Go-Go Magazine

Volume 2, Issue 15
July 6 - July 19, 2000

Fair warning: this story doesn't shed one spark of enlightenment on the Denver entertainment scene. But hey, no matter how lucky we are to reside on such a great plot of American splendor, you have to get out of town once in a while, right? So if any fan of the obscure ever happens to get a wild hair to travel, go south into New Mexico before Labor Day. Whether it's to check out the sights of Santa Fe or see a long lost cousin in Albuquerque, there's a hidden little town down there that's well worth checking out.

Between these two cities which, to the layman, make up the entire personality of the state, there's a scenic back road called the Turquoise Trail that leads to a certain broadening of the mind. Heading due south on this dusty two-lane stretch will take you through the Ortiz mountains, where, if you manage to avoid the melange of summer road kill and the birds of prey which camp around it, you will come upon a town called Madrid. A place where time not only stands still, it might be wrapped in a vortex, spinning in reverse.

A statewide question (which ranks second only to whether one has red or green chili on their burrito) is how to pronounce this town's name. I became educated on my first visit not to injure the local pride by stressing the first syllable as Muh-drid. I happened to do this in the checkout line at the corner market, stating in no more obvious terms that I was an ignorant day-tripper out on a weekend sally. It's Mad-rid man, said a guy behind me in a hemp-woven vest and condensed dreadlocks, giving me a tired grin that told me I'm not the first to screw up the name.

Anyway, Mad-rid, once a thriving town in the old west days, gained prosperity through an abundance of both soft and hard coal which was produced commercially from the late 1800's to around 1950, when the development of cheaper and cleaner fuels marked the beginning of its decline. The area was literally abandoned overnight, becoming a ghost town from the late ‘40's through the ‘60's, until a group of artisans bought the town and started reviving it. These merchants transformed deserted structures into studios, galleries and shops. They incorporated restored buildings into the Old Coal Mine Museum, where exhibits include the former locomotive repair shop that is now used as a melodrama theater. The original town jail still displays mining equipment both antique and modern, maintaining a proud history the locals savor despite literally adopting Madrid, recreating the link to the past by rising it back up through the ashes.

The town consists of little more than a Main Street less than a mile long. It would be a blink and you missed it kind of place if it wasn't so offbeat yet chic at the same time, causing even the fly-by travelers to slow down a bit and check out the surroundings. Madrid is what I would call a shantytown for the strange, comprised of a population of 500 hippies, artists and entrepreneurs, all side-stroking the pressures of professional lives to exist in a higher level of consciousness, as many locals call it. But on the weekend, one must add a dash of civic shoppers in three-button Polo shirts and hardly-worn Birkenstocks out looking here, there and everywhere for that perfect gift idea. Then stir in the surly leather-clad bikers, genuine outlaws who choose to ride their hogs well off the beaten trail just to throw back beers at the 40-foot lodgepole pine bar of The Mine Shaft, one of the last true roadhouses in the nation. Blending these three factions together, you end up with a recipe of humanity not even David Lynch could conjure up.

If you're out looking to merely add to your impressive bookshelf collection of cattle skulls, dream catchers or yin-yangs, Madrid is not the place for you. If, however, the artsy-yet-corny appeals to your sense of expression, you may find a certain ornate treasure crafted from nothing more than weather-beaten shingles from a fallen-in roof, eye-catching fixtures composed of old rusty bedsprings, or earrings made from vintage bottlecaps. It won't take more than a few minutes of window shopping to figure out that you're far from the boardwalk perusals of Writer's Square. Down there, the local artisans craft on a different level, a scrappier level to be sure, producing end products that are plenty affordable and anything but mainstream.

ENOUGH SHOPPING,
WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC?

Although patronizing or even browsing through these shops can be a big enough draw for many, it's not my lone reason for spending an afternoon in this never-never land. This town happens to put on five quaint little outdoor blues festivals during the spring and summer and if I am ever in the area during one of these weekends, the festival poses perfect rationalization for taking this road less traveled.

Madrid holds these events in the same locale that they hold every open-air affair at the Oscar Huber Memorial Ballpark. The ballpark is yet another town relic of a former day, held together by a proud community and any kind donation a visitor might give in exchange for a Save The History t-shirt.

