CenterStage set to rock Saturday
TONY BROWN, aka DJ Grand Groove, is no stranger to organizing eclectic shows at CenterStage. At this point, it’s become an expected quarterly event. Previous ones have been well-attended by an all-ages crowd that spans from elementary schoolers to college professors.
But what’s fresh about Brown’s latest collaboration – The Eye Opener – is the inclusion of rock bands.
In the past, Brown’s shows have had tinges of jazz, hip-hop, and electronica, but they’ve never rocked like this.
Using all three floors of CenterStage, The Eye Opener is a showcase of local music that features on the bottom floor break dancers Hulkamaniacs, Tangled Roots, and Floor Fanatics, deejays Grand Groove, Spince, and introducing Nealie Neal; jazz by the Danny McCollim Trio in the UpStage Supper Club on the top floor; and on the main floor rock acts Belt of Vapor, Pathos, and Chinese Sky Candy (experimental noise outfit Vacant Lights performs between sets), with DJ Cheddar Chad spinning in the billiards room.
As far as the main floor goes, each band presents different perspectives of rock. Pathos is more abrasive; Belt of Vapor has a jazz-influenced metal-edge, and Chinese Sky Candy is laid-back, but experimental.
The decision to add a rock realm to his usual diverse lineup was a natural progression, said Brown, who runs Unified Groove Merchants on North Monroe.
“Basically we’re exposing more of the underground scene,” said Danielle Lillemon, Brown’s liaison in the rock world.
The Eye Opener also serves as a CD release for the latest mix-tape by Grand Groove and Brainchild.
About the only steady element of every CenterStage/Grand Groove collaboration is Cheddar Chad’s Pool Hall Lounge in the billiards room on the main floor.
One of the draws to Cheddar Chad, aka Chad Rattray, is a generation-spanning library of hip-hop breaks and the old soul and funk albums they sampled, along with the low-key atmosphere set by his records.
“Even if it’s not their main thing, people still get into it because they recognize a lot of the old hip-hop samples,” said Rattray, who also runs a hot dog stand on the corner of Howard and Riverside.
Cheddar Chad is sort of an apprentice of Grand Groove. The two grew up on the same block, with Chad being a few years younger and learning how to deejay on Grand’s records.
Starting June 12 they will tag-team deejay at Mizuna restaurant downtown.
Check them out along with the rest of the bunch on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at CenterStage, 1017 W. First. All ages, full bar with ID. Admission is $7.
Into Thin Air
Thin Air Radio, the local low-power nonprofit, non-commercial radio station (KYRS 95.3), will be among a number of stations featured in an NBC documentary on LP-FM radio.
Filmed by Verite Productions, the documentary tells the story of grassroots radio services across the nation.
Filming in town begins this weekend, and in Thin Air’s continued efforts to raise funds to stay on-air, the station is holding a benefit concert on Saturday at The Detour, 175 S. Monroe.
As it now functions, you can only pick up Thin Air in certain pockets of town, but Thin Air is working to secure a translator station in the fall that will extend the signal so it can be clearly heard as far out as Deer Park.
The station features shows on local music, indie-rock, hip-hop, trance, gospel, Latin, and lounge, such as DJ Stella Love’s popular “World Wide Local” show highlighting local bands around the country.
Acts appearing Saturday starting at 8 p.m. at The Detour include Ambeo, Scatterbox, and Soma. Admission is $5.
Club hoppin’
• Grab your paddles and head to Talotti’s 211, 211 N. Division, on Saturday night starting at 7. Local promoter Terry “Two Step” Flynn (Five Foot Thick, as well as bands playing at the Thin Air benefit and more) turns 30 and is cruisin’ for a bruisin’. Bands playing in his honor include Badfish, Melody Moore, and emcee Synthetic. There is a $5 cover.
• Seattle band with Spokane roots, Cracker Factory performs Saturday night at 8 at the Blue Spark, 15. S. Howard. The prog-funk group just released “Deep Fried Basket of Love,” which features other Spokane-connected musicians Zak Martin (guitarist for Lilac City jammers BeeCraft) and Jessica Keberle (daughter of the Spokane Jazz Orchestra’s Dan Keberle). The cover is $2.
• K-Records’ Mt. Eerie (aka The Microphones) appears Saturday at 7 p.m. at The Shop, 924 S. Perry. This is the first show in town since Phil Elverum (formerly Elvrum) changed his last name and stage name after recording the Mt. Eerie EP and taking time off in Norway (near the town of Elverum, precipitating the name change). Cover to be announced.
• One of Portland’s finest indie-emo bands, Woke Up Falling returns to Spokane after losing its fourth bassist last month just before releasing a new album this month. Ctrl Z and Kitten Killers open the show on Saturday at 10 p.m. at The B-Side, 230 W. Riverside. The cover is $5.