Down & Dirty, Folkalicous Rebel Roots Rock in August!

Somewhere between Alaska and Burning Man, Sacramento's charming neo-honky-tonkers BLVD PARK are landing at the Skylark. Precisely, on Friday August 6th, along with Charles Hargis & The Northern Hunger, who are celebrating a CD release.

The ragtag group of instrumentalists in BLVD PARK infuse their music with a joyful folk-punk edge and a bit of bluesy swing. With roots in gypsy, gospel, R & B and rock, they call it "Spaghetti Western Desert Folk." We call it "Awesome!"



This is music you better dance to! These pics of the band and a rowdy audience doing just that are courtesy BLVD PARK's Myspace page. Take a listen and shine up your shoes!

And we can't think of a better match for this lineup than Hargis and his Northern Hunger! Word on the street is that:

"Chuck McCammon of "Halophile" has given birth to his alter-ego "Charles Hargis", a solo performance of acoustic guitar and a dark heart singing such sweet lullabyes of sorrow and redemption with humorous twists of poor crowd banter."

Bring it on, ya'll!

Why pay for studio time when we can record your show live?

“It’s like the cheapest studio time you’ve ever had!”
            -- Unknown, somewhat tipsy Skylark musician

Did you know we’ve got toys at Skylark that let us do things that even the big clubs can’t do? With our Presonus StudioLive 16.4.2, we can offer multi-track recordings of every show.

Let me say that again slowly. Your whole performance. Recorded. Multi-track.

At the end of the night, you just give us $20 (we pay the sales tax) and get to take home a high-quality recording of your show to remix and tweak to your heart’s content using whatever software you want (ProTools, GarageBand, etc.). You can also give the files to your favorite engineer for mixing. You're not paying much more than you would for a board recording (which is usually all vocals and kick drum with the rest of the band at the bottom of a well--in my experience anyhow).

Suggestions:

• release your first double-live album
• add a secret live track to your EP
• supplement your facebook/myspace with live tracks
• videotape your performance and sync it up later with our high-quality sound
• fix a flubbed note, edit out embarrassing stage banter
• add backing vocals or instrumentation
• completely remove that bongo player you just fired*

Don't feel sorry for yourself if you love this idea, but don't have a show booked at Skylark in the near future. Every single Wednesday night is open mic, which is fully backlined for bands. Why not record your open mic set?

P.S. Come to open mic or purchase your show recording before the end of July and only pay the low introductory price of $15 + tax.


*Sorry Steve, we’ve been meaning to talk to you for a while.

Pseudo Slang: Hip hop at the Skylark

"Rap is something you do, Hip Hop is something you live!"



Pseudo Slang image from hiphopanonymous420.blogspot.com

The motto of NYC's Fat Beats Records, a retail spot established in '94, serves the artists on their boutique label as well. Coming to Skylark on Thursday, July 15 is Buffalo crew Pseudo Slang, whose smooth, smart flow and sampladelic relics bring to mind the good old mid-'90s: think Digable Planets and Common, but with even warmer grooves. Their debut album Keep Looking is out on Fat Beats this summer. It's sure to turn some heads, so check yours here first.

Joining Pseudo Slang are openers APOC and Modill, and local headliners Proper Etiquette. Of APOC, San Diego City Beat says: "[Their] music sounds like the last 30 years of hip hop and electronic music happening at once." Day-um! That's a whole lot of goodies tossed in the blender, and we can't wait to get a taste!

Chicago duo Modill brings rhymes by Racecar and production by funk drummer K-Kruz, to get the party started. Their impressive debut, Midnight Green (EV Records) is a great accomplishment, representing a city that should be known for way more than Kanye.

Seattle's own Proper Etiquette is a six-person project aiming to bring back live instrumentation to hip hop. As they note on their page,

"Proper Etiquette is about putting the right work back into urban-style roots music. Paying the right homage to the genres that not only birthed Hip-Hop, but also that Hip-Hop has borrowed from over time such as Jazz, Soul and World/Ethnic music while not limiting themselves to a specific genre classification."