The New Mexico Jazz Workshop promotes the concerts as they do nearly all of the bigger events relating to blues, bluegrass or jazz in the area. Formed in 1976, the company consists of musicians primarily from, in, and around Santa Fe. They contribute the intense passion necessary to foster the local and regional music scene, fueling a fire that might very well fizzle out if not for their efforts. These admirable pains taken to bolster New Mexico's recognition for the music they represent has earned them respect as the best jazz presentation and education organization in the state. The workshop hosts all five outdoor blues extravaganzas in Madrid this year ... five of 38 concerts they will present in 2000.

The events are usually $10, and park officials allow coolers but no glass containers. I would say 80% of the crowd consists of locals out supporting not only their town, but art for art's sake. Mind you, these music productions aren't mass-marketed. They are more like if you're in the neighborhood kind of get-togethers. Happening upon such an occasion in the middle of nowhere is a discovery for anyone's ho-hum Saturday afternoon.

At these Madrid Blues Festivals, you won't see legends like B.B. King or Buddy Guy flown in by helicopter. You won't even see Otis Taylor, Chicago Skinny or any other familiar names from the Denver scene making the trip. Chances are, what you will encounter are musicians you have never heard before playing in front of an audience that most event promoters would consider a sparse failure. But frankly, it's the way the folks of Madrid like it pleasantly unfashionable and artistically local.

The peculiar mix of personalities of both the indigenous hosts and visiting guests may be polar opposites on any other day in any other town. But in Madrid, their contrasts seem to spin off into space as each come full circle, landing for just a few hours within shouting distance of one another; they might share little more than a fond appreciation for strange craftsmanship or blues music. This is the reason I'll keep going back. Not only to find a fresh talent pool that forever broadens my perspective on the blues, but also to witness the unearthing of a social symmetry rarely found within such a dissimilar mass.

There are three more occasions in Madrid this year to see what blues New Mexico has to offer. This weekend is the Mid-Summer Blues Fest, August 6 the Late-Summer Blues Fest comes to town, and September 3 is the Labor Day Blues Fest. So if you happen to be in the area and get bored with the I-25 monotony, take a romp down the Turquoise Trail. I'm sure you will find the experience well worth the detour.

Interview with Mike Portnoy
Valerie van de Flier

Dream Theater is known as one of the biggest progressive rockbands in the world. Known for their specific style, they're an inspiration to many musicians. Drummer Mike Portnoy was in Denver to share his incredible talent during a drum clinic at the Bluebird Theater June 27. Go-Go spoke to him.

We've just got a month off right now, said Portnoy. We're on a year-long tour; we've been around the world and will be going on until November. During this month I'm doing a couple of clinics, and I did a mini tour with my side-project Transatlantic. Portnoy hit Denver just before he had to start up with Dream Theater again.

Next week we'll be in Europe again. We're playing a few shows in Germany, with Iron Maiden, and a festival in Holland. After that we'll do our own shows in Italy and Spain. We're still booking the shows for the U.S. leg of the tour after that. We will be playing Denver in August, though.

Portnoy is known as one of the best drummers of the moment. He was voted first in a Modern Drummer consumer poll in four different categories, including best recorded performance and best progressive drummer. In his clinics, he spends a lot of time explaining and demonstrating his technique. I take a very mental approach to my drumming. The physical part isn't that hard. You can listen to bands and copy what they're doing. With some practice every [drummer] can do that. When I started drumming, I tried to figure out why people are playing what they're playing. If you do that, you'll figure out a lot more about what they're actually doing and you can use that in your own music.

When I write music, it's all very mathematic. [Dream Theater plays] a lot of odd times. That seems hard to a lot of people, but it's all just math. It's the same approach as a 4/4 time. I try to create a musical timeline, like a ruler. If you divide the four quarter notes in two, you've got 8/8. By doing that you can go into odd-times, like 7/8 or 9/8. It works the same with sixteenth notes.

