Soulful 'OH SHIT! We're Late" Video of the Week

So this is a doubble dipper. The first, is one of them bull shit videos that is actually just an image put to music, but with a title like "Ain't No Chimneys in the Projects" and a voice like Sharon Jones and a band like the Dapkings, how could you go worng?



Now to the meat and potatoes. My favorite holiday song ever. Ala one of my favorite black men ever, Donny Hathaway. Enjoy my furry friends.

Well that was a damn lie because i can't find any video of senor Hathaway making Christmas music bearable... so this is what ya get...



Hows that for Christmas Cheer :)

Peppermint Shapps Hot Cocoa and warm fuzzy feelings,
Jason

BLAKROC

Is rap-rock ever gonna work? It seems like everyone wants it to but so far history has told us it won't. I challenge anyone to find me an album of rap and rock mixed together that had any sustained success. It can be single or various artist albums. I don't care. Just give me one. But don't come after me with examples like Linkin Park or Kid Rock. I mean real hip-hop and real rock. Not one style with influences of another.

Obviously I bring this up because of the recent release of Blakroc - The Black Keys meets hip-hop heavyweights (Mos Def, NOE, RZA, etc.). I love The Black Keys. I LOVE them. But after listening to the album once through, I'm not sure it has any staying power.

Galactic came out with From The Corner to The Block back in 2007 and to be honest, it's my least favorite album of theirs.

Anyone?

Bueller?

Happy Holidays!

So a couple weeks back, Homefry and I visited the West Seattle Easy Street Records for an in-store performance by Garage á Trois. It was delicious. For those who have never heard of GAT, let me inform you their drummer Stanton Moore is a hero of mine. I met him once; he was not too friendly. But he sure can play the drums! Check out their new album Power Patriot.

Stanton Moore's other group, Galactic, will also be coming to town during the month of February which I will certainly be in attendance of. ReBirth Brass Band will be at Neumo's Jan. 23rd which we would also totally go to if WSPC wasn't playing in Tacoma that night. If you're not making the trip to Tacoma, GO TO NEUMO'S! You'll thank us later.

Other upcoming shows we recommend:

Dusty 45's - New Year's Eve :: Tractor Tavern

These guys put on an awesome show. I saw them in the summer at the Tractor and at Bumbershoot. Watch out for the flaming trumpet!

Greyboy All-Stars - Jan 20th :: Showbox at the Market

Groovy group. Never seen their live show but I've got a few of their albums and they totally roll.

Medeski Martin & Wood - Feb. 27th :: Showbox at the Market

Way cool groove jazz. John Medeski is the shit. Galactic is playing the night before in the same joint so I might just bring a sleeping bag and spend the night.

As for our calendar, we've got two shows coming up that you might be interested in. It looks like we're playing a private party on New Year's Eve. If you're interested in joining us for that, email us and let us know. For everyone else, we have our First Saturday show at the Redline on Jan. 2nd! So spend New Year's Day on the couch watching the Rose Bowl and recovering from the night before and come back out the next night for another Ladies Night with us. It's gonna be big!

And as I mentioned earlier, we'll be back at the New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma on January 23rd. We're playing with our friends the Horde and the Harem as well as Tacoma bands The Legend of Bigfoot and Midnight Salvage co. There's a $5 cover and music starts at 8.30.

And if you came to the blog today hoping for a Soulful Sunday video, we're out of stock right now. But don't worry because we have plenty of Stormy Monday available!

Yours Truly,

Peter

A Day Late, A Buck Short, & A Damn Soulful White Girl

First off, Willamette Grads rock the House, Burn down the roof, and Slide down the lanes at the bowling alley! It was great for us to play for all you fantastic fans at the Tiger Lounge. Special ups to the engaged engagees, Buddy and Emily. Holler at my boy Owen for gettin down and dirty on the dance floor. And an always heartfelt "wadup wadup" and "god damn i get hot thinking about you" to the awesome posse (um) of Weston, Sarah, Sara, and Tyler Durden who probably make it to more of our shows than I do. Love it and you. Thanks Georgetown for having us, and I hope to do lines of coke off of your toilets again in the near future.

...and now... Janis

Happy Sunday (Monday)!




xoxo,
Jason "Janis Leaves My Heart in Pieces" Yano

strawberry shortcake, strawberry shortcake

need i say more?




*photo courtesy of David Quigg

its a SOULful SOULful Sunday my friends...

So hows i sees it, is that i reckon you dont have to be singin soul music to be soulful. Just like you dont have to be Japanese to use chopsticks. Or a woman to enjoy a nice pedicure? Thats neither here nor there. Hither Tither. Wom Bom Baloooba Bawomp Bam Boo. Point being, some of the tastiest soul food to my ears comes from country, americana, hip hop, and even folk musica. Hence, this weeks soulful sunday video of the week. You've heard us play it live, you've heard Levon Helm take it to the streets while bangin on them drums, but perhaps you havent heard the Staple Singers Step it up Soul Style. Enjoy and holler at your favorite Seattle Soul Rock Ensemble.



Note: this clip is from the Scorcese documentary "The Last Waltz" about the Band.
p.s. Thanks to Doc Lach for turning me on to this video.
p.p.s. That third verse with papa staples' smoothe vocals .... pure gold.


Much love, peace, and soul this sunday,
Jason

Thanksgiving Soul

We're going old school with this Soulful Sunday Video. Cab Calloway, the scat master, cameos in Betty Boop's Snow White. He turns into a skeleton/ghost figure, and I think he also moonwalks. If anyone should ask you, tell them I got the St. James Infirmary Blues.

