To download the compilation right click the link above and select “Save link as”

1. Never Again- The Cat From Hue

2. Hours- Great Waves

3. Fara- Baltic Cousins

4. Starts with You- Selling Sirens

The full Avocado Family Records Sampler is available for download at http://avocadofamilyrecords.bandcamp.com/

The band is a five piece consisting of Ryan Clapper (guitar), Jeff DeBock (vocals), Seth Hover (drums), J.D. Martin (guitar), and Dan Rude (bass). Photo by xxxx

Torero is another name for a matador. Torero also happens to be a local metal band whose main influences consist of bands such as Pig Destroyer, Botch, Joshua Fit For Battle, and Crucifictorious and share an obsession with Friday Night Lights. “We love Friday Night Lights. The TV show, not the movie,” claims band singer Jeff DeBock. That’s surprising to hear, considering the band describes their sound as drivey grindy, percussive, fast, heavy and deep in tone. But it does explain the reference to Crucifictorious.

The band is a five piece consisting of Ryan Clapper (guitar), Jeff DeBock (vocals), Seth Hover (drums), J.D. Martin (guitar), and Dan Rude (bass). They started playing together as a four piece roughly two years ago, with Rude joining as the group’s bassist last year.

The band feels their sound gained a broader dynamic range once they became a quintet. “That’s when we started playing more shows,” Martin says. This not only increased the band’s live performances, but also added a surge to the group’s creativity. “We’ve written a few songs from scratch with bass that we never had before, and have gone back and rewritten some of our old stuff,” says Hover.

Martin is said to be the main riff-meister of the group. “Basically I come up with some bullshit that I think sounds right in my head, and then play it to some drums, and they correct me, and then it becomes a song,” he says of the songwriting process.

However, Clapper has written large portions of the band’s first two songs, and some of their newer songs have been group efforts. “I wanted to write more songs for this band,” says Clapper, “but I didn’t want them to sound like Tear A Man Apart [Clapper and Martin's other local band].” And this leaves DeBock to come up with lyrics. “Usually I have the lyrics before hand and I just fit it into the songs,” he adds.

With songs in hand, the boys were able to start playing around town and have even ventured into the southern Puget Sound area. “We’ve played in Tacoma and Seattle,” DeBock says. “They were shitty both times, only because they were high school reunions for [J.D. and I].”

The group started to make an EP at Fairhaven Recording studio, but admit that it didn’t quite work out. “It was right when Dan was entering into the band, and it just never actually panned out all the way,” Martin states.

They managed to record and create a few mixes of their songs (check them out at www.myspace.com/torerotorero) but deemed them too rough because of the guitar tone and lack of vocals. They plan on rerecording these songs now that they’ve played as a five piece for a year.

The guys had a tour to Tijuana lined up for this year with fellow local band Stuck, however those plans fell through when Stuck broke up. They now set their sights on a West Coast tour this winter.

Their next local show will be on July 31 at Jinx Art Space. “We plan to have more songs by then, and try to be more of a band,” says Martin.

When asked about future goals, Hover said, “We like to play shows, and want to play as many shows as we can.” Then Martin said, “We at least want one of our songs to be the intro to a TV show.” “We’re gonna do it for Friday Night Lights,” claims DeBock, before Martin quickly adds, “But they only like Explosions In The Sky.”

So how would one sum up a small town metal band that loves a show about high school quarter backs from Texas? DeBock’s answer, “To sum us up, we are Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat.”

COMING UP

Catch Torero on July 31 at
Jinx Art Space. For more
about the band, visit
myspace.com/torerotorero

Tyler Clarke has released Tea Seas, his first solo album. Photo by Matt Curtis

Tyler Clarke has released Tea Seas, his first solo album. Photo by Matt Curtis

Tyler Clarke has released Tea Seas, his first solo album. Photo by Matt Curtis

Known for his work in experimental funk group Captain Seahorse, local musician Tyler Clarke boasts an impressive musical resume. Currently playing lap steel for local Americana band the Lumpkins and bass in a reggae band, Clarke has also played with Yogoman Burning Band and the Hedonists. Drawing from a wide variety of influences and musical explorations, Clarke has stepped out on his own to create Tea Seas, one of the finest (mostly) instrumental albums out of Bellingham this year.

“This is a record I have been working on my whole life,” Clarke says of his first solo release.

He describes a background in classical music which eventually led to teaching himself the guitar. “I started taking violin and piano at age five, then moved to clarinet in band while in school,” says Clarke. “I switched to guitar for a senior project.”

