And ready to rock Shadowland in West Seattle on Thursday night. NY was great – we look forward to the next trip.
Jeremy, DHC
It’s Friday night and DHC is the featured act here at the Silk Road Cafe in Chinatown, 10 Mott Street. We have played here every trip and it’s always a great venue. I’m updating more thru myspace right now, since I can’t get Internet everywhere. So for the regular check-ins, look for us at www.myspace.com/davehateschico2.
Tuesday night we unfortunately missed the open mike at Bar 4, but we made it up with a great Wednesday night at Paddy Reilly’s and at Arctica Bar. And then knocked out a late late set (3:30 AM) at Lucky Jack’s last night. Thanks to all the hosts who let us perform, and to all the awesome people we have met. Always a good time in NYC.
Tomorrow is Saturday, which we will start with the early open mike at Banjo Jim’s, and which we will finish with a full show at Perch Cafe in Park Slope. Very excited – I have been looking forward to getting back there for a long time. If you’re in the area, we hope you can come check out the show.
Sunday we will figure out how to hit both Pete’s Candy Store and Bar Matchless in Willamsburg, as well as Lilly Coogan’s in the East Village. And then Monday, hopefully we will have tickets to see Har Mar Superstar perform on the Jimmy Fallon Show. Who knows what will happen with that. And afterward, Kenny’s Castaways and Caffe Vivaldi in Greenwich Village, and perhaps Sidewalk if we’re lucky.
So that’s where it is. We’re going up shortly here at Silk Road, so I’m calling this good for now. Keep rocking, America!
Jeremy, DHC
Word people! the Countdown to NY clock is at 13 days remaining. Less than two weeks and DHC will be rock-blasting the big city with sweet sharp harmonic bliss. And CMJ will be going on at the same time, total and complete coincidence, but it will be pretty fun seeing an always bustling New York bustling even harder with desperate musicians and desperate label guys trying so hard to be or see the next big thing. We’ll just be playing our little songs at our little open mikes, making friends, seeing the sights and eating killer pizza. Gonna be fun. And to all of those in town for CMJ on either the giving or receiving side, good luck to all of you, I hope you find what you’re looking for.
What do I really like right now? Glad you asked.
Speaking of bustle, I really like Bustle on Queen Anne. This coffeeshop is only months old, but the coffee tops the list. And they get excellent french pastries. And they serve beer and wine and they’re open until 10PM. The folks in there are the best. If you’re in Seattle, go see them. 6th West and McGraw.
I haven’t heard much yet, but the new Har Mar Superstar album promises to slay it. I thought this guy was the shit from the first time I heard him. And honestly, I don’t want to ruin any friendships, but can anyone listen to Justin Timberlake and NOT think that Har Mar is about 100 times more awesome? Check out “Save the Strip” and “Bird in the Hand” from his album The Handler and tell me he’s not one of the best things music has ever produced. We’re hoping to see him live in NYC on the Jimmy Fallon show on Oct 26.
The Hot Avocados music blog is in my regular rotation. Full disclosure, I work with the author, but her enthusiasm for music is absolutely infectious. And she takes great photos.
That’s what I’m thinking about right now. Keep it real.
Jeremy
Dave Hates Chico
www.davehateschico.com
(PS – Fuck all the MySpace haters. Still the best place for bands, as far as I’m concerned.)
DHC Compares & Contrasts, part 7:
Seattle Vs. New York
This is Tina.
Tina makes DHC’s rock in New York possible. Tina has a cute doggie named Matilda, and Matilda keeps eating all of Tina’s clothes and other valuables. Tina loves Brooklyn, and she keeps a blog. Here it is – read up. Tina, we thank you SOOOOOO MUUUUUUCH! (does that come out sounding like Soo Mooch? Because if so, cool!)
Anyway, here’s the last head-to-head. I’m running out of things to say.