Five Alarm Fire, featuring John Maurer of Social Distortion! This Saturday!

Back in the day, when MTV still played videos, the singles from Social Distortion's self-titled third album were all over it--remember "Ball and Chain" and their ass-kicking version of "Ring of Fire"?

Now the music industry has been turned upside down, but it's good times for former SD bassist John Maurer, whose new band Five Alarm Fire is gonna burn down the Skylark this Saturday!!

On FAF's Myspace page, he says, "It's a new music world out there; the days of the controlling record company suits are OVER."

We do things differently at the Skylark too. Like bringing Maurer's band to you FREE on a Saturday night! That means more $ in your pocket for a 'lil libation or two.

The 'hard-rockin' riffs and hard-livin' lyrics' will please Social D fans looking for a fix. Maurer says:

"Punk almost falls under roots based music nowadays. We're not tryn' to reinvent the wheel here. Five Alarm Fire is just good ol cowpunk, rock-n-rolla, she left me for a bottle of whiskey, urban blues let's have a flipn' beach party and a pop."

STORY OF MY LIFE!

Every Second, Every Moment...

We've got to, we've got to make it last!

(Apologies to OMD, who played the theme to Andie, Duckie and Blane's prom in Pretty in Pink).

But yeah, our prom totally ruled.



Click here to view the whole set, shot by the one & only RJB Photo.

Here's How Our Prom Will Be Different!

Some of you may hear the word "prom" and think of overpriced banquets, awkward photo shoots set up by the parents, and the hassle of smuggling hooch past the chaperones. I'm here to assure you the Skylark Rock 'n' Roll Prom will have none of these terrible things, quite the opposite! Here's a handy list of ways our prom will kick your prom's ass on the playground...one reason for every year Skylark has been bringing original live music to the westside.

1. There will be no plate fees, limo fees, or any other fees. Not even a cover charge to get in and see the three wonderful live bands and awesome D.J. Our full menu will be available all evening and night. Beat that, high school.
2. There will be a rock 'n' roll photographer to take your photo. Say goodbye to those frozen-faced grimaces as your mom poses you in the yard for endless photos. RJB Photo, pro pin-up and band photographer, will be on hand should you desire a memento.
3. There's no need to smuggle in hooch or spike the punch! Our punch comes pre-spiked. (Some have said smuggling booze is what makes prom "prom," but we say a full bar and 12 beers on tap is what makes being a grown-up RULE.)
4. There's no need for a date or an expensive outfit. All these things are relics of a more conventional past that we can take or leave here at the 'lark. You've come of age, your life is your own, and you can interpret "rock 'n' roll" to mean a variety of sartorial things. Recycle an old dress, rent a powder blue tux, come dressed as Cyndi Lauper...it's up to you. There are no cliques here to shun you!

Skylark's 4th Anniversary Rock 'n' Roll Prom
Saturday, June 5th
8pm / free
featuring DJ Create and prom bands M.Bison, Zack Stokes Knows Scholarly Gentlemen, and Danielli.

Skylark's Turning 4!?! Let's Boogie!!

Four years, how they go by so fast. One minute you're navigating through vicious cliques, struggling to prove your coolness--the next, you're stranding boys at the drive-in and kicking ass at the prom dance-off! Oh, wait...

A lot has happened in four years at Skylark too. Yeah...we let Rizzo get us drunk and pierce our ears. Peer pressure is a $*#@! Now, we're the hottest thing in leather pants. We've been rocking and rolling the Delridge neighborhood since opening in 2006, so it's tres appropriate that we're celebrating our anniversary with a ROCK & ROLL PROM on Delridge Day, June 5. One of DD's themes this year is "fitness"--limbo, anyone?

