December 25th, 2007 And now... The 2007 SHEDDIES!

[Shed Boy]

2007 out…2008 in. The end of the decade is near. Always a good sign for music, and time for another “Sheddies”, our look at some of the stuff that mattered round’here. We have included the winners from year’s past as well. Perspective is a good thing :)

Best after show food. – “After show” has kind of taken on a new look on the Peninsula with more bands that played all ages shows in the various halls or the still-missed Upside being replaced with shows in the clubs. This means that sustanance can actually be achieved AT the venue. Yep, no more stale peanuts from the Legion bar because they were too lazy to make food or a late night trip to Safeway to see what 8 foot sub was left after waterfront closes…this years winner goes to an actual place that makes food, The Water Street Brewing Company. The hang out we all know as the place Richard Gere kicked some ass in front of has expanded its menu with old school dude Jesse Rose and his creative food. A mix of northwest faves and basic tummy-warmers. An honorable mention for munchies during/after a show goes to Sirens, but we have heard a few reports that the drinks are so good that it really doesn’t matter what the food tastes like. kind of like a White Castle at 2AM.

2006 Winner was - Safeway takes the cake (2 foot sub) for the 2nd year in a row…but with a twist. It has become common knowledge that bands who lived here and moved away hit the Chinese at the Safeway because “no other Safeway Chinese tastes like the one in PT”. We are investigating the different elements into why this might be so, and will let you know what the DNA test says when the lab results get back. – 2005 winner - Best after show food. - Well...for one show, it was the Underdog hot dog cart. But the bastards got us hooked and then bailed because of a broken wheel. This would make our choice the “show-sub” as we call it. You know. One of those 3 foot 2 inch subs from Safeway that have been sitting in the case all day for $3.99. If you want um, you gotta get there before 2AM.

Best Death-defying feat/trick – The new breed of bands haven’t really taken to any real shenanigans that we have heard of, so this years award goes to Love Doll Swingers/local soundman Walter. He has hooked up the community with a 200 volt box for the Legion Hall so that the power won’t go out again. Those of you who know, know that messing with the Legions power IS a Death-defying trick. The 2006 Winner was... - Last year’s winners were filled with bass players somersaulting off of high stages, exploding gear, and singers leaping off the overhang at the back of the Legion stage. This year’s winner is KitsapBands.com for their most excellent April Fools trick saying the they had sold their site to The bible-thumping church that owns Bremerton’s Roxy Theater, and taking the scam to levels of new trickery. They had a good 100 local fans wanting to donate money, server space, and time to stop the evil-good bastards. One of the funniest things I ever saw on line. 2005 Winner, Best Death-defying antic/trick. 3rd place, The Trophy Wives singer jumping from the stage overhang about 12 feet to the stage. Len from COF used to pull that one. 2nd Place, The Common Hero bassist Kyle, so disappointed with the turnout at a summer show that he decided to summer sault dive like there was a crowd...but there was not. 1st place. Alan, from The Last Goodbye for bowling himself into his wife/bassist 40 year old tube amp and wreaking yet another perfectly good guitar, while causing injury to himself in a way reminiscent of the OK Hotel in 92. Well done bro.

Best PT show - It was a sad year for all ages shows, at least big ones, so our choice is The Blakes/CI show at Sirens where they spread the word for young people to “stand in the hall and catch the bands”. More shows have followed that are all ages friendly, and we think it’s rad that the club has shows featuring rock bands that wouldn’t have a place to play in town otherwise. About as “rock” of a roster as that venue has ever had. Honorable mentions go to The Upstage for the ballsy move of just bringing blues god Johnny Winter to town, and the Hells Belles Benefit (Click for some VERY cool video from Jim) at McCurdy, Pavilion.

