Vraney's history in Seattle goes much deeper than Something Weird Video. He was one of the owners of Time Travelers, the first punk-rock record shop. In 1979 he started the Showbox, where I saw innumerable local (Three Swimmers, Fastbacks, Macs, Fartz, Beakers), national (James Brown, Ramones, Devo) and international acts (PIL, 999, Gang of Four, Magazine). I knew Vraney very slightly back in the day; he was much hipper than I and ran with a groovier crowd. But he was good guy without whom Seattle's burgeoning punk scene would never have happened.
Oh god Time Travelers. I once dated/sponged off a guy who was never happier than when he'd return from collecting fresh comic issues from the regulars box the shop kept for him down there. I found this promo clip someone did. RIP Mike, and thanks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sICtcX7AH…
Very sad to hear.
My wife and I have a large collection of Something Wierd on VHS, they totally expanded my mind in the ways of film.