Next to the real progressive rock that Portnoy is doing with Dream Theater, he likes to play other kinds of music too. I grew up with the Beatles, Genesis, Pink Floyd. I still really like that the classic progressive rock. So I started a side project with musicians that I really admired and wanted to work with. We all grew up with the same kind of music and wanted to do something with that. The first song that we wrote for that project ended up being 30 minutes long, Portnoy laughed.

Everyone in Dream Theater does side projects. While we're on tour we don't have time for anything, but in between tours we all do whatever. Jordan Rudess, our [new] keyboard player came from a side project. John Petrucci and I worked with him on the Liquid Tension Experiment. When we parted our ways with our old keyboard player, [Rudess] had proven that his playing, writing and personality are what we want for Dream Theater in the 21st century.

The personality that Dream Theater looks for in new members is an extreme passion for what they're doing. I once dislocated my wrist during a show, said Portnoy. Fortunately, it was during the last song. I suddenly had a real numb feeling in my wrist, and when I looked at it, it was completely flipped to the other side. I hit my hand on the drum kit to put it back in place. That actually worked, he said laughing. I put my hand in a bucket of ice for a bit, and then played on. We hadn't done the encore yet and I wanted to do that song. I just played with one hand I think. The rest of the tour I had to play with a brace.

Somehow, Dream Theater keeps going no matter what happens. We played this show in Korea. There was a typhoon going on. There was mud everywhere, it was terrible. The weather got better for about an hour, which was just when we were on stage. After that it got worse again and the rest of the bands actually got cancelled.

To be able to keep going in Colorado, Portnoy needs some extras though. When I'm here I've always got oxygen on stage. The altitude really wears you out. I can't see how anyone can ever get used to that, he laughed. I noticed the altitude during the clinic, too. I'm pretty tired now.

The clinic itself went great despite Portnoy's altitude problems. People came from out of state to see Portnoy perform. Afterwards, at the autograph session, it took a good hour to get through the massive line of people asking for a signature on their drumhead, flyer or t-shirt ... or a photo of them with their favorite drummer.

Dream Theater will be performing in Denver August 14 at the Fillmore, with Spock's Beard as their opening act.

Halloween in June
Valerie van de Flier

The line outside the Aztlan Theater went around the corner, almost to the back of the building. About 400 kids, mostly dressed in black with lots of make-up, were waiting to get in to the Seraphim Shock show on Friday, June 23, a show that exceeds what any other band has ever done. Seraphim Shock makes Marilyn Manson look like a pussy one that needs excessive training in being scary.

The theater itself looked nice. Their sound absolutely didn't. During the performance of opening band Obeah, the power on stage went off twice. It happened at the soundcheck already, said singer Christophe. It wasn't really a surprise for us. We knew it could happen, we were somewhat prepared. It seemed like the sound man didn't fully understand the in-house power at that theater.

The power problems on stage didn't really affect Obeah's show though. Their music, which mostly resembles the classic gothic from the ‘80's, seemed to get the crowd's attention. During the first two songs they barely moved, but as soon as the attention was there, they seemed to appreciate what Obeah was doing, and actually started dancing. The crowd was incredible, they were very supportive, said Christophe. If it wasn't for them, the show would have been a disaster.

The majority of the audience came for Seraphim Shock though. People seemed amused by the female oil wrestling and Sid Pinks ‘Satan says' game during the break between bands. But what they were really waiting for was to see the ultimate Halloween band. Around 10:30 they finally got their way. The lights dimmed and with a big sound and fireworks, lead singer Charles Edward got out of a coffin and started his show. The stage was filled up with two giant crosses, a tombstone, pillars with candles, a mattress, and two Jack-O-Lanterns. The female half of the audience was screaming their lungs out as they saw Charles appear. As the lights came on, the changes on stage became really visible. There were people hanging from the crosses dressed as clowns, and two girls with giant black wings were dancing on stage. The crowd immediately went crazy. They've watched this band grow for the last three years and know exactly what to expect from them. As the song faded out, the dancers disappeared, and when the lights came up again there was a totally different setting. Now there were two girls with giant lollipops standing on either side of the bed, both carying a stuffed lamb with them. As they ‘played' together, one tore the head off the lamb and threw both sides to the audience. The girls started fighting over the other lamb, which ended up being torn apart, too. After this the show really started getting extreme. The girls dropped their lollipops, took off their shirts, and faked masturbation on the bed. The show kept going on like this. Every song had a different setting. For one song there would be nuns undressing, having sex and smearing blood all over each other. During the next song there would be guys in diapers wearing presidential masks squirting super-soakers. There are a lot of different aspects to our show, explained Charles later. We've got romance, sex, demonology and even political messages. The main direction is theater and our shows will become progressively more theatrical.

