Booking My Flight to Mars Soon (& Rocking Out Meanwhile)
27 Jul 2009 5 Comments
in Flight to Mars, Kristen Ward, Mike McCready, Music, Pearl Jam, Seattle Tags: Buzz Aldrin, Gary Westlake, Mars, Neumos, Paul Passereli, UFO
So Thursday night I took another Flight to Mars with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready and friends from Neumos and I had a blast (and survived re-entry, except maybe my hearing)!
What can I say? Buzz Aldrin says we need a flight to Mars!
OK. I know Buzz meant a real flight to Mars. We’ve already got a couple rovers there. We could do it!
We can’t book flights there yet, or can we? We’ll see later.
First on to the rock show. Well, first after getting re-directed after getting disoriented taking the 43 bus that I haven’t taken in a while. Fortunately my friend George was the driver. OK. Don’t depend on me for coordinates for your real flight to Mars!
I made it there before they started letting people in, which turned out to be another hour and a half before the show. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I got close to the stage (and was able to regain my close spot throughout the evening.
Mike came out to do an acoustic with Gary Westlake and Rebecca Young first, including Dead Flowers by the Rolling Stones and a song about getting wasted Neil Young’s wife will no longer let him do.
Gary Westlake was wearing a vintage Flying Burrito Brothers t-shirt at this point. We were to see a lot of Gary that evening, as he’s with Kristen Ward’s band, who was opening, as well being a charter member of the Flight to Mars.
Kristen Ward’s set was next and she really wowed the audience (especially the guys). Her singing and the band’s playing were even more intense in a small club setting.
Check out Kristen’s music at: http://www.kristenward.com/
Kristen also designed the posters for the show, which were signed by all the band members and certainly must have sold out early on.
Next it was time for our Flight to Mars! Flight to Mars is a UFO cover band. While Mike is their most famous member, they have a terrific line up. Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s the Sound Magazine write up before their last Chrohn’s and Colitis benefit show:
Haven’t heard of Flight to Mars? (Sad for you.) Think of your favorite old cheese-rock band—yes, you have one—then add better musicians (North Twin guitarist Tim DiJulio, bassist Gary Westlake, and drummer Kelly Van Camp) and an almost scarily authentic ’80s frontman (Paul Passereli).
Nah, Paul’s not really scary. He’s really a nice guy. I’ve almost literally bumped into him at a couple of these shows and he’s always a real gentleman.
They started with Lights Out and kept rocking out the house. What kind of evening was it? Well, as Paul pointed out, Mike had his shirt off after the second song (and was up front playing incredible guitar solos to the audience all night).
Check out this video from a Chrohn’s and Colitis Foundation fundraiser in 2004 to get an idea of both the band and one of Mike’s epic guitar solos.
Mike did a really epic solo during Rock Bottom. He’s just exhausted.
That was just the end of the main set, though (at nearly 1 in the morning). Mike came out to ask how many encore songs the audience wanted – 1 or 2? As you can see there were a lot of 3’s!
They tried to get all the guests out on stage for the evening out, and had most of the guys for their first encore song, I’m a Loser. Gary now had his shirt off, too.
Perfect song for these scary times with the economy.
You can come to my place and sleep on the couch
Lots of people do it and we won’t leave you out
Hard times out on the Street
Hard times, hard to beat
They even got Kristen and Rebecca out for the finale song.
They played some Lynyrd Skynyrd. No, not Free Bird (although someone did call it out). Tuesday’s Gone, which really is a great song to get everyone on stage and go out to. Train, roll on. . .
It was about 1:10 am when things wrapped up. I really thought I had a couple more minutes then I did to catch my bus, and that I had time to have a glass of the free water they had at the bar. I even bought a copy of the Real Change homeless newspaper from a vendor on my way out.
I reached the corner of Broadway and Pine and saw my bus had already left the stop in front of the theater and was at the light. I had to run for it, through a barricade maze for construction, to the catch it at the stop in front of Seattle Central Community College. That almost did me in.
I would have died happy, except, except. . .I finally have a fan ticket to Pearl Jam, who are playing Seattle for the first time in years in September! Not only that, my friend needs me there with my ID for both of us to get in. I better catch my breath.
When I got to the bus to get on, all exhausted, a guy in fatigues getting off started laughing hysterically and kept saying to the driver, “Be careful, she’ll bite you!” He seemed to be on something much stronger than the one drink I had earlier in the evening. Hope he’s not active duty!
So, what about those real flights to Mars? We don’t have those yet, do we?
Wait, Expedia is booking! Only $99 round trip! Not quite as cheap as the $21.50 (including service charges) for the flight with Mike and his friends, but still. . .
http://www.expedia.com/daily/mars/flights-to-mars/
Of course, this flight was posted on April Fools Day. You might want to wait. . . Wait! You can book a hotel on Mars as well!
