Excellent show. I showed up a little before ten. All info I had prior to the show indicated that Mocean Worker was going to be the second band and go on about ten (stranger, chop suey, and the mocean worker website prophesied that this would be the case.) Alas, the sign on the door clearly stated – Mocean Worker 11.30. I went down to open mic at the Hopvine and hung out with bellman and mark. Bellman did a sweet converge cover in the style of bill shatner. It really brought down the house.

I headed back to Chop Suey a little before 11.30. Dance Party USA is a good description of wha ensued. Adam Dunn and Napolean Solo made up the two components of Mocean Worker. Solo on the mic and Adam Dunn on the toys. Mocean Worker as a few albums out but, obviously, a good number of the songs are off of the most recent – “enter the mowo.” The sounds from Cab Calloway to a tribe called quest to crazy samba and finally the funk to bring it all together. A 60 minute set kept me entertained and asking for more.

June 24, 2005 Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet @ Nectar

Expectations were raised as always when skerik hits the stage. I pronounced my intentions to the few who occasionally heed my calls for the aural sensations when they come to town. But I mention the name skerik and the responses are as numerous as the styles of music he plays. All he’s going to do is honk and squeak the whole time. I just don’t get it sometimes. Why is this time going to be any different than the last time we saw him play. I sighed in resignation. If I don’t go see him, then who will.

However, skerik is playing this evening with his most current lead project, Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet. I knew, but couldn’t convince most people of the fact, that this band was a melodic tour de force. This band is setup to amplify his glorious saxophone skills. No wacky effects, mystical voices, or blaring walls of sound. This group brings together six of his closet friends from the area to put together a funky jazzy sound from days gone by and memories to come. This is one of many of my favorite combinations. The band includes includes five horn players (tenor, baritone, alto sax, trumpet, trombone), an organ, and a drummer.

Joe Doria (organ) and Jon Wicks (drums) lay a funky beat across the walls of Nectar, inviting the layered crowd to step closer to be enveloped by the experience. The horns slowly blow across the aural landscape. Increasing the message, removing all other distractions from the mind. Dave Carter (trumpet) punctuates the air with puffs of air into the bent piece of metal, calling out the others to join in the gathering storm. not quite finished

July 2, 2005 Widespread Panic @ The Gorge
July 8, 2005 Master Musicians of Bukkake, Green Milk from the Planet Orange, and Bill Horist @ the funhouse
July 15, 2005 Beck @ The Paramount
July 18, 2005 The Go! Team @ Neumo’s

July 22, 2005 kinski, Master Musicians of Bukkake, and charming snakes @ the crocodile cafe
July 25, 2005 ruins alone, Yoshida/Horist/Mowen Trio, Degenerate Art Ensemble, Bill Horist, and Girth @ Chop Suey
August 4, 2005 nikka costa @ Chop Suey
August 11, 2005 the dirty dozen brass band @ Nectar
September 2-5, 2005 Bumbershoot @ seattle center
September 16, 2005 Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet w/ Briggan Kraus @ lofi
September 19, 2005 Lyrics Born @ Neumo’s
September 23, 2005 Maurice Caldwell and his Thing @ Jewelbox Theatre
October 7, 2005 Karsh Kale @ Nectar
October 18, 2005 Daniel Lanois & Tortoise @ Neumo’s
November 3, 2005 Bill Horist, Kevin Sawka, Paul Kemmish (PK) @ lofi
November 10, 2005 Thaddeus Turner, Joe Doria, Mike Stone, and PK @ Seamonster Lounge
November 15, 2005 Girth @ the rebar
November 25, 2005 super furry animals
and caribou @ Neumo’s
December 10, 2005 Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings @Neumo’s
December 17, 2005 critters buggin’ @ the tractor tavern
December 20, 2005 breakestra @ crocodile cafe
December 30, 2005 young fresh fellows @ the tractor tavern
December 31, 2005 zazou @ elliot bay brewery