But his approach to music continues to be that of a clarinetist than a guitarist. “I’m always trying to find more interesting recording voices and diversify my sound.”

He describes his love for Willie Nelson and John Zorin who mixes traditional jazz and new sounds in innovative ways. “My mom tells me when I was a baby the only thing that would make me stop crying was (Willie Nelson’s) Stardust.” Clarke also notes a love for soundtrack music. “I tend to go for the darker side of music. I like spaciousness with interesting and strange instrumentation.”

That interest comes through on the album, which ranges from country-Americana to dark instrumentals to classical numbers. All music was recorded primarily by Clarke acoustically playing along with a metronome over the course of a year and a half. He then brought in a rhythm section, followed by overdubbing certain sounds.

“The record can go anywhere from a duet to 13 people playing together. Genre-wise, it’s pretty far reaching,” says Clarke.

The album features members from various prominent Bellingham bands, including the horn section from the Burning Band, Vaughn Kreestoe’s Jeremy Elliot, and Lumpkins’ David Ney. With four of the 11 tracks featuring vocals, Clarke says David Ney was commissioned to write and sing vocals on several of those songs.

Tyler Clarke’s live shows can be as diverse and his musical interests, sometimes appearing as TC’s Big Band, sometimes TC’s Carnival Orchestra. “We take the album material and make it more funky and danceable with African rhythms,” says Clarke. “A lot of the songs you can play in different ways. (For example) I like to take old Hank Williams songs and turn them into funk numbers.”

Clarke describes some of his newest material as more funky and soul-heavy, which he hopes to begin recording soon. If his audience has a hard time keeping up with the sound and genre shifts, Clarke is happy. “I like people to be slightly confused,” he says. “I find I’m most moved by things that are unexpected.”

COMING UP

Catch Tyler Clarke on
July 16 at the Wild Buffalo.

The Missing Bricks. Under the Radar - July 2010

Started in March, The Missing Bricks is comprised of three members: Ali Sarshar Khan, Toby Reif and Jake Barrow. “Ali Sarshar Khan (rhythm guitar/lyrics/vocals) had been trying to start a project for a while and after I (lead guitar/bass) played with him for a few hours one night we decided to try it out,” Reif said. “I knew Jake Barrow (drums/synth) through Fairhaven and knew he was a really good drummer as well as a really good electronic (he has a solo project called Vervex) musician, so we lured him by telling him that we were trying to start something that would fall somewhere between Beirut and the Strokes as far as sound goes. We played a little more, consistantly getting kicked out of various rooms in our dorm for having a drum set, and soon had enough songs to go into the Fairhaven Studio where we recorded and mixed our little EP/demo thing ourselves.” Check out their EP Painted Windows at themissingbricks.bandcamp.com/

Donny Fite (vocals/synth), Jason Irish (bass), Kelley Gately (guitar) and Joel Goodman (drums) make up leaders.

“Last time I was in Bellingham,” said Leaders’ bassist Jason Irish, “it was after I got turned away at the Canadian border. I got drunk there. It will be good to visit under better circumstances.”

And so it goes with Leaders; always looking to improve and one-up themselves, no matter the situation.

When in comes to rock and roll, this group from Portland, OR seem to relish their role as a throwback to another era. Their sound my have synthesizers aplenty, but the freewheeling, pioneering spirit remains.

This month, they will play Bellingham on the third date of their current West Coast mini tour. They will be joined by River City Tanlines, Guitar Magazine and the Touch Me Nots at the Jinx Art Space on July 17.

While it’s certainly guaranteed to be a great time, rife with high energy, debauchery and all of its trimmings, it is how they got there that is perhaps more interesting.

Four years ago, vocalist and synth player Donny Fite began collecting synthesizers via Craigslist.

“I began four tracking a bunch of wacky jams,” he said. “I didn’t really have any grandiose ideas about forming a five piece.”

After finding what he called “the bottom of the barrel” musicians with like-minded interests, the foundation was set.

However, the current lineup, which also includes Spizz on drums, Kelley Gately on guitar and Joel Goodman on guitar and synthesizer, didn’t form until later, after much turnover.

“Donny and I FIRED EVERYONE!!!” said Spizz. “But kept Jason.”

Actually, Donny and Jason had been in numerous bands together prior to Leaders.

“We known each other since we was just a dirty look in our daddy’s eyes,” said Goodman.

