2013 UMS Band Interviews #5

Snake Rattle Rattle Snake

Where/ When are you playing for the UMS?

Saturday July 20th at the Hi-Dive (11:00pm)

 

In twenty-five words or less, describe what somebody who has never heard of your band might expect from your performance at UMS this year.

Loud, dark, beat-driven, hypnotic. Hair, growls, head-bobbing. New songs, new energy, heart.


What was the first music you remember using your own money to buy?

 Wilson Helmericks---Busta Rhymes "Woo Hah" cassingle.

Andrew Warner---The Cure Head on the Door cassette (at the Lakeside Mall!)

Adam Shaffner---Weezer Blue Album

Doug Spencer---The Bartman cassingle.

Hayley Helmericks---Sleater-Kinney Dig Me Out

What has been your favorite album of 2013 so far?
Toro Y Moi Anything in Return

Kurt Vile Walkin on A Pretty Daze

Daft Punk Random Access Memories

Adrian Younge presents The Delfonics

Tjutjuna Westerner

Do you have any advice for new bands?

No.

Have you planned out who you want to see at UMS this year? Who are some of your highlights?
Hi-Dive all day and night Saturday July 20, Miss America, Dirty Few, Samurai Buck and Echo Beds.

If you've been to UMS before, what three words would you use to describe it?

Off-the-cuff.

What has been your most memorable experience at UMS to date?

HH---Watching Doug sing "The Boys Are Back in Town" on the karaoke stage in front of 3 Kings while in disguise, 2012.
AW---3:00am zombie weed-chew crawl, 2011.
WH---Salt Lake City's Night Sweats blowing people's minds at the 404, 2011.
AS---Jeff Suthers solo acoustic at Kozo, 2010.

DS---Munly and The Lupercalians at Hi-Dive, 2011. So spooky, so awesome.

Any tips you'd like to give the novices for making the UMS experience even better?
Eat! Don't fall prey to FOMS (fear of missing something)! Take Monday off!

Is there any place you're looking forward to eating during UMS?
Senor Burrito's, Pie Hole and Illegal Pete's.

What is your favorite shop on South Broadway?
Ironwood and Lu Jac's.

Who is your all time favorite Colorado band?

AW---Phantom Trigger, Moonspeed.

AS---Bright Channel, Moccasin, Shogun.

DS---The Tarmints.

HH---Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Matson Jones.

WH---Monofog, Fucking Orange.

You're working the counter at Twist & Shout, and a customer is interested in expanding his music collection.  What three albums would you recommend?
Talk Talk Laughing Stock

Fugazi The Argument

Liars They Were Wrong So We Drowned

Patrick Dethlefs

Where/ When are you playing for the UMS? Saturday July 20th at 6pm at the South 

Broadway Christian Church

In twenty-five words or less, describe what somebody who has never heard of your band might expect from your performance at UMS this year.

It will be a nice relaxing way to roll into the Saturday evening of UMS and if you've never been to the church its a beautiful spot and a must see.

What was the first music you remember using your own money to buy?

I remember having a Queen cassette in my room because I loved The Mighty Ducks movies so much.

What has been your favorite album of 2013 so far?

Rooms by Paper Bird is great, really looking forward to Gregory Alan Isakov's new release

Do you have any advice for new bands?

play, play, play

Have you planned out who you want to see at UMS this year? Who are some of your highlights?

Princess Music, Esme Patterson, Tyler Lee Holter and many more!

If you've been to UMS before, what three words would you use to describe it?

Hot, loud, fun

What has been your most memorable experience at UMS to date?

I really liked Joe Sampson’s all day event last year on the Irish Rover roof top

Any tips you'd like to give the novices for making the UMS experience even better?

sunscreen, water and make a loose plan of what you want to see

Is there any place you're looking forward to eating during UMS?

Maybe at the new illegal pete’s, or there’s always sputnik

What is your favorite shop on South Broadway?

Gosh.. Sweet Action is great, Ironwood is up there too

Who is your all time favorite Colorado band?

Just one?! Nathaniel Rateliff

You're working the counter at Twist & Shout, and a customer is interested in expanding his music collection.  What three albums would you recommend?

The Staves - Dead & Born & Grown, Damien Jurado - Maraqopa , Anais Mitchell - Young Man in America

CRL CRRLL

Where/ When are you playing for the UMS?

Saturday July 20th at Compound Basix @4PM 21+ spot 

In twenty-five words or less, describe what somebody who has never heard of your band might expect from your performance at UMS this year.

Intimate something to sit back vibe enjoy the soundscape and visuals to.

What was the first music you remember using your own money to buy?

My own money I believe was a Micheal Jackson album but you know I don't think it was a full album now that I think of it and it was a cassette tape… First album I remember enjoying and listening to over and over was Dr Dre's The Chronic. 

