Feature / Music
Music History: Seminal Moments in History (III)

Words: Kevin Fitzpatrick • Posted pre-2010

Nov. 10, 1994 My life has become such, that I'm disappointed L7 does NOT throw tampons into the crowd while playing the Commodore Ballroom.

Dec. 16, 1994 My first venture into journalism has me knocking on strange hotel room doors, giving the only copy of the 'zine I'm writing for to a man who will not give it back, and making light of the death of Mudhoney's Mark Arm's friend Kurt while interviewing him. Bravo. Stuttering John would be proud.

May 12, 1995 Word is out that Eddie Vedder's side band Hovercraft are playing with Mike Watt and a then unknown Foo Fighters at the Commodore for Music West. All bands inundated with young girls screaming EDDIEEEEEEE! Due to poor stage lighting no one notices Eddie Vedder was a no-show.

Aug. 31, 1996 Sex Pistols play the Pacific Coliseum on the Filthy Lucre tour. Sellout schmellout, it's the Sex Pistols fer chrissakes.

Jul. 31, 1997 Foo Fighters and Radiohead play an industry showcase at The Rage nightclub. Radiohead are sublime. Foo Fighters are substandard.

Sep. 15, 1998 Misfits play the Starfish Room. Danzig who?

Oct. 17, 1998 Fantomas play an evening of incomprehensible brilliance. 1/3 of the audience insults Buzz Osbourne, 1/3 of the audience shouts for Dave Lombardo to do a drum solo, 1/3 of the audience waits for an encore of 'Epic'.

Nov. 6, 1998 John Zorn's Masada plays in Seattle. I have found a new religion.

Jan. 22, 1999 Supersuckers play the Starfish room with The Spitfires and The Murder City Devils. I am clearly reminded why I started listening to music in the first place.

Apr. 18, 1999 The Residents play the Showbox in Seattle. Kinda spooky, kinda kooky, altogether brilliant.

Apr. 25, 1999 Man or Astroman and Zen Guerilla play Western Washington University. Worth the $250.00 speeding ticket I receive trying to get there on time.

Jun. 10, 1999 Spend a fortune going to see Tom Waits play at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA. Well worth the organs I've sold paying for the trip.

Oct. 17, 1999 Tom Waits plays the Orpheum Theatre. If I'd have known he would be coming here anyway��. I still woulda flown to Oakland. Yes, I'm just that sick. Star- studded audience included Gary Sinese, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon and Eddie Vedder. Slept better that night knowing I had better seats than Mackenzie Philips.

Feb. 16, 2001 Crushed at barricade watching Fishbone play the Commodore. Laying in bed that night writhing in agony from leg cramps, reinforcing the notion that I'm getting too old for this shit.

Feb. 18, 2001 As a result of Eddie Spaghetti's subtle hints, a joint and a little bag of coke are thrown onto the stage of Dick's On Dick's nightclub during the Supersucker's show. The joint is picked up and put on the amp. Assuming the coke was not seen, I reach over to move it into more plain sight. Thinking I'm trying to steal his drugs, Dan 'Thunder' Bolton moves up and steps on my hand. This is why the good Samaritans left Samaria, folks. No damn gratitude. But, as it was Dan Bolton, I haven't washed my hand since.


Read Part I and Part II.

Words: Kevin

Graphics: Matt

Related features

The Snorts

One Question Interviews • January 15, 2025

Aaron (The Snorts-guitar/vocals) SPB: Other than the new live record, what is your favorite split record, ever? Aaron: My favorite split of all time is: Spark Lights Friction / Ruined in a Day from 2000. That version of “Hearts and Canons” from Spark Lights just rips. --- The Snorts has … Read more

2AMature

One Question Interviews • January 14, 2025

Yanmark Berube (2AMature-drums) SPB: Do you collect physical media? Berube: Absolutely, we collect physical media. It’s the only REAL way to own it. When you buy media digitally, you’re usually just purchasing the rights to access it, which can be revoked at any time. With physical media, it’s yours forever. … Read more

Six Below Zero

One Question Interviews • January 13, 2025

Matthew Brammer (Six Below Zero) SPB: Six Below Zero is both a solo project and you live in Wyoming, so I imagine you have limited live opportunities -- that said, does the project ever play live and does that possibility affect how you approach songwriting? Brammer: Consistently playing live is, … Read more

2024: A Year In Review

Music / Year End 2024 • January 13, 2025

It's a new year – hooray. And things are off to a fine start, too. If the thought of corrupt governments, AI domination, unmoderated social networks and endless war is causing you to retreat into the past, we don't blame you. In fact, we encourage it! Our writers have summed … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: Year End (2024)

Music / Year End 2024 • January 4, 2025

It's 2025, somehow. When did this happen?! Okay, okay, four days ago. But honestly. It feels like 2012 was only a few months ago. Is it just SPB who's feeling a little, well, timestruck? But don't worry – we've got you. Did 2024 pass you by, too? Still not caught … Read more

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

More from this section

2024: A Year In Review

Music / Year End 2024 • January 13, 2025

It's a new year – hooray. And things are off to a fine start, too. If the thought of corrupt governments, AI domination, unmoderated social networks and endless war is causing you to retreat into the past, we don't blame you. In fact, we encourage it! Our writers have summed … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: Year End (2024)

Music / Year End 2024 • January 4, 2025

It's 2025, somehow. When did this happen?! Okay, okay, four days ago. But honestly. It feels like 2012 was only a few months ago. Is it just SPB who's feeling a little, well, timestruck? But don't worry – we've got you. Did 2024 pass you by, too? Still not caught … Read more

Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2024

Music / Year End 2024 • January 4, 2025

It's a SPB tradition to formally "pass the mic" to our artist and label friends to tell us about their year in music. What albums did they enjoy? What shows did they see? What are they looking forward to for the new year? We're joined this year by a host … Read more