I didn't like the band Hazel too much when they were around,

[swag]

though I saw them once or twice, and a lot of my friends liked them back then, and though have enjoyed seeing Jody Bleyle and Pete Krebs in other projects, like Team Dresch and Stolen Sweets (Krebs' most recent Django-style ensemble).

But anyway, I heard the below-linked song "Mr. Magazine Man" on the college AM station the other day while on my way to the Lucky Lab for some pre-classical-concert beers, and only this morning tracked it down and discovered it was by Hazel:

http://killrockstars.com/bands/compilations/audio/MrMagazineMan.mp3

Warning: mp3 download. It's clean, legal, and from the record label, but if you click that link, you're downloading an mp3.

The song is so very Kill Rock Stars.

[asthmaticeog]

1. That's a decent tune.

I too was unkeen on Hazel - and all that second-wave Sub Pop stuff - when it was current.

Thanks for the link.

[swag]

2. I think I know what you mean about the second-wave Sup Pop.

Even before "Smells Like Teen Spirit" there was a burgeoning not-so-fresh feeling about some of the things that label and city were pumping forth. The post-Nevermind hipster hubris in the offices at the Terminal Sales Building led to a quality implosion that burdens certain unculled record collections to this day.

Love Battery was interesting to see in your "underappreciated" list the other day. I think I have underappreciated them too. I can't even remember the name of that single I have. on edit: I just recall liking it.

[asthmaticeog]

3. Love Battery was more a live thing.

Their first couple of albums were quite good, but man, when they went into the shitter, they went in headstrong. "Straight Freak Ticket" is a speedbump on the road to Hell.

[eeyore]

4. Okay, man...why are you posting about Hazel at 5:30 am?

Are you waking up early or going to bed waaaaay late?

I'll check out the song, I'm not sure I've ever heard it.

It's kind of funny, I really liked them way back when, and went to lots of their shows. But when they did the reunion deal during this past MusicFestNW at the Crystal, they just didn't do a damn thing for me.

What I most remember about them is that Jody was constantly creating chaos, talking to people in the crowd, and having onstage arguments with Pete. That was fun to watch, but as time went on Jody really took it too far for my taste. Eventually each show would degenerate into 20 minute music-free stretches where Jody would be screaming for security to haul out some guy who she had just called out as a rapist. I saw this scenario play out multiple times. Pete and Brady would just kind of stare at the floor and tune while Jody got it out of her system.

Anyway, that reunion show was Sprinkler, Crackerbash, Pond and Hazel. Sprinkler was by far the best sounding act on the bill that night. I was a huge Pond fan, and was kind of bummed out at how sloppy their set was. They were always a really tight band, and just didn't pull it together, but I guess it just proves you can't go back. Croghan did a fantastic job with the Crackebash set, but I never really got that band, so I wasn't all that into it.

By the way, we worked at the Paperback Jukebox at the same time. I was doing photography, using the press passes to get into shows.

:toast:

[swag]

5. That's right. I remember that thread about PBJukebox.

Did you ever get a check from Dave? I got one. It even cleared. He was so proud that day to be paying people for once.

Great Jody stories. My friend Jason in Seattle was in the crowd at a Team Dresch show and Jody was some big hero of his. Anyway, some guy in the crowd said something Jody didn't like, so she dove off the stage and tackled my innocent friend Jason and started punching him in the face. Very sad. I hear they later made up.

Cheers to you. What band are you in?

[eeyore]

6. Money? Hell no!

I thought I wanted to be a photographer at the time, so I was just doing it to get into shows for free. I spent most of my time with John Eckinrode, then ran into him later out at Nike where we were both doing graphic design work.

I heard a similar story about Jody when they were on tour, I think in Minneapolis. Apparently she was too fucked up to play, and literally passed out on stage next to her kit. Pete or Brady asked if anyone in the crown wanted to play drums, so some poor sap came up and thought he was going to have the time of his life. Jody came to, saw someone playing her drums, and proceeded to kick the guy's ass. Very rock, if nothing else! Thankfully, I think she's cleaned up now.

I play in the band UHF. I saw that picture of you in the pic thread you started, and immediately began dreaming of fried pickles. Have you tried those? Damn good.

I'm actually working on a project up on NE Russell - the building that used to house Disjecta, right next door to the new Wonder Ballroom. I'm converting it into a rental ballroom, recording studio, and a restaurant/bar with a little music supply retail counter in it. I'll let you know when you can come get a drink and some late night breakfast.

:toast:

[swag]

7. Sounds like a great project you're working on.

I have tried the fried pickles, do occasionally eat at Russell St. Barbecue, and am going to see Stereolab at the Wonder Ballroom next Sunday night.

I agree, you and I should have a brew some time. Meanwhile, I'll keep my eye out for your band.