Photo: Chase Jarvis

WEST SEATTLE, Washington, May 21, 2010 (WSFB) – Let’s get down to brass tacks.

There’s a rodeo coming to town and it’s going to kick your ass through the delivery of a high-powered liquor soaked infusion of old time sin and new wave redemption.

Brent Amaker and The Rodeo, those evergreen state men in black are back from their recent tour to lands beyond the horizon and are ready to blow your fucking mind clean off. There’s fire, there’s brimstone, enigmatic caping and de-caping, excessive cleanliness, and a fount of baptismal whiskey so deep you’ll be lucky to survive as your every pore fills with the tender woody sting of amber lifeblood.

Come Saturday morning you’ll wake up dead and rejoice in your survival. Hold your aching head high and say proudly, “I was there. I was really fucking there.”

But I digress. This non-mainstream counter force takes on the Lord himself today, and you get to participate and bear witness at Hood to Hood – and it’s all free. Thank you, West Seattle and KEXP.

Recent Tour Photo, Deep Space

West Seattle has long been perceived as a hive of scum and villiany, and is regarded by other Seattle neighborhoods as the Mos Eisley of the West.

Brent Amaker and The Rodeo impale that paradigm with the searing beam of reality and mock all those that choose to make heinous assumptions about the goings on around our peninsular homeland.

Photo: Shane Williams

Will there be titties? Yes, there most likely be titties in one state of exposure or another. Will that be a problem? No, dammit it will not be a problem. There will be security.

B.A.R. Brigaders - rabid fans of Brent and the boys – are a proud breed of intrepid participants, and not easily deterred by approaching boundaries of  social norms.

“I hate your band, but I can’t stop watching” was recently overheard at one of Seattle’s premier live music venues, The Crocodile. While it was unclear who or what the statement was directed toward it rang out with more than a modicum of truth.

Photo: Johnny Podhradsky

In an era of canned spam bands and clever gimmicks there stands a beacon of hope. That hope is embodied in one man and his Rodeo who posses a passion for kicking ass and working hard in the long held blue collar tradition of this Republic.

Before hipsters and scenesters there was the American Cowboy;  a breed  of man who had a vision of a land beyond the lone prairie where emerald shores and delicious exotic animals lie in wait, ripe for the taking.

“My cowboy suit is my boobs,” says Amaker. “I don’t even need a backstage pass, they just let me in and I go wherever I want.”

Come, behold the apocalypse that will decend upon the Land of Shadows. Know true anguish and delight.

Hood to Hood – Trivia, DJ Sets, Live Performance by Brent Amaker And The Rodeo – Shadowland

Image: Grey Gallery and Lounge

WEST SEATTLE, Washington, May 20, 2010 (WSFB) – The hottest spot for live performance on the Hood to Hood gauntlet may likely be Youngstown Cultural Arts Center featuring Fatal Lucciauno and Youngstown Participants DK Mars, Messiah, Militant Child, Praxis, Air 2 a Bird, and Khatsini.

The facilities are incredible with thoughtful detail and visionary engineering. From the Youngstown “About” page:

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center hosts 36 live/work studios for artists of all disciplines and 25,000 square feet of public space. In using the original name of the school, the history of the building, the neighborhood, and the alumni are honored. The words “Frank B. Cooper School” will remain above the entrance, joined by the words “Youngstown Cultural Arts Center”.

Alberto Mejia II – who uses the stage name, Praxis – is the Program Director at Youngstown, and he shared the following responses to the Funblog Five Questions – let’s sit back and review:

WSFB: If you were to suggest getting involved in program at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center to KEXP members, what would it be?

Alberto Mejia: I would suggest that the listeners get involved in the amazing way people are blending arts education, creative leadership, and food justice, by visiting our websites and linking to the community engagement work at www.dnda.org and the youth program blogs at www.youngstownarts.org

Next I would tell people to sign up for our newsletter to find out whats going on, take a unique class or catch a great theater or dance performance.

WSFB: What do you find that Youngstown Cultural Arts Center has in common with KEXP?

Alberto Mejia: We both insist upon cultivating the potential of local creativity, and connecting people to the world around them by inviting them into a place where they can imagine and interpret.

WSFB: If Youngstown Cultural Arts Center could put a big sign over the West Seattle Bridge, what would it say to those entering? Those leaving?