Straw Poll!

As the new year approaches, we've been discussing our plans to help push our group along and grow. As you can imagine, increasing our exposure and fan base is at the heart of those goals. So while we need to incorporate all sorts of ideas and hard work, there is one area that has already been established but needs constant attention: live performances.

We've been lucky enough to put on shows at 6 different venues in the greater Seattle/Tacoma area. In just a few weeks we'll be adding a 7th to that list (Tiger Lounge in Georgetown on Dec. 12th). Now that we have that experience under our belt, we feel comfortable enough to take the stage at just about any local club . . . but there's a dilemma.

High profile venues such as Neumo's and the Tractor Tavern would surely give us the opportunity to play (the Tractor already has) but we're talking about Sunday-Wednesday nights at a cover cost of anywhere from $6-$10. Meanwhile, places like the Redline and the Skylark Cafe offer us Fridays and Saturdays with no cover. That sounds great except the Redline and the Skylark are in West Seattle which might as well be Portland to those who live on the other side of downtown (Boo-fucking-hoo). Because the big clubs charge cover and only offer weeknights, we end up playing in front of 40 people, none of whom seem really excited to be there or have the guts to get down on the dance floor. At the Redline on the other hand, well . . . it couldn't be any more different.

So far our model has been to focus on those gigs at the Redline because A. we seem to always have a great crowd 2. they're fun shows C. we live 3 blocks away from the bar and IV. drinks are cheap! But I can't help but worry: How are we ever going to get those weekend opportunities at Neumo's and the like if we don't take a stab at impressing them on a weeknight?

Obviously we're not ready to play a weekend gig at a major club right now but in the words of the late Ahmet Ertegun: "If you think pennies, Mr. Charles, you get pennies. If you think dollars, you get dollars."

So now I'll put the question to you! Where would you like to see us play? Which would you choose between a gig at a cool club in your hip neighborhood (i.e Ballard, Fremont, Capitol Hill, etc.) at the price of $8 or a free show at a dive all the way in West Seattle? Are there any venues you've been to that you'd like to see us perform at regardless of the night of the week?

We're all ears.

-Big P

SOULFUL SUNDAY!

Hey folks,

Sorry we've been missing lately here on the blog. To make up for it, we've got an extra long Soulful Sunday video. Check it out and let us know what you think of "Stevie".

-Pete

Soulful Sunday Video of the Week

Ain't nothin like Etta James' recording, but ain't nothing like Beyonce's neitha.
I was turned on to Etta's version on "Blending the Blues - Volume 2," a Blues and Soul compilation put out by Chess Records and Starbucks. Other tunes you gotta hear off this thing are Leadbelly's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee playin "Walk On."



Performed by Beyonce
Written by Ellington Jordan-Billy Foster


Have a Soulful Sunday ya'll,
- J-Money

Bad news: Time to pay rent. Good news: Time to rock the Redline!

Hey people of pleasure,

Hope y'all can make it out to the Redline on Saturday. Music starts at 9 and I'm sitting in on drums for Sans Absol, the opener. I guess their drummer has the flu (vaccinate people!). Alex Ayala is back from Mexico (sans flu) so we got the soul knob turned up to 11. You see, when you want to be really soulful, you make your instruments soulful and you sing soulful. But where do you go from there? Well, we go to Alex.

. . . or Steve Winwood.

-P

Christmas in the Heart

Album Review no. 3 of 10,003

Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: Christmas In The Heart

Let me start off by saying this: I love christmas music. The cornier the better. This is one of my favorite songs, ever. I also like Bob. One of my favorite concerts was Bob, Van, and Joni. So shouldn't I be ecstatic to see the fusion of these two cultural juggernauts?

When I first heard about it, I just laughed like most people probably did. But for decades, christmas albums have been a staple of this season, and most of them I would never want to listen to, ever. Dylan has recorded fifty three albums before this most recent one - that's more weeks than there are in a year! I guess a christmas album was just about due for him.

So how do I feel about this one? I feel good, and I think this is where Bob has hit the nail with the tool. Christmas In The Heart is dripping with nostalgia, and it feels as good as a glass of egg nog does in between sledding marathons. I put the album on at a dinner with some family friends, and it was hugely entertaining. It feels like an inside joke that somehow includes everyone. I don't know if it was a round of would you rather, a triple-dog-dare, or some sort of twisted drinking game that made Dylan decide that '09 was the year of the christmas album, but I think I know what I'll be rocking on the morning of the twenty-fifth as I play with all my new toys.

Oh, and all proceeds go to charity - or some other cheezy-ass statement.

-Homefry

Did anyone notice the obscene amount of shoulder bags at our Tractor Tavern gig?

Anyway here's our soulful video of the week. ENJOY!!

-Re-Pete

High Speed Ballard Car Chase

So I change lanes right.
And the mother fucker 50 yards behind me wanted to go faster than me so he veers around on my right, flips me the bird and... were off!

This is pre-Ballard Bridge headed north on 15th
This is also pre-Tractor Tavern gig

So i think me and douche bag are all cool because although I honked at his peacock, i didnt flash him or tailgate him or anything all from Queen Anne up until we were on the Ballard Bridge. Thats when shit got REAL!

