Full Moon Radio

Full Moon Radio is the kind of local band that makes others jealous – remarkably driven, hard working, and beyond all else talented. Full Moon Radio also work in a decidedly community oriented manner, not only releasing their own music, but releasing and distributing records by other Olympia area bands on their Rock Therapy Records.

Formed in 2012, Jessie Jackson, Sarah Lynn and Ali Baker built on past bands that included a combination of each member together to build on existing chemistry to fuel the heir songwriting fireworks. In only three years the band has released a number of albums and EPs, and racked up steadily growing list of accolades.

Since releasing Best Mother the band has toured the Northwest extensively, proving that even during this digital age – hard work and constant exposure goes a long way toward endearing themselves in the hearts of many.

After finding inspiration from Juiliana Hatfield in the mid-90s Guitar player Jessie Jackson picked up the guitar crafting an approach to guitar playing which is riff heavy, with an ease of flow and originality that comes from a great self-taught method. “When I first picked up the guitar I did take a few lessons,” says Jackson, continuing, “But it was very dude oriented and he kept wanting to teach me some really lame music that a ‘man’ would think a ‘girl’ would want to learn – but was totally off course.”

Jackson’s first guitar, a black Kramer bought off a friend’s brother for $70 while in high school, was the guitar that she had learned many of her early riffs. After saving up paychecks from her job at McDonalds Jackson bought a new Jackson Kelly off the wall at Guitar Center. “This was back in the day when the Internet was around but there weren’t as many great music gear store websites to browse. So I searched for the most feminine and cool looking guitar that was on the wall.” By the time Jackson started her first two bands, the Petal Pushers and Fire Fight, Jackson was already playing through a Marshall JCM 900 full stack. “After playing in my first Olympia band, The Black Diamonds, I had to regretfully sell my Marshall when I was accepted into WWU and had moved up to Bellingham to live in the dorms. It is tough as someone who loves to play loud to have to part with equipment like that!”

Jackson played in bands and continued to work on her-own approach, as well as tone over the course of the next decade and a half in a self-taught manner. The self-described gearhead eventually wanted up her game and invested in both better equipment, as well as some practical tips to help get to a playing level she felt her next album needed. “I am a gear nut.” Says Jackson, “I spend a lot of time looking at gear online and trying to figure out what would be best for me. I am never 100% satisfied. As a female musician, a lot of men try to tell me what to play, but I like the art of discovery.”

Woven throughout Full Moon Radio’s songs is a very subtle and tasteful use of pedals. “During Vertebrae by Vertebrae I played though an Acoustic solid state head and started getting more into using pedals in this band. At some point I had bought a solid state Peavey head that I eventually sold to a pawnshop along with my Jackson Kelly because of the boyfriend I was dating, who was the 2nd guitar player in Vertebrae by Vertebrae. He liked to drink, we never had enough money for rent and he was always hocking stuff in pawnshops, so my gear eventually got included in that mess as well,” Jackson explains, “Eventually by the time Full Moon Radio started, I a 50 watt Lee Jackson Ampeg head because I LOVE it. I started buying more guitars, pedals and gear. My current pedal board consists of TC Electronics Polytune 2, Octophant Octave Fuzz, Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster, Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble, MXR Carbon Copy delay, and a Boss GE-7 Equalizer… These have all been on my board pretty consistently during Full Moon Radio.”

When asked about her gear Jackson says, “I’m pretty happy with the gear I use now. I’ve recently added a 4×12 Ampeg cab to accompany my 2×12 at the last several shows I’ve played and it’s sounding super full and near perfect to me. I like to customize my gear and have plans to replace the tolex on my head and cabs very soon. I just bought an Ampeg VT-60 head this past weekend for a back up amp because it was a great deal, it is real easy to get the tone the songs require.”

“While writing Best Mother I did take a few lessons from Christian Mistress’ Ryan McClain. I really wanted to improve my technique on leads and I found it a great way to improve my foundation that I worked to build over time,” explains Jackson, “Normally one of us comes up with the music side of the song and we work out the arrangement to fit Ali’s voice. So for me – the guitar is the songwriting impetus. The riff always comes first because I come from a rock perspective; I just wanted to make sure I could play all the riffs I was thinking of a little easier.”

Most articles on Full Moon Radio are quick to point out the bands gender, as if it was a cultural oddity. “Sometimes that can sound like a bit of man-dominated writing,” says Jackson, “But on the other hand it can also be a source of inspiration.”

For Jackson the 90s was a very inspirational time for picking up the guitar, “As a fifteen year old, when I saw or read about Bikini Kill, and a number of other strong female bands like Sleater Kenney, I thought, I can do this – I began to think about music for myself and not as a fan.” A lot of the music that inspired Jackson to travel north from California to settle in Olympia, Washington – where she eventually met Ali Baker and Sarah Lynn. While Full Moon Radio is only three years old, the band has all played together in two previous bands that ended after male members forced a split.

