What's Up! September 2011 - Painting by Andrea Heimer, text by Austin Santiago

Hey guys and gals! So The Cole family is busy adding an additional member to their family so Brent asked for some help with the Le Beat. And like last time, I promise to do my best!

First of all, since it is September, I want to give a big welcome to all the new residents of Bellingham and the returnees that are back for school. Also, hello to all of the parents or siblings that might have picked up the magazine trying to figure out where you just dropped off a member of your family to “grow up and mature as adults.” Bellingham is a great city and Whatcom County is a fantastic place to explore and participate in. There are many small local businesses (Bellingham really gets stoked on them) as well as a great art and music scene. This is one of the many great resources to find when and where everything is happening. Coming from a person that just graduated Western this past Spring, there’s a piece of wisdom I want to give: participate in everything you can manage time for. Go to the Underground Coffeehouse and see a group/artist that you have never heard before. Go to shows and support your local all ages music scene. Bellingham also has fantastic art walks downtown that happen every first Friday of the month. Basically what I’m trying to say is the walk from campus to downtown isn’t that far… so GET OFF THE HILL. You’ll be happy that you did. Trust me.

Now for the beginning rants of the le beat… where we find out what’s going on and who’s to blame for everything.

ON THE ROAD

Since it is still summer, there are plenty of bands that just got back or are just leaving for tour.

Lamppost Revival went on the road for a bit in the Make.Shift van this past month. Based on the pictures that I saw on the ol’ Facebook looks like they had a great time. Also on the road was Palisades, who spent half a month down the coast and back. On Aug. 30 they ended up having a quadruple welcome-back home show joined with Cat From Hue, Candysound and So Adult for an all ages event at The Old Foundry. The Cat From Hue and Candysound tour sounded like it was something else. Their van ended up dying on the 1,100-mile trek up to Portland from Santa Cruz, which made the bands miss their Portland show. Boys, I’ve been there. And I can say it sucks. But look at it this way: the van only cost you $11 to get it going again. Could have been way worse!

Devotion, a band that is part Vancouver/Bellingham/Seattle, is currently on a full US and Canadian tour. The crew should be back in Bellingham Oct. 1 at The Old Foundry for an all ages show with GIVE, and Livingston Seagull.

PRND is going on tour this September too. Party van down the coast!

Also worth mentioning is the tour currently being planned by the great Tearamanapart. Those boys are thinking big and different. They plan on heading east in the beginning of November. Hope the Farmer’s Almanac is in favor with you guys when it comes to crossing those mountain passes!

No-Fi Soul Rebellion is coming up on their 10th anniversary (wowa-weez-a)! The duo will be playing a few dates in Washington before heading to Missoula and then eventually ending their travel stint on Sept. 9th at The Shakedown. I can’t believe that both Mark and Andrea Heimer have been going at it for this long. Congratulations you two! I know one thing for sure; I definitely never want to see that infamous green #10 jersey under a black light…

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Plant Party’s drummer Matt Omdal is moving to Seattle. Their last show with Mat was with Cara Alboucq and Jenni Potts at The Shakedown on Aug. 31.

Rookery is taking a break. Ryan Greer is going on a road trip for a bit. Fortunately, I was FINALLY able to catch them during the Wastelanders’ show and hot damn I can’t wait to hear those recordings that Rich Canut did with them. Not only did they sound great, but also they were just entertaining to watch.

Another show that was great was the eminent Johnny McIntyre farewell fest featuring Johnny McIntyre as himself, Moons and Goochers, and Rooftops. I’m so glad that this show happened on a Sunday. On Sundays at the Shakedown they play local music before sets, so when Narrows was playing, well, the atmosphere just couldn’t have been any better.

Now, I did hear some people say that they didn’t believe that this would be Rooftops’ last show (they’ve had nearly three of them now). But I have strong feelings that this past show had a little more significance. Why you might ask? Well, Russia is a lot farther than Chicago.

Also in August was Savage Henry’s last show. They played at Glow along with Lumpkins and Pattern Language on Aug. 22. Talk about a band that’s lasted a while. I remember Savage Henry playing at the first What’s Up! All-Ages Award Show at The Old Foundry along with Connecticut Four, The Russians, and Idiot Pilot. The band will surely be missed.

Last but not least, the Nathan Cox (of Bellingham State of Mind song fame) is moving to Seattle in October. He’s decided to make the great and daring trek down south to create and start new adventures. Good luck Nathan!

ON THE RECORD

As mentioned last le beat, Todos Somos Lee’s official full-length release is happening Sept. 14 at The Shakedown. I’m excited, as you should be too. Peter Hilleary did a great job on the production of the album. Peter’s work can also be heard on the Devilry recordings, slightly released this past month. Three songs are up for sale from the boys and are a preview of the full-length that is due any time now. If you want to know more about this delectable metal treat, you can find a song online.

