Two Cow Garage: Stage-stomping, ear-bleeding, mind-opening rock and roll

Shane Sweeney stomps it out with Two Cow Garage; bottom, Micah Schnabel and Sweeney sing it . (All Cat Rose photos)

Text, Andy; Photos, Cat Rose

A few years ago, my cousin Eric proclaimed in a Facebook post, "Two Cow Garage is the greatest American rock band at the present."

Hell, they still are.

They proved it to us once again during their recent swing through Seattle by unleashing another blistering, ear-bleeding rock/country set in support of the Supersuckers at the Tractor Tavern.

When Two Cow hits the stage, you never know if the helpless structure will still be standing when they finish leveling the crowd. We swore we saw splinters of wood fly during their June 18 gig, which was our fifth time seeing the band since 2007 or so. Always a killer time.

Following their set, a few people asked us, "Who are these guys?" Well, now you know, folks.

At times, you think singer/guitarist Micah Schnabel, bassist/vocalist Shane Sweeney and guitarist Todd Farrell Jr. will collide with axes swinging, bodies leaping and hollering a-plenty. Also featuring drummer-man David Murphy, Two Cow can then bring things to a whisper as Schnabel conveys his insightful lyrics with hand gestures and even a goofy smile. And then, there they are on the next song .... raging full-on.

Enough said. Check 'em out, OK?

Support Eddie Spaghetti's Cancer Fight Fund

Supersuckers' Eddie Spaghetti at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle. Below, Spaghetti with "Metal" Marty Chandler and Christopher "Chango" Von Streicher. (All Cat Rose photos)

Out of the gate, the Supersuckers were on fire.

The first time we saw the band in action was at Marsugi's in San Jose, Calif., in 1991 alongside Gas Huffer and the Odd Numbers. We knew they'd be a staple on our favorites list for a long time to come -- no fuckin' doubt about it.

On June 18, we caught the band again at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle... and this would be bassist/vocalist Eddie Spaghetti's last show before undergoing treatment for throat cancer. Killer show, as always, and Spaghetti was as cool and rockin' as ever with his bandmates guitarist "Metal" Marty Chandler and drummer Christopher "Chango" Von Streicher by his side.

We wish you all the best, Eddie.

To support his cancer fund, visit http://supersuckers.com/eddie/

Here's a statement, in part, from Eddie on the band's Facebook page:

I can't thank everyone enough for coming out to our show in Seattle last night. The thought of it being our last one for awhile is tough for the whole band but the outpouring of love and support is overwhelming and extremely humbling. To see all the old friends and new faces all come together like that, well I can't tell you how good it made me feel. I'd especially like to thank my old pals, Blind Marky Felchtone and Eddie Vedder for joining us onstage and making the night truly memorable for everyone in the audience (but especially on the stage - we won't forget this one. Ever.) It was a great way to cap off our tour. A truly unforgettable experience for sure.

From Mike Ness on the Social Distortion Facebook page:

I was shocked and saddened to hear Eddie Spaghetti of the Supersuckers has been diagnosed with cancer. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Eddie for many years, and he is an incredibly solid and beyond talented human being. Through friends who have beaten cancer I’ve learned that it’s not only emotionally challenging, but it’s financially draining as well. Eddie and his family could use our encouragement for the ride ahead, so let's show our love and give them the support they need. Join me in donating to Eddie Spaghetti's Cancer Fight Fund. Let’s help Eddie get back onstage and singing again!

All Cat Rose photos.

Cockney Rejects bring East End ruck to Seattle

Jeff and Mick Geggus kick it into gear in Seattle. (All Andy photos except where noted.)

By Andy

Thirty years later, and it finally happened.

It was time to ruck with the Cockney Rejects.

In August of 1985, my old band Sorex was booked to play with the East End of London stalwarts in San Jose, Calif. We were amped to make the trek from our hometown of Redondo Beach and give it a go with one of our favorite bands. However, the Rejects canceled the gig after getting an unfavorable response at their show at the Olympic Auditorium in LA (I didn't attend) since they were playing more rock/blues-styled numbers at that time. I wouldn't have cared less... to share the stage with brothers Mick Geggus and Jeff Geggus (aka Stinky Turner) would have been an honor.

So... here we were on Friday night at El Corazon in Seattle and the Rejects tore through a 20-song set of punk rippers (with a dash of rock to boot) --- we were chuffed, as they say in Britain.

Jeff sang his guts out and shadowboxed his way all over the stage, Mick gave his guitar a solid workout and bassist Tony Van Frater and drummer Andrew Laing glued it all together like it was the late '70s all over again.

The energy level was still so high at the end that Jeff (an original member along with Mick) -- fit as a fiddle and with the adrenaline pumping -- seemed to not want the set to finish. Hopefully, we'll get more Rejects someday. Cheers, guys!

Neil Rogers photo.

Neil Rogers photo with your author singing on the right, "Flares n' Slippers." With friends Christina and Simon.

Flier from canceled San Jose gig in 1985.

Metal Mike's Many Moods ... Angry Samoans in Seattle | Photos

All photos by Andy

Merge to reissue Seaweed’s 'Actions and Indications' on vinyl

Seaweed in action last year in Seattle. (Cat Rose photos)

From the good folks at Merge:

On July 31, Merge will reissue Seaweed’s fifth and final full-length album, "Actions and Indications." Originally released in 1999, the limited-edition LP reissue has been remastered for vinyl and includes the song “Everybody’s OK,” previously available only on the import CD. In addition, demo versions of three contemporaneous non-album tracks will be available as a bonus digital download.

"Actions and Indications" is available for pre-order on limited-edition vinyl now in the Merge store.

Aaron Stauffer (vocals), Clint Werner (guitar), John Atkins (bass), Bob Bulgrien (drums) and Wade Neal (guitar, vocals) formed Seaweed in 1989 as high school pals in Tacoma, Washington. Not long afterward, they piled six deep in a pickup truck for their first national tour, traversing the country with Superchunk and Geek. In 1992, the band upgraded to a white Econoline, carrying their high-energy live shows throughout the nation and beyond for the next seven years.

"Actions and Indications" was recorded at Uptone, the band’s home studio in Tacoma, with Werner and Wes Weresch in the engineers’ chairs. (By this time, Bulgrien had left the band, and Alan Cage of Quicksand commanded the drummer’s chair.) Throughout their career, Seaweed maintained a singular commitment to a ballad-free blast of Marshall-based growls and yelps, and "Actions and Indications" is no exception.