What follows is the West Seattle Funblog interview with Tacoma Finish guitar player Brian Bell.  Tacoma Finish are playing a super cool show this weekend.   Brian Bell is a pretty cool dude.  Here’s a hot interview to counterbalance it all.

West Seattle Funblog: So you’re having an EP release party at the Skylark this Saturday night (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=286523401719&index=1). Who the hell is Tacoma Finish?

Brian Bell: We’re an odd lot with a bit of history, that’s for sure. Randy Swanberg does most of the lead vocals and plays guitar. Chris Hogan gets to sit down most of the time and provides the backbone along with Morgan Myrick, who does the bass work and sings. I play guitar and try to look pretty, but usually just get sweaty and fail miserably. At the looking pretty part. Hopefully not the guitar part.

WSFB: What’s the name of the new album?

BB: The EP is called “DOWN” and we went with that for several reasons. During the writing and recording period, a couple of us were going through marital issues that led to divorce and this “downer” vibe kinda came out in our writing. The music isn’t dark at all, so the lyrics are sort of masked by feel-good rock. At the time, we were also playing around with logos, combining the T and F into a single character maybe. I work with some Japanese people and one of them pointed out that this single fictitious character was very similar to the Kanji symbol for the word “Down”. It was a fluke, but just worked on so many levels that we went with it. That’s the Kanji symbol on the cover. It just wrapped everything up into a nice little package. You don’t think it looks phallic, do you?

WSFB: Is this the band’s first release?

BB: Yes. And it’s been a long time coming.

WSFB: If you had to describe the album using only two words what would they be?

BB: Fucking Finally.

WSFB: Were you guys friends first and then a band or did you all meet via playing music? How long have you guys been playing together?

BB: Friends first. I moved down from Alaska in the fall of 2000. I’d been there for 7 years after growing up in Austin. I met Randy and Chris shortly thereafter through mutual friends in the seafood industry. We’d hit Randy’s cabin in Winthrop and drink beer and play acoustics out by the fire pit on the Methow River. Lots of covers mostly though the improv jams seemed to come off pretty easily. Chris had a djembe that he’d keep time on. He eventually bought a drum set for the first time in years and the rest of us busted out our electrics and Tac Fin was born. Morgan joined us two years ago, assimilated instantly, and has been a godsend. That guy can pick up a new song faster than anyone I’ve ever worked with before. In general, it’s been about boy’s night, shootin’ the shit, and just having fun. The band name “Cheaper Than Therapy” was already taken, but that’s a good description of it.

WSFB: The first time I saw you guys play was at Big Al’s for the Funblog party. This is a bit bigger of a stage with a bigger audience; do you guys feel pretty comfortable playing in front of a decent sized crowd?

BB: We haven’t historically been a workhorse kinda band doing every gig available and trying to “make it”. We’re all professionals and have good day jobs and families and such. But we’ve done a shitload of parties and events and feel pretty damn comfortable with it. This much time together makes it easy. I can just LOOK at Chris or Morgan or Randy and they know what I’m thinking and conversely. The Haiti Aid Benefit at the West Seattle Eagles last month was a goodly sized crowd for us, and we were fine with it. We’re actually pretty stoked for this gig, CD release notwithstanding. Our trick is to just imagine ourselves naked and the rest falls into place. I think I might have fucked that saying up.

WSFB: Who else is on the bill?

BB: Surgical Chaos is opening. Podblaster follows them. Then us. I haven’t seen either one of them, but their sites have some good stuff on it and the Skylark doesn’t book shitty bands. I’m looking forward to meeting and playing with them both. Podblaster put the poster together, by the way. From the looks of it, you might want to drop acid for their set.

WSFB: List each band member and who their correlating character from Star Wars would be (only Star Wars episodes 4-6 none of that Jar Jar Binks crap).