After taking time apart focusing on other projects, as well as personal lives, the band formed in their current configuration and name at the same time that Jackson was raising a young daughter. Motherhood is a large part of Jackson’s life, and informed the title of the latest Full Moon Radio album title, Best Mother.

“Motherhood keeps me busy, I’m always so busy, to the point that sometimes the only time I get to play music is at band practice and shows. I just have really different things on my plate, like being a mom – and a day job.” Despite this, Jackson runs the Rock Therapy Records label which released the past two Full Moon Radio records, as well as music by Ali Baker solo and the group Hot Cops. “The label is kind of an aside, I thought, okay start a label now, and then when I’m too busy or old to play shows, then I have a connection to music still and I can do that. But really the main focus is playing guitar and making sure the music we make holds up to my own high standards.” - SSG Music

Olympia's Full Moon Radio started with a hostile takeover of sorts.

Guitarist Jessie Jackson and drummer Sarah Lynn moved to town in 2000 inspired by Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney and other bands associated with the city's feminist, “riot grrl” movement in the '90s. “That's the exact reason I moved here,” said Jackson, a native of California. “We just knew there were lots of girls living here and playing music, and we thought that we could do the same thing.”

The trio – also singer-bassist Ali Baker – heads to Bob's Java Jive on Saturday armed with a reputation as one of the capitol city's hottest bands. Granted, it took a few tries to get to where they are now.

The band's first incarnation was She Wolf, founded by a fourth band member Jackson preferred to remain nameless. “He wanted us to be like a '60s girl band with lots of reverb and jangly guitars,” Jackson recalled. “It was not even a band we wanted to be in, but we agreed to play together; and then we kind of took over and ended up kicking him out (because) he had a major problem with drinking.”

Another band member met a similar fate in the band's second incarnation, Vertebrae by Vertabrae. “When that band broke up, it was pretty devastating,” Jackson said. “He was my boyfriend, so that was lots of drama. He had also dated Ali; so we kind of scared him off. He ended up hitchhiking and moving back to Missouri in the middle of the night, and we all stopped playing music for a couple of years.”

The third time was a charm, though. Jackson and Lynn were reunited in an L7 cover band they formed to play Olympia Film Society's Night of the Living Tribute Bands in 2011. Baker was soon back in the fold (she'd shuffled off to Portland, Maine for a spell) and they decided to try their hand at original material again. Full Moon Radio as we know it was born.

“Since we'd all played music together before, we've just always kind of had chemistry together and musically we can read each other's minds,” Jackson said. “We like to stick together playing music because it's just easy and it's fun.”

Their partnership has yielded two releases thus far: “Drop Off,” their debut EP for K Records, and last summer's “Best Mother” album, both of which can be downloaded through bandcamp.com. Their brand of punk is driving, distorted and hooky, with howl-along lyrics that skew toward the dark side.

“I really like 'The Walking Dead,' so I wanted to write a song about that,” Jackson said regarding on of the band's signature numbers, “Undead.” “That was a song that we actually wrote the lyrics all together, and that's really the only song we've done that with.

“Ali likes to have full control over the lyrics,” she said. “Everything ends up being about dying, death or just dark stuff – and that's all her,” she added, laughing.

This spring, the band plans to drop a new 7-inch with two new songs, “There is No Edge” and “Take This Knife,” the latter a rock version of a song Baker wrote for Seattle hip-hop group Grayskul.

Full Moon Radio will be joined by Hot Cops, Coma Figura, Halcyonaire on Saturday with a 9 p.m. start time. Bob's Java Jive is located at 2101 South Tacoma Way. Call (253) 475-9843 for further details. - Tacoma Weekly

The Weekly Volcano would like to thank all those who took the time to vote in the best of Olympia 2015 Readers' Poll. You are the best.

BEST BAND: Full Moon Radio

BEST NEW BAND: Hot Cops

BEST SUPERGROUP: Survival Knife

BEST INDIE ROCK BAND: Full Moon Radio

BEST METAL BAND: Christian Mistress

BEST PUNK BAND: The Deceptives

BEST JAZZ BAND: Greta Jane Quartet

BEST DJ: DJ Fir$t Lady

BEST COVER BAND: Hole

BEST HIP-HOP GROUP: Aka and the Heart Hurt Goods

BEST NEW RECORD: Best Mother by Full Moon Radio

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE: Rhythm and Rye

BEST ALL-AGES VENUE: Le Voyeur

BEST MUSIC SCENESTER: Jessie Jackson

BEST MUSIC LABEL: K Records

BEST OPEN MIC: Hannah's Bar & Grille

BEST BLUES BAND: Mudcat

BEST BLUEGRASS BAND: The Oly Mountain Boys

BEST R&B BAND: The Brown Edition

BEST EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC: Arrington De Dionyso

