Catch Up, with Three Exciting Performances

Once upon a time, a long time ago, Tonsofun opened for the iNHUMANS at the Badlander. 

Recently, on the Top Hat stage, he sported a different look. 

He invited Ruthie on stage for a rapping, hip-hop duet. She poured her heart into it, as she always does, and the two of them produced some truly original material.

I'm still having trouble with the new google image uploader, and I can't get the truly dramatic shot of Ruthie belting it out to upload here. Well, (bleep!)... There are more images of these two on stage at the Top Hat over on my flickr archive. Look for Tonsofun among the sets.

Other recent events of note included TSMF, followed a day later by This Band Kills Fascists, both at the Palace.

 I must mention here my first print exhibition opens at the Palace tomorrow, Friday, December 4, during the First Friday Gallery Walk, 5-8pm. Another band has cancelled, due to illness, but the event is finally on. The bar will be open, and there will be music. The American Humanics Student Association is holding a raffle, and a large number of prizes will be awarded, at approximately 7p. Mayor Engen is expected for that event.

Here's another big fellow who is a lot of fun. Charlie is up front leading the charge for TSMF.

Behind Charlie is a hard driving sound. Yes, the bass player is also with Punchy and the Knockouts.

This Band Kills Fascists is another group, with TSMF, high on my up and coming band list. There's a dramatic story here far beyond my current abilities to tell. I'll end with some images, and a reminder there is more of everyone in this post over on flickr.

Halloween Report 2009

My favorite Halloween party is the one in the Badlander/Palace complex, because it is a maze of interconnected venues with something different happening in each one. As I entered on this Halloween, the Twister championship was in progress, and soon the victor stood triumphant.

Then the rappers took the stage with Tonsofun and Linkletter starring.

Next door, the Mermaid and Siren were spinning away.

Everywhere people wanted their pictures taken.

In front of the Golden Rose, I found a plastic surgeon and one of his satisfied clients.

For me, the highlight of the evening was Secret Powers covering Abbey Road in the Palace.

They were followed by the Volumen doing Ziggy Stardust.

Meanwhile at Charlie B's, Mudslide Charley was rocking some old time blues.

The Union Club is a popular spot, especially on Halloween. As usual, the club filled to capacity and the line stretched towards the corner. They were waiting to see Russ Nassett and the Revelators.

Russ wasn't in costume, but his son dressed up a bit, and the crowd had a good time.

The streets were full of people in costume.

It was a busy evening keeping the Kitchenpoet on the run. There are more images from that night on the flickr archive. Each set has a title beginning with Halloween and ending with 2009 sandwiching the venue. Check them out, and look for the Day of the Dead report coming soon.

Hempfest 2009

Mother Trucker showed up at Hempfest, the first time I'd seen her since Love Your Mother up at Lolo. Of course, I had to have the Captain's Booty, for old times sake.

Several local bands are named after natural disasters, and the best I've heard is Rising Waters. I didn't even know who they were until this event. I immediately recognized Mike Avery up front, because he does the open mike at Sean Kelly's on Mondays.

The line up for Hempfest was top quality from start to finish, including some old favorites.

Ruthie sang and danced, and it doesn't get any better than that.

Speaking of Ruthie, she has teamed up with Tonsofun to create a dynamic hip-hop duo. They played the Palace on Tuesday, September 15.

Just the tip of the iceberg. There are three sets, on flickr, for this blog posting, titled Rising Waters @Hempfest 2009, Zeppo @Hempfest 2009 and Dynamic New Hip-Hop Duo.

TSMF Replaces Goddammitboyhowdy

Goddammitboyhowdy failed to appear, again, when I was at the venue on time and waiting. Last time, I arrived at the Lab to be told they wouldn't be showing. I've missed Goddammitboyhowdy (Isn't that a great name?) twice due to scheduling conflicts, when they played the Badlander and the Palace. Sooner or later, I will see them live onstage. In the meantime, I found their CD at Ear Candy for a mere $4.

Back to Saturday, March 28, in the zootown underground, TSMF showed up big time to fill the night's final spot. The big fellow up front is named Charlie, which is a plus in my book, of course. In size and congeniality, he reminds me of Tonsofun. The final result of the evening was I heard for the first time a band, which appears to be an up and comer in zootown.

Enthusiastic TSMF fans get into the act. 

Raw Nerves were the featured act from Portland. Valsalva Maneuver, from Kalispell, opened and were followed by the Juveniles. As usual, there are more images in the flickr archive.