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I in fact did not make it to The Offspring’s set, I was selflessly discovering your new favorite band. (You’re welcome!)
The Bedouin Sounclash played the Fisher Green Stage at 4 p.m. to sunny skies and whiff of cannibis.
The three man band from Ontario, Canada (Rush anyone?) sound like a classical rock/soul/ska band should. And then some.
The singer/guitarist, Jay Malinowski, has a voice that may be somewhat hard to handle at first, but give it a chance and I guaruntee it will grow on you. Although at time it sounds like he might have a terrible cold, he comes through hitting all the right notes. On top of an unusual voice, Malinowski uses a sort of reverb or echo effect with his mic, which makes for a fun listen.
See more photos in the post …
OK, so we go on and on about the Bremerton/Death Cab connection (hey, what’s not to be proud of?), but while perusing the fine art at Flatstock, I came upon a small-sized poster of a port hole looking at a baracuda-like fish overlayed with “Death Cab for Cutie” at the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton. The fish was a take on the sea-theme of the Admiral’s walls.
But wait! there’s more Kitsap connection to all this (but I warn you, it’s still tenuous at best), artist Jon Smith http://www.smithbellcraft.com/ has a father from Poulsbo. OK, that’s it.
I know, it’s more than flimsy, but I had to throw it up (and buy the poster).
What Israeli punk band Monotonix may lack in melodies, they more than make up for in crazy antics. True to all the pre-Bumbershoot hype, they pulled out crazy energy, like moving the band off the stage and into the crowd at the Exhibition Hall.
They and the crowd were so lively, in fact, that the announcer came on a few songs in with, “Excuse me everyone, this show is now over …” Then they turned off the amps and told everyone to leave so they could keep all the kiddies safe.
Look at the photos, you’ll get the picture …
Go into this entry to see more photos …
A 10:15 departure from the Bremerton ferry terminal and I found myself on my way to the third day of Bumbershoot 2008.
Even with the threat of rain pouring down on the music fest parade, Bremertonians were not swayed from enjoying their day.
Moving from table to table and seat to seat, I set forth on what I will now dub “The Ben Gibbard Experiment”
The experiment was to see how many of my fellow ferry riders were going to bumbershoot to see Death Cab for Cutie. The results? Not scientific of course, and somewhat different than I had assumed. We all know what happens when you assume….Anyways, very few of my fellow riders were making the journey to see Ben and his boys, most were set on discovering new acts and enjoying their Labor Day weekend in style. And who could blame them.
After hopping on a quick monorail trip to Seattle Center I made myself familiar with the Bumbershoot grounds, (where you can find among other things, Dingleberrys, a vert ramp and an entire “indie market” where you can find all the accessories and more to transform yourself into the post-hardcore punk rocker you’ve always wanted to be. Or not.)
Paramore took to the Samsung Mobile Main Stage just before 2 p.m. and sang their last song. In America that is. The group is set to begin recording a new record and tour elsewhere said frontwoman, Haley Williams to the crowd.
Paramore’s performance was entertaining, but I couldn’t help but remember a more energetic and playful band as when they rocked out at Qwest Field for Endfest last year.
As much as I love the red couches and mostly warm starbucks coffee in the press room here at Bumbershoot, I think I need a little more musical culture in my veins. The Offspring are preparing to take the stage and I can see a skateboarder doing a heelflip 20 feet off the ground right out my window.
Let’s check it out shall we? Be back soon!
This Mike from Bumbershoot. It’s little before 1 on Monday …
On the Fisher Green stage, an 11-piece called Choklate is playing. And you know how some bands bring a little funk to Bumbershoot? Chokolate brought the big funk.
They gotta horn section, the rhythm and blues section going, and mostly the funk going.
Early today, Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden played on the Sound Magazine stage on the Northwest Court. They won some sort of a contest, and they’re from Ballard. I was kind of impressed by them. They were pretty good.