Get your best moves ready, quick! You could be up against The Best Dancer at St. Bernadette's (or Pigeon Point):



PROM ENTERTAINMENT will be provided by Zack Stokes & the Scholarly Gentlemen, Danielli, and M. Bison! More details on the bands, photo booth and special treats coming soon! Mark your calendars!!!

Taste of West Seattle: You Gonna Eat Your Tots?

 
This is what can happen at food festivals. Get ready. This summer's full of 'em, and Skylark Cafe is officially in the mix.

Why not get pumped for July's Bite of Seattle--that T.rex of local foodie events--by getting a Taste of West Seattle on Thursday, May 20th? The Hall at Fauntleroy is offering nibbles and bits from close to 35 of W. Sea's beloved eateries, caterers and "beverage houses."

Now, we could rave all day about the culinary delights cooked up by Tony, Riki, Ryan and DeLeon in our lil kitchen. My West Seattle tastes like their tender tuna melts, creative daily pasta specials, warm homemade soups and at least TWO pocketfuls of tater tots! And don't forget our Yelp-tested, Yelp-approved Bloody Mary and all its variants.

Tickets to this chowdown of epic proportions are $35 if you get 'em now, and are available at Metropolitan Market, Hotwire Coffee, Husky Deli and Capers. Or call 206-932-2746.

Taste of West Seattle
6-8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 20th
THE HALL
at FAUNTLEROY
9131 California Ave SW

Confirmed May Shows Are Blowing My Mind

Upcoming Confirmed Shows

Shows are 21+ and start at 9pm unless otherwise specified. Check the website calendar often for additions and cancellations, or to hear music clips.

5/1 POST HARBOR, YOU MAY DIE IN THE DESERT, ARMED WITH LEGS
5/2 [All Ages!] GRAVES, MESTIZO, EXISTEREO, CADALACK RON

5/5 SINEM SANIYE (NYC) featured artist at open mic

5/6 Ninkasi Brewing Presents EMKAYTWO, KRISTI NELSON, TYLER FORTIER 

5/7 THUNDERBIRD MOTEL, THE BOURBONITES,
JEFF GRANT (of M.Bison)

5/8 BEND, THE VAGUE PROPHETS, ABRAHAM

5/9 [All Ages!] Mother's Day

GIRLS ROCK! benefit show 3pm-6pm

GHOST LOBBY, AMBER DARLAND

TEAM TRACY benefit show 7pm-10pm
JULIA MASSEY, ABI GRACE, ANNIE LOCKWOOD
5/13 MAN ON THE WALL, FOUNDRY FIRE, CHOKING MONA

5/14 TO THE SEA, THE FUZZ, guests
5/15 MINIREX, THE LITTLE PENGUINS, STROPPY

5/16 [All Ages!] TO PAINT THE SKY, ALABASTER, AMSTERDAM, 

REBEL STRIKE
5/18 7:30pm ALAUDA freeform bellydance

5/20 PENESIS, THE TAILENDERS cd release party, CHARLES HARGIS (of Halophile)
5/21 KEXP Hood-to-Hood Showcase with THE TRIPWIRES, THE FUCKING EAGLES, THE HOTELS, DJs Troy & Hannah
5/22 THE STEVEDORE, CASEY RUFF & THE MAYORS OF BALLARD, guests

5/23 [All Ages!] HI-FI RESET, guests

5/27 INNUENDO, SUBURBAN VERMIN, guests
5/28 THE DIGNITARIES, GLAD GIRLS, SOUTH SOUND BUREAU CHIEFS 

5/29 CADY WIRE, JONES FAMILY FORTUNE, SWEET SECRETS
5/30 [All Ages!] PETER HANKS, JACK STAFFORD FOUNDATION, guests

Tuesdays OPEN TURNTABLES 6pm
and LATE NITE HAPPY HOUR 9pm
Wednesdays TRIVIA with Britannica 7pm
OPEN MIC 9pm (signup 8pm)

It's All Good in the Hood: KEXP reps W. Sea on May 21st!

