These Bandmates Always Know Just What Their Spouse Is Up To

Twelve years is a long time for a band to stay together.

Just ask House of Large Sizes. Formed in 1986 they’ve survived long enough to watch a couple of music trends come and go, to ride the crumbling of a major label deal and to put out five full-length albums.

Certainly there must be a good incentive to stick it out all this time.

Like making good music.

Or like a wedding ring.

Or both.

“Barb and I are married so the band doesn’t really break up,” says singer/guitarist Dave Deibler of his wife/bassist Barb Schilf. “It’s just a matter of getting a drummer we like.”

Now on their third drummer (not bad for a 12-year run), this band from Iowa has not only a percussionist they like in Mark Munn but a record label they’re happy with and a new album that finds them changing and growing and yet still unleashing the strippeddown, straight-forward rock they’re known for.

Their latest album “Glass Cockpit” - on the What Are Records label - is packed with sinewy rock songs as diverse as the band’s influences - AC/DC and Aerosmith, Husker Du, X and The Replacements.

Here, Schilf puts her edgy kid voice to good use. It’s a wonderful addition to her husband’s stoked vocals, creating a catchy depth to songs like “Cranko-American” and “Two-Tone Moon.”

“In the old days we would spend all this time on the songs and then scream over them,” Deibler says. “Now the difference is, we spend just as much time on the vocals.”

So with things looking good on the music front, the question is: How does one have both a successful band and a successful marriage?

“I would say it has its challenges but it’s probably easier than one of us being in the band and being gone so much,” says Schilf. “It has it’s moments when it can be very stressful but ask anyone who’s married and they’ll say the same.”

House of Large Sizes plays at Ichabod’s North Thursday. Civilized Animal and The Panics open. Show starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $4.

Some like it heavy

If you like hard rock, this is your week.

Two of Roadrunner Record’s heavy hitters roll into town for shows Wednesday night. But in a booking snafu of sorts, the two bands - which both go on tour with Megadeth next month - are scheduled to play at different clubs.

Coal Chamber headlines the show at Ichabod’s North Wednesday while Life Of Agony headlines the show at Outback Jack’s.

Decisions, decisions.

Both bands have toured with Ozzy Osbourne and Type O Negative.

With concrete-chunk riffs and a vocal rumble the consistency of a gravel pit, L.A.-based Coal Chamber summons all the aggression and intensity of a blood-curdling nightmare. Bassist Rayna calls their music “theatrical exorcism” and says their songs come from “scary places.”

Human Waste Project opens the show with its own musical freak parade. Frontwoman Aimee Echo’s screeching-sing-song girl-voice leads the band through eerie-yet-enticing tunes of twisted relationships, bad dreams and alien abductions.

If that sounds like too much of a sense assault for a Wednesday night, then Brooklyn-based Life of Agony may be the thing for you. This foursome layers melodious vocals atop riffs that are at times thunderous and at times restrained. This is hard-edged rock with a bigger bite of pop sensibility.

Sacramento, Calif., band Far joins the show at Outback Jack’s with an intriguing guitar rock. Their latest EP “Soon” finds them joining forces with the Deftones for a cover of a Jawbox song. Great stuff. Buzzy guitars crash with beautifully half-cracked vocals. “We’re a melodic band that can be heavy sometimes,” says guitarist Shaun Lopez. “Even in heavier songs, we show a soft side.”

Cost for Coal Chamber/Human Waste Project at Ichabod’s: $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Call 325-SEAT or (800) 325-SEAT to order tickets by phone. Show starts at 9 p.m.

Cost for Life of Agony/Far at Outback’s: $4. Show starts at 9 p.m. with Felix Shmitt opening.

On fire

Spokane garage rockers The Makers headline the show at Ichabod’s North Saturday night. They’re joined by The Fireballs of Freedom from Missoula, Mont.

The Makers recently finished recording and mixing their latest album with long-time Seattle producer Jack Endino.

“We’re really excited about it,” says bassist Don Maker of the album due out in May or June on Estrus Records. “Jack got the best sound we’ve ever had.”

Although singer Mike Maker and manager Vic Mostly recently moved from Spokane to Seattle, Don says the rest of the band is not yet ready to follow suit. Until then they’re prepared for a lot of cross-state traveling.

The Fireballs of Freedom have eyes on moving from their land-locked home to the coast, as well.

“It’s getting to the point where somebody is going to wind up with a pregnant girlfriend and living in the trailer park,” says singer/guitarist Kelly Gately. “We should just get out on the super rock highway and see if we really want to do this forever.” This foursome has been working their way up through the Northwest rock ranks with impressive shows in both Spokane and Seattle. Playing a rowdy, raw, rock and roll, these guys are a blast to see live.

And after a cold winter sequestered in Montana, Gately says they’re looking forward to getting even as far as Spokane.

“We’ve been hanging out with the Keno machines so we’re ready to get out. We’re ready to rock.”

The Pills from Moscow, Idaho, also perform and Spokane trio Fur Burger opens the show at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $5.

All ages

Check out the show Saturday at the Libby Teen Center. Silent Rage, Reason 27 and 1000 lb. Jesus start rocking at 8 p.m. Cover is $3.

The band Peter performs at Casey’s Pub in Post Falls Saturday night. “A pub?” you say. “Kids can’t go there.” Oh yes they can. Since Casey’s is both a brewery and a restaurant, Idaho law allows the younger set into the show. Good news, eh? Music starts at 9 p.m. and there is no cover charge.

And don’t forget…

Tonight at Ichabod’s North, Sweet Fancy Moses releases an eight-song tape of new material titled “Nothin’ Fancy.”

A followup to their CD “The Insatiable Song & Dance Man,” “Nothin’ Fancy” finds the band winding through dusty countrified rock tales a la John Mellencamp. Although the “Nothin’ Fancy” tunes lack a certain energy and tightness, you’ll likely enjoy this band and their tape if you like Mellencamp. Sweet Fancy Moses does stay close to the Cougar’s tracks.

Show starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $4. Charlie Starkweather opens.

Bluesman Paul Brasch visits Tubs Cafe in Coeur d’Alene Saturday at 8:30 p.m. for a free show. On Thursday at Tubs you’ll find Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang. Shaw worked and performed with the legendary Howlin’ Wolf as well as with the likes of Ike Turner and Muddy Waters. Cover is $10 and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Send nightclub news to Winda Benedetti at The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201 or fax it to (509) 459-5098.

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