Also saw Vince Mira on the Amphitheatre stage. He’s like this little of Tex Mex Johnny Cash guy. They were playing “Ring of Fire” when I left.
Paramore’s set started around 1:45. If you’re hanging around the main stage, I’l see you there.
After the sun went down, Ingrid Michaelson’s sweet voice and bubbly personality drew a sizeable crowd of predominately under-30 females to the Starbucks Stage. Dressed in a plaid jacket and gray hat, Michaelson interacted frequently with the crowd, asking them to guess her next song, whether it was a good idea to go up in the Space Needle, etc. When it came time to perform her hit single “The Way I Am,” she asked the audience to clap to the beat and sing the lyrics “I’ll buy you Rogaine when you lose all your hair.” She even channeled Vanilla Ice. After the show, the charismatic
singer/songwriter signed autographs and joked with her fans, including this man who asked her to sign his stomach.
Meanwhile, over at the Fisher Green Stage, Lee “Scratch” Perry’s reggae got audience members on their feet and dancing (and quieted the noise from the nearby beer garden). Though the show started a few minutes late, the 72-year-old Perry recieved an enthusiastic welcome.
For alternative rock fans not at the Stone Temple Pilots show on the mainstage, Tapes ‘n Tapes offered drum-heavy faire to round out the day. Though the act was high energy, many audience members were sitting on the ground — evidence of a long day.
So they looked a little lonely just the two of them of
Black Keys on that big
main stage Sunday evening. But those two boys from Akron, Ohio sure
could pump out a sound that could drive a whole stadium mad.
Their bluesy garage-rock riffs and gravelly spot-on vocals of Dan Auerbach and beat-to-death drumming of Patrick Carney had even people in the back row shakin’ it.
Auerbach showed his midwest roots with humble thanks to the crowd and several re-introductions in between jumps and twists. He was so sweet you kinda wanted to take him home and feed him biscuits.
The two could have taken the headlining spot, and maybe would have made it on time instead of a half hour late like the disappointing prima donna followers Stone Temple Pilots …
Early evening set in and New York’s Ravens and Chimes played for an out-the-door crowd at the Sky Church. Ten minutes before the show ended, there were still people waiting to get in. The indie-pop group’s mellow songs drew a warm response from the audience, especially the last song in the set, "So long, Mary Anne." In the middle of the show, the lead singer asked "Are you really all here to see us?" and near the end took a picture of the crowd for his mother.
When the show let out at 5:45, the dinner hour was in full swing. Hungry concert goers feasted on festival vendor staples, including roasted corn on the cob, strawberry shortcake and BBQ sandwiches. Most of the diners didn’t take a break from the action, though. The fountain was a popular eating spot, as were several of the outdoor stages. At the Starbucks Stage, Dale Watson entertained a large group with his upbeat, country-influenced songs. Many of the audience members were gorging on one treat or another, but a good chunk were dancing and moving with the music. Others enjoyed Orgone, a rhythm-based, percussion heavy group at the Fisher Green Stage. Like Watson’s crowd, many of Orgone’s audience members were enjoying their music mid-mouthful
There was an odd igloo-shaped house http://pugetsoundblogs.com/musicfest/files/2008/08/105_2297.jpg near McCaw Hall. It was made from plastic bottles that were collected in less than a week from the Seattle Center. Creator Jasmine Zimmerman hoped her unusual exhibit would help people understand the environmental impact of plastic bottles.
Anyone hoping to burn off some of their dinner calories could hula-hoop with Paul Blair , also known as "Dizzy Hips." Blair, who uses hoops of many different sizes, including a tire, kept a hoop in motion on his body and various limbs. He even balanced a hoop on his head. Crystal Valley of Portland tried one of Blair’s extra-sized hoops, but said it left her with some bruises.
If you haven’t headed over to music writer Travis Hay’s Spin the Black Circle blog yet, he’s got some day one reviews on Grynch, a nostalgic take on Sweet Water, power rockers The Valley, and a Bjork-like Thao and the Get Down Stay Down.
- Angela Dice
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group