MP3: Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya
MP3: Let Us Play Your Party

When I heard that Seattle’s The Spits are dropping a new LP – their fourth – on the 4th of July, I smiled… That smile was brought on by a couple of different reasons. One – I, like many others, thought there might never be a NEW Spits LP, since the band went on a hiatus due to some of it’s members moving to different cities and getting involved in other projects. Two – there is no more appropriate band to celebrate our great country’s birthday with then The Spits. Why? Because to this humble fan The Spits are what America is all about – taking back alleys, playing parties, drinking beers and being weird.

To those of you who are not in the know, The Spits play the most basic type of punk rock, reminiscent of the great Ramones with a splash of new wave and a whole lot of FUN! The perfect soundtrack for a killer party gone out of control. They bring it live as well. I’ve seen them play a show at our very own Bobo Street where those in attendance, myself included, would not let them of the stage until they played every song that was yelled out at them. So if you get a chance, shell out the dough at the door and never look back. Also make sure to pick up all four of their self-titled LP’s and a singles comp called 19 Million AC. You’ll thank me later!

The Spits were gracious enough to answer some questions for us via e-mail. Also they attached a killer track Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya from the new album for us to enjoy (link above). So, here we go!

You and Sean are from Kalamazoo, MI originally. When and why did you guys re-locate to Seattle?

Sean and I had been traveling the country for a long time, separately and together, working as dishwashers and just seeking our fortune in general. When we landed in Seattle in the early nineties, the city had just the right combination of music, chicks, mountains and thrift stores. We knew we had found our new home.

When and how did the Spits start?

Well, Aleks, it was your classic “Boy meets girl, girl loves boy, boy goes to college for degree in 17th century French literature, boy drops out of college, girl leaves boy, boy hits girl, boy goes to jail for assault, boy gets out of jail and goes on 13-day vision quest with the Ayuhuasca shamans of the Amazon, boy starts band, band turns music world upside down and single-handedly rejuvenates punk genre, girl wants back with boy, boy sleeps with girl one more time and then sleeps with her sister in girl’s house and videotapes it, girl becomes murderous with rage, boy goes on long tours with band in Europe and U.S. to stay one step ahead of vengeful girl, boy blah, blah blah….” We’ve all been there.

You guys were on hiatus for a while. What were you all up to during that time?

Well, the Spits have gone through many personnel changes over the years and also gone through periods of isolation and reflection. We’ve had periods where all we did was huff ether, and we have had times where all we did was hunt raccoons and pheasants, but during all these times we have continued to play shows and with the reunion with original Spits drummer and cofounder, Lance Phelps (who had been doing some work for the government in human/extraterrestrial relations since he left the band) we are experiencing a golden age of creativity and productiveness that resulted in our new album, which we just released ourselves on our label, Thriftstore Records.

How did the new album come about? When and where was it recorded?

This new album is the result of two years of work. All the members of the Spits live in different states, so progress has been slow. We have recorded all over the world, including a cleaned-up Meth lab in Michigan, a renovated factory in Kalamazoo, Swami studios in San Diego, a studio in Seattle that no longer exists, a barn in France outside of Toullouse, and a house in a shitty neighborhood in Portland.

Why are all your LP self-titled?

Actually, they all have titles, we just don’t tell the public what they are. One of the albums is titled “Cogs Inside the Dreams of the Sleeping Robot’s Mind”, but I can’t tell you which album that is.

Can we expect a tour from you this year or anytime soon?

We will be touring part of the U.S. around August and September on our “Mutants” tour.

How does the current economic crisis effect the Spits? Whould you still play my party for a case of beer these days?

Luckily, Aleks, booze, prostitution and music are all immune to economic rise and fall. As far as playing your party, have you listened to the song? Both versions? Do you know what we are going to do to your house and friends and relatives and pets if we play?

Sure, we’ll play for a case of beer, but the price you’ll pay will be much more…dire.

We all have our own idea as to why the world needs the Spits…. Ummm…. What’s yours?

Yes, the world needs the Spits, but only a small percentage of losers, underdogs, and misfits WANT the Spits. The world needs the Spits because the world needs to learn how to party. The losers of the world understand the Spits because we speak for them.

