Demolition Doll Rods Roll Into Town For Gig At Ichabod’s North.

OK Spokane, we’ve got another weeknight show coming up, kids.

Are you up for the challenge?

I thought so.

Let’s enjoy the rest of the column.

The Demolition Doll Rods - three ill-spirited mortals from Detroit “rock city” - will lay down some stinking lo-fi filth at Ichabod’s North Thursday.

Band members includes guitarist-vocalist Margaret Doll Rod, drummer Christine Doll Rod and bass Dan Doll Rod - the artist formerly known as Dan Gory. (Dan played guitar for seminal garage-blues band The Gories, which broke up in 1992.)

The Demolition Doll Rods formed in 1994. During its three-year run, the band has just four singles under its belt, and only one of them is still in print - “Spoiled Kitty” on In the Red Records. In March, the trio will finally unleash its first album “Tasty” on the world.

Although the Doll Rods aren’t the most popular band on the planet, they have had their career helped along by a pretty impressive cast of characters, including Jon Spencer of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Boss Hog and Iggy Pop of Iggy Pop fame.

The ol’ Motor City phenom, Iggy, chaperoned the band on a two-week U.S. tour last spring. Apparently, he’s a fan. Which isn’t surprising, considering the Doll Rods owe much of their sound to Iggy’s proto-punk band The Stooges.

“It was crazy because we had never done anything corporate rock,” Margaret says of the stint with Iggy Pop. She’s talking by phone from her home this week. “It was our first gigantic corporate rock experience.”

Spencer is equally a fan. He even turned some knobs in the studio for the band’s forthcoming LP, producing half of “Tasty’s” songs.

“John likes us a lot. He lets us do tours with him,” Margaret says. “He took us to Europe for a few shows.”

“Tasty” was also produced by Mick Collins, former vocalist of The Gories and Black Top.

Did the Doll Rods learn anything from the recording sessions with Spencer and Collins?

“To me, (being in the studio) is like being in a play pen,” Margaret says. “I don’t like to think. I just got to play.”

Walking parody Martin Vs. His Big Ass opens.

There was some confusion over the column I wrote last week about the band; people weren’t sure if I thought the local band was good or not.

The truth is, Martin Vs. His Big Ass is a great band. And, yet, they’re an awful band.

I hope that clears things up.

Another opening band will be added to the bill later. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. The cover is $4.

Fat Tuesday

You’ve probably heard Tuesday is Mardi Gras.

Oh boy.

If you’re looking for a couple of places to hang out at and pretend you’re in New Orleans, here they are:

In Spokane, the Bayou Brewing Co. has been in full swing since opening Tuesday.

Its Mardi Gras celebration will run from Fat Tuesday through next Saturday.

Cajun zydeco band the Swamp Rockets will perform in the Bayou’s Voodoo Lounge Tuesday through Thursday, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Performing in the Fat Tuesday concert hall are Nobody Famous on Tuesday, Cafe Blue on Wednesday and Soul Proprietor on Thursday. Those shows start at 9 p.m.

There is no cover for the Voodoo Lounge. There’s a cover of $3 to get into Fat Tuesday’s. You must be at least 21 to be admitted to the Bayou Brewing Co.

Sandpoint is striving to be dubbed Little New Orleans for its upcoming Mardi Gras celebration. Four businesses in downtown - Eichardt’s Pub and Grill, Connie’s Motor Inn, Pend Oreille Brewing Company and Kamloops - are throwing a communal party on Fat Tuesday for one admission price: $5.

Three of the bars will have live bands on stage. Fear Politik will play Eichardt’s. Pain Killers will soothe fans at Kamloops. Luckelbin Trio will entertain at Pend Oreille Brewing Company.

For details, call Jeff at Eichardt’s Pub and Grill at (208) 263-4005.

Robert Two Hawks

Two weeks ago, Nightwatch told you about a benefit concert for Native American musician and flute maker Robert Two Hawks, who was suffering from cancer.

Sadly, he died last Wednesday from complications of the disease.

The money raised from the sold-out concert will go toward Two Hawks’ medical expenses.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy.

One of Two Hawks’ hopes was to establish a music community center - a gathering place where musicians of all ages will be able to play - in Coeur d’Alene. An account has been set up for donations for the center. For more information, call Sandy Two Hawks at (208) 667-8804.

Cotton Mouth

Lots happening in the Cotton Mouth camp. The Spokane metal band plays the Coeur d’Alene Cultural Center on Saturday with Greg and Indy 977.

Cotton Mouth is weeks away from releasing its debut album. The title of it is “420.” The combo has just launched a web site. You can access it by punching in www.themusicconnection.com/ cottonm.htm.

Finally, the band will be interviewed on KHTQ-FM (94.5) on Sunday at 10 p.m. The station will be playing songs from the forthcoming album.

Admission is $3. Showtime’s at 8 p.m.

Rock from the Gravelpit

Portland’s Gravelpit returns to Outback Jack’s tonight. The rock combo is recording its sophomore album. The release is scheduled to appear on Schizophonic Records later this year.

Chisler and Sugar Pig are also on tonight’s bill. The cover is $3. Music starts at 9:30 p.m.

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