Alberto Mejia: “Keep hope, all ye who enter here”.

WSFB: Why does West Seattle kick butt so much more than other Seattle neighborhoods?

Alberto Mejia: West Seattle is the MMA fighter of Seattle neighborhoods – both mastering/honoring diverse techniques and styles, kicking the ass of those who refuse to innovate. We have mad styles, son.

Take a cab, ride the bus, go for a nice walk. Whatever you do, make this one of your stops at Hood to Hood in West Seattle. Variety is the spice girl of life. Nibble on it.

YOUNGSTOWN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER 5pm – 8pm
KEXP Photography Showcase, live music and KEXP DJs Larry Mizell Jr and Chilly

The much anticipated KEXP Cupcake from West Seattle’s Cupcake Royale will be offered during Hood to Hood, and if you’re a KEXP member you’ll receive $1.00 off! Yes. One. Dollar. Off.

In addition to this delectable confectionery offer you will find the KEXP Ice Cream Cone offered at Husky Deli. This also will be offered to KEXP members at a discount of $1.00.

No coupon necessary for either of these fantastic offers. Only proof of your allegiance to to furthering support of independent performance art, in the form of your KEXP membership card.

Photo: Colby Perry

WEST SEATTLE, Washington, May 20, 2010 (WSFB) – Where do you go to hear live music in West Seattle four nights a week (at least) and get it all for free? Skylark Cafe` and Club, that’s where!

The Skylark is the live performance mainstay of the independent music scene in and around West Seattle. Featuring local acts as well as touring bands, Skylark brings a incredible venue to a community hungry for an independent vibe.

The well-stocked bar and taps beg your imbibement and drinkmanship. The kitchen calls your name and nourishes your inner parts while your outer parts are bathed in the majestic glory of music and a frequently rotating array of local artistry.

The venue can accommodate a large crowd, and by our funestimate that’s about one million people. At least it feels like a million people because the energy generated in the packed room could keep the lights on around our region for hours if not days. We’re not scientists, so don’t be so fucking uptight – it’s a joke. Don’t call the Fire Department.

Jessie Russo, proprietor of Skylark, took some time out of her busy schedule preparing for Hood to Hood to provide thoughtful, candid responses to our patented Funblog Five Questions – let’s watch:

WSFB: How did Skylark get involved with KEXP and the Hood to Hood event?

JR: We campaigned shamelessly and often to be included, we even created a Facebook page that got 160+ fans to prove our worthiness despite the fact our non-California Ave address. We also sponsored the John-in-the-morning concert calendar every Thursday for many years and have donated food to volunteers at the station. We’ve been sponsors since the very beginning, and have always offered discounts to card-carrying members.

WSFB: If you could feed the members of KEXP any one thing off your menu, what would it be?

JR: For everyone coming to the evening event with The Tripwires, The Fucking Eagles and Hotels, I recommend showing up early to snag a table and enjoying our full dinner menu, which is available until midnight. I’ve been eating a lot of veggie burgers lately with a fried egg on top…you can get any burger with an egg on top actually.

WSFB: What do you find that Skylark has in common with KEXP?

JR: A passion for local original music, of course!

WSFB: If Skylark could put a big ass sign over the West Seattle Bridge, what would it say to those entering?  Those leaving?

JR: Entering: You have passed the Delridge exit. Try again.

JR: Leaving: Don’t do it! They’re going to charge you a cover out there!

WSFB: Why does West Seattle kick so much more ass than other neighborhoods?

JR: I think it’s our delusions of grandeur that really make us the best.

Remember to roll down the hill to Skylark and check out The Tripwires, The Fucking Eagles, and Hotels during YOUR Hood to Hood celebration event! You earned this one, West Seattle.

Shadowland owners Ben and Joe were unavailable, so I talked with bartender/server Tim Pew, longtime Westside fixture, artist, and DJ about the upcoming show. Joe apparently is overseas in Europe on business as The World’s Most Interesting Restaurateur, hopping from country to country on secret interesting missions. Rumor has it a certain volcano may soon stop fussing, and the British Government is in for some revamping. Good luck, Joe!

In the meantime, I stopped in at Shadowland for some of their great cocktails and food and chatted up Mr. Pew:

WSFB: How did Shadowland get involved with KEXP and the Hood to Hood event?

