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THE ROCKFORD FILES: Tacoma's intimate all-ages music scene

The kids know

RED HEX: Keeping garage alive in the South Sound. Photography by Patrick Snapp

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This week, I would like to take a moment to discuss the phenomenal vitality of the Tacoma music scene.

It would be a safe assumption to say that many of you often get dismayed over the condition of popular music today. I sometimes find myself genuinely depressed about the quality of FM radio, and wonder why most of my favorite bands haven't come within shouting distance of the radio or large music festivals. But don't fret. Whatever gimmicky, 35 minute pop bullshit playlist is on repeat all across the country, young Tacoma residents are paying little to no attention.

Tacoma has never been a stranger to great music. The rich music scene dates back to the 1960s, and probably even further, when bands such as the Sonics and The Ventures were assaulting the hearts and eardrums of the City of Destiny. The influence of these bands is still evident today, with bands such as Girl Trouble, Red Hex and Trasholes continuing in the same ferocious manner as their predecessors.

Last week you may have read my column about up and coming Tacoma area band Cell Phone Parking Lot. I caught up with them this week, and asked them about the current state of music in Tacoma.

"I feel like a positive aspect of the Tacoma music scene is that it's actually pretty easy to break into and that it builds a positive environment for musicians to thrive in and be a part of," explains Cell Phone Parking Lot drummer Orion Williams.

But are there any unfavorable aspects of the scene in Tacoma?

Various issues and misconceptions due to drugs and venue closures have given the music scene in Tacoma a "connotation of being bad and dirty, which then scares people away from it," continues Williams.

This statement rings very true, as my personal entrance into the music scene didn't come without parental resistance. One particular day, when I was 14 years old, my close friend and I went to the Hell's Kitchen on Sixth Avenue to see The Makeup Monsters. As his mom was dropping us off amongst all the local ne'er-do-wells and ravel rousers, she expressed genuine concern for our safety. Evidently noticing her concern, a late-teen dressed in black leather and studs came up and assured her, "Don't worry ma'am, your kids will be safe with us."

When you attend a show in Tacoma, there is a level of intimacy that far exceeds, say, going to a show at the KeyArena. Once you've immersed yourself into the main arteries of music in Tacoma, you will begin to see the same bands and same faces every weekend. An unspoken understanding is reached that all of you are there for the same reason. And it doesn't matter what circumstances brought you there. It doesn't even matter if you were invited. It's as if the universal feelings of teenage angst and aspiration act as a ticket of admission, and upon entering guests conduct themselves according to few rules other than common decency and the fundamental appreciation of a great time.

In short, you need not worry about a scarcity of great, passionate music in our area. As you are looking forward to your Thanksgiving weekend, keep in mind that your next favorite band might be waiting for you just around the corner, tuning their instruments and setting amps on milk crates. Just follow the distant voices of teenagers, like modern day Sirens, and listen for the soft hum of low-quality PA equipment permeating a dingy, unsuspecting basement.

LINK: Live music this week in the South Sound

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Comments for "THE ROCKFORD FILES: Tacoma's intimate all-ages music scene" (4)

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Yuri said on Nov. 20, 2012 at 3:13pm

Fuckin' brilliant. I believe we've had this conversation several times.

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Shazam said on Nov. 21, 2012 at 12:06pm

The Tacoma music scene is a mixture of lovely people, wonderful community, dancing, carefree fun, and the occasional psychotic venue owner. I love this article.

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Dick said on Nov. 21, 2012 at 12:52pm

Great article. Rockford definitely has the pulse of the city......

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mitch said on Nov. 26, 2012 at 8:32pm

Really enjoyed the positive note of The Rockford Files. Especially with regard to the Sonics and the Ventures... talkin 'bout my generation!

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