“I will not back down from you Jones until this city is rid of you,” Velvet said in his video message. “I can recall a time when I could leave this lair and conduct my duties proudly and without distraction, but now he’s out there along with his silly gang of misfit power rangers disturbing the peace. Now our city is protected not by our once respected police force, but by a tormented, delusional freak in a mask. For far too long we’ve watched as our nation buys into its tireless charade, and it’s run its course. It’s time to get real Jones. The community would be better off without you. You must be stopped once and for all.”
Phoenix Jones seems unconcerned by the challenge, however he responded to the video taped threat.

“I looked him up,” Phoenix Jones said. “He’s actually just a wedding photographer who made a funny video. If he was a true super villain I would be more interested because at least I would have something to do. Right now it’s like a war of social media and I have better things to do with my time.”

For Phoenix Jones supporters Quickie, who just released a video of their song “Phoenix Jones”, a paean to the guardian of Seattle, the appearance of Rex Velvet is an chance to challenge the opportunistic villain.
“My feeling is the guy makes a lot of noise but isn’t stepping up,” Quickie frontman Lou Trez said.
Trez added that Rex Velvet, who is reportedly a wedding photographer by day, should chip in and use his real world skills to benefit the “Purple Reign Campaign” a charity that seeks to aid victims of domestic abuse. The campaign was started by Phoenix Jones’ crime-fighting partner Purple Reign.
“Why doesn’t Wet Velvet just step up and donate a wedding photo package to the “Purple Reign Campaign and just put aside his evil ways?” Trez said.

Seattle Superhero turned into comic-book hero “Phoenix Jones!” as music video debuts!

Seattle band Quickie “guest stars” in illustrated adventure.

May 2nd, 2012— SEATTLE, Wa — It’s official: real-life superhero Phoenix Jones now has his very own song,comic-book and comic motion music video! All courtesy of Seattle pop-punk band Quickie.

After Quickie penned an anthem about the Emerald City crime-fighter, they commissioned talented local cartoonist Travis Bundy to illustrate a “motion-comic” featuring band-members Lou Trez (bass/vocals), Joe Wolf (guitar), and Kelly Lichtenwaldt (drums) hitting the streets with Jones. The result is a fun, stylized, tongue-in-cheek escapade that brings back childhood memories of Saturday mornings in front of the TV watching the Superfriends.

“We wanted to have fun with it,” says Trez. “It’s more Adam West than Dark Knight. But it is a sincere tribute to both Phoenix Jones and the comic-book medium.” In fact, the band is making available a panel-for-panel, digital comic-book version of the video for a limited time.

What does Phoenix Jones think of all this? The project has his official seal of approval. He and his wife, Purple Reign, even appear in a live action segment of the video and Purple Reign is unmasked for the first time ever. Perhaps in a tip of the hat to the Easter-egg tradition of Marvel movies, the bit is tucked away at the “end” of the video.

The Awesome Adventures of Phoenix Jones is available now as a digital “comic/song” download at Itunes. You can watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF9mnwN_P98 or www.Youtube.com/Quickietheband .
What will Quickie think of next?

http://comics.drivethrustuff.com/product/101818/The-Awesome-Adventures-of-Phoenix-Jones

Quickie is taking a stand against domestic violence and bullying by teaming up with Phoenix Jones and his wife Purple Reign.

Quickie is donating a half of the net proceeds of the “Phoenix Jones” comic book download download to the Purple Reign Campaign, whose slogan is “everyday heroes against domestic
abuse.” “Our hope is to spread awareness and raise money for NW Family Life.” says Trez ” They (Purple Reign and Phoenix Jones) are amazing people making positive a difference”.

About Quickie:
Quickie is a 3-piece pop-punk band from Seattle,Washington. Quickie’s songs have been featured in the show “Vampire Diaries” and “The Secret Circle” on CW , “Parenthood” on NBC, Shafted and in the movie “Our Lips are Sealed” featuring the Olsen Twins. You might have also heard Quickie’s work on ESPN and Fox Sports.

April 27, 2012 11:40am PST.