A message to your adoring fans eveywhere….

Sorry about your taste.

A message to the playuh haters….

We’re gonna fucking get you.

PS: My thanks to JG and Mindy for letting me take over their lap top to deliver this piece to the masses! I wove you!!!

Oh man Comfest...or something like that. Basically there are a number of ways to go about Comfest. You can camp out somewhere in the park on a blanket, go check out bands with “clever” band names, wander around aimlessly running into people you know and drink booze and eat food and not pay attention to any bands, or you can hang out at the Offramp Stage all weekend like I pretty much did and watch bands that you know will be good.

How many times can you say the same things about the same bands? Find out after the jump!

I wandered down to the park in time to catch Fern at the Solar stage. Fern seemed a lil bit intoxicated. Fern is Hilarious…perfect way to start of the weekend I suppose. After that I caught some of Tin Armor and wasn’t totally stoked on ‘em, but will give them another chance in more a appropriate setting, after all, they played at five on Friday…maybe they should have been pregaming with Fern.

Friday had a pretty rad line up over at the Offramp-Grafton, Church of the Red Museum, Brainbow, Nick Tolford and Co…etc,etc…Managed to see a few Grafton songs, kicked ass for a 5:30 set. COTRM followed Grafton and killed. It had been a while since I had last seen them and maybe it was because I missed them sooooo much, but they sounded great. You know how you have to dress “nice” in a stuffy office and that’s suppose to make it feel more like work or make you behave better or something? Yeah, whatever…Church dudes jammed sans suits and they misbehaved the fuck out of that set .

Have you guys ever heard of Brainbow before? They sound like a deaf/mute eunuch Isis or something. They also covered Zepplin’s “Since I’ve Been Loving You” with the lovely Lara Yazvac of Ill Fits/Tough and Lovely fame on vocals.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pictured: Nick Tolford and Co.

Tolford’s company featured some back up doowop from Cassie Rosehips and Leslie COTRM and some other chick I don’t know. Shit was mad souled out. Nick Tolford used to play drums for The Slide Machine. No he fronts a soul outfit. Basically what I’m saying is it turns out some drummers can actually sing and that Tolford is worth making it a point to check out live.

Pictured: Happy Chichester

Happy didn’t play “Alcohol”, but he did play “$3.99″ which was pretty sweet. Hey Happy-start a new rock band, thx.

I’m old and get tired and cranky when I start drinking at 2:00 p.m., but I managed to see a couple Sandwich songs…heavy, psych rock with an emphasis on the rock featuring the one and only Ron House on vocals. Fun fact(?), Sandwich were formed via the rock potluck …pretty sure that’s a first. As much as I wanted to hang for The Guinea Worms and/or Two Cow Garage, it was not to be, my feet hurt.

Pictured: Time and Temperature

I wasn’t in a big rush on Saturday…I gave myself until 7:00 to make sure I got there in time to see Time and Temperature play. This was the kind of performance that I have been practicing shutting the fuck up for…quiet, soft, gentle lullabys that culminated with a standing ovation-NO SHIT…so awesome and Val was totally stoked. You probably missed it because you were to busy doing something dumb. Don’t let it happen again is all I’m saying.

I spent a fair amount of time sitting on my ass on Saturday hanging with my peeps but I did check out You’re So Bossy and The Lindsay before not making it to see Envelope.

YSB are veteran Columbus musician who are on some next level shit not hanging on to anything…Can’t say enough good things about this band…hey dudes, heard of myspace? The Lindsay were prolly drunk like I was. They are so totally post grunge.

Pictured: The Lindsay

Sunday was chilllll as fuck, a totally killer way to end an otherwise mediocre and overcrowded Comfest. I worked at ye olde Donewaiting/Cringe merch tent on Sunday…there was a lot of cool shit for sale, hopefully you stopped by and spent a whole bunch of pesos. Went to see moons after the shift and OH MAN MOOOOOOOOOOONS. Dusty was dressed to the nines in his Sundays best and prolly ate like twelve sheets of acid or something because this shit was otherworldly…I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, HOLY FUCK MOONS ARE FUCKING EPIC AS FUCK.

