Thought for the Day

How about a few responsibilities to go with the human rights the supreme court says corporations have?

Good-bye Rooster; Hello Hijackers

Last Thursday in the Palace, Rooster Sauce gave their last performance. Everyone said farewell to Chris, the Count, as he prepared to move to Arizona. 

See you on down the road, Chris.

As Rooster Sauce was tearing down, I wandered upstairs, and encountered two friends in the hallway.

Being a fan of live music, I don't fully understand how a DJ Dance can be the hottest event in Zootown week after week, but consistently the Dead Hipsters have produced just that on Thursday nights in the Badlander.

Everyone should know this guy by now. Travis Yost drums with Tom Catmull and the Clerics, longtime Zootown favorites. Now he's moved up front with a guitar, surrounded himself with three beautiful women and named this shindig the New Hijackers. This night, they followed Rooster Sauce to cap the evening.

More from this evening can be found on my flickr archive. Travis has been a favorite subject for a while and can be seen in the sets of Tom Catmull and the Clerics.


Flickr 

Fun w/Vera @Palace

Cindy Marshall and Jen Tachovsky are the duo Vera.

Jen was playing shutterbug and flashing away. I think she captured me very well with Cindy below.

Vera opened the Palace show on Thursday, May 13, 2010.

After Vera, Airstream Safari took the stage, followed by the headliners, Finn Riggins, a trio from Idaho with Lisa Simpson at the pivot.

Each of these bands has a set over on Flickr. 

Rooster Sauce Crows at Caras

Final show for Rooster Sauce is tonight at the Palace. Be there, or be beyond help, hope and square. 

Local Fest in Caras Park on Saturday, May 15, 2010, featured Rooster Sauce in their next to last performance. They played without their signature costuming, although the wings made a return appearance. They did, of course, play with their usual exuberant style. 

We say farewell to the Count, as Chris packs up to move to Arizona. He has represented top notch entertainment locally for many years. Thank you, sir. Travel safely. 

Later That Night

After open mike at Brooks and Browns on May 4th, I made a loop, starting with the Top Hat.

These young fellows play in a group called Yeti. I had not heard of them before, but I intend to hear more. They were playing some infectious riffs as I ran through, and the Hat was hopping.

Kevin VanDort was on the Badlander stage for the weekly Live and Local showcase.

Jimmy is among the new crop of Badlander/Palace door men, and he also does some Reggae DJ work down in the Palace, where I found him on this night.

There are more images from this evening on flickr, and Kevin can also be seen in some of the Brooks and Browns Open Mike sets.

I'm still groping for a new style for this blog, because I am tired of the I went here, saw this band, went there, saw another band... The political rants with Uncle Sam are feeling good, and will be a staple. Catherine Walters of the Independent ambushed me at the Post Office to question me for the Street Talk column. Wolf Redboy wound up in the same column. I think Uncle Sam will say something about oil companies soon.

Ann and Teresa interviewed me on KBGA Wednesday morning. Did anybody hear that?

New Faces @Brooks and Browns Open Mike

Ruthie Dada and Chris Duparri joined the weekly crowd at Brooks and Browns for Open Mike on Tuesday, May 4. Both of them can be seen in the many sets of Zeppo on my Flickr site. 

When the regulars faltered with the lyrics of a song they had done hundreds of times, another newcomer leaped in to steady the refrain. 

Another regular is often available to supply percussive support for open mike performers. Roger plays in about a dozen bands here and there. There's more of this evening in back of the Holiday Inn on flickr, along with several previous dates. All are shorthanded as BBMike followed by the date. 

May Day, 2010

May Day dawned wet and cold. After a round of the markets where vendors and visitors were scarce, and many were visibly shivering miserably, I returned home to stoke the fire in my wood stove and reassess. Later, as the clouds began to break up, I ventured down to Caras Park for the first summer brewfest. Weather means nothing to Zootown residents who thirst for beer, as a large soggy crowd was already present. 

Wartime Blues had bright sun in their faces, during their set.

May Day means many things to many people. Some people act as if it's the first day of spring, while others resurrect pagan rituals such as maypole dancing to celebrate the warming season. Local anarchists chose to remind Missoula of the holiday, which celebrates the working man.

Evening came with Zeppo on stage at the Union Club, and my favorite torch singer setting men's hearts on fire, as usual.

Are those Carhart's? I don't know, but I do know that Dave Johnson led Bridgebuilder in a lively set at the Hellgate Rollergirls Benefit in the Palace. Joey took a turn on the drums.

Keegan Smith and the Fam provided a tight and rigorous workout at the Top Hat, where I concluded the first day of May.

Sunday's Sermon followed by Sunday's Musical Interlude

I WANT YOU

TO WAKE THE FUCK UP!

The war-makers running this country don't give a shit about us. 


The Republicans and Democrats have both sold out to the highest bidders.


If you think you are getting the truth from television news you are dumber than a turnip.

And now for something completely different.

The Musical Interlude

L-R Phyllis, Sue, Lizzi, Kaya, Sonia, Marlene

Hot House Tomatoes @Symes

Once upon a time there was a folksy group called Tom and the Tomatoes, which I covered several times in previous posts. Now there is an all-woman ensemble named Hot House Tomatoes. It's a flexible group, as Marlene (below on bass) plays the guitar, banjo and upright bass, while Sue plays the upright bass, guitar and mandolin. Vocal duties and featured instruments rotate. Lizzi plays the accordion, Phyllis plays dobro, Sonia is on the flute and Kaya on the fiddle. 

Marlene has a heavenly voice, a joy to hear. I was so glad to be there as this talented group of women produced some joyful fun in the Symes dining room on Friday, April 23, 2010.

Bridgebuilder @Bsmt

David Johnson has performed under the Bridgebuilder banner for 13 years. The latest incarnation of his band is a high octane trio which includes two of my newest musical heroes. 

Rachid Abdel Ghafour

Joey, who is also with goddammitboyhowdy

Judgment Hammer in the Bsmt

That drum says Tater Pig, the family band Sid the drummer once played with. He and some of his bandmates from Helliana have reshaped to become Judgment Hammer. They followed Bridgebuilder in the Basement on Thursday, April 22, 2010.

Birds Mile Home @ZACC

Anticipation was high, as Birds Mile Home prepared to play in the ZACC gallery on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

Led by this man, Timmy Arrowtop, the band launched into a feel good frolic of tasty music. Timmy landed right on my new musical heroes list along with the aforementioned.

And the mystery man in the middle is:

the one and only Shmed

After this acoustic set, Birds Mile Home moved down to the basement and went electric.

All four bands in this post have their own sets, titled by band name and location, on flickr

Kitchenpoet is in the middle of a vast change of perspective, which is producing some new looks, new art, a shitload of ideas, and a bunch of new dreams I intend to live one day. A batch of old shit must be jettisoned to make room for more art. Coming soon--lots of new whatsit from Kitchenpoet. Stay tuned.

Thanks to Steven Begleiter for the first Uncle Sam photo, and thanks to Mark Bryant for the second and third. I am proud to be associated with such outstanding photographers.