Makers Tinge Their Intensity With Emotion On New Cd

You’ve got to love The Makers’ brazen sense of independence.

The members of this Spokane band have always done exactly what they wanted with little heed to what others thought. Certainly they’ve run headlong against the grain. And some might say they’ve not only ruffled a few feathers, but plucked entire flocks of fowl.

In their eight years together, The Makers have earned a reputation for being a headstrong lot. And now, on their fifth full-length album for Estrus Records, they’ve done that tradition proud.

Here, they’ve taken their tried-and-true style - the rambunctious garage rock for which they’ve gained respect around the world - and they’ve tweaked it with cunning abandon.

They’ve taken it down a notch in places. They’ve polished it up a bit here and there. They’ve created a few downright pretty songs. And for God’s sake, they put a spoken-word piece smack dab in the middle of the album.

Not exactly standard Makers material.

But it works. And it works well. The risks have paid off in a way that makes “Psychopathia Sexualis” not only their most interesting, but also likely their best album to date.

Don’t misunderstand, “Psychopathia Sexualis” is still The Makers. Singer Michael Maker’s voice still writhes with that sneering sexuality. The album still rumbles with the gutsy, swaggering rhythm section of bassist Donny Maker and drummer Jay Maker. And Jamie Maker still fires out his guitar riffs with blazing muscle.

“I listen to the album and it’s very different but it’s also so much the same,” Michael says. “It still has the same intensity I think. And that’s what I think people like about us - the intensity.”

The difference here is The Makers have stretched beyond the straight garage rock mode they conquered in previous albums and have moved into a more evolved state of music. The album explores a wider spectrum of moods, it delves far deeper emotionally. The style ranges further abroad than previous works and the music is simply more intricate.

“Our albums before were usually us trying to capture one singular emotion as opposed to this album,” Michael says. “Instead of a day in the life, this is more like a year in the life of The Makers.”

It was long-time Seattle producer Jack Endino who approached The Makers about working with them on their next album. At first it seemed an unusual request coming from Endino, the man behind albums from Nirvana, Tad and Seven Year Bitch. The Makers are, after all, in many ways, the anti-grunge band.

But for both parties, the partnering turned out to be a good choice. For Endino it was a way to break away from the grunge stereotype. And for The Makers it was a chance to take another chance.

On “Psychopathia Sexualis,” songs like “Lover Lover” and “Sicko Sexual” rock with a familiar fervor, but do so with a greater sense of sophistication. “Hotel 17” is tinged with a cool swing attitude. “God In the Palm of My Hand” is easy, rolling rock and roll flushed out with punchy guitar streaks and shoop-shoop backup vocals. For the lovely “Psychotropic Supergirl” former guitarist Tim Maker makes a guest appearance on Hammond organ.

Throughout the album, Michael puts his voice through a far wider dynamic range. He croons low and melancholic on “The Mystery” while “Deliver Your Disease” ends the album with buzzy pitches through feedback and wailed vocals.

The album takes an avant-guard turn mid-way through when Vic Mostly - The Makers manager (and brother to Don and Michael) - steps up to the microphone. “Vic’s Mood” is two of Mostly’s poems read atop each other and over the band’s schizophrenic musical meanderings.

The poetry is something most people advised The Makers not to include. Fortunately they ignored the naysayers because that bit gives “Psychopathia Sexualis” just the right quirky twist.

“No matter what happens I have no regrets,” Michael says, “because we did it the way we wanted to.”

The Makers celebrate the release of their new CD with a show at Ichabod’s North Wednesday. The Pills and Fur Burger open, starting at 9:30 p.m. Cover charge is $5.

Etc. etc.

East Coast pop punk staple Flatus brings its gastric-powered rock and roll to Ichabod’s North tonight. Hailing from New Jersey where it formed in 1988, the trio’s music ranges from Southern Cal-style hardcore to ‘50s-influenced rock and roll. They’re on tour in support of their latest album “Aural Fixations” on Black Pumpkin Records. From the honky tonk flavored song “Pavement” to the buzzy chug of “Walk My Way,” the album does a nice job mixing full-tilt guitar guts with catchy pop. Missoula band Prosciutto and E. Wenatchee’s Lopez open the show tonight. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover charge is $4.

Seattle foursome Fragile Jack also arrives in town tonight for a show in support of their new CD “National Bag.”

These guys mix rock and roll punch with bluegrass twang for a kinetic sound akin to that of Son Volt. “National Bag” - their first full-length CD - is lush with flourishes of slide guitar, mandolin and banjo. It moves waltz-like from the prettier, harmonica-laced “Thirsty Work” to the grittier country rock of “Cigarette Star.”

Fragile Jack plays the middle spot at Outback Jack’s tonight. Spokane’s Shrinking Violet headlines the show and The Fine Print open. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover charge is $4.

I stopped in Hobart’s Jazz Lounge last weekend. Talk about a classy joint. If you like good jazz and you like a cool atmosphere, this is a great place to go.

Tonight catch the Ron Eschete Trio from Los Angeles. The group plays bebop, standards, ballads and blues. Eschete is a master of the seven-string guitar (yes, seven strings) and has worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and Joe Pass. Todd Johnson, a Spokane native, plays a six-string bass for the group. The music starts at 9 p.m. Cover charge is $8.

Mem Shannon, the New Orleans cabbie turned award-winning blues musician, returns to Spokane Wednesday for a show at the Fort Spokane Brewery. After spending nearly 500,000 miles behind the wheel of a taxi cab, this songwriter definitely has some stories to sing about. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover charge is $4.

For the all-ages crowd, Spokane’s talented rock trio Greg performs tonight in Colville at the American Legion Hall on Sixth and Main. The show starts at 8 p.m. Greg is joined by Smash Velvet. Cover charge is $4.

Paying our respects

We’d like to take a moment to note the passing of John Keogh. Keogh was one of the founders of and the charismatic front man for Stagecoach West, a popular country/variety band that has performed around Spokane for 25 years. Keogh died last month from cancer.

Stagecoach West went into semi-retirement a year and a half ago when Keogh became ill. Four members continued as the band Serenade. But now Stagecoach West has returned with its original members. They have taken back the name with the Keogh family blessing and will pay tribute to their long-time friend during a show Saturday at the Reardan Mule Days. The music starts at 8:30 p.m. in the Reardan Community Hall. Cover charge is $3. Friends and fans of Keogh are invited to attend and celebrate the musician’s life.