BEST KARAOKE: The Clipper

BEST DANCE CLUB: Jake's on 4th

BEST BOOKINGS: Rhythm and Rye

BEST MUSIC SCENE MVP: Andy Geertsen

BEST RADIO STATION: KAOS 89.3 FM - Weekly Volcano

BEST HARDEST WORKING BAND
Full Moon Radio
Full Moon Radio, the 2014 and 2013 best band in Olympia winner, is a band working full steam ahead. Having been named the best band in Olympia for two of their three years in existence is no small feat. The group, having released their second album, Best Mother, in the last half of 2014, has played across western Washington with a startling consistency. From shows in towns not normally on the tour route, such as Aberdeen, to the more familiar destinations, Full Moon Radio have played to audiences of nearly every music-loving-social-strata. Though tethered to the region from bigger touring with life hassles - like you know motherhood and real jobs - the trio has reaped the benefit of constant performance whether it be bars, all-ages shows or theaters. Despite this they even found time to pull off a highlight of the 2014 Night of the Living Tribute Bands with a set as Hole. {TG} - Weekly Volcano

The Weekly Volcano would like to thank all those who took the time to vote in the best of Olympia 2014 Readers' Poll. You are the best.

Best band: Full Moon Radio

Best new band: Fruit Juice

Best indie rock band: Full Moon Radio

Best metal band: Christian Mistress

Best punk band: GAG

Best jazz band: Greta Jane Quartet

Best DJ: DJ Mothrider

Best cover band: Beastie Boys

Best hip-hop artist/group: AKA & The Heart Hurt Goods

Best new record: Put on Blocks, AKA & The Heart Hurt Goods

Best live music venue: Capitol Theater

Best all-ages venue: Northern

Best music scenester: Daniel Landin

Best open mic: Hannah's Bar & Grille

Best blues band: Mudcat

Best experimental music: DBST

Best karaoke: China Clipper

Best dance club: Jakes on 4th

Best bookings: Andy Geertsen

Music scene MVP: Ray Campbell

Best radio station: KAOS 89.3 FM - Northwest Military (Weekly Volcano)

I feel like these babes really get it - Ali Baker owns the bass and vocals, Jessie Jackson rakes that guitar and Sarah Lynn coaxes the drums right along. The combination is dazzling, with strong vocals, righteous lyrics, and a balance of instrumental heaviness and harmony, in other words, good fucking rock.

And yes, you'll want to sing along to Full Moon Radio.

It's been a whirlwind first year for the three ladies, who have played 25 shows in 12 months, recorded an EP, Drop Off, at Dub Narcotic Studios and now have been named Best New Band in Olympia.

"We've worked really hard - we busted our asses last year - and the community noticed," says Jackson.

"Yeah, we're super appreciative," chimed in Baker and Lynn.

The three have past projects together, including She Wolf and Vertebrae by Vertebrae, but there's always been a fourth member, and it's always been a guy.

"We just decided to kick the guys out," laughs Lynn.

They agree in all seriousness that it's damn near impossible to find a woman-fronted band, let alone all members being of the female variety.

"I think people have taken notice of our band because we're female - all-female rock bands are hard to find," says Jackson.

"I'm just so glad we're in Oly where there are places to play," says Baker.

Full Moon Radio is about to do a mini-tour, Drop Off, that kicks off March 5.

The girls want to know if I can plug their wish for a roadie to come with them.

"You can't want to sleep with us," says Lynn, laughing. "You just have to want to be there and have an awesome time."

The girls also just started their own label, Rock Therapy Records.

"Instead of waiting around for a label, I thought, ‘Sometimes you just have to take matters into your hands,'" says Jackson.

They are in the songwriting process now, and hope to release an album next year.

And if you love Full Moon Radio as much as I do, be a dear, and go roadie for them. - Weekly Volcano

Although they’ve only been around for a year, Full Moon Radio has proven themselves a force to be reckoned with. Their immediately likable music and rock star attitude are probably the reason Full Moon Radio was just voted Olympia’s “best new band,” “best indie rock band” and “sexiest band,” by readers and staff of the Weekly Volcano, Tacoma’s alternative newspaper.

Saturday night the female rock trio celebrated their first anniversary with a show at Le Voyeur at which they released their debut CD, Drop Off.

Their first album, an energetic and polished collection of pop rock songs that call on grunge and riot grrl influences, is a solid launching point for the band.

To celebrate their accomplishments, the band played a show Saturday night at Le Voyeur, along with local rock bands The Deep Wile and The Have At Its. Previously only in digital form online, Full Moon Radio had CDs of the EP Drop Off available for the first time at the show.

Recorded at Dub Narcotic Studio, their first release features tight instrumentation and clear musical ideas. Overall, Drop Off sounds like the result of a band that has been working together for longer than just a year.

If they can be faulted for anything, it is they fall into the worn-out rock n’ roll cliché of relying on attitude over musicianship. There are only so many songs you can make with the same three chords and four-to-the-floor rhythm, no matter how badass you are.

Drop Off is available at fullmoonradio.bandcamp.com, as well as at fullmoonradio.bigcartel.com.