Also online are new songs from Palisades. It’s really cool to see a band grow and develop so much in a very short amount of time. I can’t recommend enough of these guys. If you find your listening habits a little stagnant lately–look them up.

Ship to Ship also has music online which is perfect listening to as well. They’ll be playing with Todos Somos Lee and Falling Upstairs (who is also in the studio recording with Pat Gay) on Sept. 14 at The Shakedown.

And last but not least everyone can look forward to a Heligoats record coming out soon! Word on the street is that recording will start in September.

END OF SUMMER-ISH

One thing about living in a college town is that during the summer, a majority of things are pretty relaxed. But the first weekend back, everyone wants a good party. This year’s opening weekend of school being back in session is not any different. Where should the fun start this year? Well, the always-favorite Blue Scholars are coming back in town for the weekend I like to call “school’s back in session so let’s have a bunch of great shows happen all at the same time!” The group will be doing a two-night party at The Wild Buffalo on the 23rd and the 24th.

Murder By Death is playing Sept. 21 at The Shakedown. The openers and support have yet to be announced, but does it really matter?

Also on the 24th are The Cute Lepers (used to be The Briefs) along with Something Fierce and So Adult.

On campus, ASPOP will be having an outdoor show with Ra Ra Riot and The Globes on the Communications Lawn (formerly known as the big green space to play frisbee) on Sept. 22.

Also confirmed recently was Young the Giant happening on Oct. 11. Last but not least, Eclecticity and the Learning Team will be playing a free, all-ages, back to school show at The Old Foundry on Sept. 24. Staying in side, ordering delivery pizza (which I just did for the first time! Amazing!) is not an option for this weekend.

VENUES

Some of our local music venues are in the midst of a transition period. Green Frog Acoustic Tavern is in the midst of a move and remodel, and opening soon at the new location at 1015 N. State St. The Ridge Winery, which is next door to the future Green Frog Acoustic Tavern, will be adjusting their live music routine this month details to be announced. The Fairhaven, after 10 years, unfortunately has closed, and Stuart’s Coffeehouse will also be closing later this month.

If you are a parent, there is a cool new place to take your kids, opening up on Sept. 17 with a grand opening on Oct. 1. The Time and Play Cafe will be located on Holly, just up from State Street in the old YMCA building. There will be local art, a cool cafe for those who don’t have kids and an amazing (and HUGE) play area for those with kids. It’s a much needed space for this town and families are looking forward to it.

GOOD TIMES

The Lookout’s 4th Annual Off-Road Soap Box Derby Shbang! Vaudevillingham will be happening on Sept. 15. Personally, I didn’t know off-road derby existed, but the vision of what I think this event looks like, makes me definitely put this on my events calendar.

School of Rock Portland announced that they will be performing Dog Shredder’s “Boss Rhino” at their modern prog-rock showcase on Sept. 3. You know you’ve made it when teenagers spend hours alone in their room studying your tabs. I hope someone records this performance; it would be great to see if the kids make the same Holland-style thrash moves.

Another show worth noting is Marcy Playground, playing at The Wild Buffalo again on Sept. 2 with Black Beast Revival and Olio.

Local hip hop group The Bad Tenants recently worked with Darkheart Visions to create a music video for their song “When I’m Back.” I haven’t seen the video, but supposedly it is a story about four hitchhikers going through Whatcom County. If you want the chance to see the video on the big screen, the Pickford Film Center will feature a viewing of the video on Sept. 11 at 8:30 p.m.

Also don’t forget about the annual “Best Of Bellingham” in the Cascadia Weekly these upcoming few weeks. The categories are a plenty and there’s no excuse why you shouldn’t give credit to those individuals and businesses that help you make it through the year!

Last but not least, I need to talk about a fine young man. He’s a great guy. Really. His name is Kevin Lee. On Oct. 6-8, Kevin is planning a country music festival in downtown Bellingham. Shows will be happening in a variety of venues and so far there are 16 bands booked! I’m not sure what this festival is called yet, but what I do know is that I’m okay with the image of me eating a vegan pumpkin pie on a barrel of hay watching some country music in downtown Bellingham. The leaves will be turning color; a light jacket can be worn comfortably… That’s right fall… bring it on!

I was very excited the first time I heard rumors concerning the formation of an all-female R&B group a couple months back. It got me thinking that although Bellingham has tons of great bands and very talented female musicians, our fair town is lacking in groups of the all-female variety, and The Shrapnelles would be a step in the right direction.

The eight-member band boasts some familiar names like Valerie Brogden on drums, who you may know from Connecticut Four, and lead singer Laine Kensington, who was one-half of the naughty but nice duo, Femme Uke. The band also features a keyboard player, a saxophone player, a guitarist, a bassist and a couple of horns to round out the sound. When Keniston (in all her hairy-pitted and high-heeled glory) and company took the stage, the crowd was all a-buzz and ready to dance.

