Bands join forces for the little ones

For the fifth consecutive year, local alternative band Vertigo Bliss is ready to Rock for Tots.

The event, founded and organized in 2000 by Vertigo Bliss lead singer/guitarist Dave Kotlan, has collected thousands of toys for area children, with all of the toy donations and proceeds going to Toys for Tots.

The concert, which is tonight at 7:30 p.m. at The Met, is also a showcase for local music. Other bands on the bill include all-ages alt-rock favorites Mylestone and Sittser. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students, military and youths, through TicketsWest (325-SEAT, or www.ticketswest.com).

“We feel this annual concert has become an important part of our community and our band,” Kotlan said. “This is the perfect opportunity to catch some of Spokane’s best up-and-coming, original live acts and help out our community at the same time.”

While Vertigo Bliss is best known for its annual Rock for Tots, the trio plays at several other annual charity events around the Northwest.

Spawned from a cover band that included Kotlan and drummer Steve Hulburt, VB’s lineup solidified with bassist Denny Holler in 2001.

Vertigo Bliss’ magnetic power-pop sound has since been heard at local all-ages shows and community events such as Bloomsday and Pig Out in the Park.

Since winning KHTQ Rock 94.5 FM’s 2001 Battle of the Bands, VB has been getting regular airplay on 94.5. It is one of two bands in the Northwest, and one of 100 worldwide, that is sponsored by Budweiser’s “True Music Live” promotion. Two songs from VB will appear on the soundtrack to the film “Wheat Field Legends,” which is scheduled for release next year. The film also features songs by ex-Spokane band The Side Project.

With a touring schedule that sees Vertigo Bliss constantly orbiting the Northwest, tonight is a semi-rare opportunity to catch them locally.

“We like to concentrate on touring instead of playing locally,” Kotlan said, noting that Holler, who lives on the West Side in North Bend meets with the rest of the band at tour stops. “The idea is to play less shows, but bigger shows. We only play Spokane once every few months so we don’t saturate the market.”

When Vertigo Bliss plays in town it’s nearly always on the all-ages circuit, which is currently the best it’s been in years, Kotlan said.

“We stopped playing bars because we didn’t want people to think they could see us every weekend,” Kotlan said. “The all-ages scene is making things better. For a while, clubs kept getting closed down as soon as they got going. It was hard to keep track of them. Now it seems like a few are staying open. And with the Big Easy and the new Fat Tuesday’s, there are more legitimate, and nicer, all-ages clubs to play, rather than converted warehouses.”

The chief songwriter for Vertigo Bliss, Kotlan writes lyrics that range from comedic tragedies to tongue-

in-cheek sarcastic social observation, such as the song “B.S.,” about his infatuation with Britney Spears.

“I just couldn’t get over her; she’s hot,” Kotlan said. “I don’t need to hear her sing or talk, but she’s nice to look at.”