Check out more of Bri Cummings’/Zombritophotography’s photos of Full Moon Radio on Facebook.

By Issac Scott - The Cooper Point Journal

Coming off of 2012’s “Drop Off”, three piece riot grrrl group Full Moon Radio released “Best Mother” this past August on Rock Therapy Records. The Oly trio bring a refreshing sound with lead vocalist Alison (Bass, Vocals) displaying her range on damn near every track. Heavy chord progressions from guitarist Jessie (Guitar, Vocals) break into spacey and simple riffs that accompanied by Sarah (Drums) create an atmosphere that is clean yet carries chaos and anxiety just below the surface.

The opening track “Hunger” had me banging my head as the floor toms began a steady rhythm and the guitar…

I’m gonna get this outta the way right now, I don’t know what kind of gear Jessie uses, but her guitar and whatever pedals she is using creates a tone extremely similar to Floor. FMR are far from a stoner metal band, yet the tone of that guitar is extremely similar (put on Floor's “I remember nothing” right now if you don’t believe me). Okay, that’s taken care of.

Anyway, “Hunger” sets the pace for the entire album and is easily one of the best songs on here.

“Ember” begins with a soft guitar riff made all the more beautiful and anticipatory by the violins in the background. The violins, are you kidding me?! I could listen to this song a hundred times and love the violins, or whatever stringed instrument it is in the background and never not love it. This is Interpol meets Fugazi meets Hole. This is Joy Division meets the Blackhearts, and I can’t stop playing it. The lyrical quality on this track is on point as well. Dark and gothy, yet still catchy as all hell and avoiding many potential pitfalls:

“Shes got her finger on the trigger
Hollow bone she’s not afraid
Killed deer on the side of the road
Ember shade or stone”

“Bombs went off” is almost a blend of tracks 1 and 2, and is followed by “Different Names.” Somewhere, a riot grrrl is going to get “And the Rose chases her pain/Cause she’s known by different names” tattooed somewhere and its going to be amazing. This song is rock and roll hellfire with breakdowns in all the right places and a HUGE chip on its shoulder.

“You Can Lie” (listed as “Burn Her” on the bands bandcamp) is a witchy post-punk exploration of nihilism. Given the history of witches, this song is the most overtly feminist song on the album. “Burn her if she floats” conjures up images of Salem whether you’re ready for it or not, and the potential implications of the rule of man and rule of law in contemporary society. Coupled with some of the best drum work on the album and some great bridges. This song wails and hits hard from start to finish.

On many of the songs there is a simplicity in the lyrical content that allows the musical talent of the band to come through and speak for itself. The repetition of the lyrics also forces the listener to consider the words perhaps more carefully. However, tracks like “Too Good For Them” come off a bit too ambiguous, lyrically. That being said, the vocal talent and musicianship that goes into these tracks is still a force to be reckoned with.

The closing track “Insanity” is a pissed off anthem from start to finish and ends the album on a loud and catchy note. “I must have attracted you to me, a one way mirror I can’t see.” I can’t stop listening to it, it’s a great song to end the album on. Check out Full Moon Radio on bandcamp, and keep an eye on their facebook for upcoming shows. - Fringe-Music.com

When’s the last time an Olympia band made a splash in the Pacific Northwest the way Full Moon Radio has? It’s a hard question to answer, because how do you measure the size of a metaphorical splash? But it’s undeniable that audiences in Olympia and throughout the Pacific Northwest have rallied behind this band in a big way.

If you don’t know Full Moon Radio, here’s the skinny: Ali Baker is the lyricist and singer and rocks the bass. Sarah Lynn gets crazy – really crazy – behind the drum kit. Jessie Jackson co-writes the music and grooves on the electric guitar.

Full Moon Radio has already racked in the accolades, being named “Best New Band”, and “Best Indie Rock Band” at the recent “Best of Olympia” Party, and they’ve turned heads not just in Olympia, but also throughout the Pacific Northwest. In Seattle, FMR have quickly become darlings of the iconic Comet of Capitol Hill. And on their recent tour, they just as easily brought hundreds of fans into the bars, barns, and living rooms that dot the musical landscape of the small towns throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Despite their successes, some might say that FMR has some big shoes to fill. The founding members, Sarah and Jessie were drawn to the Olympia music scene during the tail end of the riot grrl feminist punk rock movement. In some ways, audiences have looked to FMR as the harbingers of a new wave of feminist rock. The members of FMR know that they’re inspiring a new generation of female musicians, as they rock up and down the West Coast.

“At some of our smaller town shows,” Sarah Lynn recounts, “people have come up to me and said, ‘Wow. I didn’t know a girl could play drums like that.’”

