Three Imaginary Girls - The Minus Five

The Gun Album

Chris Estey — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 08:00:00 +0000

7.9

http://www.yeproc.com/artist_info.php?artistId=201&page=viewrelease&itemNum=CD-YEP-2065

The Minus Five is a project of Seattle longtime legend* Scott McCaughey, who you can at times see taking Metro to his local gigs, as I did a couple summers back (when he opened for Jon Langford at the Sunset Tavern). I had no idea that the scruffy dude I was sharing the #15 with had accomplished so much, including playing with the iconic Young Fresh Fellows since 1983, forming The Minus Five a decade later, and recording and touring with REM. More importantly, I didn't really know how great a songwriter he was till I saw him open for Langford — and this album is even more convincing of his talents than that wickedly good appearance was.

The Minus Five was originally the resevoir project that McCaughey created to sustain the prolific overflow from his output with the YFF; it has occasionally encompassed projects such as full collaborations with Wilco, as well as appearing on Conan O'Brien and David Letterman. With more back-story than I could ever replay here, let's just note some of the people who play with him as The Minus Five this time around — Peter Buck, Jeff Tweedy, Colin Meloy, John Wesley Harding, Sean Nelson, Ken Stringfellow, to start with — and the album is mostly a jaw-dropping juggernaut of brilliant lyrics, ridiculously good melodies, and sublimely soulful electrified busker rock that never fails to charm.

Starting off with the transcendently tuneful "Rifle Called Goodbye," perhaps a dark story about cause and effect and faith, wrapped up in images about firearms and burning Bibles, The Minus Five moves through guilt and temptation in the knee-and-elbow punk of "Aw Shit" ("Am I going to be an asshole for the rest of my life, aw shit man, and never be forgiven by my daughter and wife, aw shit, man"), drunken regret on "Out There On The Maroon" ("Like a pencil sticking in your neck, this feeling is getting creepy"), and hitting its achingly great peak with fourth track, "My Life As A Creep."

This last song is perhaps torturously self-critical, and is as acerbic and fantastically composed as anything Nick Lowe or Elvis Costello wrote on their first three albums. But from there, this album certainly doesn't drop off in quality, offering the enchanting "With A Gun" (backing by Wilco) before unveiling the gorgeous and depressing conceptual centerpieces "Cemetery Row" and "Twilight Distillery."

{*imaginary ed note: Rumor that Scott McCaughey moved to Portland. And "The Gun Album" is set to release in early February 2006. You can pre-order your copy now.}

No Vote Left Behind: TIG says: We're Ready for Regime Change Too!

three imaginary girls — Sun, 16 May 2004 07:00:00 +0000

We here at Three Imaginary Girls heart grassroots organizations. We, ourselves, have our roots in grass. Wait a minute, that didn't sound right...

What we're trying to say here is, we support creative endeavors borne out of the desire to make the world a better place. So when local political organization No Vote Left Behind asked us to attend their kickoff party — which featured performances by local musicians The Divorce, Jon Auer, and The Minus Five {AND an open bar!} — it was pretty much a no-brainer for us.

To express it mathematically:

Indie Rock + Absolut Mandrin - need for cash + get rid of Dubya + Three Happy Imaginary Girls == YAY No Vote Left Behind!!!

No Vote Left Behind is the brainchild of Crocodile Cafe employee Natasha George. As legend {and their website} have it, instead of wallowing in her political despair over the thought of a second Bush administration, Natasha decided to do something about it. Her solution? Why not plan a rock show, and send the proceeds to the Democratic National Committee?

A rock and roll to save the day? We love it!

The idea has blossomed into a multi-day festival that will take place September 23rd - 26th, and has enlisted the help of many folks involved in the Seattle music scene and beyond. Musician Mark Arm (Mudhoney), publicist Barbara Mitchell, attorney Jake London, professor Jacquelyn Miller, accountant Denise Maupin, streaming media guru Steve Mack, web implementer Jason Dennie, and designer Christi Willard are all part of the NVLB team.

Plus, they just might be getting a little help from their imaginary friends, 'cause we think they rock.

Speaking of rocking, they had the Divorce open the night. I swear those Divorce boys get hotter every time I see them... and it's been awhile since we've seen them out, so they were smoldering!!!