BB: That’s the best question I’ve ever been asked and that includes “do you take this bride”. I’ll probably get booted out of the band for this. Chris would probably be Chewbacca. He’s big guy and just kicks ass in general. A gentle giant. Morgan is calm and wise and as far as tenure in the band goes, he’s the greenest, so I’d have to go with Yoda. Randy is tough. He’s the one in your face and putting his soul on the line, so he’s kinda your Luke Skywalker. Me? I’m old, but not wise, so Obi Wan is out. I’m an asshole and wear black, so Darth Vader is a possibility. But I love Cinnabon, so I think I should go with Princess Leia.

WSFB: That works because the Funblog is definitely Han Solo. Can we play the didgeridoo during a song Saturday?

BB: No, but we’ll consider it. Okay, thought about it. No.

WSFB: Tell us how you got the name Tacoma Finish.

BB: I’d love to, but that’s actually classified. I’m not allowed to say. But I will say that Tacoma is pretty blue collar and has a “waste not, want not” mentality to it. Sometimes you just have to put the ol’ Tacoma Finish on it. ‘Nuff said, but none of us are from Tacoma or Finland.

WSFB: Who do you draw influence from? And Zeppelin doesn’t count.

BB: That’s a tough one. Our sound and songwriting style is our own, at least we like to think so, and it stems from everything we’ve ever listened to. Growing up in Austin, I definitely have blues base, but not in a “Muddy Waters” sound kinda way. Jam bands, classic rock, metal, alternative, pop – they all fit in there. I tell you what. Come out on Saturday and you tell ME where our influences come from, yeah? You’ll probably say, “Fuck, that’s a tough question.”

Tacoma Finish is playing Saturday evening at The Skylark in West Seattle on Delridge so come out and see what’s going “DOWN”.

Don’t know what the kids are up to these days?  Feel like reconnecting with that 20 year old inside of you that has been squashed by years of work, life and waking up every day following the same routine?  Let it all hang out at Sasquatch baby.  Feel young by osmosis.

For those not in the know, the Sasquatch Festival has been going on since 2002, every year at The Gorge in George, WA.  Back in 2002 you couldn’t hear Ben Harper unless you were right near the speakers and the beer lines were painfully long, but the stage was set for something impressive in years to come.  Over the last 7 years the festival has expanded to feature all kinds of bands from big name / money acts, punk bands, indie groups and more.  Some past headliners include  The Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse, Kanye West, Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Jane’s Addiction and even the Beastie Boys, not to mention countless other smaller (but nonetheless talented) groups and individuals.

The lineup was just announce today and features the following bands (including my personal comments that show how god damn out of touch / old I am).  Tickets go on sale Saturday 2/20/10.  Just remember, even if you do manage to score tickets you’ll still have to make it past the Gorge exit Police checkpoints off I-90, so hide your shit and don’t be dumb.  And tell them the West Seattle Funblog sent you.  They won’t know what the hell you mean but that’s OK, part of going to a fun festival featuring indie acts is making people believe you know about bands and things that their suburban ass has no clue of.

The Only Real Reason I’d Consider Driving To Sasquatch

Public Enemy

Bands I’ve Heard and Wouldn’t Mind Seeing

Pavement

Ween

MGMT

Nada Surf

A Band That NOFX Wrote A Song About

Tegan & Sara

A Band That Is Taking Advantage Of The Twilight Craze Based On Their Name Alone

Vampire Weekend

Bands That Could Be Good Or Crap, None Of Which I’ve Ever Heard Of (I is old)