Tim Pew: KEXP came and solicited Ben to be a venue for Hood to Hood. We have an open mic night on Tuesdays for local musicians already, so we are set up for music.

WSFB: So when you say “solicited”, was any money or were any favors of a personal and/or intimate or freaky nature exchanged? Not that WSFB has any problem with that, you understand.

Tim Pew: No money was exchanged, and I am not aware of any other exchanges, but Ben has been smiling ever since.

WSFB: Excellent. We can only assume some great rhythm will ensue then! So how is Shadowland similar to KEXP?

Tim Pew: We are both artistic supporters in the Seattle community for both music and art. We hang work here each month by local artists and have the Tuesday Open Mic for local musicians – and not karaoke.

WSFB: Oh, I see, Open Mic supports local original music, whereas karaoke supports the infliction of predominantly off-key covers. Excellent point. So by “artisitic supporters” I take it you mean similar to athletic supporters but sweaty in a much, much better way?”

Tim Pew: You got it!

WSFB: If you could serve one delicious item off your menu to KEXP, what would it be?

Tim Pew: I would serve them up the Boss’ wife, one hot dish at a time – The Cassie!

WSFB: (Awkard pause)…ummmm….

Tim Pew: The Cassie is our fabulous gourmet mac n cheese, which we named after Ben’s wife Cassie, also a hot dish.

WSFB: Oh, right, of course! I have eaten it many times and it is indeed hot and delicious. So Tim, if you could put up any sign you wanted for everyone entering West Seattle, what would it be?

Tim Pew: “This Peninsula goes to ELEVEN, Bitches!!!”

WSFB: (Makes devil horn signs) WOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Excellent!  So if you could put up a sign for everyone leaving West Seattle, what would it be?

Tim Pew: “What??? You don’t like our fucking Peninsula???”

WSFB: They’ll be back. So finally, why do you feel West Seattle is the most bitchin’ motherfuckin’ Hood in Seattle?

Tim Pew: We got the motherfuckin’ Pew!!!

WSFB: Is that the Wesside equivalent to “The Funk”?

Tim Pew: Hell yes! Stinkin’ up the WHOLE place!!!

WSFB: And there you have it, folks – stinky, sweaty, hot, cheesy, supportive goodness right HERE at Shadowland Friday night starting at 7! Be there!

Photo used by permission of DK Mars

KEXP is bringing their army to invade West Seattle on Friday, May 21st, to show their appreciation for our support during a recent pledge drive. We here at the West Seattle Funblog are shaking clean the door mat and welcoming them with Funhugs!

WEST SEATTLE, Washington, May 20, 2010 (WSFB) - DK Mars is performing on Friday at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. He took a few moments of his time to answer a few questions for the Funblog about West Seattle and KEXP.

WSFB: What ties do your band have to West Seattle?

DKM: I have lived in West Seattle for the lion’s share of my life… mainly on and by Delridge… I’ve gone to Chief Sealth, West Seattle, and Southwest IA High Schools… I also spend a lot of time at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, making music, working, and learning.

WSFB: What’s your favorite thing about or memory involving West Seattle?

DKM: I love the unique blend of ethnicities… Lots of backgrounds and experiences blended together to create a relatively peaceful community

WSFB: If you could pick up any West Seattle business and move it to the block you live on, which one would it be and why?

DKM: Husky Deli… I could totally live off of their panini’s and ice cream

WSFB: Can you tell us one oddball thing in your refrigerator RIGHT NOW?

A: lol expired Odwalla

WSFB: Why do you think KEXP is so important to Seattle and the rest of the music-listening world?

DKM: KEXP provides a really open experience to its listeners… where as with other stations you may be restricted to a few songs/genres dedicated solely to specific audiences, KEXP truly explores all types of music, with the purpose of allowing comfort to any ear in mind

From the DK Mars MySpace page:

This is DK Mars, Co-Founder of Luminati Records. Born & raised in Seattle. Life like a box of chocolates. Sometimes you get what you were looking for, and other times you get something nasty, but eat it anyway cuz you can’t put it back without people knowing you unwrapped it and they’re hella germaphobic. Whatever the case, it’s filled with great variety. My music career has been like that. But now I’m working with even more Seattle artists and producers. I’m on my professional tip, so don’t hit me unless you really wanna make something happen.