I still have the Divorce's 2003 release There Will Be Blood Tonight as a fixture in my disc changer. Tonight's show featured all new songs, and I am now counting down to the release of their next album... even though it isn't even recorded yet.

Since the release of their first album, they've added a lead guitarist to the line up. He is amazing {!} and, in no small part to his membership in the band, the new songs are more intricate and evolved while remaining smart and catchy. They were already top notch, but now {dare I say} they are topper notchier!

That AND new haircuts on the Divorce! Be still my heart.

The event drew quite the Seattle indie-rock elite to the Crocodile. And can I just ask... am I the only person who can't get over seeing Peter Buck just hanging out in the crowd? I want to be cool about it, but I just can't.

You and me both.

But, I think we ARE cool about it.. well, in that we stand really still and lock our heads in the opposite direction from where he's standing when he's in the room so there's no way we can make direct eye contact with him. And no matter what statement I am in the middle of exclaiming, I start spouting, "Um... um... yea... so... that, you know."

I think this is an odd universal hipster instinct kicking in that prevents all of us from running over and asking him how he's doing and what his favorite local sushi restaurant is.

The fact that we, and the rest of respectable hipster Seattle, are able to control ourselves and NOT bombard the coolest person in town with our trivial inquiries is somewhat astounding.

But, actually, I don't know if it really works to his advantage. Like the pretty girl who doesn't get asked out on a date because every guy thinks she'll reject him, I think Pete Buck might be slightly bored at all these public events because we're all too intimidated to acknowledge his presence.

I would like to be his friend. I swear I would NEVER say, "Hey Pete! I believe in Coyotes AND time is an abstract!"

Yea, me neither! I have plenty of conversation topics that do not include statements like "You are so amazing!!! Tell me about that time REM performed under the name 'Bingo Hand Job' at the Borderline in London! And what was it like to perform "Picture Book" with Ray Davies?"

OK girls, enough with the REM super-fanning!

If you want to learn more about No Vote Left Behind or donate money to them, please check out their website.

Attention bands!!!!
Hate Bush? Want to help him get voted out by playing at the No Vote Left Behind music festival in September? You should:

Email Three Imaginary Girls and let us know or

Email No Vote Left Behind directly at novoteleftbehind@msn.com or

Phone No Vote Left Behind at (206)322-7849.

Tell 'em your imaginary friends sent you.

novoteleftbehind.gif

We here at Three Imaginary Girls heart grassroots organizations. We, ourselves, have our roots in grass. Wait a minute, that didn't sound right... What we're trying to say here is, we support creative endeavors borne out of the desire to make the world a better place.

Sonic Boom Records Opening in Capitol Hill

three imaginary girls — Tue, 04 Mar 2003 08:00:00 +0000

1 Mar 2003

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We'd just like to take a moment to deliver virtual homemade cookies and soymilk to our new neighbors, the ever nummy Sonic Boom Records. We are soooo excited to have such a cool record store within stumbling distance. I fear for my future loss of disposable cash.

We crashed their opening party on Saturday, along local pop-masters the Model Rockets and everyone's favorite all-star pop collective, the Minus Five. Both bands dazzled me with their power-prop-prowess, and I'm fairly certain Peter Buck waved at me at least twice.

I spent way too much money, acquired five new CDs (the Lawnmowers, the Divorce, the Long Winters, Longwave, and Joy Division, thankyoueverymuch!). I see the beginnings of yet another very dangerous habit forming here...

Oh Goddamnit, but I do love me these expensive bad habits... so THANK YOU to Sonic Boom, for contributing to our imaginary delinquency...

And welcome to the 'hood!

Go spend money on music:
Sonic Boom Records Capitol Hill
514 15th Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98106

Or come to one of their upcoming instores:

March 4 at 3pm — BLUES GOBLINS (Sam Coomes from Quasi)

March 4 at 7 pm — Mira from LADYTRON live dj-set.

March 13 at 6 pm — THE SPECIAL GOODNESS

March 20 (time tba) — SUPERGRASS

March 21 at 6pm — DAMIEN JURADO

March 22 (time tba) — STEPHEN MALKMUS

The Model Rockets and The Minus Five help welcome Sonic Boom to Capitol Hill -- I'm pretty sure that Peter Buck waved at me... twice!

