So you may have already noticed the construction trucks mounting H St. Over the course of the next 2 months, Arcata will be getting a sidewalk style facelift. What this means is that our streets from 11th to the plaza will be ripped up and our existing sidewalks reduced to about 18 inches, while they work to extend the sidewalks and create a single lane road towards the plaza. WE ASSURE YOU WE ARE OPEN throughout construction and though the street may be dusty, we do believe that when the dust settles you're going to be pleasantly surprised at how nice it will look...or we'll take to city hall wielding flaming torches like in the good old days. Also bear with us as the blog takes on a bit of construction as well, we figured after two years and some change it was time.
This month we had to have a long talk with ourselves about trying something new. Ever since Pickathon, the only records we've been playing are Clifford Hayes, Darby & Tarlton, Charlie Poole and other gems you can't just stroll on in and pick up anytime. To our customers who've asked us 'what's this?' only to discover the record in question was some relic from our private stash...we're sorry. As penance, we decided to each search out something new, as well as something we've had around the store, and give you our 2 cents about a few records you can actually buy. First though, we would be remiss in our duties if we didn't hep you to some of the events coming up in our own little hamlet.
SUBLIME FREQUENCIES @ ARCATA THEATRE LOUNGE
When La Dolce Video called us about helping making this event really happen, first we cleaned up the puddle of pee, then in our best Rudy Ray Moore voice replied, "hell yes." Get your chance to meet Hisham Mayet, videographer of the amazing DVD series put out by Sublime Frequencies. When not traveling all over the world filming amazing musicians, apparently he likes to travel all over the coast. Come join La Dolce Video, Missing Link Records, DJ Mantease and Sublime Frequencies for two films, a Q&A session and a world dance party! Films and Q&A are all ages and the afterdoings (10pm) are +21. Admission is $5 and doors open at 7pm.
MAMA ROUX + BITCHDOCTOR @ ARTS ARCATA
This month we're honored to have our walls gussied up by HSU alumni and 3 year champion of the Pawtucket County Fair Tractor Pull, Ms. Gina Tuzzi. Now residing in the uber-hip land of the Bay, she's kindly agreed to venture back to the old oak tree for a show she's calling, "MaMa Roux: New Art & Old Gris-Gris." Oh but wait, as if the incredible arts wasn't enough, we're makin' an all out sandwich! Starting at 6, The mighty Bitchdoctor takes the invisible stage. If you haven't already caught this trio of fine young lads, they serve up the kind of simple yet refreshing garage rock that this town needed. Afterwards, let the funky cutoffs of DJ Mantease teach you how to booty clap in a short set of soul stomp, dedicated to the MaMa herself.
THE PACK A.D. SEPT.12TH @ THE ALIBI
Two hard rockin' women combine to form Canada's greatest living garage duo. After first rocking the Alibi about four years ago, they find themselves unable to further ignore Humboldt County's siren song...plus, they emailed Ian. If you didn't catch them the first time around, make sure not to miss this so in another four years you can brag about being at the last one, when Arcata was cool.
THE ALLAH-LAs
Remember how awesome it was when bands like Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Go, Greenhorns and The Rosewood Thieves were making that jangly throwback rock? After what has seemed like a pretty long drought, a light rain begins to fall in the form of San Francisco's The Allah-Las. A big thanks to the folks at Aquarium Drunkard for turning us onto this one, we're definitely going to try and catch them the next time we're in the bay.
NICK WATERHOUSE
L.A. Weekly described this 24 year old Huntington Beach native as, 'The young man who makes old R&B". Nick Waterhouse is the New Breed - An R&B fanatic who combines an uncanny old-school sensibility with a charged, contemporary style. You know we are suckers for this type of stuff. He only has a couple of expensive self released 7"s and an EP out at the moment, but you best believe we are on the hunt to bring some into the store (we even emailed the guy already). We'll keep you posted!
STARVING WIERDOS
With their latest "Rolled in the Midst of Never-Ceasing Currents Flowing Without a Rest Forever Onward"...( damn say that three times fast!), local floor core stalwarts The Starving Wierdos step it up a notch. Crushed rap-tempo beats echo and tumble over knocking percussion, high pitched wails and the distant rattle of electrical ghosts create a mass of drone. Total mind-fuck bliss type stuff here, featuring a beautifully screen printed photo of Gregg DeVaney's Great Grandmother in front of her Topanga Canyon homestead. This is a one time pressing of 350 on Bo'Weavil records. Don't sleep on this one they won't last long.
VERMILLION SANDS
Things you should know about the Vermillion Sands...
1) They are from Treviso Italy (so that explains the accent).
2) Their stuff is damn hard to get in stock.
3) If we had to make a 'sounds like' list we'd say Fabienne DelSol or early Holly Golightly.
Ever since we stumbled upon the 45 Fat Possum put out by these guys a few years ago, we've kept our peepers peeled for any releases other they might send stateside. Finally after a long wait, we got ahold of their 12" EP. With a simple photo on the cover and no real listing on the back, it's been sitting on the shelf waiting for someone to discover this awesome band.
OTHER NEW RELEASES
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks "MIRROR TRAFFIC"
Primus "GREEN NAUGHAHYDE" 9/13
Beirut "THE RIP TIDE"
OK, THIS IS THE LAST TIME WE'LL MENTION PICKATHON...
BEARDY SESSIONS
Our new friends over at Natural Beardy have compiled a whole bunch of candid recordings from all over the festival. If you didn't make it this year, then sit back and enjoy a little of what the weekend was like.
Cahalen Morrison & Eli West - All for the Sake of Day.
Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three - Walk Your Way Out of This Town.
Joy Kills Sorrow - Reservations.
OH BUT THERE'S MORE...
we the stout-hearted staff of Fort Dave also manned our portable recorder through three days of liquor and doobs, managing to capture a few of our more memorable moments this time around.
THE WILDERS ON THE WOODS STAGE
ADAM 'LIGHTNIN' HOSKINS, RYAN KOENIG AND BETSEE ELLIS!
THE WATER TOWER BUCKET BOYS &'CHURCHMOUSE' KOENIG
RAY WYLIE HUBBARD
With the summer weather holding steady, expect us to be keeping the afro-jams and soul collections on both the racks and the turntable. C'mon by and we'll tell you all about them.
keep diggin' those crates,
--Matt n' Adam
