January 2012 Cover by Debbie Leighton

Happy New Year! I hope ya’ll survived the holidays just fine – I’m writing a lot this here le Beat on New Year’s Day and judging by your Facebook posts, you might have done a little celebrating last night. By the time you read this, I hope ya’ll have recovered.

It’s January, which means I get to tell you about how old I am. Well, more specifically, how old the magazine is 14. It was 14 years ago this month I (along with Sean Spain and Amy Marchegiani) started working on What’s Up! (our debut issue came out in March, which is the official birthday). To put it into perspective 9/11 hadn’t happened, George Bush hadn’t happened, Sarah Jerns was 10, a current college freshman would’ve been four and someone just now turning 21 would’ve been in the second grade. Also, we barely used email and the web was just getting really into the swing of things. Seriously. My friends, that was a damn long time ago! Luckily, the mag gets better with age, or so we’d like to believe. I can’t imagine I’ve been able to cover music in an amazing town for 14 years I remember in high school reading The Rocket out of Seattle (old, awesome music mag), thinking about how cool it’d be to do what they do. That, my friends, makes me a lucky, lucky man.

In the third year of working on the magazine, a friend pitched the idea of doing an awards show. Seemed like a good time, so we made up some ballots and spread them around town with jars and boxes at selected locations (yes, seriously, it used to be paper and jars that the ballots were stuffed in). Now, 11 years later, our whole operation is digital and we get about eight times as many votes (over 1,500 so far this year!). The show, the bands, the whole thing has turned bigger and cooler than I could’ve imagined. This year we’re going to hold the pre-awards show at the Jinx space on Friday, Jan. 27 with Rookery, Triceracorn, Learning Team and Bowlcut. They’ll get everyone warmed up for 11th Annual Awards Show on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Wild Buffalo, with sets by So Adult, Falling Up Stairs, Lamppost Revival, No-Fi Soul Rebellion, Sugar Sugar Sugar, The Bad Tenants, and IG88 plus DJ Postal, Poops and the Dirty Bird Cabaret all doing their thing. It’ll be a hell of a night, all for only $6 at the door. The show starts at 9 p.m. Thanks to Mark Heimer (No-Fi Soul Rebellion) for the poster design and Joe Olmstead for the printing. Good, good stuff. See you at the show!

This issue, we have a story on Fanny Alger, a local band that’s been kicking around for a while and includes a couple music scene vets, one of whom is Henry Szankiewicz. Normally I don’t talk in le beat about a story in the following pages, but this one was special and means more to me than most stories. Ya see, Henry, unbeknownst to him, was a huge, HUGE influence on me back in the day – and when I say back in the day, I mean 1992 or so. I didn’t know Henry back then, but I knew of him the dude was doing exactly what I wanted at the time. He was involved in the scene, very involved Henry was in a great band called Medelicious (top five all time Bellingham bands), he booked shows (and if I remember correctly, ran sound) at the Up and Up, plus he also put out records. For me, an awkward kid whose only desire was to be involved in a music scene, Henry was someone I looked up to and respected. I wanted to be involved in the scene as well and do things that mattered. Over the next few years, I became more involved in local music. It took awhile, but eventually I got to where I wanted to be putting on shows, being in bands (not particularly good ones) and starting the magazine. Now, nearly 20 years on, I’m still getting to do what I always wanted to do and, frankly, what I love doing. In some way, I have Henry to thank for it.

ON THE RECORD

Peadar McMahon, Bellingham’s favorite Irish musician, has been recording his latest work, which is tentatively planned for a March release. He’s been in the studio with Paul Turpin a couple of times with more sessions planned. You can check out his releases on his Facebook page.

I’ve been told by Gabe Taylor that the FFA disc is just awaiting artwork. Finally, after a couple of years, it will be UNLEASHED TO THE MASSES! When yer talking about metal, you need to use all caps.

Cower have been recording new songs. No word on a release, but them in the studio sounds damn good to me.

Kit Nelson has also been working on a new album with Andrew Jenkins at the controls. The release date is “sometime in the new year,” but here’s hoping it’s soon. She’s also working on a new band that’ll include Julian McDonough (who is, ya know, awesome) and others.

Do I have a copy of the latest Femme Uke recording? Yes I do. Is it absolutely awesome, just like everything else Femme Uke does? Yes it is. Will you be glad you picked it up when it comes out? Yes you will. Out very soon on Most Gross Records (Jenn Hartman and Sam Parker ex-Bellingham folk).

The Endorfins (not Endorphins we apologize for the misspelling in the last issue) have a CD release party on Friday, Jan. 6 at the Old Foundry with Kithkin and Osa. In addition, they are also back in the studio, recording new music with Will “I’m friends with Rob Gronkowski” Glazier.

Yogoman Burning Band is releasing a live recording in February the only recording of YBB as a four-piece. Caught on tape (wow, that’s an old term) at a summer Boundary show, the recording catches the dynamic of YBB’s most interesting set up as a four piece without guitar or keys, the band really got to move around and explore in their space. Look for the debut YBB’s latest line up in February.

Triceracorn is already working on their second album (with the first just being released). I really, really love this band IG88 doing the beats gives it an absurd depth and Beige’s rhymes are ridiculous.

E-clec-ti-ci-ty are also working on their second album. No word yet on when it will be done, think they’re all students, but you should expect pretty good stuff from these guys on the local funk scene. They’ve been known to get people’s asses shaking.

COMING & GOING

Bands seem to be forming daily, including Astronauts and Airballoons, which is comprised of Barrett Lizza, Preston Whitman (Pirate Pirate Motorhome) and Chad from Drogados. According to Barrett, they play a bunch of different, weird instruments, including a theramin, which makes me a little giddy inside. Watch for shows.

Rhombu$ is back! Armed with Jordan Rain on guitar, what started out as a few reunion shows has turned into a week-long tour down to northern California and back. Sounds funny, but I feel like Bellingham’s music scene is better with Rhombu$ playing music again. Hopefully this isn’t just a one shot deal. Check out their Bellingham shows at Jinx on Jan. 18 and later that night down at the Cabin.

Scum Eating have gone through some personnel changes with Jessyca Murphy replacing Robert Lashey on vocals and Henry Miller replacing Bill Anker on drums. Henry spent some time playing drums with Sisturn Moth, so we’re stoked to see him playing again.

Casey Nolan has stepped down as the booking coordinator at WhAAM and has been replaced by Emily Manke. Kate McCracken is the new volunteer coordinator. You are now up to date on the who’s who of WhAAM. Now go to a show.

Bright Weapons are going on a nearly half year hiatus while singer Amy Gibson heads to China for a while. Not sure what “Handsome” Rob is going to do during the break, but he’s gotten pretty good at playing bass through a fuzz pedal, then posting it on youtube. So, there’s that. In the mean time, catch ‘em at Shakedown on Jan. 7 with Shit Machine and Sunshine.

Havilah Rand is back in town for a few months. She recently played a great show down at the Blue Horse, hopefully you’ll see more of her shows before she heads back to Austin. Ms. Rand also has a new disc out, which I hope to pick up very, very soon. Havilah is old school, used to see her play before the magazine even started. Love it when folks keep on keeping on.

GOOD TIMES

Checkmate Music has opened up over on Northwest, by the old Manna Music (if you know where that was, then you are damn old) and, coincidentally, next to Checkmate Pawn. David Payne, aka, The Guitar Doctor, is managing the shop with the help of Zach and Eron from Black Beast Revival. Unlike other music shops, Checkmate gets their items like a pawn shop, so you’ll find different stuff there (I got a trumpet for $25!). Check it out.

Speaking of sounding damn good, I didn’t make it to the Sloths show in December (had the date wrong), but I heard they killed it. There’s something about this band, they almost remind me of Truman’s Water, an old band from San Diego it’s like they’re constantly on the cusp of utter destruction. Always right there, pushed to the limit both sonically and emotionally God I love it. Some of the coolest music I’ve heard in awhile.

IG88 just signed to Portland based Nueva Forma and will be releasing his debut album on Feb. 20. You can check out IG88 special guest set at the What’s Up! Awards show on January 28. If you haven’t checked out IG88, do, you’ll be blown away. What’s inside Branden’s head is very, very interesting.

A band that I absolutely love, The Heligoats, look to be headed out on tour this spring and summer. Which means a new album is probably on the way. Which means I’m happy very, very happy. Chris (The Heligoats) has a unique way of staying under the radar locally, while gaining a loyal following nationally not sure most people realize what a badass he is and that he’s even here.

The 23rd Trailer Wars will be held at the Pickford Film Center on Jan. 11. The theme is Buddy Cop Movies. Let the hilarity commence. That is all.

Bellingham has a new podcast called Project Bellingcast, done by the brilliant minds of Chris Patton and Ross Brackett. The debut podcast includes a roundtable discussion of local restaurants, an interview with the City of Lost Children and an interview with yours truly to kick things off. Chris came by the house, we chatted, he met my wife and kids we had a good time. It was an honor to be on the debut. Check it out, think you’ll enjoy it. You can find the podcast online and on itunes.

Well, think that’s about it for this month, my friends. As always, thanks for reading and supporting the magazine. I look forward to seeing you at the Awards Show!

Brent Cole

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

Black Beast Revival. Photo by Tyler Ragsdale.

Sir Reginold Cosgrove and His Nighttime Singers start things off at the KMRE Benefit II at the American Museum of Radio and Electricity. Ambient amp buzz frames the garage band rawness of the group. By the third song, “Itch,” they have got it all locked down. Jumpin G on lead vocals and guitars brings to mind John Doe around “Burning House of Love.” The Rookie nails down a flat 60s retro beat. The Shadow and Sweets anchor guitar and bass respectively while also trading off vocals.