Hmm. I don’t know. I think I’ll wait for the flight run by Buzz’s buddies at NASA, or maybe I’ll just wait for the next flight from Mike and his friends. Paul doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d take any guff from bad ass aliens.
I don’t know, though. Those activities on Mars on the Expedia website sound mighty enticing!
Maybe after the Pearl Jam concert I’ll look into it. . .
——————————————————————-
7/27 6 pm update: I did want to add two more links.
First, there’s more music from Flight to Mars on their MySpace page (including an epic version of Rock Bottom they broke down into two clips):
http://www.myspace.com/flighttomars
Second, as usual when I have my camera with me, I took probably too many pictures that night. They’re up on my Flickr website in their own album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/javacolleen/sets/72157621823553392/
Photos are downloadable (with some restrictions – not commercial use, attribution, not making major alterations with Photo Shop etc.). Just click on the photo and then on it’s page the “All Sizes” tab above the photo and choose which size you want, then the Download link on the left side just above the photo (and also probably change the file name to something you’ll recognize).
Generally if I add my own photos to these posts, there’s a lot more up in their own album on the Flickr site.
Los Lobos at the Zoo
23 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Amnesty International, Human Rights, Los Lobos, Music Tags: Woodland Park Zoo, zoo tunes
Sunday I got to table the Los Lobos concert at Woodland Park Zoo for Amnesty International. As my boss laughed and said when I told her Monday morning – “Tough job!” OK, well, I do have to haul all those AI tabling supplies by bus.
This was the first Zoo Tunes concert we’ve tabled. Amnesty International’s Rhythm N’ Rights program gets permission from Los Lobos and the other bands we have tables at for their whole tour, then works out the details with the venues. We shared the merchandise tent and were able to set up our petitions and literature facing the stage. It was a little breezy, which felt nice on a hot day, but we had to get innovative to hold everything down. We got a few people stopping by, and business was especially good on their set break. Percy, who was tabling with me, was good at getting the people in by telling them what a deal we had – signing the petitions was free!
Los Lobos, of course, were great! Here’s a clip from them at Austin City Limits in 2006 to give you an idea.
There was an ever growing group of people dancing near the merchandise and radio tents. Multi-generational. A lot of families with young children and sometimes grandparents. Then at the very end, they even got nearly everyone out of their lawn chairs up and dancing! Audiences dancing. . .in Seattle. As I’ve told you, that’s very rare! Then the band started bringing people on stage with them. First, some women who were up front. Then they called for all the children and they. . .and their parents. . .came running!
It was great! Seen wandering around back stage (followed by children) – a peacock!
Only draw back to the zoo concert was that the band couldn’t stay to autograph the merchandise (which pretty much sold out), because the venue needed everyone to get out as soon as possible due to no lights and the sun going down.
Beautiful view of the Olympics in the sunset as I walked down to my bus stop to head home with the supplies and petitions to be mailed off.
Penguins, Parks, Snow Globes & Sorbetto
19 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Seattle Tags: Archie McPhee, Fainting Goat Gelato, Meridian Park, Penguins on the March, Wallingford, Woodland Park Zoo
So, I decided to head off to the Wallingford neighborhood yesterday. A sunny Saturday afternoon seemed like a good time to check out the water-based sorbetto at Fainting Goat Gelato and the new Archie McPhee location.
Wallingford is the next neighborhood over from the U District, so I just started walking. I ended up crossing over on 50th, then heading south on Meridian, where I discovered this portal.
It turned out to be the entrance for Meridian Park, and I had to go in and check it out. They had a large, grassy area, with a lot of trees, and a playground, then as I walked around the large building, trying to figure out what it was, I came across Seattle Tilith’s Children’s Garden. Then I walked around to the front of the building which was the Meridian School, an independent school in the “historic Good Shepherd Center” according to their website. They were having a Summer Quest, and I came upon a wheel barrow race on the other side of the school.
I continued on my own quest (for something resembling ice cream I actually may be able to still eat), walking around the park past fallen crab apples and squirrels and heading down Meridian Ave. I walked by the Wallingford Neighborhood Office, with Wallingford memorabilia, including buttons saying “The Hood that Could.” I could see the Rusty Pelican parking lot from there, so I knew I was coming up to 45th.
So, I proceeded to look for Fainting Goat Gelato from the address I wrote down when I saw their ad with the upside down goat in a red circle logo. I was almost there. It was just past Not a Number Cards & Gifts (Disturbing the Comfortable, Comforting the Disturbed) on 45th.
I saw a lot of people enjoying tasty treats outside, and I knew I was in the right place. It’s a small restaurant, and kind of warm in the summer, with an incredible selection of gelato, and it turned out 4 flavors of sorbetto (which I had to ask about because they weren’t labeled). I tried a spoonful of each – mango, mirtillo, limone and pomegranate; before deciding on a scoop of mango this time. It’s a bit pricey, $3 a scoop, and I even sprung an extra $1 for a waffle cone.