Best Out of Town Band - Its always cool when a new band is brought to town and they and the town just kind of “gel” This years winner, The Rock and Roll Soldiers from Eugune, OR, have garnered a secure fan base of people who diden’t know who they were a year ago. A great band that has given PT it’s time, and played some great shows here in the last year. The 2006 Winner was - For the 2nd year in a row, it has to be DEK, and for all the same reasons they won in 05. Our runner up winner is The Blakes. Looks like the hippies in the over 21 clubs finally found a rock band that they love. The Blakes have found themselves playing the regular circuit of clubs on the peninsula, and we have never heard of ANYONE that doesn’t love them. 2005 Winner - Best Out of Town Band - My vote is for DEK not just for what they did onstage, but off. Many don’t know this, but they are responsible for bringing The Briggs, Angel City Outcasts, Phnomonauts, and others to town, when none of these bands would have come to our dusty hamlet without their help.

Person of the Year – This years winner, Matias Booth, pretty much was responsible for most of the indie rock shows that happened in 2007. He also produced a free show, spending hundreds out of his own pocket to make it happen, supported bands at their other shows, and really.. just loves music. Got that...Spend own money, support other peoples stuff, love music. Sounds like a plan. The 2006 Winner was - Steve and Quimper Sound. I remember when the Goodwill opened in PT. Even before it opened, 3 other thrift stores either closed, or reduced their hours. Same thing when Hollywood video opened. Before it even let a customer in the door, 2 video stores just gave up at the sight of a store with promo that didn’t look like a 4 year old did it. In the face of major chains like Tower closing, and indie stores dropping like flies around the country, it would have been easy for Quimper Sound to just shut it’s doors and claim defeat as so many spineless ones do to the evils of another store moving into the area or in the case of the record industry, it’s whole way of life changing from records/cds to downloads , but not this one. Steve expanded his store to a cool new location adding a kiddie mosh pit, a wider selection, provides a small stage in store for local acoustic and DJ artists, and has sold 1000’s of concert tickets for local promoters and charities for free. That just touches the surface of how Steve has tried to make Quimper Sound one of the few “record sores” that will survive the internet age, and do it with soul and passion. Person of the year part 2 – Matt, The Upside. In the first 4 months of 2006 before they closed, PA all ages rock club The Upside held more hard rock shows then PT held in the last 5 years. They went just “rock shows”, but presented bands that would have never come anywhere near here, and provided a generation of fans with memories that will last forever, in a venue that had “the vibe”. Matt and the others that “worked” The Upside showed us all how hard it is to run a venue, and how cool it can be when you pull it off, and how sad it can be when it ends. We will always miss The Upside. Person of the Year, 2005 Promoter/Libido frontman Dan Demay. The last 7 months of shows would not have happened without him Zero, Skyler, Dakotah and a host of others. DJ Style E. has been to every show with his lights and help, even though rock isn’t his main gig, he supports, and is INVOLVED.
Shedboard topic of the year - The rise of the Hip-Hop nation is the winner. OK, while maybe not a “nation” around here, rap, hip hop, and dance music in general have had a good year locally with former residents Knothead and Rubio clicking off appearances, and locals Zip Locc releasing a CD, a few have taken to the board to spread the word, and are the ones this year that have tried their best to use the board for what we built it for. Honorable mention goes to former Hollwpoint/WFTS’s Brett Pemberton. Whether from Japan or NYC, Brett always checks in and brings up great topics about him, his music, and his travels.

Fan of the year – It would have to go to Matias Booth as well. For all the reasons above PLUS, did we mention he really likes music? The 2006 Winner was - The Parents. You must “Sing” this one to the melody of Foreigners, “Women”… Women in fast cars, women who own bars, women with spare living rooms, women who make the crowds swoon… None of the big shows that happened in 06, would have without the parents (yep. The guys too). Every fan of local music would be up shit creek without them.

Fan of the year, runner up – The 2006 Winner was - Mike “The Dad” from DEK. He doesn’t even live here, but “the dad” from DEK is not only a fan of the music, but has worked his but off to bring small towns all over the Northwest “The Rock”. History will show just how special it is to have not only bands like DEK willing to play here, but also will go to bat to bring along bands like The Briefs and The Accused to a town that would have never seen a bands like them otherwise. Fan of the year, 2nd runner up – Kelsey. How else can you explain someone who can be seen tolerating/enjoying the 4 chord rock playlist of Lit’s Friday night radio show from the studio AND the simplistic drones of what is usually played at the BR while making coffee. All kidding aside…she goes to shows, supports EVERYONE as a fan, and donates a ton of time to people doing good things like the BR. Most of all, she loves music, all music, and is just one of the coolest fans we know of. Another one of “those people would be Myles, who gets our nod as a cool fan as well. 2005 winners.

