It’s Friday night in Seattle and a lot is going on, not the least of which is a clash with Black Lives Matter protesters and Seattle police. I was at the Central Tavern in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. Seattle’s own Boss Martians were headlining and though I’ve known of the Boss Martians for some time, I’ve never had the privilege of seeing them perform. I was glad I made the pilgrimage.
The Boss Martians are punk influenced surf rock band with some really powerful surf licks from guitarist/vocalist Evan Foster. Though usually a quartet (according to their FB page), they performed as a trio this night. This in no way inhibited the sheer power coming from this band. They performed a stellar cover of Buddy Holly’s “Rave On” and then brought up trumpet player, David, whom they claimed flew in from Chicago that very day to do the show. He played a ramped up, speeded up trumpet sound to a surf style version of “Misirlou.” For the finale, they played the most raucous, punched up version of “Steppin Stone” I’ve ever heard.
Besides the aforementioned Evan Foster, there’s his brother on bass (and the two are absolutely adorable together) and Nick Schultz who slammed away on drums. The only thing I’m sorry about is that I didn’t discover this band sooner. I am now a hard core fan.
Preceding Boss Martians was Don & The Quixotes from Portland, OR. This is a party band with front guy, Don being quite the showman. He hammed it up and then some, getting the small but rapt audience to get out of their chairs and closer to the stage. He wore a three-piece suit, all white with silver lame stripes down the jacket and pants. The rest of the band wore matching dark suits with gold lame trim. Part way through their set Don asked if there were any singers in the house. A charming woman calling herself Taryn came to the stage. Don asked her what she wanted to hear and she said something with horns. As Don explained they were a surf band and could give some guitar chords, the drummer emerged from behind his kit waving a trumpet. Mocking surprise, Don then asked if there was a drummer in the house. When no one stepped up he shrugged and with a smirk, stated, “I guess I’ll have to do it.” And drum he did while the drummer blew the trumpet and Taryn belted out a couple songs with a rich and gutsy voice.
This is a talented and extremely fun band. Besides the aforementioned Don, the members list themselves as, Esteban Morris, Jake “Bass Baker” Baker, Frostzilla.
Opening the entire evening was a singer/songwriter called Michael James. He performed with just an acoustic guitar and played most his own songs with the exception of a decent rendition of “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” If you like singer/songwriters (which I do) he’s worth checking out.
– The Boss Martians photos below are property of Holly Homan, all rights reserved.