Halfway in and I am thinking of Sir Douglas Quintet and the 13th Floor Elevators. Jumpin G lets loose a few primal screams to a rockabilly backbeat, while the Shadow plays a searing lead guitar. And when Sweets sang a sass-filled song towards the end, I imagined that somewhere Wanda Jackson found herself smiling over the brief borrowing of her soul. By the end of their set, they were the embodiment of stripped down rock ‘n’ roll: loud lightning burning on the stage.

Black Beast Revival start off tight, swinging the heavy sound out over the crowd. Snake-like smooth. Bill Anker’s drumming resonating like tribal skins stretched over the apocalypse. Erin Anderson’s voice has a laid back cool that can suddenly erupt into a wail of fire. Brice Ervin on bass and Zack Van Houten on guitar setting up a driving beat for the open road, thundering bass and guitar leads that scream out of meth nightmares, like a string strung through the skull from ear to ear singing in the brain. Fragments of the Cult, Morphine, Jesus Lizard and Bauhaus splintering off the stage in feedback drenched dreams of the end of things. Anker’s drumming is simply exceptional, the bones inside the music. This is highway music. Rumbling Harley motor bass. Van Houten’s screaming guitar amped up to high rpms. Anderson’s phrasing is superb: suddenly quiet like a serial killer right next to your ear, stranger on the road, next to you in the bus seat. Near the end of their set is a song with the skull banging rhythm, thundering bass, “Sympathy for the Devil” squeal of the lead guitar and Erin Anderson alternating between an incantatory tone and a tent preacher revival screams. This is religion. Get saved or burn at the hands of an angry god. It just got loud.

Last up is Sugar Sugar Sugar. Of course, it starts with thunder. First song, “Sweet On U.” Big J, Andru Creature and Lupe Flores setting up a James Bond Led Zeppelin fuzzed out bass groove on really good acid. Falsetto hiccup vocals. Lupe drumming with her entire being, inhabiting the drums. Andru there as the embodiment of a paradoxical cool heat, burning with the meaning of the music, the guitar a natural extension of his being. Big J backing it all up exponentially with the sound of fire. Clearly, a band that knows each other – a sound as tight as a diamond knot. Lupe drumming like a demon imagine Kali with a garland necklace of bloody skulls, hair on fire pounding out the heartbeats of time. The audience gathered around the stage soaking up the spectacle, a sort of tribal ritual, shapes on the wall behind the Sugars like post-Hiroshima shadow dramas enacting something unsayable and strange.

All in all, Sugar Sugar Sugar is just a great band burning bright with everything that a band should be: rock solid bottom line, hooks that hang in your brain, searing lead breaks and some sort of utter strangeness, an incomprehensible lyrical idiosyncrasy that makes you fall into the hot core of it all with absolute surrender and joy. Arc light in the blue of dawn licking the pink centers of your brain. Cotton candy lit on fire and melting into your mouth. The last three songs had the crowd tranced out, dancers just shivering on the floor and everyone’s skulls just nodding like dashboard Day of the Dead Calaveras. There is thunder on Bay Street. Yes, it got very loud.

What's Up Magazine - November 2011. Cover by Mat Hudson

Brent and Becca’s baby girl Autumn arrived Oct. 13, joining big brother Harrison and big sister Ruby!

Well, now that Horror Business is done occupying the venues of Bellingham, that means only one thing: October is over. But how great was that month? Not only were there fantastic shows spread throughout, but Beavis and Butthead are back, and honestly, who needs anything more than that? Bellingham’s music and arts community are thriving and excelling. It’s been an exciting time, and November is going to be just as good.

NEW PLACES TO PLAY

There’s so many things happening on the south side of N. State recently that I have decided that it will have its own section for the Le Beat this month.

The Ridge Wine and Bar is done. The business was sold to Shea Hagan (of Ship to Ship) and Rebecca Ogden and they have changed the name to Redlight. Not only will the space on N. State Street be one to host shows, art exhibits, delectable wines and beers, but they will also feature its own coffee roaster in the back called “Redlight Coffee Roasters.” It’s practically putting everything that Bellingham loves into one space. I can’t wait to see the final product.

Another addition to N. State is Positive Negative. Jason Byal is the executioner of this much-needed niche in Bellingham. The space is a 1,000 square-foot industrial room that is being transformed to have a darkroom, dry room, studio, and gallery art space for the community. Everything has been placed on wheels for the space to be adaptable to any artist’s needs while keeping lighting in mind. You don’t need to be a professional to use the space either, anyone is welcome to use the facilities. I’m really excited to see what this space will become. For the longest time Bellingham has had tremendous photographers, and I’m excited for the analog form of film to be accessible for anyone.

Time in Play is a new business on 311 E. Holly Street. The idea for this place is amazing: a family (and everyone) caf that has good food, great coffee, (eventually) beer and wine, and climbing structures, big wheels, and toys for kids to play with and on. In time, the space will regularly host music. Jordan Rain is currently setting up every Monday night for a family oriented Yogoman’s Wild Rumpus.

Also, while we’re on the subject of Yogoman, the Burning Band just acquired Nelson Bell from Seattle as a new sousaphone/trombone player for the band! Congrats Nelson! Welcome aboard. The band is still looking for a singing bass player along with sax or trumpet players. If you’re interested and you think you’ve got the chops, find Jordan Rain running through the streets of Bellingham sometime. Or you can even catch him on Mondays at Time in Play!

ON THE RECORD

Odd Ones Out are recording are currently recording. I saw this group for the first time at WhAAM’s Grand Opening at JINX Art Space and they blew my mind. The group is definitely going places, but more importantly they look like they’re having fun when they play. Which is really the most important part.

Both Sugar Sugar Sugar and Swayze are currently in the midst of recording. I hear that they’re recording a lot of it analog. Mmm….analog.

Tearamanapart posted one song online this past month and I hate them for it. It’s so good and I want to hear all of it ASAP. Like right now. The boys are going to be doing a little traveling for some shows in November. One show is on Nov. 6 at The Shakedown with Rabbits and Sirhan Sirhan. On Nov. 11, they’ll be at The Cabin Tavern with Seattle’s Grenades and Bellingham’s newly adopted Cower. They are then traveling back down with Grenades to play at The Black Lodge in Seattle with Monogamy Party and a few others. Have fun boys!

PRND has a new album coming out. They will have their CD release while playing with Cave on Nov. 18 at The Cabin Tavern.

Also what should be noted is Zach Zinn from PRND is now doing Karaoke at Cap’s. While it’s a very rare occasion that I grab the mic, as long as Sum 41 remains in the binder, anything is possible.

The Daffodils also have their CD release party later this month. Catch them at The Edison on Nov. 26. A little shuffle board and music never hurt anyone, now did it?

David Ney’s new solo CD Blackened will be released soon. The show will be at The Shakedown on Nov. 30… on his birthday! So make sure to mark your calendars for that one.

Queen Anne’s Revenge will be having their CD release at The JINX Art Space with A Cat from Hue and Feather and Bone on Nov. 12. This night is booked solid for an all-ages rock ‘n’ roll party.

Bellingham has always had a little thing for local compilations, and now there’s another one that we can look forward to. Boris Budd has put together an Occupy Bellingham compilation containing local artists such as The Posies, Black Eyes and Neckties, Yogoman Burning Band, Candysound, Kris Orlowski, Dana Lyons, Keaton Collective, Police Teeth, and many more. This stacked release is set to be available on 11/11/11 and will be accessible for anyone to download for free online.

Osa is having their CD release with Little Elephant and The Palisades on Nov. 9 at Glow. Keep an eye out for the poster around town because it’s probably one of the cutest things I have ever seen.

RAD TIMES

After a long drought, the Bellingham all-ages scene is starting to kick butt. Between the workings in The Old Foundry and WhAAM at The JINX Art Space, there are actually options for all-ages shows! More music means more bands means more shows means more fun. This I’m okay with.

Also speaking of JINX Art Space, both Make.Shift and WhAAM have put up a community bulletin board in the basement. Think of it as a less creepy version of the musician’s section on Craigslist. Need a guitar, amp, PA, or singer? Just post it on the board and then everyone going to the shows and workshops in the space will see it. Resourceful, fun, and sensible.

KARP (and I’m not referring to the Pok mon type) is back, kinda. For over four years, Bill Badgley has been working on this film. Little “did you know game,” WhAAM’s President Amanda Kalkwarf played in a band when she was 15 years old called Team Butt. The band played with KARP and The Cleavers (band before Murder City Devils) as their first show. She’s going to kill me for adding that in but I think it’s awesome. This KARP documentary is something that a lot of Bellingham people have been waiting for and on Nov. 19, the film will be showing at the Pickford Cinema. This is definitely something not to be missed.

Acorn Project are going on tour, and their welcome home show is at the Wild Buffalo on Nov. 11 with Quick and Easy Boys.

Two huge benefits are happening in November at The Shakedown. Boom Boom Thwack returns Nov. 25 after a 10-year hiatus to benefit the Seattle Drum School’s Ben Hills memorial scholarship. Personally, I’ve never been to one of these things so I asked Aaron Ball to help describe it: Imagine four drummers with four kits. Some come with beats/ideas/songs and some improvise. This is not a drum circle. This is a “16-limbed beast chopping up drumsticks like they were toothpicks. You have never heard anything like 8 drumsticks hitting 8 cymbals simultaneously – imagine operating a chainsaw inside a jet engine that is flying through a hurricane and you’ll have an idea of the volume/power/energy BBT delivers.” Personally it sounds like a benefit for the amount of ear plugs that The Shakedown will have to provide, but I’m into it.

