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Seattle-based duo Kitty Junk made a splash on the scene at a time when there wasn’t so much to splash into. Forming in 2020 and releasing their debut LP in 2021, Kitty Junk immediately started turning heads with their buzzing mixture of bluesy garage rock, strutting glam, throwback grunge, and a fiery activist spirit. Angie Dane and Ryan Lee say they started the project as a way of pushing back on the sexist climate of the music industry. So far, their two LPs released – 2021’s Converse Theory and 2022’s Junk Punk – reflect the clenched-fist blow they hope to score in favor of inclusivity and equality in a part of the country that most people assume to already be there.
Beyond the message of the songs, though, is the sound and fury that Kitty Junk manages to create. Only a two-piece, they come together to slash and burn through songs that vascillate between primal screams and mocking jabs. It’s their innate sense of playfulness that makes their heavier moments even more impactful. The vocals, in particular, have a way of sliding into a yowling wail at any given moment, and as the muscular drums propel the songs forward, there is always the distinct feeling that any song is just about to descend into a sonic meltdown. Wear ear plugs and bring your friends.
Sunday July 9th
Spanish Ballroom Kitty Junk, w/ Filthy FemCorps, Indigo Blue All Ages, Doors at 4pm, Show at 5pm, $10 ADV, $15 DOS
565 Broadway
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Umi's CornerTacoma: The Red Hot - Brats, Brews & Beyond
Red hot is such a regular on my radar that it almost was overlooked. Located on the corner of Junett and 6th Ave. I would say that it is in the heart of 6th Ave., District. I’m sure someone could argue otherwise. But its location feels central to all the action and over the years its neighboring businesses have changed in a way that feels even more conducive to their target audience. The Red Hot sits on the corner, kiddie corner from Subway, directly across from taco time, Mary Mart is to its right and a tattoo parlor to its left. But just up the street less than a 5 min walk you have E9 and Locust Cider. Both of those establishments work with The Red Hot and you can find their flavors on tap there fairly often. So it’s neighborhood friendly to say the least.
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Make It To The Show: Hump! Film Festival
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Umi Wagoner’s Tacoma: Cathedrals & Cantinas
The Church Cantina When you’re in a city full of bars, pubs and dives, setting yourself apart from being “just another bar” is about curating the crowd and achieving this feat is usually predicated on the atmosphere. It should be obvious that decor is a major part of marketing your business and grabbing your piece of the market through your target customer. Church Cantina has done an amazing job of this and it starts at the name. A church theme can attract those with gothic ideologies or personal style, especially in the evening. Traditionally, a Cantina serves drinks and meals and has decor specific to a crowd or less popular audience. I have to say they checked all the boxes. Their logo is a Gothic style cathedral with ‘The Church Cantina’ written underneath in the same gothic style font with a red and black color scheme used for their menu.
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Umi Wagoner’s Tacoma: A Hub Out on the Way
Airport TavernFor decades South Tacoma Way has been silently and patiently waiting for things to come full circle. Prior to the I-5 and the Tacoma Mall scooping up all the attention the lengthy strip was home to the nightlife for Tacomans of the past, who saw those businesses and bars they love close down one after another due to diverted traffic. Historically this happens in Tacoma, one area rebuilds and the rest seems to be obsolete until they follow suit. A once very neon and bustling downtown suffered from something similar. But following suit isn’t so easy for most small businesses and without a cult following of regulars the ‘phase out’ happens faster than expected. But prior to the pandemic Tacoma was in a new stage of growth that shined a light on revitalization of our business districts as much as exploration into new territories or those that had been underused. And a man ahead of the curve as he has proven so many times before, Danno Rankin, saw that very early on. Like most of South Tacoma Way at that time, with the exception of a few key players, the Airport Tavern was on its way there before he had the foresight to remodel and bring it back to life. Danno did everything under the sun at Jazzbones for a long time including booking all the talent, so his resume and expertise speak for itself when it comes to understanding what Tacoma wants from a venue. His answer was providing the best of both worlds, Tacoma’s love for dives with his booking abilities creating a bar/venue. While it does tend to cater towards rock bands, Airport Tavern and Danno have a huge hand in putting on Reggae on The Way, a block party style reggae fest that in the past has shut down the main retail strip of South Tacoma Way. It has now outgrown that setting and is being held at LEMAY. His ability to revitalize has been impressive.