Faucet Pours Refreshing Optimism, Good Feeling

The Spokane band Faucet doesn’t mind wearing its heart on its sleeve.

“All of our songs are deep, heartfelt songs,” says 18-year-old David Boone, singer/guitarist for the Spokane band. “It seems like everybody is searching for something and just to give them a little hope with a song, it makes it all worth it.”

Such sincerity from someone so young. It could come off as, oh, gratingly naive. But with this trio of Spokane teens, such unaffected sentiments are instead rather refreshing.

And considering some of the things they’ve been through - the murder of a friend and mentor, family turmoil and months of separation - well, you can’t help but appreciate their tenacity and unabashedly positive outlook.

Boone is joined by drummer James Wasem, 19, and bassist Thomas Wood, 19. Tonight at the Mercury Cafe, the members of Faucet celebrate the release of their latest full-length CD.

Titled “Slow Down,” this is a live recording of an all-ages show they performed at the cafe in March. Due to youth, inexperience and low production value, it is an uneven effort but still, one that clearly shows the band’s immense promise.

Playing alterna-edged pop rock, Faucet deftly melds pop hooks, rock edge and acoustic sentiments into music along the lines of Dave Matthews-meets-Pearl Jam.

The first half of the album delivers their newer songs and is the strongest. “Know Me” and “My Room” make it clear these boys have a savvy sense of balance. They know when to jump in with a intense guitar punch and they know when to pull back and let their catchy melodies do the work.

Throughout the album, Boone’s voice is plaintive and appealing as he lays out his fears and joys before his listeners. On “Ode To Myself” he admits to the eternal frustration of youth: “So many people they’ve got the same problem as me/where is my life going/they don’t have a clue.” And with a genuine innocence, he ends the song vowing “I’m going to make a difference.”

Boone and Wasem grew up in Seeley Lake, Mont., and began playing music together as young kids. Three years ago they joined up with Wood, who grew up in Spokane and started teaching himself to play the bass the day he joined the band.

“We were really bad but we loved it,” says Boone.

A popular Seeley Lake teacher named Cliff Nelson took the group under his wing, supporting them and putting up the money for the boys to record an album.

“Then everything fell apart,” says Boone.

As the band came together, “Our families started going insane,” Boone says. And in a who-done-it that still hasn’t been solved, Nelson was murdered before the album could be completed. “He gave us a big-time dream and then we lost it,” Wasem says.

The band stopped playing for a time. They eventually recorded an 11-song CD called “Forgotten Water” - a cathartic rendering of sad songs inspired by their friend’s death and the turmoil in their lives.

Still, the trio struggled to keep everyone together. Wood moved away to attend an emergency rescue program in Michigan. Boone headed to Mexico. Wasem left for college.

But during this last Christmas break, the band came together in Spokane. And in an unexpected burst of creativity, everything clicked into place. “In four days we wrote 20 songs,” Boone says. “We had a blast.”

They followed up with a couple of shows at the Mercury Cafe and the response from the all-ages crowd was immediate and overwhelmingly positive.

“People were asking if we had a CD. I’m like, uh we’ve only been together four days.” says Wood.

Wasem, had dreamed of being a pilot, and was attending college in Montana on a full-ride ROTC scholarship. But the response from fans convinced him to give up his college career and pursue music.

“They said, you know, your music is really inspirational,” Wasem says. “So, it was a complete leap of faith. But if I look out in the crowd and see a smile on somebody’s face, that means a lot to me. I don’t have any regrets.”

Likewise, Wood decided to forgo his plans to become a firefighter in order to devote more time to the band.

Says Boone, “We were searching for two years and I think we’ve found what we’re supposed to do.”

Staunch supporters of the all-ages scene in Spokane, Faucet usually plays at the Mercury Cafe and rarely charges an entry fee, instead relying on donations.

They will do just that tonight when they celebrate the release of their CD with a free show at the Mercury Cafe. Two Spokane solo guitar acts - John Wood and Molly - open. The music starts at 8 p.m.

Swing news

This Saturday, Spokane swing masters Casey MacGill and the Spirits of Rhythm will jumpstart what they hope to be a regular series of all-ages swing dances.

Ever popular with Lindy-hoppers around the Northwest, MacGill and crew perform Saturday night at the West Central Community Center. A longtime swing player, MacGill heads up this group of gifted performers. He’s joined by vocalist Miss LeeLee, saxman Marc Sorger, drummer Mark “Tyrone” Stephens” and bassist Tex Beaumont.

But before they get the swing swinging, Portland dance teacher Denise Steele will teach a one-hour class for those interested in learning some fancy footwork.

The dance class starts at 8 p.m.; the music starts at 9 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for those under 18. Steele - a protege of Lindy-legend Frankie Manning - will also give a dance demonstration at the community center at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The center is located at 1685 Belt.

More music

New York guitarist Kevin Lutke will perform at Hobart’s Jazz Lounge Saturday night. Lutke’s guitar style has been hailed as “a step above many contemporary guitarists” by JazzIz Magazine. Gary Edighoffer will accompany him on saxes and flute and Brian Flick will stand in on bass. Admission is $5. The show starts at 9 p.m.

That cool Iowa trio called House of Large Sizes returns to Ichabod’s North this coming week for a show Thursday night. They play rock. They play punk. They play punk rock in a cool catchy quirky way that sounds downright … did I already say cool? Don’t miss ‘em. They’re joined by the Bone Daddies and Meat. The show starts at 9 p.m. Admission is $6.

At Ichabod’s North tonight catch Seattle garage punk group The Gimmicks. They’re joined by our own lovely ladies The B-Sides as well as everyone’s favorite bad boys Jimmy Flame and the Sexy Boys. Admission is $5. The rock starts at 9:30 p.m.

BeeCraft returns to Ichabod’s for a show Saturday night. Moments of Clarity open the show.

Also returning to town - Splinter Party. In case you don’t recall, Splinter Party is that cow-punk pop-rock-a-billy band from Seattle with roots deep into the Northwest’s music history. Singer Curtis Graham spent time in The Studebakers - a popular Spokane band from the ‘80s that included members of Too Slim and the Taildraggers.

In addition to recommending their live show tonight at The Fort Spokane Brewery, I also recommend their CD “Nampa Bound.” The music starts at 9 p.m. The Bone Daddies open. Admission is $4.

Catch Spokane ska-funk-rockers Civilized Animal Saturday night at The Fort Spokane Brewery.

Seattle blues guitarist Nick Vigarino performs both tonight and Saturday at Mad Daddy’s Blues Club in Coeur d’Alene. Vigarino has received several awards from the Washington Blues Society for his slide and acoustic guitar work. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5.