It was delicious! In fact, too creamy and tasty. Even though the gelato lady assured me the sorbetto was water & sugar based (no dairy or soy), I still worried. I’m still a little uncertain, as I had a little problem today. I do have trouble with too much sweets or carbs, so it looks like that’s likely the case (it was a big scoop); whereas things like dairy or soy hit me immediately and badly. It’s no fun having a gut problem. I’ll go carefully with the sorbetto, and see how it goes. I have missed ice cream. . .
Definitely recommended for people without my weird health problems (and let me know how the gelato tastes)!
Next it was off to Archie McPhee, home of rubber chickens, punching nun puppets, yodeling pickles and assorted weirdness. I was just a few blocks from their new location. I walked by Molly Moons, which had a long line for ice cream (hey, this is Seattle, if it’s even close to 80 we’re hot. . .).
Just past Alphabet Soup Children’s Books I came across a penguin with a water dish. Ah, global warming! Poor thing. I soon found he was not alone.
Next I walked by the Boys & Girls Club in Wallingford, which had a beautiful fence.
Then, there it was, in bright yellow so no one can miss it – Archie McPhee!
Also with a giant eye signboard on the street. You can get bandages like this inside (so people will stop staring at your scrapes & bruises)!
There was a penguin lounging outside Archie McPhee as well. Coincidence? Hmm. . .
So, what did I buy at Archie McPhee? Jumping, yodeling lederhosen? Zombie mints? The Cold War Unicorn Play Set? A ninja clock? Monkey groan ball? Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure? Bacon soap? Uh, oh, don’t tell PETA. Devil duckies? Love rats?
I’m almost embarrassed to say – a Space Needle Snow Globe (with little hoops to try to land on the Space Needle) and a small purple bendy puppet man with flexible limbs (I can see him moshing to Mudhoney).
Never fear. I’ll be back for more silliness another day.
Heading back home down 45th, I came upon yet another penguin. It’s an invasion!!!
OK. He looks harmless enough, but what are they all doing here? I checked the base. They’re Penguins on the March! Siixty-two penguins decorated by Seattle artists to celebrate Woodland Park Zoo’s new Humboldt penguin exhibit. According to the zoo website:
Penguins on the March will begin migrating into Ballard, Fremont and Greenwood-Phinney, where you will find individual penguins prominently featured in front of neighborhood businesses in July, August and September.
Here’s a link to more at the Woodland Park Zoo blog.
You never know what public art is going to pop up in Seattle next - pigs, nutcrackers, penguins. . .
Churches Can Host Tent Cities
18 Jul 2009 1 Comment
in Homeless, Seattle Tags: Northshore United Church of Christ, Tent City 4, Woodinville
The Supreme Court of Washington ruled Thursday that churches do have the right to host the homeless in tent cities. According to the Seattle Times, the court ruled “that the City of Woodinville violated a church’s constitutional rights when officials refused to consider a permit to host a Tent City homeless camp on its grounds three years ago.”
The state’s high court unanimously found that the state constitution’s First Amendment right to religious freedom should have trumped a city moratorium on “conditional use” permits, which a King County Superior Court judge had used to evict the roving camp from the Northshore United Church of Christ.
And two justices took it a step further, saying that the way they see it, the city has no right to even require a permit at all.
Tent City 4, the tent city in question, is run by SHARE/WHEEL. As they note in their website, SHARE/WHEEL tent cities have a strict code of conduct, have a food preparation area, port-a-potties and trash removal. They provide shelter because there’s not enough indoor facilities, and they also have flexible hours which help for swing shift and graveyard workers, and couples can stay together.
Tent cities move from church to church, with Tent City 4 mostly operating on the Eastside of King County. Here’s a YouTube clip on Tent City 4 from two years ago.
Some more interesting facts about Tent City 4, from the Northshore Church of Christ website:
Do people leave Tent City 4?
- The typical length of stay for residents is about 6 weeks.
- The Eastside Tent City has found this area to be rich in day-labor and other jobs which lead to permanent employment. In fact, several residents of the 2004 Tent City stay in Woodinville now work and live in Woodinville—such as at McLendon’s and Woodinville Lumber.
- Other residents, after living a more settled, safe lifestyle surrounded by community volunteers coming and going 24/7, repair relationships with families and move home.
- One other unique event at Tent City is that while working to keep their own community together, many residents develop friendships with others living in Tent City: After saving money in the free shelter while working, they pool their savings in groups of 2 or 4 people to rent housing together.
According to the Times article, the City of Woodinville refused a permit application from SHARE/WHEEL for Tent City 4, citing a moratorium.
The court said that their previous rulings on such matters are clear: the government can’t impose undue burdens on the practice of religious beliefs. “Rather than seeking to impose reasonable conditions on the Church’s project to protect the safety and peace of the neighborhood, the City categorically prevented the Church from exercising what the City concedes was a religious practice,” Justice James Johnson wrote for the majority.
