Cozy up with the Kissers at Mootsy’s
Pucker up Irish rock fans, the Kissers are coming to town.
Mixing bits and pieces of the Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly and the Tossers, the Kissers are known throughout the Midwest for rollicking stage shows that suit its catchy blend of traditional Celtic melodies and modern rock rhythms.
Hailing from Madison, Wis., this seven-piece band started as a Pogues cover band until quickly establishing a sound of its own that it now uses to twist covers by the likes of the Pixies, The Clash and Johnny Cash. The Kissers has been voted favorite rock band in Madison two years in a row, propelled by its stellar touring reputation and well-received first album, “Fire in the Belly.”
To fully grasp this outlandish band, you have to understand the quirky personalities of its members.
Peep these profiles, taken from www.thekissers.com:
Ken Fitzimmons (vocals, acoustic guitar): “His bowling average is 141, second highest in the band. He is learning how to fly a plane, but hasn’t quite mastered the whole landing thing yet. He makes beer. He drinks beer.”
Caitlin Oliver-Gans (electric bass, bass theramin): “Recipe for disaster: one piñata filled with two panty roses, a box of condoms, assorted Hostess snack cakes, one package of plastic army men, mini liquor bottles, one microwave, an assortment of light fixtures and drawers. Directions: Put all ingredients in one hotel room and add Caitlin.”
Joe Bernstein (drums): “He was this-close to being a Blue Man in the Blue Man Group. He has a strange fascination with monkey movies and even owns a copy of ‘Ed,’ a monkey movie co-starring Matt LeBlanc.”
Kevin Youngs (mandolin, bazouki): “There’s really nothing I need. Nothing but my mandolin. And my bazouki. Nothing but my mandolin and my bazouki. And this paddleball game. My mandolin, my bazouki, this paddleball game and a bar stool. That’s all I need.”
Waylan Nate Palan (electric guitar, banjo, vocals): “My new hobby is growing hair. I recently saw a performance by Junior Senior and the bass player had the best white guy afro I have ever seen.”
Pete Colclasure (accordion, keyboard, tin whistle, vocals): “While in high school, he once ran over a decapitated deer head, which he removed from the undercarriage of his mom’s Saturn by driving in circles in a gravel parking lot until enough bone chipped away to permit the severed head to bounce out.”
Kari Bethke (violin): “Kari’s current project is building a cob dwelling for her pet gerbil.”
Check out the sum of these oddballs when they come together Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Mootsy’s, 406 W. Sprague. There is a $5 cover.
Detour no more
Spokane’s only all-ages venue that offers a beer garden for patrons older than 21 closes its doors on Tuesday. The Detour’s owner, Christopher Lewis, said he is having personal and legal disputes with his landlord.
“We’re looking for a new building. Hopefully we’ll be able to find one. With the two we’re looking at, we could be in by the end of the month,” Lewis said.
The Detour’s disappearance leaves just two all-ages venues in town, Club Soda, 715 E. Sprague, and The Big Dipper, 171 S. Washington.
A final show at The Detour is in the works for Sunday night. Check www.spokane7.com/soundwave for updates.
Club hoppin’
• The Gary Edighoffer Quartet is joined by Clipper Anderson, bassist extraordinaire from Seattle, formerly of Jazz Conspiracy, tonight and Saturday night at 8:30 at Ella’s (on the third floor of CenterStage), 1017 W. First. Voice and guitar duo Silvia Lazo and Paul Grove open Ella’s both nights at 5:30, see Spin Cycle on page 7 for details.