FMR hopes to inspire more female rockers. “I’d like to see more female rock coming out of Olympia,” says guitarist Jessie Jackson. “At one show, I had a girl tell me that I was the first female guitarist that she had ever seen.”
Despite the fact that the ethos of riot grrl punk brought 2 of the 3 members to the Pacific Northwest, that’s not the genre that best fits the band. There’s definitely the energy of punk in the driving rhythms of their songs, but the song structures are more reminiscent of contemporary new wave bands like Metric. The angst and rage that imbue Ali Baker’s compelling lyrics is closer to grunge rock. The resulting amalgamation of punk energy, grungy angst, and good old-fashioned hard rock is a lot for any band to take on, but the trio executes their music with powerful energy and heartfelt passion. As a result, FMR is standing on the shoulders of giants, but the combination of influences that they represent takes in all the best elements of music that have emerged from the Pacific Northwest.

FMR were also voted the “Sexiest Band in Oly”. That’s probably a weird description for any band to hear about themselves, but there’s an undeniable swagger in the reckless abandon that the trio channel in their live performances.

What’s next for FMR? The coming year will bring their full-album follow-up to their EP, which you should pick up if you don’t already have it. If you’re in Seattle, you can catch their next show at the Blue Moon on April 20th. At Spring Artswalk, they’ll be playing on Friday, April 26th at 5 pm at the Capitol Theater, when they debut their music video for their song, “The Crowd”. I don’t want to spoil the music video idea that they have, but it’s pretty cool. Then on Saturday, April 27th, they play at McCoy’s Tavern at 9 pm. And you can also hear their music online any time at FullMoonRadio.com. - Olympia Power & Light

Fresh from reincarnating Courtney Love and Hole for Night of the Living Tribute Bands 2014, Oly's all-grrl rock trio Full Moon Radio will blow the roof off the Midnight Sun Friday night. (That's a shame, as Theater Artists Olympia just repaired and repainted the joint.) Even better, the event is free! Even better better, Full Moon Radio kicks major ass, as evidenced by the band's recent album Best Mother. It's also a good chance to catch up-and-comers Globelamp and Jupiter Stripes on the bill. Look for Best Mother and a previous album, Drop Off, at FullMoonRadio.bandcamp.com. See if FMR doesn't remind you a bit of Hole's catchier efforts - minus, one hopes, the lead singer's alcohol and opiate abuse. Remember, the Midnight Sun has only one bathroom, folks, so be sure to go before you go.

FULL MOON RADIO, 9 p.m. Midnight Sun Performance Space, 113 N. Columbia St., Olympia, no cover, 360.259.2743 - Weekly Volcano (NorthwestMilitary.com)

I've made it no secret that I'm a fan of the 2013 Best of Olympia Best New Band Full Moon Radio. Saturday night they will host a free EP release and one-year anniversary party at Le Voyeur. Copies of the new EP, Drop Off, will be available, and auditions for a roadie are still open for when the ladies head off on tour in March. Catch 'em with The Deep Wile and The Have At Its for a night of luscious rock 'n' roll. - NM

Le Voyeur, 9 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710 - Weekly Volcano

SCARY DAY, OCT. 31, 2012 >>>

1. The Northern had all their equipment stolen at the end of September. Please join the Brotherhood for a great show to help them recover from the loss: Full Moon Radio, Vex and Carolyn Mark will rock the house. 100 percent of door and 50 percent of bar sales after 9 p.m. to benefit Northern: Olympia All Ages Project. 9 p.m., $5 suggested donation, The Brotherhood Lounge, 311 Capitol Way N.

2. Bring out the little boils and ghouls for safe and sane trick-or-treating in downtown Sumner. The City even closes the street for the safety of the kids who will be celebrating along main street as they show off their costumes and receive treats from the merchants. 5 - 7 p.m., You can also trick-or-treat in the historic Proctor District of Tacoma from 4 - 6 p.m., and in downtown Olympia from 3 - 6 p.m.

3. Spend Halloween in the historical State Theater and experience the spooky tale of The Golem, written and performed by Daniel Flint and starring live music by Jupiter Rex. The Golem follows the story of Athanasius Pernath, a jeweler in Prague's Jewish ghetto in the late 19th century who is afflicted with a curious amnesia. When a strange man enters Pernath's life with a mysterious book, the jeweler begins his descent into a labyrinth of murder, madness, and plots of revenge and unrequited love that eventually bring him face to face with his own dark past and mortality. 8 p.m., $20, Harlequin Productions, State Theater, 202 4th Avenue East, Olympia, 360.786.0151.

4. The Spazmatics will provide a nerdy good time with 80's covers tonight at Jazzbones. Costume contest with $100 prize, drink specials and fun! 9 p.m. $7, Jazzbones, 2803 6th Ave, Tacoma, 253.396.9169.

