Second Coming Makes Comeback With New Members And New Cd
Second Coming has been around the block.
More than once.
In its four-plus years, the band’s had solid regional success. The group’s been courted by big labels. And gone through an unpleasant break-up. And landed in court, fighting for the right to the name.
Like most bands, it’s been up. It’s been down.
Now, things are again swinging in an upward motion for this Seattle quartet. A rebirth of sorts.
With two new members and a new CD out, Second Coming brings its heavy rock grooves and industrial flourishes to Outback Jack’s tonight.
“We think we’ve made the band better, and that was our bottom line,” says bassist Yanni Bacolas.
Second Coming formed in the early ‘90s with Bacolas on bass, James Bergstrom on drums, Maxi as front-man and Mark Nelson on guitar.
After growing success in the region and a debut CD “L.O.V.Evil,” Maxi and Nelson split ways with the rhythm section nearly two years ago.
“It was an unexpected blow,” Bacolas says.
He and Bergstrom weren’t planning to continue the band until they began practicing with guitarist and programmer Dudley Taft (formerly of Sweetwater) and singer Travis Bracht (formerly of Peace and Silence.)
“It was almost effortless. It just kind of happened. It was like, ‘This is it, we have it, we feel it, let’s do it,”’ Bacolas says.
Bacolas and Bergstrom then tussled with their former members over the band name, winning out in the end.
“The way I viewed it was, we all worked very hard to get Second Coming up and going,” he says. “We worked hard, we built up a good name and we didn’t want to throw it away.”
Their new self-titled CD, released earlier this year, follows in the steps of the first. With brooding emotions and maelstrom energy, it tours through topics of child neglect, broken love and everyday life.
“The drum loops, the samples, the heavy guitar, the heavy rhythms that we use are still there,” Bacolas says. “We’ve gotten a little more guitarheavy this time around with Dudley. And Travis was just born to be a vocalist.”
Most important, Bacolas says the members are comfortable with each other and their new work.
“The sound is great. It works. And it feels natural.”
For more information on the band or to buy their new CD check out Second Coming’s Internet home page at www.timestyle.com. Glass Chunk and Sugar Pig open the show at 9:30 tonight. Cover is $5.
BeeCraft demo
Spokane favorite BeeCraft has finally laid its jazz-rock grooves down on tape and will have them for sale at their Tuesday show at Ichabod’s North.
The seven-song demo nicely showcases the guys’ deep well of talent and holds true to BeeCraft’s experimental ethic.
This fivesome works superbly together, delving into a variety of sounds, moods and paces - often in one song.
“Home” takes listeners through a weaving sonic roadtrip, from the melancholy intricacies of the keyboards to the feisty guitar sprints to the cruising rhythmic web of an ending.
“Pies 9” is all easy-going spirit while “A Study: Driving Through a Strange Town at Night” moves at a cool temper.
The recording at times leans towards self-indulgence - something almost any jam-oriented band is likely to be accused of. And vocals remain the weak point, although BeeCraft has improved much in that category.
Still, for those who enjoy the BeeCraft sound, this first recording is well worth picking up for the $5 it’ll cost you. And don’t wait, there’s a limited number available. Catch the band Tuesday at Ichabod’s North. Show starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $5.
All kinds of music
For your dose of the Jamaican beat, catch local ska band Petting Zulu as it headlines at Ichabod’s North tonight.
Civilized Animal - a Spokane band with elements of ska, funk, jazz and reggae - plays the preceding spot. Also appearing are The Panicks and The Bone Daddies.
Show starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $4.
Montana musician Chris Hiatt returns to town this weekend for performances tonight and Saturday at Fizzie Mulligans.
Hiatt and his band offer both a Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute act as well as their own brand of rock and roll. Show starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $2.
Also making a return trek to Spokane from Montana is Andre Floyd and his band Mood Iguana. Floyd brings his smooth blues to the Fort Spokane Brewery both tonight and Saturday. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $6.
On another blue note, the band Indigenous continues at Mad Daddy’s Blues Club in Coeur d’Alene this weekend.
The all-Native American band from the Nakota Nation plays a scorching rocked-up blues. Catch them tonight and Saturday. Show starts at 8 p.m. and cover is $6.
Fed up with Christmas shopping? Stop in at Romeo’s Cafe (221 N. Wall) on Saturday around 7 p.m. and relax to some acoustic rock with elements of blues and jazz from Simple Logic. There’s no cover charge. Consider it a free gift to yourself.
Speaking of jazz, don’t forget that Hobart’s Jazz Lounge offers some of the best performances in our area. Tonight, Jazzmania tunes in the sounds of Cole Porter, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and others.
On Saturday the Barry Bergstrom Quartet takes the stage. Bergstrom has played with the likes of Maynard Ferguson, Bob Hope and the Temptations. He’s joined by pianist Bill McKay, bassist Doug “Slap” Folkins and drummer Dennis Larson.
Music starts tonight at 8 and will cost you $4. Saturday tunes start at 9 p.m. and cost $5. Get $1 off if you’re a student.
For the next couple of months, self-taught solo pianist Dax Johnson will perform each Saturday evening at Frescos in the Franklin Park Mall. His show starts at 7:30 p.m. and is yet another break for the pocketbook. It’s free.
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