The Tripwires, courtesy their Myspace page.

Hop on your hog, rent that Zipcar, bus it on out to Skylark on Friday, May 21st, when West Seattle celebrates its victory in KEXP's Hood-to-Hood Challenge! No, it had nothing to do with switchblades down by the harbor. Our triumph represents our community's willingness to support Seattle's rockinest radio station. During pledge drives, the station pits neighborhoods against each other to see who can raise the most bread. And guess who's got the dough this time!

Since we won, KEXP is sponsoring and hosting shows all over the neighborhood, including our killer triple-bill featuring The Tripwires, the Fucking Eagles, and Hotels, and hosted by KEXP DJs Troy Nelson and Hannah Levin.

Can't sleep in the wee hours of Saturday morning? Ever come home from the bar sad and alone? You've probably tuned into Troy (below) doing his variety mix from 1-6 a.m. on Friday night.



Photo courtesy of KEXP

At the helm of Audioasis every Saturday from 6-9 p.m., Hannah (below) spins Northwest-centric tunes and hosts amazing in-studio guests. Recently, that included students from the School of Rock. She's truly on the case when it comes to what makes Seattle's music scene so special.



Check KEXP's Hood-to-Hood page for a schedule.

May 8th and 9th: What a Weekend!

Can you say "junk in the trunk"???

Skylark kicks off a happening weekend of Mother's Day festivities and TWO benefit shows by joining West Seattle Yard Sale Day!

The West Seattle Community Garage Sale is in its 6th year, and this community is not playing around. On Saturday, May 8th, there are approximately 200 yard sales for you to scavenge through, all referenced via an online map or an 8-page a 12-page .pdf (!!).

But you know you want to start your search at Skylark! (We are 53 on the map there, under the words "Harbor Island.") Not only will our parking lot be filled with items such as glassware, retro chrome sconces, scrap lumber and snowboard/boot combos, but maybe our cook Riki will even throw down her famous Kahlua french toast for the occasion. Brunch is the bomb here at Skylark...be sure to check your May email newsletter for 50% off a mimosa carafe with purchase of any yard sale item. Not on our mailing list yet? Better go sign up for next month.

Bring mom for a flower-filled brunch on Sunday, May 9th and stay for one (or both) of our exciting benefit shows.

First up! From 3-6 p.m. we're hosting an all-ages benefit for GIRLS ROCK! This radical non-profit encourages 300 girls a year to creatively express themselves through music. How I wish I'd had access to such a thing in my teens--I'd be able to play more than one song on the guitar I've had now for 15 years! (Although, it is "Livin' on a Prayer.")

Representing the rawk are the band Ghost Lobby (who slayed Skylark last month!) and sassy singer-songwriter Amber Darland (pictured below).



NEXT! At 7 p.m., "Mommies & Mammaries" is a showcase to benefit breast cancer research, with proceeds going to the Susan B. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk (via Team Tracy) in September. M & M is "a call to celebrate feminine creativity in it's many forms," featuring musicians Annie Lockwood, Abi Grace and Julia Massey (below). There will be a raffle for an awesome gift cards package from many local women-owned businesses.

Next Thursday: Dining Out for Life!

Lifelong AIDS Alliance holds a special place in my heart. The organization, which has been supporting and advocating for those living with HIV/AIDS in the Northwest since 2001, also happens to run one of the baddest-ass thrift stores in town. The trash jewelry of countless Grandmas and drag queens has become my shiny treasure time and again!

So I'll be sure to wear my secondhand pearls while working my lunch shift next Thursday, April 29th, when Skylark takes part in Lifelong's annual Dining Out for Life event. All day long--we're participating from 11:30 a.m. til 9 p.m.--30% of the proceeds from your meal will benefit Lifelong, and "the fight against illness and hunger in our community," as they say.