5. Haunted Dance Night at the Deltan Club brings a costume contest, ghoulish go-go- dancers and entertainment. Ghoulish go-go dancers? Sold. 9 p.m., Deltan Club, 733 Commerce Street, Tacoma.
Tacoma. - Weekly Volcano

Full Moon Radio, the female trio who has been on my must-listen list for at least a year, has added a fourth female member AND is playing their first Tacoma show. So, for those of you who live north of their normal playing ground of Olympia, and haven't had a chance to see these girls rock out with sweet and sassy vocals, powerful instrumentals, and pure indie rock vibe, now is your chance. "We play a ton of Olympia shows so we can't wait to make some new friends in Tacoma," says Jessie Jackson, guitarist and vocalist for FMR. Plus, the girls are gearing up for an album in the making, so it's a great time to catch some new songs. Prepare to be rocked.

FULL MOON RADIO, w/ Grave Babies, Wimps and Wild Berries, Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, $5, 253.475.9843. - Northwestmilitary.com

Sun-kissed hair piled lightly on top of her head, wearing a flowing white blouse and matching white skirt with eyelet detail, Carole Black looks angelic, not the type of woman you might expect to have given birth to a rock 'n' roll party machine.

But it's true. Black, called "Rocker Mom" by friends and fans, is the mother of Jerry Zeigler, whose reputation for a fair fight and a strong drink shines as strong as his reputation for drumming. Currently in five bands - Demon Dogs, Hartwood (mom's favorite), Mosquito Hawk, Fitz of Depression and Chief - Zeigler has been slaying the drums for 32 years.

It wasn't always easy being a single mom raising three boys, Black said, and Zeigler was always "hell on wheels." But the pride and love she has for each of her sons beams across her face.

"I was never into tough love," she said. "I made sure I would always be there for them."

When I ask Black if she has any family photographs to share, she suggests we take a ride up to the local Walgreens to print some off her camera.

"I've got the convertible today," she said, a smile making its way across her face.

At this moment, Zeigler's resemblance to his mother is as clear as day, and as we cruise the Olympia's Westside with the sun shining and Johnny Cash blaring, I imagine her boys are just as proud of their mom as she is of them.

Below, we offer some anecdotes and advice from other South Sound moms with rock 'n' roll in their blood. And to these women, and all the moms out there who are rock stars in their own right, the Weekly Volcano wishes you a happy Mother's Day.

>>> Jeremy, Jeff and Marilyn Hamel

Marilyn Hamel is the mother of brothers Jeff and Jeremy Hamel of SweetKiss Momma, Puyallup's favorite southern rockers. Hamel fondly reminisces about her four children growing up listening to Christian music and her singing.

"They thought I had a wonderful voice," she laughed, "but it's just because I was their mom."

Hamel advises anyone raising an aspiring musician to "encourage their dreams, and don't stand in their way."

Deb Olsen is the mother of Sam Olsen, vocalist and guitarist for Red Hex, a Tacoma band in the midst of a European tour. She is also the mother of filmmaker Isaac Olsen and sister to Bon Von Wheelie, drummer for Girl Trouble.

"We have a family culture of supporting artistic and off-beat endeavors," she said. "I think every kid should have that kind of support."

When asked about a fond mommy music memory, Olsen recalled "The Freakouts show (pre-Red Hex) at the Manium in Olympia, when Sam (age 14) called out from the stage: "I need some water up here ... Mom?'"

On the flip side of the coin, there are lots of moms who balance changing diapers and driving to prom with tuning guitars and planning tours.

Jessie Jackson, of Olympia's Full Moon Radio, is a prime example.

"I've been active in bands since my daughter was six months old. My kid wouldn't drink from a bottle if her life depended on it," she said. "This meant nursing on the side of a stage immediately after a performance or rushing home from practice to provide the boobs that daddy couldn't offer. Late night shows are rough. The job of a mom is 24/7, and there's no sleeping in."

>>> Meg Cunningham and kids. Photo credit: Roger Stanley

Meg Cunningham, mother of two and member of Survival Knife and Craig Extine & the Exiles, knows the no-sleep game as well.

"Let's be honest," she said. "As a mom, you don't get the best sleep, so it's already kind of like playing late-night shows anyways, where you feel sleep deprived the next day but have to go about all your responsibilities regardless. So why not join a band?"

"Bottom line," she continued, "I have a lot of support from my family, which makes this all possible."

Support seems to be the bottom line for all these women, both on and off the stage, and to that, we can only say: rock on moms, rock on.

Upcoming shows include:

Girl Trouble: TBA; Barefoot Collective dancing to the music of Girl Trouble, May 11, Broadway Center, 901 Broadway, Tacoma.

SweetKiss Momma: Album Release Show w/Ben Union and guests, May 18, Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave., Seattle.

Full Moon Radio: May 19, Cryptatropa, 421 Fourth Ave., Olympia.

Mosquito Hawk: w/Wiked Sin and Prophets of Addiction, June 1, 4th Ave Tav, 210 Fourth Ave., Olympia.

Survival Knife: July 28, Capitol Hill Block Party, Seattle. - Weekly Volcano (northwestmilitary.com)

Resident Kings, The Hard Way and Full Moon Radio at McCoy’s. It really can’t get much better than that.