In a concurring opinion, justices Richard Sanders and Tom Chambers said the majority should have been more emphatic. The state constitution gives an “absolute” freedom of religion, so governments can’t be “in the business of prior licensing or permitting of religious exercise any more than it can license journalists,” Sanders wrote.
“Absolute means absolute.”
In fact, Sanders wrote, the church should be able to sue the city for legal fees because its rights were violated.
This is a victory, not only for Tent City 4 and the Northshore United Church of Christ; but all tent cities and churches in the state.
I’ve never quite understood the paranoia some people have about the homeless, and particularly tent cities, which tend to be well organized with rules and sometimes screening. Especially in this economy – with jobs shrinking and paying less, housing prices high, and lack of adequate medical coverage – any of us could become homeless. Some of us, like me, are only a paycheck or two away. All it can take though, is a string of bad luck.
Yes, some end up on the street because of mental illness or PTSD, or alcohol or drugs (neither of which are allowed at tent cities). Which begs the question of why we as a society don’t adequately take care of these people.
Then again,there’s the question of why there is a need for tent cities at all. Why is there homelessness while Seattle and the surrounding area are still building mega-condos now going un-sold now that the economy has hit the skids? Which is the problem – accelerating rents and home (and apartment, oops, sorry, “condos”) prices, often fueled by people living beyond their means. I’ve asked it before – where are the rest of us supposed to live? Actually I probably have good reason to keep my eye on Tent City 4 and Nickelsville. . . Hate to say it, but you may, too.
Another Human Rights Activist in Chechnya Murdered
15 Jul 2009 2 Comments
in Amnesty International, Chechnya, Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, Russia Tags: Natalia Estemirova, Natalya Estemirova
Natalya Estemirova, a Chechen human rights activist was kidnapped and murdered today. According to the New York Times, Natalya, who worked for the Russian Human rights group, Memorial, in recent years had “focused on kidnappings that she believed had been carried out under the authority of the Chechen president, Ramzan A. Kadyrov”. She had fled the country for a time following threats at a personal meeting with President Kadyrov for publicly criticizing his new law requiring women to wear head scarves.
An employee with Memorial’s Moscow office, Andrei Mironov, said several men pushed Ms. Estemirova into a white car as she left for work in the Chechen capital of Grozny about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Witnesses said that she yelled out that she was being kidnapped. Her body was found in the afternoon about 50 miles away, a few hundred yards off a highway in Ingushetia, according to a statement by the prosecutor general’s investigative wing. The authorities said her purse, with her passport and other documents, was found nearby.
Tatyana Kasatkina, deputy director of Memorial, believes President Kadyrov is behind Natalya’s murder. President Kadyrov claims he will “ ‘spare no expense’ to find her killers” and that her murder was “aimed to divert law enforcement attention from courterterrorism operations”.
This is all too common in Chechnya, as the Times notes:
Brazen attacks on journalists and human rights workers have continued, and no killer has yet been brought to justice, even in celebrated cases, notably that of Anna Politkovskaya, the Russian investigative journalist, who also worked to uncover abuses in Chechnya before she was shot to death in October 2006.
Our local Amnesty International group featured a film on the murder of Anna Politkovskaya, Letter to Anna, at our Seattle Human Rights Film Festival in February. Below is the trailer:
According to the New York Times, Natalya Estemirova “had collaborated with Ms. Politkovskaya and Stanislav Markelov, a young lawyer who often represented the victims in Ms. Politkovskaya’s investigations. Mr. Markelov was killed in January as he left a news conference in Moscow. “
Memorial has documented 50 kidnappings in Chechnya since January, said Usam Baisayev, a colleague of Ms. Estemirova’s. At least four of the victims have been found dead.
Mr. Baisayev said that separatist fighters were to blame for some of the kidnappings, but that he believed that government-backed agents of the police and the armed forces were responsible for most of them.
Human Rights Watch, who awarded Natalia Estemirova their Human Rights Defender Award in 2007, has posted the video they used to introduce her work during the award ceremony to YouTube as a tribute today:
In their press release on their website Human Rights Watch calls for justice for Natalia Estemirova:
“The Russian authorities should take every possible step to bring Natalia Estemirova’s killers to justice,” said Kenneth Roth, director of Human Rights Watch. “It seems to be open season on anyone trying to highlight the appalling human rights abuses in Chechnya. It’s high time the Russian government acted to stop these killings and prosecute those responsible.”
According to Human Rights Watch:
Chechnya has experienced an upsurge in violence in recent weeks, with several cases of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial executions, punitive house burnings, abductions and arbitrary detentions. Estemirova was investigating several of these cases jointly with Human Rights Watch.
Amnesty International also condemned Natalia Estemirova’s murder in a statement today:
Natalia Estemirova’s murder is a consequence of the impunity that has been allowed to persist by the Russian and Chechen authorities,” said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Human rights violations in Russia, and especially in the North Caucasus, can no longer be ignored. And those who stand up for human rights need protection.”