NY: Lilly Coogan’s in the LES (Sunday) We were really hoping to book a show at LC’s on this upcoming trip, hoping for Wednesday or Thursday when CMJ is going on, and I’m gonna keep trying, but I’m not counting on anything. Still, they host a Sunday Night open mike that keeps on giving. Last time through, we played a few songs, then came up later to play a few more songs with someone else, then shortly after that, the host Jaclyn set us loose for 2 hours to do what we wanted, and what we wanted was to lay it down. Lilly C’s is right there on 1st, snuggled inbetween the giant McDonalds and the giant Dunkin’ Donuts. Little red pub, good sound, good people, and that video game where you blast elk with a pink shotgun. Which I didn’t get a chance to play because I was too busy laying down the sweet harmony. Love this place, never know what’s going to happen, and I think Sunday will be a great night. The competition?
SEA: Whiskey Bar in Belltown (Thursday) When I was mapping this whole series out, I was thinking I’d hold out Whiskey Bar until last, because it’s so unique. The host is a gentleman named Lou, and he’s a rocker himself. Lou always starts the show off with an hour and a half set for himself, and then he opens up the stage to the rest of us. The part of me that wants to perform for a fuller room says “what the fuck, man?” But the part of me that gets into the hosting angle says “that is how to do it – screw ‘em all, get yours first, then let the people play.” So I’m torn. We played there last Thursday and it was pretty horrible – it’s a drinking crowd and they don’t fawn over performers (and again, I totally respect that), but the audience’s disregard was on another level this last time. So who knows? Some drunk chick got up and sang a song to Canada acapella, then staggered away, and I guess that was kind of cool. And they have a kebab place (called “Kebab”) that smells AWESOME, but I haven’t eaten there yet. The struggle continues.
So that’s it for the “DHC Compare and Contrast Special.” The trip is coming up quickly – we’ll be back at Bar 4 in Park Slope the night we arrive, Tuesday 10/20. We hope to see you there.
Keep it real,
Jeremy
DHC
DHC Compares & Contrasts, part 6:
Seattle Vs. New York
Let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the stages that once were but now are no longer. We have hosted open mike nights at Seattle spots like the Mainstage, Caffe Bella and the Merchant’s Cafe, all of which have long passed on – the memories live on, and only the people who went and rocked it down get to share in it. Kinda special. So NYC, big holla to Je Bon, the Living Room in Brooklyn, the Cakestore and the Baggot Inn. Seattle, everlasting love to Galway Arms, Liquid Lounge, O’Shea’s Easy Street Pub, The Rainbow and Contour – you were all great shows and DHC misses you.
I’m getting misty – let’s get to the matchup.
SEA: Conor Byrne’s in Ballard (Sunday) Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood has a lot going for it, music-wise. It’s got the Sunset Tavern and the Tractor, two big spots for touring groups. But one of the most interesting little places is Conor Byrne’s on Ballard Ave. A few weeks ago, the hosting hands changed over from Ricky and Liz to Danny and Josiah. Great room, great sound, and an excellent place to spend Sunday night. And in the old days, Miss H. used to run the show very cutely, and for a while it was being hosted by the Dark Prince. Those were days right there. Anyway, never a dull moment. the place has run steadily for years and I suspect it will keep on keeping on long after we’re gone. And representing for New York?
NY: Sidewalk in the LES (Monday) Ask anyone where to find the “biggest” open mike in New York City, and there will only be one answer – the Sidewalk. We got to know this place on our first trip to NY in 2006. Lach was running the show at the time (hell of a guy that Lach), and watching him do his thing gave me a whole new respect for what it takes to host with the big boys. The Sidewalk hosts upward of 90 people on a given Monday. The new host is Ben, and I know he puts his back into it just as much. I got to see a lot of good music on our visits there. The funny thing is, you go on openmikes.org, people bitch about this place to no end. They play favorites, you can’t get a decent spot, no room to sit down, blah blah blah, but it cannot be denies that when a starry-eyed dreamer comes to New York looking for a spot on the stage, the Sidewalk is what they want.
I think after one more, I’ll be done with this. Next time, Lilly Coogan’s in the LES (Sunday) goes up against Whiskey Bar in Belltown (Thursday).
Word.