PLUS! If you make a donation of at least $25 to Lifelong while dining at Skylark, you'll become a member of the 20% Off Tuesdays Club. This means that every Tuesday, ALL YEAR, that you dine with us, you'll receive 20% off your total bill! Sweet!

Learn more about this vital organization here.

Then check out our online menu to plan your visit. Will it be our comforting mac & cheese, perhaps with bacon and bleu? A hearty burger? Our famous grilled steak salad with roasted red peppers?

A portion of our beverage sales will also be included. Psst...we've got a few new cocktails on the menu, featuring the use of Aperol, rye and (the favorite of genteel ladies everywhere) Hendrick's gin.

We look forward to living it up with you!

Skylark Stars in a "MOHAI Minute"

Holla!

We've been profiled in a short video made by the Museum of History and Industry here in Seattle. It turns out that our building has quite an interesting history. The West Seattle Blog passes on the word that the video "puts the hysterical in historical." See for yourself!

Kisses, Hugs and Hammered Dulcimer!

Portland's Loaded for Bear. Photo: Jonathan January.

Come out of hibernation and enjoy the musical bounty of the great Northwest (and beyond) this month at Skylark. Birds are a-chirpin', beer is a-flowin' and musical wildflowers of every color are popping up in our meadow.

Don't miss our sweet triple bill on Friday, April 16th, featuring the Rose City's Loaded for Bear (pictured above). The foursome describe their songs as "pieces of hills and fog and trees and creeks and space and old-world carnival and a compass rose." To us, that sounds like vintage Macha, or Red Stars Theory with a five-day scruff.

Exohxo features Danny and Jasen from local pop-punk darlings Speaker Speaker, plus five partners-in-crime, playing folk-tinged songs that are wistful and raucous. The critics have been drooling on this ensembles' skilled musicianship and remarkable politesse.

Finally, our headliners are SHiPS, AKA Jacob, Laurie, Chase and Garrett, who bring the "noise," "positive attitude" and hammered dulcimer to our music hall. Their fantastic sounds will ease you into psychedelic realms without landing you in a coma.

Friday, April 16. 21+/9:00pm/no cover

Confirmed April Shows At Skylark

4/1 EIGHT LEGS TO NOWHERE, KRIS SPECIAL, THE QUICK & EASY BOYS
4/2 BLUE STAR CREEPER, GHOST LOBBY, HALF LIGHT
4/3 GUNSTREET GLORY, HELEN CHANCE, DUSTIN SCHMIDT, RUBY HILL (duo)
4/4 {all ages} SEEING BLIND (duo), TAMARA POWER-DRUTIS
4/8 TWISTING FATE, FEEDING GEORGE, PERPETUAL JET LAG
4/9 OPEN CHOIR FIRE, CROWN ARUBA, THE GLAD GIRLS
4/10 WE WROTE THE BOOK ON CONNECTORS, DEAD AMERICANS, CAROUSEL
4/11 {all ages} WAY SOUTH, THE WHOLE BOLIVIAN ARMY, ADHD
4/15 GRAVES, VERSE THE VILLAIN
4/16 SHiPS, EXOHXO, LOADED FOR BEAR
4/17 TBD
4/18 {all ages} CHELSEA SPEED PARTY, THE KLEENERS, RAZORS & RED FLAGS
4/22 WAH WAH EXIT WOUND, LETHE
4/23 NATHAN WADE & THE DARK PIONEERS, ERIC MILLER, JIBRAN
4/24 THE HOOT HOOTS, VARNISH, SHINING SKULLS
4/25 {all ages} PONYHOMIE, EVELYN BOSKER
4/29 GREEN HANDSHAKE, THE POPULAR MONSTERS, MIDDLE AGE CRISIS
4/30 KLED, THE PLAID PERSPECTIVE, JOHNSON COUNTY

Tuesdays OPEN TURNTABLES 6pm
and LATE NITE HAPPY HOUR 9pm
Wednesdays TRIVIA with Brittanica 7pm
OPEN MIC 9pm (signup 8pm)

Ninkasi Debuts Its "Spring Reign" Ale Here On Tuesday 3/30

Spring forward with this refreshing seasonal ale. Notes of toasted malt up front, finished with a bright and refreshing Northwest hop aroma, it’s a session beer that everyone can enjoy!
6% alc./vol. 38 ibus.

