bass Area Crew, however. “The first three times we hosted [Lifted], it literally doubled in attendance each time,” Weidenbacher said. “Now those shows are just packed out.” Currently, the Crew puts together two monthly shows, Leveled and Lifted, at the Wild Buffalo and Rumors, respectively, as well as a weekly show at Glow, Twisted Thursdays. Even with everything Weidenbacher has on his plate, he finds time to make music of his own, which he posts periodically on his Soundcloud page. He’s teaching himself to use the music software Ableton, and every now and then he sneaks one of his own compositions into his DJ sets, to gage the crowd’s reaction to his own work. “I get the most stoked when I get to play my own songs and people respond to it well,” Weidenbacher said. “It means I connected with the right people and got the right people to the show, and I was able to make a play and song for them To place an ad or submit information, call 398-1155 that they liked.” NEXT DEADLINE: APRIL 20 or e-mail [email protected].

April 2015 • What’s Up! • bass area crew • 17 the Handsome Family by Jared Curtis

aking music as a duo has the same pros and cons as a regular four- or five-piece Mband, but when you add a relationship into the mix, things can get crazy. But a strong foundation for a band can add so to a marriage, just ask Brett and Rennie Sparks, also known as The Handsome Family. The pair has been married and performing together for more than 20 years and couldn’t be better. “If you asked us years ago if we would still be around 20 years later I’d say, ‘Hell No,’” Rennie laughed. “In musician’s years we’re centuries old, so it’s an unexpected miracle to still be making music together for so many years.” Rennie believes being married has created a bond stronger than most bandmates share and allows them to tour whenever. “Being married helps that we don’t have to leave loved ones at home angry and lonely. But on the other hand, we do spend a lot of time together. On tour the only time we’re alone is when one of us goes to the bathroom,” she laughed. Rennie believes The Handsome Family is past the point of just trying to make a go of it, this is the couple’s life and they are happy to enjoy the ride. “I think that after two to three years, most musicians realize that if they keep at this they’ll be unemployable in any other field, which scares most away,” she said. “Once we passed the point of no return to mainstream society we were stuck here. But it’s not a bad place to be stuck, of course.” The Handsome Family has released 10 studio albums, but none have grown in popularity like Singing Bones, which was released in 2003, but become an overnight success thanks to the use of the song “Far From Any Road” as the opening credits in HBO’s “True Detective.” A couple of The show became a pop culture phenomenon in 2014 and The Handsome Family’s song led the way. “We have no idea how they found our song. great musicians T Bone Burnett never approached us and we LIVE SHOW: See The Handsome Family didn’t speak to anyone who works directly perform at The Green Frog on Saturday, on the show,” Rennie said. “We’re glad it May 2. Tickets are $10. For more about the was included though, it’s all mysterious and band, see www.handsomefamily.com. wonderful, a great gift from the ancient gods.” E SY P HO T O C O URT The band’s catalog is growing in popularity 18 • THE Handsome family • What’s Up! • April 2015 thanks to other artists covering time you write a song. We only their work, including Andrew have so deep a well and we’ve been Bird, whose 2014 album, Things dipping into it for years. Still, I Are Really Great Here, Sort Of…, is feel the sweetest water is yet to be an entire record of The Handsome drunk,” she said. “You just have to Family’s songs. try, try and fail. Then it’s time to “Any time people learn about take a break and try again. I write our work is a blessing,” she said. the words first and the Brett works The couple is currently working on the music and then we argue, A on their next record, an untitled LOT, but that’s the process we’ve work that will be released in 2016. discovered works for us.” The album is still coming together, The couple spent March touring but Rennie had some insight to around the United Kingdom and what fans should expect. Ireland. They are looking forward “The new record has a color to returning to the states and theme,” Rennie said. “So far the playing some new songs for fans. colors are green, white, red, yellow, But recording and touring wont be gold and silver. Brett and I are the only thing keeping Rennie busy arguing over whether we can claim this summer. clear as a color. I say yes, it’s sort of “Along with finishing the color the unseen spectrum.” album up I’ll be busy tending to The album, much like the my beehives and painting portraits majority of their records, is being of pets,” she said (the last album, recorded in the couple’s converted Wilderness, featured a companion garage studio. book that included animal portraits “It makes it very easy to get to and art by Rennie). the studio and often times we’re The Handsome Family will be recording in our pajamas,” she making a stop at the Green Frog support laughed. on Saturday, May 2, and fans can local music. Writing and recording as a expect a unique night filled with married couple can be a challenge, murderous ballads and mayhem. It’s good for you. but Rennie and Brett have been “Our live show is something akin making music together for so long, to the murder of Orpheus when the arguments as well as the new crazed women tore him to pieces challenges of writing and recording yet his gorgeous severed head disappear into the process. continued to sing,” she said. “It definitely gets harder each Sounds like a party!

April 2015 • What’s Up! • THE Handsome family • 19 20 • What’s Up! • April 2015 Thanks again to everyone for coming 200th issue/ out to the Wild Buffalo and celebrating with us. Special thanks to the bands that 17th anniversary show performed: City Hall, Girl Guts, Minor Plains, Wild Rabbit and Baby Cakes!

Girl Guts. PHOTO BY SAVID SAMISH Wild Rabbit. PHOTO BY KEN KEARNEY

Brent Cole congratulates Eric Holl on his local music library. The crowd. PHOTO BY SAVID SAMISH PHOTO BY SAVID SAMISH

Babycakes. PHOTO BY SAVID SAMISH

City Hall. PHOTO BY KEN KEARNEY Minor Plains. PHOTO BY TOMMY CALDERON Babycakes. PHOTO BY KEN KEARNEY

April 2015 • What’s Up! • party pictorial • 21 LIVE SHOW: Bill Horist will be playing at the Bellingham Sound Culture: Adventurous Festival happening April 30-May 3. Specific dates and times coming soon. See www.billhorist.com/

