Also mark your calendar for two upcoming July events: First, the second annual booze cruise from Mechanical Planet Productions (who, you may remember, hosted last summer's I Sunk Your Battleship blowout) takes to the high seas of Elliott Bay once again on Saturday, July 10. This time the boat's twice as big (with a 400-person capacity) and the Fitness, Infomatik, and DJ Johnny Mayday have been scheduled as part of the evening's entertainment, which this year centers on a "pirate rock" theme. Tickets are $16 and you can get 'em early (last year sold out, as an early warning) at www.isunkyourbattleship.com. Later next month, on July 24 and 25, the Capitol Hill Block Party unloads a huge collection of Northwest talent outside The Stranger offices. While they're still confirming a few more acts, here's a sampling of what's in store that weekend: performances from the Melvins, Sir Mix-A-Lot, All Girl Summer Fun Band, Smoosh, the Red Light Sting, the Long Winters, the Blood Brothers, Onry Ozzborn, the Blue Scholars, Popular Shapes, the Spits, IQU, and more, as well as graffiti artists, DJ tents, breakdancing, beer gardens, voter registration booths, and plenty of big and emerging artists.
Speaking of breaking talent, the Saturday Knights had their second show recently, and judging from the crowd's reaction, they're already a success. The hiphop quartet comprises emcees Barfly (of Norman and Old Dominion, as well as his solo stuff) and Tilson, DJ Suspence (DJs on Strike!), and Brian Weber (formerly of Dub Narcotic Sound System) on guitar/keyboards, together performing music that fits their mantra of "partying for a living." The fun, dance-floor-friendly act opens for Vice artists Chromeo on July 21.
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Now I'm completely shifting gears to announce an event that stems out of a tragedy. Earaches drummer/manager Alan Wright took his own life on Saturday, June 12, and there will be a "Rock and Roll Memorial Party" for his admirers, friends, and family on Friday, July 9, at the Lobo (there is also a message board set up under the New Breed forums at www.garagepunk.com where friends can post their remembrances). I only knew Alan through a few e-mails and the shows where we interacted, but the general consensus is that he was a very caring man: He worked at the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, and when members of the Exploding Hearts died last summer, Alan put an incredible amount of work into organizing a memorial in their honor. No matter how tangentially you knew him, it's still sad when a member of the music community commits suicide (and especially sad that it was the second one I heard about that weekend).
Musicians often lack resources when it comes to issues involving health insurance (and getting the mental/physical assistance they need) but there are local/ national groups out there that can help. The RACk's website (www.pacnwrack.org) lists numerous Northwest organizations. Whether the issue is addiction, depression, or physical health, there are a number of places that will help those without the monetary means, both inside and outside the music community. Musician-specific groups like MusicCares offer crisis medical assistance if you call 800-687-4227. There are organizations like the Crisis Clinic, which offers free, confidential counseling 24 hours a day at 866-4CRISIS (866-427-4747), and there are a number of sliding- scale counseling services for longer-term issues listed at the Seattle Crisis Resource Directory (www.scn.org/crisis/counseling.html). Please take the time to contact these organizations or look at their websites if you need help (or pass this information on to friends who may need it). There are lifelines out there for people who feel like they're helpless, confused, or alone.
