Westword Music Showcase 2004

To borrow some logic from members of the dearly departed and much-loved Five Iron Frenzy, welcome to our newest Westword Music Showcase ever! Each year we blather on about how "this year's event is bigger and better than ever," and while historically it's always been true -- since the Showcase debuted in 1995, each year's event has been markedly bigger and better than the previous year's -- we're not making that claim again this year. Not exactly. Yes, the 2004 Westword Music Showcase is definitely the biggest yet. But the best? Like the decision on the Westword Showcase award winners, we're leaving that judgment call up to you. God knows, we're proud as hell of this year's version, our tenth, and we've done everything possible to make sure that it's our best ever, from adding new venues to scheduling like-minded acts in specific rooms. For instance, electronic enthusiasts will be in heaven upstairs at the Church, where some of the area's finest DJs will throw down; downstairs in the same building, metalheads will be in for a hell of a good time. With the quality and quantity of acts on this year's lineup -- fifty of Mootown's best and brightest, nearly double the number at last year's Showcase, as well as special performances by the VIOLENT FEMMES and Josh Wink -- you'll wish you could clone yourself in order to see them all.

ANTIK
NOMINATED IN PUNK
5 P.M., SERENGETI

And you are...?
Antik: Sean, CJ, Cody and Adam.

Website?
www.antiksucks.com

How long has your act been together?
One year in August.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
2004 Vans Warped Tour.

Recent recordings of note?
"Alone" single.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Sean: Dish Network; CJ: Planet Honda; Cody works with his dad; and Adam is a waiter.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
750.

Favorite places to play?
Fox Theatre, Boulder.

Why music?
Extremely friendly and professional staff. Best group ever worked with.

If not music, what else?
Cars!!

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Last Ride

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
At our show at the Ogden with Ion, Misunderstood and the Commodes, the crowd was off the hook. They were stage-diving, getting in fights, crowd-surfing and more. Definitely a sight to see. Play it safe, kids!

Worst gig?
May 29 at the Gothic Theatre. NIPP's new security for that place sucked. Totally disrespectful.

What do you love about the local scene?
The scene is getting huge! It's awesome to watch all the bands blow up in Denver and even at national levels.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Too much trash-talking. If a performer or artist is getting recognized, there is always someone that has to bang them for it.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Some people say that the bandmembers are extremely full of themselves. In fact, we are not at all. Hence the name: antiksucks.com. If you meet each one of us, you will see we are very friendly, caring guys.

Any random facts we should know?
Vote for us on Lollapalooza!!

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncos.

Parting shot/final comments?
Cement Mixer...ahhh, love the taste.

APOSTLE
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP
10 P.M., OPAL

And you are . . .?
Jeff Campbell, aka Apostle.

Website?
www.coloradohiphop.org

How long has your act been together?
I am a solo artist. I've been spittin' rhymes since I was fourteen years old, in 1984. I was first published in 1994, so I guess you can say a decade.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
I attended the National Hip-Hop Convention in Newark, New Jersey, as the state chair for Colorado.

Recent recordings of note?
New album coming soon, entitled Intelligent Movement.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
I'm the executive director of the Colorado Hip-Hop Coalition.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
6,000 in 1999 at Reggae on the Rocks. (In 1984, as a breakdancer at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, I performed in front of 15,000.)

Favorite places to play?
Club Triology in Boulder; Soiled Dove in LoDo; Cervantes'; and Red Sea in Portland.

Why music?
It inspired me so much in my life. Stevie Wonder helped me learn to read. It was what moved me at a very early age.

If not music, what else?
Community organizing.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Mos Jef, Short Man's Complex, JRS-One and One Pac.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
In 2000, at Southwest Plaza Mall, Borders Books Coffee and Music: I had some little sixteen-year-old girl dance with me, and I pissed off her parents.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
I met a Vietnam Vet who was only 5'10" -- but had size 13 1/2 shoes.

Worst gig?
At the Chief Theater in Pueblo in 1995. The host of the event introduced me as the "Ass Pistol."

What do you love about the local scene?
The incredible talent.

What bugs you about the local scene?
No sense of community.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That I've retired. Don't call it a comeback -- the new joint is on fire!

Any random facts we should know?
The new album, featuring KRS-One and Stero Lion and produced by Heavyweight Dub Champion, is some of my best work.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Favorite Colorado athlete: Amy Van Dyken.

