Locke and The Chris Wilson Five funk up some hip-hop
The self-described “hip- hopaholic with a punk-rock ethic,” local emcee Locke used to hit the stage and studio with his sidekick deejay Parafyn.
These days he’s more comfortable stuffing a funk band – The Chris Wilson Five – in the co-pilot’s seat.
“When you’re recording with just beats or a deejay – that’s it. You can freak it a little, but you can’t change the sample,” said Locke, aka Andrew Walters. “I’m having more fun with the band. I just did a show in Missoula with Gift of Gab, and it was just beats and rap. I still love that, but with the band it opens up a whole new side to my stage energy. Now I run around and headbang.”
A CD release party goes down Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Big Easy Concert House for Spokane’s only live instrumental hip-hop act, Locke and The Chris Wilson Five. Also on the bill is The Side Project and up-and-coming local piano-based indie act Ambulance for Angeles, which is fresh off a new EP on Medical Records. Check www.spokane7.com/soundwave for new mp3s by the three bands.
The show is free, but you have to have a ticket to get in. Tickets are available at Unified Groove Merchants, 2607 N. Monroe St.; 4000 Holes, 1610 N. Monroe St.; and Boo Radley’s, 232 N. Howard St. The Locke and The Chris Wilson Five street team will be giving out tickets at Rock Coffee, 920 W. First Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
“Loose Ties,” the debut EP by Locke and The Chris Wilson Five, is a tightly packed 30-minute, 10-track album featuring the accented funk-hop the band has been known for.
Too bad Locke’s live project seems to be hitting its stride months before it splits, as members leave for graduate school in the fall.
What’s Locke going to do then?
“Dude, I have no idea,” he said.
Make Mine Makers
Set to release its first batch of new material since its last Sub Pop album in 2002, The Makers return – with an augmented band roster – tonight to The B-Side, 230 W. Riverside Ave.
Missoula rockers The International Playboys and Spokane’s Six State Bender open the show. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. There is a $7 cover.
The Spokane band that reached world fame after launching off of Seattle’s Sub Pop label, The Makers are filming footage for a new video. If you go to the show, your mug just might end up on MTV2.
The Makers – Jamie, Michael and Donny Maker rounded out by the return of Prodigal Maker Tim and new drummer Aaron Maker – release “Everybody Rise” on the Kill Rock Star label in August.
Club hoppin’
• Mixing trained musicians from the world-renowned Berklee School of Music in Boston with emcees and beatsmiths from Southern California, The Crown City Rockers make a midweek stop on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. at The B-Side. Locke and The Chris Wilson Five open the show. There is a $7 cover.
• RAWK brings fast-rising hard-core metal acts Mae and The Academy on Sunday at 7 p.m. to Fat Tuesday’s, 109 W. Pacific Ave. Tickets are $10 at the door, $8 with a flier (download it at www.rawkonline.com) or in advance through TicketsWest, www.ticketswest.com or (800) 325-SEAT.
• Minnesota folk singer Ellis is sure to pack the house when she comes Thursday to The Shop, 924 S. Perry St. Ellis will showcase material from her new album, “Evidence of Joy.”
Showtime is 7 p.m. There is a $7 cover.
The show will be webcast at www.audiocandy.com.