Not everyone likes the theatric part of Seraphim Shock's shows. After the show some (mostly female) people complained about the content of the show. Seraphim Shock doesn't need all that stuff, complained one girl afterwards. They don't need naked chicks all over the stage; their music is great, but this is just too much. Charles thinks that the people who complain about their band are just doing that out of jealousy. I've got a chip on my shoulder as far as Denver goes, he said. It's got nothing to do with arrogance. We've worked real hard to get to the national level. What other Denver band has done that? We toured for 12 weeks last year and we'll be touring again in September. Twenty-five national magazines reviewed our CD without ever seeing the show. I know we've got substance. We don't need theatrics. I do that because I like it."

That the theatrics are what he really wants to do comes out when he explains that he wants to make that part of the show even bigger. I want to take the stage show to the extreme, to a complete theatrical production. In a couple of years you'll probably see complete set changes. The lights will go out and when they come up again, there's a whole different setting. That'll make it like a musical. No other rock band has ever done that.

Hello
Bill Terrell

Hello, Denver music fans and musicians. My name is Bill Terrell. I am back in the spectrum for you to call on, believe in, trust in, talk shit about, and, oh yes, sometimes even hate. All bullshit aside, I am the new music editor here at Go-Go Magazine. This means several things to all of you, but most of all, it means that the music section in Go-Go just got a major kick in the ass. I am well aware of rumors that Go-Go isn't interested in the local music scene. I am here to tell all of you that no matter what you've heard, Go-Go is interested in local music. The publisher and staff at Go-Go are terrific, and we are all dedicated to becoming the best source of local music news out there. Those of you who know me have no doubts that I care about the local scene. Those of you who don't know me will soon realize that I mean business. I give nothing but props to Rod Brown and Throat Culture Magazine for their work and coverage of the local music scene. I love their magazine and all they've done for Denver music. I hope to continue working with them to help our scene flourish.

Here at Go-Go, we will be featuring a variety of music, both local and national. Our goal is to appeal to music fans of all different styles and genres. The national scene will be covered thoroughly, but make no mistake Denver, my focus is with the local scene. If your band is good and you contact me, you can bet you will be in Go-Go. We want to let people know about the talent in Denver. I am known to be honest, and I do not believe in sugar coating. While I am relatively new to journalism, I am a lifelong musician, and I do know music. I don't believe that telling you or the public that you are awesome when you aren't would be fruitful to anyone. Chances are, if you or your band needs work, you already know it. I will be fair and honest with all of you, and I have no intention of slamming bands. If I feel you are that bad, I will just not include you in an issue of Go-Go. Don't call me an asshole and don't call me the man. Just call me if you or your band is good and let me know what is up with you. Go-Go is an informative entertainment magazine, and local music is what I find entertaining.

For those of you who don't know me, this is some basic background about myself. I have lived in Denver since 1988. Being a career musician, I have pretty much played every venue in Denver several times. I have worked at and managed many of the clubs in town, including The Blitz Room and the 6th Avenue Rock Cafe. I also host the Hot Legs Contest at Iliff Park Saloon every Thursday. My band, Rogue, is very well known and a big supporter of all local bands. If you haven't heard of me or Rogue, chances are you just moved here, or you've been under one big rock. Either way, this is my introduction to you, and I hope you all enjoy Go-Go Magazine. Keep your eyes on Go-Go and the music scene because things will be heating up. Let's rock this town and this scene.

Up Tempa Blues
Judy B.