This super talented line up at Olympia’s premier rock club is going to be one for the books. This Friday, for $3, at 9 p.m. expect heads to bang, fists to pump, and energy to be high.

Resident Kings is known for their expertise rock from seasoned local musicians from The Dirty Birds, Fitz of Depression, Chief, and The Pitz.

The Hard Way is influenced by the great sounds of the 60’s, 70’s and 90’s like Beach Boys, Van Halen, Elliot Smith, Tom Petty and The Foo Fighters, and it shows with their tight riffs and melodic rock.

Full Moon Radio is a little newer on the scene, but just as heady. With an all girl front, FMR comes in strong and goes out swinging. Hard and heavy, but sweet just the same.

McCoy’s Cavern, 419 4th Ave, Olympia, 360.352.0696. - Weekly Volcano

When it comes to interviewing bands, there are some band members who say few words. And there are band members who say everything so well, you'd like for them to just write the whole article. All girl indie rockers Full Moon Radio is one such band. Ali Baker and Sarah Lynn (third member, Jessie Jackson was not interviewed) discuss their show Saturday with The Hard Way and Glass Elevator at the 4th Ave Tav in Oly.

The lineup: "It seems to me that the ‘high energy rock' element that existed here 20 years ago is starting to emerge again," says Baker. "I am really excited to play with some of the hard working bands made up of musicians who are inspired and have rock and roll dreams. There is something very innocent and sweet about it."

The venue: "I have played the 4th Ave Tav before and it is awesome because the sound guy Ben is one of the best in the biz," says Lynn. "We will be playing a couple new songs, including one inspired by a bomb shelter at our practice space. If you have never been to a show at the 4th Ave, this is the one."

4TH AVE TAVERN, 9 P.M., $5, 210 FOURTH AVE., OLYMPIA, 360.786.1444 - Weekly Volcano

1. I recently had a friend say to me, "there are a lot of bands in Olympia, but who you should be listening to is Full Moon Radio." She's right. With strong female vocals, FMR is a lot harder and rocking then expected. Sweet and gritty, FMR plays with Mount Mazama and Hey Girl at the Northern in Olympia. All ages, $5, 8:30 p.m. 414 1/2 Legion Way. - Weekly Volcano

[ROCK] + FRI, JUNE 13

Friday night in Olympia is going to be crazy. It's a full moon, Friday the 13th and Evergreen State College graduation all rolled into one. It's a good thing this rock show is going to be at the 4th Ave Tav. The powerhouse bill will need the room to accommodate a ton of fans, plus all the randoms off the street overflowing into venues up and down the Ave. Anyway, I could choose to promote any of the bands on this bill, because I like them all quite a bit. But, I want to give props to Full Moon Radio, since they were the first of my loves out of this particular line-up: Their soft, edgy lyrics, their gigantic waves of punk-influenced fervor, the fact that all of them are women. Swoon. {NIKKI MCCOY} - Northwest Military (Weekly Volcano)

[INDIE ROCK] + SAT, FEB. 1

Full Moon Radio, the female trio who has been on my must-listen list for at least a year, has added a fourth female member AND is playing their first Tacoma show. So, for those of you who live north of their normal playing ground of Olympia, and haven't had a chance to see these girls rock out with sweet and sassy vocals, powerful instrumentals, and pure indie rock vibe, now is your chance. "We play a ton of Olympia shows so we can't wait to make some new friends in Tacoma," says Jessie Jackson, guitarist and vocalist for FMR. Plus, the girls are gearing up for an album in the making, so it's a great time to catch some new songs. Prepare to be rocked. {NIKKI MCCOY} - Northwest Military (Weekly Volcano)

Finding local music is a process. You might stumble across a show, maybe it's recommended by a friend, or perhaps you read it in the Volcano. However you discover your music; whichever bands stick in your memory, whose songs you'll actually download, whose shows you'll really go see, whose music should get you f---ing excited and happy - that's the beauty of hunting for music. For me, and hopefully for you, Full Moon Radio is one of those bands. Their grunge/pop/punk rock with crystal clear lyrics that are moving and edgy are executed with the feminism and integrity of three superbly powerful women. Before they head back into the studio and take a few months off from playing shows, make sure you catch Full Moon Radio at an all-ages show at Le Voyeur in Olympia Sunday.