Visqueen, with the Model Rockets

imaginary dana — Sun, 02 Mar 2003 08:00:00 +0000

1 Mar 2003

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If there's any justice left in this musical world, Visqueen will become the phenomenally successful international bona fide rockstars that they deserve to be, placing Seattle (finally) firmly on the non-grunge map it's been lost from this past decade or so.

But wait — we already know there is indeed a shortage of said justice. For if we were living in a fair and rational world musical, The Model Rockets would have been crowned the grand international high poo-bahs of POP years ago. Then we'd all be driving gas powered cars, we wouldn't be at war, and we'd be listening to great pop songs all up and down the radio dial.

Instead, Matchbox 20 are selling out the Key Arena, CNN resembles my old Atari Missile Command game, and we're paying $2 per gallon for the cheap stuff at the corner Chevron. Oh Goddamnit.

But still, I don't despair — for the Universe cannot be so bleak a place when we have new CD releases from these bands three: Visqueen's long-awaited debut release King Me — the Model Rockets' brand-spankin' new EP Pilot County Suite — and the Minus Five release Down with Wilco. All three Seattle bands honored us with a very over-sold out show at the Croc, to which I say — peace be with us all!

That entire night at the Crocodile was magical. I blame music. Familiarity prevailed, new alliances formed; old battles dissolved, mysteries resolved, and with walls kicked down, information flowed; new adoration abounded, and a benevolent freedom prevailed. It was a night to rock, a night to roll, and most of all, it was a time to rejoice: it was Friday, America wasn't quite yet at war, and every person in that packed place seemed to be honestly thrilled to see these bands play.

Visqueen, Visqueen, Visqueen... I promised those guys personally we wouldn't write about them again! But... I need to mention this: I think the mood that night was so elated because everyone who was there genuinely yearns to see this band succeed. They play great music. They have great attitudes. They have paid their dues; they have brought us joy. In short: they've earned it.

Anyone who has seen them play live knows it — and every time I see a Visqueen show (see freakishly long super-fan listing of previous dates below), they appear increasingly radiant. Playing mind-blowing rock and roll is good for their souls, and the joy that outpoured from these three folks (um, that's Rachel Flotard, Kim Warnick and Ben Hooker, for those of you who've been zoning this information out the last six thousand reviews we've written... ;) was so overt and abundant that there could be no doubt that somewhere under the chaos in today's world, there's a good healthy sense of benevolence still alive and well and creating. It could cure the world of its every trouble, if only we could harness it and broadcast it out into the stratus {yes, yes, I am getting hokey and sentimental over here...}.

Perhaps you don't believe me, as I'm now an official super-fan-come-potential stalker. Well, I dragged a Visqueen-virgin to the show, and here's what she had to say about it:

"I think Visqueen has an enormously thick sound for being a three piece. Rachel has a gravelly-sweet voice (does that make sense?) — the kind of voice that says, 'If I'm on your side, I'm sticky sweet, but fuck me over and you're GONNA DIE.' Great combination, and a perfect complement to the evening's events.

Ben is a furious drummer who actually looks like he's having a good time. They know what the hell they're doing and they're not shy about showing it off."

I'll second all that. Now count three and pray that Visqueen will have the chance to go forth and spread it far beyond their Seattle roots...

But wait — there's more! Then the ever-lovey Model Rockets positively dazzled us with their pop sensibilities. The trio features Scott Southerland and John Ramberg (also of the Minus Five) both on guitar and vocals and Graham Black on drums. They write extraordinary melodies; Scott and John's harmonizing magic made my eyes well, they sounded so gorgeous and good. And don't even get me started on how they command controlled lunacy from those acoustical guitars... but it was powerful stuff. So powerful in fact that my official imaginary boy friends for the evenings both proclaimed that, "Scott Southerland is our official guitar hero."

Plus those boys are industrious: they released "Tell the Kids (the Cops are Here)" late last fall, and now have a new EP apparently, called "Pilot County Suite" — though damned if I can find it on the Amazon.com, insound.com, or Sonic Boom Records web sites though. It's not even on their official site. Ahh well. Guess you're gonna have to hoof it to your favorite analog CD store to get yourself a copy.

I guess I can forgive them their lack of web site updating and marketing — as they are off spreading their musical word through the world. While they might not be playing Key Arena here, the Model Rockets do have quite the international following, as they've left for a tour of Spain (take me with you! take me with you!) for the rest of this month.

