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.

ZACC Basement Underground Outpost

When Reggie asked where the photos were from the performance in the ZACC Basement on February 27, 2010, I thought surely I had posted something, but no...don't see it. Here is Reggie, with his light, performing with Shramana. He thinks I should give him equal time with Caitlin just because he writes the band's material, but what can I say, when Caitlin looks like this?

Reggie is my friend, and he's very photogenic, too, but in this case I'm going with my dirty old man instincts.

Dave Johnson has had a band named Bridgebuilder for 13 years, although he was the only fixed member for those years.

Some hard drumming announced the Thug Nasties.

These cats know how to have fun. Somehow I had never seen them before, and became an instant fan on this night.

Overall it was another excellent night in the ZACC Basement. This venue is consistently displaying the newest sounds in the rawest basement setting to a growing crowd of fans.

It only took six weeks, but now that event is covered, and there are more images on flickr. What do you think, Reggie?

Reggie...?

Friday, the 13th in Zootown

The once unnamed band, which had been Thug Life, is now Dr Agony and the Mystery Date. I don't know what the Dr Agony part is about, but I like Mystery Date. Pay attention zootown, there's some serious young star power developing here.








Electric Dandelion was set up and ready to go, at a house party, awaiting the arrival of their front man Kalen. I recently covered their show at the Palace. This night's performance ended soon, as the old wiring couldn't supply enough juice to power the band.



Mikki said my flash bothered her, and I began to shoot at slow shutter speeds with available light. I've been experimenting with this for a week or two.

When the musicians became giants, the one limitation of the basement venue became apparent. It was a wild and woolly night in the underground, beneath ZACC.



Pluto's a Planet capped the evening, at Dauphine's.




I can't be everywhere, but sometimes I try and I'm too old for that. This body can only handle so much coffee, and I need my eight hours.

Last night, was another marathon night, much like First Friday, a week earlier. Last week still isn't handled, but time is flexible and re-arrangeable in our new world. Thus, I simply must handle Friday, the 13th, first, and then go back to last week to finish off First Friday.

I started the evening with Mystery Date, because I saw them at the Palace and enjoyed their set. See that event in a previous post and on the flickr archive. Find more of Friday, the 13th, as well.

From Dauphine's, I rushed to a Northside house party for Knot Knocked Up, but arrived as they began their last number. Electric Dandelion set up to play next, but the old house refused to cooperate, electrically, and the band packed it in. It wasn't a long walk to ZACC, where Bridgebuilder was performing in the basement. Then it was back to Dauphine's, where Pluto's a Planet was the final act.

Thomas Pendarvis has added producer to his credits, with several fine cutting-edge programs at Dauphine's. Dauphine's is moving into the building with the Badlander and the Palace. It's happening now.

Goddammitboyhowdy is coming to the ZACC basement. I missed them twice at the Badlander, and they cancelled a show at the Lab, when I was there and waiting. They will be here Saturday, March 28. Raw Nerves, from Portland, and two other bands are also on the bill for that event.