Past Heck Fests
Teenage Angst: Thrashin' at the Depot
(Anacortes’ self-made music scene began circa 1981 with shows at The Depot at 7th & R; now a gallery and farmer’s market on Saturdays.)
By Don Yates for WWU’s Klipsun Magazine, May 1985
Everyone is now waiting for the last band to play, Color Me Gone. Color Me Gone is another of the newer Anacortes bands, and one of the youngest. Color Me Gone evolved from another Anacortes band, Malcontent. Mark Madenwald, Tami’s 15-year-old brother and lead guitarist for Color Me Gone and Malcontent, explained, “We never got along. There were always arguments during practice.” Stan Bennett, 16, and lead singer for Color Me Gone and Malcontent, added, “We kicked the old drummer out and got Chad about three months ago.”
Chad Channing, at age 18 the oldest of the band, has lived all over and had played for many different bands before becoming a part of Color Me Gone. Channing had few kind words for the comtemporary music scene: “I’m not a computer whiz or anything. It seems like all you need to get on MTV is to plug in some electronic keyboards and have a weird voice.” Bassist Doug Cassidy, 15, rounds out the group. When Cassidy’s parents are mentioned, the band’s mood darkens. “My parents suck so bad. They’re trying to close my eyes to the world after I finally got ‘em open,” Cassidy said. “His folks hate the band,” Madenwald explained. “They don’t want him to be a rock and roller.”
The group’s enigmatic name was lifted from the wall of Ballard’s Graffiti Room. Color Me Gone was inspired by another Anacortes band. “Public Service was the reason I was getting into it,” Madenwald acknowledged. Public Service was the first Anacortes punk band to surface after Spoiled, and they owe a lot of their precursors’ music: many of their early songs were covers of Spoiled tunes. One of the more-idealistic bands, Public Service jumped on the Ethiopia benifit band wagon by staging a December fundraiser that packed the Depot. But the show didn’t make any money – a brick was tossed through a window, and the money raised for Ethiopia instead went to pay for the broken window.
The young musicians of Color Me Gone are as dedicated to their music as the older Anacortes bands. “I’m not doin’ it for fame and fortune – I’m doin’ it because I like it, ” Madenwald said. Cassidy agreed: “All I want to do is play music and live.”
“I want to be filthy, stinking rich, ” Bennett interjected. “You’re a fascist,” Cassidy added. Color Me Gone – like Malcontent – argue a lot among themselves. Sometimes, it seems they wont’ last out the week. “Doug’s too temperamental, ” Bennett said. “And you’re so egocentric,” Cassidy replied. “But we get along”, added Bennett.
It’s now about 9:30 PM, and Color Me Gone takes the stage. Their first-ever gig, no one quite knows what to expect.
Rumor has them a tight, hardcore band. As soon as they rip into their first song, it’s apparent the rumor is reality. Bennett, with his bright-red hair, flaring eyes and husky build, looks fierce and sounds even more fierce. Murderous. “This is ‘Small Town Attitudes,’ ” he snarls with a scowl. “You guys think about this one.” Behind him, the band sounds like The Apocalypse. Channing, a long, silver earring dangling from his left ear, furiously pounds his drum kit with the precision of a veteran, while Madenwald, looking cool and collected, plays a very credible hardcore trash guitar, and even adds an ominous, psychedelic touch to a couple of songs. Meanwhile, Cassidy plays the part of the unimpressed bassist, laying down a solid underpinning while seeming a bit bored with the pandemonium surrounding him. The ferocity of the band leaves the audience stunned. They can handle punk when the connections to the great protopunk bands of the past are made explicit, but this band seems to have nothing to do with the past.