Reps from Ninkasi Brewing Co. and their distributor Odom will be on hand Tuesday, March 30th from 5:00-7:00pm to play some records (Tuesday is Spin Your Wax night after all), toss back a few pints, buy a few rounds if you're lucky, and discuss and enjoy Ninkasi beers with the Skylark customer. It's going to be an even happier happy hour than most, and may go beyond!

 

March show calendar! Local & national acts...

3/4 HUNTING GROUNDS, BREAKER BREAKER, GOLDEN GREYS
3/5 ARMED WITH LEGS, POST ADOLESCENCE, THE SWEET DOMINIQUES
3/6 SHIFTLESS LAYABOUT, SATELLITE 4, SUPERMASSIVE
3/7 {all ages} JAMES COATES, THE WELCOME MATT, JACKIE DAUM
3/11 THE SHOTS, GOLDEN CITY RIOT, LEAFY GREENS, BRENDAN BOOGIE
3/12 NINE N OUT, KINK ADOR, CANDYSOUND
3/13 THE RESETS, HORACE PICKETT, JOHNNY UNICORN
3/14 {all ages} HELEN CHANCE, KRISTI NELSON, BRADY BANKS
3/18 POLAND, GAVIN GUSS, RUXTON TOWERS
3/19 THE GOOD LUCK NUMBER, JULIA MASSEY & THE FIVE FINGER DISCOUNT, 3 NINJAS, CRAZY BOY FLOYDS
3/20 SPACE HOTEL, DONERAIL, THE MOIRES
3/21 {all ages} KILL CUPID, HELLA SUNSHINE
3/25 TAYBOT, DEATHSTAR, HELLO SQUARE
3/26 THE GLASS NOTES, HALOPHILE, WORKER BEE
3/27 CASEY RUFF & THE MAYORS OF BALLARD, HORSE OPERAS, LENA LOU
3/28 {all ages} HOLLY FIGUEROA O'REILLY, CHRISTOPHER DALLMAN, AIDEN JAMES

Ladies, Bring Your Tramps To Skylark On Valentine's Day...and Valentine's Night

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2010

Seattle, WA - Sunday, February 14th, 2010 – Skylark Cafe & Club is hosting our third annual Valentine's evening with dinner, dessert, a bottle of wine and live music. This year we are also adding a romantic brunch to the offering...if "romantic" means a full carafe of mimosas to you. And doesn't it always?

Sunday brunch for two on 2/14 is just $30 and includes:

• two mixed-berry flapjacks
• an egg breakfast with two eggs, home fries, and your choice of meat (bacon, Black Forest ham, sausage links)
• a mimosa carafe (1 liter)

Dinner for two on 2/14 is just $40 and includes:

• starter salad
• spaghetti and meatballs family-style
• an amazing dessert from Shoofly Pie Company in West Seattle
• a bottle of Cycles Gladiator Syrah

Skylark’s regular menu and beverages will also be available all day and night. No reservation is necessary, just come on down and grab a table unless you have eight or more people in your party (then a phone call is appreciated). Weekend brunches are 9:00am to 3:00pm. Valentine's dinner will be seated from 5:00pm to 10:00pm while supplies last.