BillAbstract Horist Beauty by Keenan Ketzner you can undoubtedly see the impact of this to apply the philosophies of several avant- simpatico between performer and audience.” focused, detached environment in his music. garde masters (John Cage, Fred Frith and In recent years Horist has been keeping ill Horist is a multi-talented Not only in the proficiency of his more Keith Rowe specifically) to his own work, things odd, focusing primarily on live individual playing somewhere in the traditional composed pieces, but also in his marking a turn in his musical ideology, as performances and commissioned work. “One ballpark of composer, improviser, and free-range form of avant-garde music, in he began to explore experimental music in of the things I love about doing something Bfull-time avant-garde enthusiast. Bolstering which he has employed many experimental earnest. that most people deem strange is the variety a simply staggering body of work, it is an practices like broad improvisation and “From there, the aesthetic merits of such a of strange things I get asked to do; whether understatement to say Bill has been busily extended technique. practice began to reveal themselves to me and it’s making weird guitar sounds for a Hobbit broadcasting his impeccable knack for guitar Forced to take piano lessons as a child, it became less about an antithetical reaction video game, doing a duet with a coffee roaster, to the world at large, with his range of styles Bill was enamored early on by the anti- to something and more about a proactive stringing a guitar from a stairwell and covering everything from jazz, to rock, authoritarian vibe that experimental music sense of creating an abstract beauty,” he said. wrapping it in dozens of firecrackers, playing to folk, to experimental, and anything in could offer. “My first exposure to it was Bill began to play with the grey area of with a performance artist with cerebral palsy between. through Bauhaus and Sonic Youth in the music where idiomatic structures meld or making an ignoble appearance on a stupid “I was born in Washington DC. I lived in 80s. I had been drawn to the dissonance with abstraction, yielding an emotionally reality show.” Evanston, Illinois… I was 14, then we made and unusual sounds provided by the raw, but traditionally grounded sound. Bill shows no signs of slowing down his a massive lifestyle shift and moved to an underground music of the time; punk, new “[Some practitioners] have an “improv uber output of oddities, and promises that many unincorporated area outside a small town in wave and similar ilks.” alles” disposition… I find that directing things lay over the horizon. Expect to see Michigan called Fennville,” he said, reflecting After a short period of trying out singing, or conjuring certain emotional states is his score “Mutei,” which originally was on a past just as winding as the musical career he soon picked up the guitar around the age often more effectively accomplished with composed for a dance production called he has embarked on. “This afforded me the of 18. Bill played with this punkish outlet composition,” while still maintaining that “Dream Pavilion” with Davida Monk in opportunity to sample both the urban and until his mid-20s, when he found himself “improvisation provides a much richer the summer, as well as an album of more rural; something that I think informs my in the heart of Seattle (where he has since framework for risk and discovery. It allows ferocious improvisations called Chemical persona and aesthetic.” called his home). a practitioner to experience revelation at the Language, alongside collaborators Wally If you have heard any of Bill’s work, then It was around that time when Bill started same time as a listener might; an unusual Shoup and Paul Kikuchi. 22 • What’s Up! • BILL HORIST • April 2015 Sound Culture Sound Culture & WWU CFPA present a festival of adventurous music, sound art, and intermedia on the campus of Western Washington University from April 30 to May 3. Featuring four evening concerts as well as lectures, installations, presentations and open rehearsals, SC ‘Adventures’ Fest explores experimental strains of pop, ambient, noise, and hybrid genres, as well as multiple aesthetics of electroacoustic, modern classical and free improvisation.

Thursday 4/30 – Whatcom Weird Showcase, PA16, 8 p.m. Falling Up Stairs Rubix Shoes Mindmeld Twin Sibling Ego Eimi Illogicians

Friday 5/1 Music for electric guitar, piano and electronics, PA16, 7:30 p.m. Cristina Valdes (Seattle) Rocco DiPietro (Buffalo) Giacomo Fiore (San Francisco)

Saturday 5/2 Percussion, free improv, chamber music and electronics, 7:30 p.m. Eve Beglarian (NYC) w/WWU chamber groups Beauty School (Bay area) Steve and Melanie Sehman (B’ham)

Sunday 5/3 Prepared guitar, traditional Korean instruments, chamber ensembles and electronics, PA16, 7:30 p.m. Bill Horist (Seattle) Simon Hutchinson (Missoula) Equus Saxophone Quartet (B’ham) Susan Haines (B’ham) /J.C. Combs (Seattle) WWU chamber groups (TBA)

