Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: May, 2011 (216) Currently Viewing: 91 - 100 of 216

May 14, 2011 at 8:54am

MUSIC: Big night for Seattle in Tacoma tonight - Cobirds Unite & Satchel

Satchel will be at Hell's Kitchen Saturday

BIG SHOWS! >>>

Saturday is going to be a big day for Seattle music institutions in Tacoma. At Hell's Kitchen will be recently reunited alt-rock favorites, Satchel. Just a few blocks away at The Space will be Rusty Willoughby and Rachel Flotard's new project, Cobirds Unite.

Blocks away, sharing space in Pacific Northwest music history, but miles apart in sound and vision.

To read Adam McKinney's full article on Satchel and Cobirds Unite, click here.

[The Space, Cobirds Unite, Goldfinch, Bryan John Appleby, Saturday, May 14, 8:30 p.m., all ages, $8-$10, 729 Court C, Tacoma]

[Hell's Kitchen, Satchel with Destruction Island, From the Sea, Chyeah Chyeah, Saturday, May 14, 9 p.m., $7, 928 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

Filed under: All ages, Music, Tacoma,

May 14, 2011 at 8:54am

BEHIND BARS: Fight For Your Right

Going "Behind Bars" with Nikki Talotta is always entertaining

REAL STORIES FROM REAL BARTENDERS >>>

I've been a bartender for a long time. I have met countless freaks, jerks, pervs, sweethearts, rockstars and crazies. Even though it's a physically and mentally exhausting job, these are the colorful people that make it all worthwhile. Well, that and the tips.

I'd like to share with you some of my personal experiences behind the bar, along with the stories from some of my fellow bartenders. Each week - under the clever heading of "Behind Bars" - I will dig into my memory bank - and the incident log books that all bars keep - to bring you some of my favorite stories.

Names of bars, bartenders and patrons have been changed or withheld to protect the innocent.

And the not so innocent.

Cheers!

This week...

Fight For Your Right

These days, when a fuck-wad of a customer is at my bar and they don't do anything to warrant kicking out, like starting a fight or harassing someone (unfortunately, you can't just kick someone out because you think they suck) I choose body language and a weak pour to say, "Screw you, buddy."

This wasn't always the case.

There was a time when I was a surly bartender in a pretty punk rock bar ... where the bitch in me was liable to let loose at the slightest act of douchebaggery on a patron's part.

In fact, I was in numerous fights, either as a mediator (by physically restraining the perpetrator), or as a contender (defending whatever righteous moment I was in).

Those days are long gone now, and I have forgotten the majority of incidents.

This last weekend, though, one of those memories walked in to the bar.

I was serving up a fair amount of Long Islands when a guy says to me, "Hey, you probably hate me, but I wanted to say hi."

"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about," I say.

"I'm Tyrone. You punched me in the face, like, ten years ago," he says with a big toothy grin.

"Oh shit!" I reply.

Now I remember - it's the shithead that slashed my friends' tires then proceeded to call me every cunty name in the book.

"I don't hold ten-year grudges," I tell him.

We then high-five as we recount the story from our own perspective, clearing the air of any misunderstanding. Apologies are accepted on both sides, and he even showed a little admiration.

"I could never forget you," he says as he takes his drink.

"The girl who punched me in the face," he shakes his head as he walks away, still grinning.

PAST COLUMNS: BEHIND BARS LINK HUB

Filed under: Behind Bars,

May 14, 2011 at 10:20am

Tacomans pledge to Be The Spark in their communities

Retired South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu / photography by Steve Dunkelberger

SPARKED >>>

Retired South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu told thousands of young people in the Tacoma Dome Friday night that they are needed to carry out God's plans for the world and make their communities a better place to live. More than 15,000 youngsters and adults came to hear Tutu's message.

Tutu, 79, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his nonviolent efforts to end apartheid in South Africa, headlined a two-hour program celebrating hope with rockin' performances by Washington High School Step Team, Crystal Aikin, Ben Union, Quest Crew, The Morgan Family YMCA Dance Company performed and other local singers and dancers – all orchestrated by The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation.

Weekly Volcano photographer Steve Dunkelberger was in the house.

LINK: More Be The Spark photos in the Photo Hot Spot

Filed under: Events, Photo Hot Spot,

May 14, 2011 at 3:27pm

One kid left sitting at Ted Brown Music

Amelia Hall flanked by her father and brother.

HALL SCORES A HORN >>>

Last Saturday the Weekly Volcano reported that a bunch of kids refused to leave Ted Brown Music in Tacoma until they were given a free instrument. For the report, click here.

We're happy to report all the kids eventually did leave, but not until Amelia Hall of Tacoma's Mason Middle School scored a Yamaha trumpet.