Live music in the evening will transport you with two excellent female vocalists:

8:00pm  Indie folk band LEMOLO
9:00pm    Down-tempo electroacoustic band THE DEEPSLEEP NARCOTICS COMPANY

Contact: Jessie SK 
206-935-2111

This Sunday 1/24 100% of Brunch Profits Go To Haiti

LOCAL SEATTLE RESIDENT ORGANIZES DINE OUT SEATTLE FOR HAITI
Seattle Restaurants Support HAITI Disaster Relief on Sunday January 24, 2010

After hearing that a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti on January 12th, local Seattle resident Monica Mendoza made her own personal donation to NetHope to support disaster relief efforts.  Yet, as she watched the constant updates of the unbelievable crisis the people of Haiti are facing on the news and on online she was moved to do more. 

She got to work quickly to begin organizing Dine Out Seattle for Haiti.  She made countless number of phone calls and wrote several emails reaching out to many of the local restaurants in Seattle and the surrounding area asking them to directly donate a percentage of that night's proceeds to NetHope or the organization of their choice.

Through her efforts she has proven that one person can make a difference and has pulled together the support of fourteen Seattle area restaurants so far which includes:
    •    Dinette
    •    Restaurant Zoe
    •    Quinn's Pub
    •    Le Gourmand
    •    La Rustica
    •    Skylark Café (donating 100% of Sunday brunch proceeds)
    •    La Isla - Puerto Rican food in Ballard
    •    Café Venus (donating a % of Brunch/Sunday night karaoke proceeds)
    •    Tavolata
    •    How To Cook A Wolf
    •    Barking Frog - in Woodinville
    •    Springhill
    •    Feedback Lounge
    •    Mission Bar

On her Facebook invite Monica states, “this is a devastating blow to a country that has already suffered a great deal for decades due to poverty, violence and unrest.”  She hopes that a great number of Seattle residents will make plans to dine out for Haiti at one of the participating restaurants on Sunday January 24 as well as make their own personal contribution to relief efforts in Haiti.

Here at Skylark, we hope you'll spend some time with us in between 9:00am and 3:00pm on Sunday January 24th for a delicious weekend brunch, and then perhaps head to another participating restaurant above for dinner. Double donations to a suffering nation!

Memphis Radio Kings Bring Their "Cow Punk Boogie" to Skylark Saturday January 9th

These westside favorites are finally performing on the Skylark stage, and it will be a fabulous party. Says a writer on Rhapsody Music Service:

"Fans of the Americana sound who feel betrayed by their heroes leaving the twang in the dust to pursue more radio-friendly music may now bow down to the Memphis Radio Kings, who fuse some of that Bo Diddley rhythm with dexterous Telecaster picking and melodies that stick like cactus candy. Oh, and their songs rule."

With Gunn & The Damage Done, Nathan Wade & The Dark Pioneers. 9pm / free

End of The Year Festivities...

OK, next week bring your Christmas and/or anti-Christmas records to Spin Your Wax: open turntables (6pm onward) on Tuesday, December 22.

On Wednesday December 23 we will have normal hours, trivia and open mic as usual. It's very possible I will do "Santa Baby" since it was really easy to figure out on guitar. C, Am, D, G...repeat ad infinitum.

Please note that on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we will be closed all day. Hopefully any ice storms this year will be kind enough to show up then. Happy birthday baby Jesus. Did you know that in Spain, they have a tradition of nativity figurines that are taking a poop in the manger? I did not make that up.

On Saturday, December 26th, we'll be open for brunch at the normal time of 9am. In the evening, we'll be hosting an End-of-the-decade Party. Dress as your favorite person, event, meme, or thing from the years 2000 to 2009. Best costume wins $100 Gift Card, and there will be runner up prizes and recession-friendly drink specials aplenty. 8pm.

On Sunday, December 27th, we'll be donating 20% of brunch sales from 10am to 1pm to Team Tracy. Tracy herself will be here to say hi between those times. Please stop by and know your tasty breakfast will help find a cure for breast cancer. :)

Thursday, New Year's Eve will feature local acts Stevedore and Guns & Rossetti to help ring in the new decade. Dress to the nines...or not. Food and drink specials all day and night. Get here early to grab a table for a nice hearty dinner. No reservations necessary. No cover charge. (What other New Year's event has no cover charge? Probably none.)