April 2015 • BILL HORIST • What’s Up! • 23 Editor’s Picks Music Calendar

April 1 Goddamn, Dryland The Earnest Lovers Honey Moon - Open Mic with Tad Kroening The Star Club - The Penny Stinkers KISM’s Road Kulshan Brewery - Broken Bow Stringband The Wild Buffalo - Pete Rock, Slum Village (featuring Pete Krebs) Poppe’s - Ladies Night with DJ Little April 3 • The Rumors Cabaret - Leveled April 5 to Rockstar Swillery - Karaoke Kulshan Brewery - Willow Grove Every Thursday Green Frog The Cabin Tavern - Karaoke Rumors Cabaret - EDM The Green Frog - Hot Damn Scandal, The Cabin Tavern - Ahmed Hassan’s Easter The Wild Buffalo I’m a sucker for Intuitive Compass Spectacular Road to Rockstar is back! bands from “back The Shakedown - Hump Dance Party with #Raccune and Mango Dunks This year, it’s less competi- in the day” and The Wild Buffalo - 90s Night with DJ April 6 Rumors Cabaret - Karaoke with Zach tion, more awesome and Pete Krebs was in Boombox Kid Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center - The The Green Frog - Open Mic hosted by Trace is being held at the Wild one of my favorites Jacob Zimmerman Quintet, WJMAC Student Rezidoux Combos The Green Frog - Guffawingham!...the Buffalo which should be a – Hazel out of Port- comedian’s open mic (9:30pm) blast. Every Thursday for two land. Gone are the The Shakedown - Marvin J and Friends April 2 The Wild Buffalo - Open Mic Night with months, you’ll be able to see days of loud gui- Glow - Bass Area Crew Chuck Dingee PHOTO BY Christopher Sohler Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center - Student some local music at the Buff tars, exchanged for Honey Moon - Lesley Rostron Main Street Bar and Grill - Karaoke Jazz Combos and get sexy! “Winner” of a beautiful Bakers- McKay’s Taphouse - Reid Immel Jazz Quartet Poppe’s - DJ Clint Westwood the competition gets some field Honkey Tonk sound. 25 years later, Pete Krebs is Rumors Cabaret - Throwback Thursdays April 7 sweet prizes! still involved with amazing music, go check it out. Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - William Romanza Honey Moon - The Shadies Trio Poppe’s - Open Mic with Brian Hillman Swillery - Songwriter Night Rumors Cabaret - DJ The Cabin Tavern - Open Mic with Rev. JD The Green Frog - Terrible Tuesday Soul The Green Frog - Wes Barker (stunt Explosion (9:30pm) magician) The Green Frog - Charles Johnson Filth Fest with Dubloadz, The Royal - Under Played, SlandeR Slim The Shakedown - Karaoke with Aireekah The Shakedown - Ohioan, Guillotine Eyes, The Wild Buffalo - The Boom Booms, Pacific guests High Midnight Tyrannosaurus, LOTS more The Star Club - Classy-Oke With Aireekah April 4 • Eagles Hall The Wild Buffalo - KISM’s Road to Rockstar If you are part of this scene, then you already know damn well how amazing and HUGE this April 8 Honey Moon - Open Mic with Tad Kroening event is going to be. If not – welp, if you dig electronic music, just head to the Eagles on April 3 Kulshan Brewery - Three For Silver Glow - Girl Meet Boy Poppe’s - Ladies Night with DJ Little Saturday night and get ready to have your mind blown! Honey Moon - Gallowglass, Paige Woods Rumors Cabaret - Leveled Idiom Theatre - No Ant Can Resist a Picnic Swillery - Karaoke Main Street Bar and Grill - Exit 266 The Cabin Tavern - Karaoke Poppe’s - Live Music (7pm) The Green Frog - Bobby Bare Jr Rumors Cabaret - DJ The Shakedown - Hump Dance Party with Neko Case Great Gatsby Party Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - Telefon #Raccune and Mango Dunks April 14 • Mount Baker Theatre Music Ed Benefit with Swillery - Landon Wordswell Mostafa Super The Wild Buffalo - 90s Night with DJ Group Boombox Kid I interviewed Neko Case 16 years ago, preview- Bellingham High School The Cabin Tavern - The Of, Privatized Air, Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center - ing her show at the 3B Tavern. I found out she Muppet Fetish Champian Fulton, Cory Weeds, Michael Jazz Band, Showstoppers, The Green Frog - Ruth Moody Band, Kristen Glynn, Julian MacDonough used to live in Bellingham, sleeping on the pool Andeassen; The Earnest Lovers (featuring Youth Band tables at the 3B (which Pete Krebs), The Lil’ Smokies (9:30pm) April 17 • Bellingham H.S. The Shakedown - Moonhat, Actionesse, April 9 made her instantly Panda Panda Panda Glow - Bass Area Crew Music programs are getting ham- The Star Club - Roberts Hall Honey Moon - Tanya Hladik and friends awesome) and she Idiom Theatre - Ded Reckoning – A Space mered by budget cuts. To help ease The Wild Buffalo - Michael Menert, Paul actually spent a lot of Basic, Willdabeast Musical in Two Acts that situation at Bellingham High Main Street Bar and Grill - Karaoke time in Sumas, where McKay’s Taphouse - Gristmill Rounders School, the