I turn on my right turn signal 100 feet prior to my intended turning spot in order to overcompensate for my peoples' stereotypically bad driving behavior. That whole 100ft was actually bull shit used to make the funny Asian joke. I actually turned the signal on like 5 seconds ahead of the Leary exit. Curiously enough, when I so, Buddy Guy Douchy Mofo quicky did the same and cut me off on the offramp. Then he takes up both lanes and 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... SLAMS ON HIS DAMN BRAKES! So Im only going about 15mph on this ramp, but either thats not slow enough or im not fast enough on the brakes and booty tap this mother fucker with my trusty ole' '86 626. Im pissed and pretty damn confused about this guy being so mad he had to make me rear end him.

*note: this is the point where rationality has left the building. shit you not, i no longer had control over my shit

So the dude pulls off to the right and I honestly figure, he did his deed and since his car was a POS also, I kept on my way, took a left on leary, and started heading towards Ballard Ave. when I see the guys lights fast approaching (reference aforementioned note). I immediately go into flight mode and start running away from this guy. First im going North on Ballard, then I take a quick left on 21st, a right on Shoshol (or however the hell that damned street is spelled), and back up 22nd, left on Ballard, back down toward Shitshow (damnit) and am stopped in my tracks by a car that doesnt know how to turn right when i want it to because im being chased by a damn lunatic!

So the bird flippin douche dippin crazy trippin dude cuts me off before i can turn right onto Shamebow, flips me the cockatoo again and yells at me reminding me that i rear ended him. So i start playing Sherrades (Charrades? Cher? Chaka Khan?) and do that circular arm motion that might signal to your bff of all bffs that you want his window to be rolled down. Motherfucker aint good at petting Sharpees.

So we pull over pretty much a block away from the Tractor's ass to "talk shit over." Now take note, I'm a pussy. I don't ever wanna get in a fight really. I don't like threatening shit, I dont like war, I don't like the Saw movies, or clips of Sarah Pailin talking about Cowboys and Indians in front of a turkey slaughter. That being said, I turn my car off and walk up to the guys car making sure i have my hands in the air in what I'm guessing one would do to let a crazy piece of chest grade shit know that youre not looking for no trouble. So the guy again reminds me that i rear ended him, and i remind him that that argument might fly in 1st grade, but in the real world, he intentionally put both of us in danger by the shit he was doing with his car.

And so i say, so i says to him, I says, "What do you want from me [expletive] you [expletive] [expletive-ing] flamingo! I gotta get somewhere (knitting class with the girls). What do you want from me?!" He looks at me, looks down at his steering wheel, looks at me again, and without ever stepping otu of his car or even turning the darn thing off says, "Go get where you gotta get."
...
...
...
And that was it. From there i got lost around Ballard and looped around the same blocks that i was just 5 minutes ago racing down for my life, and finally ended up at the Tractor's pearly gates for load in. Pete hugged and consoled me, and then we pranced around stage for ya'lls pleasure, while honest to god, singing leave me alone, a lone tear trickled down my jaundiced cheek whilst i thoguht in my head "why would he (whimper) just (whimper) leave me alone..."

True. God Damned. Story.


Safely and Soundly Blogging at 4 am,
Nascar Champ Jason

The Tractor Tavern and a High Speed Ballard Car Chase

First of all. Holler holler to all of you sexy fellas and felines who came out to the Tractor show last night. I had a hell of a time in them tight ass pants (don't worry Juggs, we'll discuss their elasticity)! Fucking fantastic that so many of you cool cats stayed and had a good time on such a groovy Tuesday night. Special thanks to the Horde and the Harem for booking the gig and for filling my soul with such sweet sweet harmonies, and the Tractor Tavern itself for being such a kick ass venue. Also, it was a treat as tasty as a slice of the most heavenly white chocolate chocolate cake to play with Elba, and the spicy ladies of Another Perfect Crime. Its a damn pleasure to play at such an esteemed place where such rockin sockin non-teeny boppin bands have played. Last time i got to check out a show at the tavern, I got to shake my hips to these guys, like i was back down south in New Orleans!

Shoutouts:
Juggsie Howerton
Emiree
Jimbo Soy Latte
Dr. Guy & Special Guest Claire
626 friends
The Minnesota Twins: Melanie and Laura
Betty and the Dancin Devils
Weston, weston, weston, Sara and crew
of course Bob bob bob
Dave the Brave Albertson
Philana the love of my life Goodrich
and (Insert your name here) because sometimes heroin makes you forget...

The world will reward you for your sexy asses (because i sure cant afford to)

Shit, gotta get to the coffee shop. The Ballard Car Chase episode will have to happen tomorrow morning. Till then, check out Sweet Pete's link to the "Ballard Driving School" on his last post.


Much love,
J-Money

Tractor Tavern?!

Hey folks,

If you actually read this blog, you've probably been to one of our nights at the Redline. But next Tuesday there's an opportunity to see something special. We're playing at the one and only Tractor Tavern! For those who have never been, the Tractor is known for putting on great acts - local and national - in the style of blues/folk/jazz/etc. I, myself, have seen a few great shows there including Stanton Moore, Rebirth Brass Band, and the Dusty 45's.

So not only are we lucky enough to be playing there but we got our name/picture in the TT ad in the Stranger! It might not seem like a big deal to you guys but we're pretty stoked about it. Someday when we're a bigger act and play shows like this all the time having our name and picture in the paper will be no big deal but today, this is a big deal.

You know what else is a big deal? People who come to watch us perform (you). Seriously, Jason and I talk at length after every show about who came and how awesome it was to see them at our show. And occasionally we laugh at their dance moves/drunkenness but mostly we share our appreciation.

