As obsessed with certain storied Seattle rock icons as I am, I’m regularly embarrassed to discover a local 90s-era album I haven’t heard or a still-thriving artist I haven’t seen live. Luckily, those gaps are usually easy to patch; this Friday, I’ll knock out three such birds with one show. Slippage and the Tripwires are playing West Seattle’s Easy Street.

Slippage is one of two bands producer Jack Endino plays in these days when he’s not busy making others sound great at Soundhouse Recording. (I assume you know Jack’s standing in local music history.) With Allison Maryatt at the mic, Skin Yard’s rhythm section (Jack’s on bass, Scott McCullum’s the drummer), and Gary King and Maryatt wielding guitars, Slippage is a solid rock band that recalls early Soundgarden with a dollop of pop awareness.

The Tripwires‘ catchy, Beatles-esque pop-rock is neatly produced by drummer Mark Pickerel (Praying Hands), guitarist Johnny Sangster (Sharing Patrol), bassist Jim Sangster (Young Fresh Fellows) and singer John Ramberg (Minus 5). Don’t forget that the guy behind the kit was also the Screaming Trees’ original drummer.

Not only have I missed these bands’ previous Seattle shows, I haven’t made it down the road for a single “After Hours” bill at Easy Street since I’ve been in the neighborhood. (Friday nights, five dollar cover, beer and wine available.)

Regrettable, but easy to remedy.

Photo: Slippage’s Allison Maryatt, from Flickr user AMERICANVIRUS.

© 2009 Seattle Sound. All Rights Reserved.

Top bands will appear at Easy Street Friday

By Rose Egge

WestSeattleHerald.com

Monday, January 12, 2009

An eclectic group of accomplished rock musicians, including producer and musician Jack Endino, will be performing at Easy Street Records this Friday in the bands Slippage and The Tripwires.

Slippage is a psychedelic rock band including Endino and drummer Scott McCullum who previously played in 90’s rock bands Skin Yard and Gruntruck. Lead by the lovely vocals of Allison Maryatt, Slippage’s songs are just rockin’ enough to get West Seattle started on its weekend and accessible enough to appeal to many different musical tastes.

“It’s going to be fantastic,” said Mark Baker, who books talent at Easy Street. “At the very least it’s going to be quality songs and a very good show.”

If Endino’s name sounds familiar it is because he has produced albums by such notable Seattle artists as Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Nirvana, the Accused and many, many more.

Members of the Tripwires also have some impressive experience on their music resumes including Neko Case, Young Fresh Fellows, The Model Rockets and the Screaming Trees.

And while both bands include some accomplished musicians, don’t expect anyone to be taking themselves too seriously Friday night. As John Ramberg, lead singer and guitarist for the Tripwires explained, the bands only book shows if they think they’ll have a good time.

“Our live show is sort of a party,” he says. “We try to keep it fun.”

Ramberg describes the band as pub-rock or power-pop, and says he often tries to include humor in his music.

“There’s a lot of serious stuff out there right now,” said Ramberg. “I like to allow the possibility of lightheartedness as well.”

Too few West Seattleites have been taking advantage of the “Afterhours” shows hosted at Easy Street records most Fridays nights. Baker has helped sustain a relaxed welcoming atmosphere where he says patrons can sit back and relax or make get on their feet and make some noise during shows.

“I want them to do whatever they want,” says Baker.

More important than making a profit, Baker says he wants the shows to benefit Seattle artists.

“We’re doing it in support of the local music scene and giving back to the community that’s helped support us,” he says.

Shows begin at around 9:30 p.m. and cost just $5. Beer and wine are served as well as a limited food menu.

You can hear Slippage at www.myspace.com/slippagemusic and The Tripwires at www.myspace.com/thetripwires.

Information on all of Easy Street’s Afterhours shows can be found at www.myspace.com/easystreetafterhours.