From the Feb 10 – Feb 16, 2005 issue

Music

BEATSEEKING MISSIVES

SKID ROAD

by Dave Segal

To most discerning electronic-music heads, frequenting Pioneer Square clubs holds all the allure of a rectal exam. Considering the neighborhood's mookish musical mentality, there's not been much incentive to venture amid the Square's throngs of tourists, shiny-shirted pussy hounds, and suburbanites (although the Catwalk is improving its offerings). Skid Road's movers and shakers hope to change this dismal scenario by hosting more cerebral strains of electronic music.

Skid Road is the new incarnation of the space formerly known as the Bohemian. The ornate 500-capacity venue has spotlighted reggae, jazz, soca, R&B, hiphop, and Top 40, but SR's management--owner Anthony Frazier, manager Tom Romano, and booker Guy Godefroy--plans to guide its music down more adventurous avenues.

Skid Road has potential to be an amazing adult playground. A multilevel, three-room labyrinth (comprising Jackie Starr's Marquis Club, Formosa Card Room, and Sister Faye's Divine Light Mission) in various stages and eras of elegance, the venue contains a surreal mélange of decors and atmospheres in which you'll have to struggle to be bored. Additionally, Frazier has updated the sound system with EAW equipment. The Marquis will host "funky disco house," says Frazier. "This room's all about glamour, clean lines." In the Formosa, DJ Osiris will play downtempo and worldbeat music from an elevated pagoda. The Mission's musical menu will likely be diverse and more underground. "We want to establish a consistent reputation for musical integrity back there," says Godefroy. "We want acts people can party to, but they can also respect. We want to prove we have depth and are aware of all the different styles of music. We're gonna run through every genre of electronica you can imagine."

Romano observers, "We're looking to create something over the top, not something you find in ordinary clubs, using performance [burlesque, magic, circus acts], music, history, creating a different experience that people aren't used to in Seattle."

Of particular interest to Data Breaker readers, Sean Horton is negotiating with Skid Road to land a monthly gig that would mount Decibel festival showcases featuring acts the caliber of Derrick May, Michael Mayer, and Lusine. Whatever the outcome, he's upbeat about the venue's prospects.

"It's the perfect venue for Decibel to do a diverse and professional showcase," says Horton, noting the space's vastness and excellent sound and lighting.

"I think Skid Road has the potential to be a tasteful alternative to the 'mega clubs' of Seattle that often put finances before creativity," Horton adds. "Pioneer Square is a tough sell for many, but if you bring the right music to the right environment and promote it the right way, anything is possible. [Skid Road's] creative effort to step outside of the mainstream audience, even when surrounded by it, is refreshing." DAVE SEGAL

Skid Road is located at 111 Yesler Way, 447-4140, www.skidroadproductions.com.

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