And it's not just us performing Tuesday. Also seen that evening will be The Horde & The Harem, Another Perfect Crime, and Elba.

So here's our top ten list of reasons why you should pay $6 to see us at the Tractor next Tuesday even though you can see us for free at the Redline:

1. Ballard is way closer to where you live.

2. The sound system at the TT is stellar and will make us sound even more awesome than we normally do.

3. You can hang out at King's before and down a few $2 Rainiers.

4. It's a Tuesday so you'll actually find a place to park on Ballard Ave!

5. The lights are a little dimmer so Jason's bad haircut and my skin rash are slightly less noticeable.

6. WE GOT OUR FRICKIN' PICTURE IN THE PAPER!

7. More people in Ballard are going to appreciate/get your ironic t-shirt than the weirdoes hanging out at the bus stop outside the Redline.

8. You can brag to all your coworkers on Wednesday about staying up late and drinking on a Tuesday after being drunk all of last weekend at Goldie's on 45th.

9. Your roommate will finally understand that the West Seattle Pleasure Club is a band, not a sketchy club on Delridge Way because he/she has actually heard of the Tractor.

10. We've got a special cover we're starting our set with dedicated to all the Seattle hipsters . . .

Mr. Pete

Riff Rock. All. Day. Long.

Album Review No. 2 of 1

Artist: Earl Greyhound
Album: Soft Targets

Wednesday October 7th, 12:16pm

I'm not sure what I like more about this band, the music or their super-cool 1970's style. It's like the Jimi Hendrix Experience only backwards. Awesome frontman/guitarist Matt Whyte (who happens to be white) will you bring you to tears with his shredding. Meanwhile he's got a great drummer who looks like a cross between Mr. T and Lenny Kravitz. The bass player, well, let's just say her value to the band has little to do with actually playing the bass.

I've never seen them live but I want to. They look and sound like a party. Not to mention they're on tour with JJ Grey & Mofro, one of my favs.

Is Soft Targets an accurate representation of what they sound like live? Probably not but that’s not a bad thing. In fact it rarely is. They recognize the difference between albums and gigs and in my humble opinion have mastered the recorded side.

My only question is: after 5 years on a label and 3 years since releasing their album, why are they still relatively obscure?

Now c’mon Jason. Let’s pile into the ‘69 Camaro and go for a ride! This album makes me want to be the (soft?) target of a police chase.

1:14pm

Hey hey hey now, she may be a foxey lady
but her bass riffin aint all that shady
though id love for her to be akin a-skin a-mybed-in to miss woods
this albums too wicked for shoulda woulda buddha coulds
Gotta say for my favorite tune
listenin took from dawn till noon till the rise of the moon
eight minutes forty seconds...
r.kelly bein trapped in the closet is the next step i reckon
but like my soul mate my room mate my play mate states
aint no room for riff raff when riff rocks waitin at the gates
But wait, it aint all just notes matin rhythm hittin chords hatin schisms
Between the rock and the roll and the have mercy and the umph
When you thought you coldn't take it no more
"It got all better now." "Its over." check the score. triumph,
For the poppity rock, rockitty pop
"Two weeks" got my head like a plastic ichiro, Bobbidy bop.
Eat a turkey sandwich, drink coke in a glass
put on your headphones and enjoy your ass
Cause its shapely and round like the "good" soothing sounds
of john paul ringo and george find their way into the tunes of the hounds
and exiting stage right and as she came back in through the window
i feelt like im bowin down like a shinto at a temp-o
lest i diverge. its beautiful how earl gray poochies converge
the dirty dirty and the singing birds.
you're groovin downstairs senor pedro de gringo
and like the album before us, got hints of ringo

on spot sweet pete
proses too weak, wont do the trick
soft targets got me high on this floetic poetic kick
but too much tea, too much coffee, too much water, i gotta tinko
to wrap it up, i love this album as good as ocho cinco love ocho cinco.

pedro...

2.48pm

How the hell am I supposed to respond to that?

Best song: “Two Weeks”

For those who like to rock . . . this album is for you. Don’t worry, it’s clean and accessible – studded belts and leather jackets are optional. But bring your can of Sparks ‘cause this album is not for casual listening. It’s fun, loud, and heavy. Like a mix between Mr. T and Lenny Kravitz.

And if Earl Greyhound is coming to play your town with JJ Grey & Mofro, don’t miss it. For anything.

Go ahead, J. You can have the last word. Or should I say stanza?

Sincerely,

Pete Marley

Thursday October 8th, 1.53am

Stanza Bonanaza
Im gonna eat some Chyuna in a Cananza.

Soft Target is definitely one of the most fun albums i've listened to in a good while. Up there with Raphael Saadiq's 'The Way I See It,' JJ Grey and MoFro's 'Orange Blossoms,' and Jamie Lidell's 'Multiply.'

From a songwriting perspective, Los Greyhounds have mucho grande juevos, in presenting such a variety of song styles and structure. They make it work...HARD.

Any takers on the Word Sculpture Play Contest? How about the Whipped Seattleite Pansy Crack? Or the White Scarved Puppy Cupcake? Wet Shat Poop Chalupa?


Teacher Jason OUT.

Hope you enjoyed the rant. Go check out the album yourself and tell us what you think in the "Comments" Section. Sometimes talking shit to each other gets boring. Itd be great to let out some steam on you.

xoxoxo,
The Pleasure Club

A few matters of business...

