This show has high value written all over it. The evening's headliner, a band from Philadelphia called the Low Budgets, specializes in a stripped-down, no-b.s. style of bargain basement punk they gleefully refer to as "Value Rock." But that's not all. Come down to Mootsy's this Friday night and you'll also get three local bands packing their own considerable bang for the buck: the Blowouts, the Jailbirds and the Clap. How they're gonna pack that much action -- not to mention equipment -- into Mootsy's cozy little space is far beyond most powers of speculation. Still, just look at what your measly five bucks will get you.
First of all, there's the headliner, the Low Budgets. These guys perform a juiced-up, cheeky variation on a punk theme, featuring Joe from the Dead Milkmen on organ. Surrounding Joe's front-and-center position are Dandrew on bass, Chris on guitar and vocals and Steve on the drums. It's "econo-tainment" from the mean streets of Philly -- satisfying in a way you can't afford to miss. And if you do, you're still in luck because the Low Budgets' second album, Aim Low, Get High -- the follow-up to the band's Schuylkill Records debut, Go for Broke -- is now available at finer record stores everywhere on CD (previously available only on 12-inch vinyl with lovely hand-screened sleeves).
You'll also get the Blowouts, a fiery new local five-piece that has newly risen from the ashes of some of the most infamous punk bands this burg has ever produced, including the Fumes, Velvet Pelvis and Trampoline Girl. Consisting of Kandi Heyenrath on vocals, her hubby Robert (aka Bobby Pain) on bass, Norm Gall and Cale Bartlett on guitars and James McCallister on drums, a new rock manifesto for Spokane is soon to be written. The band is heading into the studio this month to immortalize its newfound sounds. Can an album be far behind?
How about a case of the Clap? Well, you get that, too. The four local women known collectively as the Clap have been steadily gaining stature on the local scene (not to mention a wicked reputation for unpredictably wild shows) since winning the coveted first place prize (I think it was a fistful of dollars) at the Spike's "First for the Worst" battle of the bands competition last winter. Has Doe downgraded to a cheap Japanese bass yet? What T-shirt will guitarist Colleen be sporting? Will Judith bring the milk? One thing's for certain: drummer Christa will be celebrating her 21st birthday at the show -- so make sure she doesn't have to pay for a single drop.
But wait. Call in the next 10 minutes (or just show up Friday night) and you'll also receive the Jailbirds' final stateside show absolutely free. The Jailbirds are a stylish local punk rock band consisting of Japanese expatriates. This will be the band's last show in Spokane before their visas run out and they all have to haul ass back to Japan.
So mark your calendars. Squirrel away that five note. And whatever you do, don't miss out. A deal like this won't soon be offered again.
The
Low Budgets, the Blowouts, Jailbirds and the Clap at Mootsy's on
Friday, June 3, at 9:30 pm. Cover: $5. Call 838-1570.