Pictured: moons

moons were joined by indie rock drummer du jour Ahemed Gallab of Sinkane, current touring drummer for Yeasayer for a 20 minute drum off. Seriously, I feel really bad for you if you missed this, as this was the highlight of Comfest weekend for me. Ahmed also played with The Slide Machine following moons with two other drummers and killed it.

That’s a real drum circle hippies.

Pictured: Brian Simakis aka best sound dude in Columbus

This is what you look like after doing sound for 50 bands in 3 days. MAAAAAD props to Brian Simakis for making all of the Offramp bands sound super sweet all weekend.

Go to the CMC Parking Lot Blowout

Duffy where is my laptop I think I left it in the Hummer can I move to Brooklyn with you

The look of the restaurant was designed by Thom Lessner. There’s lots of paintings of rock and roll heroes, baseball superstars, and a lot more. Kiesha took some photos of the paintings, but we didn’t take photos of everything. You’ll have to go to the restuarant to see it all.

J-swift of Fly Union

MP3:Fly Union-Gold Chain

Fly.Union’s bi-weekly party Whud up Wednesday’s has become one of my favorite events in Columbus. Eye, J Swifa and Giovanny usually DJ mixing hood favorites like Gucci Mane with music from artists like Drake and Kid Cuddi. Jerreau hosts the event. The party’s are always hype, I even saw my most recent girl fight last time I was there.

Bricks……….

Babes

Dj Detox & Johnny Cashola

When I heard they were going to have the Get Right DJ’s Detox and Cashola guest DJ ,I knew that shit was going to be even more out of control than it usually is seeing that the Get Right Crowd gets pretty crowd insane in their own right. As predicted the shit was tight. Detox and Cashola had no problem getting the crowd hype.

Everyone was getting loose. (Check the pics they really describe the party better than I can).

Thought Set was in the building in a major way The Catalyst, Meta4.ce, Envelope and of course me were all there. People got a preview of Meta.4ce’s new mix tape, which was very well received by the crowd.

Meta4ce

Wes Flexner & Envelope

This event was a good look for Whud Up Wednesday’s and Get Right. Hopefully this magic can happen again just make sure it is when I am in town.

Weedsteeler, Vile Gash, PBJ & WF in the building

IGLU!!!

Paszke’s letter asks the residents to cease using their house for what he calls a commercial venue. “It has come to our attention that your residence is being used on a near weekly basis for touring musical groups,” Paszke wrote, adding that this violates the city code’s residential zone permitted uses. He continues that the activity is “clearly in violation of many national fire codes” as well as the city’s business regulations codes.

“Any further operation of these venues located at this site will warrant an immediate response from our department as well as the Athens Police and Fire departments,” Paszke wrote. “Your landlord has been notified as well, whom we have requested to assist us in prohibiting these events.” Paszke said he had the landlord’s support in each of the houses.

The main venue being targeted is Brown Town. Judging from the comments in this article, it seems like Brown Town is an actual positive force in their neighborhood – no drugs, booze, respectful, and even neighboring families with children go to the shows. The same can’t be say for the frat houses in the area…

Official response from Brown Town after the jump.

The accusations raised against the house that I live in, 35 Brown Ave., are largely based around issues of semantics, misunderstandings, and falsifications of what we are actually doing. To title the house that we live in as a “commercial venue” is inaccurate. Our house is not a venue, nor is it commercial. Rather, it is a house, first and foremost, that also happens to have performances inside of it that are free and open to the community. We advertise publicly, however the performances that we are holding are private functions. All people are welcome to attend as long as they are willing to respect the rules of the house and the other guests. Guests are offered the opportunity to tip performers, if they wish, but there is no obligation to do so and no one is granted or denied entry based upon any sum of money. These occasions are void of drugs and alcohol, providing a positive space for expression and exchange of ideas that is free of racism, sexism, and homophobia. The number of individuals in attendance is controlled so as to provide a safe environment that avoids over capacity and potentially hazardous situations. Attendance is generally small and never exceeds capacity. We take great pride in our relationships with our neighbors, ensuring that any performances end before the noise ordinance begins and all guests are respectful of our neighborhood. We value the community that we live in and hope to better it through our actions.

