Westword Music Showcase 2007

Welcome to the thirteenth edition of the Westword Music Showcase! This year's Showcase, set for Saturday, June 16, in the Golden Triangle, is bigger and better than ever (yes, I know we say that every year, but it happens to be true). For starters, the all-ages Outdoor Stage has moved two blocks to the north, to a parking lot on the corner of 12th Avenue and Acoma. To find it, all you'll need to do is follow the sound, since Dinosaur Jr., one of the loudest bands on earth, will be headlining, along with Lucero. We've also added a few new clubs to the parade route: DC 10, the Sutra Room and Andrew's on Lincoln have joined such stellar repeat locales as the Acoma Center, Shelter, La Rumba, Two AM and Dazzle.

This year's lineup of nominated bands includes quite a few newcomers, too, along with returning favorites from all parts of the scene — 23 categories of music in all. More than sixty of these acts will play at ten stages throughout the day and evening, making the Westword Music Showcase the perfect opportunity to sample some of the best music our amazing town has to offer. You can get an idea of what motivates these bands in the Q&As that fill this section. The Showcase schedule below reflects a few changes: Ian Cooke has been gracious enough to switch his 8 p.m. Sutra Room slot with Gregory Alan Isakov's 7 p.m. slot, since Isakov is flying in from a tour stop in Portland, Oregon, to perform at the Showcase. Nathan & Stephen and the Omens also swapped spots — the former will perform at 2 p.m. on the Outdoor Stage, while the latter will fill the 8 p.m. slot at the Acoma Center. Since Ion just parted ways with a key member of the group, that act has had to bow out altogether — and Love Me Destroyer will now close out the Two AM lineup at 7 p.m.

Keep an eye on our website, www.westword.com, for other updates, as well as Q&As with nominated bands that won't be performing. And regardless of who winds up getting the most votes in each category (winners will be announced at the Showcase Awards on Monday, June 25, at the Bluebird Theater), I just want to say that it's an honor and a privilege to be able to showcase our scene — hands-down the most vibrant, diverse and exciting in the country. — Dave Herrera

ACTION FRIEND
NOMINATED IN ART ROCK/AVANTE-GARDE
2 P.M., TWO AM

Website: www.myspace.com/actionfriend

Personnel: Paul Alexander (drums); Shaun Solomon (bass); Jeremy McLean (guitar).

Native or transplant? One native, two transplants.

Releases/discography: Demo (2006); Demo (2007); Untitled (coming in 2007).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Genre-hopping. Experimental. Rock.

Favorite place to play a show: 3 Kings Tavern.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: N/A

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Roseanne Barr.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): No comment.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? My parents' street, because I love my parents.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Prolly, because they represent Denver best although they're from Fort Collins.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? The Melvins.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Grease soundtrack.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Neat.

Who's on your iPod right now? Two out of three of Action Friend think iPods are lame.

Parting shot: I know we're friends and all, but you came all over my leg.

BELA KAROLI
NOMINATED IN AMBIENT/ELECTRONIC
4 P.M., SUTRA ROOM

Website: www.myspace.com/belakaroli

Personnel: Julie Davis (upright bass, vocals, soft instruments); Brigid McAuliffe (accordion, vocals); Carrie Beeder (violin).

Native or transplant? We were each transplanted at an early age.

Releases/discography: Bela Karoli will be releasing our first full-length album in late September.

What three adjectives best describe your music? Retro-future chamber pop; that's two adjectives and one noun.

Favorite place to play a show: Meadowlark.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: My front stoop.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Bela Karoli would most likely be the alley between Marion and Downing streets on Capitol Hill. We practice in a garage off that alley, and since it's been repaved, you can ride your bike or roller-skate really fast down it.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? T. S. Eliot.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Nutcracker Suite - Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Godsend.

Who's on your iPod right now: Andrew Bird, Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, Sufjan Stevens, Porlolo, Gregory Alan Isakov, Nina Simone, the Wheel, Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions, Björk, Thom Yorke, Miles Davis, Feist, Ravel, the Ravens, Ian Cooke, Radiohead, Slim Harpo.

BLACK LAMB
NOMINATED IN METAL/HARDROCK
6 P.M., TWO AM

Website: www.myspace.com/blacklamb

Personnel: Bill Stewart (guitar); Mykel Martinez (guitar); Tim Vigil (bass); Shane Hartman (drum intern); Brian Hagman (tambourine, hollerin').

Native or transplant? Commerce City.

Releases/discography: Pillar of Salt, High and Mighty, The Low Road, Hang the Moon.

What three adjectives best describe your music? Soulful, heavy, stanky.

Favorite place to play a show: Late, loud, and loaded.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: See above.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): The Fluid.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Whoomp! (There It Is)" - Tag Team.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Colfax, but it's getting so commercial! It used to be about the drugs and hookers!