The audience begins to dwindle. Heavy metal fans, aghast at a band so fast and tight, begin heckling the band: “Let’s hear some Metallica!” “Ozzy!” A pint-sized metalhead grabs Bennett’s mike and shows off his heavy metal eloquence: “I say you all suck my fuckin’ penis!” Bennett takes it all in stride. He takes the mike back and Color Me Gone launches into another frenetic, trash tune with renewed anger. The bands looks discouraged with the audience response, but they keep up the furious pace. Only about 20 people are left when the band attacks its final song, a kiss-off to all the band’s detractors, “I Hate You.” After the song’s 60 seconds of primal, vindictive trash, the show is over. The lights go on and the crowd slowly filters out of the Depot. Color Me Gone, The Few and The Larrys leave the Depot for some beers.
Heck 2006 Stories
A stroll on Cap Sante will never be the same for me after Friendship Trail. We had joked about scheduling a survivor-style Friendship Trial, first thing Monday morning; some stupid ideas are better left undeveloped.
Thanks for coming along to Anacortes. Please share some of your reflections, show reviews, amusing anecdotes of What the HEck festival 2006 via the comment link.
2008
THIS WAS THE 2008 SCHEDULE:
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(Thursday night at 7pm there will be a show at the Dept. of Safety,
not technically part of What the Heck Fest, admission $7 not included in a Heck Pass,
featuring Burl, Tender Forever, Oregon Donor, Trampoline Team, Cock & Swan, International Falls)
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FRIDAY, JULY 18th
Croatian Club
5pm – 8pm
(official Heck Fest grand opening ceremonies and dinner show)
D+
Sandman
Katy Davidson
City Hall
8pm – 1am
Karl Blau
Lucky Dragons
The Moore Brothers with Owl & the Pussycat
Mt. Eerie
Calvin Johnson & Ian Svenonius
FRIDAY NIGHT JOINT COVER AT THE BARS:
Watertown Pub: ...WORMS, Love Tan
Brown Lantern: Bryan, Frank & Bob, the Moondoggies
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SATURDAY, JULY 19th
Causland Park
noon – 7pm
(all day sushi show in the park)
Caulfield & His Magical Violin
Desolation Wilderness
Bryce Panic/Better Bizness Bureau
Gift Machine
Nate Ashley
Lonely Forest
City Hall
7pm – 1am
Photosynthesis
Graves
Angelo Spencer
Ô Paon
Your Heart Breaks
Little Wings
Kimya Dawson
SATURDAY NIGHT JOINT COVER AT THE BARS:
Watertown Pub: ザ ジョージ マイケルス バンド, the Coconut Coolouts, Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive To Death
Brown Lantern: Yes, Oh Yes, TacocaT, See Me River
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SUNDAY, JULY 20th
11am “brunch show” at Anderson’s Store on Guemes Island:
Real Live Tigers, Dennis Driscoll, Solvents!
Causland Park
noon – 2pm
“Game Day” curated by the Blow
City Hall
2pm – 5:30pm
Mirah & Spectratone International performing “Share This Place”
Alyse Emdur (films)
Stella Marrs (films)
Oliver Orion-Miles
Honcho #1 (short film)
Department of Safety
6pm – 10pm
A Rich Jensen Intensive
Al Larsen
LAKE
(also: Jib Kidder Chalk Space – an all day superchalking and boomboxing)
2007 Heck Schedule
THURSDAY: July 19th, 2007
PICK UP YOUR PASSES at the Department of Safety, 1011 12th Street, beginning at 5pm.
Remember to bring a Photo ID.
(*NOTE*: In the gallery at the Dept. of Safety for the entire festival: WHITE RAINBOW)
(performers in no particular order)
at the Department of Safety
7pm to 12am:
Bryan Elliott
Lonely Forest
YACHT
Adrian Orange
Kickball
also at the Department of Safety
midnight:
PEACE
Juice Team DJs
Selector Dub Narcotic
FRIDAY: July 20th, 2007
at the Croatian Club:
11am to 4pm
Graves
Marston
D+
the Poison Dart
Be Gulls
Bobby Birdman
at the Croatian Club (“Sushi Show”):
5pm to 8pm
Lloyd & Michael
Mecca Normal
Rich Jensen
Nate Ashley
at the City Hall basement:
8:30pm to 1am
Oregon Donor
Bob Arellano
Alyse Emdur
the Blow
Calvin Johnson
Little Wings
SATURDAY: July 21st, 2007
The Shipwreck Day swap meet held downtown will test the addiction to junk vs. the need to slumber. It starts early.