What has been your favorite album of 2013 so far?

So far I couldn't say... Portugal the man album was pretty good and yessus was a little different still have another half year to go… 

Do you have any advice for new bands?

Rock the fCK out where every you play and make sure you're enjoying it or what's the point.

Have you planned out who you want to see at UMS this year? Who are some of your highlights?

I kind of just show up and bounce around sometimes its better you catch acts you haven't heard that kill it. 

If you've been to UMS before, what three words would you use to describe it?

Holy! FCking! Shit! 

What has been your most memorable experience at UMS to date?

The centennial’s house party and the artist lounge getting completely smashed! The Nationals came one year and killed it i'll always remember that one. 

Any tips you'd like to give the novices for making the UMS experience even better?

Enjoy all the acts you can and tell everyone you know about it. Festivals like his are diamonds in the rough.

Is there any place you're looking forward to eating during UMS?

I’ll prob stop in Sputnik for a grilled cheese it's too bad el diablos is closed down!

What is your favorite shop on South Broadway? 

Speakeasy is cool but there's an antique shop across the street that has done pretty cool Ish. 

Who is your all time favorite Colorado band?

My all time fave Colorado band... Earth Wind and Fire…?…… I don't know really I'd prob say the Epilogues, The Photo Atlas, Take To The Oars we had some good times with those guys that’s our fam.  

You're working the counter at Twist & Shout, and a customer is interested in expanding his music collection.  What three albums would you recommend?

Cinematic because that album has so many good records on it. 

What ever I put out in the next few months because it's me..!lol

And something random and local because there is a lot of good music coming out of this city right now! 

Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know?

I think everyone should take an alley walk during the UMS take a nap on an abandon

couch and drink a warm beer. 

  

SF1

 Where/ When are you playing for the UMS? 

The crew and I are playing July 20, 2013 at the Compound Basix

In twenty-five words or less, describe what somebody who has never heard of your band might expect from your performance at UMS this year.

A high-energy production with dance breaks and grooves that make you want to shake what your mama gave ya! You won’t want to miss it!

What was the first music you remember using your own money to buy?

I would have to say a Santana album at the Virgin Records that used to be in the Denver Pavilions

What has been your favorite album of 2013 so far?

 SF1’s Inamorata!!!!! But other than my own project, I would say Fall Out Boy’s Save Rock and Roll

Do you have any advice for new bands?

In the words of Miss Frizzle, Take chances, make mistakes and get messy! It is how you learn in this business. Have immense passion for the craft and work hard on your skill. Network and continue to meet new people everyday, they are your potential customers. And study the business side of the industry. If you do not know the business, then you tend to get burned. Don’t get burned!

Have you planned out who you want to see at UMS this year? Who are some of your highlights?

I had the opportunity of seeing “Shel” in Ft. Collins this summer so I am excited to see them again. Other than that I am truly excited to see and support my fellow musicians in this music scene.

If you've been to UMS before, what three words would you use to describe it?

Exhilarating, Disneyland for Musicians, Overwhelming (In a great way!)

What has been your most memorable experience at UMS to date?

Performing with Bop Skizzum on a work night at Midnight…All worth it of course!

Is there any place you're looking forward to eating during UMS?

I am pretty fond of the Hornet, so probably there!

What is your favorite shop on South Broadway?

There are way too many to choose just one!

Who is your all time favorite Colorado band?

Bop Skizzum

You're working the counter at Twist & Shout, and a customer is interested in expanding his music collection.  What three albums would you recommend?  

Prince Purple Rain Outkast Stankonia and Goapele Change It All

The Kinky Fingers

Where/ When are you playing for the UMS?

We're playing a "rock" showcase at Brendan's 404 Thursday 7/18 @ 8pm 

In twenty-five words or less, describe what somebody who has never heard of your band might expect from your performance at UMS this year.

We're going Santa Fe Surfin' 

What was the first music you remember using your own money to buy?

It was either The Temptations, 20th Century Masters or it was an album called Nellyville. The one where he's got that mean bandaid under his eye!

What has been your favorite album of 2013 so far?

Hung at Heart by The Growlers. 

Do you have any advice for new bands?

Play with anyone and everyone. Develop a strong backbone.

Have you planned out who you want to see at UMS this year? Who are some of your highlights?

Not sure, I’d like to see some western swing and country though. 

If you've been to UMS before, what three words would you use to describe it?

Bands, beer, babes

What has been your most memorable experience at UMS to date?

Any tips you'd like to give the novices for making the UMS experience even better?

Is there any place you're looking forward to eating during UMS?

Brendans 404! 

What is your favorite shop on South Broadway? 

The Hornet fur sure!

Who is your all time favorite Colorado band?

DeVotchka hands down.

You're working the counter at Twist & Shout, and a customer is interested in expanding his music collection.  What three albums would you recommend?