Where: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center

When: TBA

http://www.myspace.com/dkmars206

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=942412

Pete@westseattlefunblog.com

The Funblog dispatched one of its special Hood to Hood correspondents – Papa Mo – to the northern territory for an interview with the folks at Prost West Seattle.

Here’s Papa Mo’s Funblog debut. Dig that groovy funnin’!

WSFB: How did Prost get involved with KEXP and the Hood to Hood event?

Prost (Tyler): KEXP is the only place that we advertise so we had a
relationship that way.

(Funblog interpretation: “Why wouldn’t they want some of this?”)

WSFB: If you could feed the members of KEXP any one thing off your menu,
what would it be?

Prost (Tyler): The Pretzel Sandwich, because I think it’s one of the best things on the menu.

(Funblog Interpretation: “The Pretzel Sandwich, because it’s a mass of German meat, cheese, and pretzel goodness!)

WSFB: What do you find that Prost has in common with KEXP?

Prost (Tyler): Because we all have really good taste in music and of course so does KEXP, so it works.

(Funblog Interpretation: “Cuz, We ROCK, they ROCK, c’mon it’s ROCKIN’.”)

WSFB: If Prost could put a big ass sign over the West Seattle Bridge, what would it say to those entering?

Prost (Tyler): Come eat at Prost.

(Funblog Interpretation: “Get some at Prost”)

…to those leaving?

Prost (Tyler): Where are you going? Come back to West Seattle.

(Funblog Interpretation:  ”Where the fuck are you going? There’s nothing over there!”)

WSFB: Why does West Seattle kick so much more ass than other neighborhoods?

Prost (Tyler): This is a great community that everyone else thinks is too far away.

(Funblog Interpretation: “Because we are a community of Rockin’, Funbloggin’, drunkeness that kicks ass. Fuck the ‘Center of the Universe’, we’re “‘The Birthplace of Time and Space!’”)

Gekommen, um Prost und genießen Sie “Das Boot” von Bier und hören einige iPod-Mix von DJ’s KEXP Larry Rose, Tim, Shannon und Rachel.

Photo by Alex Crick, used by permission.

KEXP is bringing their army to invade West Seattle on Friday, May 21st, to show their appreciation for our support during a recent pledge drive. We here at the West Seattle Funblog are shaking clean the door mat and welcoming them with Funhugs!

WEST SEATTLE, Washington, May 20, 2010 (WSFB) - Blake Madden is the bassist and lead singer from Hotels, yet another band performing at KEXP’s “Hood to Hood 2010” this Friday that has ties to the peninsula that is West Seattle. Hotels list their influences as Joy Division, Devo, Cocteau Twins, Kraftwerk, Pixies, Stereolab, This Mortal Coil, M83, Claude Debussy, Yellow Magic Orchestra, casinos, hotels, Japan. They also sound like a song you can listen to just before you die.

Blake took a few moments to give the West Seattle Funblog his thoughts on West Seattle and KEXP prior to Hotels’ performance at Skylark Café on Friday night. And please: don’t go dying before Friday or you’ll totally miss a kick ass day of live music all over West Seattle and what will be a helluva lineup at the Skylark.

WSFB: What ties do your band have to West Seattle?

BM: Our guitar player Brendan and our manager Tilly live here. Some of the songs on our next album were recorded in Tilly’s house.

WSFB: What’s your favorite thing about or memory involving West Seattle?

BM: Crossing the street diagonally at California and Alaska makes me feel rebellious and free

WSFB: If you could pick up any West Seattle business and move it to the block you live on, which one would it be and why?

BM:Easy Street.

WSFB: Can you tell us one oddball thing in your refrigerator RIGHT NOW?

BM:A pizza with a date of origin I do not know…

WSFB: Why do you think KEXP is so important to Seattle and the rest of the music-listening world?

BM: KEXP gives a platform to local artists on a consistent basis, but also has a diversity of sound due to the DJ selection.

Where: Skylark Café

When: 9:00 PM

Pete@westseattlefunblog.com

http://www.myspace.com/hotels

Photo courtesy Caspar Babypants

KEXP is bringing their army to invade West Seattle on Friday, May 21st, to show their appreciation for our support during a recent pledge drive. We here at the West Seattle Funblog are shaking clean the door mat and welcoming them with Funhugs!