FULL MOON RADIO, w/Steel Cranes and The Redwood Plan, 7 p.m., all-ages until 10 p.m., Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave., Olympia, $3, 360.943.5710 - Northwest Military (Weekly Volcano)

3. Full Moon Radio rock out with sweet and sassy vocals, powerful instrumental, and pure indie rock vibe. Catch the Olympia quartet with The Falsies at 9 p.m. in The Brotherhood Lounge. -

FRIDAY, JUNE 13 2014
5. Tonight in Olympia is going to be crazy. It's a full moon, Friday the 13th and Evergreen State College graduation all rolled into one. It's a good thing this 9 p.m. rock show is going to be at the 4th Ave Tav. The powerhouse bill will need the room to accommodate a ton of fans, plus all the randoms off the street overflowing into venues up and down the Ave. Full Moon Radio, The Prophets of Addiction, Captain Algebra and Ravages of Time will freakin' bring it. - northwestmilitary.com

January 10, 2013

Saturday, Jan. 12

FULL MOON RADIO

When it comes to interviewing bands, there are some band members who say few words. And there are band members who say everything so well, you'd like for them to just write the whole article. All girl indie rockers Full Moon Radio is one such band. Ali Baker and Sarah Lynn (third member, Jessie Jackson was not interviewed) discuss their show Saturday with The Hard Way and Glass Elevator at the 4th Ave Tavern in Oly. The lineup: "It seems to me that the ‘high energy rock' element that existed here 20 years ago is starting to emerge again," says Baker. "I am really excited to play with some of the hard working bands made up of musicians who are inspired and have rock and roll dreams. There is something very innocent and sweet about it." The venue: "I have played the 4th Ave Tav before and it is awesome because the sound guy Ben is one of the best in the biz," says Lynn. "We will be playing a couple new songs, including one inspired by a bomb shelter at our practice space. If you have never been to a show at the 4th Ave, this is the one." - Nikki McCoy

4TH AVE TAVERN, 9 P.M., $5, 210 FOURTH AVE., OLYMPIA, 360.786.1444 - northwestmilitary.com

November 26, 2013
4. Full Moon Radio plays grunge/pop/punk rock with crystal clear lyrics that are moving and edgy, executed with the feminism and integrity of three superbly powerful women. Catch the band with The Ground Up and Red Red Red at 9 p.m. in The Brotherhood Lounge. - northwestmilitary.com

September 29, 2013
Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Steel Cranes, Full Moon Radio, The Redwood Plan, All Ages, 7 pm; Bogg, Aubrey Debauchery, Human Jukebox, 21+, 9 pm.

The style of dance-rock perpetuated by The Redwood Plan tends to defer to the sort of pulsing synths that you imagine might have scored a speedboat chase on Miami Vice. Everything is forward motion, punctuated by surprisingly lovely melodies, as on the appropriately titled "The Scenery and the Melody," which hums with the kind of chiming synth lines that you might see in the climax of a John Hughes movie. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on The Redwood Plan in the Music and Culture section
Finding local music is a process. You might stumble across a show, maybe it's recommended by a friend, or perhaps you read it in the Volcano. However you discover your music; whichever bands stick in your memory, whose songs you'll actually download, whose shows you'll really go see, whose music should get you fucking excited and happy - that's the beauty of hunting for music. For me, and hopefully for you, Full Moon Radio is one of those bands. Their grunge/pop/punk rock with crystal clear lyrics that are moving and edgy are executed with the feminism and integrity of three superbly powerful women. Before they head back into the studio and take a few months off from playing shows, make sure you catch Full Moon Radio at an all-ages show at Le Voyeur in Olympia Sunday. - Nikki McCoy -

February 23, 2013
LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>
Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Full Moon Radio Anniversary Party, with The Deep Wile, The Have At Its. 9 pm.

I've made it no secret that I'm a fan of the 2013 Best of Olympia Best New Band Full Moon Radio. Saturday night they will host a free EP release and one-year anniversary party at Le Voyeur. Copies of the new EP, Drop Off, will be available, and auditions for a roadie are still open for when the ladies head off on tour in March. Catch 'em with The Deep Wile and The Have At Its for a night of luscious rock 'n' roll. - NM - northwestmilitary.com

[ROCK] + SUN, SEPT. 29

Finding local music is a process. You might stumble across a show, maybe it's recommended by a friend, or perhaps you read it in the Volcano. However you discover your music; whichever bands stick in your memory, whose songs you'll actually download, whose shows you'll really go see, whose music should get you fucking excited and happy - that's the beauty of hunting for music. For me, and hopefully for you, Full Moon Radio is one of those bands. Their grunge/pop/punk rock with crystal clear lyrics that are moving and edgy are executed with the feminism and integrity of three superbly powerful women. Before they head back into the studio and take a few months off from playing shows, make sure you catch Full Moon Radio at an all-ages show at Le Voyeur in Olympia Sunday. {NIKKI MCCOY}

FULL MOON RADIO, w/Steel Cranes and The Redwood Plan, 7 p.m., all-ages until 10 p.m., Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave., Olympia, $3, 360.943.5710 -

October 7, 2013
Along Fourth Avenue, live music rotated in front of Capitol City Guitars, including Full Moon Radio, whose captive audience demanded an encore from the all-girl rawk band. - northwestmilitary.com

FULL MOON RADIO: The band will leave the tunnel and rock your face off Friday night at the Capitol Theater.

Friday, Olympia Film Society presents Full Moon Radio and Glass Elevator both screening their new music videos at the Capitol Theater. The Hard Way joins the bill for a well-rounded indie set. This show begins at 5 p.m. -