My Morning Jacket
Massive Attack
Band of Horses

Band That Reminds Me Baseball Season Is Close

The National

Band That Makes Me Want To Go To BestBuy

LCD Soundsystem

Bands That Remind Me Of My Saturday Nights

Broken Social Scene
Passion Pit

Bands That Have Something To Prove
Deadmau5
She & Him
The New Pornographers
The Hold Steady
The xx
Dirty Projectors
OK Go
Drive By Truckers
Kid Cudi
The Long Winters
Minus the Bear
The Mountain Goats
Quasi
Camera Obscura
Fruit Bats
Brother Ali
Midlake
Dr. Dog
Caribou
Simian Mobile Disco
City & Colour
No Age
The Temper Trap
Vetiver
Miike Snow
Portugal. The Man
Telekinesis
Mayer Hawthorne
Why?
Girls
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Wale
The Lonely Forest
Japandroids
Boys Noize
Yacht
Freelance Whales
Laura Marling
Patrick Watson
Past Lives
Cymbals Eat Guitars
The Low Anthem
The Very Best
Phantogram
Neon Indian
Nurses
The Tallest Man on Earth
Fresh Espresso
Mumford & Sons
Jets Overhead
tUnE-YarDs
Shabazz Palaces
Fool’s Gold
Morning Teleportation
Z-Trip
Dam-Funk
Hudson Mohawke
The Middle East
Local Natives
Avi Buffalo
Booka Shade
A-Trak
Yes Giantess
Craig Robinson
Rob Riggle
Garfunkel & Oates
Luke Burbank

We’ve got all the stuff you’re looking for, baby. We got you covered.

Check this out: the Funblog Events and Funmanship page.

This easy to use page lists events in chronological order by date. The first data point is event name, and if you click that link you’ll drill-down to the details of the event included the venue, link to the venue website (if available), the venue’s contact info, a map to the venue, event time, and if tickets are required there will be a link to the site with purchase info.

Live music, open mic, trivia, brewer’s nights, karaoke, special events, anniversaries, CD release parties – you name it, we’re bringing it right here.

We compile a list of events that take place here in West Seattle that cater to folks in the thriving 21+ adult beverage nightlife scene. We’re all about West Seattle and the fun stuff that abounds around us every day.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not afraid of going over that bridge if our friends are playing a gig outside West Seattle and that stuff will get posted here as well.

Hell, we even took this a step further and put an abbreviated list of the next eight events right listed on the right side of every page and you can drill down to the details right from there. You’re welcome.

Yep, it’s true. The West Seattle Funblog has revolutionized the local blogging scene once again and got right to the heart of the matter; what are you going to do tonight?

So the question is, do you want to spend time scrolling and reading about knitting classes and book clubs or do you want to get down to brass tacks and find out where the fun is happening? Of course you do.

Funblog your life. Get out and enjoy everything this great neighborhood has to offer. Listen to some music, have a couple drinks, eat some great food. Above all, relax and remember everything’s gonna be alright.

Rest assured there are millions more like you, and they’re also ready to party.

One prime demographic is the orphaned cougar; the middle-aged to elderly married or otherwise attached female who is left behind while her significant other goes off to cavort with the boys and ramble endlessly about statistics and information that has no actual bearing on the world in general and which only serves to bolster support for extravagant unrealistic lifestyles of America’s top-paid athletes.

This year, don’t let your neighborhood cougar be orphaned and left to her own devices. Reach out and show you care. Kick it with a cougar, or two.

Men aged 30-45 are encouraged to volunteer their time to provide companionship to orphaned cougars during this lonely and sad time. CubPanion Corps is a national organization that helps pair available men with orphaned cougars in their area.

In support of the CubPanion Corps annual event, the Super 7® motel chain is offering discounted rates on party rooms nationwide this Superbowl Sunday.

So guys, do Your Mom proud and support your local cougar in her time of need. You won’t regret helping others and the reward is everlasting.

Roma, who opened his first rib place in North Miami in 1972, always had a penchant for girls and ribs. A young man, he often dreamed of scantily clad women rolling about in kiddie pools of BBQ sauce.

“I think there’s nothin’ sexier than a women covered in delicious sauce”, says Roma. “I have a dippin’ tub full of Tony Roma’s secret sauce at my beach house in Miami, and there’s a party happenin’ 7 days a week!”

Proud of his rib empire that has more than 200 stores and spans 37 countries, Roma is not one to take criticism lightly.

“She said I didn’t pioneer baby back ribs, which is a bald faced lie. I AM baby back ribs and that bitch better never forget it!” exclaimed Roma when asked why he’d become so upset over Jessica’s tongue in cheek statement.