Guitarist Gately is an alumnus of former Bellingham favorites Fireballs of Freedom.

“(I’m) proud of it,” he said. “But all the baggage from blood soaked, alcohol-fueled adventures of the FOF follows me around like the plague. Sorry guys, we did some gnarly shit.”

As far as their sound itself, it could best be described as traditional, aggressive guitar-based punk… with quirky synthesizers added. The melding of the two said influences works well, giving an old take on rock and roll new life, without sounding contrived or weird for the sake of weird.

“I’ve been in love with synthesizers for awhile,” said Fite. “They can be so wild and over the top, like Sweet’s “Fox on the Run” is pure magic. An aural ’synthgasm’ in my ears.”

His partner in crime on synthesizer, Goodman, concurs. He said that his obsession with the instrument is what influences his songs, always looking for something to write to fit any given tune.

Regarding the rest of the group’s influences, there are the usual suspects of punk and post punk artists.

“I like Henry-era Black Flag, and that’s IT,” said Spizz. “Except for the theme song to Welcome Back Kotter. Soooo soulful.”

Currently, the band is putting the finishing touches on their unique 12″ vinyl EP. Actually, it is a split EP with another band, their friends from Spain, Tokyo Sex Destruction.

It’s being released on a German label, Red Lounge Records.

In addition, they have another 7″ EP coming out at the end of the summer on Ritch Bitch records. Afterwards, they plan on recording a full-length album for an autumn release.

According to Gately, the key to their refreshingly stripped down sound is simple.

“Tune the drums, turn it up and play the songs right.”

“And mic everything,” added Goodman. “Nothing goes in direct, not even synths.”

In the meantime, touring is the letter of the law for Leaders. After their current tour winds down, they plan on hitting up the Midwest and East Coast. Next up? Europe.

“Hopefully I’ll be off probation in time to make that tour a reality,” Fite said.

COMING UP

Catch Leaders on July 17 at Jinx Art Space. For more about the band, visit
myspace.com/leaderspdx

The band includes Sean Hills (vocals/bass), Nick Ripley (vocals/guitar), Patrick Hills (guitar/vocals) and Wy Harell (drums). Courtesy photo

The band includes Sean Hills (vocals/bass), Nick Ripley (vocals/guitar), Patrick Hills (guitar/vocals) and Wy Harell (drums). Courtesy photo

The band includes Sean Hills (vocals/bass), Nick Ripley (vocals/guitar), Patrick Hills (guitar/vocals) and Wy Harell (drums). Courtesy photo

I’m not going to lie: When I first heard that name, Bastards of Young, I felt a little squeamish.I expected face-melting metal. My friends try to drag me to hardcore shows, but I just can’t muster up the courage to endure screaming and thrashing. “That’s not my genre,” I say and wave them away. With that in-your-face name, I expected them to be an in-your-face, rough, tough kind of group.

But, Bastards of Young is a pleasant surprise. Turns out, the group derive their name from a song by The Replacements, who you can hear peeking through in their sound. Yes, this four-piece rock group plays edgy punk, but they’re also fun and upbeat, which widens their appeal. As bassist and vocalist Sean Hills says, “People who like all kinds of music are able to enjoy what we do.”

Along with Hills, Bastards of Young includes Nick Ripley on vocals and guitar, Patrick Hills on guitar and vocals, and Wy Harell on drums. They’ll even throw some piano, harmonica, and organ into their recordings. Listening to them, you don’t feel like they are trying to be a certain genre, they’re just trying to have a good time.

Bastards of Young hails from Sacramento, CA, and addresses personal experiences, including growing up in northern California, in their songs. Relationships, friends, loved ones–the band rocks about the people in our lives who matter. By highlighting these human commonalities, Bastards of Young offers something more sentimental and universal than one would expect from a punk rock group. Along with Husker Du, the group cites classic rock influences such as Elvis Costello, The Rolling Stones, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. “I think it all gets mixed into our own music in one way or another,” Hills adds.

Together since 2007, the band typically comes to practice having written simple chord progressions on acoustic guitar and then mashes together their individual parts. The collaboration creates a jagged yet positive and energetic sound. Just as they work with each other to flesh out their band identity, they work with crowds at performances.

“It’s really like a communal thing for us. We like to try to get people involved as much as possible. A lot of our songs are sing-alongs and there’s nothing better than seeing people who know the words singing along with us,” Hills explains. Audiences rock right alongside the group and hold that idea of music as a collective experience.