Jazz Band, Showstop- Poppe’s - DJ Clint Westwood she learned to sing April 4 pers and Youth Band are throwing Bellingham Alternative Library - Couch, Rumors Cabaret - Throwback Thursdays country music at her Crying 4 Kafka, The Masses, Asterhouse Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - Bryan Forsloff a Great Gatsby party – swing dance Eagle’s Hall - Filth Fest with Dubloadz, Swillery - Songwriter Night grandmother’s house. The Cabin Tavern - Open Mic with Rev. JD and dressing awesome. Come down Midnight Tyrannosaurus, LOTS more I’m glad she’s back. Glow - DJ Boombox Kid The Green Frog - Dakota Dave Hull; Nate and support a fantastic cause. Honey Moon - Every Frame Tells A Story: Clendenen (9:30pm) Don’t miss this show. Film Is Truth in Performance The Star Club - Classy-Oke With Aireekah Idiom Theatre - Brass Monkey Theater Club The Wild Buffalo - KISM’s Road to Rockstar #4 (7pm); Improv Lab (10pm) Kulshan Brewery - Kulshan 3 Year Anniversary Party with Chris Con Carne, April 10 Sound Culture: Falling Up Stairs, Rubix Shoes, Jackalope, Moongrass Glow - Girl Meet Boy Main Street Bar and Grill - Sunset Superman Honey Moon - Devilly Brothers Mindmeld, Twin Sibling, Ego Eimi, Illogicians (PA16) Make.Shift - Home for Hank Hoedown Idiom Theatre - Ded Reckoning – A Space Mount Baker Theatre - Blues Hall of Fame Musical in Two Acts April 30 • WWU Performing Arts Center Poppe’s - Live Music (7pm) Idiom Theatre - Animals Don’t Pose For The first night of the Sound Culture event features Whatcom Weird bands, and holy hell Poppe’s - DJ Ryan I Pictures #4 (10pm) Rumors Cabaret - DJ Mike Tolleson Main Street Bar and Grill - Voyager they’re amazing! Each band has some major mind bending happening, but all together… Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - Stirred Not Shaken Poppe’s - Live Music welp, things are gonna get weird. We can all thank Bruce Hamilton for this. Swillery - Fischkopf Sinkonofer, Twin Rumors Cabaret - DJ Sibbling, Wet Trash Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - 3 Parts Jazz The Cabin Tavern - Paige Woods Band, Swillery - Scary Monsters and the Super this month’s FEATURES: Painters, Soft Sleep, Smalls All Stars, The Handsome Family, Bass Area Crew, Bailey Ann Martinet Creeps + Bill Horist, Ded Reckoning The Shakedown - Seminars, The Great The Cabin Tavern - Indecisive Rythm, Angst 24 • CALENDAR • What’s Up! • April 2015 Therapy, Tin Foil CaT, Incanus Make.Shift - Benefest The Shakedown - The Bad Tenants, The Chuck Dingee April 15 The Green Frog - Cloud Person, Pan Pan, Kye Poppe’s - Live Music (7pm); DJ Ryan I Broken Pheremones Tour Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center - Student Circus Guild - Vaudvillingham Alfred Hillig Rumors Cabaret - DJ Mike Tolleson The Star Club - Laughing At The Stars Jazz Combos Honey Moon - Open Mic with Tad Kroening The Shakedown - D.O.A., guests Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - The Spencetet Comedy Show Kulshan Brewery - The Dovetails The Wild Buffalo - Free Funk Fridays with Swillery - Minor Plains, Thieves of Eden, The Wild Buffalo - The Silent Comedy, Black Poppe’s - Ladies Night with DJ Little Boombox Kid Cellars and Attics Beast Revival April 14 Rumors Cabaret - Leveled The Cabin Tavern - JP Falcon Band Honey Moon - The Shadies Swillery - Karaoke The Green Frog - Ockham’s Razor Mount Baker Theatre - Neko Case The Cabin Tavern - Karaoke April 11 The Shakedown - Metal DJ April 13 Poppe’s - Open Mic with Brian Hillman The Shakedown - Hump Dance Party with Bellingham Alternative Library - Ian Be The Wild Buffalo - Spaceband Rumors Cabaret - Karaoke with Zach Rumors Cabaret - DJ #Raccune and Mango Dunks performing Bourbon and Coffee(pre-show), The Green Frog - Open Mic hosted by Trace The Green Frog - Terrible Tuesday Soul The Wild Buffalo - 90s Night with DJ Fallopia, Coreena, Indecisive Rhythm, Angst Rezidoux; Guffawingham!...the comedian’s Explosion Boombox Kid Therapy, Vaticvnts April 12 open mic (9:30pm) The Shakedown - Karaoke with Aireekah Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center - Cory Glow - DJ Boombox Kid Idiom Theatre - Ded Reckoning – A Space The Shakedown - Marvin J and Friends The Wild Buffalo - Blues Jam with Andy Weeds Quartet Honey Moon - Cameron Scott plays Tom Musical in Two Acts The Wild Buffalo - Open Mic Night with “Badd Dog” Koch continued on page 27>>> Caverns Kulshan Brewery - The Devilly Brothers Idiom Theatre - Ded Reckoning – A Space Rumors Cabaret - DJ Enz Musical in Two Acts; Animals Don’t Pose For The Cabin Tavern - Kenny Ambrose, Tad Pictures #4 (10pm) Kroening Kulshan Brewery - The Hoe and The Harrow The Green Frog - Slow Jam; The Brothers Main Street Bar and Grill - Little Big Band Comatose, Marty O’Reilly Band (9:30pm)