Jeremy
DHC
DHC Compares & Contrasts, part 5:
Seattle Vs. New York
I think we’re laying it on pretty thick; we know our open mikes. I don’t know if there’s a bigger champion of the sport that DHC, aside from maybe Paul Roub, the creator of www.openmikes.org. That guy is in it for everyone’s benefit. But back to us, we (DHC) take the method pretty seriously. The heirarchy of active open mikes is constantly changing, based on a number of factors – for instance, Terrible sound? That’s a ding. Allowing comics at a musicians’ open mike, that’s a ding. Open mike occurs every other week or once a month instead of every week, that’s a ding. The host isn’t into the show, or plays for half an hour himself, or only puts up his buddies – that’s a ding. There are lots of ways for an open mike to take down the price of its own stock. And this isn’t meant to be harsh – we have hosted at a lot of places. We learned these guidelines through trial and error; we have learned from the best and the worst. And it’s important to say this: the very act of hosting an open mike is HUGE. We appreciate like hell every cafe, restaurant, hostel and bookstore that takes the challenge and sets up a show for the good people. Who we got today?
NY: Perch Cafe in Park Slope (Sunday) We didn’t have this one high on the list on our last trip in January, because Sunday is usually a busy night for the Williamsburg/Greenpointe area. There are two excellent open mikes that night, Bar Matchless (below) and Pete’s Candy Store. Last trip, we were late for the signup at Pete’s, and Matchless had a private party going, so we missed out, but I had notes on this little place in Park Slope. So happy we stopped in. First, the food is incredible. Asian fusion. Worth going for that alone. But the people are what make this place special – from the host Kimi to the performers to the audience to the Perch staff, the place has a really nice feel. And full disclosure, DHC will be playing a show at Perch Cafe on Saturday Oct 24. What you got, Seattle?
SEA: Hopvine in Capitol Hill (Wednesday) To me, this place is the definition of love-hate. We have played the Seattle open mikes for a number of years, and Hopvine has been a steadfast player. The food is awesome. The place is always packed. The people are generally engaged. These things we love. The things we hate? Absolutely packed with bitchy entitled hipsters. The sound system is pathetic. It’s so crowded that there is no place to sit. And there is a woman a block away who insists that the music stop at 11:00 because the noise bothers her. People gotta stop living near tavern districts if they can’t handle late night noise. Our disappointment with Hopvine comes from a few different sources – we took over as hosts of this show for our friend who needed some time off – and we ran it super kick-ass. We had it going for about 4 months before we were kicked off, presumably for being too awesome. I think the hipsters didn’t like our attitude and they formed a union to present their grievances to the owner. We were just helping out a buddy anyway – it wasn’t supposed to be forever. So losing the hosting gig isn’t what pisses me off as much as the fact that now, we can’t get a spot on the list. We have been shut out. It’s payback, I guess, but they’re the ones missing out on the sweet sounds of DHC. So anyway, we won’t be back, but if you’re out traveling and find yourself in Seattle on a Wednesday night, stop by and see for yourself. Maybe you’ll love it. Probably not, though. The sound system is weak. If they fix that, and quit being such dicks to DHC, maybe they’ll have something.
Glad to get that off my chest. Next up, we will put the Sidewalk in the LES (Monday) up against Conor Byrne’s in Ballard (Sunday).
Peace up,
Jeremy
DHC
DHC Compares & Contrasts, part 4: Seattle Vs. New York
We have a mayoral race coming up – let me lay it out super quick for the non-locals. We’re voting out a guy who I thought was awesome (Greg Nickels), and the running is down to a pro-business tax cutter (Mallahan) and a guy I know little to nothing about, except that he wants to kill the planned waterfront tunnel. I just found out that the no-tunnel guy is planning to extend bar hours to 3AM instead of 2AM. So basically, even though I know little about the guy, he’s likely to get my vote. Until this revelation, I was going to skip voting altogether. So good for Seattle – taking steps toward adulthood.
Today’s matchup:
SEA: Shadowland in West Seattle (Tuesday) Swanky. Sexy. Alluring. Those are the first three words that come to mind when I think of the Shadowland. This place is relatively new to Seattle, and has already developed a tight little community of rockers. The evening is hosted by a gentleman named Patrick, and Patrick is dedicated to good sound and a good show. And he’s a hell of a nice guy. The food is good, and cheap during Happy Hour from 10 to midnight. That’s another nice perk about Shadowland – it’s a late-starter, kicking off at 10:00. And it has a martini vibe and a very attractive clientele. All of these elements give it a nice dusky jazz-club feel, definitely one of the best places in town to come hang out and play a few tunes. Very much a locals hangout. What do we have out east?
