#empty cellar
Cool Ghouls at The Know, Portland, OR (Bath Party and Charts not reviewed)
Overall
- Sunday night. Made the trip down to Portland to catch these guys.
- Completely empty venue 10 seconds before the band went on. As soon as they started the place was full (about 40 people). Where did everyone come from? The line at Salt & Straw across the street?
- Dude party. I think my friend and I were the only girls at this show.
- Alrighty then, these guys mean rock n roll bizness. They started the set with their excellent tune “Natural Life."
- Their democratic songwriting process is very evident in their set: each band member (except dummer) took turns taking the lead vocals. The chemistry of the band is palpable, especially in a room so small.
- Tall boys of Rainier were drink of choice. Drink ticket even cashed in by drummer during the set.
- Speaking of the drummer, HE RULES. Probably the first drummer of the year to play like they mean it. He even appeared to have a cement block in place to keep his kit from moving. At least I think that is what it was for.
- All bands reading this should take note and follow Cool Ghouls example of smiling on stage. All band members were happy and full of infectious, genuine smiles.
- This is hopefully the first and last time I am going to comment on farting at a show. I’ve commented on smells before (King Tuff, anyone?) but this was something else. Here is the deal: someone in the crowd was gassing out a shit storm. There was no where to move and no where in this small small venue to avoid the green cloud of outhouse smell. I am sure the band was getting a mouth full with every breath they took. Pretty sure singing during extreme poop smell is worse than getting booed off a stage. Kudos to Cool Ghouls for playing hard enough to take my mind off it.
- Farts aside, Cool Ghouls did not disappoint. Their record (with fantastic artwork by the way) fairly represents their live energy. They genuinely have a fun time on stage and my only complaint is that the set was too short. Do not miss them the next time they come through, PDX.
In Conclusion
I give this show 8 stars. One star for the band all wearing excellent footwear. Five stars for good chemistry. One star for three singers who sound the same and sing interchangeably. One star for such an intimate venue. Minus one million stars for poop smells, but it won’t go against their total since it isn’t their fault.
xoxo A
PREVIEW: Cool Ghouls
Photo by Michael Bordelon
I know you need something new to listen to. I also know you want a soundtrack to play along with your upcoming summer of campfires, road trips to somewhere warm, and substantial drinking at an awesome house party. Lucky for you I have the perfect recommendation: Cool Ghouls.
I had the opportunity to talk with the foursome earlier this week. They seemed to be having a small party on the other end of the phone and I have the feeling they bring the party with them wherever they go.
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the Cool Ghouls self-titled release that came out last month from label Empty Cellar, stop what you are doing and play it. No one around you will complain. Their sound is a mix of straight out of the 1960s Troggs slash San Francisco Bay area attitude slash a hint of we don’t-give-a-shit level of seriousness. The hooks are catchy, the harmonies are pure fun and you will probably have “Natural Life” stuck in your head for days.
I’m a nerd about songwriting lately, so I had to ask about their process. Unsurprisingly, the songs for this album were all written democratically. Each band member came to the table with a riff or idea and then they “jam it out” until a song emerges. The process was very collaborative and translates well in their sound. This sort of collaboration requires a strong foundation of friendship, and it was obvious in my conversation with them that they are very good friends. In fact, band members Pat Thomas, Ryan Wong and Pat McDonald have known each other since high school. Alex Fleshman was later introduced to the band through McDonald from the dorms at SF State. Throughout my conversation with them they complimented one another, made each other have lady giggles, and seemed to have that chemistry that all great bands possess.
When I asked if there is anything they want potential fans to know about them, there was a collective “ahhhhhhhhh shit” from the room. It’s a tough question when you are just getting started (the band formed officially in 2011 but had been in the works since 2006). To summarize their thoughts: they are not trying to take themselves too seriously and they are just cool, normal, guys doing their thing. True that.
Check out this video for “Natural Life." I think it does a great job summarizing the band. It has amazing scenery and a dancing bear. I have the feeling the bear was drunk for reals.
So what can you expect when you go see them live in either Portland or Seattle (or both?). For starters, the power might go out. Apparently they have knocked out the electricity at two different venues. Also, as the band has previously experienced, people might crawl in through the windows to get inside to see them play. What will definitely happen? You will be a happier person.
Cool Ghouls at The Know, Portland, OR June 2nd and Chop Suey, Seattle, WA on June 3rd. Special thanks to MHCP contributor and all around bad ass, Steve Sprinkel for turning me on to these guys.