Are You In or Are You Out? The Growlers

Sam Cooke Live at Harlem Square Club Sam Cooke

and of course

Make You Happy The Kinky Fingers 

Snake Rattle Rattle Snake live at Twist and Shout 8/16/11

Last night we had the pleasure of hosting an in-store performance with one of my favorite local bands Snake Rattle Rattle Snake.  In celebration of their new release Sineater 150 loyal fans packed our vinyl room for a great free show.  The band played a few songs while the crowd enjoyed a keg of beer from our friends at Great Divide.  The whole evening was an exiting time for us because we have been looking forward to this in-store for months.  Few bands get as much praise yet still maintain a humble and sweet demeanor.  This band may have a rockstar quality but they were a true pleasure to work with. The music has a hint of darkness with some truly danceable rhythms and this new album captures all of the energy in their live performances.  The band will be touring soon and I hope that you all are able to catch this exciting new band.  I see big things in Snake Rattle Rattle Snake's future, and I look forward to the day where I can say "I told you so!".

http://www.snakerattlerattlesnake.com/

-Natasha

Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, July 22nd - 25th

It’s taken the whole week for some of us to recover from the four days of non-stop action that constituted the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, which just wrapped up its tenth (and by most accounts, best) year of events this past Sunday. Several members of the staff went to check out – or perform at - the weekend’s overload of music that took place along South Broadway from July 22^nd – 25^th. The overarching story here is that the festival, which concentrates on the best locally grown talent Colorado has to offer, has so many concerts and activities going on that there’s no way for one person to take it all in. You’re busy hearing something at the Skylark while someone else you desperately want to see is hitting the stage at Club 404, and by the time you zip over there to see them, you’re missing someone else at the main outdoor stage, so you run back to hear the tail end of that set and notice on the schedule that you just missed somebody else at the Hi-Dive altogether. And meanwhile, you’re hoofing it up and down Broadway, running into friends from bands, friends who love local music, and friends who are simply in the area to check out the scene. It’s all a hell of a lot of fun, and we thought we’d give a few different takes on the festival to give you a taste of what went down – and of course your own story could be completely different. (To illustrate the difference between our stories and someone else's, please check out the photographs of the whole festival by John Moore here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/umsdenver?v=photos&ref=ts)

Patrick’s take –

In the past I’ve avoided this festival on the grounds that it turns my neighborhood (I live in Baker) into a traffic-y, loud, drunken circus for a weekend. Of course when you get a pass and can do whatever you want, it takes on a different character where it’s all about the fun and the music and the scene, not the noise and foot traffic. I ran myself around a lot for this. Thursday I DJed at Delite and played a nice little set, if I may say so myself. Cooled it for the rest of the night with friends. Friday was mellow because Thursday ended up running awfully late for me. Saw Lilly Scott (that girl who was on American Idol) perform solo at the Walnut Room Pizzeria and ended up talking with her mom quite a bit because she worked with my stepfather; then skipped over around the corner from my house to catch a DJ set from James Pants, who records on the Stones Throw label and has imminent plans to move to Denver. Lilly was in front of a mostly appreciative crowd (though some were just there for pizza), and Pants put on a great show – he’s not just up there intently spinning records and ignoring the crowd, he’s playing percussion, singing occasionally, interacting with the crowd, and jumping around and dancing to entertain you, not just subject you to his taste in music. Saturday I went out a bit more – caught Lilly again playing with her band Varlet, who are about to embark on an East Coast tour, and chatted a little. Who knows - maybe I can get them to do an in-store out of this? After her set, I literally turned around to watch Snake Rattle Rattle Snake – one of the big buzz bands of the festival. I know some of these guys but the only time I’ve seen them in the past was at a Meadowlark show where so many of my friends were there that I ended up chatting throughout most of the set (sorry if you were around and I bugged you) so I was intent on concentrating on the music this time out. But alas, it was not to be. This festival is about so much more than the music – it’s about a music community, an active local scene, a bunch of local businesses working together, and a festival celebrating not just this band or that band as a “headliner,” but about the entire culture of support around the music in the city – and it’s kind of inspiring. That said, I had at least a dozen different friends come up to say hi during the course of their set, which makes close concentration tough. Oh well, they were playing Sunday too. Took a break and then headed over to see Joshua Novak perform at the garden of an architecture firm(!) with Patrick Meese sitting right near and listening in closely as well. Great singing from this guy whose album is coming out very soon. Sunday was a little lower key – lots of going out for this took its toll a bit – but I still managed to catch a couple things in the evening. Former Twister Robert Rutherford (whose excellent Backlog music blog can be found here: http://godonnybrook.com/home/?cat=3169) spun some records at the Sputnik and I checked his set out while eating some nice dinner, then bounced over to the Skylark to catch Oblio’s Arrow (another Twister in there on stage), a six-piece, country influenced band I haven’t seen since they were Oblio Duo, and they’ve made some real strides in songwriting and performance for sure. Capped the night off by taking another shot at Snake Rattle Rattle Snake at the packed blast oven that was 3 Kings Tavern. I really got to listen here and they were great, even if I decided to call it a night/weekend before their set was fully over. Next year, I’m definitely going back. Major props to all the organizers, musicians, technicians, and other folks who made this happen!