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS HERE
(please be respectful in your letters, we have to be civilized about this. We can’t afford to be seen as hooligans because they already think we are. Also be sure to include your name and and your address at the bottom of your letter)

CITY CODE:
Theresa G. Gerren
Administrative Assistant
tgerren@ci.athens.oh.us

Athens News:
news@athensnews.com

Mayor Paul Wiehl
pwiehl@ci.athens.oh.us

Sunken Treasure is releasing the Bird and Flower debut album on vinyl in July. More details coming soon.

Columbus rapper Meta4ce came a step closer to winning a million dollars  on Sunday. MTV2 aired his second battle. He slayed dood. (we are still locating the video but you can watch the video of the first battle  here on donewaiting).  The above MP3(Monsta Musik) off of Meta4ce’s upcoming mixtape, has Young Meta describing the horrible things that he is capable of, very rabidly.

Meta4ce needs everyone to vote for him by texting Motv to 99134.

(there is a dollar fee for this text)

In November of 2001 I moved to Columbus from San Francscio due to my day job having a gigantic re-org of staff and resources. A year later, after being inspired by the local music scene by such bands as Miranda Sound, I decided to start a music website called donewaiting.com.

Through these six and a half years, the site has grown tremendously. When I started, we had several people writing about their local music scenes all over the country (Chicago, San Francisco, England, Indianapolis, to name a few). Things sort of moved into a more Columbus+National vibe over the last year, with SXSW coming in for 5 months as well. But the site has always evolved. I mean, do you remember when we had film reviews? (I miss you Caleb!)

Columbus has been great to me, too. I found my wife, got a dog, made some great friends, and for the last 2 and a half years have had an amazing job working for Jerry Dannemiller at the Wexner Center as their web guy. Trust me, if you have any passion for the arts and you live in Ohio, the Wexner Center is the #1 place you want to be working.

But, it’s time to move on.

For those of you who don’t know my complete biography (and why should you), up until the last 10 years of my life I spent it living in NJ. Ever since the time of us getting married, I’ve felt that it’s time to hitch up our tent and move back east to be close to my family. Fortunately, the right job has come along that will allow us to move back home and we are anxious, nervous, excited, and overall a bit loopy in trying to plan the move. The tentative target is to head out of town on August 2, and I’ll be using my Tumblr blog to post about our new life in New York. You can follow along here. Our hope is to move into Brooklyn, maybe Queens, something like that. (Any leads on apartments will be appreciated. +dog +cat)

So what does this mean for donewaiting.com and Columbus? Well, we’re happy to announce that Joel Oliphint, writer at The Other Paper and all around great guy, is coming onboard as the Columbus Editor of the site. Joel will work with our current staff of 6 other Columbus-based writers and photographers to continue our coverage of everything happening in town. If anything, I expect more Columbus-centric writing to come out of the site than ever before. And while in New York, I’ll continue to write the same sort of stuff I’ve been writing forever.

I hope you don’t consider this an ending of any sort. It’s just the beginning of a new chapter of a website that continues to change, grow, and still try to figure out what the hell we’re doing.

Duffy told me that all 50 copies of OH CRAP – VOL.5 sold during the first day of Comfest. Because I was out of town, I didn’t have time to replenish the stock so I’m making the Columbus band compilation available here to download for free.

DOWNLOAD: OH CRAP – VOL.5

“Dirty Power” – The Bom Selleck
“Leave it Tonight” – Josh Fitzwater and The Shambles
“Back to New York” – Keith Jenkins & The Moving Parts
“Hot Boots” – Bird and Flower
“Lonely Bones” – Colin Gawel
“Falls the Shadow” – Hayseed
“Night Crawler” – Bill Kurzenberger
“Conspicuous Consumption” – Vespin
“Record in the Sleeve” – Like Giants
“Metal Hairpiece” – Dr. Robot
“Until it’s Gone” – Paper Airplane
“Echo Wheel” – Woosley Band
“Gravity’s Heart” – Bush League All-Stars
“Sleep Well” – Ryan Smith
“Mystery to Me” – Mike Switzer
“White Water” – Househearts
“Pissed it Away” – The Vague
“Mayqueen” – The Lost Revival
“Lies” – Bookmobile

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