Sigh. I'd like to think of this as a mission of international diplomacy, with the US sending its best and brightest...

PS ~ I didn't stay for or review the Minus Five. Sorry. My only insights for you... Scott McCaughey is the Dude, Ken Stringfellow has swamp-green hair like an evil Fraggle, and igLiz and I wanna be friends with Peter Buck. Hi, superstar band. Like you need me to know how good these guys are, with a line-up like that... {but in case you do need me, here's a mini Minus 5 Bumbershoot review for ya...}

If there's any justice left in this musical world, Visqueen will become the phenomenally successful international bona fide rockstars that they deserve to be, placing Seattle (finally) firmly on the non-grunge map it's been lost from this past decade or so.

Bumbershoot 2002: The Imaginary Highlights

three imaginary girls — Thu, 12 Sep 2002 07:00:00 +0000

3 Sep 2002

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You remember when we did 14 shows in 14 nights? Hold on to your bonnet kids, at this year's Bumbershoot music festival — we witnessed 17 shows in four days. Following you will find a recap of the stuff we scribbled down in our trusty notebooks while running from venue to venue:

Greatest Rockstar Moments:

Death Cab for Cutie:
Of course they were incredibly sweet and melodic in every way, but the most T.I.G. moment occurred before they even took the stage in an incident that can only be called: Separated at Birth? (aka "Death Cab for Snooty")

Yes. We had a Death Cab Doppleganger moment. If you want to read the entire story, you're gonna need to read our Death Cab for Cutie full report.

Minus Five:
A bit of a mind blowing 12.30 p.m. for the T.I.G.s: Pete Buck (Seattle's favorite REM guy), Scott McCaughey (the consummate Ringleader), John Wesley Harding (the local with the funny accent), Ken Stringfellow (who this day went for a Green/Black chez Muppet doo) and company all on one stage, opening for Wilco and it was only 12.30 p.m.

And, the wackiest rockstar moment of all was when we realized that it was none other than one of the showman himself, five feet in front of us as we made our way we made our way down the ramp into Memorial Stadium: John Wesley Harding! Sigh. As we furiously took notes as to Who was doing What on stage, JWH and the Fastbacks' Kurt Bloch left their audience space in front of us to join the Minus Five boys on stage. And Ken's hair was more Fraggle Rock than the Muppets, I thought. How could someone so cute make himself look so bizarre? Weird.

And I just adore the Minus Five, with their sixties-influenced sugar-sweet melodic-pop.

The Drop:
Our first Drop experience after reading and hearing all about them via news, radio and strangers also included a preshow banter (and a ride into the depths of EMP, no less!) with tHe Drop guys. Our collective opinion in a nutshell? Gosh, they were LOUD. Was it the sound guy at EMP or the band itself that decided to be so LOUD? It was like some freaky Star Trek episodes, where species are unintelligible to one another until they determine the correct means of listening; once I inserted earplugs, the band went from painfully ear-ringing shrieks to nice tight melodies with dreamily muddled vocals — and with a cello, no less. To read something more in-depth and intelligible, see the official Michael X Imaginary Boy review.

Bestest Banter:

Gene:
It had been 7 years since I had last seen Gene perform when they were supporting their first album, Olympian. Their precise mix of 80% Morrissey and 20% Earl Grey Tea earned them a coveted spot on my "Must See or Die" 2002 Bumbershoot list. My dream of "Real life Britpop at Bumbershoot" was finally realized. As they whipped into their first song of the set, I was reminded of lead singer Martin's chiseled Divaness. To my delight, his banter had increased and was much more engaging. The topper? When he needed to adjust his keyboard's mic stand but was unable to, he requested that. "Someone with stronger wrists than I come up here to tighen this."

Wilco:
Even though I had never seen them perform live before, I went into this show knowing that I was going to leave loving them. I did... and it wasn't just because they sounded incredible, but because they did nothing but charm at every opportunity. The banter was swift and subtle and when Jeff Tweedy says something like, "I'm not feeling so fresh" when referring to the fact that they just woke up after a late gig the night before, you couldn't help but want to buy them all a beer.

The Shins:
We don't know what is better, their banter, their reaction to the crowd, or, oh yea, the music. Music highlights included "Know Your Onion," as well as hearing them playing a few songs from the Flake Music days.

