Nine N Out

NINE N OUT
Dick

Just when you think it's safe to go outside at night, along comes Carla Bueno to kick you in the balls and remind you that the world is indeed not your oyster, Rocky Mountain or otherwise. The Bueno, not really known for her diplomatic ways, jumps high and kicks hard on the title track of Nine N Out's latest album and, no it isn't about Nixon though on one level it very well could be. It is about, well, dicks (assholes, pricks, shitheads, bigots). Don't take it personal if you have one. Dickdom is universal or so it seems and what Bueno does on this song is to simply point it out. You cannot deny the truth in the chorus (“Just because you have one doesn't mean you have to be one.....”) and, let's face it, even the best of people need to be reminded now and again. Better to be reminded with steam train crunch and drivin' beat than to be physically judo-chopped into submission and, yes, I'm sure Bueno could do that as well. She can multi-task. If you don't believe it, just catch one of their shows.

I find it exhilarating to watch a band just put together through the Internet a handful of years ago progress like Nine N Out has. They started rough, a buzz saw punk mentality channeling music. They grew, reaching into a few genres I would not have thought possible, even played a touch of the fifties vocal group card on a couple of earlier tracks.

And they're still growing. Dick is strides ahead of what they were at the beginning, both musically and lyrically. Joe Lee's drumming is solid and adaptable to each song, Steve Connolly's guitar continues its slash and burn ways, Bueno's voice is more controlled though her attitude is not) and as a result more effective. This time around, though, they have added newcomer Darryl Buske's always pounding and sometimes rolling bass. I'm not saying that he drives the band, just that his addition seems to have raised the band to another level, to have made them more of a group.

It doesn't hurt that the songwriting is better than ever, either. The music leans a bit more towards hard rock than previously and I find that in places I hear early seventies hard rock values in both song and sound. I would have liked to have given writing credit for songs, but the band prefers to put their money into the recording rather than the package, so songwriting credits are limited to publishing (they are published by Nine N Out Music). I am pretty sure Bueno wrote Dick, at least the lyrics, but beyond that I am at a loss. No big deal, though. This is as good an effort as I've heard from them and who wrote the songs is a small matter. The songs are what count and, hell, I dig them all.

You've not heard of Nine N Out? They've had plenty of press, especially considering that they are primarily a bar band (their motto at the moment is “Rockin' Seattle one dive bar at a time”), and most of it has been very positive. Charles Cross, ex-Rocket magnate and music historian of note, likened their last album (Fremont Chic) to a mixture of garage and new wave and far be it for me to argue. I would love to hear what he thinks of Dick (I am sure he digs it), whether he hears the subtle lean toward hard rock that I hear. Sometimes I'm not sure if I get things right and when a critic of substance agrees with me, it makes me think I have at least a hint of respectability even if it's just regarding the one album or song.

But you. You want a real hint? Dick. Check this album out. Nine N Out fans have to be ecstatic (it is hard to hear these guys without an appreciation of not only what they do but who they are). It was a long wait. Nine N Out have as loyal a fan base as I've seen for any of today's bands and those who aren't fans yet could very well become fans in just a few listens. Go see them live. People say that they give you more than your money's worth and those atrophying muscles used mainly to keep the body upright whilst surfing the TV or Net could probably use a workout. Now that I think of it, they have another motto: “Get off your ass and dance!” Be forewarned. You'll more than likely want to kick your normal dance moves to the curb. When these guys play, it's all out war and you know what they say about war.....

(Above photo of Carla Bueno courtesy of Mark Bussinger http://www.reverbnation.com/markbussingerscattershotrecording)

Frank O. Gutch Jr. - Rock and Reprise.net

For those who don't know, Nine N Out has built a reputation with their harder edge performances at venues like The Skylark in Seattle, laying out slash and burn semi-punk with a pop edge not unlike the better new wave bands of the mid-70s (The Hounds, The Dead Boys, The Zeros). Fronted by high-energy vocalist Carla Bueno and propelled by the blistering guitars of Steve Connolly and Ty Lambrecht, they logged enough hours of sweat to keep flying and fly they do on their latest, Fremont Chic.

