Best Bar Movie Packs Wilma

These people made a movie, and a lot of Missoula folks crammed into the historic Wilma Theater, on Friday, June 17, to see it.

The movie starred this motorcycle with sidecar, and, after the viewing, everyone had to photograph it or be photographed with it.

Jim Beyer, the motorcycle's owner, was proud and happy to help shoot the starstruck.

Andrea Harsell and Jim Beyer

Another star also garners some attention.

Wolf Redboy is on the soundtrack, and Amanda Cevallos has a steamy scene in the movie. Both may be seen in previous posts on this blog, and in the flickr archive. Amanda moved to Texas and was unavailable for a current photo. This one will have to do.

I cannot review the movie, which was seen in an early rough cut, because I have no idea, if it was good, bad or indifferent. I was delighted to see so many people and places I know, but there were far too many to name here. The full title is the Best Bar in America, and, if you love Missoula, beer, motorcycles, bars, or Montana, see it when you get a chance.

Saturday Starts with the Markets

Where else would any red-blooded Missoulian start Saturday, except at the markets? On June 11, I guided some friends visiting from Kansas around zootown, and they bought several momentos. After the markets, it was time to eat at the Catalyst.

Somewhere along the way, we saw this sticker.

As the day ended, we approached the underground music scene.

Underground in more ways than one, and a good time was had by all. This was the last performance by Knot Knocked Up.

Art is Everywhere

I haven't been in any gutters lately, but I am sure the above statement is true, because art is everywhere. I particularly like the art to be found in streets and alleys. For example, here is a little show I stumbled upon recently. Isn't this beautiful stuff?

Top Hat Sports Strong Line Up

The recent line up at the Top Hat has featured one strong act after another.

Reeble Jar was reminiscent of old-time psychedelia, updated and poured out in joyful fashion.

Broken Valley Road Show is one of my favorite fun-time groups. This night at the Top Hat saw them do an old Fugs song titled "I Feel Like Homemade Shit." I don't think I've heard that song, since I lost that album about 20 years ago.

The Warsaw Poland Brothers pulled into the Top Hat with a powerful blast of energy. These cats rocked.

And there was so much more this old coot couldn't cover. The Itals and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band played the Top Hat last week. That's a homerun schedule.

The Clumsy Lovers are returning to zootown to play the Top Hat, next Friday, July 10. This will be a dance party not to be missed.

Underground, Part 3--Blessiddoom @ Palace

Blessiddoom is among the royalty of the zootown metal scene, and Eddie, up front, is a hero to many. My history with them goes back over a year to the Other Side, when Blessiddoom was the first band up in the PBR Performance Series. 32 bands competed and eight qualified for the final round. Blessiddoom was the first to play and the first to qualify. There are previous posts on this blog about the band, and there are some sets on the flickr archive.

The dancers are sporting a new look, a fashionable update from the tank tops and shorts.

Why do we intellectuals always underrate metal bands? Some are very good. Blessiddoom can stand among any of the zootown bands with big reps, and their lyrics are as socially conscious as any protest singer's. Walking Corpse Syndrome, covered in the previous post, also makes savage commentary on modern life.

The Palace is proudly providing a venue for a lot of bands, local and visiting, who represent a sound off the beaten track.

Underground, Part 2--Walking Corpse Syndrome

Technically, the Union Hall is not underground, being the venue upstairs to the Union Club, but the sound is underground. This night Walking Corpse Syndrome lived up to their headlining status. I had been late and missed their performance at Club Q, earlier in the month, and I wasn't about to miss this one.

This is one of the best-known metal-punk bands of zootown. There are solid rhythm riffs backing socially conscious lyrics, believe it or not, and I enjoy watching them.

Another photographer captures some animated fiddling.

The venue has some limitations, a lack of A/C being one, but a common one in zootown.

Doomfock, above, opened the show, followed by Mageddon, the lively crew below.

As usual, there are more images from this event on the flickr archive. Walking Corpse Syndrome may also be seen early last year competing in the finals of the PBR battle of the bands at the Other Side.

Dammit, I miss the Other Side. There go the best lighting and sound systems in town.