Thursday, July 20. Day One: CMJ, Seattle-style, kicked the festival off at I-Spy by providing scores of musicians, publicists, and all-around public drunks with absolutely free drinks and an awesome (if ear-shattering) set by Zeke. The band was so fucking loud that even the Presidents' Jason Finn had his hands clamped over his ears, as did several other famous noisemakers in the room. HIM, the band everyone wanted to hear because it included members of June of 44, absolutely BLEW, I'm sorry to say. For a while I couldn't remember whether I was at a rock show or having dinner with my parents at some chi-chi restaurant, with a bunch of cheesy session musicians providing background "atmosphere." Supersuckers once again made my heart burst--Grinch-style--reminding me that despite all the jokey showmanship, they truly are one of Seattle's best live bands. And I like them even more now that I know both Eddie Spaghetti and Dan Bolton are dedicated Young and the Restless followers, as is Fastback Kim Warnick, who gives me daily updates on the show as I sit on my stool at the Cha-Cha. I'm usually unable to watch my favorite soap, known to us fans as "The Show," since I'm busy sweating deadlines when it comes on.

Speaking of Dan Bolton: Now I can't say for certain, but I'm pretty sure he was three sheets (or three sheeps, as Chad Queirolo likes to say) to the wind following the 'Suckers' performance. Whatever the case, he was everybody's "friend"--especially the ladies'--upstairs at Nation, the bar/restaurant where everyone was sweating off the free drinks post-show, looking fashionably languid and yelling "WHAT?" every time anyone attempted to hold a conversation.

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Friday, July 21. Day Two: While Love as Laughter, as usual, kicked ass, Black Halos frontman Billy Hopeless reached new levels of yuckiness as he sweated and contorted through his opening set for the Makers at the Crocodile. To those of you who have heard and believe the ridiculous and unfounded rumor that Billy and I slept together, he dumped me, and therefore I "don't like" his band: AS IF! Billy is disgusting! As anyone who has seen a live show knows, he has nothing in his leopard-print thong underpants to suggest he is a grower, much less a shower. I never thought that you could use the expression "droopy drawers" for thong underwear, but I suggest that you, Mr. Hopeless, ignore the ol' fashion adage that wearing horizontal stripes only adds to your bulk.

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Saturday, July 22. Day Three: Two words: Joseph Arthur. And if you need any more explanation than that, just ask members of R.E.M., the Presidents, Death Cab for Cutie, Harvey Danger, and just about every other local music notable who was in attendance at the sold-out Baltic Room show.

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Sunday, July 23. Day Four: Eddie Spaghetti celebrated his recent quickie nuptials by having a wedding reception at the Crocodile with a hundred or so well-wishers and a flame-decorated wedding cake. 70 Proof played their hearts out in honor of the happy couple, and "best man" Danny Bland almost made me cry with his touching speech. God love each and every one of them.