Then on Nov. 26, Chachi 7 the Hot Shotz will be playing. This group is what some would call an all-star lineup featuring Charlie McCoy from Whatcom Falls, Sharpie, and Camarojuana, Ryan Roullard from Wastelanders and Camarojuana, Darren Johnson from Sharpie, and Aaron Bell from Sharpie, Enders of Ozone, and Virgin Islands. The benefit is for Charlie’s wife Mandy, who owns Studio Galactica. She recently had a terrible fall and shattered her wrist. The group plans on playing many songs from all the bands, including songs that were recorded but never played live before. They also plan on making some of the songs acoustic, and even selling old Sharpie 7″s. It’s definitely going to be a memorable night and it’s all for a good cause!

Did anyone see Make.Shift member and Cabin Tavern booker Audra Robson’s audition for the Wheel of Fortune? Inspiring doesn’t even begin to describe what I saw in the video online. She talked about Make.Shift, cabin-oke, and of Bellingham with grace and poise as she sang in front of a huge audience showing her karaoke skills by request. Good luck Audra on getting a call back! Bellingham will be rooting for you to buy a vowel.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Olio is done, as a name at least. They are now called The Vonvettas and have been writing new songs. Recordings should be hopefully coming soon and I’m really looking forward to hearing their new stuff.

I don’t know if it was just for the holidays, but Thorny Croft, Bellingham’s own Ramones cover band played twice for Halloween and I hope they’ll continue. The Contra’s own Blake Owens mastered Joey Ramone.

EXTRA EXTRA

The Cole family has a new baby. Brent and Becca’s daughter Autumn was born on Oct. 13, and she is adorable and cute as can be. The whole family is happy and healthy, and excited for their new member of the family.

Start planning ahead! The What’s Up! Awards Show has officially been scheduled for Jan. 28 at the Wild Buffalo. The all-ages pre-awards show will take place Jan. 27 at JINX Art Space. Personally, there are so many venues, bands, art galleries, and individuals working hard in this community, that nominations in itself are going to be a toughy to compile! Keep a look out soon for voting online. You know you want one of those golden beer cans…

Bob Log III brought his magic to The Shakedown. PHOTO BY TYLER RAGSDALE

Bob Log III brought his magic to The Shakedown. PHOTO BY TYLER RAGSDALE

Bob Log III brought his magic to The Shakedown. PHOTO BY TYLER RAGSDALE

Having gone to my fair share of shows in this great lil’ town of ours I’m beginning to notice a trend, or maybe it’s a recipe. Meander through the crowd and if you can spot five or more ex-3B employees/regulars then you’re in for one wild night. Such was the case for Bob Log III.

Sugar Sugar Sugar jump started the night with a quick and powerful set playing first of the three bands. And if I may throw out an opinion, they should have been the opener and not the opener for the opener. Just saying.

Next up was Mr Free & the Satellite Freakout. The band pretty much did their own thing while the lead singer…well…freaked out. He spit some mystery black liquid on everyone in the front row (me), danced with some girls in the crowd (in fact spent little time on stage) and in a half-assed attempt, took his pants off. On any other night this may have stood out but on this particular night I doubt anybody even remembers their set. The music wasn’t terrible but the band and singer need to be more connected rather than two separate acts.

I’m embarrassed to write that this was my first time seeing Bob Log III live. After hearing so many insane tales of Bob playing Bellingham in the past it was time to take the plunge. As is often the case, hearing stories didn’t even begin to prepare me for the Bob Log experience. Making the best entrance I’ve seen anywhere, in comes Bob down the stairs from the back of the Shakedown pumping out slide Blues riffs while pushing through the crowd. Once on stage he was greeted with a roar of approval, a sort of welcome home.

With the Dirty Bird Cabaret in metallic spandex bringing the sexy, working the crowd and random (topless) super fans jumping on stage for their 15 minutes its easy to forget that there is only one man playing music. In a helmet. Constantly being showered in beer. When Bob missed a beat it was only because the front row got shoved into his foot pedals (props to Chris con Carne for being stage help, and for bringing the crazy). There were plenty of other memorable moments, such as Bob’s inflatable raft ride atop the army of people or the left leg right leg carnival ride but any attempt to explain in detail is frivolous. You quite simply had to be there.

When the show was over I couldn’t help but think how someone could handle night after night, city after city of such madness. After doing some research on Youtube it quickly became present that all his shows aren’t that crazy, just ours. High five Bellingham.

Good times during the West Coast tour. PHOTOS BY CHRIS FULLER

March 25

No big whoop. As in Lupe’s Mantra: “Sugs Tour 2011 No Big Whoop.” Funhouse in Seattle last night with The Molestations (from Oakland and with whom we’ll be staying down there), Tom Price Desert Classic (featuring erstwhile members of Gas Huffer and The Monkeywrench) and Thee Emergency. Standing as life-sized wax figures with folded arms and void of facial expressions, some members of the audience seemed either bored or angry.

March 28

Arrived in Arcata last night after spending the previous night in North Bend/Coos Bay. Overlooking the stage at Roger’s Zoo are some homemade puppets, a small excised tumor sits in a jar just out of view above the back bar and the door guy’s name is Teen Wolf. Good show for a place as out of the way as it is.

We followed the 101 down the coast, traveling through redwoods, stopping to admire the Pacific and ultimately landing at The Alibi for a bite and some beer. Then, after a few phone calls to old friends, we headed over to Eureka in hope of scoring some floor space for the night. Upon arrival at The Shanty, we needed our photo taken in front of its amazing neon sign, and as we were trying to figure out how to get all four of us in frame, out half-stumbles an obliging and impromptu photographer who asks that we call him Bobo, tells us of his own record label, relates his time spent as a roadie for Black Flag and describes his international renown as a professional Sasquatch tracker and caller. Being that he understands the touring life, he buys us a couple of rounds and offers his home on Samoa Island (just outside of Eureka) for the night. We spent the day in Arcata making merch and postering for the show next week in Eureka.

April 1

Those who came to the show at The Alibi without prior knowledge of the Sugs were pleasantly surprised at the least. As a couple of guys squabbled over which band the Sugs reminded them most of, another interjected with his own observance: “You guys remind me of pretty fucking awesome!”

The Hemlock in San Fran has a room separate from the bar for live music, but they insisted the show, a three-band bill, finish by 11:30, then made everybody leave the music room for the main barroom. We were out there early enough to hit up Dirty Thieves, which has an amazing assortment of whiskey varieties (who knew of Bulleit Rye?) and a gorgeous back bar but unfortunately is not a music venue.

We headed over the Oakland the next night for a house party show with The Molestations, which probably would’ve been better if they’d invited anybody else who didn’t already live in the house or date somebody there. It ended up being more akin to a joint practice session than a show.

In a great little all-ages space, the show in Santa Cruz last night was organized by the guitarist/vocalist for the headlining band, Indian Giver, who met the Sugs at the Cabin a few months ago. First up was The Terrible, a local psychedelic-rock band, then the L.A.-based Cactus Pricks continued stirring up the place before the Sugs became an instant hit. They will be heartily welcomed back.

We’re getting some beach time in Monterey and are due at the venue in a couple of hours. Tomorrow we drive for about nine hours to play a show with The Crying Shame somewhere near Joshua Tree. Shenanigans are sure to ensue.

April 3

Jose’s Underground Lounge is a small cantina in the basement of a Mexican restaurant. Three touring bands were on the bill, one of which was a Christian metal group. I don’t know if a worse show could be had: no audience except for the soundman, bartender and a few members of the two other bands.

We drove through the night from Monterey to Palm Springs (the Yakima of California) and spent the day at Myndie’s house (a former 3B bartender). It was hot. And dry. And windy. Fortunately, her place has a pool and a shaded patio.

Situated between a Marine Corps base and Joshua Tree National Park, The Palms is a roadside bar in the Wonder Valley about 15 minutes from Twentynine Palms, and in its gravel parking lot a sandwich board consisting of large-bulb Christmas lights advertises “LIVE MUSIC.” The local trio The Sibleys was gracious enough to play a short set in order to allow more time for the other two bands. Boasting a new album, The Crying Shame got the place a-hootin’ and a-hollarin’. The regulars and locals gave us the sense they don’t get a lotta live music ’round them parts. Though the Sugs attempted to subdue their volume, they were obviously much louder than what the crowd usually heard.

We’re at The Redwood in downtown LA tonight with Barrio Tiger. This bar has some fantastic maritime artwork (ships sailing stormy seas, mermaids, giant squid grappling clipper ship, more mermaids). Apparently one of the guitarists in Barrio Tiger hosted a Bloody Mary party all day…

April 5

Drove back to San Fran from LA today. The second LA show didn’t happen because of some sort of miscommunication (it’s always fun to arrive at a venue to have the employees state they aren’t aware of any show other than open-mic comedy night). Tonight’s San Fran show didn’t happen either, but we’re back at Dirty Thieves getting samples of the finer whiskeys backed with bottles of Schlitz. Driving back to Eureka tomorrow; should be worth it with all the postering last week.

April 8

At the Little Red Lion in Eureka, the Sugs played solo to a healthy attendance and got to play an extended set. We ended up staying at the house of the Don Wannabees, an Arcata punk band that was the show last week. We spent the next day driving to Portland for a show at Slabtown, which may have been the best show of the tour, despite a tequila-infused flub or two during the set and the drummer from The Pathogens slicing open his hand (requiring multiple stitches and weeks of healing).