The Acoma Center is opening its theater doors to the music world. Since the renovation of the historic theater three years ago, the Acoma Center has given the Denver community numerous opportunities to see quality theater in a classic, intimate atmosphere. Now our local musicians get their shot. Local blues vocalist Tempa J. Singer is the first leading lady to step up. I want to invite all the local blues players down to the Acoma to jam with me on Wednesday nights, said Singer. We need more blues in this town. Running through the month of July is Lady Sings the Blues, the Wednesday concert series at the Acoma Center. Ms. Singer is the hostess, and runs a sort of open-mic for the blues. Usually, the crowd meets local talent, including female blues artists like Theresa Lynne and Little Mary. Occasionally, a national singer will join in, as when blues singer/pianist Kelly Hunt came through town. The main reason I took this gig was because of the great space at the Acoma Center, said Singer. With capacity limited to 250 persons, restored red velvet chairs, a lofty mezzanine, and improved lighting and sound, every seat at the Center is a good one. For music director Jody Conn, the Acoma Center presents great opportunities for local bands. I'm willing to present a variety of musical styles and events, stated Conn. I'd like to bring some musical notoriety to the Acoma. There is so much potential here. The Acoma Center is a great part of Denver's history. Ms. Singer is attempting to bring some of Denver's blues history to the forefront of our ever-blossoming music scene. Her band, Tempa and the Tantrums, performed at the Denver Blues ‘n' Bones festival over Memorial Day weekend. That has proved to be a well-received and important performance. Tempa and the Tantrums have been a blues band for just a few months. The members have decades of musical experience between them. Ms. Singer is joined by guitarists Fred Wolking and Joe Seph, Red Wilcox on bass and harmonica, and Brian McClure on drums. Even though I've been in the business for 15 years, said Tempa, this is the first band of my own, and I love it. Denver seems to have welcomed this band. This city isn't exactly known for its blues scene, but between the rising popularity of acts like Hazel Miller, festivals like Blues ‘n' Bones, and the Denver Blues Society, it seems the Tantrums have begun to hit at the right time. The Tantrums also have a plan. They will release their first CD within weeks. They're looking to play gigs at places that are known for giving a good band a chance, like the Soiled Dove, Brendan's, Ziggy's, and the Acoma Center. They want to take advantage of the summer festival circuit and bring their music to larger events like the Monterey Blues Festival. The original songs penned by Ms. Singer are the typical stylistic fare of blues songs, which is the great thing about the blues the format is perfect, and hearing a good blues performance can transform even the most hardened listener. Blues can be fast or slow, happy or sad, simple or complex. But it must have feeling, and it must sound genuine. Someone trying to fake their way through the blues is like Ricky Martin and his dancing ... something seems terribly wrong... Tempa and the Tantrums have nothing to worry about. Ms. Singer's voice can handle a variety of textures and twists, being deep and throaty enough to pull off an occasional cover tune, but not too gruff, and sweet when it needs to be. Two great ditties to listen for at upcoming shows are the slow and sultry Might Tight Woman and the bittersweet I Can't Stand the Rain. Tempa J. Singer hopes to increase the amount and exposure of blues bands in Denver. She's especially supportive of any aspiring female singers that may be waiting for the right opportunity. Finding support like that given to Ms. Singer at the Acoma Center is vital, but she insists that it is out there and worth the effort.

Tempa and the Tantrums will perform live in the studio on KGNU Radio FM 88.5 on September 11 at 8 p.m. Look in Go-Go' s Concert Calendar for other venue listings. Tempa can be contacted at 303-726-1663. For more information regarding music programs at the Acoma Center or to book your band, call Jody Conn at 303-898-7922.

Music Notes
Bill Terrell

Hats off to Willie B., Uncle Nasty and all at KBPI for promoting local music. During the recent wildfires in Colorado, Willie B. raised in excess of $28,000 for Red Cross relief by selling songs on the radio. The concept was simple: you pay $106 and you get to hear any song you want, no matter what it was. While a lot of the songs purchased were older than dirt and tasted worse, the result was great. Local bands came out in full force to help the cause and to seize themselves a spot on primetime airwaves. Local bands who donated included Sick, Tread, Shovel Tongue, Junkard Jorge, Rogue, Rocket Ajax, Blister66, Peace Love and Destruction, Immortal Cringe, and Shrank. The promotion was a great success, raising much-needed money for victims of the fires, while allowing local bands an excellent chance to be heard in the middle of the day.

