Music? Review? You decide, then play.

Music? Review? You decide, then play.

You know, I never get asked, “Shepherd Siegel, the world knows you as an intergalactically recognized artist…but what are you REALLY like?” Nope, never been asked that.

Well, I just live life by three simple rules. Yours may look a little different, but I think you’ll get the idea. In fact, I’d love to hear what YOUR Three Simple Rules to Live By are.

1. When you’re walking down the street and you see some kind of monkey just sitting on a swing, go ahead and give that monkey a little push.

2. Have warm and meaningful conversations with your friends

And 3, Join in with Big Stuffed Bears that Dance to The Moondogies.

[no dadgummit, I couldn’t get it to rotate. Turn head to the right.]

The Ballard Seafoodfest put some fine acts on a pretty well-appointed stage. Four of ‘em on Sunday July 14. The Dusty 45s, who have been on the scene for over 20 years, have a tight show built straight from the DNA of Americana roots and rockabilly. Lead singer Billy Joe Huels is pretty damn good at it, and that’s how you want to kick things off, with a shoot ‘em up fun-lovin’ band. Yes, the flaming trumpet was featured. The Dusty’s set the tone for the evening. And every act—The Dusty 45’s > Carrie Akre > Pickwick > The Moondoggies—as different as they were, featured quality singing. Here be them Dusty 45s.

And what a singer is Carrie Akre. We got a sonic assault of great material from her early 90s Seattle band Goodness. Akre is a Seattle grunge essential, a powerful songwriter, singer, and bandleader tearing through material that is almost 30 years old. It was a true blast from the past, with a different band. But material that might as well have been Nirvana’s jolted us right back into that grunge lightning storm. Given how long ago this stuff was shaking up the world, when we visit it now…grunge joins the ranks of other ‘oldies’ bands. And there’s nothing wrong with that. We all remembered,oh yeah, I love this stuff.  Perhaps Goodness’ most iconic song, Superwise.

 Pickwick’s been making records since 2013. I saw them do an in-store at ye olde record shoppe in 2017. They were real good then, but in 2019…well, they’ve come a long way, almost perfecting a soulful sound, influenced by the likes of Memphis Soul and various rock sources, and pulling off a pretty great vocal mix and a tight and unique band sound. I got realexcited, even dripped mustard from my hot dog onto my shirt (dammit!). the live mix was getting better with each act, so the fun factor was growing. I’d mos’ def’ like to hear what Pickwick can put down into the tracks of their next recording. Here’re two goodies:  Turncoat and Hacienda Motel.

But the night’s honors have to go to the headlining Moondoggies. The beauty of their sound is discovered through their influences, not least of all John Lennon and The Doors, but that said they lean heavily into a country groove and overall play exactly like a 1960s rock band, running through very familiar rock permutations, chords, progressions and sounds, and rarely if ever bringing in any kind of an updated feature. Because they accomplish this in such an unaffected way, they achieve an authenticity that is fresh and not derivative, soulful and heartfelt and not precious. Rock my soul, Moondoggies!

Oh, and by the way, I’ll be hanging out in public and talking ‘bout Disruptive Play, NOTkind of like Gary Busey NOT showing up at the West Seattle Street Fair (harrumph!!!).

See you Wednesday, July 17, 4 PM at Barnes and Noble Downtown Seattle (600 Pine St), or Saturday, July 20, 1 PM at !ndigo Robson, Vancouver, BC (1033 Robson), or Sunday, July 21, 11 AM at !ndigo Granville, Vancouver, BC (2505 Granville). More at www.shepherdsiegel.com

Plant you now and dig you later!

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