Plugged In

Words: Dan Halligan

Image: Photographer

They’re at it again: those crazy queers down in Olympia just can’t help but showcase some of the best independent queer musicians, writers, filmmakers and artists around. As well they should! Queers have always been an essential part of the underground music and arts scene. The bi-annual HOMO A GO GO festival takes place in our state’s capital August 3-8. There is a massive line up of artists and musicians that promises to be even better than 2002’s festival. Some of the highlights include Team Dresch, Mirah, the Gossip, Tracy & the Plastics, the Butchies, King Cobra, Shoplifting, Veronica Lipgloss and the Evil Eyes, Phranc and Scream Club. You can get the complete line up and deets at homoagogo.com.

People seem to either love or hate BEN LASHES because of his antics. Or possibly because he seems enshrined in the Cha Cha, where strung out Seattle cokeheads—22 going on 40—hide from daylight to hide the bags under their eyes. I personally think he’s having a good time fucking with people and it’s pretty damn funny. But, at times, the drama kinda overshadows the band Ben fronts, which is really too bad. They’ve been playing local clubs for a few years now paying their dues. The Lashes have built up an entertaining live show, released one single, and now have an EP out on Lookout Records. “The Stupid Stupid” EP is a repackaged version of their earlier single with a few more songs tacked on. The EP’s full o’ catchy, thick pop with a sharp enough edge to keep me entertained. Would I like them to toughen up a little? Sure. But that’s me; the EP stands alone as pretty damn catchy pop punk.

Olympia’s SCREAM CLUB has been heating up local clubs a lot lately and their new CD is just about to drop. If you’ve yet to see this dynamic duo live, I promise you, they won’t disappoint—I’ve heard a number of people declare them their new favorite band. With catchy hip-hop, electronica, samples and a fun, kick-ass delivery, they can’t help but get their audiences dancing. Scream Club’s new “Don’t Bite Your Sister” CD features a ton of guest artists, including the Gossip’s Beth Ditto, Existereo, Busdriver, Rachel Carns and Mirah. Their lyrics easily slide from sexy or silly to straight up politics. They ain’t PC—in fact, they are downright dirty at times—but they also address queer, gender and other social issues. What makes Scream Club so great is they seem to have found the perfect blend of sex, attitude, politics and diverse, catchy music.

ATHE ROTTEN APPLES have broken up, as has Tacoma band THE FANTASTIC 4. ARGO have released a new album of loungey pop entitled “Jet Packs for Everyone.” Hardcore heroes THE NOVEMBER GROUP have a new CD out; they play live next Wednesday, 8/4 at Below Zero in Portland and 8/7 at the Old Firehouse in Redmond with Kane Hodder, Schoolyard Heroes and Ass End Offend. Political punks BOTOX AFTERMATH also have a new CD out. “The First Casualty of War” is a fun mix of UK82 and more hardcore punk—it’s like a flashback to the ‘80s.

Man, have you heard THE PUNK GROUP from Portland yet? They are fucking hilarious! Picture two guys in matching outfits playing simplistic punk—like the Spits, but with more keyboards and really silly lyrics. They do a hilarious cover of Suicidal Tendencies’ “I Saw Your Mommy,” along with a pile of original songs. They have song titles like “Atari 800,” “Sleater-Kinney Sucks,” and do an ode to “Blue Velvet” simply called “Heineken,” in which they only quote Dennis Hopper’s character from the movie. Check out punkgroup.com to hear all the songs from their “International Rock Stars” CD.

Next issue we will have Tablet’s complete guide to the rock at Bumbershoot; pick it up before you hit the festival! Until then, blast THE BRONX album as loud as you can—it absolutely rules.

AUGUST ROCKS -  8/1 Sick Of It All, Terror, Time In Malta, Champion @ Graceland/Seattle, 8/3 Stiff Little Fingers, God Awfuls, Throw Rag @ Graceland/Seattle (8/4 @ Berbati’s Pan/Portland), 8/3 Oldominion, New Mexicans @ Chop Suey/Seattle, 8/4 The Riverboat Gamblers, the Hitch @ Sabala’s/Portland, 8/5 Burning Brides, the Explosion, Catheters @ Ash St. Saloon/Portland (8/6 @ Graceland/Seattle), 8/6 Angry Amputees, Hollowpoints @ Funhouse/Seattle, 8/7 Accused, Zeke, Subject To Change @ Graceland/Seattle, 8/7 Goodness, Glorious @ Crocodile/Seattle, 8/7 Flip-tops, Duchess of NY @ Twilight/Portland, 8/7 Wannabees, Quick 66, Rabid Dogs @ Funhouse/Seattle, 8/8 Supersuckers, Tim Easton @ Tractor/Seattle, 8/12 DT’s, Pete Hopkins @ EMP’s Liquid Lounge/Seattle, 8/12 Sebadoh @ Berbati’s Pan/Portland (8/14 @ Crocodile/Seattle), 8/12 D.R.I. @ Sebala’s/Portland (8/14 @ Hell’s Kitchen/Tacoma), 8/14 The Dickies, DEK @ Graceland/Seattle (8/16 @ Sabala’s/Portland), 8/15 Patti Smith @ Moore Theatre/Seattle, 8/17 Give Up The Ghost, Paint It Black, Dead In Hollywood @ Studio 7/Seattle, 8/18 Jason Webley @ Paradox/Seattle, 8/19 Turn-Ons, Divorce, Cops @ Neumo’s/Seattle, 8/20 Ruby Doe, Pris, American School Of Warsaw @ Graceland/Seattle, 8/20 Mogwai, Rapture, Cursive @ Roseland Theater/Portland, 8/21 Demoralizer, Amazombies, Graveyard Shift @ Twilight/Portland, 8/27 Himsa, As I Lay Dying @ Graceland/Seattle