April 2015 • What’s Up! • CALENDAR • 25 26 • CALENDAR • What’s Up! • April 2015 April 16 open mic (9:30pm) April 23 Glow - Bass Area Crew The Shakedown - Marvin J and Friends Glow - Bass Area Crew Honey Moon - Write Riot Slam featuring The Wild Buffalo - Rise N Shine (420 party) Honey Moon - Nuages, Ranger and the Re Andrew Pine Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center - Student Arrangers Idiom Theatre - Ded Reckoning – A Space Jazz Combos Idiom Theatre - The Glasses Musical in Two Acts Main Street Bar and Grill - Karaoke Main Street Bar and Grill - Karaoke McKay’s Taphouse - Mr. Feelgood and the McKay’s Taphouse - Sunkenfoal April 21 Firm Believers Poppe’s - DJ Clint Westwood Honey Moon - The Shadies Poppe’s - DJ Clint Westwood Rumors Cabaret - Throwback Thursdays Poppe’s - Open Mic with Brian Hillman Rumors Cabaret - Throwback Thursdays Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - Walt Burkett and Rumors Cabaret - DJ Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - Chad Petersen Vocals The Green Frog - Terrible Tuesday Soul Swillery - Songwriter Night Swillery - Songwriter Night Explosion The Cabin Tavern - Open Mic with Rev. JD The Cabin Tavern - Open Mic with Rev. JD The Shakedown - Karaoke with Aireekah The Green Frog - Mia Dyson, Susy Sun, The Green Frog - Miss Lonely Hearts, Emma Breen, Mts. and Tunnels Weatherside Whiskey Band The Shakedown - Benefit for KVWV The Shakedown - The Echolarks, Jaclebow April 22 The Star Club - Classy-Oke With Aireekah The Star Club - Classy-Oke With Aireekah Honey Moon - Open Mic with Tad Kroening The Wild Buffalo - KISM’s Road to Rockstar The Wild Buffalo - KISM’s Road to Rockstar Kulshan Brewery - Chuck and Carr Poppe’s - Ladies Night with DJ Little Rumors Cabaret - Leveled April 24 April 17 Swillery - Karaoke Glow - Girl Meet Boy Bellingham High School - Great Gatsby The Cabin Tavern - Karaoke Honey Moon - Gentri Watson Party (Music Ed Benefit) with Bellingham The Shakedown - Hump Dance Party with Idiom Theatre - The Glasses High School Jazz Band, Showstoppers, Youth #Raccune and Mango Dunks Main Street Bar and Grill - Desperate Band The Wild Buffalo - 90s Night with DJ Measures Glow - Girl Meet Boy Boombox Kid Make.Shift - Otto, Nostalgist, guests Honey Moon - Woe Be Gone Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center - The Miles Poppe’s - Live Music Idiom Theatre - Ded Reckoning – A Space Black Trio Rumors Cabaret - DJ Musical in Two Acts continued on the next page>>> Main Street Bar and Grill - The Walrus Poppe’s - Live Music Rumors Cabaret - DJ Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - Telefon Swillery - Blueberry Winters (CD Release) The Cabin Tavern - Slim Fastener, Bad Chicken and East Coast Dave The Green Frog - Crow and the Canyon The Shakedown - Wild Throne, Totalizer, Dryland, I Will Fight with Lions The Star Club - TGIF Karaoke The Wild Buffalo - Yamn, Galapagos

April 18 Avalon Records - Record Store Day! Incanus, Baby Cakes, The Staxx Bros plus DJs Bellingham Alternative Library - Dreamstate Theory, 2Troublesome, BF Knowhere Glow - DJ Boombox Kid Honey Moon - Barn Owls, Devin Champlin Idiom Theatre - Ded Reckoning – A Space Musical in Two Acts Kulshan Brewery - Samuel Eisen-Myers Main Street Bar and Grill - Blindfate Make.Shift - KVWV Benefit Mount Baker Theatre - Brigid Collins Benefit with This Duo Poppe’s - Live Music (7pm); DJ Ryan I Rumors Cabaret - DJ Mike Tolleson Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - Nuages Swillery - Maria Cantrel Presents Super Show The Cabin Tavern - Tom Hutch, PME, Special effects, Credible Effect The Green Frog - Anna Tivel and Hip Hatchet; Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, Lone Bird, Joe Hawley and the Preacher (10pm) The Shakedown - Lonesome Shack, Preacher’s Wife, Rivers + Roads The Star Club - Cheryl Hodge Presents: Vocal Showcase The Wild Buffalo - Hillstomp, Heels to the Hardwood

April 19 Idiom Theatre - Ded Reckoning – A Space Musical in Two Acts Kulshan Brewery - Nuages Rumors Cabaret - Fetish Night The Cabin Tavern - JP Falcon The Green Frog - Slow Jam The Wild Buffalo - KVWV Benefit

April 20 Rumors Cabaret - Karaoke with Zach The Green Frog - Open Mic hosted by Trace Rezidoux; Guffawingham!...the comedian’s

