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