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mondo culture-o
Good Times and Great Oldies by Gillian G. Gaar 
Chris Ballew signs an autograph for a fan. You've undoubtedly heard the adage about everything old becoming new again, and I must say that certainly seems to be case around here recently, as far as local music is concerned. Carrie Akre's band Goodness will be having a reunion performance this August at the Showbox; Helen Halloran informs me that her band the Doll Squad is coming together again, with possible shows on the horizon (follow their exploits at http://www.myspace.com/dollsquad), and word is we'll be seeing a Green River reunion sometime this summer. And then there's the Presidents of the United States of America. I first saw this chipper outfit way back in 1995 at Moe's, the same year their major label debut raced up the charts to #6. Then there was a second album, and, as it was not as successful as the first, said major felt well within their rights to dump the band. It all seemed to be over for the Presidents, but after a few years to catch their breath, a reunion was eventually in the offing, and since 2004 they've been regularly touring again. I caught up with them at their recent date at the Paramount, in support of their latest album, These Are The Good Times People. An ostensibly upbeat message that contrasts with the cover-a bright red balloon on the verge of being popped-that seems to be a portent of doom. It's the same contradiction you'll find in the songs, if you take the time to read the words: bright, lively pop melodies joined to lyrics that can be unsettling, like the protagonist of the first single, "Mixed Up Son Of A Bitch," who either commits suicide or is murdered in the first verse. Live, a Presidents show is a love-fest. of course. Lead singer Chris Ballew got things off to a rollicking start in a song that beseeched us all to love everybody, and make them feel good about themselves, a mantra well-worth repeating every morning, I'd say. The lineup was augmented by the same horn crew that appears on the record, Bellingham's own The Love Lites, and yep, they worked out well. The crowd was a mix of oldsters and kiddies, which still boggles my mind (it's impossible to imagine either of my parents coming to a rock show with me), but did create a friendly atmosphere. There was even at least one elected official in the house, King County Council rep Dow Constantine. At the shows conclusion, balloons galore rained down on us, provoking much merriment, though they didn't survive long among this boisterous crowd, who wasted little time in popping them all. Awww.... --- Kudos are due to Ellen Forney for hosting a delightful event in honor of her latest book, Lust: Kinky Online Personal Ads, a collection of illustrated ads which originally ran in The Stranger. I missed the gala sendoff at the Fantagraphics bookstore, but there was still lots of action at the event I did attend, at Bailey/Coy. Wine and seltzer water. Chocolates passed out by scantily-clad servers (male and female). A burlesque dancer. And, finally, Ellen herself, who set up a screen to showcase select ads, while she discussed her work and fielded questions. A note to people hosting readings: wine and chocolates get the audience in a good mood. One of the most enjoyable reading experiences I've had of late is devouring Mark Harris's Pictures At A Revolution: Five Movies And The Birth Of The New Hollywood. Harris looks at the making of each film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in 1968, a year America was at the crossroads: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, In The Heat Of The Night (which won the award) and, um, Dr. Doolittle. It offers a great look at the growing conflict between studios simply interested in churning out (hopefully profitable) product and the young upstarts who were interested in making a statement with their work (the screenwriters of Bonnie and Clyde originally hoped Jean-Luc Godard or Francois Truffaut would direct). And great as it is to read about the creation of a classic like The Graduate, it's the stories about the making of Dr. Doolittle that provide the most entertainment, as the film lurches from one disaster to another. Harris manages to talk to nearly all the main players involved, making this a true insider's account that's not short on lively anecdotes. It's a book I heartily recommend to any film buff. Don't be surprised if you want to watch (or re-watch) all of the films afterwards; even Dr. Doolittle. |
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