Fan of the Year - Its a tie. Althya. Gotta love someone who comes to all the shows, gives rides, brings more girls, and is genuinely bummed when she does miss a show. The other is Matias. Not only does he truly love the music, but helps out at almost every show working with Zero and the Lights. Steven Tyler from Areosmith once said that without fans like them, rock shows wouldn’t be any fun. We agree.

Band most likely to actually make money playing music for a living - Last year’s winner with a new name, New Faces did everything they should in 07 including some great out of town shows, getting some recording done, and refining a sound that makes you bob yo head at the very least, and imbed their hooks in your brain the morning after a show on most nights. They have a gaggle of Seattle dates coming up at the Comet, Funhouse, and that true test of if you actually care if people like you or not, the EMP Battle of the bands. Other than making old people everywhere go “Isen’t that Rod Stewart’s band”, a great year for a band that has a chance to make a ducut and some sense in this bidness. The 2006 Winner was - A tie between The Inkreats and Captain Incognito - Both have catchy songs that keep getting better, entertaining performances and a fan base that loves them, all at an age where I was still trying to jump the fence at Frampton concerts. 2005 winner Band most likely to actually make money playing music for a living - Shotgun Kisses. They may play a lot of covers, but there are a lot of bands that make $1000 a night playing covers, so don’t laugh. Besides...they rock at it.

Most Improved Band - S.O.S. takes the nod this year. You can see the influence of bands that grow up in the same group or play the same shows together, and locally there is no better example than the “Hollowpoints-Nihilists-Inkreats” progression that we have all beared witness to over the years. This has not stopped this very young band from finding a voice that is their own, while still reminding you of the pedigree they have. Roaring guitars and in your face vocals are serving a songwriting style that is part Cramps, and part Robert Gordon. Please keep playing music. I beg of you. The 2006 Winner was - Captain Incognito. Barely a band a year ago, they managed to get some homemade recording done, write more songs, and play a few Seattle-type dates. 2005 Most Improved Band - The Inkreats. These guys will get scary-good in 06.
Band we wish would have stayed together - Much as we would have liked to see what The Inkreats performances would have been like by now, this years winner goes to Buffalo Voice. Being that they were neighbors, when they practiced, they kept the crows off my roof, and my dog at the other end of the house. Nice job boys! A sheddie closes your too short PT stay. The 2006 Winner was - Patterns. Oh how we need more female rockers. A good band getting better before they hung it up. 2005 Winner - Band we wish would have stayed together - Lunatic Fringe.

Local Band of the Year – No band on the Peninsula has done more this year than the Lonely H. With a full tour of the US in 07, and one in early 08 that includes legendary venues like Austin’s Stubbs and Jersey’s Stone Pony, this band has done lots of cool stuff this year. Spin online band of the day, releasing a new CD, being on MSNBC, and building a national fan base. All these things and more make us dare you to google their band name. The 2006 Winner was - Dead Whore River. In a see of “punk” and blues-based rock comes the almighty DWR. If I had one Peninsula band to play for my life, scare Bin laden out of a hole, or make a crowd go Ooooo!, it would be this one. Technically a great metal band, and they stepped up their live schedule to include El Corazon and Studio 7 shows that cemented the fact that this IS the best live band that lives on the Peninsula. Local Band of the Year part 2 - The 2006 Winner was - The Lonely H. Baring calling the Hollowpoints, who we really haven’t lived here in 3 years and are in the “hall of fame” anyhow, no other band has done more in 06 than the H. Mind you, they have had some great people helping in their corner, but the songs are great, they played shows ranging from creative local gigs and benefits (The Fair? at 19?) to big-time venues in Seattle like Neumo’s. All this while gaining great press, and the respect of a vast audience. These guys will be huge. May or may not be with this band, but the future is indeed bright. 2005 winner - Local Band of the Year - The Nihilist. They have improved every show, and now put on one of the best around and recorded a great debut CD. To top it off, like those that have come before them, they have helped promote shows and encourage new bands.

