Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: December, 2009 (125) Currently Viewing: 31 - 40 of 125

December 8, 2009 at 12:12am

5 Things To Do: Tuesday

MICHAEL SWAN: TUESDAY, DEC. 8, 2009 >>>

Zoolights 1. Zoolights features more than a half-million lights - including the massive flame tree - from 5-9 p.m. at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.

2. Classical Tuesdays in Old Town presents TangoHeart Quartet, plus wine and empanadas, at 7 p.m. inside Connelly Law Offices.

3. Randal Platt's Book Launch Party for Hellie Jondoe begins at 7 p.m. inside the Mandolin Café.

4. Tacoma Community College's Joy & Laughter Concert featuring the TCC Singers, TCC Voices, TCC Gospel Choir and improv from Taproot Theater begins at 7 p.m.

5. Mary Win and Daniel Adams perform alternative folk rock at 8 p.m. inside the Northern Pacific Coffee Company.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

December 8, 2009 at 10:00am

Drive-by Holiday

WEEKLY VOLCANO: BECAUSE “SERIES” IS OUR MIDDLE NAME >>>

We're posting a South Sound store window daily through Christmas to give you a quick jolt of holiday spirit. Ho, ho, ho!

Drivebyblitz On the eighth day of Christmas we drove by: Blitz & Co. Florist.

LINK: Drive-by Holiday history

Filed under: Drive-by Holiday, Holidays, Tacoma,

December 8, 2009 at 10:58am

Down and dirty with the Dirty Birds

MATT DRISCOLL: PLUS THE RETURN OF A SURF GUITAR LEGEND >>>

L_4c36189c796c3ba60d5235850a88f06c Tacoma is no stranger to surf guitar superhero Dick Dale. He's been to T-Town many times, playing at Hell's Kitchen, and the results have always been loud and  memorable - unless you drank so much PBR that it's all a "Miserlou" themed blur. (Which, by the way, Dick Dale would frown upon. Dude's as sober as they come.)

Well, Olympia hasn't had the chance to build such a close relationship with Dick Dale as of late, but on Thursday at the Capitol Theater they'll get a chance to start. Dick Dale will be in town unleashing his voluminous guitar swells on the masses, and Olympia's original punk-postured, '60s garage fueled, dash of sax band the Dirty Birds. It's a perfect billing.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with the Dirty Birds' frontman Jimmi Davies, an Olympia legend, to get his take on opening up for Dick Dale, a worldwide legend and father of the surf guitar sound. 

WEEKLY VOLCANO: First of all, explain how the Dick Dale show came about and how the Dirty Birds came to be involved? I'm sure you guys were stoked. What are you most looking forward to?

JIMMIE DAVIES: Well let me start off by saying how damned proud we are to be having Dick Dale come to Olympia for the first time and rock us out! He usually plays up there in Tacoma at Hellâ's Kitchen, but since Flash and the HK crew are in the middle of a relocation to bigger and better digs, we get him this time around! So the Olympia Film Society (OFS) that runs the Capitol Theater got the gig and asked us to open the show. We responded with something very professional like 'FUCK YEAH!"  and it was game on. We're looking forward to the whole deal, man. Dick Dale is a legend!

WV: It seems silly to ask, since he's been an influence, really, on any one who's ever played the electric guitar, but has the music of Dick Dale helped shape the Dirty Birds at all? In more general terms, how would you describe Dale's place in the history of music?

DAVIES: The short answer is yes, absolutely. When Scott and I first started writing and playing music together in 1995, surf and garage rock was where we found our commonalities in musical taste. We were/are both nuts about bands like The Sonics, The Wailers, The Ventures, Duane Eddy, the seedy "jungle erotica" sounds of 50's and 60's burlesque, and when we discovered Dick Dale and the Del Tones, it was a natural fit. If you take all of that stuff and stew it up with some Southern rock, a little British invasion, some punk and a few beers, you've pretty much got The Dirty Birds. As far as his place in the history of music, I believe he's still making history, so I feel wholly unqualified to comment. Let's just say I have a shit-ton of respect for him and his achievements thus far.

WV: Have you previously had the opportunity to meet Dale, or will this be a first? Do you know what to expect?

DAVIES: Nope, never met the man, and I'm ashamed to admit I've never seen him play live. I'm going to guess that I'll be blown away and have my ass handed to me on a platter. I mean, Dick Dale is 72 and he's kicking ass. He's a survivor. He tours all over the place with his son and plays rock-n-roll!! Many years ago we opened for Link Wray at The OffraGracelaCorazon, and I expect to be as humbled this Thursday by Dick Dale as I was by Link Wray back then.