“The terrible tragedy of the killing of Natalia Estemirova is a crime that should be denounced by the authorities and every effort must be made to bring those responsible to justice. It is yet another attempt to try to gag civil society in Russia and highlights the instability in the region.”
“Natalia Estemirova was a most courageous and inspiring woman who never tired of defending the human rights of others. She was a truly exceptional person and a friend to many of us,” said Khan.
See Amnesty International’s recent (June 30, 2009) report Russian Federation: Rule Without Law: Human Rights Violations in the North Caucasus for more human rights information on Chechnya:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR46/012/2009/en
*Note: The New York Times used the spelling of Natalya, with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International using Natalia, so I went with whichever organization I was quoting at the moment.
Sun, Rain, Music in West Seattle
13 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Kim Virant, Kristen Ward, Music, Seattle Tags: Carrie Clark, Easy Street Records, Green Pajamas, Nils Lofgren, Real Change, West Seattle, West Seattle Fest
So, I headed back over to West Seattle on Sunday, riding a packed bus from the U District with what turned out to be a rowdy high school math academy class. I knew there were some more bands I wanted to check out at the West Seattle Fest.
Kristen Ward was just starting her set at the Alaska Stage when I got there. I’ve heard Kristen opening for Mike McCready’s Shadow ‘86 and Flight to Mars side bands at least a couple times in the past. I really enjoy her music, which also tends towards Americana (I’m thinking a double bill with Mark Pickerel, who played Friday night, would make a great show). Great voice, great band and great song writing.
Oh, yeah. Did I mention she’s beautiful? A lot more guys were taking pictures than usual. One of whom walked by me a couple times without saying anything, then slyly snapped my photo before he left! You’ll also notice Kristen has a very young fan club. At one point there were at least 7 little girls and one boy lined up beneath the stage, literally looking up to her.
Check out Kristen’s music on her main website and MySpace page.
Kristen also brought out the sun. That was not to last. This is summer in Seattle.
I went over to the California Stage next to catch another woman who has played with Mike McCready at his benefit shows – Kim Virant.
Kim’s been rocking out Seattle for some time now, and is always great. Here’s a clip of her singing Crystal Clear from a gig at the Tractor Tavern in May:
After Kim’s set, I headed back to the junction, and decided to head over to the Easy Street Records booth.
After finding I was so close to being broke buying the $10 cd after Mark Pickerel’s set Friday night, I decided to try to sell the video card I bought on eBay that didn’t fit my computer to REPC on Saturday. I got, guess what? Oh, yes. I got $10 for it, and guess I was lucky to get that. “A PCI card?” One of the guys asked the other. One of the reasons I should be neither buying nor selling anything computer related on eBay is that I have not a clue what a PCI card is, why it’s so ancient, or what’s evidently replaced it.
So, what did I do with my $10? Went over to the Easy Street Record booth and spent it all. What can I say? I was just going to buy a $2 cd. Maybe 3 for $5. . . Boxes and boxes of fairly unorganized cds, with some real gems hidden (well, not real gems or I would have bought more). Then the record store guy said the prices were cut – $1 a cd, 12 for $10 and I started finding more. Even though some kind of marching band was going by I could only hear, but not see, that I knew I wanted to be out taking pictures of. Even though it started pouring rain and everyone crowded into the tent. “The sky is falling and our prices are falling!” the enterprising record store guy cryed out.
I came out with a very interesting mix, and got props from the record store guy for both my Nils Lofgren pick and for having bought the copy of Real Change news (the homeless paper) I had on me.
OK. Now I had to find out where that drumming was coming from. I think, if I’m figuring out their online schedule right, it was the Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team.
They had been out performing even in the downpour.
I decide to head back over to the California Stage, where Carrie Clark & the Lonesome Lovers were still playing to a rain drenched audience. I noticed some of the locals had went back home to change into rain gear.
Country and Americana mixed with cabaret.
She sang a couple songs about the rain, figuring it’s already raining, so it couldn’t get any worse!
I was thinking I’d head home after her set. I walked back down to the Junction, but heard another band I liked at the Alaska Stage.
Green Pajamas! No, they weren’t wearing them. That’s their name. A little towards Americana too, but they also lean toward a 60’s psychedelic vibe.
Here they are at the West Seattle Fest, from the West Seattle Blog:
They sang a couple songs about cold nights, appropriately.
As I was near the bus stop, I actually did manage to head home after their set. A great weekend of music, and I only made part of it. This is the season. Keep an eye out in your town or neighborhood!
Moshing to Mudhoney & More in West Seattle
13 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Mark Pickerel, Mudhoney, Music, Seattle Tags: Black Panties, Dow Constantine, Easy Street Records, McTuff, West Seattle, West Seattle Fest
I wound up my Friday night in the mosh pit in front of the stage listening to Mudhoney. Oh, yeah. Mosh pits. I remember hearing about them. A fool and a camera who is three – oh wait, moving in closer, make that two – feet from the stage are not easily parted (fortunately, I had to hold on to that sucker tight)!
