WHAT'S UP MAGAZINE INTERVIEW AND CD REVIEW What's Up Magazine is a cool local rag that comes out once a month, with 5000 copies distributed for free throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County. They focus on the local rock n' roll scene, but cover other genres of music plus movies, wrestling and local culture. Their cool logo was designed by Art Chantry and the folks that put this magazine together also designed the cover for the Footstompin' Trio CD. You can check 'em out at: www.whatsup-magazine.com

WHAT'S UP MAGAZINE INTERVIEW AND CD REVIEW - FEBRUARY 2002

Footstompin' Trio | February 2002 Next Stop... BIG ROCK STATION! Interview By Brent Cole Photos By Chris Fuller Aaah, times are good for the Footstompin' Trio, yeah, times are real good. They're just about to release their much-anticipated debut record, shows are lining up all over the place and they just won the "Best Live Act" award at the Best of 2001 What's Up! Awards show (I assume that's the highlight of the year so far). Yeah, times are sweet. With all the activity in the Footstompin' camp, I was lucky to have a chance to catch up with Dan Lowinger, guitarist (who, along with Jeff Gray on standup bass, Stell Newsome on guitar, and Tom Forster on drums, round out the four-piece "trio") and shoot the shit about Foot Stompin's past, present and future.

WU: Give me a history of the band (for those who don't know).

DL: The history goes like this. We formed the Foot Stompin' Trio in 1999 to play Basement Swing's last show. At the time, Tom (drummer) and Jeff (bass player) and I were all in New York Jimmy and the Jive Five. When that band broke up, we decided to pursue the Foot Stompin' Trio. Robert Blake joined soon after that, and played guitar with us for a while. He left town and Stell Newsome replaced him.

WU: How'd you hook up with Sean Berry and Double Crown Records?

DL: You know, I don't remember 100 percent. I think you actually hooked us up with Sean. He came out and checked out a show and the rest is history. He has a cool label that is based out of Bellingham, but very few people in town know about it. He has done releases with bands such as the Untamed Youth and the Boss Martians, and also released a very cool tribute to the Trashmen last year.

WU: Yer new CD is amazing, it really captures the band's sound well. Would you consider yourself a "live" band or a "studio" band?

DL: I think we are at our best in a live setting. It is hard to recreate the type of energy that is created at a show at the 3B onto a record. Maybe we play better drunk. But we also worked hard on the CD to capture that edge of our live show.

WU: What do you think is the special quality that makes you guys such a great live act? Specifically, I've seen you win over a tough Rumors crowd and the locals at the Alger Tavern--two VERY different crowds.

DL: Thanks for the compliment. Sometimes I am not sure if we won over the locals at Alger. I think I heard someone say, "Who the hell are these guys?" and "Don't they know a trio is only three people?" I'm just kidding. We always have a great time at Alger. I think the key is that most people respond to high-energy rock 'n' roll, and that's what we try to give the people when we play.

WU: What's your favorite place to play outside the 3B??

DL: There are other places to play? The Stanwood Tavern is always fun. We recently had a good show at the Sunset in Seattle.

WU: Why did it take so long for the record to come out?

WU: Due to Stell's lengthy stint in prison, it set the record back about two years. Actually, we wanted a record that documented the different styles of our band. Until a few months ago, we didn't have all the material that we needed to do this.

WU: How long was the whole recording process? Where did you record? How'd you come up with Paul as the man behind the knobs?

DL: It ended up taking about three months. We recorded at Bayside recording. Paul was recommended to us by the Elvi's. We all dug their record Train Set that Paul had recorded, and we wanted to record in town. Paul is a badass engineer and a great guy to work with.

WU: Bellingham's music scene is as good as it's been for years (some in Seattle have said it's the next big place). What's making it such a great place for music?

DL: Having lived and played music in Bellingham for eight years, this is an incredible time to be in town. There are a lot of people doing different stuff musically and doing it well. The spectrum includes Federation X, the Reeks and Wrecks, Barbed Wire Cutters, The Enders of Ozone, The Cheeps, Jill Brazil, and many other bands--so many good ones I can't think of them all right now. Oliver's _Live at the 3B_ release was very cool and has documented this time well. For a town this size it is incredible. But I've got to say the core of the local scene is the 3B tavern. Aaron and Amy have created and run the best rock 'n' roll bar in the country. Dave Crider also deserves a lot of credit. He runs Estrus records, one of the coolest and best indie labels around. I don't know that Bellingham is the next big thing and I do not care. I'm just happy to be part of what is going on right now.

WU: Give me a range of the band's musical influences?

DL: Link Wray, Bill Monroe, Flat duo Jets, The Sadies, The Cramps, Bob Wills, Black Sabbath, and many, many others.

WU: What would you describe as yer "sound?" (How painful of a question is that?)

DL: This is always a painful question. We consider ourselves a rock 'n' roll band. We love it all. How would you describe a band that goes from a bluegrass traditional to a Black Sabbath cover? Or a band that calls itself a trio but has four people?

WU: If you could tour with anybody right now, who would it be?

DL: Bob Log or the Wizards of Oz.

WU: What was yer best show to date?

DL: There are too many good ones. All the 3B shows, swamp parties, and Spencer's House parties have been incredible.

WU: What do the next three months hold for the band?

DL: Get the CD out, go on tour, enter rehab, quit jobs, band breaks up, band gets back together, go back on tour, band lives happily ever after.

WU: Any final comments?

DL: We want to thank everyone in town for supporting and getting drunk with us during the last two years.

The live shows are crazy, the album is amazing, The Foot Stompin' Trio are were it's at.

Local Reviews | February 2002 The Footstompin' Trio The Footstompin' Trio Double Crown Records

Oooooh baby, this record smokes, smokes, SMOKES! It's so hot, it's on FIRE. Leave it to the boys in the Foot Stompin' Trio to put out a true rock 'n' roll record.

The album, the first for the fabulous foursome (and released on Bellingham's Double Crown Records) captures everything Bellingham has grown to love about their live shows. The album has an ass-kickin' energy and a fun party vibe perfected by the masters of rock 'n' roll. But this ain't yer momma's rock and roll, this is good ol' fashioned rock 'n' roll, the way it was played back in the day.

Part of the reason this record smokes SO much is the band's incredible musicianship, proving they're more than just a good-lookin' party band (ya know the chicks love these guys!). These guys actually know how to PLAY their instruments!

Great musicians, ass-kickin' energy and a party to boot. What ya got here is one rock 'n' roll record--don't miss out.

-Brent Cole

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