Project Music Scene LLC, the parent company for American Blues Scene, American Rock Scene and Northwest Music Scene has announced
that they have entered into a promotional partnership agreement with Disc Makers, the largest CD and DVD manufacturer in North America.
Project Music Scene has a simple goal; to connect great music with loyal fans and the new agreement will provide the company even more opportunities to help bands connect and get music to their fans.

Beginning May 1, 2012, the first in a series of contests and promotional campaigns will begin with a chance for a band or artist to win a package that consists of the following: 1000 Replicated CDs in 4 Panel Digipaks from Disc Makers,a Mega Distribution Bundle that will place artist’s music for sale on iTunes, Amazon.com, CD Baby, Spotify, and an AllMusic.com entry profile will be created. A featured article on the artist will also run on the relevant genre specific Project Music Scene websites and will be promoted on social media. A release profile for the project CD will also be created on AirPlay Direct and E-blast sent out to over 7400 radio stations.
Full contest details will be available Tuesday, May 1, 2012.

“A partnership with Project Music Scene is a natural fit for Disc Makers, and we are excited to work together through our upcoming contests and future initiatives” -Disc Makers-

About Disc Makers:
Disc Makers has set the standard for independent CD and DVD manufacturing for musicians, businesspeople, and filmmakers for 65 years.
From post-production expertise to tune up your project, to distribution packages to help you sell your finished product, you can count on Disc Makers no matter where you are in the manufacturing process.

About the Project Music Scene sites:

American Rock Scene
The American Rock Scene is a musically-centered all-digital publication focusing specifically on rock music in America. There are a wide array of various rock styles & influences, and the publication has been specifically tailored to cater to a very broad array of music. It has quickly become the go-to source for up to the minute music news and information.

American Blues Scene
American Blues Scene has embraced the value of content delivery and social engagement, and has put a strong emphasis on Social Media as a tool for growth and development. Currently, ABS has a pronounced and growing presence on eleven social media networks and is one of the leading sources in online blues news.

Northwest Music Scene
Utilizing established industry and radio contacts in the area, NorthWest Music Scene grew at an astonishing pace, and currently has nearly 20,000 Facebook fans, almost entirely in the greater Pacific Northwest area. In 2011, NorthWest Music Scene was voted the area’s Best Music Blog by the viewers of King 5 TV, the Seattle NBC affiliate.

Reposted from American Rock Scene

Here is 22 seconds of the brand new Soundgarden new single “Live to Rise” from the major motion picture The Avengers.

Next time we want 44 seconds dammit!

Enjoy!

Soundtrack available on iTunes May 1st.

Tickets available here: TICKETS!

Mace recently reformed after a 23 year hiatus.

After a brief, 23 year vacation from the Thrash scene, the guys have decided to lace up the combat boots for battle one more time. These guys shared the stage with the biggest thrash bands of the mid 80′s including Slayer, Anthrax, Death Angel, Metal Church, The Circle Jerks, The Accused and many more.

Last month the band quietly leaked the info that they were getting back together and from the Northwest, they fired a shot that could heard around the world. Bands, promoters and even record labels, some as far away as Germany started talking about Mace. There is a huge amount of excitement in the Mace camp and these guys are locked in with laser focus and ready to melt some faces, just like they did over 2 decades ago.
Tommy Niemeyer from The Accused made the new Mace logo…he doesn’t do that for just anyone and it kicks ass!

Of course everyone knows Mace guitarist Dave Hillis went on to work on some of the biggest albums in rock history as a producer. (Pearl Jam “10″, Alice In Chains “Dirt”…etc) but Mace was always in the back of his mind. Says Hillis, “I always wanted to remix the old songs, and when I opened my own studio I had to do it, and it was so much fun that we thought we would try a new song and that was so much fun that we said why not teach these young kids how it was done back in the day”. He knew when the time was right he was going to re-visit the thrash scene that him and his band helped form and solidify back in the 80′s. In fact, Death Angel was recently on VH1′s Metal Revolution and lead singer Mark Osegueda was wearing a Mace T-Shirt! They were also the first band ever to be metal and make Maximum Rock and Rolls playlist.

About the Destruction tour:

Iconic German thrash trio DESTRUCTION will embark on a North American 30th Year Anniversary Tour this May with shared direct support from Warbringer and Vital Remains (who will be alternating each night) plus Pathology.

