Hello from the City of Destiny! Some of you may know me as your loveable bearded doorman at Hell's Kitchen, or as the manic frontman for Tacoma's infamous punksters I Defy. But did you know that before I was a singer or a bouncer I was a music journalist!?! True Story! Now, I've once again answered the call, and just like way back when, I'm all about the scene. "What scene?" you ask. Well, the local punk, metal and extreme indie scene, to be exact.
First off I'd like to vent a little. See, when I moved to Tacoma in June of 1988 this town was vibrant and alive with both the punk AND metal scenes flourishing. Today this area has 10 times the number of bands, but unlike yesteryear, no one is coming out to see them play. Gone are the days when four 18-year-old kids can play their first show in front of 300 kids, stage diving and going nuts, and then actually get paid for it! I could elaborate, but perhaps that's better left for a future article (or book).
This week really starts with a brief rundown of some incredible shows most of you missed. July 1 marked Tacoma's Metal Prom, hosted by the lovely pair of Jooley Heaps from Box Top Vintage and the Viking Goddess known as Dagmar Peterson, bringing it old school to Hell's Kitchen with metal veterans Yuck Fou (former members of legendary 253 metal gods Thrash Forward), Sleeper Cell (former members of Subvert, Machine, Good Gravy), Sok and the Faggots and Cody Foster Army. All the bands played ear-blistering goodness and then the beautiful Renegade Calendar Girls wrestled in blood. And you missed it!
The following week brought Hell's Kitchen the mighty Bloodhunger with the Devils of Loudun - minus their vocalist. It seems the Devils have recently parted ways with singer Grant Hogan, but word on the streets is he'll be back soon with a heavier grind outfit. Stay tuned for more!
Other shows that needed your support these past few weeks: Old Man Markley and the Fun Police actually had the biggest crowd Hell's Kitchen has seen lately, with about 200 folks in attendance. South 11th with Bremerton punkers Out rocked all-out, playing so fast my head is still spinning! Kentucky rockers the Hookers crushed a small crowd with Neutral Boy and more playing support.
Now that my time is up I will let you in on some upcoming stuff. ... Metal Mondays are now happening at The New Frontier. ... Next weekend brings the NXNW Metal Fest - originally scheduled for Uncle Sam's out in Spanaway, but since moved to the Backstage Bar & Grill. ... Speaking of the Backstage Bar & Grill, the club at the western end of Sixth Avenue is bringing in metal legends Lizzy Borden on Aug. 5. ... The Red Room is keeping the all-ages scene alive (Good job!). ... And up in the 206 we all have Slayer, Rob Zombie and Exodus to look forward to.
This week's moral: SUPPORT YOUR SCENE!!!
Next Week: mayhem reviewed, local all-ages punk, shows at Dorky's and more.
Comments for "THE DAMAGE REPORT: New column!" (9)
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Justin G. said on Jul. 14, 2011 at 9:59pm
Very cool article Jason! Hellzyeah!
low bar said on Jul. 17, 2011 at 3:34pm
So is this like a damage report of the scene? Like it got hit with a 'times are changing, but we are not', torpedo? In 88 metal and punk were cool, and being in a band meant maybe a career in music. But now it's 23 years later, and your band wasn't good at writing music and you're still working in a grocery store or doing some bullshit roofing job so you can put money into the pockets of the same old bars and venues, and see the same old people who never managed to get out just like you.
Some of you though managed to lengthen your foothold in this dying scene by becoming doormen, bar tenders, some alt weekly writers ;) and thats about all you are going to ever amount to. Which wasn't that difficult to do in Tacoma, a city with the bar set so low any idiot with a guitar and few chords can help a venue sell cover charges and alcohol. Your whole life was just a means to help a bar owner retire. No one will ever know your band existed. And all this simply because you all suck at writing music. Your performances may be great, but so is an Donny and Marie Osmond reunion show at the EQC after enough IPA's and tequila, right?
Well, maybe some weird ass kid in Japan will one day hear your band's CD in some obscure Tokyo record store, and start wearing a septum ring, sleeve tatts and a punk/grunge/alt fusion outfit, and get some of his friends to do the same for a few summers. That would be nice. Most likely whatever music your band does record will someday be the impetus for (means 'driving force' for you college drop outs) a loser somewhere to then make into something you never could.
So then I guess that's it for you. It's just rock out whatever years you have left, at whatever venue will have you, until you're all gone.
I don't think a 'support your scene' campaign is what we are looking at here. It's more a 'watch a time-warped metal/punk ferry boat from the late 80's writhe and fart it's way to the bottom' (hopefully recording some of it for that weird ass japanese kid in the year 2525:).
Michelle said on Jul. 17, 2011 at 9:12pm
<3 I cant believe I missed all that! Lame. I've NEVER seen Rob Zombie so I better get crackin'
Rev. Adam McKinney said on Jul. 18, 2011 at 4:16pm
Low Bar,
Bitchin' Zager & Evans reference. You seem like a fun guy.
--Rev.
Shareem said on Jul. 19, 2011 at 6:37am
Awesome article Jason! Support Tacoma metal!
low bar said on Jul. 19, 2011 at 8:43pm
I am always just having tons of fucking fun Adam!
Lonnie Local said on Jul. 27, 2011 at 12:12am
Lowbar, more like a mouth full of low blows.. How about you let us know who you are so we can judge you! put it out there or shut your mouth, What do you know about a scene in the past or even the present.. hide behind your tag LOWBAR because im sure being judged yourself is the last thing you want
low bar said on Jul. 27, 2011 at 10:09am
Lonnie Local? What makes you local you fucking halfwit immigrant? I'll be the first to tell you I am a full blown loser and I don't give a flying high dive fuck what you think about my life. Your best bet is to just ignore me. McKibben isn't the only one who gets to complain about the Tacoma scene. And if the volcano didn't give a shit about peoples opinions on what they publish, there would be no comment space:) Thank you very much, and fuck off all the same.
Lonnie Local said on Aug. 03, 2011 at 3:50pm
so basically your a troll that has no clue of our local scene.. good talk
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