“He didn’t understand that I was joking”, says Simpson. “I should’ve known better and now I messed this all up too WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

Simpson, who will be starring in an upcoming reality TV show called “The Price of Beauty”, says she’s “not going to let this breakup send me back to the food trough”; an obvious reference to her recent delectable weight gain.

The WSFB was saddened to hear this and encouraged Jessica to “look opportunity in the eye and take a big bite out of it”. After all, it shouldn’t take a big piece of meat to shut her up.

WSFB: In terms of your musical background, when did you first realize you were a musician?

Nathan Wade: I used to draw compulsively as a kid, but that was never satisfying enough—it’s a private exercise. Even though I was more of an introvert then, I liked the idea of expressing myself publicly. I started writing songs before I knew how to play an instrument—just lyrics, but I could hear the melody in my head. I was leaning towards piano as an instrument, but then I started to listen to heavy metal; guitar was clearly the path to righteousness.

WSFB: What kind of formal music training did you receive?

Nathan Wade: As a teen, I took guitar lessons off and on, and read a lot of guitar magazines, but as I grew more ambitious, the music in my head was more complicated than what I could easily communicate to other musicians. It wasn’t until many years later that I went back to square one and start taking music classes. I found music theory was easier to understand on the piano than on the guitar—everything is laid out for you on the keyboard—so I guess my initial impulse as a kid probably would have saved some headaches years later. (Of course, I’ve forgotten most of what I learned already.)

WSFB: What was your first guitar?

Nathan Wade: It was my grandfather’s National hollow-body electric that he bought from Sears–I’m not entirely sure of the model because I can’t find out anything about it online. When I started playing it, the strings were way up off the neck and I thought, “if all guitars are this hard to play then fuck this!” I quit playing every other week but eventually became obsessed with making music. I had no concept at the time of lowering the action on a guitar–I was trying to play metal and wanted to shred!

Years later, I played an Electra Les Paul copy that belonged to my dad—I called it my “Lesser Paul.” Then I bought a very metal-worthy Westone…I didn’t have taste in guitars as a teen, but both were easier to play. I’ve since had the action reset on my grandpa’s National and play it on a regular basis. I also play a very different National called a Resolectric, which is a dream for slide guitar and sounds it sounds incredible—I don’t even have to PLAY IT and it sounds incredible.

WSFB: I believe you have an “old soul” vocal style. By that I mean you have marked character and depth in your particular brand of vocal styling. How did you develop this style?

Nathan Wade: As far as learning to sing, just out of high school I worked at a grocery store in Richmond, Indiana that was a 20-25 minute commute. Every day I would sing to the car radio, building my voice. Years later, when I was taking music classes, I also did some vocal training to be more consistent and have better vocal control. I tend to lean towards gritty, soulful music and my vocal style sort of grew alongside my songwriting.

WSFB: Your music comes across as sincere. How and where did you develop this sense of sincerity and conviction?

Nathan Wade: It comes naturally? I don’t know. Things changed musically when I started getting into the Alan Lomax Southern Journey Collection which was a compendium of folk music gathered during the late 1950’s / early 1960’s that captures a lot of live music that was not affected by popular music and radio. This was music that grew out of the local social atmosphere and everyone sang and played with total conviction—it’s too bad, but I feel like we’ve lost touch with that. Religious songs were also pretty prominent in the collection, which sparked memories about my religious past, eventually giving me a new direction to go with as a songwriter.

WSFB: You were raised Jehovah’s Witness, and there are clear biblical overtones in your lyrics. Presumably you had some divergence from the faith with which you were raised. Is this the case?

Nathan Wade: Yeah, I “diverged” when I was 18 and repressed that side of myself for a long time, so a lot of what I’ve been writing hails back to 12 years spent studying the Bible in a very specific type of Christianity. There’s a lot of alienation in the lyrics, too—Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t celebrate holidays and there was a sense of being separated from everyone else, especially in school. As an adult, I tend to find comfort in that alienated place, for better or for worse. As for the apocalyptic side of my writing, I think anyone that’s walked away from religion has a little voice in the back of their head that says, “I hope I’m right.” It’s very cathartic to sing about the end of the world, so I like to write songs from the perspective of being very VERY wrong.