April 2015 • What’s Up! • CALENDAR • 27 Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - The Sonja Lee Band The Cabin Tavern - Thad Wenatchee and Jazz Combos Swillery - Gns, Rocky Champagne friends The Cabin Tavern - Bullets or Balloons, Rubix The Shakedown - Daikaiju, guests Shoes The Star Club - 80s Prom April 28 The Green Frog - Martha Scanlan; Viper The Wild Buffalo - Dead Prez, Jarv Dee, Don Honey Moon - The Shadies Central (10pm) Dishes Poppe’s - Open Mic with Brian Hillman The Shakedown - Defenetrator, Xoth, Rumors Cabaret - DJ Northern Bastard, Ludovico Treatment The Green Frog - Terrible Tuesday Soul The Star Club - Chuck Dingée and Joe April 26 Explosion Young; Ruby Beh (8pm) Kulshan Brewery - The Devilly Brothers The Shakedown - Karaoke with Aireekah The Wild Buffalo - Lifted The Cabin Tavern - Jordan Anderton The Wild Buffalo - Alex Wiley, Live Your Trip The Green Frog - Slow Jam The Shakedown - Cormorant, Wild Hunt, April 25 Sacrament Ov Impurity April 29 Bellewood Acres - Pearl Django The Star Club - Laughing At The Stars Honey Moon - Open Mic with Tad Kroening Bellingham Alternative Library - The Show, Comedy Show Kulshan Brewery - John Nelson and Gary Wild English, The Cleos The Wild Buffalo - Kodak to Graph, Big Wild, Evans Glow - DJ Boombox Kid Obeson Poppe’s - Ladies Night with DJ Little Honey Moon - Bilongo Quintet Rumors Cabaret - Leveled Idiom Theatre - The Glasses Swillery - Karaoke Kulshan Brewery - Trabin April 27 The Cabin Tavern - Karaoke Main Street Bar and Grill - JD and the Rumors Cabaret - Karaoke with Zach The Green Frog - Trout Steak Revival Blackouts The Green Frog - Open Mic hosted by Trace Whatcom Jazz Music and Arts Center - The Mount Baker Theatre - Ralph “King of the Rezidoux; Guffawingham!...the comedian’s Smalls Allstars featuring Peter Bernstein, Ukulele” Shaw open mic (9:30pm) Grant Stewart, Joe Magnarelli, and Spike Poppe’s - DJ Ryan I The Shakedown - Marvin J and Friends Wilner (plus Michael Glynn and Julian Rumors Cabaret - DJ Mike Tolleson The Wild Buffalo - Open Mic Night with MacDonough) Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - Faucher Four Chuck Dingee The Shakedown - Hump Dance Party with Swillery - Actionese, Fallopia, guests Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center - Student #Raccune and Mango Dunks The Wild Buffalo - 90s Night with DJ Boombox Kid

April 30 Glow - Bass Area Crew Honey Moon - Coty Hogue with Aaron Guest and Kat Bula Idiom Theatre - Broken Holmes and in a Handbag Darkly Main Street Bar and Grill - Karaoke McKay’s Taphouse - Misty Flowers Poppe’s - DJ Clint Westwood Rumors Cabaret - Throwback Thursdays Skylark’s Hidden Cafe - Marvin J Swillery - Songwriter Night The Cabin Tavern - Open Mic with Rev. JD The Green Frog - Cassie and Maggie MacDonald, Giant’s Causeway; Wayne “The Train” Hancock (9:30pm) The Shakedown - Hillary Susz, Biagio Biondolillo, Augustine Magdelene The Star Club - Classy-Oke With Aireekah The Wild Buffalo - KISM’s Road to Rockstar WWU Performing Arts Center - Falling Up Stairs, Rubix Shoes, Mindmeld, Twin Sibling, Ego Eimi, Illogicians (PA16)

28 • calendar • What’s Up! • April 2015 To submit recordings for review, drop off at Everyday Music, send music link via e-mail to [email protected], Album Reviews or send by mail. Must be a local band/musician, and must include contact information. All genres and ages welcome.

Spider Ferns BF Knowhere Soon Enough Serious Mysterious: Confessions Death Cab for Cutie thespiderferns.bandcamp.com of a Modern Day Workaholic Kintsugi bfknowhere.bandcamp.com Deathcabforcutie.com he tale of Death Cab for Cutie is well documented, from their beginnings in Bellingham 17 years ago to their Tmove to Seattle a year or so later and rise in the musical landscape and charts, becoming one of the biggest “interest- ing” pop bands in the U.S. While, as a band, they haven’t lived in town for years, drummer Jason McGerr does call Belling- ham home, giving them the distinction of being (at least by our guidelines) a Bellingham band. And this band is now a three-piece (with the departure of Chris Walla) with a new album coming out, making their story intriguing to say the least. For their latest release, Kintsugi, the band’s eighth record and first recorded by an outside producer, the band spent the bulk of their time working on the record in Los Angeles with The Spider Ferns’ new record Soon Rich Costey (Foo Fighters, The Shins). Sessions that found Enough, released in January, is the kind original member Chris Walla leaving the group after they the song progresses, there is more noise and effects cutting of record that pulls you into a delusion Serious Mysterious: Confessions of a were done – making a dramatic shift in the band’s dynamic through the beauty of the vocals. The guitar solo is angrier that you don’t want to escape. Partners in Modern Day Workaholic, by Bellingham’s (they had the same line-up since 2003). art and in life, Kelly and Alton Fleek have own BF Knowhere, is an album that sells than a listener would normally hear in a Death Cab record delicately crafted pleasant pop electronic itself short. Despite the MS Paint cover, It’s always been difficult to give a critical review of Death with more ugliness filling out the sound, building the ten- environs that revel in intimate exchange – despite Knowhere’s selling the album Cab. Jason was my drum teacher years ago and the band’s de- sion until it’s released and folds back into the beauty of Ben’s in the luminous world that two lovers try for those wanting to “crunk yourself into but tape was the first recording the magazine ever reviewed. I vocals and a soothing mix of guitar and keys. And it’s damn so hard to both connect to. oblivion,” Serious Mysterious is surprisingly loved the first album because it was part of Bellingham’s mu- near perfect. The record opens with “Distant Mead- deep and honest. sic landscape at the time (a landscape that was so vibrant, we Two other aspects set the record apart. Over the years, ows,” a track that knows when to add The album slyly misleads from the were compelled to start What’s Up!) and was unhappy with Death Cab has incorporated an electronic sound and that’s and subtract soft and cerebral sounds start; the first real track, “Grampashakes,” other albums because they weren’t here. As they signed to never been more apparent than with Kintsugi. All of the songs ripe heavy doses of reverb. Composing is a laid-back West Coast groove so in- Atlantic, I watched their meteoric rise with excitement and have some element of an electronic sound in them, but they with a drum machine, bass, guitar and debted to Ice Cube’s “It Was A Good Day” envy, enjoying their records but not necessarily being in love don’t feel apart or out of place, instead it’s folded in naturally. synthetic sounds, The Spider Ferns ma- that it even borrows the beat for part of with them – a falling out with some of the guys had left me Secondly, the album was obviously written after Ben and nipulate buoyant, lingering space that is the track. From then on, though, the al- too emotionally tangled to give them an honest listen. Zooey Deschanel broke up – the songs are of heartbreak exquisitely timed. And though their back bum is darker, more introspective, and Which lands us here with Kintsugi, an album that, more with anger and sadness woven throughout. Ben is at his best and forth does circle perilously close to more unpredictable. “Broke and Thirsty” than anything they’ve released, I’ve enjoyed. With a different when he’s bummed out and he’s definitely bummed out on redundancy, these patterns manage to has Knowhere tense breathlessly spitting producer behind the board, the album sounds apart from Kintsugi. remain uncaged, feeling more like faint bar after bar, where a track like “Bog Bod- their previous efforts – it’s more clean and crisp, but also has While the band has changed, even grown up, it hasn’t less- line drawings that are working towards ies” is a self-encapsulated melodrama. more elements that are filled with tension and ugliness. A ened their ability to create and explore their own sound, mak- their own hypnotic logic. Unpredictability doesn’t always serve perfect example is “Black Sun,” the first release off the record. ing Kintsugi, a remarkable listen. Lyrically, it seems Kelly has done away Serious Mysterious so well, however. Kno- There are the obvious traits of the Death Cab sound; Ben’s -Brent Cole with specificity and chosen instead to where can go from incoherent to com- vocals are prominent and sound as lush as always, but as focus on the toils of relationships using pletely nonsensical, “I only drink milk with nebulous language. In this way, her voice the knives in it,” he raps on “Moloko Plus.” is more of an instrument than a poetic de- He also engages in a bit of heavy-handed vice. Her broad lines and airy tone cohe- symbolism on “Broke and Thirsty,” with “I sively soar along each track, keeping the got these calluses on my hands cause I’m edifice of the Spider Ferns’ trance integral. always working.” Soon Enough is available for purchase at Knowhere does find his way toward thespiderferns.bandcamp.com. the end of the album, though. “The Over- -Hillary Susz continued on the next page>>>

