Original Hermans Reunite

Which Hermans were reuniting I wondered, when I saw the first listing for this event, because I had seen several musicians play under that name. "All of them," I was told by someone who should know. If the word "original" had been in the listing I still wouldn't have known, since the original band was before my time in zootown. Wednesday, October 7, saw the group above in action in the Palace.

The two guys leaning into each other above were not original Hermans, although they are unique and original musicians in their own right. This was last year's Hermans' line up, which qualified for the finals of the PBR battle of the bands. Just to avoid any confusion, let's run through the "original" group one at a time.

David Jones is also seen regularly with Rooster Sauce.

William Barney Pheiffer

Chris Ente is better known these days for his roles with Reverend Slanky and Def Cartel.

On the drums behind that trio was Derk Schmidt.

I thoroughly enjoyed this performance and once again wished I had arrived in zootown earlier. I missed so much. Thank all the powers that be, I finally came home and am now trying to miss nothing.

There are more images from this event in a set on the flickr archive. There are also sets of Rooster Sauce and Reverend Slanky, who are staples on the Missoula music scene.

Hillstomp Headlines Palace Show

Due to a performance delayed by technical difficulties at another venue, I arrived late at the Palace. I missed the opening band, but arrived in time to see some old friends perform. There are multiple sets of Wartime Blues, including this night, on the flickr archive.

Hillstomp from Portland plays old blues in a fast, hard-driving fashion. I became a fan the first time I heard them play an RL Burnside song. The drum kit features some found items, and there's a homemade stringed instrument or two.

If I had any money, you bet I would have purchased some Hillstomp merchandise from this young woman.

See the flickr archive for more Hillstomp.

Walking Corpse Syndrome Headlines Metal Show

Metalheads gathered upstairs in the Union Hall on Friday, October 9, for an evening of their favorite music.

Local stars, Walking Corpse Syndrome headlined the show.

They sport a spectacular look,

and the fiddle playing is good, too.

Odyssey, from Spokane, opened the show.

KaNcErUs came from Billings to fill the second spot in the line up.

There is a healthy set of Walking Corpse Syndrome on the flickr archive. Odyssey and KaNcErUs will soon have sets, too.

This show in the Union Hall was the beginning of a great weekend of music in zootown. Later, Friday, Clumsy Lovers of Vancouver, B.C., had a bunch of folks dancing jigs over at the Top Hat. Saturday, there was more frenzied dancing at the Top Hat, as Ragbirds drummed up a storm. Meanwhile, Hillstomp, a crazed pair of blues players from Portland paid another visit to the Palace. I try to see those guys every time they come to town. They already have two sets on flickr, and soon there will be another. Ditto for Clumsy Lovers.

First Friday--October, 2009

First Friday is Art Walk Night in zootown. Galleries open their latest shows, usually with snacks and drinks, and sometimes with music. I started the evening at Paradigm, an architect's office, tucked up the alley between the Rhino and the Catalyst. The artist's name was Jennifer Bardsley, and the music was provided by a pair of friends.

Next door and upstairs, jazz was being played in the Loft. The Loft is a classy private club, and we riff-raff can only enter free on the first and third Fridays. Jazz is played both of those nights. You must pay to participate in the wine tasting.

I hit several studios and galleries, after those two spots. Zombie Tools had an exhibit of wildly creative found art in the New West Offices, and Home Resource had a Spontaneous Construction exhibit outside in the alley. Noteworthy took me back to high school, when my locker was lined with Lon Cheney, Frankenstein's monster, Dracula and other assorted images torn from monster magazines. Tim Thornton filled Noteworthy with posters, prints and tiles featuring those monsters and performers from my youth. I'm up, down and around, until First Friday events are ending, and it is time for music. And there was music, right there on the corner of Higgins and Broadway, lots of music from a full brass band.

The Reverend was in the Badlander pulpit.

There was some electronic tomfoolery downstairs in the Palace.

When Club Q is up and running, the place is full of pulsing music, flashing lights, dancing and fun.

My last stop for the evening was the Union Club, where Whiskey Rebellion was playing. I wished I had checked these guys out sooner, because they are a kick in the pants. The new no smoking rule didn't seem to be hurting business at the club.