First off...
Shoutout to Jessica "Juggsie" Howerton! Thanks for reading the Most Soulful/Bluesy Rock Blog to ever grace this planet. Theres a free West Seattle Pleasure Club T-Shirt in it for you if you post a comment in the next 48 hours. You got till 2:35am Thursday morning missy!

On that note...
West Seattle Pleasure Club T-Shirts are on sale! While we work on the Online Store @ the official WSPC website (legal note: that link is a joke and we cannot be sued for you lacking a sense of humor). So in the meantime, you can buy one at one of our funtastic live shows. Click here to take a gander at our calendar for shirt buying, hip/ass/head shaking opportunities.

Thirdly...
A huge holler and thank you to all the awesome folks who came out, drank till they stank, and got down and dirty at the Redline this Saturday. Can't say this enough, but we are only as good as our fans are funky. And you guys got stank for days, so I'll be a damn fool but if my math is correct, thanks to you guys, we kick ass!

Lastly...
Stay tuned for more opportunities like Juggsies' to win free shit and/or useless crap if/when occasionally useful tips but/until freaky memorabilia (#5 is my fav). The more you comment, the better your chances! For starters...

WSPC can stand for this or this, sometimes that, and every other saturday, para este. All lame, except for the one you come up with! Come up with an original meaning for "WSPC," the band will vote on it, and if yours is our favorite, you can pick anything... anything at all out of HomeFry's "for when im feeling naughty" lingerie drawer.

Submit your entries as comments to this blog.

Over and out,
Teacher Jason

Album Review: 1st of 10,003
Album: Howl by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Reviewers: Teacher Jason and Sweet Pete Albertson

Thursday, October 1, 2009 12:38 PM

"Ain't No Easy Way" is obviously the best song on this album. If anyone says elsewise... well god has an even worse punishment for kittens (and fairys?) than when you yank the tank. Wicked simple guitar riff and lyrics with mucho mucho soul is exactly what im talkin bout. I really dig at the end of the first verse when the second guitar pops in with some high end sweet action. And who cant get off to some good ole' slide gee-tar that takes you right back to that rickety wood front porch where grandpa Rufus would sit and play guitar to you, Ella Mae, Emma Bee and Auntie Ceecee while mama was making sweet tea (oh wait, you're not a black child living in Mississippi in the 30s?). Now to be honest, I couldn't understand a word Peter Hayes (lead vocals) is saying 60% of the time... all the time. So i looked up the lyrics and i gotta say, im glad im not a huge dylan fan. In the second verse:

"It's easy to fall in love
When you're on your luck you know you're done
and the last kiss had a foolish cause
now your tired eyes could only haunt"

That third line is wicked good, but most of the time im just trying to figure out what drugs were being taken during the writing process, where i can get them, and how much do they cost.


Pete...

Thursday, October 1, 2009 1:47 PM

Wait, wait, wait. Your last line (“what drugs were being taken during the writing process . . .”) exactly describes how I feel when I read, well, just about any prose you write. So if you are NOT already on drugs as I assumed, I should probably cancel that intervention we had scheduled for this weekend . . .

On to the review!

“Time won’t save our souls.” This very dramatic opening definitely caught my attention. Usually anything involving the word “soul” does. Unfortunately BRMC lost me shortly thereafter. Why, you ask? Simply put, there is no soul in BRMC. It’s a collection of songs dedicated to melancholy – not blues, despair – not hope, and it sounds British – not southern. For some people, these characteristics are pluses. Not so for me.

The only track worth it’s time is “Weight of the World”. Don’t ask me for the marquee line or anything. I couldn’t understand what the dude was saying either. It’s just a well put together tune for them. But if you want to know what I really think it needs, I’d give it a shot of espresso. Better yet, how about a Mountain Dew . . . shot gunned. Fuck it. The whole album needs a 5-hour Energy and a shot of Cabo Wabo!

It’s just too damn cloudy and rainy on this album.

What say you, Teacher Jason, lover of all Black Rebelious Motorcyclists?

Thursday, October 1, 2009 2:22 PM

Advice received... dopio (double) shot of espresso dumped into my beverage of choice, which after listening to "Weight of the World," happens to be... a cool glass of Jonestown's famous fatal Kool-aid. (Pan cameras down for view of black and white Nike Cortez). Figured the caffeine would speed up the whole shooting up towards god in a spaceship journey. I understand that the song is one well put together, but in terms of its soul, energy, and Souff-ernness, the scoreboard reads "Dead cult followers 1, Weight of the World nill." Its true, I'm tapping my foot while drooling at the Uptown Espresso barista... I'll give you (and the Creepin' Peepin' Toms of West Seattle Association - CPTWSA for short) that, but I believe the papers noted a few post-mortem twitching Nikes as well. You know a well composed tune when you hear one Senor Fuego, pero, good ole' down home folk/blues tunes like the opening "Shuffle Your Feet" is the stuff that gets Uni-testicled bicyclists ahead of the Parisian Pack. Save the Yellow-5 for the live shows you motor-boatin son of a bitch!

So we agree... done with this review? Onto whatevers clever in your books Pedro.

Full stop.

Thursday, October 1, 2009 2:58 PM

Kool-Aid? Really? You are the one, my friend, who has drunk the Kool-Aid. I’m not sure what it is you like so much. This ain’t no down-home-bluesy-soul band. Wait . . . I get it. You think these Black Rebels are actually black. Well I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this but they won’t be opening for Earth, Wind, and Fire anytime soon. Or do you like them because of the fact that they share with us the word “Club” in their name? Trust me Teach, that is where the commonalities end. Have you seen the interviews?! The other bands they play with? Mississippi is not the home of shoegaze/nu-gaze. Ask Wikipedia.