April 2015 • What’s Up! • ALBUM REVIEWS • 29 look” is an internal argument with his record. The album uses a dark grittiness subconscious, and “Haircut” mediates on as a one-dimensional backdrop, lightly societal pressures and what it means to draping some spooky decorations like grow up and be an adult. The one-two a last minute Halloween party. Though punch of these tracks is the highlight of the comparisons are apt, PlagueDoctor the whole album. Much of Serious Mys- brings none of the horror heavy lyrics of terious is Knowhere bearing his soul, but Grayskul or the stylistic diversity of the these tracks are where his thoughts truly Old Dominion crew. The two MCs that fall into place. comprise PlagueDoctor, WilNeverTell and –Daniel Roth Lighthouse, drop comfortable, often lazy vocals, only occasionally matching the energy of the manic samples slipped be- tween tracks. The opening track, “Collecting the Dead (Mourning Ritual),” is half samples half verses, more like a teaser than a full Well Wishers song. By the third track, the guest feature Columbia EP by Dinofour is a refreshing change and wellwishers.bandcamp.com the only stand-out moment on the record. The rest of the album is decent, but repeti- The latest EP released by Well Wishers tive. The beats are so similar that it took may be one of the happiest things Bell- several glances to verify that the tracks ingham lets into its ears this spring. The had indeed changed. WilNeverTell and Columbia EP is a brief, but representative Lighthouse drop what feel like the same glimpse of what will surely come to be ex- verses, both audibly and lyrically, on ev- pected from the band in the future. ery song. It isn’t that the album is bad, it One of the instantly distinct features just falls short. It feels like both MCs have on this EP is the layers of harmonies and more talent than they’re showing; like vocal duties shared by each of the five Hooded Headed Mystics was a side project, band members. To have as many people and they had to hold back the good stuff included in each song could be a daunt- for their regular gigs. The message of the Thieves of Eden ing task or become something more of album is clear, that “mainstream” rap is a TheBuildUptoNothing an avoidable foible, but the Well Wishers plague, and that PlagueDoctor has the ThievesofEden.bandcamp.com effortlessly seem to pull it off without a cure. But while nobody wants to be sick, hitch. The community approach to the nobody wants bland medicine. The new Thieves of Eden album is im- makeup of the songs feels natural rather –Matthew Long pressive - for the sake of straightforward- than something they are simply trying to ness (and for readers who like to skim make “their thing.” over first sentences) it bears repeating: Of the three tracks present on the EP, THE NEW THIEVES OF EDEN ALBUM IS the closing and title track is a real stand- REALLY GOOD. The three piece band’s out. Being originally from Eastern Wash- latest release, TheBuildUpToNothing, is a ington the lines, “Columbia River, won’t collection of songs that run the gamut you take me home” really stuck as the of everything a solid instrumental album drive from Bellingham to Spokane (and entail – including well-placed samples of back) is always marked by the crossing of audio clips taken from cult classic films the Columbia River bridge. and the ever-fascinating topic of the su- One of the great things about living in pernatural. Washington (specifically Western Wash- The album’s opening track (interest- ington) is that musicians genuinely seem ingly titled, “Twelve”) is an excellent pre- to appreciate the area. The three songs cursor to what is in store for roughly the on the Columbia EP seem to exude that next 40 minutes, leading with a dark and feeling and the Well Wishers have success- sludgy introduction that builds into a fully released a very “Northwest” sounding more driving and heavy finish. The eight couple of songs that can leave listeners songs on this album meander and tie anticipating the release of a full length. 4Our themselves together nicely to create a re- –Adam Walker What It’s Like ally complete atmospheric album. As cli- ché as the reference may sound, there are 4our.bandcamp.com/ moments in this album that really bring What It’s Like is a new EDM release from bands like Pelican and a vocal-less ISIS 4our (Vae Hansen) featuring CrissTehNin- (the band) to mind. ja, and features three mixes of their new The intentional absence of vocals in single. The first version of “What It’s Like” is instrumental music is sometimes a char- a poppy electro house track, the lead sin- acteristic that people find to be a -bar gle. It starts with a powerful build, leading rier that hinders their ability to appreciate into some spacey synth pads, and promi- bands. For those listeners that need to nent auto-tuned vocals. Then the listener hear words of some sort, the album closes is hit with a huge big-room build leading with a doctored clip of Patrick Bateman’s to a drop filled with bright saw wave leads monologue from the end American Psy- interspersed with a choppy sounding mid cho. The lines are spoken over a piano synth. Before resolving, 4our shows off a piece that, in conjunction with Bateman’s melodic solo, and leads back to the cho- confession, is as haunting as it is beauti- rus. The hardcore mix is what it sounds ful. It is an excellent and fitting closing like, a happy hardcore track that would re- to a consistently dark and progressive mind one of the 90s Kandi Kid rave scene. album. The hardcore mix is a pleasant re- -Adam Walker PlagueDoctor imagining of the original, with some new Hooded Headed Mystics uplifting melodies that would make any zapnow.bandcamp.com/album/ listener smile. The dirty mix is what inter- ests me the most, leading with a rhythmic Thanks for hooded-headed-medics clapping hook, moving into the vocals, and an intriguing drop. An interesting supporting The first release by Bellingham’s rendition of Trap, mixed with some glitchy PlagueDoctor, Hooded Headed Mystics, sounding synths. Lyrically, the composi- local music! opens with a sample from Monty Py- tion is somewhat stereotypical to that of thon’s Holy Grail, setting a tone for the popular EDM, but they are still well writ- 30 • ALBUM REVIEWS • What’s Up! • April 2015 ten. One suggestion to the artist would bum doesn’t feel quite so put together. hi-hats, threats, and bragging. Complete The three songs on this release are thought, you can hear people talking in be to spend more time on recording and There’s a severe overreliance on beats lift- with auto-tuning, the contribution from extremely long, the longest, “Pistis Sofia,” the background of the music, but can’t processing the vocals; they can seem a tad ed from acts like Gang Starr and Outkast, JawnSaintJulian, “Love Intervention,” is a clocks in at over 20 minutes. Their music quite make out what they are saying. out of place. However, the production of on “Grab the Mic” and “Alienated,” respec- broken heart song. “When I think back, is definitely ambient and reminds me It obviously takes some talent to pull the whole EP is spot on. 4our shows a lot tively. Had these tracks been unchanged why’d I even take a chance,” he asks. Peo- of something you may here in the back- off this kind of release if you are into elec- of talent as a producer. since Stevey B’s youth, it would be more ple looking for deep sincerity or socially ground of an art film with songs that are tronic ambient music. This is something -Kellan Green forgivable, but in the context of updating responsible lyrics might ask the same free flowing, only slightly changing begin- you should definitely look into checking and reinventing, these songs just feel lazy, question about The Compilation Vol. 2, but ning to end. There are very few vocals in out. a missed opportunity. that isn’t the appeal of these tracks. this music, as if they are more of an after- -Robby Cleary Mid-album track “Been a Long Road” This album might as well have been has Stevey B reminiscing on his older days, released by UGK or the Dungeon Fam- looking backwards with the decade of ex- ily, which is a refreshing change from the perience he’s had since his younger days. heavy conscientiousness of most West It feels like what the album was meant to Coast hip-hop. Sometimes there’s a sooth- be, and it’s a shame no other track does ing simplicity to rap, almost a nostalgia for this so well. the days of Big Pun and Big L. When MCs –Daniel Roth were larger than life personas who lived a dangerous but extravagant lifestyle, and taught us that pimpin’ really ain’t easy, and that more money does indeed lead to more problems. Anyone who grew up listening to gangster rap retains a fond- ness for the genre, despite what does or doesn’t make it on to their iPod. Like the Kut Throat Boys quip, “My insides say love ‘em.” Stevey B of Deadly D –Matthew Long Project Re-Collection deadlyd.bandcamp.com Not many artists would be proud to show their early work, what they made when they were teenagers. But Stevey B, half of Bellingham rap duo Deadly D, has done just that. In fact, on his new project, Project Re-Collection, he’s done one better, West Coast Connect going back and repurposing his early ma- The Compilation Vol. 2 terial into something fresh. The album starts off strong, with com- Available on iTunes pelling interplay between Stevey B’s past and present selves. The first track, “Pick Giving the advice that we should Up” is presented as a phone call to his “spark up a fatty and get ready to mob,” younger self, for instance. “NorfWest An- Mc Gan introduces the second track on them ’06,” emphasis on ‘norf,’ is exactly West Coast Connect: The Compilation Vol. 2. The Protective Order what it sounds like: a love letter to the Taking 20 songs from rappers around the Girls Don’t Like Boys... Northwest, practically a required to be a West Coast, this album contains every rap protectiveorder.bandcamp.com rapper around these parts. stereotype. Songs about murder, drink- There’s a rawness and unpredictabil- ing, smoking weed, mackin’ and more. Protective Order is an ambient elec- ity in these first few tracks that brings to Sounding nothing like the “underground tronic music group based out of Belling- mind early Eminem. Stevey B was clearly a mainstream” of rappers like Macklemore ham who claim their genre as “No-taste student of Slim Shady in his younger days, or groups like Blue Scholars, this compi- F#ckwitch guilt-rock.” Their debut release both in cadence and subject material. lation plays like Top 50, true mainstream is a three-song digital release available on Unfortunately, the later part of the al- rap music. Heavy basslines, synths, ticking bandcamp.