Not that their earlier CD didn't have its points, but this is a step forward, to my ears. The in-your-face attitude and guitars bordering on metal were interesting at the very least and at times were downright exhilarating, but Fremont Chic puts the band another rung up the ladder. For one thing, they reined in Bueno's vocals, though 'reined in' is possibly not the term I'm looking for here. A little chamber here, a good mix there and we are finally hearing the Carla Bueno we only had a hint of before, her performance going from good to damn good. Add the fact that the songwriting is stronger and the sound more controlled and they're practically a brand new band. You want the more primal Nine N Out, get their first self-titled CD. If you want something with hooks and a slightly different direction, get Fremont Chic.

There are freaky people everywhere and people watching is a team sport, or so the title track hints. Why not Fremont? Bottom-lining Fremont Chic (the track) with Hounds-like guitar, chunky rhythms and a smooth chorus, the band raises their own bar. They move past the three-minute machine gun punk they used to play into the realm of rock. If you want to argue, I give you (Beginning to Think) You Don't Care, a song which could very well be one of those '70s new wave songs of note. The attitude, if it is there, is romantic and tongue-in-cheek, pulled off very well indeed, Bueno's vocals perfecto in a Patti Smyth (Scandal) vein and the background aaahs spot on. Better Day has a bit of The Leopards in it, they of Kansas City legend and purveyors of the mid-period Kinks sound. Again, Bueno nails the voice and the guys pick up their vocal load as well (harmonied, too!). This is pop, my friends, and good pop at that. And dig the dual guitars! Smooooth. You want arena rock? Jesse will have those lighters above your heads before you even realize it. Great rhythm crunch, baseball, high heels and the hint of unseemly romance. Throw a class rock lead in the mix and it doesn't get better than that. They end it all with the anthemic Demon Inside, full band chorus supporting Bueno until she ends it with fadeout. Good rocking stuff, this. Makes you want to shout, 'Thank you, Seattle! Nine N Out, everybody!', as every good show should end.

Oh, I should mention that there have been personnel changes since Fremont Chic was released. Ty Lambrecht has exited and bassist Eric Goranson has given way to Darryl Buske, but the core (Bueno, Connelly and drummer Joe Lee) is still there and the music is no doubt as good as ever. If you need a good night out and happen to be around Seattle, check to see if Nine N Out is scheduled. If Fremont Chic is any indication at all, that could be one hoppin' night!

- Frank O. Gutch Jr. September 2009 - Rockandreprise.net

Far from the chaos of Pioneer Square and the pretentious urbania of Seattle's major club districts, is a little spot down in Georgetown called Slim's Last Chance. Intimate, cool, friendly and casual, this is the spot to go when just having a good time out with friends means more than being part of the scene. Look this place up the next time you simply want to enjoy good people and good music without all the hype and 'tude. Last's night's triple bill was a perfect blend of sonic diversity beginning with Bob and Sheldon's acoustic madness, followed by the dark and seductive tones of West Nelson Siding , and climaxed by the power-pop wrecking ball of Nine 'n Out. This five-piece ensemble is a flat out refreshing change to much of Seattle's washed out indie dribble. Huge sound, big hooks and get-off-your-ass-and-dance-or-we'll-kill-you rythms make a Nine 'n Out show the best cardio aerobic workout you can get this side of a Billy Blank video. JCB says two thumbs up for Slim's Last Chance and for Nine 'n Out's audio Redbull show. Ciao friends, live well.

- Jason Childs Saturday, September 20, 2008 - JCB Blog

Fremont Chic review

It's appropriate that Nine N Out title their CD Fremont Chic: This second CD seems rooted in the kind of lasting influences people associate as classic Seattle music: garage-based rock, catchy lyrics, a driving beat, and guitar solos galore. Fronted by a powerful female vocalist, this also hints at new wave, at least the kind I associate with Blondie, or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Like Fremont, this CD straddles both the funky past, and a more chic and modern future....