So I headed off to West Seattle straight from work. I figured I wanted to check out some tunes at the West Seattle Fest. I hopped a 55 which took me straight there and started wandering around the booths. Unfortunately without a lot of money to spend, but the cd deals at the Easy Street Records booth (in front of the store) are absurdly cheap, if you can squeeze in. Alas, it only got worse my second pass through. Maybe Sunday.
West Seattle is a more blue collar part of town, and after the initial shock to my system (people smoking on the street? a graphic anti-abortion booth?-eek, wait, as well as the NARAL booth), I find I feel more at home. I was raised working class (and, let’s face it, I’ve fallen to poor).
No one was playing the Alaska Stage when I first came in by it. When I wandered on up California St. to the California Stage, I heard some good jazz music coming from McTuff.
Once I wandered back down California St. to Alaska, started checking out the food booths. I heard some good Americana/rockabilly coming already from the Alaska Stage, though. It was Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands.
Really haunting music and lyrics. Check out some more on their MySpace page.
I couldn’t walk away without a cd for $10. Next I wandered the food booths again, but wanted to find an ATM for more money first. The one right behind the food booths on Alaska had a long line. Then I membered I saw a 7–11 on California, whose ATMs I can use for free with my credit union account. Good thing I checked my balance first. I didn’t know I was so close to being broke (finally caught up on balancing 2 months of statements today to find the error). I got out only $20, as $40 would have wope out my account, and decided I’d eat when I got home no matter how late that was, except for a $2 raspberry lemonade, which I brought along to catch the next act.
It was time for Black Panties. No, not for me! Besides, I didn’t have any money left for shopping. I just made the mistake of Googling their name. Oh, my!
Yeah, pretty much what you’d expect for a band named Black Panties. They were loud and they rocked. I haven’t been able to find any video. Even with adding band and Seattle, all I get is TMI (too much information). I’m sure some guys could keep themselves entertained all night with that search, but it’s not my cup of tea. Check out their music on their MySpace page.
Fortunately, I didn’t wander off far, and just took my empty lemonade cup to a trash can, then found the crowd had thinned a little and I was even closer to the stage, about 3 feet away, right in the middle. Now, it’s a good thing I didn’t have that cup of sticky lemonade in that mosh pit I didn’t know I was right in the middle of! That would have been bad.
County Councilmember and County Executive candidate Dow Constantine came out before the band. He’s the one who outed rival and former TV reporter Susan Hutchison as a stealth Republican, with considerably more conservative beliefs than she was letting on.
Then Mudhoney hit the stage. I don’t think I could write a description to due them justice, so here’s a video, complete with the Dow Constantine intro, courtesy of West Seattle Blog:
The Money Will Roll Right In! Yeah! They’re really rocking out and put on a good show. I was rocking out and taking pictures.
Everyone was having a great time. The crowd was huge and packed. I was oblivious to where I was. I’d never been in a mosh pit. Then this friendly guy started bouncing up and down and bumbing me (photo taken later in the show, after I moved out of the center of the pit).
Then more people started jumping up and down and bumping and pushing. . . Pretty soon I’m being pushed into people (fortunately, everyone’s happy and understanding). I’m still trying to take pictures. Though finding I need to keep an eye out for the action off stage, including people sailing through the crowd.
OK, I’m getting the picture. That’s the thing though, I was getting the pictures. I’m now even closer to the stage. I’m not sure I would have been there had I known I’d be in the mosh pit, but once I’m this close I’m going to stay! Especially after some guy a decade younger than me wimps out and says “I’m getting too old for this!”
Hey, all this Generation X stuff is a little too young for me. I have no concept of moshing.
Touch Me, I’m Sick? Umm, maybe I could just fix you some chicken soup?
It’s cool, though. I’m rocking out. Holding onto my camera and my hat. Literally, after I discovered it was in danger of being snatched and tossed in the air or onto someone else’s head. It was my Amnesty International hat, so maybe I would have passed on some enlightenment. Nah. It’s the one with velcro. I took it off and attached it to my belt.
Of course, me being me, I loved it when the did an anti-war song from one of their recent albums, Hard On For War. I think this could explain a lot. It was especially appropriate for the chicken hawks from the Bush administration who gave us Iraq II. Unfortunately, the Democrats also seem to need to bomb someone to prove they’re not wimps, so now it’s off to Afghanistan under Obama.
Couldn’t find video of that one from Friday night. This one if from Madrid in 2007.
It may sound crude, but killing people in war is a lot cruder.
OK, enough politics.
One thing I did recognize. Oh, sh. . . Someone didn’t really call Freebird, did they? The really funny thing was Mark had to explain it to Guy, who had mercifully never heard it before! He just smiled and shrugged.
