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Show casing the scene
Call it small-venue-itis, whereby the smaller the show, the greater the irreparable hearing damage acquired while shouldering-up to a 10-foot speaker to check out up-and-coming, Denver metro-area acts in bite-size time slots. Or, perhaps, the raw-bass-begotten, spine-tingling sensation that good things are happening in your own backyard. That vibe, and some small white flakes, was in the air at Westword's Music Showcase 2002 last Sunday. Under the shadow of Coors Field, seemingly post-apocalyptic forest-fire ash fell on the 1900 block of LoDo's Market Street, where an acceptance of premature tinnitus, an over-21 ID and one Lincoln greenback were enough to gain entry into the popular event, now in its eighth year. While Colorado smoldered, New Mambo Revivalists Cabaret Diosa-nominated in the eclectic category-ignited the outdoor stage, with Montana del Fuego and Juan del Queso fronting Diosa through the late afternoon opener, setting the stage for Boulder faves DeVotchKa (eclectic) and Wendy Woo (singer/songwriter). Later in the evening, as the crowd swelled, Jeanie Shroder's sousaphone was barely visible from the periphery of LoDo's Bar & Grill as Nick Urata's punk-strength Slavic quartet turned the sports bar into a nice little Moscow on the Platte, while Woo did up the (Soiled) Dove-best seats on the block-in her charismatic style. Because of the "25 Bands, 5 Venues, $5" draw, the Showcase remains a scramble. New acts hit the stage every 15 minutes. Just as you're being won over by a sleeper act and heading for the merch table for their debut disc, it's time to toss back that pricey O'Doul's, skedaddle and jockey for position at the next gig. Regardless, this annual event gives spectators a user-friendly, one-night glimpse into a top local talent competition, whose winners will be announced Thursday, June 20, at the Westword Music Showcase Awards Ceremony. June 10 was the deadline for sending in the 10-category ballot, which this year included more than 20 never-before-selected acts. But in case there are any dangling chad, other notable nominees-not Showcased but in the running-include: Maraca Five-0 (Eclectic), Yonder Mountain String Band (Country/Bluegrass), Yo, Flaco! (Hip-Hop), Nina Storey (singer/songwriter), Otis Taylor (Blues), Sally Taylor (Blues), and many more. Besides debating freedom of the press with one of the many Coors Light promotional ladies on hand and attempting to infiltrate the VIP lounge in B-52's "ultra-hip" Red Monkey private event room-a hoot that proved more challenging than getting backstage at a Stones concert-the Showcase provided other insights. One part Weezer, two parts Motley Crüe, Jet Black Joy (Hard Rock) ripped up Market 41, complete with bespectacled vocalist Jimmy Jet's stadium-size stage presence (pictured above). Jet's extend-the-mike-stand-into-the-front-row pomp, like something out of Guns 'N' Roses' "Paradise City" video, didn't elicit any underwear being thrown at the band, but did create quite a frenzy amongst patrons waxing nostalgic for not so long ago when rock 'n' roll came after sex and drugs, and getting wild trumped all three. Now almost 10 years old, wonderfully blue-haired Myshel Prasad's Space Team Electra (Rock/Pop) provided the perfect layered sonic vibe to compliment the Dove's low-lit ambiance. And, capping off the night, The Procussions (Hip-Hop) proved organic hip-hop and dope MCs is alive and well in Rockies. It's also worth noting King Rat (Punk). Despite lead guitarist Mika Makkay's temporary bout with a dysfunctional distortion pedal and drummer Zeth Pedulla's problems with his monitor, the Luke Schmaltz-led foursome flew on at B-52, providing one of the most enraging, irreverent sets on the block. However, with Rat running a bit past the time limit, an over-hasty sound man pulled the plug, leaving a dazed Schmaltz to argue in vain, "We had one measure left in the song. One measure!" Other than the buzz produced from Rat prematurely disassembling their equipment, the Showcase produced plenty of spine-tingling sensations, which may tapped once again at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 20, at the Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. Just remember the ear plugs. --> |
What's that buzz?