Parting shot/final comments?
Hip-hop in Colorado keeps getting better. Suckas trying to X me out, but they can't circumvent the real deal. I'm proud of my age, my accomplishments and the mistakes I've learned from. Stop talking shit. You know who you are. Let's build a community with this hip-hop. It ain't about a hot record; fuck a hot record. Live this. Peace.

BACKBONE VELVET
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL

And you are...?
Marri Jo, Backbone Velvet.

Website?
www.backbonevelvet.com (Our site is currently being updated and improved and will be current soon!)

How long has your act been together?
Three to three and a half years. Our first show was at the Cricket, on January 16, 2001.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Nominated for the Westword Music Showcase -- second year in a row now. We just played our third People's Fair, and our new live CD was just released.

Recent recordings of note?
New Backbone Velvet live CD.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Marri Jo, lead vocalist: Watsu Practitioner (a form of aquatic body work, working primarily with the disabled community); Johnny, guitarist: CAD tech; Chip, bassist: a hair designer working for Head West in Evergreen; and Laura, drums: accountant.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Packed house at Herman's.

Favorite places to play?
It's different for all of us: Johnny likes the Soiled Dove; Laura likes the Cricket. And Chip and I love playing up in Bailey at Chip's house, which we call the "Fairgrounds," after Chip's last name, which is Fair -- just up close and personal for our circle of friends.

Why music?
Johnny: "'Cause I got to!!" Laura: "It's my passion!" Chip: "Why not? It's always been there!" And me: As a gift to my family and friends.

If not music, what else?
Johnny: "Living on the beach!" Chip: "Gardening." Laura: "Therapy." And me: Watsu!

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Backbone Velvet was brought to us by Chip, and that was it! NEVER anything else; it just fit perfect.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
We played a great show at Herman's one night. After we were done, of course, the shots were flowing! A bit later, we were all frantically looking for Johnny. He was nowhere to be found. It later came to our attention that he was quite comfortable, passed out in the back of his own truck, right in front of the bar!

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
We have only played one gig outside of Denver. It was a wedding for our good friends outside of Cody, Wyoming. We rented a big RV, loaded it up with all of us, pulled in to their family gathering and proceeded to scare the hell out of his family. He had a lot of explaining to do to his parents, and we rocked out all night long, echoing throughout the canyon. Yes, we are all still friends.

Worst gig?
We haven't had any really bad gigs! Johnny had a night where he wasn't expecting an encore and forgot all his riffs -- and, well, basically the song. Laura had "tech" problems with her cymbals one night, and it was obvious throughout the show and recording. And Chip and I can't say we've really had any bad gigs. We get something out of all of them.

What do you love about the local scene?
Johnny likes just being a part of it. Chip likes the diversity of all the original music in Denver. And we all love the great support we receive from all the other musicians in town. We are truly blessed with great and very talented friends -- and so many other local bands!!

What bugs you about the local scene?
Johnny wishes there were more diverse clubs to play. Laura wishes there was a bigger focus on women in music.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Our name getting messed up. We are not BLackbone Velvet -- that would be used for a porno soundtrack or something! And we are not just a blues band or a classic-rock band.

Any random facts we should know?
We were great friends and in each other's lives for years before we ever decided to play together. This is a deep well we are all in here.

Avalanche or Broncos?
BOTH.

Parting shot/final comments?
Johnny: "Tequila -- thanks for thinking of us." Chip: "Scotch -- keep on rockin' in the free world!" Laura: "A slippery nipple -- heellllooo, Wisconsin!" And me: "A tequila body shot -- man, I love you guys! YOU ROCK!"

BLACK BLACK OCEAN
NOMINATED IN PUNK

And you are...?
Ryan Eason, Black Black Ocean.

Website?
www.blackblackocean.com

How long has your act been together?
Two years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Action Driver Records is putting out our new full-length, Eaglemaniac; CD-release show and mega raging party on July 9 at Rock Island.

Recent recordings of note?
Eaglemaniac.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Sold-out show at the Ogden, opening for someone -- however many people that was.

Favorite places to play?
Lemp Arts in St. Louis; Modified in Phoenix.

Why music?
Well, we can't all be bodybuilders.

