 Good Vibrations
There is something so cool about getting to stand on stage while an artist performs. You feel a vibration go through your body every time they pound a kick-drum. Not only do you feel the music but the lights blind the audience out, so all that you are for that time on stage is the artist you are watching.
Girlfriends (it's one guy) took the stage first for the night. Damn. This kid is the Pullman Punk Rock version of Andrew Bird. He's whole "stick" is that he loops the guitar, keys, and then destroys a drum-set while he screams a few words here and there at the top of his lungs. It's so cool to watch, it makes you want to dance!
That night Girlfriends made history for it was his first time ever playing six songs live. It was six songs of amazement and talent. He has rhythm and an ear for a beat. He was even able to rock the drums and a keyboard deal at the same time.
History was also made because the 4th song he played was the first time he had ever played it live, well since he made it two days ago. This kid was rockin' the drums so hard that he made his drum set symbol fly off and hit the ground. He is a true One Man Band at it's best and I can't wait to see him again.
 Next up was a Spokane band known as Grand Sequoia. There on the stage stood two guys. One on drums and the other playing two keyboards, a keytair, and a keyboard/flute/horn thing that I have never seen before! It was pretty radical.
The two were geeky in a good way. They reminded me a little bit of Ben Folds after they covered Blondie's "Hanging on the Telephone," and Elton Johns "The Bitch Is Back." The two were quirky and made the audience laugh commenting "It's a good thing we don't have swine flu," as they shared a water bottle.
They mentioned that they weren't good enough to end their set with an original but I thought that ending their set with a bitching cover of an Elton John song was pretty cool. I have never heard that Elton John song before but it was pretty funny when the drummer flicked off the lights around the keyboard on the last note of the song.
Their sound is very simplistic and a little bit electronic, all together creating this indie sound that I haven't seen before in Spokane, so good for them! Their set wasn't too long so it would be fun to see them play again, maybe with the Tappas? They covered one of their songs called "Crazy Feeling" during their set as well - it could be a foursome show! Plus anyone who can play that many versions of a keyboard is cool in my books!
 I wonder what kind of toys you would find in a Toy Garden? The Toy Garden is a local Spokane band that just finished an album which is always exciting. It should be out by the end of the summer according to the band. I recommend you give it a listen because they sounded really good live.
This indie rock with a sprinkle of punk group surprised me a little bit. I wasn't expecting what I heard from them, I caught myself moving my feet and bobbing my head during their set. It slowly kind of secretly grabbed my attention and drew me in. Maybe it was the gorgeous bass guitar, I dunno. Every song (except one) that they played that night was off their new album, and you could tell they had been playing them over and over in the recording studio because there wasn't a single mess up.
The only song that wasn't off their new album was a first for their bass player to play (he must be new). The song was called The Mountains and it is actually one of the two songs the band has on their myspace for you to take a listen too. You should head on over and take a listen, it's a bit more mellow then what we heard that night but it is still a cool song.
These tattooed boys know how to play their instruments and I think they would be a blast to see outside under the stars or a pretty sunset. Keep a look out for the CD Release show and don't miss it!
Last but not least is a personal favorite artist of mine, Matthew Winters. Let me tell you that was the first time I have seen him without a beanie on his head. Wearing an inside out white v-neck t-shirt with his signature trademark skateboard and "fuck it" drawn on it, he stood on the stage staring at the microphone. After his first song he asks "Did you like that one...?" and everyone in the room was like yes and he responds with "I didn't write it... just kidding." He is very funny in between these serious songs that he writes.
 That night he played a bunch of songs he hasn't played in a while telling us not to judge him if he fucked up. The room was full of his friends, I don't think they would ever judge him. In fact I think they were all to busy singing along quietly.
He played a new song which made the room happy, he has been in the studio and has a new album due out. Not only that but he has a new side project with his buddy Ruben rocks the drums... the name of the band is Team Growl - and I guess you need to say Dammmmmmmmmmnnnnn when you see them play.
Matthew has a great way with words that can just stab your emotions in the heart. One of my favorite lyrics is "Sine we all die alone we shouldn't have to live that way." This was my second time seeing him play and when he plays it's honest and straight to the point.
Matthew Winters has a show on May 9th at the Caterina Winery with Paper Mache. Make sure you go see this kid play, he will shock the hell out of ya. And there you have it another great night of music for $6 at the Empyrean Coffee House.
Check out more photos from the show HERE!
Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com |
