Westword Music Showcase 2005

Finish this sentence: I'd rather be...

Writing a song than filling this out.

Rose Hill Drive

Love .45

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Who would play you in the screen adaptation of your life?

My little sister, 'cause she looks just like me, or Salma Hayek.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

On a tour bus with my band making a scene around the country in the Jamboree.

What's the biggest misconception about you or your band?

That we have a full-time drummer. Thanks, Skinny, Scott Davies, Scott Robinette, Evan and Sean Hodges

Give us a random factoid about yourself or your band:

Mike Whalen's high bowling game is 222; Matt is a descendant of MacGyver (ask him anytime for a flashlight a pair of tweezers and a staple gun); Melissa has traveled over 7,000 miles this year to play music across the country.

Elliott Smith or Jack Johnson?

Jack Johnson.

Weezer or Winger?

Neither, but if I have to choose, Weezer.

Jay-Z or Z-Trip?

Jay-Z.

Football or foosball?

Bowling.

JUDGE ROUGHNECK
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL/GROOVE
8 P.M., LA RUMBA

Website: www.judgeroughneck.com

Personnel:

Byron Shaw (lead singer/percussion); Chris Reidy (guitar/vocals); Brian Handlos (bass/vocals); David Dinsmore (trombone/vocals); Rolf Reitzig (trumpet/vocals); Jon Hegel (saxophone/vocals/keys); Phil Martin (drums).

Native or transplant?

Mostly natives, a few transplants.

What's in a name?

We took our name from a Specials song called "Stupid Marriage."

When did you form/start performing?

We formed in 1995. Whoa -- long time ago.

Releases/discography:

Rude One's Money Making Scheme(1997); Skankin' Naked (1999); True (2002).

Who or what do you think you sound like?

We sound like millions of voices crying out in terror and then suddenly silenced.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?

We've played Reggae on the Rocks several times (it's always a big thrill to play Red Rocks). We were finalists in the Ernie Ball battle of the bands a few years back. And we recently played our ten-year anniversary show, with over half of the band's original members.

What albums have had the biggest impact on you?

Truth and Soul (Fishbone); The Specials (The Specials); I Just Can't Stop It (English Beat).

What artists have had the biggest impact on you?

Seeing Burning Spear and the Skatalites live has always been inspirational. Of course, the English Beat, Bob Marley, Damian Marley, Kiss, Devo.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?

We all have different jobs, ranging from office shlubs to consulting to teaching music to makeup artist.

Finish this sentence: If I didn't have to worry about money, I'd...

Send the band on tour for the next ten years. But that's probably what every other band has said. So, we'll go with: "Crush our enemies."

Who would play you in the screen adaptation of your life?

The cast of The Seven Samurai.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

We'll all be bionic. Also, we'll all be doing wacky commentary on some VH1 countdown show.

What's the biggest misconception about you or your band?

We're not a country band. Many people hear the name of our band and assume we're going to play country. Weird.

Give us a random factoid about yourself or your band:

No.

Elliott Smith or Jack Johnson?

Tom Jones.

Weezer or Winger?

Six of us:Weezer. One of us:Winger.

Jay-Z or Z-Trip?

Zima.

Football or foosball?

Z-Trip.

Parting shot?

We're honored to be back in this showcase. Thanks to everyone for continuing to support Colorado music. You all rule. Peace!

KING RAT
NOMINATED IN PUNK/HARDCORE
6 P.M., TWO AM

Website: www.kingratpunks.com

Personnel:

Luke Schmaltz (rhythm guitar/lead vocals); Mike Makkay (lead guitar/backing vocals); Anthony Delilli (bass/backing vocals); Doug "Pockets" Hopper (drums/backing vocals).

Native or transplant?

Transplants. Luke : New Mexico; Mike: New Jersey; Anthony: upstate New York; Pockets:Wisconsin.

What's in a name?

With the exception of some really stupid handles like, say, for instance, the Wuggles, the music usually makes the name. With King Rat, the name could suggest literary blue-collar grit. Coincidentally, that's pretty much what you're gonna get.

When did you form/start performing?

We formed in 1995, yet we've all been performing since high school.

Releases/discography:

The Towne Liar; Knockin' Up Heaven's Whore; Big Plans, Beautiful Songs for Ugly Children; songs "Goodbye '99" and "Fat Like You" featured on Precision Punk compilation; Beautiful Songs for Ugly Children re-released with two bonus tracks; songs "The Best of You" and "Out the Door" featured on Roman Ruin Records Undead in Denver Volume 111, and we will release Duct Tape and Dreams in October.

Who or what do you think you sound like?

King Rat sounds like a hard, fast, melodic, smirking punch in the face.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?

We've walked off stage sober for the last six gigs. We wrote a new tune that we're really stoked on called "The Last of the Bad." It's about Hunter S. Thompson. It'll be on the next record. We taught the entire set to our new drummer in three days and played a packed show with minimal fuckups at Herman's. We opened for Bad Religion and Throw Rag.