Thursday December first brought the return of NY ska masters the Slackers. They played to a packed house at the Crocodile and their second song into the set they played my favorite, Watch This. Of all the times I’ve seen them this is the second time they’ve played my favorite song and the first time was because I requested it.
Keyboardist and main vocalist Vic Ruggiero possessed a great stage dynamic of congeniality and charm. He also proved to be versatile, forsaking his keyboards for an electric guitar on a couple occasions.
On more than once occasion the band made jabs at Trump and his wall. They performed their song Propaganda and expressed horror and sadness that this song was again relevant.
Cause if someone wants to make a confrontaion
Well they wont get no play on your radio stations
And they wont get no time on the television
Words been send out from the owner corporation
For propaganda (propaganda)
Now it’s everywhere I go
It’s a propaganda (propaganda)
It’s on my tv shows
Propaganda (propaganda)
Everywhere I go
Hey mista (mista please!)
cmon tell me what you know
Hey mista can you tell me what you know
the company they’re keepin
Propaganda (propaganda)
Now it’s everywhere I go
Another propaganda (propaganda)
Man it’s on my radio
Propaganda (propaganda)
Everywhere I go
They lamented how they used to sing these songs when Bush was president and how it hurt to have to sing these songs again and how we now have Rudy “fucking asshole” Giuliani. This was followed by a few more choice words for Trump.
Things livened up for Have the Time and there wasn’t a still body on that dance floor. T. bone player and vocal harmonizer Glen Pine was no slouch in the hamming it up department. He jumped about the stage and leaned into the crowd for chorus sing alongs and all around goaded them. Bass player Marcus Gieard is the most expressive bass player I’ve had the pleasure of watching play. He played his bass with it propped up on a stool and always looked like he was having the time of his life. Always the dapper dresser, tonight he wore a white blazer with a white cap, his signature mustache in tact.
All in all the Slackers played about two hours plus an encore that included a ska version of Like A Virgin — much improved from the original in my humble opinion although I kept singing Weird Al’s version, Like A Surgeon in my head.
The Slackers are always a pleasure to watch and listen to and I count them as one of my favorite bands. They never disappoint. The rest of the Slackers are, Ara Babajian – drums, Jay Nugent – guitar & Dave Hillyard – saxophone.
Prior to the Slackers was The Sentiments. Hailing from Portland, OR, this 10-piece played a variety of ska, rock steady and I detected even a hint of bluesy jazz. Fronted by the very charismatic Erin Wallace on lead vocals, she sang like a song bird but with guts and luster. Besides the vocals of Erin, this band had a top notch horn section (Christian Lyons (trumpet), Abby Bohannan (sax), Paul Howard (sax), Mike Anderly (trombone)). The sound was so impeccable I could hear every instrument individually and the Sentiments are top notch musicians. The remaining Sentiments are, Ryan Bassie (bass, guitar, vocals), Tadd Enright (guitar, sax), Mike Birenbaum (piano/organ, vocals), Newel Briggs (guitar), Matt Griffin (drums. The Sentiments are very worth checking out for anyone who enjoys ska, jazz, or just fine musicianship.
Opening the night was Seattle’s own Georgetown Orbits. Although they’ve gone through several personnel changes over the last five years, they’re still a fun band. Now containing two members of Natalie Wouldn’t (Mike Ayer on trombone & Sean Jensen on sax), these guys play a lively rendition of a more pop oriented ska. This time Mike came on stage wearing shoes but quickly shed them in favor of playing in his typical barefoot style. When not blowing their respective horns, Mike and Adam Bruno (trumpet) tried to outdo each other with dance moves, which was as much fun to watch as it was fun to listen to the entire band play.
The remainder of the current lineup of Georgetown Orbits is, Orion Anderson – Guitar | Cale Wilcox – Bass | Timmy Conroy – Keys/Vocals | Harald Bell – Drums.
Another great night of ska went down in Seattle and what a night it was.
– Photos property of Holly Homan, all rights reserved.