Doug’s take –

The UMS is probably my favorite summer festival in Denver. In the heat of July you can wander over a small area and see a huge amount of music and drink your heart’s content. A fifty-dollar pass to see music from Thursday night all the way through Sunday is a great price. I saw Snake Rattle Rattle Snake on the outdoor stage, I also saw the Polkanauts cover Kiss's “God Of Thunder,” a Burlesque show, and much, much, more. I didn't even have a schedule, I gave myself up to the whims of others I was with. Wandering by a bar with something that sounded good might tell you whether or not to check it out. My friends saw a great band set up on the sidewalk running power guerrilla style from a Middle Eastern restaurant on Friday night. I have to say that my favorite part of the festival was just hanging out with my friends, running into different people and checking out random acts.
For those in need of more structure schedules were available and all of the venues are maybe five minutes away from each other. It also seems like the scope is expanding - this year I heard of comedy and burlesque. Awesome job to the organizers, let's keep it growing, let's keep it affordable, and fun!

Natasha’s take –
I am still nursing the hangover from a long and glorious UMS weekend. Four days of indie music bliss has never felt so good. I go every year, and I would even consider myself a bit of a music festival veteran. But the last few days stood out as one of the best times I have had at a music fest. The lineup this year was really good, in fact it may have been too good. I feel like I missed more than I saw, it was impossible to be at every stage and see every band I wanted to see.

Like many of these festivals that showcase local music I am forced to choose between the known and unknown, and so I tried to make a point of not just going to see friends and associates. This year I saw a few bands I had never seen before like Roger Roll, the Omens and the Blackout. For me the best band was Munly and the Lupercalians, I wish I could see them perform every month. It was also great to see Snake Rattle Rattle Snake twice, I wish I lived in that band’s practice space so I could see them all the time. I was surprised at myself by how much I enjoyed the burlesque at 3 Kings, and must admit I will be going to that again.

My lasting impression from this weekend at the UMS was that Denver may be the friendliest city I have ever lived in. All throughout the Underground Music Showcase I was greeted by old friends, people I have met through Twist & Shout, awesome musicians, the UMS staff that made this weekend so amazing… but best part of the social aspect was all of the great people I met for the first time. Normally I just want to lurk in the shadows (and I did) but even in the shadows there were smiling faces and warm hearts that made me feel happy I chose Denver as my home. All of us music lovers were so thrilled to be a part of this event that we endured some sweltering sauna-like conditions just to hear good tunes.

Alf's take -

When faced with a buffet with 300 items on it, perhaps it's not surprising that sometimes people take comfort in the familiar. I definitely was guilty of that Saturday at the UMS. I sought out and watched sets by bands I'd seen before (Northern Way) and others I'd not seen but were quite familiar with (the Rouge). But I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. Seeing some bands I was familiar with helped recalibrate me, and kept me from feeling like I was stuck in some foreign country. And besides that, both sets were excellent and really enjoyable. It was strange seeing the Northern Way playing on a tiny stage attached to the back of a truck (the last place I saw them? A sold out show at the Gothic), but in a sense, it was fun to see them in a new setting.

I never did catch anything less than intriguing. One Wolf, a band from Texas (I think?) did a pleasant if unremarkable set at a bar, but it provided a chance to sit, rehydrate, and recharge our batteries. Tim Pourbaix performed solo and acoustic, raining down his folky-indie rock onto mainly confused pizza parlor patrons. And, unusually for me, I was at one of those "you-gotta-check-out" events - Snake Rattle Rattle Snake. They performed their nearly unidentifiable hodgepodge of musical forms (electro rock meets indie with prog and jam and Janis Joplin-filtered blues...kinda?) confidently in front of a large and appreciative crowd. And it was fun picking out all the "scenesters" - or, at least, the ones I can recognize on sight - enjoying the set in the audience.

As much as I enjoyed the show, and as much as I loved the company, I did decide that perhaps the UMS is a show to experience solo. With upwards of ten bands playing at any given time, it's helpful to be able to watch one performance and think "OK, got it, let's go check out something else" without having to check with everybody else in your party if that's OK. Even if they DO say it's OK, you don't want to be the one dictating the schedule. Next time, I think I'll go solo, with just a bottle of water, a set of earplugs and a sturdy pair of walking shoes for company.