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When we asked Wes, the wizard of Uptone, about the abandoned
building next door he told us about the Japanese American kids
who went to school there. After Pearl Harbor the day came when
soldiers showed up to take the kids in one easy to wrangle bunch
to the internment
camp. Wes said years later other kids broke in and found
everything left as it had been. Kimonos and scrolls of graceful
Japanese characters dust covered in the dim rotting rooms. Later
it was a squat where Nirvana played one of their first shows.
It inspired us to freestyle an eerie song called "17th and Tacoma."
For
four days in june 2001, at Uptone Studios in Tacoma Washington,
an experiment in total improvisation was recorded with Tamra
singing and playing a little guitar, Ronnie on guitar, Di (of
Rubyslipper)
on Memorymoog, Prophet and Optagan, Greta (http://bassgoddessgreta
of Unseen Force now with Moby's band) on bass, Larry Schemel
(ex-Flesheater) on guitar, Patty Schemel (Hole, Bastard) on
drums, and occasional percussion by Kayla Tabb (Brake Light
District). Guitars were generously lended by Rick of Guitar
Maniacs, including the 1958 Jazzmaster Unwound used on Leaves
Turn Inside You.
Tamra at the band's home away from home, Kickstand.
Behind her a poster for the dreaded Tacoma Ballet.
Lucid
Nation would like to thank Jack for hooking us up with Uptone
but it's too far to drive.
Click
Here to see Jack's Manzanar Photos.
Photos by Greta
Brinkman
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