The outspoken, widely popular Uncle Nasty has added a new feature to his already toprated show. It is called local band hangout day. It takes place every Friday on the Nasty Show between 3 and 7 p.m. Nasty allows members of local bands a chance to promote themselves on the air while enjoying his daily antics in person. From someone who has been on the air with Nasty, let me say that it's truly a kick in the ass. Bands interested in getting on the show should contact him by email at unclenasty@kpbi.com, or contact the promotions department at KBPI. Bands should also email willieb@kbpi.com for information on getting your band on The Pit Denver's only local music radio show on the FM dial. Thanks KBPI. You guys rule. Local progressive melodic masters Esovae have finally hired a drummer. The newest member of the band is Bill Travis. This puts the band one step closer to a solid lineup as their search for a bass player continues. If you think you or someone you know has the chops for this band, don't hesitate to contact them at 303-240-0460 or email them at esovae@yahoo.com. This band has potential for the big time and an originality all its own. Check them out you will not be disappointed. A lot of local music showcases have been taking place at the Ogden Theater. These shows are being sponsored by Nobody in Particular Presents and most of them have been all-ages events. Chronic Mind and Depth Charge are just two local bands who have done CD releases there recently. With Jim (formerly of the Bluebird Theater) managing the Ogden now, things have improved greatly for local shows. For more info on these shows or how to get in, contact Russ Austin at 303-830-8421. The hardcore underground group InsaneCore Productions is back on the scene. They have been playing selected shows and should be releasing a CD soon. The band features two bass players and new drummer Gary Bell, who is the cousin of Fear Factory frontman Burton Bell. Sad Star Cafe is back out and running with a new lineup and a soon-to-be-released CD. The new disc, which is currently untitled, is getting serious interest from Sony Records and rumor has it that Sony will distribute it. Check them out on the web at www.sadstarcafe. com. Good luck guys ... we'll be listening. Congratulations to local vampire rockers Moore on the release of their new CD Rhapsody in Blood. Congrats also go out to a couple of different heavy bands. First off, way to go Peace Love and Destruction for winning the Buffalo Rose Battle of the Bands. In addition to a substantial cash prize earned for the victory, P.L.a.D. also landed an opening slot for ‘80's megastars Skid Row. Right on to Immortal Cringe for securing a spot once again in the infamous Milwaukee Metal Fest July 30 and 31. The festival features over 100 bands on five different stages over two days. A majority of the performing bands are signed acts, while the rest are unsigned hopefuls from across the country. The festival is the largest of its kind in North America. It is crowded yearly with industry reps, small independent labels, magazine staff from all over the world, porn stars, wrestlers, and of course thousands of heavy music fans and musicians.

Former Chaos Theory frontman Mike V has a new solo CD coming out. The release date is set for July 29 at the Ogden Theater. The show will feature local heavy hitters Rocket Ajax and King Rat with The Sands opening. The disc, Gameface Vision, is tasty hip-hop and features a variety of guest musicians. George Clinton and Belita Woods of Parliament Funkadelic also guest star on the first track. For more on this CD, check out our review section. Blister66 is making news even without being around much lately. With the July 9 Vans Warped Tour appearance being their only local show in the near future, Crispy Chris and the boys are not bored these days. Rumors which can be confirmed say that Blister66 is being shopped by a major label right now. We all know in a crazy business like this how things can go, but stylin' and profilin' in a record exec's limo seems to fit these guys. This band has truly worked hard and we wish them success. Good luck guys ... Denver is behind you. Last but not least, there is a lot of buzz among club owners around town. It seems many of them have begun to realize the benefits of featuring local bands as entertainment. Some clubs who have never even had live music are now thinking of starting because of the emergence of so many bands that can draw well. While we in the music community have always known original music is where it's at, the more affluent club owners have shunned us in favor of cover bands. With numbers for copy bands dropping dramatically, we will likely see the original music scene in Denver grow. If it gets to the point when none of your friends can come see you play because they all have gigs, then Denver is on its way. This town is primed to blow up. This isn't jumping the gun, folks, this is plain old common sense. Bands who are good, who work hard, will start seeing results. In America, anything is possible, and last I checked, Denver is in America. So work your asses off.