April 2015 • What’s Up! • ALBUM REVIEWS • 31 Pin-Up April 2015

Dinofour PHOTO BY SARAH DAY

32 • pin-up • What’s Up! • April 2015 April 2015 • What’s Up! • Pin-up • 33 Tales from the Road Wild Throne in the LA with producer Ross Robinson by JOSH HOLLAND to get the fuck over it. Then I let area of Los Angeles – it’s a small, and even tighter when Ross is go on “Born to Die,” desperately unassuming two-room studio on in there hashing out the details oss is super pissed at me. firing on all cylinders to show the first floor of our residence with us. The control room serves We’re in the middle of that microphone why I came here for the next 10 weeks. But the double as a lounge with a small a late-night vocal session what I can do. After the takes, I quarters above is a very different kitchen and bathroom attached. Rand I’m distracted. I had just come come out covered in sweat. “I’m vibe. All of the tubes and cables snake from dinner with a guest to the sorry man,” I whimper, “I don’t Ross Robinson’s house is a four- through this room and connect Josh Holland during the recording studio and I know she is upstairs mean to be a slacker. Just getting level castle on the sand. A long all of the vintage microphones, process. PHOTO BY MIKE AZARIA waiting for me to finish up for tired tonight.” Ross looks at me and narrow structure with high compressors, amplifiers, pre- the evening. As we talk for an confused then smiles. “Oh, dude,” ceilings, rooftop patios, beautiful amps and effect pedals – almost hour or so about the content of he cheers, “I was just messing with beach view, plenty of guest space all of which are the exact same filled with great stories from the song I’m squirmy and he can you and trying to get a reaction. and overall a home where you may used on every recording of Ross›s the last big boom of the record tell. During this one of our many Great take!” Then he focuses back imagine a producer of his repute dating back to his first. There’s a industry in the 90s which I love. long talks before we record I tell on the waveforms on the screen, to dwell. It’s littered with artifacts large tape machine in the center There is often a cast of characters him the truth: I’m distracted. He clicking away into the night. I’m of projects past: a Slipknot where all of the drums for the around remembering how crazy giggles but his face turns quick free to leave for the evening with gold record, autographed Blood record will be tracked to. that time was before piracy and and he hits me back. “Well, while my brain a little scrambled as Brothers vinyl, old Limp Bizkit One step outside this blue streaming services routed the you’re off trying to be somewhere usual. press glosses and homemade and orange nerve center and record business. Ross is usually else and not wanting to be here, The studio on Venice Beach polaroids of a pre-platinum Korn. you are right amidst buzz of more far-sighted than nostalgic, I am here working my fucking isn’t as glamorous or extravagant But personally and professionally, the Venice Beach ocean front though. Always pushing forward ass off on your fucking album! as one may imagine. Flanked Ross, who has signed on to walk. This location creates a and not looking back. I think it So what the fuck are we doing by massive ocean-front homes produce our debut LP Harvest revolving-door atmosphere at explains why he was so successful here!!?” He was right. I snap back and smack-dab in the center of Of Darkness and put us up in his the home studio. Weather it is then, and how he has managed into form in horror realizing the subdued action of Venice – a home for its duration, seems family or friends from past and to keep his projects fresh and I’d disappointed our generous place far more akin to the pace more like that small studio in the present, random instrumentalists his career as a producer viable producer after which he tells me of Bellingham than any other basement than the fancy house wandering off the walk, members and relevant today where many above: humble, minimalist and of Sepultura, Slipknot, Queens have vanished. The construction concentrated. Of The Stone Age or Skrillex, of a home studio early on in the Styled after the infamous almost everyone is welcome and decade is one reason (at our level studio compound Indigo Ranch friends of his and ours are always decent studio budgets are gone). where Ross launched so many encouraged to stop by. The upshot Pushing music that is ahead of careers (including his own), the of this is interesting and a fixture its time and brand new for over studio’s live room is smaller of the atmosphere in this studio: 20 years is another. Based on than the average bedroom with you are often encouraged to that instinct, he took us on and high brick molding along dark perform openly and vulnerably in shared our vision for making wood walls, a low angled wood front of total strangers – some of something really loud, honest, ceiling and no windows. Even whom may be a tad intimidating. and super freaky and didn›t seem for the three of us it’s a tight fit, Day to day, the room is always to give much of a lick what anyone thought about it. It was infectious and we created freely and in tandem on that focus. It was a real education for us, an experience we are all grateful for and one we will ever forget. Harvest Of Darkness is in the hopper now. We’re very proud of it. As of this writing it hasn’t been released (it comes out Aug. 18 on Roadrunner Records) but we hope any listener can hear in it the truth of what it is and what we tried to capture in those sessions: three dudes from and influenced by Bellingham in a big way who are hungry, honest, a little pissed, and straight scared shitless. Follow Wild Throne at https:// www.facebook.com/wildthrone.

34 • tales from the road • What’s Up! • April 2015 Stuff yer Face The Black Cat (Le Chat Noir) by Aaron Kayser and Aaron Apple

fter being closed for about six months and reopening at the beginning of this Ayear, it was obvious the Black Cat in downtown Fairhaven went through significant renovations to both the kitchen and the dining room. The new owners, who also own Mambo Italiano in the downstairs of the same building, made a smart move because The Black Cat was more lively and delicious than ever during our visit. The Aarons enjoy Nana Tino’s Pot Roast and the French Dip. PHOTO by ryan russell Arriving on a Monday just before the end of Happy Hour (3 to 6 p.m. serving of shaved ribeye, grilled TVs for the sports aficionados, and Monday through Thursday, plus onions, gruyere, au jus and fries. the entire room can be reserved all day Sunday), we quickly put in French Dip isn’t something Apple for groups of 20-plus. The full bar an order of Olive and Nuts ($5), tends to find very exciting, but has an intriguing cocktail menu, as a Petite Caesar Salad ($3), and after our server recommended it well as eight beers on tap, including a Petite Fondue ($9). While the and hearing from a friend that it some local brewers. Every table in seasoned cashews and Kalamata was delicious, he was set on the the dining area has spectacular olives teased the palate, the sandwich. Turns out it was a great views of Fairhaven, and even with fondue tantalized the tongue. The decision; this was even tastier recent renovations The Black Cat silky smooth gruyere cheese was than the French Dip he grew up retains its charm and atmosphere melted by candlelight (this alone with (to be fair, his Mom is Italian, that made folks fall in love with it support the locals is a great reason to bring your not French). The bread soaked up in the first place. date here) and kept it warm as we the warm au jus, adding a savory The Black Cat is located in took turns dipping our substance saltiness to compliment the Fairhaven at 1200 Harris Ave. in of choice. Along with the cheese sweetness from the cheese. Suite 310 (on the third floor). Hours came a plate of steamed broccoli, If you haven’t been to The Black are daily from 3 p.m. to closing and green apple slices, and chunks of Cat before, now is a better time all ages are welcome. Call (360) French baguette. Apple and Kayser than any to pay a visit. The “Cat’s 733-6136 or visit online at www. really liked the broccoli and cheese Alley” whiskey bar in the back has blackcatbellingham.com. combination the best, but it was all tasty. Since Apple wouldn’t share, he ate all of the petit Ceasar salad and particularly enjoyed the large homemade croutons. The overcast, dreary weather lent itself to a good home cooked meal, so Kayser decided to order Nana Tino’s Pot Roast ($14). The oven roasted round came served on a piping hot plate, next to a giant mound of creamy garlic mashed potatoes. A savory broth with braised carrots, onions, and celery surrounded the roast. If overcooked, pot roast can be very dry and leathery, with little flavor. This roast was the exact opposite; it was tender and flavorful, and melted like butter. Kayser was quite satisfied with his choice and would gladly give Nana Tino a hug… Maybe even a smooch on the cheek. Apple had the French Dip ($13), which was topped with a generous April 2015 • What’s Up! • stuff yer face • 35