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Recently we all realized the
possibility of human cloning when a cult in Europe claimed to
have cloned at least two people. We all know it is only a matter
of time before humans are cloned, and the claim should not be
a surprise to anyone. My only concern is that it isn’t
Albert Einstein and Mother Theresa being cloned, but people
who believe that they are freakin’ ALIENS! Not only that,
but instead of laughing it off, the rest of the world is taking
these “aliens” seriously. Get out and do as many
of the things in this column (and whatever else) as you can,
because if there is a Supreme Being, we may have finally pissed
her off enough to bring about The End.
The Concert Hall at Fort Lewis is busy this week. On Sunday
afternoon it offers wholesome family fun with the Gizmo Guys
– a couple of guys who will juggle and joke their way
into the imaginations of kids. This sounds like a great way
to spend your Sunday afternoon, and what else would you do anyway?
Sit on your couch and watch exciting playoff football?
Please.
The show starts at 2 p.m. and tickets are $14.
At the Concert Hall on Monday is a little something for the
old folks. The Big Band Dance Party featuring the Jivin’
Lindy Hoppers will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Gather up Grandma
and Grandpa and go wax nostalgic about a time when the economy
was booming, and we were fighting a war everyone could understand.
Tickets range from $15 - $25.
This Friday, the Abbey Theater will be hosting a benefit to
help pay Bryce Flemming-Henning’s medical bills. A $20
voluntary donation gets you a chance at door prizes, a silent
auction and some great live music. The Badly Bent, Blue Moon
Ramblers, Beltaine and others will perform. The Badly Bent are
among my favorite local bluegrass bands; they have an authentic
traditional sound that you don’t hear much around these
parts.
My friend Greg is most excited about the reunion of the Marmot
Mudflaps. Way before my time, Greg says they were a fun three-piece
bluegrass group, and they haven’t played in nearly 10
years.
All in all, this should be a great night of music.
Speaking of Greg Oldson, he will be performing this week at
Storyville’s Friday Supper Club. If old-time murder ballads
and Dylanesque folk are your bag, then Greg is just right for
you. Later that night the Two High String Band brings its brand
of bluegrass to the Storyville stage. The Supper Club starts
at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free. The String Band starts at
9:30 p.m., and cover is $3.
Saturday night brings us all-ages fun at the Shred Shed with
Locals Lights Out and Amazing Larry and New Mexico punk rock
sisters The Eyeliners. Whenever I attended all-ages shows as
a youngster, my friends and I would ridicule anyone who even
looked older than 25. Now I am, ahem, a bit older than 25 and
well aware of the disdainful looks I get at these shows. What
goes around truly does come around. The show starts at 8 p.m.,
and cover is $5.
This Week’s Sign That the End is Near: Exactly when did
we become such a nation of idiots that we need a special tool
in order to boil a pot of spaghetti? In the last month or so,
we have seen no less than three separate but virtually identical
pasta cookers (regular cooking pots with some holes drilled
in the lid) become available to us through “special TV
offers.” This, of course, makes me wonder who in the hell
is buying so many of these that we need three on the market,
and how did they ever get along before?
Even at my most inept I have never had any problem pouring
ravioli into a strainer.
This Weeks Album Worth Owning: “Make Up the Breakdown”
by Hot Hot Heat is an album that can be compared to the most
up-tempo work of bands like XTC, Elvis Costello and the Cure.
In fact, from the opening chords of the first song, one gets
the impression that Hot Hot Heat would’ve killed in 1984.
And though the sound may be a bit derivative, the songs are
thoroughly original. Dante DeCarlo’s guitar work somehow
manages to pay tribute to ’80s guitarists such as Johnny
Marr while remaining modern and innovative. Steve Vay’s
vocals immediately remind one of the Cure’s Robert Smith
but soon enough take on a life of their own.
“Make up the Breakdown” was produced by grunge
rock guru Jack Endino (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Soundgarden) and was
released by the Seattle label Sub Pop, but don’t let those
connections fool you. This is an album for people who love the
Cure’s “Head on The Door” or The Smiths “Meat
is Murder” but just can’t stand to listen to them
anymore.
What’s happenin’? mpsheahan@yahoo.com
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