Chad Ramsey
66beat was named a Band to Watch in 2013 and are playing this year's Volume.
For the past decade, the
Inlander has selected five (or so) bands per year that you should be
watching. These are the bands proving how original and talented the local music scene is. Ten years in, we’re checking in on our past Bands to Watch, formerly known as Buzzworthy Bands. Just scanning through the list of old names should bring back memories of venues and concerts past. We’ll be the first to admit that many of these bands have long broken up, but other artists have gone on to move past the Spokane rock scene and many are performing at this year's
Volume.
2005
Weight: A hard-edged instrumental three-piece that’s now broken up, scattered into the wind.
Belt of Vapor: The Spokane band is as loud as ever, still kickin’ up mischief around town.
Locke & the Chris Wilson 5: The funk-jazz-hop oufit has since parted ways.
Mylestone: Broken up, but Patrick O’Neill moved to Seattle and started Like Lions, which now tours here.
Burns Like Hellfire: Gone but resurrected later in some capacity as Silver Treason.
2006
Flee the Century: A wild, heavy electronic-rock act that reunites occasionally, including for this year’s Volume, which kicks off a mini Northwest tour.
La Cha-Cha: The members of this rock four-piece have all gone their separate ways.
Teevee: A rock ’n’ roll trio that is no longer together.
Seaweed Jack: A dance-rock outfit that’s since moved on to other projects.
Coretta Scott: They toured nationally and released a record on Rise Records, but are now broken up.
2007
Cyrus Fell Down: Broken up, but frontman David Plell moved to Seattle and continues to make strange music.
For Years Blue: They won Seattle's Sound Off battle of the bands competition, played Bumbershoot and then parted ways.
Mistress & the Misters: The strange-rock band has since broken up.
James Pants: The local DJ has since moved to Germany, where he works as a studio engineer and is affiliated with the Red Bull Music Academy.
Hockey: The California band lived in Spokane for a while, then moved to Portland and are still going strong, with just one of their original members.
2008
Kaylee Cole: The Spokane si
click to enlarge DJ James Pants, named a Band to Watch twice, is very much still making music.
nger-songwriter now calls Portland, Los Angeles and Nashville her homes, and has opened for bands including The Head and the Heart and the Lumineers.
Joel Smith: The former
Inlander staffer is no longer actively playing shows.
Oil of Angels: An Earth-shatteringly loud band that is now broken up.
James Pants: Yes, he won the distinction twice, which is now strictly against the rules.
Dane Ueland: Moved to Seattle and started the folk act & Yet, which regularly performs at the Bartlett.
2009
Karli Fairbanks: In just five years, she’s become Karli Ingersoll, leader of Cathedral Pearls and the Bartlett and her new solo project Windoe.
Please Draw In Me: Renamed Bandit Train, a group that still performs around town regularly.
The Booze Fighters: The blues group reunited for one show last year, but they’re no longer together.
Mon Cheri: A crowd favorite who have since broken up.
Henry Nordstrom & Vaughn Wood: The group is called Dead Serious Lovers now.
Cure All Remedy (Readers’ Choice): The jazz/soul/rock band has gone their separate ways.
2010
Jaeda: Still doing her cool rapping thing, she's now a part of the hip-hop duo the Muzes, which is performing at this year’s Volume.
Matthew Winters: Now a part of the indie rock band the Bight, which plays this year’s Volume.
Space Opera 77: The rock opera group is now broken up.
Ze Krau: The ferocious four-piece is no longer together.
FAUS: Still as loud and as hard as ever, performing around town.
2011
Silver Treason: Still going strong; playing their country-tinged music at this year’s Volume.
Whiskey Dick Mountain: The band recently reunited and is appearing at this year’s Volume.
Quiz: The rapper, also known as K. Clifton, is still letting his lyrics loose around Spokane and plays this year’s Volume under the moniker roam (a two-piece with Blvck Ceiling).
Dan Ocean: The beatmaster now known as Blvck Ceiling plays this year’s Volume with roam.
Horse Thieves: Broken up, but Marshall McLean has gone on to start another project.
2012
Terrible Buttons: Last year’s Volume was the horror-folk band’s final show.
BBBBandits: They put out a new record last year and have recently announced that their last show is at Mootsy's July 18.
Losing Skin: The band is still loud and proud and playing this year’s Volume.
Tim Blood & the Gutpanthers: While there was one crazy evening last August when the band got back together, they are now broken up.
Mirror Mirror: The psychedelic rock group is still very much a band, releasing brand-new music in February.
Thumper: DJ Jordan Magnuson moved to Portland a couple of years ago.
2013
66beat: The stoner-punk three-piece continues on, playing this year’s Volume.
Hooves: The roaring, in-your-face instrumental band has gone its separate ways.
Lilac Linguistics: The hip-hop collective continues to make waves in the local scene.
Ian L. Miles: Moved to Whidbey Island but is back in town for this year’s Volume.
Psychic Rites: Moved from Moscow to Portland and are doing crazy music videos and shows there.
2014
Mama Doll: After one of their founding members moved to Portland, the band has continued on and are performing at this year’s Volume.
Normal Babies: The rock band allegedly is on hiatus.
Sam Platts & the Kootenai Three: Moved to Wyoming, where they continue to tear it up.
Bloody Gloves: The rock three-piece has officially broken up.
Blackwater Prophet: Still rocking hard and are featured in this year’s Volume.
THIS YEAR
Water Monster
Phlegm Fatale
Loomer
Marshall McLean Band
Flannel Math Animal