April 11

The second Portland show fell through for various reasons, and then the Sugar Van’s battery died, causing it to spend the night across town. We installed a new battery the next afternoon and began the final leg of our journey with enough time to arrive home and relax before the tour-ending show at The Shakedown. But that turned out to be, in actuality, enough time to have the van towed on a flatbed all the way back to Bellingham after the electrical system failed on the outskirts of Centralia.

Freshly off the road, both Lozen and the Sugs played with an exhausted fury, the crowd guzzling it down and throwing the can on the stage. With the gear and the Sugar Store broken down, we retired to our own beds in our own homes with the combined sensations of relief, muted yet excited anticipation, and determination to improve upon this tour the next time out. It’ll be a blast.

Lupe Flores performs with Sugar Sugar Sugar at The Shakedown in March. Photo by Tyler Ragsdale

This month we have a real treat. Influential drummer Lupe Flores has gotten down, dirty and personal with us in an unforgettable 11 Questions interview that delves deeply into the life of Lupe, as told by Lupe… enjoy.

BB: Tell us a lot about yourself.

LF: I love everyone and everything too much. And I’m grateful for that even though it winds up kicking me in the ass much of the time.

I spend my time playing music, (drums in SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR, and SWAYZE, and a little bit of everything in my upcoming one-woman band, SHARP DRESSED MAN,) dancing, cooking for my taco-eating bitches, (and whoever stumbles into the Lil Cheerful Cafe), taking my class of 5-year-olds on adventures, going to shows, traveling, gardening, working on Sugar, being outside, lots of band/dance practice, skinny dipping, and kickin’ it with my ladies as much as I can.

BB: Discuss the art of drumming and your passions for percussion ranging from rock ‘n’ roll to world music.

LF: Hmm… I don’t know how qualified I am to discuss the “art of drumming.” I can only say that to me, it’s the most innate, relentless, honest thing I know. Especially being someone completely ruled by my heart a drum in and of itself. And although most people I’ve met don’t hear music in their heads 24 hours a day like I seem to, it’s comforting to know that everyone has a heartbeat, I feel a little bit less crazy.

I started playing percussion because, when I was 17, I had a dream about playing a drum, so I went out and bought one the next day. And it took over my life. I spooned that thing every night for years. Really. After that, I ended up spending ALL of whatever I could save to buying more and more percussion instruments, different kinds of drums, stands so I could play nine hand drums at the same time I kind of assembled a drum kit out of hand drums. (Before that I would stack them on top of each other and straddle a huge mountain of drums, but was only able to play about five at the same time that way. My legs aren’t that long.) Then, I traveled to Ghana to learn how to carve and make my own drums, and learn some old cultural rhythms and corresponding dances from that area.

But percussion wasn’t enough. I needed to play LOUD. I needed a kit. My family (I’m so blessed to have them) helped me get one as a graduation present. But I played it with my hands until I met Andy about 3 years ago. He showed me how to hold drumsticks, and taught me a thing or two about playin rock ‘n’ roll. I took that and ran. And then playing a drum kit took over my life, and I can’t seem to give it a rest.

BB: Please share your thoughts regarding Sugar Sugar Sugar’s personnel changes.

LF: The most simple way to answer this is to say that Andy and I have been blessed to play with two amazing friends and guitar players. First Chris Nunn, (I still call him Chris Sugar), and then, Big J, (the doctor). Sugars has always been an EXTREMELY emotional band, and I imagine always will be considering the personalities of the people in it. So, yes, it was pretty dramatic when Chris left. I’m still not totally sure why he did. I suppose we weren’t going in the direction he wanted to go? Or, maybe he was just over it. I dunno, but I still love him like a brother, that won’t ever change.

And then Justin came to us out of the blue with our album that he had overdubbed himself playing on top of. We were blown away, not only by his mad guitar skills, and friendly disposition, but also by his initiative. Most musicians are flaky. Big J blew our minds. We’re super lucky. Plus, he is incredibly grounded, and amazing at putting up with Andy and I, which is no easy task. We’re weirdos.

BB: Talk about how the Dirty Bird Cabaret started.

LF: Dirty Birds sprang from what was Banat Sahar, a long time belly dancing troupe in Bellingham. I was playing doumbek for them at the time, and two of the girls (Amanda and Kolby) needed a change, and wanted to give comedic cabaret a shot. And I wanted to dance. So they took me on, taught me a bunch, and we got drunk, talked shit, and danced around to rock ‘n’ roll. A bunch more ladies joined… and thus, ladies and gentlemen, drum roll please… the DIRTY BIRD CABARET! WOO!

BB: Tell us all about your new group Swayze. When can we check them out?

LF: I actually have Brent Cole to thank for being born and throwing a kick ass 40th birthday party, from which SWAYZE was born. (i.e. I boozingly approached Donovan, aka “Coach” there, at that show, after only meeting him briefly when our bands played FXFU together in Austin, and let him know that I wanted to be his drummer. I seem to have a knack for getting in bands this way I think, the boozy, blunt approach.) I was baffled when he called me the next day. He and Mike, (of MICO DE NOCHE, MIGAS, HELLTROUT, etc.), have been playing together since they were kids. And they, for reasons still unbeknownst to me, took me on and taught me a thing or two about metal. Plus, they make my cheeks hurt every time we play together, they are so f-ing funny.

We just had our first two shows, with a whole bunch of bands and people I love, and who also happen to be my heroes: the peeps from HARKONEN, HELMS ALEE, LOZEN, and DOG SHREDDER. Our next show is free and outside, for Record Store Day, on the corner by Avalon Records on Saturday, April 16.

BB: Describe in detail your ideal day in Bellingham (unlimited budget).

LF: Until I learn how to obscure the rules of space and time, there’s no way to fit in all of the things I love to do in Bellingham in one day. But, it would include: Black Drop Coffee, La Patisserie pho, lazy “yoga”? in my living room whilst bullshitting with Rabia, skinny dipping at the pixie pond, scuba diving, cooking for my taco eating bitches, big mamas with my ladies, playing at Caps and/or the Shakedown with all my favorite bands, (too many to list), going on a walk, and more.

BB: Who has been the most influential person in your life?

LF: Shit this question is hard. Mostly my Situ, (Arabic for “grandma”) and my mom. They are hands down the strongest women I have ever met. They taught me my culture how to cook, dance, love, nurture, and most of all, empowered me to make my dreams my reality.

The list of all of the other people who inspire and influence me is TOO HUGE for this interview… but to name a few: my entire family, my taco-eating bitches (you know who you are), Andy, Chris, Justin, my Tacoma crew: Hoz, Juice, Ben, Dana, Urdy, Coach, Mindy, Marcee, Nadine, Nikki, Patrick, the momzzz, Mar, Brook, my class of kiddos, the Ladybugs, the Dirty Birds, and all of my other friends…

I admire anyone who is living the life they want to live, making their dreams reality, and spending time doing what they love with the people they love. And love without fear of being hurt.

BB: At press time, Sugar X 3 will be in the midst of a West Coast swing. Describe your feelings about the road and the weirdest experience you have had while touring.

LF: Touring is single handedly my favorite thing in the entire world. Nothing makes me happier. Nothing. Even when shit sucks, and your van gets stolen by crack heads, you break down in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm with no cell phone reception, you get denied from Mexico where hundreds of kids are waiting for you to show up and play, you’re sleeping in your van in a sketchy parking lot in North Texas it doesn’t matter. Tour still kicks ass, even then. There is no one weird experience, it’s all weird. Totally surreal and amazing.

The first one that comes to my mind however is the random show we picked up in St. Regis, Montana. You won’t find St Regis on a map. Anywhere. Our van broke down on a mountain pass. Some Canadians took pity on us and pulled over, drove to a pay phone and called AAA. We waited, shivering while it was snowing all around our van, for the crazy tow truck guy, “John F.” to arrive. I tried everything to make him laugh he wasn’t having it. But apparently, he ended up liking us, or at the least taking pity on us. We went to the only bar in St. Regis, perfectly nicknamed “The Doghouse,” where we shared a pitcher of PBR with John F. Next thing you know, the grizzly Montana folks caught wind that we were a rock ‘n’ roll band, and wound up assembling a really shitty make shift “p.a.”, by drunk driving all around to everyone’s house they could think of who had ANY musical equipment. We played for about three hours that night. The big, hairy Montana hunter women danced their asses off and tried to take home Andy and Chris. At one point, they had actually encircled both boys, and wouldn’t let them out, saying things like “What, I’m not cute enough for you?” in a hillbilly kind of accent.

The next morning, John F. let us borrow his car to drive 80 miles to a NAPA shop in Missoula to get some parts so he could fix our van on his day off so we could make it to our next show on time. That show just so happened to be our tour homecoming show in Tacoma with LOZEN, and still to this day, is one of the top three shows we’ve ever played… Ohhh St. Regis.

BB: If Lupe could do anything you wanted in life…please finish.

LF: …I’d tour and record in warm, beautiful places all over the world nine months of the year, and spend the summers skinny dipping and riding my bike in Bellingham, all the while finding a way to raise kids amidst touring in rock ‘n’ roll bands. Hey, Dead Moon did it. So can I.

BB: What is on the horizon for Sugar in the next year?

LF: Well, after we return from tour, I imagine we need to scrounge together some cash to put out our next album which we’ve already recorded (with Rich Kanut), and is just waiting on being mixed and mastered. The goal’s to find a label that will help us put out that album, our two singles, and Can’t Get Enough, all out on vinyl. Time consuming business, I tell ya. I’d rather just be playing music than working on the business end of it all.