My opinion of this album ought be taken with a grain of salt because I cant stand much of the indie/noise rock/shoegaze genre. For those who need more than a depressing rainy weather driving soundtrack: don’t waste your time illegally downloading Howl. But if you need some tunes at the start of your day while pouring yourself into your skinny sagging black jeans , by all means, ENJOY!

I’m sorry this co-review turned into a bludgeoning much like the one your fantasy football team is going to take this weekend but learning and growing can sometimes be painful. I bet our fans didn’t think Teacher Jason would be the one getting schooled.

Over and out.

WSPC's Weekly Music BashFest

Dear Devoted WSPC Blog Subscribers (Sweet Pete, Teacher Jason, Alicia?),

We are embarking on a beautiful new journey into the realm of... music critique! Now calm down, calm down. Put out your torches, return your pitch forks to the barn, and march right on back to your computers... Obviously, musicians and music critiquing go together as good as, ice cream and low fat, coffee and decaff, nazis and challah bread, and/or sushi eating japanese mother fuckers and soul music. Point taken. BUT! Lend me yourears for a moment here. Allow me to quote the esteemed musician/producer/composer/lay, Maximillian Keene. When it comes to music (genres, artists, (D) all of the above), *"it is better to like too much, than to like too little." As(s) is with life, there is always a negative, a positive, and a psychadellic lense with which we can look.

* * *

Heres a real life example:
Yesterday, I was at my local West Seattle Uptown Espresso having my usual Grande drip with room for cream, and doing my usual whimpering (imagine a 5'11" (5'10") japanese bearded cat with fauxhawk wearing turquoise shirt 3 sizes too tight, drooling and pawing his whiskers) because the barista is such a fox, I found myself in a sticky situation. My hipster cutoff pants had a rather long runaway strand of indie-string that reached all the way down to my consciously beat up vans. So I get my coffee, drool a bit at the counter, over tip la barista, give her googly eyes, and while walking over to the bar to get some cream, i trip over my emo-strand from my hipster pants, start to fall (in slow motion with mouth gaping open silently saying "konichiwa mother fucker watashi wa sake ga arimasen soshite kono oshiri wa oishii"), somehow pour the coffee all over my crotch and my darling barista, and finally land with not one, but two slo-mo face bounces onto the floor. Five feet away lies the gold tooth that was installed in the 70s by George Clinton. Now I coulda chosen to be all pissed/embarassed/ashamed and clumsily scampered outta there snivelling and whispering to myself how stupid i am... stupid stupid stupid. Instead, I got took off all my clothes, Sang "525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear..." did an Irish Jig, skipped home and called it good."

* * *

Henceforth... the idea behind the WSPC Weekly Music BashFest is to have a music critique forum where we write about what we find wicked awesome about music, because Max is right, especially when it comes to his views on the liberation of African Muddy Water Gazelle from the PitchFork refuggee camp.

So HEY! Check out our weekly Album pick and review!

Oh and feel free to comment with your own thoughts on the albums.



Love and Butternut Squash,
Teacher Jason
(who is currently listening to Jamie Lidell - Game for fools)

*quotation not applicable to heroine, or methamphetamines...

Things i learned this weekend:

1 | golden gardens is Magic
2 | "wrap thy food in bacon" is the 11th commandment that went unnoticed due to the fact that Moses wrote it in chocolate syrup
3 | all of our female twitter friends get removed from twitter due to "suspicious activity" before we can get to know them properly
4 | every good book should take a trip to the beach at least once in its lifetime
5 | i love soul and funk music
6 | iced beverages, good company, and sunny beaches are like crack, but better
7 | the only way i can actually dance to late80s/early90s white people's powerballads/powerpoptunes is to actually become a late80s/early90s white man/woman.
8 | cranium > dead puppies > sex > Molly Moon's > sexdrugs&rocknroll > pie > pi > my areolaric diameter in pixels > Bob Saget
9 | bacon fried rice while drunk = "hot damn mother fucker... thats some good oriental food!"
10| my musical influences which are...


. The Temptations . the Motown Sound . Aretha Franklin (the voice you're hearing today is one of an asian man whose only dream in life was to sound like Aretha Franklin (and look like Mike Tyson's face tattoo if it instead were on his bullocks) . Jack Johnson . Nathan Vaughan . Sweet n Low Pete Albertson (i would never have picked up an electric guitar hadn't it been for this man) . Paul Pena . James Brown . Stevie Wonder . the Meters . the Black Keys . Otis Redding (vocal energy specifically) . Sly and the Family Stone (reminding me the beauty in writing a "simple song") . SRV . Kina Grannis . John Mayer . Derek Trucks . Robert Johnson . Marvin Gaye . 90s R&B . Ace of Base ("the Sign" was the first song that made me think "wholly shit, that is a good fucking song" and then say to my mom, "hey mom, i really love this song.... yah im over Mmm Bop now. Love you too. Night night. No you're the snuggle bear! tee hee hee.") . David Ryan Harris . Robert Randolph and the Family Band . JJ Grey and MoFro . Bill Withers . Donny Hathaway . Billy Preston . Joe Cocker . the Fresh Prince of Bel Air . Ray Charles (god) . the Blind Boys of Alabama . India Arie . Corinne Bailey Rae . John Prine . the Jackson 5 . Sam Cooke (a change is gonna come) . Rebirth Brass Band . people . places. books . science . religion . human interaction . events . women

Raphael Saddiq - The Way I See It.