WV: In terms of the Dirty Birds' set, does a show like this put extra pressure on you guys - not bad pressure, but the pressure to really perform to the utmost? Will you step it up a notch? Anything in particular planned for this show?

DAVIES: Oh Hell yes it does. Usually we're completely content to just plain ol' suck, but not this time. We're gonna go ahead and tune up our guitars and stuff. You know, really polish up our sound for the occasion. We're working out some synchronized stage moves, and some real bitchinâ"pyrotechnics too" But seriously, we're going to WAIL, man! It will be the stripped down rock we love to play. This is the big stage at The Capitol Theater. Looking out over all that red upholstery, the balcony, the pit, and all those good folks who are there to see the show makes you just want to DELIVER it, you know? They are there for the rock, and we are there to give it to them. Our job is to warm up the crowd for Dick Dale, and failure to do so is NOT an option. That's the plan, my man.

WV: How do you anticipate Oly will react to Dick Dale? Do you sense excitement and substantial interest in the show?

DAVIES: Olympia loves live music, so I expect Mr. Dale will be treated to a seriously warm welcome and some truly appreciative fans from a broad spectrum of Oly's populous. I've been handing out handbills and posting flyers for the last few weeks and have gotten a ton of support and positive feedback on the show. Dick Dale doesn't just come around and play here all the time here, ya dig? This is going to be one of the great ones of 2009. Damn straight.

WV: Not that this will happen - and, naturally, I jest - but what happens if a 72-year-old dude rocks louder than the Dirty Birds? Will this lead to inner self-examination? Perhaps a psychiatrist's chair?

DAVIES: It may lead to an inner ear examination'. and maybe, just maybe a substantial upping of my dosage'.

Filed under: Music, Olympia,

December 8, 2009 at 4:27pm

The state of all age

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: A LOOK AT ALL AGES VENUES IN TACOMA>>>

6a00d8341c3af953ef012876351c46970c-250wi In the local music ecosystem, all-ages venues are invaluable. I think that a lot of under-agers are agonized by being under 21, not because they’re unable to drink in bars, but because they’re constantly being deprived of the opportunity to see amazing shows. Tacoma understands this, but it has always struggled to maintain all-ages venues. Occasionally, something will open up for a little while, but it never seems to last. Unfortunately, Hell’s Kitchen has closed its doors to under-agers in conjunction with its move to Pacific Avenue, downtown. That, along with the closing of the Helm Gallery earlier this year, means that pickings for all-ages shows have become uncomfortably scarce in Tacoma. But it’s not all bad news. Though we may have very few all ages venues, the two we do have are solidly run operations that seem likely to stand the test of time.
Knock on wood.

The Den
Mostly, what seems to work in Tacoma is heavy metal. It seems permanently unflappable. Something about Tacoma nourishes furious guitar licks and mosh pits. No one could say that’s a bad thing, but those who don’t live on the metal are happy to have The Den. Located deep within the bowels of downtown Tacoma’s aggressively hip used clothing store, urbanXchange, is a venue that trades in the kaleidoscopic cult of “indie”â€"folk, garage, psychedelic, electronic, and straight-ahead rock ‘n roll inflections abound.

A complaint I’ve heard (and made) before regards the circular, almost incestuous nature of the Tacoma local music scene. Not to say that this is an entirely a bad thing, but after seeing your favorite local bands so many time, it gets stale and you just need something new in your diet. Luckily, The Den keeps a constant parade of new and exciting bands coming through their doors. Big names and small, local and touring, The Den consistently brings it. Our newest venue, The Den will hit its one-year anniversary in February. With any luck, it’ll stick around for a good long while â€" long enough to exist as an example for future all-ages venues.

The Viaduct
The Viaduct has a scrappy, sweaty background that sounds all too familiar to those involved in Tacoma’s music scene. Starting its life in a run-down building under the viaduct, it eventually had to vacate its location. For a while, its shows swam from one odd spot to the next, until finally resting on its current location on South Tacoma Way, where it’s been growing and fighting since late 2007. The Viaduct was practically forged in blood.

Hardcore music is The Viaduct’s bread and butter, once again connecting with Tacoma’s thirst for the heavy stuff. Unlike Hell’s Kitchen or The Den, The Viaduct boasts the distinction of being exclusively a venueâ€"not a bar or a store. It depends on volunteer employees and word of mouth to stay afloat and, while things are always a little shaky, it seems to be succeeding.