After 30 hours and 17 minutes Hall was declared the winner of Ted Brown Music's 5th annual "Hands on Contest."  Hall's father and brother were there to give her hugs and high fives. Exhausted and happy she couldn't wait to go home and sleep.

As this year's first place winner, she selected a trumpet valued at $2100. Hall grabbed third place at last years Hands on Contest. The top 10 finalists received a gift certificates good for future purchases at Ted Brown Music, and all participants received "I Survived the Ted Brown Music's Hands on Contest" T-shirts.

Filed under: Contest, Tacoma, Music,

May 15, 2011 at 9:31am

5 Things to Do Today: Swampy Draws, Northern's B-Day, Tracey Hooker, Tacoma Comedy Club, Jeanlizabeth ...

Swampy Draws plays the New Frontier tonight.

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011 >>>

1. Catch the always-entertaining Swampy Draws tonight at the New Frontier Lounge ... part of "a free show for Buford's birthday." Or, if that's not your ticket, peruse the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here.

2. Celebrate Northern's birthday today in Olympia. Or, if that's not your ticket, find the Volcano's arts and events calendar here.

3. Laugh for a great cause tonight at the Tacoma Comedy Club. Find details here.

4. Tracey Hooker & The Hook Me Ups play the Olympia Farmers Market today. Wonder if they can hook you up with an umbrella? If not, Rev. Adam McKinney can.

5. Jeanlizabeth, a long time favorite singer songwriter of the Volcano, plays the Steilacoom Pub and Grill.

May 15, 2011 at 9:44am

VISUAL EDGE: Susan Aurand’s “birdhouses” at Childhood’s End Gallery

Susan Aurand's "Dwelling Places I"

USING THE TERM "BIRDHOUSES" LOOSELY >>>

While driving past Childhood's End Gallery too quickly to get a good look through the window, I spotted some house-shaped boxes on the wall that were very colorful. My first thought was, "OK, birdhouses -cute and kind of trite, but at least they're brightly colored."

First impressions of art are often misleading. When I went back the next day to take a closer look (which I wouldn't have done if something hadn't grabbed my attention), I was surprised to see the birdhouses were mixed-media constructions with oil painting on panels by Susan Aurand, a longtime arts faculty member at the Evergreen State College. These pieces are much different than anything I've previously seen by Aurand, and they are much better art than I first suspected. In fact, they may be the most inventive art I've seen from her.

I counted 11 birdhouses (I use the term lightly; they're wall-hanging sculptures that look like bird houses to me). Each is approximately 18-to-20 inches tall and about a foot wide. They are relatively flat wall hangings shaped like houses with paintings and objects attached.

To read Alec Clayton's full review click here.

[Childhood's End Gallery, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, through May 29, 222 Fourth Ave. W, Olympia, 360.943.3724]

Filed under: Arts, Olympia,

May 15, 2011 at 9:46am

WHAT’S THE WORD? with Josh Rizeberg: Second Family

TACOMA HIP-HOP FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS IT >>>

For the last couple years Second Family has been putting out high-quality lyrical gangsta s***. The group's music is steeped in Oakland/Madrona/Tac-City street vibes. And they always choose bangers, so they def' don't lack weight in the beat department.

Second Family consists of two MC's, Element and NoQuezt. When the duo dropped Caskets and Funeral Homes in 2009 the whole city was proud. The streets lifted Second Family and the album high on their shoulders. It was clear this group had what it takes.

Back then most listeners believed Element carried the lyrical weight of the group. Well, after Second Family's new mixtape release, Sleep Deprivation, it's clear NoQuezt has stepped up his game!

To read Josh Rizeberg's full article on Second Family click here.

Filed under: Music, Tacoma,

May 16, 2011 at 6:43am

5 Things To Do Today: Tacoma Cult Movie Club, Giant Magnet, Bike To A Better Tacoma, Broken Water and more ...

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2011 >>>

1. Would it surprise anyone to learn that the better part of our childhood was spent glued to a television, watching just about every horrible film ever made? We didn't think so. But a life wasted scarfing up bad movies is not without its plusses - the chief one being the Tacoma Cult Movie Club welcomes us with open arms. The lovers of B-movies and such gather at 7 p.m. inside The Acme Grub Cage for a night of films, shorts and trailers under the theme "Tacoma Club Under Attack." We have no idea what that means, but EXCITING!

2. The Seattle International Children's Festival became Giant Magnet two years ago. It happened last week in Seattle - but today it condenses itself into a mini version and packs into the Pantages - for a day of kid-friendly fun featuring Doktor Kaboom!, Guangdong Province Puppet Troupe, and Andes Manta at 10 a.m.