If not music, what else?
Bodybuilding.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Lucifist, Seawolf!, Endangered Feces, Blood Face Knife Wound and Kitty Hearts.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
I had just returned from an interpretive-dance pilgrimage to Rio on a chilly Friday last November. Stephen had just returned from running smack to Berlin. We were both pretty wrecked. We had a show booked at a very secret warehouse that night. Jared and Quintin showed up very obviously on a higher plane of awareness, and when we all arrived at said warehouse, it was empty except for a very old man. He told us that we were the chosen, and then he felt our clothes and told us that they were odd. We then played some songs for him, and he laughed loudly and smoked copious amounts of high-grade opium.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Toledo, early 2003. Jared and myself had far too many vodka gimlets, and we decided it was high time to get buck naked. Apparently, so I learned later, Ohio has laws against standing on top of parked cars with your unspeakables on display. As soon as we saw the police coming, we both bolted naked through the streets. The bartender from the venue saved Jared, letting him slip into the back room. I ended up taking shelter in the car of a stranger. I borrowed her phone and got picked up thirty minutes later, during which time we made out. You: red Cavalier, Journey T-shirt, Young MC tape. Me: naked, drunk, confused. Maybe we could click?

Worst gig?
Are there bad gigs, or just bad words?

What do you love about the local scene?
Hot girls!

What bugs you about the local scene?
Hot girls.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
The biggest misconception about us would be that we write our own songs. Most people think that we do, but it's simply not true. We have a writer, a bigwig, some dude in L.A. named T that speaks nine languages, all dead. I've never met him.

Any random facts we should know?
Stephen can count to ten in Swahili. Jared can do a backflip off of a standard curb. Quintin won the Colorado state spelling bee when he was thirteen. Ryan can hold his breath for three minutes and thirty seconds.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncalanche

Parting shot/final comments?
Eaglemaniac release show and mega raging party on July 9 at Rock Island. Coloring contest, eagle costume contest, party favors, funny hats!

BLACK PEGASUS
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP
4 P.M., OPAL

And you are...?
Robert Houston II (Black Pegasus).

Website?
www.theblackpegasus.com

How long has your act been together?
I've been hustlin' rap for about six years now.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
I'm on that video game, NBA Jams 2. My music's on MTV. I'm on the new Madsoul mix tape, and I'm sponsored by Madsoul clothing and L-R-G.

Recent recordings of note?
My new album, Knuckle Up, is fully recorded and set to release with national and digital distribution in late September '04.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
No nine-to-five job! I'm a full-time rapper.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
I played in front of 1,000-plus people with Atmosphere. I've battled in front of 20,000 people at Fiddler's Green, in the 50 Cent/Jay-Z Rock the Mic battle. Holla.

Favorite places to play?
Strip clubs. Or the Gothic Theatre in Denver, the Fox in Boulder, the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins, 32 Bleu in Colorado Springs, Emo's Jr. in Austin. Bling-o-rama.

Why music?
'Cause anybody can relate to music.

If not music, what else?
If not music, I'd be a pimp.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Billy Blanks Taebo Squad.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
Well, I'm light-skinned brown. And I did a show with Redman and Method Man in Colorado Springs at the City Auditorium. Some drunk chick thought I was Redman, 'cause of my skin tone, I guess, and jumped on stage took off her top, then started grindin' on me -- small highlight of my career.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
The weirdest story can be found on my DVD, in stores now!

Worst gig?
In San Antonio, Texas. I was on tour with Immortal Technique, and some racist cops pulled us over after our show, then illegally searched our car and arrested my brother/hype man "Trigga" for having an unloaded, registered firearm. On top of that, he had a permit to carry it, too. But I guess that didn't matter. We'll see them in court. I hate pork.

What do you love about the local scene?
The fans that support what we do!! Brass knuckles!!

What bugs you about the local scene?
Shady promoters and no big radio airplay. But it's all good. Just have to grind a li'l bit harder.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Who cares? You either like us or you don't. Oh, yeah, I'm not in a band. I'm a solo rapper.

Any random facts we should know?
I'm 24, single with no kids!

Avalanche or Broncos?
BRONCOS!!!!!!

Parting shot/final comments?
Thanks to all the fans and supporters: Base Jase, Blizz, Trigga, 3 Deep, Jason Swartz, 1190 AM, 90.5 FM, and everyone who has helped us on the way. Holla.