After all that, we need to start recording our third full length album which we already have most of the songs for, and then tour a whole bunch more. I will be taking a year off of teaching to get Sugs’ on the road more often, among other things, hopefully getting my one-woman band up and running if I can find the time/courage to perform my own songs.

Andy and I have this vision of releasing 7″ Sugar singles on different labels in every country we wanna tour in. My dream is to tour by boat on the Mediterranean and play every country that touches its waters, all the while, skinny dipping ever day. I know, completely far fetched. I guess I need to start by getting us on one label, before we go about looking for U.S.S. Sugar and a skipper, huh?

BB: Who is your favorite local act and what was the most memorable Bellingham show you have ever attended?

LF: My favorite local acts include but are not limited to: The Cheeps, FED X, Holy Tailfeathers, the Slacks, Baltic Cousins, Go Slowpoke, Biagio and the Argonauts, Honeymoon’s Over, Party Favorites, Sweetheart of the Rodeo, Sparrows, Dog Shredder, The All Nighters, Todos Somos Lee, Frozen Cloak, Zorbatron, Star Spangled Bastards, Cherry Blossom Family Delivery, Guinness and the Reparations, Reeks and the Wrecks and many more…

Most of my favorite Bellingham shows, I don’t remember that much of. Shit. Brent’s 40th Birthday was pretty epic. Not only because of all of the amazing bands that played, but mostly because of all of the lovey lovey lovey people in one room. All of my local drumming heroes were there, and they all boozingly promised me to have a BOOM BOOM THWACK! Reunion that I could take part in. (And for the record: I’m still holding all of you peeps to that boozy promise: Andy, Jefe, Jordan, Beau, Aaron Ball, Aaron Roeder, Shawn, Noah, Jason Sands, and others I’m sure I’m forgetting, don’t think you’re getting out of this…)

That show, tied with the opening of the Shakedown with Harkonen and Lozen (my heroes who I adore), tied with Bob Log III at the 3B which I only really remember being covered with beer, a boat, titties, bruises, drooling from being unable to stop smiling, and f-ing rock ‘n’ roll. That tied with an after party after a Bugs/Sugar show which took place in Lisa’s tiny apartment where the Bugs played until 5 in the morning and we somehow didn’t get the cops called on us. Seeing Harkonen and Monotonix at Caps were both, also, pretty epic.

BB: Talk about your experiences as a girl in the predominately male drumming world.

LF: I suppose every artist has received mixed reactions to what they do. I’m no different. Have I gotten a shit ton of flack for being a woman drummer? Hell yes. I’ve also received a shit ton of respect and praise. I still don’t know what to make of it, and honestly, I don’t really care. I don’t do it to make a statement. I don’t do it for anyone else. I drum because I have to. It makes me happier than anything in the world and keeps me sane.

Usually people have some sort of way they try to make “wow, you’re a good drummer for a girl” sound more p.c. They usually end up fumbling over their words, and it ends up being pretty funny. But it’s also really satisfying to have women, especially older women come up to you and say that you inspired them, and that they always wanted to drum, but didn’t have the “fill-in-the-blank-here” to do it. But that now, after seeing it for themselves, maybe they’ll give it a shot. That makes me cry, it’s such a good feeling. I don’t think it (being a female drummer) is so much of a novelty any more though, which floats my boat. My Ladybugs (the 5-year-olds I teach), and also, the wisest people I’ve met by far, think it’s totally normal and usual for me, or anyone for that matter, to be a rock ‘n’ roll drummer. There’s no discrepancy there. And that’s bad ass in my opinion. x

What's Up! Magazine - April 2011. Artwork by Derek VanderGriend

Oh well hello, my friends. Welcome to another le beat, another month gone by, another issue of your favorite music magazine. It’s good to be here, thanks for picking us up.

Before we go into the full music mode, I just wanted to talk briefly about the issue date of the magazine. It’s been brought to my attention in the past that folks wonder when the issue is slated to come out, because it’s not always out on the first of the month. Well, frankly, we come out as close to the first as possible. We’re not your usual business with a decent budget and staff people. For those who don’t know, let me explain… We are working with a helluva small budget and small “staff” (and have been since we started 13 years ago), and if things come up that makes the timeline slide off the rails, then that’s how it goes. My wife and I not only run this magazine, we also operate two other free community publications serving Whatcom County (Grow Northwest and the Foothills Gazette) and raise our two awesome small children, who are with us in our home office, which is extremely rewarding (but also hilarious and chaotic at times, like just now as I write this my son was sitting next to me listening to some good LOCAL MUSIC, but then crawled under my office chair and hit the button that made it lower to the ground, and all of us laughed. “I am so funny,” he screamed!).

Like many small, independent businesses in our northwest corner, we are family-oriented, wear a lot of different hats, and work with a terribly small budget to keep our business operating. You do what you gotta do to keep going! And for anyone with kids, you know the winter months bring a lot of tummy bugs and a lot of germs, so in short what I am saying is that unfortunately, things sometimes don’t go as smoothly as we’d like when putting the paper together. The mag isn’t always out when we’d like, but it does always get out, and usually within a couple days of the first. Cool? Pick it up and enjoy. And, if anyone out there cares to complain or question any further, my wife says you can take it up with her. Good luck!

On another note, I’d like thank those who came to the What’s Up! 13th birthday party at the Cabin Tavern on March 28 and, most especially, Chris Gusta, Audra Robson and the Cabin folks for letting us have the party! A great crowd came out for a Monday night show and folks got to see one of my favorite bands, The Strange Boys, play a good Monday night set. Really dug seeing a show at the Cabin cool little venue with great folks.

OK, now to the goodness.

BOOKED & HOOKED

The Shakedown is in full swing and adding a cool element to the music scene. I’ve known The Shakedown owner Hollie Huthman for over 10 years and she’s been dreaming of a live music venue over much of that time. It’s a great, great joy to see her dream fulfilled Hollie is one of the best people you can come across in the music scene and her hard work will be a huge benefit to the music community. Congrats to Hollie for making her dream come true and doing what she loves in life! Marty Watson, who also owns part of the business, is another cool cat. The town is lucky to have these two working on such a fine establishment.

Speaking of new openings, the new Pickford Dreamspace makes its debut April 7! Unbelievable, it’s simply unbelievable! This theater will not only be amazing for the town’s movie fans, but it’ll open up a new venue for local movie makers. The awesomeness of this town just got turned up a couple notches. And with that, I’m proud to announce we have teamed up with the Pickford to promote music documentaries showing each month! This month, viewers can see Phil Ochs: There But For the Fortune on April 20 and The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town on April 29-May 1 (Springsteen circa ’76-’78). You can read about both films and the Pickford space on pages 14-15.

Minus the need for a constant all-ages venue (which WhAAM is working tirelessly to fix), the town has a great roster of venues covering different styles and levels of bands. And great folks own the venues too this is gonna be a good time for the music scene, my friends. Enjoy!

Book Fare Cafe, located on the second floor of Village Books in Fairhaven, will begin hosting live shows in May. The Cafe itself has a nice vibe, features local and organic fare, and is owned by great folks Charles and Christina Claassen. It’ll make a great atmosphere to see some live music. Hell, even if there isn’t live music, go check it out great food and fare there. Contact Karen Kunkel at kunkelk85@gmail.com.

The Bellingham Electronic Arts Festival will be back beginning May 5, running for three days. The lineup is still being worked out, but the in the mean time, you can help them by donating to their Kickstarter account. Turns out putting a festival on isn’t cheap and they could use some funds to make it happen. Look ‘em up at www.kickstarter.com. Seriously. This is important.

Yellingham’s line up was announced and it is, simply, amazing. The fest runs from April 15-17 and will be at different places throughout town (hence why I have to be vague about the scene). You can find details on Facebook, so check it out. The bands include Helms Alee (holy crap!), Baltic Cousins, Wildildlife, RVIVR, Karl Blau, Yr Heart Breaks and about 30 others (literally), all performing in spaces like basements and living rooms across town… all organized underground. I love it.

Serious Black have decided to reunite for a weekend love affair to celebrate the release of the album they recorded in 2009, but never released. Friday night, April 29, is a super secret all-ages show (check Facebook for details, I guess not so super secret any more) while Saturday is at the Shakedown with Tearamanapart and Traditions. There’s a rumor going around that Logan will perform the entire show wearing assless chaps.

Record Store Day is April 16 and like last year, Avalon will be hosting a free show outside their shop with Kasey Anderson, The Slacks, Tearamanapart, Swayze, Vaughn Kreestoe, The DTs, and Zorbatron (oh yeah!) as well as great record store day releases (many of which will be sold out by 11). So, if you love music, get to a record store, by some stuff, see some music, enjoy the day.

On April 15, Go Slowpoke will reunite with original members Handsome Rob Stauffer and Sexy Joel Myrene. Peter’s just always awesome, it being his project, so I don’t have a good nickname for him yet. Like it when these three play music together, good things happen.

ON THE ROAD

Sugar Sugar Sugar, Yogoman Burning Band and Dog Shredder recently went on separate trips down the West Coast and back. I love that idea the fine folks in the East Bay getting some Yogoman, then some Sugar Sugar Sugar, then getting some Dog Shredder a day or two later. Somebody with a drink in their hand going, “Wait, this band is from Bellingham too? WOW!”

Daniel Anderson is in Ireland as of right now, playing guitar with Hyro Da Hero and things are “blowin’ up.” They have some amazing tours lined up that will blow your mind when we can officially report them. He said the shows are insane and the crowd response is beyond anything he could have imagined. Stay tuned for more from Daniel, could be a wild ride in 2011.

