go out and support a local group at bumbershoot!

Comet Tavern
922 E. Pike St., Seattle

(Photos by Mindy Sisco)

Mark Heimer of No-Fi Soul Rebellion is a predator. His eyes stalk the audience behind lens-less glasses, meticulously selecting his next unsuspecting victim. What will be his weapon of choice? A sweat soaked cheek? His groin? Perhaps he’ll just unleash the full furry of his near six foot self.

When No-Fi’s set began at the Comet, August 5th, a crowd greater than or equal to the one inside began forming outside the windows trying to catch a glimpse of the madness happening behind the glass. Not to be misleading- No-Fi isn’t a traveling freak show. There aren’t accordion-toting dwarves or flame performers hanging from the rafters. However, the thrill and intrigue of a circus are there. No-Fi is just a damn good live show.

In the often too-cool climate of Seattle’s music scene, No-Fi is a breath of fresh air. No-Fi is comprised of a Mark, his wife Andrea, and a guitar that doubles as an mp3 player. They make up in showmanship what they lack in band members. In the first three minutes, Mark was standing on the half-wall that separates the show-goers from the unsuspecting passers-by seated at the bar just trying to get a drink. But just being on the other half of the divider didn’t mean you were safe. Mark can smell the fear of new audience members. Don’t know the songs? Mark will come hold your forehead together with his and belt the chorus of what is to be your latest favorite song. Too afraid to dance? That’s Mark’s cue to bring his sweet moves to you. Or next to you. Or over you. Or on you.

Judging from the Comet’s response, we were willing if not totally prepared. Before launching into “Too Mean” from their Veritable Rainbow of Songs EP, Mark said, “I want you to raise your hand if you’re a jerk. Come on people, this is Seattle! Seattle if full of jerks!” I was surprised to see a couple people initially raise their hands, but beyond shocked when more than half the audience had their hands in the air when he called out Seattlelites for being jerky.

No-Fi tried to personify their belief that “playfulness and sincerity can co-exist!” Regardless of what happened in the last 40 minutes or maybe because of it- being told to own up to character flaws or having a stranger violate acceptable standards of personal space- we all walked away feeling good about ourselves, each other, and especially about the two people who guided this journey.

“My name is Paul and I am a metalhead.”

“Hi, Paul.”

I used to be ashamed of the fact that I appreciated the fine art of air-guitaring and/or air-drumming. Now I’m proud! DAMN PROUD! As an air-instrumentalist, no music in the history of rock and roll is better than Black Sabbath! But I’m only talking about Ozzy Osbourne-era Sabbath, my long-haired-soap-dodging comrades.

In their heyday, Ozzy and Co. played some of the heaviest dirges ever cut onto vinyl. And we should be thankful these Birmingham burnouts introduced the world to the art of heavy metal with one wasted middle finger in the air. Furthermore, it’s important to point out two things Black Sabbath did for popular music: 1) They created some of the most influential sounds making an entirely new subgenre of rock. 2) They inspired a toilet-full of shitty bands who have recorded some of the worst albums in history.

Needless to say, their music is timeless and should, nay MUST, be rediscovered every couple of years. Thank the “Lord of this world” for cover bands like Supernaughty! Why? Because, instead of listening to abysmal Sabbath influenced pap at some metal bar in Tacoma, we can just cut the crap and listen to renditions of some of the greatest hits of heavy metal played by hardcore BS devotees! If you find yourself coughing along to the opening strains of “Sweet Leaf” or believe you’ve seen fairies wear boots at least a couple of times in your life, then you really should go to the free Supernaughty show at the Funhouse tonight (August 8th). The band consists of Matt and Tim (of Yam), Mary (of Waves, Mars Accelerator, et al.) and newcomer Miranda Sky.

Supernaughty’s musicality and loyalty to the originals are astounding. At the Funhouse a couple of months back, they played the non-radio classics! No “Iron Man” or “War Pigs” just gems like “Supernaut” (of course) and the bass heavy “N.I.B.” I actually lost count of how many hardcore Sabbath fans were there playing air drums/bass/guitar or just simply yelling along to these esoteric BS classics. From Supernaughty’s opening riff I felt as though I had an invisible Gibson SG around my neck and a phantom guitar pick in hand. I knew every riff by heart and I was there to jam with Sabbath. And I know the aromatic dude standing next to me felt the same goddamn way His smoky leather jacket smelled of piss and beer, but he was right there with me—headbanging, miming out solos, and partaking in a circle jerk of heavy metal worship. The altar was the stage and the crowd was the congregation. Black Sabbath’s music was the hymn and Supernaughty was the choir. I’m not saying their performance was a religious experience, I’m just saying that by getting in touch with my metal past this band helped me become a born again headbanger.

“Whatcha gonna do?/Time’s caught up with you.”

Supernaughty will be churning out the hits tonight at the Funhouse! I’ll be there handing out the air guitar sheet music with a huge, toothy smile on my face. And since this show is free, you won’t have to sell your soul for the rock and roll!