at Causland Park:
12pm to 4pm
Jason Anderson
Dupond et Dupont
LAKE
Dennis Driscoll
Tender Forever
at Causland Park:
4pm
reading & book signing of the “ANDO-PR” porfolio
at the Croatian Club (“Dinner Show”):
5pm to 8pm
Guy Blackman
Your Heart Breaks
Privacy
the Crabs
at the City Hall basement:
9pm to 1am
Mt. Eerie
Vanessa Renwick
Valet
Karl Blau
Lucky Dragons
Tom Blood
SUNDAY: July 22nd, 2007
Al Larsen & Clyde Peterson present a film-making workshop for school-age kids in the afternoon at the Dept. of Safety
at the Department of Safety:
7pm to 1am
Geneviève Castrée
Old Time Relijun
James Sumner
To Bad Catholics
Well Done Dragon
Laura Veirs and Saltbreakers
Watery Graves
2006 What the Heck fest Schedule
2006 What the Heck fest Schedule in Anacortes, Washington
Thursday 7/13
2pm : Friendship Trail begins at Causland Park
5pm: Full Passes available for pick-up at Department of Safety, 1011 12th Street in Anacortes; bring photo ID and receipt Number
6pm : DOS : Group Art Show Opening
New works by Ciel Blau, Kyle Field, Ariana Jacob, Phillip Ashlock, P.W. Elverum
Films by A.H.S. students & Alyse Emdur in the screening room
7pm : DOS : Opening Show
Burl, Homestyle, Run Chico Run, Squid Vs. Shark, Tender Forever, Anna Oxygen
Midnight : DOS
Powerpoint presentation: Universe, and also, Aaron Flint Jamison
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Friday 7/14
1pm – 4pm : Croatian Club
Liarbird, D+, Johanna Kunin
5pm – 8pm : Croatian Club : Sushi
Amigo, The Poison Dart,
Laura Veirs
8:30pm – 1am : City Hall
The Gift Machine, The Spoiled,
The Lonely Forest, Mount Eerie, Jason Anderson
9pm : Adrift
Lake, The Solvents
9pm : Brown Lantern
Mouseheart Factor, Viking Moses
9pm : Watertown
Fanny Alger, Spider and the Webs
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Saturday 7/15
12pm – 4pm : Causland Park
1985, The Oregon Donor, Yukon/International Falls supergroup jam session, Ruth Allison, Angelo Spencer, Faerie Talk, Goodtime John
5pm – 8pm : Dinner at the ACCA
Dennis Driscoll, Rose Melberg,
Calvin Johnson
9pm – 1am : City Hall
Thanksgiving, Karl Blau, The Blow,
YACHT
9pm : Adrift
Bryan Elliott Band, Hornet Leg,
Summit Avenue
9pm : Brown Lantern
To Spite Mike, International Falls, Darrin Matthies
9pm : Watertown
Velella Velella, Super XX Man
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Sunday, 7/16
11am : Lemon Danger Fire Vs. Pink Sparkle Heart Project: A Junior Symposium and Breakfast Cereal Banquet at D.o.S.
In this facilitated panel discussion, young thinkers will eat cereal and tackle tough questions including: Who makes better music, robots or animals? Will music be better in the future? What will it sound like? What are grown-ups good at? Would food be better if you could just absorb it without eating? And so much more. Come for the intellectual discourse, stay for the colorful cereal.