NY: Bar Matchless in Williamsburg (Sunday) I vividly remember watching the Oscars on the big TVs over the pool tables, seeing Daniel Day Lewis winning best actor for There Will Be Blood and saying some very nice words about Heath Ledger’s passing. This was in early 08, and we were traveling with our friends Adam Hunter and Cynthia Marie – off on different tracks in NY, but they came to meet up with us at Matchless and it was great. Big comfortable stage room separate from the rest of the bar, probably good food but we wouldn’t know because we didn’t eat, and nice folks. We missed out on this one last time, and I don’t intend to let that happen again. I would love to rock a full night at Bar Matchless. Someday, maybe.
Check out the next entry when we give the ol’ C&C to The Perch Cafe in Park Slope (Sunday) and Hopvine in Capitol Hill (Wednesday).
Yep,
Jeremy
DHC
DHC Compares & Contrasts, part 3:
Seattle Vs. New York
You know who kicks ass the most at the open mikes? The Sound Guy or Girl. If the Sound Guy or Girl is also the host, then he or she kicks double ass. And if that Sound Guy or Girl also has to pour pints or pull shots of espresso, while hosting and running sound, you’re talking triple ass. The person behind the dials has to be able to dial it in for any random combination of instruments and voices that come to the stage and make it sound as clear and awesome as possible. Having been there, DHC knows how hard it is. You’re basically on for the night without any true breaks. The second you wander off for a smoke, that’s when the room will be hit with a blast of feedback caused by who knows what. Point being, give thanks to your sound person for keeping it together. There is no show without them.
So that’s who kicks ass. You know who sucks ass? ASCAP. More on that in a moment. Who we got climbing into the ring today?
NY: Silk Road Cafe in Chinatown (Select Fridays) Full disclosure – DHC will be playing a long set as a part of the Five Points Showcase on Friday Oct 23. This is a fun place – we hit it up for the first time in 2007, our first trip to NY, after accidentally running into a long string of poetry based open mikes. It was a great feeling running across the Silk Road – very friendly people, nice heavy-packed room, and good talent. Lots of comedians, and a real home-team vibe. You can tell that a lot of the performers are regulars, but they always make room for new acts. That first trip, we were faced with signing a 4-page contract in order to play, which freaked us out a little because we were completely wasted, but it was just a release saying they could broadcast the performance on public access. We declined to sign, and they simply turned off the webcam while we were on stage. Very nice about it. Seems like they have stopped doing the broadcast now, which is too bad. Anyhow, check out the Five Points Variety Hour at Silk Road right here and here.
And in the blue trunks…
SEA: Trabant Chai House in the University District (Monday) Remember what I was saying before about ASCAP? Basically, it’s the musician’s union, and they’re the guys who like to go from business to business spying on people, making sure that nobody’s playing covers of published songs if they haven’t paid the fee. Some places just seem to attract the attention of the ASCAP spies, and Trabant is one of them. For the travelers, Trabant is a nice little place and very much worth visiting for a set on a Monday night. Lots of young attractive students from UW, comfy atmosphere, and great chai. But you have to sign your name on the list pledging that you won’t play covers, only originals. Fuckin’ ASCAP. Nobody makes money on an open mike. There should be an exception, no? Who’s with me on this?
Hmph. Tune in next time when we pair the Shadowland in West Seattle (Tuesday) against Bar Matchless in Williamsburg (Sunday).
Cheers,
Jeremy
DHC
DHC Compares & Contrasts, part 2:
Seattle Vs. New York
I like open mikes. You know why? Because in this giant swamp of live music, with music unions and giant sponsored tours and everybody holding out a hand and expecting to get real paid, open mikes keep it pure. It’s just about getting up on stage and playing as well as you can for 15 minutes or 3 songs, whichever is shorter. You have a moment to make your mark, and afterward you could either be forgotten completely, or you could be someone’s new favorite singer. You never can tell. It’s not about money, it’s about fun.