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Cephalic Carnage. Everybody likes a li'l carnage!

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? The Cro-Mags, Age of Quarrel era.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? (see above).

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? We were broke before! So have at it, kiddies!

Who's on your iPod right now: Our wha?

Parting shot: Kentucky mfkn Deluxe!

BLUESMAN WILLIE HOUSTON AND THE BLUES PROWLERS
NOMINATED IN BLUES
3 P.M., DAZZLE

Website: www.myspace.com/williehouston

Personnel: Willie Houston, Hubert "Blues" Lawhorn, Randall Dubis, Tony Pantelis and Holly Hoverson.

Native or transplant? All transplants.

Releases/discography: Bluesman Willie Houston and His Guitar (2001).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Electric, Delta, seasoned blues.

Favorite place to play a show: Festivals.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Any venue supporting live music.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Jello Biafra.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Green-Eyed Lady" - Sugarloaf.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Colfax Avenue — it has it all!

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Too many.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Muddy Waters.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? These Blues Are All Mine - Tab Benoit.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Neutral. You can't stop people's determination to re-record and share music.

Who's on your iPod right now? Hundreds of artists.

Parting shot: The Blues is the roots, and the rest is the fruits.

BOP SKIZZUM
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL
2 P.M., LA RUMBA

Website: www.myspace.com/bopskizzum

Personnel: Andy Guerrero (lead vocals, guitar); Serafin Sanchez (tenor saxophone, rhodes, keyboards); Tohbias Juniel (drums); Chris Harris (bass); Joe Ferrone (trumpet); Jeff Valentine (trombone); Brittany Moser (vocals).

Native or transplant? Natives and two transplants.

Releases/discography: Propeller EP (2005); Waiting For (2004).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Black, white and brown.

Favorite place to play a show: The Gothic Theatre.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Sputnik.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): The Psychodelic Zombiez.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Anthem" - Born in the Flood.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? We would be Broadway, because it is has a little bit of everything. But we would totally hang out with Colfax and 13th avenues — they're the raddest!

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? The Psychodelic Zombiez, because after not playing together for ten years, at their reunion show, they still sounded fucking flawless.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? James Brown, R.I.P.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Blood Sugar Sex Magik - Red Hot Chili Peppers.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? God send us some money for our records!

Who's on your iPod right now? Born in the Flood, K-OS, Amy Winehouse, Imogen Heap, Kneebody and Flobots.

Parting shot: Come check us out at Bender's Tavern on June 23! Obama 2008!

BORN IN THE FLOOD
NOMINATED IN INDIE ROCK
6 P.M., OUTDOOR STAGE

Website: www.myspace.com/bornintheflood

Personnel: Nathaniel D. Rateliff, Joseph Pope III, Matt Fox, Mike Hall.

Native or transplant? Transplants.

Releases/discography: If This Thing Should Spill (2007); For Fear That We May Not Be (2005).

What three adjectives best describe your music? N/A

Favorite place to play a show: hi-dive.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Sputnik, back yard.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Monofog, A Dog Paloma, Love Letter Band.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Monster" - Uphollow.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Probably the Fray. They are doing a pretty keen job so far, no matter what kind of crap they get locally. They seem very committed to the people and bands here, almost exclusively using local folks to run sound, lights, tech support, as well as opening acts. Bright Channel opening at Red Rocks? Those kids are in for a treat.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? My child, who plays the drums on my head.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Sticky Fingers - The Rolling Stones.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Neither — just evolution. Vinyl shall prevail in the end, mark my words.

Who's on your iPod right now? ELO.

Parting shot: Please support Montessori education, PBS and the K.L.O.O.S.B.A. (Keep LoDo Out Of the South Broadway Alliance).

THE BOTTESSINI PROJECT
NOMINATED IN JAZZ
7 P.M., DAZZLE

Website: www.myspace.com/paulriola

Personnel: Paul Riola (saxophones, electronics, production); Ron Miles (cornet); Mark Harris (alto saxophone); Doug Anderson (bass); Melvin Gibbs (bass); Keenan Wayne (bass); Nels Cline (guitar); Jeff Parker (guitar); Janet Feder (guitar); Farrell Lowe (guitar); Dave Devine (guitar); Roger Green (guitar); CacheFlowe (laptop/programming); Glenn Taylor (pedal steel); Scott Amendola (drums); Tony Jefferson (drums); Art Lande (drums, piano); Ernie Crews (drums); Richard Von Forster (cello); Eric Moon (keyboards, programming); Greg Harris (vibraphone); DJ Olive (turntables).

Native or transplant? Native.

Releases/discography: Naima's Grass Pajamas (set for fall release).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Crazy, sexy, cool.