BOP SKIZZUM
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL
8 P.M., LA RUMBA

And you are...?
Bop Skizzum: Andy Guerrero, guitar and vocals; Serafin Sanchez, sax and keys; Joe Ferrone, trumpet; Charley Hine, lead guitar; Jimmy Stofer, bass.

Website?
www.bop-skizzum.com

How long has your act been together?
I (Andy) started the group back in 1999. We went through various lineup changes over the years, but the core of the band has been playing together for about three years. Serafin joined in 2001, along with Christian, then Joe a year later, followed by Jimmy and Charley in early 2003.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
We finally released our first full-length album, Waiting For, which took us about a year to put out. So please go buy our record. We helped to premiere a local TV show called The Noise Floor, which focuses on the local music scene here in Denver and Colorado. That was screened at our CD-release show at the Gothic Theatre, along with Love.45 and our homeboys, the Fray. And the biggest feat is being nominated for best Funk/Soul band in this year's Westword Music Awards.

Recent recordings of note?
Waiting For.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Andy: I run my own postering and promotions business, working for NIPP and putting up posters for other local bands in town. Serafin: full-time student at CU and gives saxophone lessons at Wheat Ridge High, along with helping instruct the Pomona marching band. Charley: works for REI making backpacks. Joe: teaches trumpet to kids in DPS on the weekends and was just accepted into the Air Force Falcons' jazz band. Jimmy: barbacks at the Dark Horse Saloon in Boulder and is a full-time student at UCD. Josh: works for a textile delivery company.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
1,000 people or so in Fort Collins with G. Love and Special Sauce and Flogging Molly.

Favorite places to play?
The Gothic Theatre.

Why music?
Because we live and breathe it. We've lived and breathed it our whole lives and can't see living our lives without it. It's what keeps all of us going day in and day out, in one way or another.

If not music, what else?
Haven't given that enough thought. Music has always been the first choice. We're all hoping that it's going to work out.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
We kind of stumbled onto Bop Skizzum. I can't think of the other names. Oh, wait, I think I first named the band Felix, but it was already taken by some band in Austin. We decided on Bop Skizzum because we didn't want to be strapped into playing only one style of music. Although we are primarily a funk band, we wanted a name that people could remember and that allowed us to play rock, hip-hop, reggae, Latin -- whatever we wanted. So the Funky Funkinaters was overruled.

What do you love about the local scene?
I love the fact that almost everybody in this town knows at least two or three people who are in some kind of band. There are really only about three degrees of separation from each band in town. Somebody knows somebody, and I think that's awesome! Also, the fact that more and more people are being turned on to the awesome music scene we've got here.

What bugs you about the local scene?
The fact that some bands try to play rock star and don't support other bands in town. Very few people in bands actually take the time to go see other bands in town. There seems to be a tight-knit community in the indie-rock and punk-rock scene. But more funk bands need to see indie bands. More metal bands need to go check out the hip-hop band. And hip-hop bands need to check out rock bands, etc. Get out there and see how awesome other bands who don't play your style of music are. We try to get out and see a lot of different groups. Get out there and see your peers.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That our band name is Bob Skizzum, not Bop Skizzum. And that we are a ska band. Love ska, but we are not a ska band. Also not a jam band. We funk and we rock. It can be done.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Who cares? Sports get enough attention in this town.

Parting shot/final comments?
Get out and support local music. They're are tons of great bands in this town. So instead of seeing a movie, go see a real, live rock band. If you're going to the bar, go to a bar that has a live band. And please buy our record -- it is really, really good. Last, and most important, get out there and vote not only for the showcase, but for a new president. Let's get Bush out of the office he never should have had in the first place! Make sure all your friends are registered to vote, and don't blow off voting this November. The future of our nation depends on you, the rock-and-roll public!

BRAD UPTON QUARTET
NOMINATED IN JAZZ/SWING

BREAK MECHANICS
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP
6 P.M., LA RUMBA

And you are...?
Break Mechanics: Q Burse, vocals; PAAS, vocals; Low, vocals; Daren Hahn, drums; Greg Raymond, keys; and Casy Sidwell, bass.

How long has the act been together?
About a year and a half.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Q Burse is releasing his solo CD, Q Burse Is...the Timeless Child, on Fanbass Recordings.