The Bedazzler is a Time Machine!

Thanks Chris Estey for the kind words. “Just got this slinky, crunchy, very naughty STAG 45 in my box (eek!). It’s a true delight, a great sample of the superb vinyl releases from HockeyTalkter Records. I’m sent back into a summer night of my past, Columbian pot-wafting trailer park yard under glittering coals of stars, sharing a sleeping bag with Janie, whose brother John made out with Rhoda nearby in their own bag. Summer stoned and deep tongue kissing for the first time, and the chorus of this song tickles like anything by the Sweet and stomps like pop Slade. The flip “Runner” has a buzzy Badfinger jog to it (“I’ve been making the same old jokes / living on rum and cokes / get me high!!”); both choruses on this new single are true boss. Thanks boys! Right on”.- Chris Estey

KEXP LOVES STAG!

Stag is a band from the northwest whose making ripples in the water of Seattle rock. Formed in 2010 by a host of some of the city’s finest musicians, Steve Mack (vocals), Ben London (guitar), John Randolph (guitar), Rob Dent (drums), and Pete Everett (bass), the group is highly evolved. By mixing pop rock from the late ’60’s and early 70’s with straight ahead rock, the group has avoided the “Deathcab” stereotype and have forged their own path, “We love so many bands, it’s hard to pinpoint,” says London, “I guess a Stag’s DNA includes strains of Cheap Trick, Big Star, T-Rex, but also English power pop rock bands such as the Hollies and the Sweet.”- KEXP

THE BEDAZZLER IS HERE!

STAG’s new 7″ is here

Released on Pearl Jam guitar player Mike McCready’s HockeyTalkter Records.

The latest recording from Seattle Power Pop purveyors Stag is a full-on chooglin’ slice of stomp-worthy boogie evoking early ’70s glam. Let’s just say Marc Bolan would be proud. A limited edition colored vinyl 45, featuring iconic cover imagery from famed NYC ’70s-era photographer Meryl Meisler, is a rager!. Recorded by Jack Endino and mixed by Martin Feveyear, the single captures the members of Stag laying down their most ambitious songwriting, and production to date. “The Bedazzler” burns hot live and will sound perfect mixed in with artists like T- Rex, Ty Segall or Eagles of Death Metal on any radio station or playlist. Hear it now in all its glory!

Debuted yesterday on Seattle Radio Station KEXP, the Bedazzler is ready for action!

Jack Endino On the State of Seattle Music

http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2011/10/18/jack-endino-explains-collapse-board-post-did-not-write-grunge-is-dead

Housekeeping / Shit Talk / Mailbag Jack Endino Explains Collapse Board Post, Did not Write Grunge is Dead

Posted by on Tue, Oct 18, 2011 at 9:35 AM

You may or may not have seen Endino’s article, posted at Collapse Board (and subsequently printed in Seattle Weekly‘s Reverb monthly), a site co-run by former Stranger Music Editor Everett True.

The Akimbo show review he refers to is here:

Akimbo, Grenades, Bitches Crystal

(Comet) In a recent cranky blog post, Jack Endino read a batch of local music reviews and surmised, “Grunge is dead… but everything else sounds like it’s on life support.” You’re only half right, Mr. Endino. Grunge is dead. It shouldn’t surprise you, since you made that declaration the title of your book in 2009. But to say the rest of the Northwest music scene is on life support is bullshit. Akimbo have been slaying eardrums for more than 10 years, and they’ll do so again tonight with two more hard and heavy bands: Grenades and Bitches Crystal. So I suggest you hit up this show, Jack. It may not take you back to grunge’s golden age (these days, flannel is more appropriate for the campfire rock scene), but it sure as fuck will prove that the heavy shit is alive and doing more than well. MEGAN SELING

Endino’s response:

To Megan Seling… Endino here. You malign me slightly (Grunge Is Dead was Greg Prato’s book, not mine), and I think you missed my point: My “cranky blog post,” mentioned in your Akimbo show preview, was actually lampooning the Weekly’s music reviews and their writing style, as well as the fact that, from what they CHOSE to review in their first issue of Reverb, you wouldn’t know there was ANY rock left in this town! I was surprised when they asked if they could reprint it. I told them OK, as long as their reviewers stop using the word “elegiac.”

I know perfectly well there’s rock here, cuz that’s what comes in the doors of my studio every day, even though sometimes it seems like it’s invisible! I love Akimbo, BTW, and the Lesbian show at the Funhouse was killer [the other] night. I could go on, and on. (Check out Stag.) Plenty of rock in this town, it just gets no respect, and not much local indy-label love either. Keep covering the rock; someone’s gotta.

JE

Stag’s Playground

Ben & Steve @ the Tractor 8/31/11

We had fun playing with Marcy Playground on Wednesday night. Now we have to hit the practice space and get our Nirvana cover together for the Nevermind Tribute we are playing on 9/20 @ EMP. We are honored to be a part of it.