WEST SEATTLE, Washington, May 20, 2010 (WSFB) - From his Facebook page, “CASPAR BABYPANTS is Chris Ballew from the Presidents of the United States of America making high quality intelligent simple acoustic music for kids and thier parents to enjoy together.”

We asked him Five Questions.

WSFB: What ties do your band have to West Seattle?
CB/CB: I (Caspar Babypants) live here in West Seattle down by the ocean and so much of the inspiration for my music comes from living “on island” as I call it. LOVE LOVE LOVE WEST SEATTLE!!!

WSFB: What’s your favorite thing about or memory involving West Seattle?
CB/CB: That mellow separate feeling. The rush of stress leaving my body as I turn the corner on the way home and see the water through the trees. The small town vibrations.

WSFB: If you could pick up any West Seattle business and move it to the block you live on, which one would it be and why?
CB/CB: Well I would go back in time to when La Rustica was a general store!! Any little healthy general store down here by the water would be cool. PCC I guess!

WSFB: Can you tell us one oddball thing in your refrigerator RIGHT NOW?
CB/CB: sausage grease in an old jelly jar (sounds like a claw hammer banjo tune!!)

WSFB: Why do you think KEXP is so important to Seattle and the rest of the music-listening world?
CB/CB: Variety, freedom, innovation and surprise. AND IT’S GLOBAL! I love shows like “Preachin the Blues” and “Shake the Shack” and I love that those rootsy shows are available worldwide.

H2H Details:

Where: Cupcake Royale

When: 4:30

Pete@westseattlefunblog.com

World renown for their potent potable – the Mai Tai – West 5 is a favorite among locals and has been regaled in tracks from local rapper Kirk Dubb.

The sparkling interior, the retro style seating, the western hieroglyphs adorning the table tops, the West Seattle memorabilia, and the giant lighted crown draw you into its welcoming space where liquor cascades down the walls like a waterfall of golden amber joy and macaroni and cheese comes made to order.

I ran into West 5 co-proprietor, Dean Overton, while hanging out at Jak’s in the Junction last night and talked to him for a few minutes. When asked what he thought about West Seattle winning the Hood to Hood Challenge and what he would say to mainlanders coming across that bridge for Friday’s festivities he replied, “Welcome to the best punk rock neighborhood in Seattle, as proved by who donated the most money to KEXP. West Seattle. Not Ballard, not Fremont, not Capitol Hill – West Seattle. Little ol’ landlocked West Seattle. Don’t discredit us.”

I continued to interrogate Dean with a question about that damn psychological barrier of a bridge, and why people are so afraid to cross it (westbound). He replied with the following:

“People are scared of the bridge. Ballard is a long way away, but we know how great Ballard is. We know that. They’ve got The Sunset, The Tractor, etc. but they don’t know what we’ve got over here. It’s a little different but just as great.”

“And we’ve got the saltwater”, he adds.

Dean’s partner, Dave Montoure, while not available for happy hour drinkmanship last night took the time to reply to an email I sent him earlier this week. Here’s Dave’s response to our Funblog Five Questions:

WSFB: How did West 5 get involved with KEXP and the Hood to Hood event?

DM: Instructions from the Mothership

WSFB: If you could feed the members of KEXP any one thing off your menu, what would it be?

DM: Mac N Cheese with Andouille sausage (off menu – you gotta know to ask for it). Pair that with our house Mai Tai, perhaps the most ferocious cocktail in these parts.

WSFB: What do you find that West 5 has in common with KEXP?

DM: Fiercely independent guiding principles, a love of quality music, connection with our local community.

WSFB: If West 5 could put a big ass sign over the West Seattle Bridge, what would it say to those entering?  Those leaving?

DM: Entering: “If you lived here, you’d be drunk now.” Leaving: “Viaduct still standing, your lucky day.”

WSFB: Why does West Seattle kick so much more ass than other neighborhoods?

DM: The spirit of Charlie Chong (RIP) is still strong in this ‘hood.

While you’re on the ground in West Seattle this Friday, why not stop by West 5 and try one or more of their outstanding Mai Tais. You deserve it because you’re smart enough to know the difference.

KEXP DJ’s Don Slack and Marji Makers will be spinning records from 8:00PM – 11:00PM.