The Crocodile, Seattle WA
Given the nature of my time spent these days as well as my availability to make it to the great outdoors to do some trail hiking, I have chosen to focus on music as well as food. A while back while hiking with some friends at Rattle Snake Lake, this issue came up and we started bouncing potential names around, and that is how the blogs new subtitle was concocted:
"B-eats"
Get it? Music and food, beat/eat...how very clever my friends are.
I have written music reviews in the past for a now defunct web site called Dark America, which got me into some great places such as Graceland (now called El Corazon) to see The HIVES when they first came through the US in 2000 with The International Noise Conspiracy. Somehow I was able to parlay this into getting a monthly press packet kit from Epitaph records to review CD's from them and become a live show reviewer for Skratch magazine. These two sources placed me on the press list for many local shows in the Seattle area which allowed me to see bands in exchange for writting reviews about them and their performance.
One of the last shows I went to go review was at the Crocodile in 2001, and somehow even though I was supposed to be on the press list, I was not. I was being a bit stubborn about it so I opted not to pay my own way in, and obviously submitted no review for the show. I lost that battle with Skratch. As it turned out, there were many local music writers in Seattle that were willing to take my place.
(Personal history: I played drums in a punk band while growing up in Iowa called The Doppler Effect. We played many shows at the local venue The Cattle Club (from what I understand, it is still around, in a new location and new ownership, in Sioux City Iowa). My now brother in law taught me to play drums. He still plays drums in a band called Hawn Swamp. I took a hiatus from playing drums, until last year when I bought a new kit and started playing for Blind Cartographers.)
So that was the last time I was at the Crocodile. It was closed for awhile, and has since been refurbished and reopened. The Dutchess and the Duke played a show there on Oct. 9th. I was excited to go to, basically, a new place and see a band I really like.
I have written music reviews in the past for a now defunct web site called Dark America, which got me into some great places such as Graceland (now called El Corazon) to see The HIVES when they first came through the US in 2000 with The International Noise Conspiracy. Somehow I was able to parlay this into getting a monthly press packet kit from Epitaph records to review CD's from them and become a live show reviewer for Skratch magazine. These two sources placed me on the press list for many local shows in the Seattle area which allowed me to see bands in exchange for writting reviews about them and their performance.
One of the last shows I went to go review was at the Crocodile in 2001, and somehow even though I was supposed to be on the press list, I was not. I was being a bit stubborn about it so I opted not to pay my own way in, and obviously submitted no review for the show. I lost that battle with Skratch. As it turned out, there were many local music writers in Seattle that were willing to take my place.
(Personal history: I played drums in a punk band while growing up in Iowa called The Doppler Effect. We played many shows at the local venue The Cattle Club (from what I understand, it is still around, in a new location and new ownership, in Sioux City Iowa). My now brother in law taught me to play drums. He still plays drums in a band called Hawn Swamp. I took a hiatus from playing drums, until last year when I bought a new kit and started playing for Blind Cartographers.)
So that was the last time I was at the Crocodile. It was closed for awhile, and has since been refurbished and reopened. The Dutchess and the Duke played a show there on Oct. 9th. I was excited to go to, basically, a new place and see a band I really like.
But before you ask, yes, I did have some food of sorts that evening as well. Right next door to the Croc is Via Tribunali , and I indulged in a double shot of Maker's Mark, neat, and pint of beer. While this is not food per se, it is how I consumed my calories for the evening. The setting at Via Tribunali's was...well...dark.
The Chandelier at ViaI mean really dark. Like "can not read the menu unless it is so close to the candle it might catch fire" dark. Usually I would have no qualms about this setting, but I was there to eat, well drink, as opposed to doing shady things in a high backed leather booth.
But the drinks were strong and the show was starting soon, so it hardly mattered.
The Stage
The show was really good. I was very happy to visit this old friend and check 0ut the new attire. Besides plying myself silly with shots of spiced rum and PBR's, I listened to the music and watched the crowed. And man was there a crowd. I did not take a head count but from what I could tell, that place was purty durn near maximum capacity. A sea of locals had filed into the Crocodile, drinks in hand, eagerly anticipating the promises of the evening.
The first band, Meth Teeth, was okay. They had a pretty good sound overall and I would say for the most part I liked them. I would be open to explore more of their work.
Meth Teeth
The second band, Dead Ghosts, played well, I just did not care for their sound. Even though by the time they came on the stage, I was pretty well lit up. I mean I was well on my way to having a very bad hang over at this point. Luckily I did not drive, so it was back to the bar for another drink for me.
Then the THE DUTCHESS AND THE DUKE came on and they were great. I mean, I already liked them. Seeing them live was a treat. I highly recommend them.
D&D? I think not.
p.s. The Strangers new Happiest Hour guide is just out and my personal goal is visit all the listed establishments before my next birthday. That means by February. Feel free to join in the libations.
But the drinks were strong and the show was starting soon, so it hardly mattered.
The Stage
The show was really good. I was very happy to visit this old friend and check 0ut the new attire. Besides plying myself silly with shots of spiced rum and PBR's, I listened to the music and watched the crowed. And man was there a crowd. I did not take a head count but from what I could tell, that place was purty durn near maximum capacity. A sea of locals had filed into the Crocodile, drinks in hand, eagerly anticipating the promises of the evening.
The first band, Meth Teeth, was okay. They had a pretty good sound overall and I would say for the most part I liked them. I would be open to explore more of their work.
Meth Teeth
The second band, Dead Ghosts, played well, I just did not care for their sound. Even though by the time they came on the stage, I was pretty well lit up. I mean I was well on my way to having a very bad hang over at this point. Luckily I did not drive, so it was back to the bar for another drink for me.
Then the THE DUTCHESS AND THE DUKE came on and they were great. I mean, I already liked them. Seeing them live was a treat. I highly recommend them.
D&D? I think not.
So that about wraps it up, as you can see, there was not a food installment in this episode. My hopes is to start again having food entries, very soon.
p.s. The Strangers new Happiest Hour guide is just out and my personal goal is visit all the listed establishments before my next birthday. That means by February. Feel free to join in the libations.
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