Much Love,
Professor Undressor
(teacha Jason)

A Window to Our Souls

There may only be a handful of you that read our blog. And that handful might all be people who know us well. But for the small chance that someone is out there reading this blog to get to know the West Seattle Pleasure Club better, I'm going to take the time to tell you about what we listen to, who we learned our trades from, and who we aspire to be like.

First off, I'd like to mention some of the music teachers who have inspired me: Jeff Brandt, Aaron Serfaty, Amy Putnam, and Bill Klouse. There's also David Fick, an amazing composer who was patient enough to teach me the basics of music theory. I owe all of these music pro's my sincere gratitude.

Not all of us have formal training on our instruments and Teacher J, Homefry, and I all come from different places, geographically and musically. But part of what makes this band really groove together is our shared interest in spine-tingling soul. If you were to cruise by the WSPC jam house on any given day, you're likely to hear Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, P-Funk, JJ Grey, or Derek Trucks. Perhaps you'd hear Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Paul Pena, or The Beatles. Who knows?

But here's list of what we've been listening to as of late:

• The Heavy
• The Zutons
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
• Carney
• The Black Keys

And everyday we look for ways to incorporate what we love about these bands/artists into our music. We call what we do "original" but we really know that while it may be new, it's hardly original. Our music is inspired by loads of artists, songs, and teachers. We have to take time to pay tribute to our mentors and maestros.

I'll let Teach and Homefry tell you about their musical mentors. For now, check out some of the stuff I mentioned and let us know what you think. And if any of you have suggestions for us to check out, please message us or comment below. EasyStreet is only two blocks away . . .

-Sweetie Petey

Oh man oh man, its done and done ladies and gentlemen!

So shit,
I work hard for my money, so hard for it honey.
Usually, full time shifts of work end up being around 8 - 9 hours, right?
Well a handfull of buddies of mine (Philana, Max Keene, and Gibson) and myself made a musicians pact, and designated 8 special hours of our lives today to do nothing but write write write songs songs songs, and when we ran out of ideas, to scream into a microphone and pound out a few strings on the ole' geeeetar. And Wholly shit! It is amazing. The goal is to write 15 songs. I only came up with 9, but what a doozie...what a damn good doozie. Most of them turned out to just be a bit of therapy and comedy (perhaps those end up being two and the same a lot of the time), but a couple of them might end up drifting into your ears, tingling your senses, and stirring your soul till you cant sit down no more and you lift off from your chair and your hips do what they were made for and WHAM! You're Pleasurized by the West Seattle Pleasure Club.

I'm excited. You Excited???? Cause I'm definitely excited!!!

- the Professor

Redline Recap Part. Deux

Holler holler holler,
Man, if there is anything that I love more than Hot Cheetohs and Cold Beers, it is the amazing crowd that comes to our shows and gets down with they bad selves. I usually don't agree on anything with Sweet Pete (color of the drapes, flavor of glaze to put on the halibut, theme music to play while riding on our vespas), but I do agree that ya'll who come to rock out with us, are god damn amazing. While after most attempts at staring at women, talking to women, hiding behind bushes to peek at women, and singing to women, I end up with either a black eye, or handcuffs, i usually always end up with a... broken heart. Thanks to you crazy mofos at the Redline, I only had a black eye and handcuffs (the fluffy pink kind) and no broken heart! Shucks you guys, lets go out for a bite...? No? Too Soon? We're not in that type of relationship yet? We'll work on it. I'd like to give a special shout out to the Borogoves and Legal Lies for holding it down, all of their fans for hanging around, and especially to Weston and his awesome buddy who bought me a tequila shot whilst on stage! ARRIBA!!!

Currently digging Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
Currently remembering an awesome show by Papa Grows Funk
Currently reading Ender's Game again
Currently playing Mike Tyson's Punch Out circa early 1990s
Currently drinking Steel Reserve LIKE A PLAYA DO!

much love,
Teacher Jason


HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAD!

Redline Recap

To those who joined us at the Redline last night Aug. 22nd, 2009: thank you, thank you, thank you.

Despite Homefry's absence, Kevin Kok's presence, and Teacher Jason's beard the show was a success and we owe it all to you. Well . . . OK maybe we deserve some credit too since we are badass and we blew your minds but still - you guys mean a lot.

To those who decided NOT to join us at the Redline: go to hell.

Just kidding. Here's what you missed.

The highlight of the night had to be Spicy Brown who brought her A-game and just about melted everyone's heart with her beautiful voice. But she wasn't the only one who stepped up. Our new friend Dee who met the band on Friday at the Beveridge Place at the Morgan Junction brought it as well. We told him about the show, he came out for it, and looked like he had a good time on the dance floor too. Way to go, Dee.

The Borogoves we're great and have really come along way since their first show at the Skylark back in May. They brought a great crowd and stuck around to the end of our set, which we always appreciate. Those are some of the nicest guys we've ever done a show with.

Legal Lies held it down with their groovy reggae rock. They, too, brought a great crowd including their mascot, Clate, who I'd like to personally thank for the Irish car/jaeger bombs after the show.

If you missed August's edition of the West Seattle Pleasure Club at the Redline, fear not for there will be a brand new episode in September. Yup, we've gone into syndication and the Redline is the station. Thanks to those who make it possible, especially: Scott, Greg, and Bobby at the Redline for hosting us and serving drinks. All of our friends, fans, and opening bands. Start adding to that piggy bank 'cause we got some goodies on the way for you to buy that will be available at upcoming shows (T-shirts, demos, etc.).