But when they requested that we do THE WAVE — and we all DID IT — now *that* was something special. The wave, at a Shins show. They seemed even more astonished than we were. Then Marty Crandall commented on the Sunday performance by thanking us for choosing "Rock over Jesus" and then following it up with, "God is awesome dude, seriously."

Charmed, we're sure!

Best Cover Songs:

Dave Edmunds:
As he espoused, Mozart was the 1st rock-star (you know, sex, drugs and symphonies) and Dave has always wondered what he would have created on the guitar. Our Mr. Edmonds gave us such a taste of what a virtuoso would have sounded like by nailing Mozart 4th Symphony in G minor with heart stopping precision. Oh yea, he also covered "Here Comes the Sun" (and introduced it with "Here is a beautiful song written by a beautiful man"). He deserved two standing ovations even without these elegant touches to the set list, but with them, he has earned many a new fan.

Helio Sequence:
I had such huge plans to tell you all about the Helio Sequence. But unfortunately, I spent THE ENTIRE show in line at EMP, waiting to get in. The helpful EMP staffer told us, "You could go over and watch the show on our outdoor big screen today." The dude behind me in line retorted, "That's exactly why I came out today, to watch TV." Hilarious. EMP drives me nuts. But I did manage to hear the band perform their gorgeously lush version of that really cool Beatles song... you know the one...

Peter Parker:
Peter Parker played Damian Jurado's "Paxil." That was really cool. Matthew Parker shrieking "I'M ON FIRE!!!!" with huge images of flames flaring behind him was really quite cool. I think I have developed a musical crush on this band, now that I have seen them four times. Fire!!!!!

PS ~ Peter Parker should totally have won in the "Best Banter" category too, both for telling a superfan who screamed for a song, "No, we're still not going to play 'Elliot.' Thanks for asking, but no." And also for singing this lyric on a Friday afternoon: "Bubble bubble, toil and trouble. Make mine a double." Yes yes YES!

Bumbershockers!:

Dave Davies Disappointment:
Like 74% of the western world, I LOVE the Kinks. When I saw Ray Davies (you know, the other Kinks guy) at the King Cat last year, I was breathless the entire time. His elegance and eloquence made his Kinks based act more of a tribute to history than a hanging on to the last tattered straw left in his creatively-drained body. In true Davies brothers' style, Dave Davies is the antithesis of his brother's performance. Dave has not aged gracefully (note mullet and purple silky shit) and neither has his on-stage shtick (please don't repeatedly order the audience to clap along with the song when we obviously don't have the enthusiasm to do so). I was able to make it through 6 songs - and decided that staying any longer could only taint my love of the Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society. His publicist really should have checked with me before putting him on the next bus out of town as I think only thing that would have made up for this lackluster afternoon performance is if he would have performed a song with the Shins later that night. How wonderful would that have been!

Derailers:
To what did our wandering eyes appear? A comfy table with enough seating for all in the posse in the beer garden within earshot of the Derailers' rockability lovity set! Our parched mouths and weary feet were thankful for the hour of bliss that was listening to good live music whilst drinking a relatively palatable beverage (read as, Miller Lite).

Lead Singer Craziness:

Modest Mouse (crazy):
That Isaac Brock. Everyone knows he's crazy.

The Turn-Ons (crazy sexy) :
The first time I saw the Turn-Ons, I proclaimed them to be one of my favorite local bands - because they are so NOT a local band. Their part Charlatans UK, part Dandy Warhols, part New York Dolls and all kinds of sexiness made me an instant convert. This time was a bit different as the mammoth EMP Sky Church seemed to take away a bit from the engaging, playful vibe that usually oozes from their every melodic note. Not to say I was disappointed, just that our Turn-Ons are growing up and I've got to learn to deal with it because they are fine, upstanding citizens of the Seattle local music scene and should be worshipped as such.

The Gossip (aka Beth Ditto, crazy sexy cool):
What more can I say about Beth Ditto that igDana didn't cover in her Capitol Hill Block Party review? I can't say anything more. Other than, I concur. She's amazing, her stage presence is amazing, and I covet her charisma and confidence. Yow!

Some of our favorite memories from Bumbershoot 2002... Ahhh, memories!