Likewise, their favorite venues for performing are those intimate places where one can get up close and interact with a small crowd. Bastards of Young hasn’t received much attention, but considering that they just released their first record, California Redemption, their ambition is steering them in the right direction.

“I think that what we’re most proud of is the fact that we’ve done everything on our own. It’s not like we’re a huge band by any means, but we’ve accomplished quite a lot and we’ve done so without any compromise. It’s just hard work,” Hills notes.

Bastards of Young will play at the Cabin Tavern with the Secretions and Know Your Saints on Sunday, July 11 at 8 p.m.

“Some friends recently told me that our music is good for road trips,” Hills remarks. Good thing, cause these guys are going places.

Coming Up

Catch Bastards of Young on Sunday, July 11 at the Cabin Tavern. For more about the band, check out bastardsofyoung.bandcamp.com, facebook.com/pages/bastards-of-young or myspace.com/youngbastards.

The night got its start from a solo performance by Vantage front man Jon Garrett. Typically one problem I find with Jon is that he sings so falsetto, it’s hard to understand him. Tonight, however, that wasn’t the case as he impressively displayed his vocal range and could be heard loud and clear. Jon played a short six song set that consisted of four original songs, a cover of “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5 and a breathtaking soulful cover of “Take on Me” by Aha.

The second act of the night was the No Name Band, but just for fun I’m going to refer to them as the Bellingham Boy Band (BBB). BBB consisted of Craig Jewell (Juicebox) on acoustic guitar, Brian Hillman (Spaceband) on electric guitar, Aaron Guest (Polecat, Vantage) on bass and Kevin Chryst (Vaughn Kreestoe) on the drums. Since Craig, Brian and Aaron are all front men in their respected bands, they all took turns singing and performing their original songs. They performed three of Brian’s original songs such as “Rich” and two of Craig’s original songs such as “The Skies.” They also showcased each band member’s talent through the covers “I’m on Fire” by Bruce Springsteen, which Aaron sang, “Waste” by Phish, which Craig sang and “You Wreck Me” by Tom Petty, which Brian sang.

As their set was ending, the Plan B Saloon started to get packed. The tension and excitement in the bar was high as everyone was psyched for Dawes.

Minutes after getting on stage, Dawes immediately picked up the energy and jumped into their set. They confidently and loudly charged into their set with the song “When You Call My Name.” Using a guitar, piano, bass, drums and harmonies, Dawes creates layers to build their songs. First the drums will come in and start building, then the piano will come in with a beautiful solo after which the guitar and bass will go all out with Taylor Goldsmith, Griffin Goldsmith and Alex Casnoff singing harmonies. Doing this every song they express a variety of melodies, rhythms and sounds.

It was so shocking with their road warrior tour schedule that they still play so passionately and ferociously. After talking to pianist Alex, that’s all just part of the job. Each member was playing with such full force and attacking their instruments so intensely that I’m surprised they didn’t break a string or a drum head or that Taylor Goldsmith could actually talk after the show since he was yelling the lyrics of every song.

Although hard to say, since the entire show was incredible, the climax of their set was when they played “When My Time Comes.” The energy in the bar was so high and when Taylor turned the microphone on the audience to sing the chorus, everyone just broke out and started screaming with the band. After that the crowd was going out, yelling every word right along with the band, which completely humbled the band as they thanked us multiple times for coming out.

Unfortunately after playing their entire new album North Hills, plus four songs, the band had to stop playing since they didn’t have anymore songs. Boy should you be kicking yourself for not going to this show.

When I got to the Green Frog at 9 p.m., the place was already packed, even though the band wasn’t supposed to start until 9:30. Little to my knowledge, the band likes to start early and play for as long as they can. The crowd there was really diverse as well as their ages ranged from 20s to 40s. Even though the Green Frog was packed, you could still hear JD, Chuck and Tim’s harmonies through their single microphone. It was only after a baseball team came down to enjoy an after game drink that it was hard to hear the singing.

While sitting back and enjoying the show, it was clearly evident that these four guys know bluegrass. They masterfully demonstrated how to play the banjo, mandolin, bass and acoustic guitar. After playing for about an hour, Bentgrass started to pick even faster and brought out the kazoos. It was really impressive how fast their fingers were moving considering they played for over an hour without a break.

After playing two hours of mostly original material, they snuck a cover of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Beegees in their set, the band called it a night. According to Chuck, they played a “short” set since the entire band wasn’t there. And here I thought they couldn’t get any better…