Favorite place to play a show: The Oriental Theater.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Mario's Double Daughter's.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Bill Frisell and Ron Miles.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Coward of the County" - Ron Miles.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? North Walnut, because it has raw, creative potential.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Ron Miles, because he is by far the most brilliant and pure musician in Denver.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Pharoah Sanders.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Live-Evil - Miles Davis.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Godsend.

Who's on your iPod right now? Bahamadia, Beta Band, Betty Davis, Dosh, Fred Anderson/Hamid Drake, Nomo, Radio Citizen, Pete Philly and Perquisite, Scotty Hard's Radical Reconstructive Surgery and Dave Douglas.

Parting shot: Denver is truly a musically gifted city. We are so privileged to have such a progressive and creative community.

BRIGHT CHANNEL
NOMINATED IN INDIE ROCK
Website: www.flightapproved.com

Personnel: Jeff Suthers (guitar, vocals); Brian Banks (drums); Shannon Stein (bass).

Native or transplant? 2/3 native.

Releases/discography: Self-Propelled (2006); Bright Channel (2004).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Blinding, seismic, loud.

Favorite place to play a show: Larimer Lounge / hi-dive.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Sputnik.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): The Astronauts.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Calypso" - John Denver

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? John Lennon.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? EVOL - Sonic Youth.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Neither.

Who's on your iPod right now? Monofog and Mothership.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF DAE HAN
NOMINATED IN METAL/HARDCORE

Website: www.myspace.com/thebrotherhoodofdaehan

Personnel: Jeff (vocals); Joey (guitar, vocals); Justin (guitar/vocals); Chris (bass); and Brett (drums).

Native or transplant? The band's native, but two of the members are out of Virginia. Do bands really move out to Colorado to make it?

Releases/discography: For the Glory of Olde Virginia (2007).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Crazy, sexy, cool (Like TLC).

Favorite place to play a show: Our favorite venue to play was the Starlight (R.I.P.). Then it closed down and turned into a bluegrass bar. Weak sauce.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Road 34.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Sound of Sinners (R.I.P.). They only played one show but were amazing.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "The Break Up Song" - Single File. Simple, catchy, amazing!

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Any street in Five Points. It's hard out here for a pimp.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Single File. They are one of those bands who play amazing music, are amazing guys and have earned everything they've gotten. Living proof that if you hustle long enough, good things can happen!

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? He Is Legend: They opened our eyes to the way music should be played.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? I Am Hollywood - He Is Legend. Simply amazing!

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Godsend! It's our responsibility as artists to release a CD that isn't shit and has more than one good song on it. These days, that's not always the case, and people (including me) don't want to waste their money paying for an entire record for one song. Therefore, they download it! Thanks a lot, rap music!

Who's on your iPod right now? "Five Minutes Alone" - Pantera.

Parting shot: That's brisk, baby!

BUCKSKIN STALLION
NOMINATED IN COUNTRY/ALT COUNTRY

Website: www.buckskinstallionmusic.org

Personnel: Dave Shapiro (guitar, vocals); John Macy (pedal steel); Todd Livingston (lap steel, guitars, vocals); Brian Schey (bass guitar); Tom Post (drums); Troy Schoenfelder (acoustic guitar, vocals).

Native or transplant? Transplant.

Releases/discography: Blue Ribbon Buzz (2004); currently working on sophomore release.

What three adjectives best describe your music? Rousing ruralism with haunting lyrics. Where the tire hugs asphalt.

Favorite place to play a show: On a stage.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: In a yellow '63 Ford pickup.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): DeVotchKa.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Road to Old Mexico" - Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams (have you seen Halden's children's book — The Long Gone Lonesome History of Country Music? Check it out!)

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Colfax, because it's long and oh, so dirty.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Slim Cessna's Auto Club: gold tooth, long-neck beer and fire-and-brimstone soapbox crooning. Now, that's weird old America!

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Bob Dylan.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? I dunno, but I suppose we're standing upon the threshold of a new era. From this doorway, it's leaning toward godsend.

Who's on your iPod right now? 'Eye' what?!?! Oh, you mean my Victrola. Talk to me, Blind Willie McTell, talk to me!

Parting shot: Dig yuhself.

BUCKWILD
NOMINATED IN COUNTRY/ALT COUNTRY

Website: www.myspace.com/buckwilddenver

Personnel: Rex Moser (lead and rhythm guitar, lead vocals); Susan Phelan (upright bass, vocals); Carlos Newman (drums, cowbell, smoke machine).

Native or transplant? Rex and Susan are transplants; Carlos is a native.

Releases/discography: Live CD to be released soon — still working in the studio (for the last two years).

What three adjectives best describe your music? HARD, FAST & LOUD.

Favorite place to play a show: The Skylark Lounge.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Cricket on the Hill.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): The Railbenders.