It’s 2009! Can’t they come up with something more original?
Oh, wait. . .to shout out for the next 40 years. . .take your time!
So, I survived my first mosh pit. Will I come back for more? I don’t know. It was kind of scary.
I will be back to hear more Mudhoney!
More music to come. I went back on Sunday. Sorry I missed the Seafair Pirates landing on Alki Beach on Saturday, though!
Pearl Jam is Finally Playing Seattle!
11 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Eddie Vedder, Music, Pearl Jam, Seattle Tags: Ben Haper, Mudhoney
Oh, yes, in other news Thursday: Pearl Jam is playing Seattle on September 21 & 22 at Key Arena. Yes! I believe in miracles!
Eddie and the boys playing I Believe in Miracles by The Ramones in Santiago,Chile in 2005.
Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 are opening both shows.
Their official Shimmer & Shine video:
Wow! What a line-up!
So I’m going to try for the Ten Club pre-sale tickets Monday (It’s too late to join now, for this round!). Will it be another miracle, or rats?
Pearl Jam plays Rats in Boston, 2006:
One thing is for sure, I won’t feel indifference!
Acoustic version of Pearl Jam’s Indifference by Ben Harper and Eddie Vedder at Madison Square Garden in 2000 (vintage, with a plug for Ralph Nader and some Bush bashing by Eddie):
More rock & roll coming soon! I just survived my first mosh pit to see Mudhoney at the West Seattle Fest yesterday evening! It wasn’t intentional. . .
Coming Together for Iran
09 Jul 2009 1 Comment
in Human Rights, Iran, Protests, Seattle Tags: Amensty International, Westlake
Iranians and Iranian-Americans carrying different and opposing flags and banners at Westlake came together tonight to protest against the stolen election and for human rights in Iran.
First, I just noticed a few Americans from different sides putting their spin on things. We had the Socialists there (as usual) and one guy who seemed to be anti-Obama, anti-UN. Definitely not people you often see on the same side of a protest, even if for a short time.
It soon became apparent the Iranians had their own factions, and some of them were having a very heated debate, although fortunately the rally leaders were able to come up with chants to unite both sides. At first I didn’t understand the issue about the flags, which was the one part of the debate in English. One of the leaders repeatedly asked people to put down the flags and unite. I thought maybe it had to do with some post 9/11 fears or fears of stirring anti-immigrant sentiments with the Iranian flags (even though their were some American ones). The kind of policy debate organizers often have within the group, though it seemed odd that would become such a major issue during the rally itself.
Then I was thinking maybe it was people for different candidates in the Iranian elections. As most of the arguing was in Persian, it was hard to know what was going on.
It wasn’t until Don from our Amnesty International group suggested some of the people were supporters of the Shah that it dawned on me, but even then slowly. I was in denial that I could be protesting with people who supported the (evil, to me) Shah, who was torturing people in Iran before he was forced to flee the country (only to be replaced by Ayatollah Khomenei, who tortured people). Then I started recognizing the regal symbol on many of the flags (then a few with a different symbols on them) and realized Don was right.
I then started realizing the significance of the banners reading, “No Monarchy. No Theocracy. Only Democracy.” My sentiments as well. Note: I’m not officially wearing my Amnesty hat at the moment, although I was literally wearing one for the rally.
I got to give the organizers credit for keeping it all together, and finding chants and songs to unite everyone, and even getting everyone together for a march around the block of the Westlake Center mall and back to the square.
Meanwhile, in Iran, the New York Times reports that thousands of people are out in the streets again.
Thousands of Iranians poured into the streets of Tehran on Thursday, clapping, chanting, almost mocking the authorities as they once again turned out in large numbers in defiance of the government’s threat to crush their protests with violence.
As tear gas canisters cracked and hissed in the middle of crowds, and baton-wielding police officers chased protesters up and down sidewalks, young people, some bloodied, ran for cover, but there was an almost festive feeling on the streets of Tehran, witnesses reported in e-mail exchanges.
A young woman, her clothing covered in blood, ran up Kargar Street, paused for a moment and said, “I am not scared, because we are in this together.”
Which is encouraging, people are coming together and marching for justice in spite of massive repression.
The Wild, The Innocent, and. . . Wow!
04 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
So, my bus was on holiday schedule, taking the long way to and from work yesterday. I had to listen to. . . what else?. . . The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle, especially Sandy (aka 4th of July, Asbury Park). I had forgotten how incredible the whole album is, though, from E Street Shuffle to New York Serenade.
Takes you back to Bruce on the Jersey shore and more innocent times. OK, maybe not. . .
Sparks fly on E Street when the boy prophets walk it handsome and hot
All the little girls’ souls grow weak when the man-child gives them a double shot
Them schoolboy pops pull out all the stops on a Friday night
The teenage tramps in skintight pants do the E Street dance and everything’s all right
Younger times, without the weight of the world or life.
