On the heels of It Gets Worse was one of my favorite local ska bands, Natalie Wouldn’t. Ric Penttila was still able to dance crazily about despite the tiny stage, when he wasn’t blowing his trumpet. Meanwhile Mike Ayer, barefoot as always, joined in with moves between blows on his trombone. I’ve dubbed him the barefoot horn player. Natalie Wouldn’t is a band that loves to have fun on stage and they also whip up a pretty skankin’ version of “Free Bird.”
After Natalie Wouldn’t was another of my favorites, The Skablins. They sure never disappoint me either. And any band who does a Kinks cover is tops in my book anyway. But the zany showmanship of Gordy Whyte is without boundaries. He emotes, he’s all over the stage, and he often mocked the audience while systematically shedding clothing layers throughout the performance. Sax player Heather tried to keep a straight face while Gordy bounced about the stage, frequently sticking his mic up to her sax. Then there’s the horn section. Trombonist Buster livens things up with his constant dancing and the barefoot horn player, Mike Ayer filled in here as well. I cannot get enough of the Skablins.
Acoustic solo artist Chris Murray followed. Hailing from LA, Chris performed provocative reggae style songs playing an acoustic/electric guitar. He provided a much needed cool down period after the non-stop dancing songs of the previous two bands.
The Israelites were up next. Hailing from LA, The Israelites have been around since 1989. They played a more reggae, rock steady music than upbeat ska. Their upright bass player was hitting the strings with with such energy his fingers were bloody and he had to keep wrapping a bandanna around them to staunch the bleeding. Not to be outdone, the drummer also somehow ended up with bloody fingers. I wanted to do my best Ringo impression and scream, “I got blisters on me fingers!”
After the Israelites was Bachaco, a band that totally blew me away! Their more traditional reggae style music belied their onstage energy. This eclectic line-up was founded in Miami by brothers Eddy (front man) and Jose Morillo (bass). Besides the fact that they’re all totally adorable, front man Eddie is non-stop energy and charisma. This guy gave it everything he had and then some, to the point where at the end of their set he fell to the stage and stayed there about a minute or two before hopping up again. He hammed it up to the crowd, leaning into them, goading them to dance, to be a part of it all as opposed to bystanders. Guitarist Matthew Jacquette added the count to two of barefoot musicians. Rounding out Bachaco was Domingo Medina on drums, Alexander Cruz on trombone, Alexander Coombs on trumpet. I will most definitely go see Bachaco again. I cannot sing their praises enough.
Interspersed amongst the bands was host Sir Mark, the Poet, who riled the crowd and recited left wing poetry.
Finally the headliner, Gigantor, came on stage. Gigantic features Linval Golding of Specials fame and members of late 80s, early 90s Seattle ska band Tiny Hat Orchestra.
They hit the stage and immediately opened with ska classic “Guns of Navarone.” This band looked as sharp as they sounded. But it was singer Annabella who came on stage half way through and stole the show. Upstaging Lyndal Golding is no easy task, so when the two of them performed duets (including a stellar version of “My Girl Lollipop”), then performed a pas de deux at the end, it was the highlight of the show. Besides the aforementioned, Gigantor consists of Saxophonist Andrew Sodt, Mark Bentz. on trumpet, Don Kenoyer on keys, boneman Zach Davies, Matt Nims on bass and drummer Shane Peck.
I hope Gigantor is here to stay because I had the best time watching them perform. And when they do play again, I sure hope Annabella performs with them again. She was an absolute delight. I can’t wait to see what next year’s ska fest will bring.