COMINGS & GOINGS

Sadly, Marriage has called it a day with their final performance being the What’s Up! birthday party. Pretty disappointing as the band was quickly becoming loved in town. They had all the makings for a long-term love of mine with their weird, spacey, and interesting music.

The Half Bees are back in action after a long hiatus. Not sure why there was a hiatus, but they’re back in the fold, and that’s all that matters.

Bad Tenants (who know Simon Pegg making them one of the coolest bands I’ll ever know) have signed with Live Vision Management out of Vancouver and will be touring with Moka Only beginning in May. A couple weeks ago they played the Mission Impossible 4 wrap party I’m guessing these boys will be raising their profile in 2011… wow, that was an understatement.

RECORDS & RELEASES

Torero have finished their debut record and it’s been sent off to the masters. So, look for new goods from this godhead band very soon, hopefully within a month or so. Watch for a story in these very pages right about the same time. Sexy.

Also coming out with a new album is the Sweet Dominiques, which will be available in early April, according to the band. Titled Record Store Rumble, it features 17 songs of songwriting goodness. Watch for a release in the upcoming month.

The Bright Weapons released their latest, The Monster Baby EP, on bandcamp, (brightweapons.bandcamp.com) and it is good… VERY good. Of course, would you expect anything less from the infamous Handsome Rob Stauffer, Russell Jander and Amy Gibson? It’s like an awesome all star group! Oh yeah, the songs were recorded by Tim Brown and mixed by Chris Vita, making it five for five in badasses.

Last month we mentioned Death Cab for Cutie is releasing their latest album on May 31, Codes and Keys. They’ve added a little bit of love that locals will especially dig. Along with the album they are releasing a DVD called “Live from the Mt. Baker Theatre.” Guess the shows went so well it was worthy of releasing. You’ll have people from all over the world buying this DVD and seeing Bellingham. From what I understand, it’s not just the shows, but there are interviews with the band as they talk about their time here (where they got their start). Look for reviews of the DVD and new album in the May or June issues.

The Lonely Forest have released Arrows on Atlantic Records. Along with sharing a label with Death Cab, they’ll be sharing the stage when the boys join in on nine days of their upcoming tour. Unfortunately, the tour doesn’t take them to Bellingham this time around as they’ll be playing primarily on the East Coast along with dates in LA and San Francisco.

Polecat are releasing their debut album on April 8 at the American Museum of Radio. So, if you wanna, ya know, have a good time, you should go to the show. I can guarantee anyone going to the show will have an unbelievably good time. It’s the way of Polecat!

The Knowgooders, which features Bellingham’s own Andrew Frazier on turn tables, have released their last album. Featuring a couple of ex-pats, it’s more badass hip hop from the burgeoning local scene.

Candysound have been recording their latest EP, though there is no official release date as of yet. In the mean time, you can go to singer/guitarist Teo Crider’s bandcamp page where he’s put up almost 300 songs of his solo material. Clear the schedule, ‘cuz it’s Teo time.

Mount Vernon’s own $hit Machine (which features Faith from the Trucks) have released their debut CD. It hasn’t crossed county lines yet, but we hope to have our hands on a copy in time for a review either next month or the following.

Pirate Pirate Motorhome just got home from a nice tour (which you can read about in this issue’s Tales from the Road on page 34) and have just released their latest CD. The band’s been plugging away in town for a while and really starting to find their sound. Check ‘em out.

That’s about it for this month. As always, please follow us on Facebook where we do frequent posts of the day as well as preview shows with vids. Thank you to all who read and support our monthly music mag. Lots of great stuff this month, enjoy yourselves.

Hugs and kisses, Brent

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

What's Up! Cover - February 2011. Artwork by Jerry Fowls at Lucky Lady Tattoo

Well, well, well, good day my friends. I hope yer are all surviving the nasty virus going around town. We’re surviving here at the What’s Up! office/Cole family home, but that’s been about it. So, if you’ve been wondering where the hell the paper is over the first week of February that’s the word, bird. Our production guru, my wife Becca, came down with the virus that’s been knocking everyone out and it knocked her out. Which is pretty amazing soul sister never gets sick and this one took her out for a full week.

So, we’re sorry for the delay. Unfortunately, when you run a mom and pop organization and the mom part is very sick, and then everything grinds to a halt. Which, in the grand scheme of things is fine I just hate seeing my beautiful wife sick like that!

Anyhow stay healthy everyone.

I’d like to thank everyone who participated and came out to the What’s Up! Pre-Pre, Pre and “The” Awards shows. It was a great time had by all we showcased some of the best bands this town has to offer while all celebrating this amazing and vibrant music community. I’d like to thank Candysound and Biagio and the Argonauts for playing the Pre Pre Awards Show at the Underground Coffeehouse (titled Pre Pre because it’s the one before the Pre Awards Show), Dog Shredder, Lampost Revival, No-Fi Soul Rebellion and Acorn Project for playing the Pre Awards Show on campus as well Glowbug, Zorbatron, Baltic Cousins, Keaton Collective, The Productionists and Polecat for playing the Awards Show; Poops, DJ Postal and the Dirty Bird Cabaret for between set entertainment, Eli Ziebell and James Gillies for help with the trophies, Sam Eisen-Meyers and Megan Housekeeper for booking the shows on campus; Casey Nolan, Andrew Nickerson, Lupe Flores, Zach Zinn, Sarah Jerns, Jordan Rain, Carey Ross, and Josh Holland for presenting awards as well as Qt Kiwi for handing out the awards. Finally, I’d like to thank Brittany Smith and Hallie Anderson for running the show it was by far the smoothest and most stress free awards show we’ve ever done, Craig Jewel and the Wild Buffalo for letting us host the show there, my wife for guiding me through all the stress of putting the show together and Braden Peterson, for being a badass behind the bar (as well as the rest of the staff at the Wild Buffalo). Congrats to all the winners as well we had approximately 200 more legitimate votes this year over last and I’m continuously amazed at the support this town offers local musicians. Don’t believe me? Try to find a What’s Up!, an awards show, a local all ages venue (which we’ll talk about shortly) and bunch of great venues as well as house shows in any other town with less than 100,000 people in it! This is a special place and I’m damn honored I get to cover what all the great folks around here are doing.

As I just mentioned, Bellingham will soon have its own, legit, all ages venue! WhAAM and Make.Shift had a goal of $8,500 needing to be raised by Jan. 16 and they raised over $12,000! 150 people donated over $12,000 averaging to $80 per person. Again, I’m so, so very proud of this community and the support it’s shown the music scene. A legitimate all ages venue is KEY to the vitality of a music scene it opens up access to music for those under 21, it gets them excited about music! The new spot won’t just be a venue, though, as we talked about last month. There will be classes and a host of things bands can utilize to promote, tour or just get organized. It’ll be a hub for the local scene and it’ll be amazing. There are still a lot of things that are needed for the venue, so please check out www.makeshiftproject.com for more information. The battle isn’t over now that they’ve got some money please continue to help either through donations of money or supplies. Look for a potential spring opening.

So, yeah, that’s cool, right? I mean, seriously, a devoted all ages venue/hub is possibly the coolest thing to happen to the town this year… if this were a typical year. Instead, we get another shot of good news! The Shakedown, located at 1212 North State Street (old home of the Factory, Callaloo and Plan B) should be open sometime in March if all goes as planned. You can expect a 3B inspired vibe there, though without a retro feel to it it’ll be the medium size rock ‘n’ roll club the town needs. It won’t just be rock ‘n’ roll, obviously, but it’ll have a cool edgy vibe to it. I lay awake at nights thinking about the awesomeness of The Shakedown. You will love it.

3 six 0 Music will be opening their doors in February (that’s the plan, at least). The new music shop – which will feature primarily used gear with some new as well as music lessons – will be housed in the old Video Extreme building on Holly Street (kind of by the Lighthouse Mission).

To recap new all ages venue, new medium size club and a used gear shop all happening this spring. HOT DAMN!

Ok, now to the bands.

BELLINGHAM POWER

Last year, we were graced with Chris Otepka (The Heligoats) moving TO town (as opposed to the normal exodus of talented people moving out) and this year Louis Ledford has decided to make Bellingham home. Louis moved up from New Orleans and while I haven’t had a chance to find out exactly what prompted the move (I assume sexy sexy Robert Blake had something to do with his relocation), I’m thrilled he’s here. You might’ve caught Louis at the Subdued Stringband Jamboree the dude is a talented songwriter and musician and you can start catching him more often around town.

Speaking of The Heligoats, they’ve just released a new split 10″ with Sam Humans from Portland, which I assume will be amazing (but haven’t heard it yet). Chris also spent some time back east in December when NPR flew him out to do a Tiny Desk Concert for the web. That, my friends, is really, REALLY cool. Seriously, a local was flown to Washington D.C. to play on NPR. Stunning, absolutely stunning. The Heligoats also landed on NPR’s All Songs Considered top 10 for 2010 list. Congrats, Chris!

Daniel Anderson is about to head out on tour with Hyro Da Hero that’ll take him to the UK in March and April. Where’s that leave his latest project, Glowbug? Not playing enough live shows, I’ll tell you that much. Band was amazing at the awards show.

There was a time when people could say Bellingham was a fun town, but a dead end for musicians if you really wanted to do something on a more professional level. Louis, Chris and Daniel (and bands like Acorn Project who tour often) have proved that isn’t the case anymore.

GOOD TIMES

The Cabin Tavern continues to book some great bands, including the Mumlers on March 2 (this one courtesy of Zach Zinn and his new company Orgoner Productions). The band has a pretty weird, but mellow sound that really blows me away (hence why we’re sponsoring the show). The chance to see the band in such a cool intimate setting is gonna be amazing.