WSFB: Who are your musical influences?

Nathan Wade: Wow, that’s a tall list. I listen to a lot of music that has nothing to do with what I’m playing with The Dark Pioneers. Some influences I can name off the top of my head are the late Chris Whitley, (Italian film composer) Ennio Morricone, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Tom Waits. Nick and Tom are consummate showmen, larger-than-life personas like you don’t see much of anymore.

WSFB: You mentioned playing your dad’s guitar (“Lesser Paul”). Is your dad a working musician?

Nathan Wade: Yes, he’s still a touring musician. When I was a teenager, I would see him play and be around that world. I‘d go out wherever he was playing, and watch the show night after night. I learned a lot about showmanship; how to be tight, how to be a stage professional. It frustrates me to no end when I go to see a band around here and they just stand there and play half-assed, muttering at the audience. I feel like if you’re going to get up there – people are coming for a show, so give it to them! I want bands to get nervous if they have to follow us on stage and vice-versa. It should be a healthy competition and everybody wins, especially the audience.

WSFB: What are your favorite places to play in Seattle?

Nathan Wade: The Sunset is always a good time; the Tractor is a great venue, too. We played at the new Crocodile recently (also daunting) and it’s really impressive, especially how thoughtful they are when it comes to the musicians.

WSFB: When we saw you at the Sunset Tavern in Ballard back in 2009, there was a fourth person on stage with you and The Dark Pioneers. Do you often have folks join you for live performances, or in the studio?

Nathan Wade: Traditionally, The Dark Pioneers are a trio. At the Sunset we had Michael Spaly join us on violin and guitar. He plays with several bands, including Creeping Time and Sam Russel & The Harborrats. Lincoln Barr from Red Jacket Mine has also played electric guitar with us live in the past and on our upcoming album – The Gospel of Rust. He did too good of a job, creating these iconic parts that elevate the songs. Unfortunately, he’s really busy with his own band and I’m having a hell of time recreating what he played!

Eventually, we hope to supplement the band with a full-time fourth member so we can do a better job of recreating the recorded songs on stage, but Sam (Collins, bass), Brian (Alter, drums) and I love to reinvent the songs—the album is just a point of departure.

WSFB: Where did you record The Gospel of Rust?

Nathan Wade: We recorded at Two Sticks in North Seattle, owned by Jason McGerr, the drummer from Death Cab for Cutie. Besides being a very “homey” studio (and a drummer’s dream), they made great use of the space. We were able isolate our instruments, maintain eye contact, and record live in the studio—I think that’s extremely important. Technology has made for generations of lazy musicians, so it’s crucial to bring a live mentality to the studio. You can add bells and whistles later, but at the heart of a recording, you can’t beat the sounds of musicians playing off one another.

Stay up to date on shows and album releases here:

http://www.myspace.com/nathanwade

http://full.nathanwademusic.com/

West Seattle Funblog: How has the tragedy in Haiti affected you?

Russ Stefanovich: I have no direct ties to Haiti, but if you are a person with any compassion at all, how can it NOT affect you?

West Seattle Funblog: Why are you donating your time and talent to this effort? How did you become involved?

Russ Stefanovich: I was contacted by Shawn from Sledgeback, who asked if either the Midnight Idols or Hartwood could play the event… as it turns out, it took little more than mention of the event to pull both bands together! Our role is really small, but it all helps… If we can join together and help raise funds for the heroes on the front lines, I am all for it! These individuals are a real inspiration.

West Seattle Funblog: Anything you’d like to say to fans out there about this concert?

Russ Stefanovich: I think people are in for a special show. West Seattle can really come together and make a difference.

West Seattle Funblog: Thanks for your time and efforts, Russ. We look forward to seeing you demonstrate your rock ‘n roll duality at the show!