Local MySpace site of the year - Knothead gets the sheddie this year. Don’t know of another artist with local ties that has used the thing better to get and promote gigs and find opportunities for him to play music outside of his base in Spokane. The 2006 Winner was - Brand X Formerly Anti Barney Superstar. With all this technology, you think someone would do something USEFUL with it all. In any case, Brand X has tried his best with his pt_local_music group to give the local rock loving mass regular updates, and a local forum other than this. Plenty of entertaining stuff comes in 2nd, but a MySpace site of the year? I am frankly amazed it made it to year 2 without the man messing it up. 2005 Winner, Local MySpace Site of the Year - Missionary Mercenary and PT Local

Music The Local Hard Music Supporter Award – Promoter/fan Matias wins again. We vasalate between his brilliance and the fact that he is the only one that really is promoting shows outside of the clubs, so he kind of wins this one by default. Honorable mention goes to Nancy and Sirens who have mixed up their roster to include more rock shows at the venue and supporting her guys in New Faces. The 2006 Winner was - The Boiler Room. While we make no bones that we really support larger shows, on real stages, with real sound and lights, and real big crowds, those bands have to start somewhere. No other person or venue has featured more rock shows in PT than the Boiler Room. From a sparsely attended Stalin’s War show that deserved more of us to show up at, to a steady stream of the artists that have played the venue for years like the Solvents, The Boiler Room stepped up it’s efforts in 06 to bring a wider swath of music to the small room, and featured several bands from around the world, as well as more music/art/skate related events than I can ever remember. The Local Hard Music Supporter Award, Runner up - The 2006 Winner was - The one thing that always makes me happy is seeing great pictures and video from the local bands/shows. People like Jim, Kyle, Carson, Daryl and others give us an insight into the shows that you just can’t get any other way. Artists, photographers, and writers who document local music will always be important to many, and while there is nothing like being there, we salute the art that surrounds the music.

Coolest Addition to the local music scene - The resugence of the Clubs. Clubs in PT, Sequim, Port Angeles, all have had an upswing in bands that rock. Venue that in prior incarnations were anything but rock have booked a year worth of shows that would not have played the area in years past. The boyz from Minor Imperfection clicking of duel shows with DEK was an addition that was not here a year ago, and 2 of the only big all ages shows in PA this year. The 2006 Winner was - Skate Park – Skate and rock go hand in hand, and the park has provided a great opportunity for local kids to get together, skate, and talk about music. We hope that the facility is “used” and that the city sees the correlation between “skate and music”, and fosters that into producing some summer shows at the venue. We will see, but the Skatepark already has been the best addition to the local youth environment in years in Port Townsend.

Coolest Addition to the local music scene, runner up – The 2006 Winner was - Radio. All respect to Dick Rossetti, (the End DJ who recently lost his job), but there can’t be anything funnier than REAL drunks who play guitar getting together to talk misguided politics and play local music. Throw in a revolving series of local freaks and Nurse Angie to keep all of Dan’s twisted chemistry experiments in line, and how can you not listen on Friday nights to the only local waves that matter (or that we have). There are other shows on these indie waves, but are pretty much what you would expect from a station in PT. A lot of dribble about environmentally sustainable something-or-other. Pretty much like that Saturday Night Live skit where they mock how silly public radio can be. Dan’s show however can only be considered a throwback to a simpler time when the absence of log books and rules meant real radio with no other agenda other than a party. More indie media please and where the hell is short-lived rag Blue Dog Black?

Words that need to go away. This has always and always will win this topic… Rock and Punk. Till then, we will be here. Honorable mentions for words that need to go away include: Guitar Hero, Green, Rap, Rocktober, social networking, radio, A&R, label, Swag, Emo, Indie and Rad. Funk can stay as long as Prince is still alive and Tower of Power and George Clinton still tour.