Live from "Live at Squamish"

[StoneMtn]

So I am currently seeing my first act at this first annual two-day fest.

I am watching "Jon & Roy" (curiously a trio) including lead-singer with guitar and harmonica, bassist, and a drummer with a simple kit.

I don't know the first thing about these guys, but they are blowing me away!

[StoneMtn]

Just saw the last couple songs by "Said the Whale". Pretty cool stuff!

[Hartamophone]

So I am currently seeing my first act at this first annual two-day fest.

I am watching "Jon & Roy" (curiously a trio) including lead-singer with guitar and harmonica, bassist, and a drummer with a simple kit.

I don't know the first thing about these guys, but they are blowing me away!

They're from the Island, and Stephen Franke has been heavily involved with their career, I think as both a manager and producer. He also sits in with them pseudo-regularly.

Also, happy birthday man. I'm glad to see you're enjoying it in the promised land.

[StoneMtn]

Watching Tennesee Three - Johnny Cash's old band. Awesome.

Big River!

Thanks for the info, Hart. I bought both their CDs.

[StoneMtn]

So a wireless phone company is here witha big structure all set up, with electronic things etc.

All I could see was my daughter's beach ball landed on top of something - easily climbable.

"Sir! Sir! You have to get down right now! Do you realize that's thousands of dollars of equipment?"

Gee - What were the odds they'd meet an anarchist rock-climber if they set up at the base of The Squamish Chief?

[StoneMtn]

DEVO is about to hit the stage.

Whip it good.

[StoneMtn]

Devo is nerdy and weird, yet cool. Their drummer is also a maniac.

Fun band!

[StoneMtn]

So it turns out they can really thrash on their guitars.

Devo finale-ed by throwing handsful of "super jet balls" with happy faces on them into the audience. Caught one. I'm the coolest.

Devo (sort of) rocks. In a geeky way.

[Velvet]

Sounds like a heck of a festival!

I would really like to see Devo.

[StoneMtn]

We are starting out today with the awesome, mellow solo-acoustic, folky sounds of John Bottomley. We are at the SERF Stage. We figured out this stage is the hippie/jammy/reggae stage. There is also a club-music (house, DJs, etc) stage, and the big stage where Devo and The Tennesee Three each played.

I think we'll spend the afternoon at the SERF stage. Tonight I'll hit the big stage (The Stawamus Stage) for The Decemberists.)

Lovin' John Bottomley. Lovin' him.

[StoneMtn]

Okay, now we are watching Kate Morgan (perhaps The Kate Morgan Band). So far, it's pretty good, straight-ahead blues-rock. She has a nice voice.

Apparently she grew up here in Squamish, but she now lives in Kamloops, BC.

I like her so far. I don't expect this set to blow me away, but we shall see.

[StoneMtn]

Up now Tommy Honest and the Liars. Heavy blues. So far awesome! Heavy bass.

They describe thenselves as "music with a punch".

I get it.

[Booche]

Watching Tennesee Three - Johnny Cash's old band. Awesome.

That's fantastic!

[PassedOutGuy]

ive been loving this stonemtn... ty.

[StoneMtn]

Okay, well my Blackberry died a while ago, but I am back home, put the kids to bed, phone is recharged, and I'm heading back for the Decemberists starting in 20 minutes.

Since I saw you last...

It turns out that Tommy Honest and the Liars are more like bassy heavy blues if THE MISFITS PLAYED IT! It was awesome.

I also saw Rich Hope. This was also heavy blues. It was a duo, being a guy in a tuxedo shirt playing wailing, REALLY LOUD guitar as well as singing, and a drummer. They were quite good. They'd be excellent at a party.

I saw The Dirty Heads. I think they're from California. AWESOME! It's like classic rock crossed with classic reggae crossed with dancehall reggae crossed with hip hop. They didn't seem to have a CD for sale, but I plan to find out if they ever put one out.

I saw some of Mother Mother, who I'd heard of many times. They were fine.

I'm off to The Decemberists, solo...

[StoneMtn]

So far, mellow acoustic guitar (including pedal steel!) with some nice harmonica.

Seem like a good band.

Diggin' it so far...

[StoneMtn]

Hmmmmmm. A mandolin with like 16 strings? Neat looking. He's not doing much with it though.

So far - accessible yet good. If they were older, I think the term would be "adult contemporary".

Maybe the mood will pick up. We shall see.

[StoneMtn]

Okay. He's making that mandolin make some noise now.

Ah! Xylophone!

Cool.

[StoneMtn]

He knows it's unlikely but invited us to start a mosh pit.

I officially like these guys now.

[StoneMtn]

Ok. Now I've heard free-form crazy jazz, a sing along that got quieter and quieter jntil we were told "now just think it", a guitar solo, and gut-vibrating bass.

These guys are really good.

[StoneMtn]

Now I just heard something that sounded like it was adapted directly from Jethro Tull's "Passion Play".

Wow.

But that is the end.

Until they do a 20 minute encore, until 11 pm...

[StoneMtn]

Oh. They're back. (That was like 10 seconds offstage.)

[StoneMtn]

Okay so the encore ended up being disappopointingly short. Pretty underwhelming end to the festival.

Overall, it was a good time, though. The fest was well done. There were also only a few thousand people in total, which was cool. There were other nice touches, such as the concessions being all run by local, high-quality caterers. (I ate prawn pad Thai and Moroccan chicken while I watched shows, and the coffee was all organic.)

I expect I'll be there next Labour Day. You should come too.

-sm

[Baj]

Thanks SM

Sounded like a neat little fest. Definitely a great setting at the base of the chief!

Have always wanted to see the Decemberists live...

[StoneMtn]

A surprising highlight for me was The Dirty Heads. They were amazing, but they had no CD to purchase.

According to their site, though, they do have a disc released this year. I plan to buy it, but for now, I see there is a free download available.

Check 'em out:

http://dirtyheads.bandcamp.com/