On a smoky Saturday night I ventured to Seattle’s Pioneer Square to a club I used to frequent often thirty years ago, the Central Tavern. This 100 plus-year-old tavern was hosting a night of local ska starring Mister Blank (with former members of the now defunct It Gets Worse). As I’ve mentioned, James Sweazea (bass, lead vocals) is the perpetual class clown (though the other members are no slouches in the class clown department). This is a lively band. On top of all the emoting done by James, the horn section keeps busy moving about when they aren’t tooting their respective horns. Sadly it was trombonist Andrew Adams last gig. He’s moving to sunnier skies. I will miss his onstage antics and his signature Russian Viking hat (for lack of a better description). New guitarist Kyle Lever fit right in in the hamming up department as well as providing really strong licks.
The band took turns telling really corny (by my standards and my standards are really low) jokes and at the end of their set, half the horn section jumped off stage and danced with audience members without missing a note on their respective horns. Said audience members were only too happy to oblige them. It had been several months since I last saw Mister Blank and am happy to have trekked out to see them. The remainder of Mister Blank is, JR Sorrells – Drums, Frank Smith – Tenor Sax, Samuel Trowbridge – Trumpet. Peter Fink – Trombone, and Ryan Mays – Keyboard (who wore a white sailor’s hat and black striped shirt).
Playing prior to Mister Blank was another local ska favorite, Simple Minded Symphony. I refer to them as the baby band because they are babies. I doubt any of them are even 25. I also think they should get the award for most charismatic band in Seattle because they ooze charisma and congeniality. Musically they just keep getting better and I never thought that was possible because they’re pretty accomplished for being babies. They showcased some new material, but this meant they had to leave out some old favorites like their pirate song (insert frownie emoji). Simple Minded Symphony is, Kevin Silveira – Bass, Vocals, Charisma, Kaine Benson – Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lead Screams, Josh Servania – Drums, Cymbals, Tasteful Egg Shaker.Jason Kincy – Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Backing Vocals, Melody Wizard, Caleb Fox – Trombone, Chill Dude, Patrick Maxwell – Trumpet, Former Viking, Josh Willey – Trumpet, Rocket Leaguer
Sean Potocsnak – Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Vibraslap.
Both bands have new recordings out and I highly recommend any ska fans check out their web sites and purchase some. Support your local music scene.
https://www.misterblankband.com/
http://simplemindedsymphony.wixsite.com/simplemindedsymphony
https://deadsonics.bandcamp.com/
Unfortunately I arrived late (I couldn’t resist photographing the sunset) so I missed Dead Sonics. Hopefully I’ll have an opportunity to catch them in the near future. The name alone drives my curiosity.
– All photos property of Holly Homan, all rights reserved.