Friday, New Year's Day Brunch! Okay people, you asked for it...you got it. We are kick-starting the first weekend of 2010 with three days of brunch instead of two. Did you know eggs (the l-cysteine in eggs, specifically) have been scientifically proven to help hangover symptoms? It's true. You've always said you wanted us open for Brunch on New Year's Day, so show up and chow down. 9am to 3pm.

Happy Holidays,
Jessie SK

Skylark Was A Bar Before You Were Born...

...unless you are in your 90s. Check out this awesome photo of the "Youngstown Tavern" in the 1920s. It wasn't officially open during Prohibition, of course, but there are rumors of bootlegging operations until the repeal of Prohibition and immediate return of the renamed Delridge Tavern in1932. This neighborhood was called "Garlic Gulch" back then because of all the Italians. So it's fitting that us Italians are serving Baked Ziti here now.

Our landlord (born in 1917) tells a fascinating story of the history of this area (and the taverns in the Skylark building) here. Slingshot gang wars, gravel truck accidents, shuffleboard championships, drugstore thieves, salmon fishing on Andover Street, go-carts made out of salvaged wheels from the city dump. History buffs will love it.

Missed Show Me Your TIFFs on 10/8? Check Out The Video!

show me your tiffs: 10 years of music photography by jenny jiménez from Patrick Wright on Vimeo.

The Riffbrokers and Unsmashable Records Celebrate 10 Years on Saturday 11/7

Nick and Heather Millward formed the Unsmashable Riffbrokers in Boise, Idaho in the fall of 1999. A few years after relocating to Seattle, they dropped the first half of the name and used it to launch their own record label. The label became a DIY vehicle for a close circle of musician friends to release their own albums. Under the banner of Unsmashable Records, The Riffbrokers have self-released four of their own albums. In 2006 they contributed a song to a Buffalo Springfield tribute compilation on Not Lame Records. In the first half of the '00s, The Riffbrokers toured the western states regularly, and even pulled off one haphazard cross country trip.

Nick Millward's songwriting is heavily influenced by Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and John Prine. The band's sound remains a blend of Americana twang with powerpop guitar and growling vocals.
The Riffbrokers will celebrate their ten years as a band by inviting friends onstage to perform their favorite Riffbroker songs. Friends include Michael Dean Damron, 50 Grit, The Tripwires, Young Sportsmen, Crown Aruba, The I Love Myselfs, Paul Lynde Fan Club, Radio Nationals, North Twin.

I joined Julie and Jennifer and friends on The Menage on KKNW radio Wednesday to chat about the Saturday show and talk a bit about Skylark. We ramble aimlessly in true morning-radio-style about the hotness of the Skylark staff, the ladder in the basement that goes into the bowels of hell, microphone technique, orgasm-titled drink specials, and other miscellany. Take a listen. (I join them about a third of the way through the clip.)

~Jessie SK

Multitrack Recordings Available of Your Show

As bands who've played here in recent months know, we offer you a multitrack recording of your performance (on DVD, but there's no video) for $15. This is not just a board recording like you may have purchased elsewhere, it's individual tracks...so you can mix them down yourself in the software of your choice and enhance or tweak as you desire. This means you can't just put the DVD in a player though...those tracks you see on the DVD are not your individual songs but individual tracks of the whole performance. If you have a Mac it comes with GarageBand now and that works just dandy, or you can go to town with ProTools or something more sophisticated.

If you want to try something cool, record a video of your show and then sync up our sound with your video. Mighty Shiny did this for a few songs of their September show and it came out really well (much better than any camcorder sound I've ever heard, for sure).

We are building up quite an archive for posterity...your purchase of show DVDs goes towards hard drive space (those files are enormous).

Any questions about this process or our PreSonus digital mixer? Email cha at skylarkcafe dot com.