Considering it was their first show, I was surprised how together they were. It was pretty obvious they spent some hours in the wood shed for this project. The band stuck to a pretty typical set list, mostly covers of classic R&B/ Soul songs from the 70′s that you hear on the radio all the time. I was somewhat disappointed that they didn’t delve deeper into the genre, as there are many hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Highlights of the night included a cover of “Shout,” which featured the “little bit softer now” breakdown where everyone knelt down as the music got quieter and then stood up as the music got louder, until the climatic ending which sent everyone into a feverish dance frenzy. They did stray somewhat from the classic set list with a version of Cee-Lo Green’s hit “F*ck You,” which had the entire audience singing along word-for-word.

In the end, it was easily one of the most energetic shows I have witnessed in a while, and every single member of the band knew what they were doing. The Shrapnelles’ first show was a great introduction, not only to a new band, but also to a newer venue. I look forward to seeing if The Shrapnelles progress beyond the covers and perhaps start playing some originals too, and if anyone is looking to book a band for a house party, The Shrapnelles should be at the top of the list.

Burn Up

Burn Up is made of members from local bands including Scary Monster + the Super Creeps, Connecticut Four, Typical Ace, Brownes Condition, So Adult, The Arcadians, Mechanical Dolls, Devotion, The Shrapnelles, and Horror Business. Members Sean Myers, Anna Mortimer, Derek Rickard, Brad Victor, and Valerie Brogden all do vocals/harmonies in this band. Catch the band during their next performance on Saturday, Jan. 8 at Boundary Bay’s Late Show with other Bellingham natives So Adult!

December 2009 Cover by “Mighty” Mitch Vega

Download the What’s Up! December Compilation here

The Ghost and the Grace – The Mall

Rooftops – Raft Easily

Biagio Biondolillo – Dirty Blue

Librarians – Sunday

So Adult – Scarstruck

Candysound – Million

Connecticut Four – Once Electric

Eruptagain – Ins and Outs

Nick Duncan – Hollow Town

Samuel Warner Cornish – Lucky Man

Six Feet Deep – Can You See Me Now

Oh at last a rock ‘n’ roll record. First of all it’s always neat when a trio calls themselves a foursome and thanks Kirby Pucket in their liner notes. Secondly I’m distraught because I never got to check out CT4 live before their recent break-up (hopefully, like nearly every other band in Bellingham rock ‘n’ roll history, they will reform).

The band’s 5-song record, Tiger Shark, is a fabulous ray of sunlight in the November monsoon we have been enduring. The CD gets the heart pumping right from the start with the infectious “chutes and ladders,” a Replacements-like stomp led by singer/bass player Cristina Boutista’s killer performance, which by the way is the highlight of the record for me. Ms. Boutista is an explosive singer along the lines of Pat Benatar and Joan Jett, her passionate screams gave me goosebumps on my goosebumps.

That is only the beginning because Meghan Kessinger brings it home with her neat, hooky guitar parts and introspectively cool, geeky lyrics that are refreshing in this world of hipster jerks as outlined in the awesome “Fiscal Year.”

The band then rolls the poppy “Once Electric,” which really sounds like a “hard rockin’” Pat Benatar song and features insane drumming by Valerie Brogden, who also kicks arse throughout the effort with perfect skins. It all comes to a boil on the records last song “If we were Robots,” which has Boutista screaming ferociously that “I won’t be sleeping tonight.”

Self Released
www.myspace.com/connecticutfour

Compilations have long held a special place in my heart; within this special place is an even special-er space devoted to local compilations. This appreciation began sometime in middle school after discovering North of Nowhere, a 19-track CD of Bellingham bands, most of whom I have never even heard of, and has continued with the help of Four Dots, ancient KUGS cassettes and impressive collections by MASA, Estrus, Clickpop, Murder Mountain and countless other DIY efforts.

My appreciation is not just in being able to easily discover new bands (at least to me), but in that they serve as documents for our community’s musical history. Breakfast For Dinner, self-released from the ruins of Friendship City, steps up and offers 11 tracks into our town’s legacy, including intimate solo efforts from Cumulus, Nick Duncan and Coty Hogue, So Adult channeling a sober Westerberg, Stuck and Femme Uke’s adult-friendly sing along “F’uked Up”. Council of Lions contribute a track not found on their new EP while the now defunct Connecticut Four do the opposite.

Closing this record is Party Thighs’ ode to crazy cat women, and Aryeh Gonif lamenting backward Seahawk caps at Rumors. Despite its short playtime, Breakfast For Dinner covers a lot of area and serves as a great snapshot for Bellingham 2009.

Self Released