The point is that it’s up to all of us to make Tacoma’s all-ages scene work. These venues don’t fail for lack of trying. They need you to show your support. See a flyer advertising some bands you’ve never heard of? Why not check it out?

The scene is only as good as the people who inhabit it.

Filed under: All ages, Music, Tacoma,

December 9, 2009 at 12:12am

5 Things To Do: Wednesday

MICHAEL SWAN: WEDNESDAY, NOV. 9, 2009 >>>

12-9-5-things 1. "Take the prankster chutzpah of Sacha Baron Cohen. Pair it with Michael Moore's crusading lefty outrage. Add two frazzled-looking guys in cheap suits. What do you get? The Yes Men Fix The World" - screening at 9 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater.


2. A Concise History of Northwest Art is a big, big, big show - parts of which should appeal to everyone since it has photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry, glass and ceramics covering Northwest art history since the 19th century, including art from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and even British Columbia and Alaska - runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tacoma Art Museum.

3. The Tacoma loving Love Tacoma club hosts its December event at Enoteca, the wine bar adjacent to the Tacoma Wine Merchants in the Stadium District, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

4. Tacoma Little Theatre stage's Jean Shepherd's A Christmas Story at 7:30 p.m.

5. Jonny Smokes performs at 9 p.m. inside the Kamel Toe club in Parkland.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

December 9, 2009 at 5:50am

Sushi Land, Nuts & Bolts

RON SWARNER: FOOD MATTERS >>>

Empanada Wednesdays: You no longer have to wait to enjoy empanadas from Pampeana, which currently are available through an online order process at pampeanaempanadas.com. Beginning today, Nancy and Alexis Oltman’s impossibly puffy and lighter than air pockets of goodness will be available every Wednesday at Kitchen2Kitchen at Sixth and Stevens in Tacoma.

Wine Tasting: Pints & Quarts Pub And Restaurant (625 Black Lake Blvd., Olympia) hosts a winter wine tasting tonight at 6 p.m. The cost is $20. More wine events here.

Nuts & Bolts: For the month of December the Pacific Grill features old fashioned “Nuts & Bolts” aka Chex Party Mix in its lounge.

Sushi Land: It opened in Puyallup.

Plan Ahead: Affairs Café & Bakery in University Place hosts a Holiday Chef’s Dinner Friday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $75. Call 253.565.8604 for details.

Food For Thought: Critics weigh in on Julie Powell's book, Cleaving.

LINK: Weekly Volcano’s Eat & Drink section

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

LINK: South Sound Happy Hours

LINK: Wine and beer tastings

LINK: South Sound coupons

December 9, 2009 at 10:00am

Drive-by Holiday

WEEKLY VOLCANO: BECAUSE “SERIES” IS OUR MIDDLE NAME >>>

We're posting a South Sound store window daily through Christmas to give you a quick jolt of holiday spirit. Ho, ho, ho!

Drivebymeltingpot On the ninth day of Christmas we drove by: The Melting Pot

LINK: Drive-by Holiday history

Filed under: Drive-by Holiday, Holidays, Tacoma,

December 9, 2009 at 10:20am

Night Moves: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, Woven Bones

WEEKLY VOLCANO: MUSIC IN THE SOUTH SOUND TONIGHT >>>

Mtvietnam300-12-3 Don't know what to do tonight? Don't worry, we have you covered.

1. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band's drummer is a 14-year-old boy, Marshall Verdoes, who is also lead singer and guitarist Benjamin Verdoes' adopted brother - though Benjamin is 13 years older.  MSHVB's keyboard player, Traci Eggleston, is Benjamin's wife, which '" of course '" makes Marshall her brother-in-law. Throw in guitarist Matthew Dammer and bassist Jared Price, who, sadly, aren't related or married to anyone in MSHVB, and what reveals itself is just about as diverse a band as you'll find anywhere. They play Northern tonight with The Growlers. Read the full story here.

2. There are times when you think you've moved past slasher flicks and simply can't watch another zombie head chomp. Then some poor chap straps a lawn mower to his chest and you remember why you fell in love in the first place: The thrill of cheating death never gets old. Austin's Woven Bones understand this and react accordingly. They crank gritty, grimy pop that's perfect background music for slasher flicks. Check them out with HPP, Son Skull and Black Virgin tonight at 10 p.m. inside Le Voyeur in Olympia. Then stumble outside and climb into the big black car for a ride home.