♪

See event details here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=265411498558&ref=nf

And band info here and here:

http://www.myspace.com/idols

http://www.myspace.com/hartwood

"Is that... yep! A Funblog Sticker On Gabi's Guitar!"

WEST SEATTLE, Washington, January 29, 2010 (WSFB) - Shawn Trotter is a West Seattle resident and bass player for kick- ass, good-time, FunBand, Sledgeback, who are performing at the West Seattle Eagles Haiti Aid Benefit Concert on Saturday, January 30^th at the W.S. Eagles Hall on California. Shawn spared a few moments of his time to give the Funblog the band’s thoughts on the earthquake and this event.

Said Shawn:

All of us members of Sledgeback have in our personal travels witnessed the crushing poverty that exists in parts of the world we live in. When a disaster on a level that brought Kobe Japan to the brink occurs, one wonders what the future holds for the people of Haiti? When I saw a picture of bodies draped in the Haitian flag, it really brought me to tears. It is our opportunity and privilege to help out where we can with what we have…. which is music.

As to the Westsiders out there…. Come on out to the Eagles and see a fist full of bands that cut across style lines, all coming together for good times and good karma.

10 bucks good for ears, 10 bucks good for soul…

Rock!

With Love,

Sledgeback!

See event details here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=265411498558&ref=nf

And more about Sledgeback here:

http://sledgeback.com/

West Seattle Funblog: How has the tragedy in Haiti affected you?

Randy Swanberg: I read an interview with an elderly person in Haiti that said they didn’t think anyone cared that they don’t have food to eat. That really affected me. These people have been devastated emotionally, physically and mentally and to have no hope because they don’t have the support they need to get back on their feet is saddening. I think everyone who reads about the Haiti situation feels it because it touches on basic human need. Living in the Northwest, it is possible that we could be hit similarly by an earthquake. It’s a good reminder to help others like you would hope they would if you were in the same situation.

West Seattle Funblog: Why are you donating your time and talent to this effort?  How did you become involved?

Randy Swanberg: It’s great to feel like you can do something to help impact even a few lives, that someone might get clean water or a meal because of this benefit event. Word of the show came to the band through osmosis and the opportunity came up. Next thing you know there’s five bands, so we’re excited. It’s an honor to be a part of it and we’re thankful for the donation of the venue and that 100% of the proceeds will go to Mercy Corps.

West Seattle Funblog: Anything you’d like to say to fans out there about this concert?

Randy Swanberg: Just thanks for joining us to help the cause. How lucky are we that by getting together for a night to rock and have a few drinks with friends that we can help others? Thanks for giving your support and helping to spread the love where it’s needed.

West Seattle Funblog: Thanks Randy. See you on Saturday!

Read more about the event here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=265622522205&index=1

(Full disclosure – Pete Seazle plays guitar in Tacoma Finish)

A West Seattle resident, Tommy has been a fixture in the Seattle music scene for a long time.

He spared a few moments of his time to give the Funblog his thoughts on the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti and this event.

Said Tommy:

This tragedy has affected me much like Katrina and the tsunami in the last years, we have it so good here even though times are still tough.

The outpouring of America’s aide and the rest of the world helps me to have more faith in my fellow man, and keeps me grounded to the bigger picture when it comes to how we are all inner connected to this tiny blue marble drifting in space.

We all have to act with our time, support and compassion as well as our ability to help financially.

Myself and my fellow bandmates feel grateful that we were asked to donate our time and energy to this very worthwhile cause!!  It is our duty and honor to be part of a crafted event such as this.

To the fine caring people of Seattle and the vicinity….. every little bit helps, and bless you all for your compassion, time, money and support in this endeavor of monumental proportions.

On behalf of my band and myself, thank you all!!

Sincerely,

Tommy McMullin

Gunn and the Damage Done

Read more about the event here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=265622522205&index=1

Buy tickets here:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0F004436D6D16E03?artistid=1402778&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1