Little Angel steps the shuffle like she ain’t got no brains
She’s death in combat down on Lover’s Lane
She drives all them local boys insane
Little Angel says, “Oh, oh, everybody form a line
Oh, oh, everybody form a line”
OK, less pc times, too. This is 1973!
Here’s Bruce and the E Street Band playing Sandy last year, with Danny one last time.
Well, not the most complete version, but full of emotion.
Sandy the fireworks are hailin’ over Little Eden tonight
Forcin’ a light into all those stoned-out faces left stranded on this Fourth of July
Down in town the circuit’s full with switchblade lovers so fast so shiny so sharp
And the wizards play down on Pinball Way on the boardwalk way past darkAnd the boys from the casino dance with their shirts open like Latin lovers along the shore
Chasin’ all them silly New York girlsSandy the aurora is risin’ behind us
The pier lights our carnival life forever
Love me tonight for I may never see you again
Hey Sandy girl
I notice Bruce went back to the original (Wild & Innocent) version about on the lyrics “Sandy, the waitress I was seeing lost her desire for me. . .” rather than the later version on the website (and the live album) about the angels, umm, that’s Hell’s Angels. . . I can’t decide which version I like more.
Then one of my favorite lines “the cops finally busted Madame Marie for tellin’ fortunes better than they do.” Alas, I heard Madame Marie passed away, I think it was last year, too.
Kitty’s Back! Now that I look at the lyrics, I’m not so sure this is about cat-like people:
Catlong sighs holding Kitty’s black tooth
She left to marry some top cat, ain’t it the cold truth
or people-like cats:
Catlong lies back bent on a trash can,
Flashing lights cut the night, dude in the white says he’s the man
Well you better learn to move fast when you’re young or you’re not long around
Cat somehow lost his Kitty down in the city pound
but it’s okay now:
Well who’s that down at the end of the alley?
She’s been gone so longKitty’s back in town, here she comes now
Kitty’s back in town
Even if she’s been unfaithful:
Now Cat knows his Kitty’s been untrue
And that she left him for a city dude
But she’s so soft, she’s so blue
When he looks into her eyes
He just sits back and sighs
Ooh, what can I do, ooh, what can I do?
Wild Billy’s Circus Story – favorite line: “Jesus send some good women to save all your clowns. . .”
Incident on 57th Street – another song about, what else, loving and fighting, though I’m with Jane:
Jane moves over to share her pillow but opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on
She says “Those romantic young boys
All they ever want to do is fight”
Those romantic young boys
They’re callin’ through the window
“Hey Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?”
Vintage early Bruce.
Rosalita: Here’s Bruce in 1978 (it’s on the Video Anthology/1978–88). Check out all the girls trying to get on stage! “I ain’t here on business, I’m only here for fun. . .”
Of course, I’m wondering what happens these days when the young men must be calling for his teen age daughter. . .
Now I know your mama she don’t like me ’cause I play in a rock and roll band
And I know your daddy he don’t dig me but he never did understand
Papa lowered the boom, he locked you in your room
I’m comin’ to lend a hand
I’m comin’ to liberate you, confiscate you, I want to be your man
Someday we’ll look back on this and it will all seem funny
But now you’re sad, your mama’s mad
And your papa says he knows that I don’t have any money
Tell him this is last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance
Because a record company, Rosie, just gave me a big advance
New York Serenade is just so gorgeous with the music, and really interesting lyrics.
Billy he’s down by the railroad tracks
Sittin’ low in the back seat of his Cadillac
Diamond Jackie, she’s so intact
As she falls so softly beneath him
Jackie’s heels are stacked
OK, a bit wild! Sometimes a bit serious. . .
It’s midnight in Manhattan, this is no time to get cute
It’s a mad dog’s promenade
So walk tall or baby don’t walk at all
Then this one:
Fish lady, oh fish lady
She baits them tenement walls
She won’t take corner boys
They ain’t got no money
And they’re so easy
And, oh yeah! Anytime, Bruce!
I said “Hey, baby
Won’t you take my hand
Walk with me down Broadway
Well mama take my arm and move with me down Broadway”
But not her:
Hook up to the train
And hook up to the night train
Hook it up
Hook up to the train
But I know that she won’t take the train, no she won’t take the train
Oh she won’t take the train, no she won’t take the train
Oh she won’t take the train, no she won’t take the train
Oh she won’t take the train, no she won’t take the train
She’s afraid them tracks are gonna slow her down
And when she turns this boy’ll be gone
So long, sometimes you just gotta walk on, walk on
And this line:
Hey vibes man, hey jazz man, play me your serenade
Any deeper blue and you’re playin’ in your grave
And there’s even poetry with the trash collection:
Listen to your junk man
Listen to your junk man
Listen to your junk man
He’s singin’, he’s singin’, he’s singin’
All dressed up in satin, walkin’ past the alley
He’s singin’, singin’, singin’, singin’
Pure poetry and music!
Recent Comments