States DESTRUCTION frontman & bassist Schmier:

“A killer package for old-school thrash & death metal freaks! This may be the best set list we’ve ever had – the essence of thrash metal history united with our new anthems. We’ll have more classics than ever in the set, more from the first records for sure. Can’t wait to hit the road again!!! Some North American cities have a great audience for this old school sound again, and it wasn’t always like that. The main intention for this second North American tour within a year is that we could not play all markets that we wanted to book last time. Now, we’ll play some new places and return to those cities that gave us a great welcome last year like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Montreal. Warbringer are a perfect match to a DESTRUCTION bill. They are one of the best new thrash bands and keep our ‘80s spirit alive. It will be great to have them with us! We’ve played with Vital Remains before; awesome guys and a brutal band. They bring a good variety into the billing. Thrash/death metal is always the best mix, that’s why Pathology complete the show!”

Mace is stoked to announce this new show and they are giving away their first new single in 23 years. A huge part of the Thrash scene back in the 80′s was the underground tape trading movement. That would help spread the word like wild fire. Says Hillis when asked how important underground trading was, “We got all our shows on tour and fanzine reviews and interviews that way, giving it away on the internet today is just an extension of that”.

Mace is using the 21st century version of tape trading and is giving away Haarp Strings 2012 to their fans for free and they are encouraging them to give it away to anyone they want, no strings attached.

Free new Mace song

You can check out Mace’s Facebook page here: MACE on Facebook

Words and music – my only tools
Communication

Rest in peace Andy…you are missed. Click to read full piece: 22 Years after the tragic death of Andrew Wood, we still wonder

The brilliant songwriter Andy Wood was discovered by his girlfriend at the time, still alive but comatose on March 16th, 1990 after over-dosing on heroin. I have talked to many people that have said Andy had been clean for about a month but he relapsed and shot-up the same amount he had been doing previously. His body could not take that amount because he no longer had the tolerance built up. The doctors kept him on life support for three days but when there was no longer any hope, the plugged was pulled on the life of one of the brightest stars to ever light up the pacific northwest sky.

After Andy died and Apple was released, David Browne of The New York Times stated “Apple may be one of the first great hard-rock records of the 90′s” and that “Andrew Wood could have been the first of the big-league Seattle rock stars.”

As I was writing this I just got the most peculiar thought. Maybe Andy Woods passing had an even bigger impact than we’ve all thought. Of course we know that Pearl Jam was really just an extention of MLB of sorts but ponder this: Andy’s passing came about at a time when the Seattle musical volcano had began grumbling. Musical seismologists were starting to see things and feel the shake. His death brought more attention to the already rumbling Seattle music family and maybe that was the last little push the local scene needed to attract world wide attention. I don’t really want to call it sympathy but it certainly made people stop and notice.

Andy’s death hit the Seattle scene exceptionally hard and the close-knit community expressed themselves in the best way they knew how. Music. A year after Andy was gone, Chris Cornell of Soungarden, who had been Andy’s roommate, collaborated with Gossard and Ament(Wood’s bandmates in Mother Love Bone) along with Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready and Matt Cameron to form Temple Of The Dog. Andy Wood made reference to the Temple Of The Dog in Man Of Golden Words, one of the songs that was on Apple.

Facelift, the debut album by Alice in Chains was dedicated to Andrew and the second album Dirt, had the song “Would?”. That song was written for Andy Wood and some other members of the musical community that had passed because of drugs.
Jerry Cantrell said of the song:
“ I was thinking a lot about Andrew Wood at the time. We always had a great time when we did hang out, much like Chris Cornell and I do. There was never really a serious moment or conversation, it was all fun. Andy was a hilarious guy, full of life and it was really sad to lose him……So it was also directed towards people who pass judgments.”

Andy Wood was a gifted songwriter as well an exceptionally charismatic and funny human being. His legacy will live for a very long time like the Stargazer that he was.

333

]]> http://www.northwestmusicscene.com/2012/03/18/22-years-after-the-tragic-death-of-andrew-wood-we-still-wonder/feed/ 5 http://www.northwestmusicscene.com/2012/03/09/seattle-band-quickie-takes-a-stand-against-domestic-abuse/ http://www.northwestmusicscene.com/2012/03/09/seattle-band-quickie-takes-a-stand-against-domestic-abuse/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:52:39 +0000 Casebeer http://www.northwestmusicscene.com/?p=1176 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Punk Rock and Superheroes!