Stay tuned . . .

-Sweet Pete

Tour-guide

Lately, the talk around WSPC rehearsals is that we should do a tour. (No one even reads your blog, Pete! Why the hell should you do a tour?!) Well, that's a good question. Some would say a tour is completely worthless unless you can draw a crowd in some of the cities you are traveling to. Why drive hundreds of miles to play a show in front of no one? We know no one in Yakima or Portland has ever heard of us or is waiting for us to tour their city BUT, believe it or not, there are venues in these town where people come to see/hear music they've never heard before. For example, Sports Center in Yakima has a great weekend draw regardless of who is playing. With any luck we'll get an opportunity to play in front of that great crowd and gain exposure. It's the same idea we have locally. The only difference is the added cost of traveling.

You're still not convinced, are you? That's OK. The real reason we want to tour is because A. We love road-trips and 2. To be a "touring" band is a dream for all of us. We're living a fantasy. And that makes the traveling expenses worth it. (Pete, isn't playing in a garage band one big fantasy?) Yes but just because you graduated from college and then went out and got that corporate or non-profit 9-to-5 and now you hate your life doesn't mean you should rain on our parade! . . . Lastly, Homefry's other band, the Sam Marshall Trio has toured the local area and found the experience worthy enough to book a tour of California.

So we just want to do a weekend tour of Yakima, Portland, and perhaps Salem or Eugene at the end of October. If we get to play in front of decent crowds for 45min per night and sell a few t-shirts and demos, we'll call it a success. My only real concern is how Teacher Jason is going to handle life on the road without his 8 cups of coffee per day and pre-show naps . . .

-SP

(Schizophrenic Pete)

Sometimes evengreasy MSG-filled Vietnamese noodles cant cure a hangover.

While Sweet Pete chooses to be charming and funny and gracious to our supporters/fans past present and future, I choose to speak to my dyhydration, my dizzination, my upsetstomachitis, and my lackofmotivation-todoanythingbutdrinkOJ. (Currently listening to XTC -- thanks to the recommendation of lovely folks at the West Seattle Easy Street Records-- and Jimi Hendrix "Little Wing," and whatever the hell Pete is playing down in the basement. I hear heavy kick drum on the 1 - 2 - 3- and the 4, faslettoed harmoies, and rollerskates in the background... i think hes back into his BeeGees kick).

So after a bunch of Rainier tallies from Kings, and Hamms from Linda's, we headed over to West Seattle for shots of who knows what at the Redline (HOLLA HOLLA HEY!!! August 22nd Show!), where we met the MAN himself... Johnny Smokes. Friends, enemies, and fellow closet gangster rappers, if you havent made youre way to the Redline for Rock-a-roke, you havent given your aluminum chain and tin foil spinners the respect that you're begging and pleading the honeys for. 12 minute long versions of Simple Man that morphs into the Bloodhound Gang, Eminem, and Kylie Minogue? Theres no other place in the world (aside from the Basement Karaoke/Toga/80's themed parties that Pete and I throw every second Tuesday) that such a rich musical cornicopaiea (s?elling) can be experienced.

On that note, I gotsta go... T-minus 1 hour and 10 minutes till...

IM ON A BOAT!

xoxoxo,
Teacher Jason

Welcome in . . .

Hello blog-world,

The West Seattle Pleasure Club is here to announce its arrival. We know you've all been waiting for this day since you friended us on myspace (OK, maybe we friended you. But we'll still call you a "fan"). You may be wondering what took us so long. Well, let's just say we're a band that likes to take things slowly and make well discussed and calculated decisions (We'll save the band name selection story for another post).

We're also pretty busy. I mean, if I'm not getting my face torn apart at the Lake Washington Tech Dental Clinic or playing Nintendo, I'm probably watching a Sounders game or loading sound and lighting equipment for a Kenny Chesney concert. As for Teacher Jason, he's either serving coffee at Café Ladro in Fremont, drinking coffee at Uptown Espresso, or making coffee in our kitchen and spilling the grounds all over the counter. Then there's Homefry. He is either looking for Big-foot on the Pacific Crest Trail or producing hip-hop for professional soccer players. We just don't have a lot of downtime!

But consider this post a commitment. We're going to find the time and post often enough that you won't really need to hang out with us anymore. So now you don't need to make that long journey to West Seattle! Unless, of course, we have a show at the Redline (next show: Aug.22nd). As of now, we are not broadcasting our shows online so you'll have to come out for those. Plus, your bedroom just doesn't have the atmosphere like the Redline.

Now we'd like to take the time to thank some wonderful people who are responsible for letting Teacher J and I think that this isn't a complete waste of time: Our first fan, Dr. A-Lach, is a tireless supporter. We know she'll always be there for us even when we end up in a Spinal-Tap-esque downfall. Then there's @WestonRB who not only dances at our shows but also knows our stuff well enough to make requests from the audience! How does he do that?! We'd also like to thank all the folks living in or associated with the house on NE 77th St. They represent the supporters club at our shows and, much like the soccer version, they are consistently in attendance, drunk, loud, and looking for trouble. We'd also like to thank Spicy Brown, who is generous enough to perform with us from time to time and take the bands talent to a whole new level. And last but not least, there's my mother. All I'm gonna say is that no matter how hard anybody else tries, NO ONE will know more about our internet presence than Mom.

Thanks for patronizing our blog. Check back in soon for more but right now, you should probably get back to work and I should be playing Tecmo Bowl.

-Sweet Pete