On March 28, we’ll be having our What’s Up! magazine 13th birthday party, also at the Cabin. Why a Monday night? ‘Cuz that’s when the Strange Boys can play! Out of Austin, these guys are one of my favorite, favorite bands they play a mid-60s garage rock reminiscent of the 13th Floor Elevators or early Rolling Stones.

Ex-pat Chris Riffle, one of the best voices you’ll ever hear, is making his way back to Bellingham once again playing the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern on Feb. 24. This will be the third time in under a year that Chris has been in the area and I suggest everyone that reads this paper should make it down to the show. In all the years of doing this magazine, Chris is one of my favorite songwriters with an incredible voice. Don’t miss this show! He lives in NY, so who knows when he’ll be back!

We had planned on running a story on the Mud Jugglers at the Bellingham Circus Guild this month, but with the delay, we couldn’t… which sucks the Circus Guild is doing some great events each month and we wanted to help shine a spotlight on ‘em. Please check out their website, BellinghamCircusGuild.com, for a full calendar.

Good to see the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern still alive. As it is with all clubs locally, if you don’t go to shows, don’t drink, they can’t survive. So, please, support these venues so Bellingham can remain amazing. Tons of great shows there this month.

Bellingham Nite Life is hosting a new electronic music night at the Fairhaven Pub on Feb. 17 and March 3 with DJ Lithium, Erin Bersch, Neural Net, and JGuyver, as well as rotating local DJs. Check it out if that’s yer scene!

The Shadies, which have taken over part time residency at the Cabin Tavern on Wednesday nights, are playin’ some old time country music. As of this writing, their last show included them playing at a table with no PA, which they dug a lot. Oh yeah, the band includes Andy Rick, Lucas Hicks, and Reeb Williams, plus guest musicians. Good times!

The 3rd annual Winter Commission will be held at the American Museum of Radio and Electricity on Feb. 26. This year’s theme is Storytelling and will include film, amazing music, 30 artists as well as tons of other artistic goodies. The folks who do the Winter Commission like Music for Moderns, have always blown me away; it’s an incredible way to highlight the creativity of the town.

COMINGS & GOINGS

Caulfield and his Magical Violin have changed their name to The Violins and will be releasing Before You Die. I REALLY like the new name less distracting than old the name and I really dig this band, so should you (at least I think you will too).

Mary Mary have changed their name to Marriage, I assume to avoid any conflict or confusion with the gospel band Mary Mary. It’s also a different band to an extent with the addition of Drew Fitchette and Peter Woiwood. New name, same awesomeness.

Idiot Pilot are on “indefinite hiatus,” which I think is code for “broken up” in 2011 speak. Singer Michael Harris is moving to NY in the beginning of February and Daniel Anderson is working on Glowbug, Ghost and the Grace as well as touring with Hyro Da Hero. The boys had a great run and I’m sorry to see it go, but it sounds like they’re both moving onto bigger and better things. Good luck, guys!

I’ve heard from a couple different folks that The Slacks are their new favorite local band, which is amazing, ‘cuz I think they’ve only played a couple shows. The trio features LP from the Holy Tailfeathers, Andy Piper from Sugar Sugar Sugar and Jonathan Sampson from Bar Tabac. That, my friends, is an all-star line up.

Bayside Recording is changing their name to Champion St. Sound Studios. I was going to make up an elaborate story as to why, but I’m pretty tapped at this point. Baltic Cousins, Pan Pan and Marriage have all either been in or are in the studio right now.

RECORDS & RELEASES

Beam Me Up! by the Yogoman Burning Band will be out on vinyl in late February or early March. According to Yogoman himself, they’ve been getting some great airplay on KUGS as well as on KHUM in Arcada CA, which is, ya know, damn cool.

Robert Blake is releasing his latest recording, A Short Series of Long Nights Remembered-The Belfast Sessions on Feb. 25 at the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern. The album was is a collection of Irish folk songs recorded with Irish musicians (in Ireland, I assume that’s how Robert rolls). Opening is Giants Causeway, who are an amazing band as well.

The Baltic Cousins are releasing their debut CD in February. Though they’ll probably have it in time for the Lucero show at the Wild Buffalo on Feb. 12, their CD release party is at the Contra House on Feb. 25 with Ship to Ship, Monogamy Party and Blood Orange Paradise. In other Baltic Cousins news, Rabia Magnusson has joined on keys she made her live debut at the awards show. I REALLY love this band and Rabia added a cool element to their sound. Watch for a story on ‘em in the March issue.

Well, I’m out of room, so I’ve gotta stop. Please have a happy and safe February and remember when we reconvene for the next issue, baseball will have started back up we’ll have survived another winter, spring is on the way. Watch for updates on our facebook page and online at www.whatsup-magazine.com.

Hugs and kisses.

-Brent Cole

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

Federation X at Brent Cole's 40th Birthday. Photo by Hollie Huthman

Sharpie at Brent Cole's 40th Birthday. Photo by Hollie Huthman

Squirrel Girl stage diving at Brent Cole's 40th Birthday. Photo by Paul Turpin

Sharpie at Brent Cole's 40th Birthday. Photo by Hollie Huthman

There was a special vibe in the air as the crowd began to assemble for Brent Cole’s 40th birthday party. Lined up as one of the best local bills the town has scene in some time bringing Federation X and Sharpie out of retirement. I know it was going to be one hell of a night.

Dog Shredder started the evening out with their patended mind bending prog-metal set. Starting off with the Yes cover, “Heart of the Sunrise,” the nearly eight minute song eased the crowd into the night before unleashing the fury on the masses. The highlight of Dog Shredder’s set was a cover of Cicadas’s “Digga,” which was dedicated to Brent but enjoyed by all.

Next up were the Holy Tailfeathers who swung through another great set of garage pop. Playing a bunch of new material, singer LP was again on top of his game, crooning and belting songs centered around his amazing vocal delivery.

By now, the bar was nearly at capacity with an air of expectation. Next up was Sharpie, who many in the crowd were there for it was their first show in a decade and they drew out many of Bellingham’s old school crowd. I heard of people coming up from Seattle, Portland and even Los Angeles to get a chance to see another Sharpie set who were unbelievably epic back in the day.

And Sharpie delivered, cranking through five songs off of Dark Green Lakes (their full length from 1999), Opening with “Chain Letter Bomb Squad,” Charlie McCoy initially lost how the chords should go. After thinking for a second, he took another stab at it, nailed the progression, and Sharpie was off as if no time had passed since their last show. The rhythm section of Aaron Ball and Brad Lease was as tight and punishing as ever Brad especially playing like a man possessed. The crowd, a mix between young and old, pushed to the front of the stage, trying to soak up every second of the epic set. The highlight came on the last song, ‘Skinny,” when grown men in the crowd could be seen getting emotional as if the memories of days gone by and an amazing band overwhelmed them. Having seen the band many times “back in the day,” this was the best Sharpie set I’d ever seen.

Needing a chance to catch their collective breaths, the timing of a happy birthday song couldn’t have come at a better time for the crowd. As the bands changed their gear, Scott K Seitz got on stage to coerce Brent to join him so the bar could sing a boisterous version of Happy Birthday, after which, Scott decided to moon the crowd (as he’s been known to do). The crowd, by now well lubed, loving every second of it.

The air of anticipation had given away to drunken exuberance and the night quickly unfolded into one of the best the town had experienced in awhile. Lots of hugs, lots of laughter and lots of Rainiers.

After the birthday song and a little thank you from Brent, Sugar Sugar Sugar got on stage with new “temporary” guitarist, Stell Newsome of Honeymoon’s Over and Footstompin’ Trio fame. Playing their sexy T-Rex (ish) rock ‘n’ roll, the Sugs hardly missed a step with the new member of course, Stell is a fantastic guitarist, so that’s not surprising. They were the perfect band to separate the two reunion bands fun, loose and fuck of rock ‘n’ roll. A special nod goes to drummer Lupe Flores who consistently shows why she’s such a great drummer not just in substance, but in style as she somehow danced while sitting on a drum stool.

As the Sugs finished up, a buzz started to take over the crowd Federation X was ready to rock. And did they ever. Playing their best songs, including my personal favorite, Apeshit, the band was locked in. Like Sharpie, not only was Fed X as good as they used to be they were somehow better. I’ve always been a fan of Beau’s drumming, but he was on fire tonight, hitting with an ferocity that drove the band. Three quarters of the way through the set, Josh Holland (who’d played in Dog Shredder earlier in the evening) joined on guitar while Bill focused on singing opening him up to engage even more with the crowd to the delight of his fans. At one point, he did a mini stage dive with the fine folks of Bellingham keeping him firmly in the air. This, of course, while cool, wasn’t as amazing as the flying squirrel stage dive performed by an unnamed patron in a squirrel costume (rhymes with Face Colon). There’s nothing like seeing a squirrel go flying off the stage to get the crowd riled up.

One of the best parts of the show, much to the chagrin of the Wild Buffalo owners and security, was the old-fashioned beer flinging. Back in the heady 3B days, audience members would throw beer on bands to show their appreciation for a good show. While the town has generally moved away from this practice, it was good to see some beer being flung at Sharpie and Federation X it reminded the older folks of great days from their youth and showed the younger crowd to be a little less stiff in showing their love.

As Federation X wrapped up their set, the crowd slowly filtered out onto the sidewalk, not wanting the amazing evening to end. Friends – old and new – hugged, begged for booze and did anything possible to soak in the last remnants of the night.