Seattle band Quickie takes a stand against domestic abuse.
March 8th, 2012— SEATTLE, WA — Seattle pop-punk band Quickie, who most recently penned a song celebrating Emerald City superhero Phoenix Jones, is taking a stand against domestic violence by teaming up with Phoenix Jones and his wife Purple Reign.

The Healing Reign Music Benefit and Auction will take place May 12th at Nectar in Fremont. Ghost Town Riot joins Quickie on the bill, but it’s the message that takes center stage.
“Purple Reign was a victim of domestic abuse, so this is a cause that’s very personal for her,” explains Quickie’s Lou Trez. “Our hope is to spread awareness and raise money for NW Family Life while putting on an unforgettable show. I mean, great music and costumed superheroes? How do you not go see that?”
In addition, for the next year Quickie is donating a percentage of the net proceeds of the “Phoenix Jones” song download to the Purple Reign Campaign, whose slogan is “everyday heroes against domestic abuse.”

“We are excited and honored to help out Purple Reign and give back to the community,” says Trez ” They (Purple Reign and Phoenix Jones) are amazing people making positive a difference”.

To learn more about the Purple Reign Campaign, visit http://www.purplereigncampaign.org.

About Quickie:
Quickie is a 3-piece pop-punk band from Seattle, Washington. Quickie’s songs have been featured in the shows “The Secret Circle” & “Vampire Diaries” on CW ,”Parenthood” on NBC and in the movie “Our Lips are Sealed” featuring the Olsen Twins. Quickie also played a world record 44 Shows in 1 Day. You might have also heard Quickie’s work on ESPN and Fox Sports.