Sparkle Danger Store
Part lemonade stand, part gallery, all awesome. Featuring Chickacorn t-shirts by Ruby and Iris Seiwerath, We Are Bigger But They Are Faster t-shirts and cds, Pink Sparkleheart Project CDs, Original artwork that costs very little, delicious lemonade, and any other merch contributions from interested parties shorter than 5 feet tall. Child-owned and operated. (Interested children, please contact Mikko at mikko.king@gmail.com.)
1pm : Causland Park : Songshare
3pm : Causland : 3pm CAUSLAND PARK
A PUBLIC ADDRESS EVENT hosted by Clear Cut Press
“I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You” ~ Writers reading writing.
Readers to include: Sam Lohmann, Bret Lunsford, Matt Briggs, Jay Chilcote, Emily White, Phil Elverum, Claire Evans, Matthew Stadler, Rich Jensen, and members of the public so moved.
7pm – 1am : DOS
Al Larsen, Kimya Dawson, Woelv
The Robot Ate Me, Watery Graves
films by Vanessa Renwick and Alyse Emdur
visit www.whattheheckfest.com for updates
2005
FOURTH ANNUAL HECK FEST!
Featuring Alex’s car getting towed by the APD because of “Classic Car Day.”
Also featuring Krist Novoselic reading from “Of Grunge and Government: Fix this Broken Democracy”. Tigersaw in the park. Everyone seeing Tender Forever for the first time and freaking out. Full-rock-band Woelv with Phil, Alex and Carsten. Was this the year with Spectratone International at the reading? That was amazing.
2004
Third Heck Fest! Squid Vs Shark in The Business backyard! Epic dinner show with Jason Traeger, The Weeds, Karl Blau, Woelv and Calvin Johnson! Owl & The Pussycat postcard jam! Landing mellowing everyone out on Sunday afternoon. Inagural reading at Causland Park hosted by Clear-Cut Press!
2003
2nd Heck Fest. This was the year The Stranger called us “The Greatest Music Festival of All Time, Forever”.
Highlights this year included like Bobby Birdman and Anna Oxygen’s rap battle, Ritchey from the Badger King screwing up her ankle while stage diving, [[[VVRSSNN]]] spontaneously scrapping the planned setlist in favor of a legendary 20 minute cover of “I Want To Take You Higher” that culminated in the entire audience inexplicably chanting: “PIZZA! PIZZA!”, an intimate duo version of All Girl Summer Fun Band at the dinner show, Broadcast Oblivion rocking the Watertown ridiculously hard. This was also the debut of the City Hall and the Department of Safety as heckfest venues.
2002
Bret says: “Inaugural Heck Fest! Originally we were just going to sell some KNW-YR-OWN CD’s at the annual Shipwreck Day rummage sale because we thought our music would fit in good with with all the junk (ha ha). A few weeks and a couple of double Americanos later we were hosting a bonafide music festival! Featuring Lois, Mecca Normal, Dub Narcotic Sound System, Little Wings, the Pounding Serfs and the usual Anacortes characters. Super sweet and intimate in the Anacortes Croatian Club of America.”
Kevin says: “Highlights for me: Dennis Driscoll playing at like 2 in the morning. He found an antique telephone at Shipwreck Day and worked it into his set. Everyone sang along during ‘It’s Snowing.’
Nikki McClure and Al Larsen both blowing my mind.
That and Calvin serenading shoppers at the KNW-YR-OWN booth during the rummage sale. I have this amazing image burned in my mind of Calvin crooning “Can We Kiss” while a frumpy sixty-year-old woman walked by carrying a stuffed moose head, clinging tightly to her newfound treasure.”
Got a Past Heck Fest story to share?
Send it to us using the handy contact form below and we'll PUT IT UP! We'll keep your email a secret, of course, and we'll only use your name if you give us permission. (NOTE: PLEASE DON'T WRITE ASKING TO PLAY. THERE ARE NO OPEN SPOTS. WE ARE FULL. SORRY. SERIOUSLY. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T WRITE ASKING TO PLAY? WHY DO YOU STILL WRITE ASKING TO PLAY?)