3. From 5-7 p.m. The Hub hosts Bike To A Better Tacoma, a get-together with fellow bicyclists and City staff members to get happy and be updated on the Mobility Master Plan. If you bike to The Hub, you'll receive a free slice of pizza, and be entered into a drawing for a $50 Hub gift certificates. Bonus: enjoy Tacoma's only valet bike parking.

4. Broken Water, Nu Sensae, White Lung and Wet Hair rock the Dumpster Values store in downtown Olympia beginning at 7:30 p.m.

5. The Backstage Bar & Grill has given white trash a new home. Every Monday night, while DJ Lo spins Top 40, the Sixth Avenue rock club offers $5 40-ounce PBRs, $2 wells, $3 domestic pitchers, $1 Hamm's drafts, $2 mac and cheese and $5.95 steak dinners. Show your roots.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Happy hour!

May 16, 2011 at 11:00am

LAST NIGHT IN TACOMA: Rammstein at the T-Dome

Rammstein lead singer Till Lendemann doing his thing PHOTO CREDIT: Ernest A. Jasmin

Rammstein set list

Tacoma Dome

May 15, 2011

Rammlied

Buckstabu

Waidmanns heil

Keine Lust

Wesses Fleisch

Feuer Frei!

Wiener Blut

Fruhling in Paris

Ich Tu Dir Weh

Du Riechst So Gut

Benzin

Links 2 3 4

Du Hast

Pussy

First encore:

Sonne

Haifisch

Ich Will

Second encore:

Engel

Opening act: Combichrist

Ernest Jasmin provides a full review of last night's Rammstein show soon on SPEW.

Filed under: Concert Review, Tacoma, Music,

May 16, 2011 at 11:21am

REVIEW: Rammstein at the Tacoma Dome

Rammstein lead singer Till Lendemann doing his thing PHOTO CREDIT: Ernest A. Jasmin

LOTS OF FIRE, LOTS OF HEADBANGERS >>>

Before Sunday night, the last time I'd checked out Rammstein was about a decade ago when the German goth-metal band dropped in on the Tacoma Dome with the Family Values tour. Lasting image: The sight of former Olympic swimmer turned creepy frontman Till Lindemann igniting and performing an entire song in a flaming duster. Sweet! 

Since then, I've gotten to know the relentlessly morbid, arty and sometimes hilarious Marilyn Manson meets "Sprockets" thing the guys in Rammstein have going on with their live show. So I was expecting something extremely ridiculous from the band's return to the T-Dome Sunday night, an event I attended with some 10,000 enthusiastic headbangers. 

Rammstein did not disappoint. Here are just a few highlights from the most wickedly-fun arena show of 2011 so far:  

Hottest show of the year (literally): The band's motto is, "Do your own thing, and overdo it." And that "thing" begins and ends with fire. I was probably 30 yards from the stage for most of the show, and it still felt like being blasted in the face with a blow dryer as huge, flaming geysers erupted from the stage throughout. It must have felt like being slow roasted to the fans up front and the security guys in the pit.   

But let's be clear. We're not talking some stock Motley Crue bullshit. We're talking best use of fire - ever. 

For "Feuer Frei," band members donned blowtorch masks for a dramatic, recurring fire-breathing gimmick that some fans will remember from that Vin Diesel flick, xXx. Lindemann showed up in a pair of shiny, robo-demon wings that shot fire from their tips during closing number "Engel." And somewhere in between roadies wheeled out a fridge sized tank and the singer blowtorched some guy in a hoodie.    

Speaking of which...

That Lindemann guy is freaky scary: In character, he seems like the kind of sicko who might really charbroil people for fun. And how to best describe the hulking frontman's ensemble at the start of the show? Zombie power lifter? Supernatural serial killer? 

Seriously, between the spooky, glowing grill, the leather smock and the dried costume blood all over his arms, I was ready for him to jump offstage and eat someone during opener "Rammlied." The twitchy Frankenstein mannerisms and the brief goose stepping he did during "Links 2 3 4" didn't make him any cuddlier. 

Did that one guy get lost on the way to his Devo tryout?: Skinny, nerdy keyboard player Christian "Flake" Lorenz serves as band whipping boy and comic relief. And at some point Lindemann picked him up and tossed him into a bin that exploded confetti before Flake returned wearing glittery jammies. Then, for no apparent reason, he spent the next 20 minutes or so walking on a treadmill as he played keys.

See? Who said morbid goth guys have a sense of humor?

Case in point: Straddling a cement mixer sized pink cannon and dousing fans with foam as the main set comes to a climax? Very subtle, Lindemann.

LINK: Rammstein's Tacoma Dome set list

Filed under: Concert Review, Music, Tacoma,

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