So Much Inspiration

Apologies for my lack of posts. All I've wanted to do since the snow fell was stay inside, watch Law and Order reruns and dance to David Bowie songs in my pjs.

Souls of Mischief are bringing some much needed sunny golden hip hop to Spokane on Thursday. You may know them as members of the mighty Bay Area Heiroglyphics crew, or maybe you just know them from the still classic "93 til Infinity."

Hip Hop connoisseurs, rejoice.

Souls of Mischief play at the BLVD on Thursday, January 15. Bukue One, the Serendipity Project and Jiggywatts open. Aegs 18 and up welcome.

all ages?

I was handed down a copy a couple days ago of a proposed City ordinance, brought forward by Police Licensing Officer Max Hewitt and City Attorney Tim Szamblen, which could be on the Spokane City Council agenda within a couple of weeks. Bob was able to get Council President Joe Shogan to keep it off the agenda for last monday.

The proposed ordinance makes many changes to the cabaret license law, including creating a new term of "all ages clubs" - or some such term - copies went out to the Inlander and to the Empyrean to share with various peeps there. Among the obvious major changes, it would require insurance to be purchased by the cabaret license holder of $1 million naming the City as coinsured, and sets a minimum attendance age limit of 16 years old, requiring identification checks for all people entering. It would also require all license holders to sign a "Good Neighbor Agreement" - much as RAWK did this summer. As you might know, this mechanism gives the Police Licensing Officer more independent discretion, and reduces the process needed to yank a license. "You can't gather here anymore."

Luke Baumgarten intends to call Max Hewitt and Councilman Apple, to inquire about the purposes behind the ordinance. Bob said that an e-mail he received about it referred to the recent closure of (we are guessing) The Cretin Hop due to a liquor law violation (apparently allowing the public to enter a banquet permit event - but I don't know the details). How that translates into these proposed changes is inconceivable.

Bob Apple has asked for a copy of the proposed ordinance as a PDF, so it can be distributed easily, but has yet to receive that.

I have to assume that the Mayor would not support this language - her son (who attended an all ages show at the big dipper for his 11th birthday) would be unable to attend our shows for the next couple years - but time will tell. A veto could be overridden with 5 Council votes, but Bob doesn't think that any Council members asked for this proposal to be developed - it just magically appeared.

i'll keep the blog updated to any changes that come up in the next week, as well as the city council's date for when this issue should be up for discussion.
support the all ages!

goodbye hannah

hannah reader played at the empyrean coffee house this last tuesday.
this is important because:
a. no one was there
b. she is amazing
c. this was her last show in spokane before moving to portland.

hannah is a young piano heartbreaker/singer; dresses to impress, has very long shiny hair and has seen dapper young men defend her honor at local dive bars.

if you missed it: check some tunes here. send her love letters. tell her you'll miss her, even though you probably never knew her.
your last chance:
12-28-2008 on KYRS 92.3FM "Crossroads" @ 1pm

shame on portland for stealing another of our peeps, but good luck to hannah in her new adventures.

Stoners & Punks tomorrow at the Cretin Hop

I meant to make a post about this show earlier, but Andrew took forever with that invite...

Tomorrow night (12/17), Reno's Farley Overdose plays the Cretin Hop. Assuming that anyone will know any of the bands I talk about - they sound like High On Fire's Surrounded by Thieves being played by Septic Death. Just fast and sludgy hardcore punk with stoner metal crossover elements. The last time Farley came through, they played a 10'x10' garage in the middle of the Gonzaga area; and then promptly out-partied everyone within the vicinity.

Download their demos (that's 11 songs) here and here

Godbear, Lord Kelvin, J-Splo, and Bluebird (from Bellingham) are playing support. 1317 N. Howard (behind Value Village), 6:00 PM, $5.

Ahhhh, Metal!

There's something about the Sword that makes me really happy. Maybe its the ridiculousness of metal, maybe the long hair, maybe its just the wicked riffs.

I really can't keep a straight face listening to this stuff, it makes me smile as I strum some air guitar and wish I played in a metal band.

Anyway, the Sword plays tomorrow night with Lamb of God (yikes) at the Knitting Factory.

These guys rule.

The Sword: Barael's Blade

Connect For

Common Market's pretty damn dope. With hot hot rhymes from RA Scion and super duper fire beats from Sabzi (of Blue Scholars), you can't really go wrong.

Their new album Tobacco Road is chocked full of classic throwback production and RA Scion's whole hearted take on religion, the south, hip hop and good ole fashioned farmers rebelling.

Here's an oldie but goodie, that solidified my love for the group.

Common Market: Every Last One [cornerstone remix - radio edit]

Common Market plays Friday December 12 at the BLVD with Blue Scholars and Jiggywatts.

Oh Baby

Not sure if many people know that the mighty funky Velella Velella is coming to town this weekend. What a show they put on, don't miss it.

Friday night at Whitworth with Point Juncture, WA.

Saturday night with James Pants at the Casbah.

Here's the first track I heard from the boys, back when they were a humble Spokane two piece, that really caught my ear.

Velella Velella: Nothin But A Bunch Of Empty Sunglasses Cases