Only 29 days and we’ll be on the way. Stepping into the ring this week, we have…
SEA: Bill’s Off Broadway in Capitol Hill (Monday). This is a new find for us. Just a block away from the main drag in Cap Hill, Bill’s gets a great crowd of friendly people every Monday. The pizza is incredible and the host runs a very intimate and fun show – the evening has a very comfortable cabaret feel to it. Also, there is the added benefit of being on the edge of one of Seattle’s most exciting neighborhoods, one of a small handful that keeps the party going until the late-night hours. Broadway in Cap Hill has more music venues than any other part of Seattle (probably more coffee shops and pubs as well), and as the home base for the city’s independent arts community, it’s packed with cool people – good movie houses, good theater, nice little galleries, and everything else that fits. Bill’s is a great jewel in that crown – you can read more about it here and here.
Who’s the lucky opponent?
NY: Banjo Jim’s in the East Village (Saturday). This place is a find. The show starts up every Saturday at 3:00 in the afternoon, making it the rare daylight open mike. Wayne keeps the show running tight, with the help of a sound man and an emcee. If we could ever get there early enough, I would partake in their selection of absynthe – I’m not sure how available it is in other venues, but it’s nice to know that I could spend an afternoon glowing in a slightly off-kilter buzz. I will make it a point to indulge this time around.
Banjo Jim’s is a great little place, populated with very talented bluegrass players, a lot of regulars, and a very receptive crowd. Be warned, it packs to capacity. Tough deal if you want some elbow room, but very gratifying for the performers to have 60 people jammed into a room watching intently. You’ll find it at 9th Street and Avenue C – you can find more details here and here. Signup is at 2:30.
Next up, we will put Trabant Chai House in the University District (Monday) up against the Silk Road Cafe in Chinatown (Select Fridays).
Sweet sweetness,
Jeremy
DHC
DHC Compares & Contrasts:
Seattle Vs. New York Open Mikes
I don’t hide it well – I really LOVE to play in New York. We are on our way back in just over a month, and I am so amped that I can hardly stand it. I love street food, I love the subways, I love the parks. Especially, I love the people. NY knows how to rock, that’s for sure. And every time we play an open mike night in Brooklyn or Manhattan, a few folks express interest in what’s going on in the Great Northwest. I decided that now is a good time to lay it out the best I can. Over the coming weeks I will pick a venue in NY and contrast it with a fitting Seattle counterpart. Hopefully this will benefit both Seattleites looking for a reason to hit the east coast, and New Yorkers looking to make their way west. Let’s see who’s up first…
Ah sweet Brooklyn...
NY: Bar 4 in Park Slope (Tuesdays) Great bar in a beautiful part of Brooklyn; as popular as this night is, it can be a challenge to get on the list. I don’t recall that I have ever eaten the food at Bar 4, but they have pressed sandwiches and a number of beers on tap. Put simply, Bar 4 is one of the best open mikes I have ever experienced. The talent and energy that shines from that stage is tough to match. It was here that I saw Ten Antenna, Dinosaur Feathers, Misty Boyce, Tanya Buziak, and the utterly amazing Wakey! Wakey!. Find a spot on one of the cozy couches, settle in with a pint and listen – I guarantee you will fall in love with a band or two.
Kind of reminds me of…
Photo by Chona Kasinge
SEA: Skylark in West Seattle (Wednesdays) Some of the best food and atmosphere around, with the added benefit of having one of the best stages in the city and excellent sound, courtesy of Charlie. Much like Bar 4, you will see some of Seattle’s best shredding it down, and also like Bar 4, this place is a little bit off the typical path – the people who come to this show are from the neighborhood, friendly and cool, and always up to hear what you’ve got. They come to hang. Full bands are welcome, and they often tear the place up. Get there early to sign up – the list fills quickly.
Be sure to check out www.openmikes.org for information on these venues, or any other open mike venues in the US. It’s a great resource. For the next entry, we move it further into the cities, as Bills Off Broadway in Capitol Hill (Monday) faces off with Banjo Jim’s in the East Village (Saturday).
Talk to you soon,
Jeremy
DHC
