Unfortunately, the Spinal Tap tour that has been talked about in recent weeks isn’t exactly the full-blown extravaganza many were hoping for (myself included). Instead, it’s going to be an “Unwigged & Unplugged” tour, with the three actors performing songs from This Is Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind on acoustic guitars. It’ll still be an entertaining evening, just not the mighty spectacle of Tap. Tickets for Seattle and Vancouver go on sale this Friday, 3/6.

The Skyfire Puzzle - Demo CD (Self Released)
by Sean Berry (Bell-Tone)
The Skyfire Puzzle are a new Bellingham combo that are a breath of fresh air - a rock/pop group with a sound that blends modern and retro. There’s crunchy guitars and vintage synths, all fueling a set of four tunes that move the body and feed the mind. Comparisons to The Killers and Interpol are inevitable, and yes, they do sound quite a bit like these popular combos. Then again, this is a demo - a first stab at recording. …

One of my favorite local bands, Go Slowpoke, is set to release their new CD, Alphabet, this week . It’s rare for a local band to release more than one CD, so this is great news. It is absolutely stellar, with a variety of pop, country and folk tunes - there’s even a ballad or two. Singer/guitarist Peter Woiwod’s songwriting and lyrics are thoughtful and beg the listener to pay attention - each song is a story. You can hear the whole thing online here, an pick up their CD …

The Artificial Owl website is completely unrelated to Bellingham and music, but I was sucked in by the photo gallery of this amazing abandoned monument in Bulgaria. After spending about 15 minutes viewing these photos, I then spent another hour clicking through the site. Some amazing photos here that just don’t seem real.

The Sugar high Mustangs CD (Self Released)
by Lane Koivu (What’s Up Magazine)
On their self-titled debut, it’s clear that the Sugar High Mustangs aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel. The Bellingham four-piece wear their influences–Pixies, Tapes N’ Tapes, Sonic Youth, Pavement, Elvis Costello–unabashedly on their sleeves, and the result is a record that is both immediately catchy and accessible, if not groundbreaking. And while this group may not be close in terms of innovation to their heroes, they do a nice job of emulating the ingredients that made those idols legendary …

Pink Lincoln - Demo CD (Self Released)
by Sean Berry (Bell-Tone)
Pink Lincoln is a hard rockin’ local combo that delivers on this demo CD-R a crunchy guitar attack, with a sense of melody and excellent production for a demo. This 3-piece has a sound that’s bigger than Bellingham - I don’t listen to much radio anymore, but when I do (especially Canadian radio) it’s filled with songs that sound similar to this. It’s a compliment to the band that they have created something so professional sounding - it’s like they’re ready …

Skyfire Puzzle - Demo CD (Self Released)
by Brian Fannin (What’s Up Magazine - February 2009)
They say first impressions mean everything. And this 4-song demo by The Skyfire Puzzle is a firm yet lively handshake. It’s fun, energetic music in the style of alternative pop-rock with bits of The Killers, early Flickerstick, Depeche Mode, and The Cure.
The first thing you notice about this demo is the recording quality, an excellent mix with clarity and punch. Singer Issac’s bright tenor voice goes well with the music. He works the bridge of his …

Big Ass Letdown - It Takes Less Brain Amount (Self Released)
by Boris Budd (What’s Up Magazine - February 2009)
I was a bit apprehensive to listen to the new record from Big Ass Letdown. I had been having a really good day and was afraid of, well, a big ass letdown. Fortunately for me It Takes Less Brain Power brought my day to even a better close. The 12-song effort is an exercise in creativity as the lads mix fabulous feedback driven guitars with frenzied …

Lucky Brown - Easy Invitation (Westsound Record Co.)
by Boris Budd (What’s Up Magazine - February 2009)
Some people would’ve considered themselves lucky to have heard Lucky Brown’s unmastered version of their upcoming release Easy Invitation. The record is a snappy performance of mostly instrumental funk tunes.
The group is on big time as Joel Ricci and Co. attack the songs with their energetic brand of horn driven tunes. Ricci is stellar on trumpet as usual, but he is not to be outdone by the rest of the band.Drummer Olli Klomp and Tommy …

Black Crabs - 13 Times (Ravenous Records)
by Brent Cole (What’s Up Magazine - January 2009)
With their latest release, 13 Times, Seattle’s Black Crabs (which features Bellingham’s Tom Forster of The Foot Stompin’ Trio/Sweetheart of the Rodeo on drums) continue with their old school rockabilly romp. Overall, the disc is your standard fare rockabilly, lots of reverb guitar, stand up bass and swing drums. Nothing too fancy, so fans of the genre will enjoy it, especially if heard on a loose summer day.
The highlight of the …