LINK: More shows in the South Sound tonight

Filed under: Music, Night Moves, Olympia,

December 9, 2009 at 12:07pm

All freakin’ Lord Of The Rings

MICHAEL SWAN: THE FELLOWSHIP OF A MOVIE MARATHON >>>

Lordoftherings480-12-10 As I'm in an especially confessional mood, I will reveal that instead of attending your Christmas party Saturday night - I will be snuggled in a movie seat watching the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy screened back to back to back at the Capitol Theater. Yes, I know. That's only about a 9 on the geekdom scale. Perfect 10s, if you're asking, are reserved for those pallid souls who can't tear themselves away from playing the online fantasy game Everquest to care about anything happening inside the Olympia movie house.

I will stoke my role-playing fantasies with the 10-hour immersion that begins Saturday at 7:30 p.m. when the doors open.

[Capitol Theater, Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m., $10 Olympia Film Society members, $15 general admission at BuyOlympia.com. 206 E. Fifth S.E., Olympia, 360.754.6670]

Filed under: Olympia, Screens,

December 9, 2009 at 4:10pm

Wednesday Reading

GEOFF READING: IT STARTED WITH STEVE JONES >>>

Reading Mug In 1999 the band I was playing with - New American Shame - was selected by the Cult to be the support act on a tour of The States. This will be the first of many stories from those 10 weeks - and spill over encounters that continue to this day.   This will be a two or three part story about the show we played in Las Vegas, and all of that night's ensuing entanglements.

The tour started in San Francisco, went north to Seattle, down to Portland then east to Salt Lake City - continuing east to Chicago, Detroit, up into Toronto and then onto New York. After that, there were several stops down the Eastern Seaboard, and over to New Orleans - continuing west making stops all along Interstate 10 through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, San Diego and then out to Las Vegas for the second to last stop. The final show would end up being seven sold out shows at the House of Blues Hollywood.  

So, by the time we got to Las Vegas we were all pretty chummy. Or, at least as chummy as you can be with two guys whom you'd worshipped since sophomore year of high school. Maybe chummy isn't the right word. Lets go with comfortable. we were being ourselves, and the cult and were loving us.  The show in Las Vegas was at the Hard Rock Cafe. 

As this was the closest we had been to Seattle all summer, there were going to be some "friends" flying in from home in the form of individuals knowledgeable in, shall we say, the fine art of post show massage and relaxation techniques. After we finished sound checking, someone told me that Steve Jones, of the Sex Pistols, was on the side of the stage, watching and seemingly enjoying himself.

Half an hour later, up stairs in our dressing room, deciding what madness we should occupy ourselves with until show time, I hear, "There he is again!"

Like kids hearing Santa on Christmas Eve, we all ran to the dressing room door trying to catch a glimpse without being seen.  And there, out our door, walking down the hallway was ... the back of some guy in a t-shirt and jeans.  

Never being one to let an opportunity to meet a legend pass, I went stampeding down the hall.

"Ehhhhh excuse me? Uhhhh, sir? Yeah hi? Hey are you Steve Jones? Wow! That's killer. I'mgeoffreadingandiplaydrumsinnewamericanshame.ijustwantedtointroducemyselfandsayitsanhonortomeetyou," I say.  

I can't really recall what he said, only that he didn't neck punch me, or tell me to slag off, or anything other than seeming to enjoy some 'kid' paying him some fucking respect. It was great. He went on his way, and I went back to our dressing room, to cheers of, "duuuude no wayyyyyyy!" and "oh man, yer such a DICK! I shoulda gone WITH you!"

I was a hero of the moment.  The evening had barely started, and already I had one of those "if nothing else happens in my career, this was pretty damn cool" moments.  

It was nothing compared to what the night would bring.

Drummer Geoff Reading - who writes a bi-weekly online column (Fridays) for the Weekly Volcano called "Holding Down the 253" in addition to his weekly Wednesday music column Wednesday Reading - has played music in tons of Northwest bands - Green Apple Quickstep, New American Shame, Top Heavy Crush and most recently Duff McKagan's LOADED - to name but a few. He's toured the world several times over, sharing stages with the likes of Slipknot, The Cult, Buckcherry, Korn, Journey, The Sex Pistols, Nine Inch Nails and on and on. He has called Tacoma home since 2005, and lives in the North End with his wife and son.

Filed under: Music, Tacoma,

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