What's Up! Magazine

November 2009 Cover by Bradley Lockhart

First off, I’d like to thank those who came out to the benefit shows in October. While they weren’t as well attended as we had hoped and as well as we needed them to be there were good crowds at both and more than that, incredible music. It was another testament to the diverse and wonderful music this town produces. I’d like to thank all the bands that played The Ghost and the Grace, Rooftops, So Adult, Boris Budd, Femme Uke, Sugar Sugar Sugar, Snug Harbor, Vaughn Kreestoe, and Dog Shredder, DJ Postal – the Wild Buffalo, the Nightlight and everyone that came down. It was a big help!

We’ve booked our What’s Up! Awards Show dates! The pre-awards show will be held on campus this year at the Viking Union on Jan. 29 while the awards show will be at the Wild Buffalo on Jan. 30. We’re still sorting out the line-up and will have it all booked by the next issue.

Finally, if you grab the magazine on campus, make sure to look out for the AS Pop Golden Button! The folks up there have been cool enough to include us in their promotion – if you get the golden button, you get into AS Pop shows for free this year.

WELL WISHES

A couple of long-time Bellingham figures are moving out of town, which, ya know, sucks. Both are, in my mind, icon drummers and part of what makes this place so great. Both Julian MacDonough (ex-Megatron as well as countless other jazz bands) and Ryan “****” Soukkala (Ghost and the Grace, ex-Lands Farther East, Idiot Pilot) are moving onto new challenges and new scenery. Julian and his family are “wintering” in New Mexico while Ryan has opted to join the vast number of ex-hamsters in Portland. While it hurts a helluva lot, these two have put so much into the local music scene and should be applauded and sent off with a horde of well wishes. That being said, I hope both come back to town at some point both have said it was definitely a possibility in the future. Take care, guys, we’ll sure miss ya.

RECORDS & RELEASES

The Rooftops are, simply put, just incredible. They are one of those bands that as you are watching them, you stand there and smile, simultaneously absorbing the beautiful music and wondering how people can create something so expansive. I wasn’t sure if their live sound could translate as well onto CD, but with the help of Paul Turpin, they’ve taken their sound to a whole new level. Check out their CD shows on Nov. 20 at the Rogue and NOv. 22 at Everyday Music, and grab a CD while you are there.

Stuck are putting the finishing touches on their debut demo. I haven’t listened to the tape yet (yes, they’re putting it out on tape), but I love what I heard on the Breakfast for Dinner compilation (put together by Council of Lions’ own Jenn Hartman). Very early-L7-easque, which is badass in my book. If you see Stuck’s singer, Casey Nolan, wish her a big happy birthday, she became legal on Halloween!

Another band on the BfD comp is So Adult (who also played at one of the What’s Up! benefits) and they are the best Replacements-esque band this town has seen since the Mats hayday. I especially love Joe “Pleased to Meet Me” Olmstead’s vocals pretty dead on to Westerberg in a good way. They’ll also be releasing a new tape this month (yep, lots of tapes now), so get the goods when they hit the streets.

That’s two bands that were on the Breakfast for Dinner comp two of the 11. The whole disc is alarmingly amazing sneaky awesome if you will filled with new bands in town that’ll be getting your attention next year. Out of all the songs, my favorite is “Do You Remember” by Cumulus aka Alex Niedzialkowski. It’s a simple yet very beautiful song about being invinsible when you’re young. If you don’t get a chance to pick up the disc (and you should), check out Cumulus at http://www.myspace.com/cumulusalex. All the songs have were recorded by Alex on her laptop you’ll be glad you did.

And again, another band from the comp (did I mention I love the comp) is the mighty and delirously wonderful Femme Uke a duo we’ve written about recently. Well FU have released their first demo and I love it, just love it. Sexually charged songs by two wonderful singers on ukulele it’s what makes my job fun. Laine and Ashley are fantastic (they also played at the What’s Up! comp) and bring a great energy to the music scene.

As I right le Beat this time around, I’m realizing there’s a hell of a theme going on!

Caparaza is releasing their debut demo this month, they’ll hopefully have copies for purchase when they play Band Fight Night on Nov. 8. If you like the rock… and I mean RAWK, check ‘em out!

Pan Pan is yet another unbelievably good band that is releasing a new disc. I was watching a video this morning of a recent The Ghost and the Grace show at WhAAM. In introducing the band, Daniel said Sarah Jerns was the most talented member of the band I’d take that a step further, she’s one of the most talented people in Bellingham and this album just proves it. It is, simply gorgeous absolutely gorgeous. Don’t move, Sarah, ok?

Austin Jenkes has a new disc out and is playing show in support. The album is in the jam vibe, but with a singer/songwriter focus if that’s yer gig, you’ll dig it!

COMINGS & GOINGS

In case you’ve missed it, The Ghost and the Grace have a couple cool videos on YouTube, including my favorite song, “How Far You Go” which features some epic sock puppets as famous musicians. My description doesn’t do it justice, go check it out and give Genetics a click as well two excellent videos, both done by the wonderfully talented Haylee Nighbert. While the latest disc just out, Daniel is working on the new album already laying down tracks at Ross Robinson’s studio this past month. While down there, Daniel added some handclaps to the new Korn record. Wow.

As if that wasn’t enough, Daniel is finishing up a Christmas EP. And… if THAT isn’t enough, Idiot Pilot is getting geared up again with new music slated for released in 2010. Reports from Paul and Chip at Bayside is that the new stuff is beyond anything the band has done. That’s saying something.

Speaking of Michael from Idiot Pilot, he’s joined the Florida band, Cold, whose sold over a million records in their day. He’ll be joining on guitar, after touring with them over the summer. While Michael will be spending a bunch of time in Florida, Bellingham will still be his home. He’ll just now be “bi-coastal.” Sexy.

Trevor from Addition has a new band out called Skinny Whiskers which is starting to play shows. For those who didn’t get a chance to see Addition, they were an epically fun and cool pop band (featuring Laine from Femme Uke) that broke up just as they were starting to get some bar shows happening (while having a huge loyal all ages following). The drummer moved to Seattle to work for a recording studio, effectively breaking up the band. Out of it’s ashes, came two new and even better bands! That’s the way it’s supposed to work!

Make.shift, the incredible non-profit who just bought a van for bands to tour in, is having an art show fundrasiser at Casa Que Pasa through the months of November and December. Proceeds from all donated pieces will benefit the organization and help get the van on the road!

I’ve been asked several times what the status of live music at the Rogue Hero is. As of press time, there is no official word.

Well, that’s about it, take care and enjoy music this month!

-Brent Cole