What's Up Cover - December 2010. Artwork by Mandy Cramer

Oooooooh, striped socks. I love it. With candy canes even.

Hi everybody, how are ya’ll doing this fine fall? Enjoying the snow and the cold, I hope. Welcome to this edition of le Beat the Taylor Momsen of the music scene (yeah, wrap your mind around that one).

As per usual, a little housekeeping before I move on to what really matters you, the bands, and the fans.

First off, I’d like to thank everyone who came out for my 40th birthday party. It was, without a doubt, one of the best nights I’ve ever had. I knew the music would be unreal, but I was floored by the incredible kind gestures and words from many of you very cool and very touching. I was also floored by how amazing the vibe of the night was I don’t know if it was because we brought back Federation X and Sharpie and that brought out some old school folks who were REALLY excited to part with their kids for the night and see some rock. Or, if the energy of the night was great because it was such a great line up… or because it was a big birthday party and it’s hard not to have a good time at a drunken birthday party whatever it was, the night was special, not just for me but for many who came out. Reminded me of some shows I saw years ago and it was great to capture that feeling again.

Speaking of the bands, want to send a very special thank you to the great people on stage. Bill and Ben from Federation X flew over from NY to play the show, while Aaron Ball from Sharpie and Stell Newsome from Sugar Sugar Sugar had to travel up for practices just to play the show. It was an honor that people took time out of their lives, especially to reunite, just for the show. And of course, Mike Mitchell with the Holy Tailfeathers, which was incredibly cool. It was an epic night. Everyone played incredibly well, I was blown away by how good Sharpie and Federation X sounded better than I remember ‘em. And many thanks to the Wild Buffalo for hosting, thanks to Hollie Huthman, Matt Curtis and Paul Turpin for sharing their photos, thanks to Squirrel Girl for that epic stage dive, and to those who helped with equipment.

Finally, I’d like to thank my dear wife Becca and friend Carey Ross for organizing my “happy birthday” song and to Scott K Seitz for getting the whole bar to sing together… then showing his ass. Somehow it wouldn’t have been the same if Scott didn’t show his back parts.

The night was a great experience that’ll be etched in my brain for life. The music and the friends, just amazing. You’re all awesome.

OK, enough about that.

What’s Up! will be holding its 10th Annual Awards Show on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Wild Buffalo and it’s shaking out to be the best yet. Musical performances include Zorbatron, Keaton Collective, The Productionists, Polecat, and Baltic Cousins, along with the live show debut of Glowbug the latest project by Daniel Anderson (of Idiot Pilot fame). I’ve been told Glowbug will have an extra special set. There will also be music in the foray, with DJ Postal spinning between sets, dancing by the Dirty Bird Cabaret and the whole event will be hosted by Poops. That, my friends, is an unbelievable evening.

As if that wasn’t cool enough, we’ll be hosting a couple all-ages shows the day before. The “pre” Pre-Awards Show at the Underground Coffeehouse will have Candysound and Biagio Biondillilo, while the Pre-Awards Show will take place at the Viking Union, with performances by Dog Shredder, No-Fi Soul Rebellion, Acorn Project and Vaughn Kreestoe another fantastic line up.

As for ballots, voting will begin around Dec. 10. Check the website to cast your vote for categories. Remember, do not stuff the virtual ballot box! We will know when you do and we’ll toss em. So vote responsibly please.

We have some new things in store this year, including a category for Best Music Video. We’ve seen a lot, but we want to see more? Did your band make a video? Share it with us via e-mail by sending to editor@whatsup-magazine.com.

So, keep the Awards Show weekend open, we look forward to seeing ya, and it’s going to be a blast. We throw awesome parties, you should be there!

Now to the music.

The big, big, BIG news of the month is the new spot for WhAAM and Make.Shift. It’s over on Unity Street (by Griggs) and looks to be the absolutely perfect spot for the two organizations. They’ve been looking for eight months and have finally, finally found “their place.” But, they can’t open it without some serious donations the two groups are looking to raise at least $8,500 via kickstarter by Jan. 16. Ya know how you always see folks talking about “support your scene” or “support local music?” Supporting doesn’t just mean seeing your friend’s bands and having some drinks (which, on its own, is just fine), it also means ponying up when it’s time to do so and this is one of those times. Both WhAAM and Make.Shift are working hard to make the community a better place. I mean, seriously think about it, Bellingham with its own Vera Project (or 924 Gillman Street Project) a place for people of all ages to get into music. In my estimations, there are few greater causes in the music scene than this one. As of press time, they were nearing $1,000, but they need a bunch more. If everyone reading this paper gave a dollar, they’d have nearly three times enough money to open. SO, donate. Now. Please. Here’s the website: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/makeshift/the-makeshift-music-project

Federation X are now a band again, though obviously limited by the constraints of geography. After having so much fun playing music for the big 40th birthday party, they’ve decided to rock again playing a series of dates in the Northeast with none other than Monotonix!!! Absolutely awesome. Fed X rocks our world and we wish them the best.

Corduroy called it a day a few months ago, but Tim Leighton has a new band happening with Jenni Potts which he describes as “really heavy.” Stay tuned.

Peter MacLean Woiwood (Go Slowpoke) and Drew Fitchette (ex-Rooftops) have joined Mary Mary making the band a five piece. I’m not sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I think Zach Zinn it a total badass in the music scene. If you wanna know more about good music, go into his record collection.

Caparza recorded their new 7″ recently, though there is no official word on the release as of press time. The band is also working on doing a split LP with Random Orbits out of Seattle as well as writing more and more material. Think 2011 will be a good year for the boys of Caparza.

PRND is a new band featuring Jason Sands (Frozen Cloak, ex-Reeks and the Wrecks) as well as Bradley Leckron. They play spacey electronic music a Jason Sands special. You can find them on Facebook where they’ve got two songs listed both recorded at Jinx.

“Squirrel Girl” has a new band feature an amazing line up Nick Duncan, Aaron Apple and Toby Reif (who, I’ve been told, is amazing on guitar). Expect shows to happen sooner than later and expect their sound to be poppy-punk rock. Oh yeah, they’re called Downfall and have already done a little recording.

The Cat From Hue have released a new single, “One by One,” on Pink Hotel Music a collective that features Ambulance, Candysound, The Cat From Hue, Caulfield & His Magical Violin, Great Waves, The Masques, Kids and Animals, The Ronz, SEACATS, Teo Crider and Us on Roofs bands from Seattle to Bellingham and in between. The collective should be watched over the next year I see an Elephant Six reincarnated vibe happening. (That’s not too much pressure, is it Teo?).

The mighty Half Bees have been recording their full length album, though there is no official word on when the funk soul brothers will be releasing their debut album. Butts are shakin’ in anticipation. Especially Austin’s.

The Knapp Brothers (check them out on page 15), just finished a video for Jenni Potts (which had been months in the making) and are already moving forward with a new Lumpkins video that was initially filmed in the recent snow storm. For some reason, I’ve got a bunch of naked jokes, but nothing seems appropriate.

Dog Shredder will be hitting the road at the end of March with Tacoma’s Lozen for a short tour down the West Coast. Hopefully soon the boys will be releasing their epic new recording… boys? What’s the word?

There’s rumor of a new project between Clint Westwood and Knucklehead an amazing MC in town. No word on if the project is even out of the planning stages, but it should be absolutely amazing if and when it happens.

James Hardesty has decided to keep the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern open for now. Watch for changes in the future that will hopefully make the bar more profitable or at least able to keep the doors open a little easier. During the month of December, he’ll have the mighty Robert Sarazin Blake and the Silver Shirts every Monday for shows at 7:30 and 10 p.m. The Silver Shirts includes Jordan Rain on drums, Aaron Harmonson on bass, Jan Peters on piano and Mars Lindgren on horn. That, my friends, is an all star line up.

Plant Party have added two new players Lisa Feiertag on fiddle and Bobby Morgan on bass and will be heading into the studio in December to record their debut EP. Oh Adam Bates, you sly boots.

Acorn Project continue to make major waves on the national scene. They’re getting very positive reviews for Generation Debt all over the country and the album is currently ranked #1 on the Relix Magazine/Jambands.com national radio index chart ahead of a bunch of big names. AWESOME!

Scott Greene has just released a new EP, which is on store shelves as I type this. Looking forward to picking up my copy.

A special mention goes out to Sam Chue who contacted the magazine to let us know what he’s up to which is making pretty damn good songs. Don’t know much about the guy, but his songs on reverbnation fit into the singer/songwriter mold you should check him out.

Finally, before I close up shop this month, I’d like to again thank everyone for coming out to my birthday party, the kind words and the support of the magazine. Thank you’s don’t pay the bills here, but they are always greatly appreciated. And, let me tell you, they go a long way and we don’t forget when people are kind in their appreciation of the magazine, or even just being cool and letting us know what’s going on with their music.

We are not a rich publication, we are not backed by any big money like other publications out here, but we are rich in passion for the local scene and appreciate all the good folks out here. We have all kinds of amazing talent and people in our northwest corner, and no matter what genre you fuflill, you all love what you do (or at least should!) and feel it is important. But please remember that what is most important is maintaining good communication and respect for one another. It’s frustrating when people have to deal with certain, arrogant musicians who feel they are owed. Don’t be an ass, get off your high horse, and take it from someone who knows. Enjoy it, have a good time, work hard.

Thank you to the many local and independent businesses who proudly advertise in What’s Up! We cannot print without you and appreciate every single one of you.

We wish you and yours the happiest of holidays and an extremely awesome new year. I’m feeling good, are you?! See you in January.

Brent

editor@whatsup-magazine.com