]]> http://www.northwestmusicscene.com/2012/03/09/seattle-band-quickie-takes-a-stand-against-domestic-abuse/feed/ 0 http://www.northwestmusicscene.com/2012/02/15/graig-markel-cd-release-show/ http://www.northwestmusicscene.com/2012/02/15/graig-markel-cd-release-show/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:50:56 +0000 fakelabel http://www.northwestmusicscene.com/?p=1050 Graig Markel CD Release Show Review
By Timmy Held: tgraceband.com , fakelabelrecords.com
Any person who has frequented enough coffee shop open-mic nights or college parties can speak to the disenchantment one can harbor toward self-absorbed singer-songwriters equipped with nothing but their emotions, voice, guitar, and pretentious demeanor. And if you are wondering, yes I have been that guy. But it is my experience of assuming the role of the afore mentioned archetype that made me all the more relieved by Graig Markel’s solo performance at his CD release show on Saturday, January 7th. Because every that guy trying to impress the attractive barista, angling for a make-out session at the end of the party, or misquoting a German philosopher of whose name they pronounce improperly, is striving to be what Graig is. And that is a master of his craft.
I arrived at The Recovery Room (Markel’s studio in the Green Lake/Ballard area of Northern Seattle) around 7:50 p.m. Because I had a 2 hour drive and a potentially dangerous mountain pass between me and the CD release party I left a bit earlier than necessary. Luckily I was not alone in my hasty arrival so I followed a sharply dressed couple through a gate and into Markel’s yard. I entered what appeared to be a guest house at the back of the lot to find myself in the Recovery control room. I was surrounded by 15 or so strangers decked out similar apparel as the couple I followed in. I keep mentioning the attire because I went for the “classy-casual” look and was worried I would be the jerk showing up to a jeans and t-shirt event in a sport-coat, button up and tie. Luckily, and as I had hoped, I walked the middle ground as far as fashion sense was concerned.
Aside from the slight surge of anxiety fed by the surrounding unfamiliar faces in this unusual venue, I was very much intrigued by the dimly-lit room. You would think that the X-ray photos of a spinal column and ribs and a tibia and fibula backlit by blue and green lights respectively, would have caught my eye first. Or maybe the chest full of beer on ice would be a likely initial observation when a man who loves beer such as myself enters a room. But no, as much as I love a good brew and as much as I enjoy an opportunity to practice some osteology, nothing can grab my attention and pin it to the ground like recording equipment. I found myself ignoring the people and investigating the gear. “What kind of studio monitors are those? Holy shit a Moog and a Juno! I gotta try out some of these hand-wired effects pedals!” These thoughts were interrupted just before I disappeared completely into the realm of nerdom by a melody coming from the other room.
In the room to my immediate right Markel was finishing up the last song of his sound-check. He entered the control room and said his hellos to everyone. Some were there as close friends and some, myself included, were invited because of our involvement in Graig’s Kick Starter campaign (Kickstarter is an online pledge system for funding creative projects. Prizes of varying value are offered as incentives to donate). After a brief round of pleasantries Markel invited everyone into the recording room to get the show started.
Approximately 30 people piled into the larger of the two rooms of the building and Graig strummed the first chords of The Sharpest Arrow, track 7 of his latest self-titled release. “This is how an acoustic set is supposed to be!” I thought to myself as I noticed every soul in the room forfeiting their undivided attention to Markel’s superb voice and song-writing. Even a young girl around seven or eight years old was transfixed. And when the song came to a close she clapped more vehemently than anyone else in the room and it seemed genuine, as opposed to the often over-exaggerated expressions children her age are capable of.
The set continued with Chromakey in Monotone (possibly the most up-beat song on the new album and my personal favorite). The two IPA buzz I was sporting boded well with this tune and I found I was enjoying myself immensely. Gone was the anxiety of being in an unfamiliar place, gone even was the kid in a candy shop curiosity of the gear and gadgets in the room behind me. Maybe it was the India Pale Ale talking but I couldn’t help to chuckle in amazement at the thought of a song alleviating that minor twinge urging me to retreat to familiar faces.
The song ended and Graig switched from one beautiful Gibson acoustic guitar to another and checked its tuning. Unfortunately it was a bit out so he began remedying the problem. I am not sure why but the next thing he said struck a profound chord with me. Maybe it’s that being a guitarist I often find myself feeling awkward in front of a crowd when I have to tune my guitar. The show comes to a halt. The room quiets and the crickets start chirping. Just as I began commiserating with him Graig offers up this gem: “Tuning is boring…but the end result is worth it”. As I type this I am reminded of the importance of delivery so it does not translate itself to text so well but the tone, cadence and timing of this statement was unintentionally perfect. The crowd had a laugh and the guitar was tuned by the time the last chortle was expelled. Sorry Graig, but I am stealing that line for my next show!
Throwing in a few covers, including a very soul infused take on Neil Young’s My my, Hey Hey, and a couple of his older tunes, Markel covered a healthy portion of his newest release. Though it is more stripped down than his previous solo album, many of the songs consisting of one guitar and one vocal track, Self-titled is more soulful. Hearing the songs for the first time live in an intimate setting rather than from the CD may have made me biased, but there is a certain bitter sweetness to the emotional mass of the lyrics. The weight of which is carried, with ease, by the soft yet powerful, highly skilled vocal chords owned and trained by Markel. Vocal chords that every self-absorbed, pretentious open-mic performer thinks he controls as his voice echoes off the walls of his chest cavity, head shoved to the shoulders up his own… well, I’ll let you fill in the blank there.
After the set, Graig joined everyone again for drinks and conversation. I obtained copies of not only his solo albums but also the latest release from his band Animals at Night (which I highly recommend) and picked his brain about the effects pedals he builds and wires by hand. As I felt myself backsliding through the realm of nerdom, on a collision course with the thin barrier between it and the highly socially damaging geek realm I decided that it was time to mosey on home (besides I was my IPA was empty and another would have rendered me unfit for legal driving).
Not only was it a great performance but Graig and his very talented wife/band-mate Zera Marvel were excellent hosts. Providing refreshments and snacks for guests as well as expressing sincere gratitude for everyone’s attendance and support, they nurtured a very welcoming environment and for this I would like to thank them. It may have been one of the more unconventional shows I have been to, but it will certainly rank among the most memorable.
I would also like to thank Greg Roth of SMI for inspiring me to write this and share it with you.
-Timmy: Tyrannosaurus grace, Fake Label Records

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