- Charles R. Cross Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - myspace blog

NOTES FROM THE FISHTANK
by Fish
Happy Zombie Jesus Day.

I've had the pleasure of playing with Nine N Out for a brief time. Not only they are very personable and very nice and lack any pretention (Something lacking in this town), they seriously rock out loud. If you go to one of their shows and don't find yourself shaking it up on the dance floor with front woman Carla Bueno, then you are crippled, lacking soul, dead, or all three. With its driving rhythms, catchy hooks, and attention grabbing vocals, Nine N Out positions themselves to be heir apparent to the Runaways. Just don't ask Carla to don the lingerie.

Kidding aside, I felt that this band deserves attention, so I'm using my bully pulpit to present them to you. They may not wear leather or eyeliner, but they sure as hell can knock you on your ass with their music right after you're done shaking it.

Justify your existence.
Steve Connolly (guitarist): We are around to have fun, first and foremost. We enjoy playing music and hope we can bring a sound people like.
Joseph Lee (drums): I drum, therefore I am.
Carla Bueno (vocals) I rock, therefore I am.

It is said that nature abhors a vacuum. What void does Nine N Out fill?

CB: The FUN void. If you like to be in a high energy, dance your ass off, make new friends and have a blast environment, then Nine N Out is for YOU.
JL We fill an immense void as a band who gets people in Seattle to get off their ass and dance and drink and have a good time. Your alcohol dollar goes farther when you slosh and shake it around.
SC upbeat, hard and fast, crowd dancing and have a lot of fun void.

Are any of the songs you write born out of any personal experiences or created from any cathartic fantasies?
SC Several of the songs were written about past love or heart break. Those emotions can blend well for all genres of music, whether slow ballads or fast funk. Writing down the music is cathartic in itself.

JL I personally write mainly bits of added noise here and there.

CB Yes. I get mad. I write about it.

.Let's face it. Seattle has a ton of bands right now. What is Nine N Out's way to stand out from the rest of the pack?

CB We are not "cool" or "hip" or "on the cutting edge." we stand out by virtue of not standing out at all.
SC To not get labeled into just one genre of music. We all get along great and like to have fun.
JL We play music that we have fun playing and that translates to people having fun listening to and hopefully even dancing to.

Whether it's true or romanticized, the Seattle music scene was a very inclusive and supportive environment 20 years ago (e.g. Sir Mix-A-Lot hanging with Mudhoney). Nowadays, it's very competitive and clique oriented, with headbangers sticking with metal bands, goths sticking with industrial and dark rock bands, and the rest of Seattle falling in with indie pop bands. And everyone is ready to step on someone else to try to rise to the top. How does Nine N Out cope with such a toxic environment and have you ever been tempted to wallow in the muck?

JL Don’t worry about it and hang with nice people. We will probably never play at certain clubs, because we aren’t in with the in crowd and no one ever returns calls or emails, but no one is stressing over it.
CB I think none of them would let us in, so we get to avoid it all together. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we have never been tempted to wallow in that particular brand of muck.

SC We have never wanted to be part of a clique – we play with all sorts of different bands and music, from country, punk and metal. We have always been supportive. Good music is good music. No matter what the type. We are only looking to have a good time. Carla is the youngest at 40 and we have no dreams of ”making it big”. Just for the fun of it.

The members are of varying ages, backgrounds and experiences. Besides the desire to be in a band, what other common factors are at play that keep you all together and how do your ages, backgrounds and experiences add to what do today?

SC We smoke a lot of pot. …. Just joking. I think we all love playing music, we get along great, point of view on life are aligned. We are like family.

CB We are all interested in enjoying ourselves and just getting better at what we do as we do it. We are also not bigots which is quite a uniting factor. We actually like to be nice to one another and support one another. Like Steve said: we are like family (albeit, a fairly functional one).

JL It’s a great mix of people right now. We have fun together and somehow music comes out.

Rank in order of importance to you: Songwriting. Recording. Playing live.

JL CB SC Playing live, songwriting, recording.


What was the best show that you've ever done up to this point?

SC I think our last show (3/12) at the Skylark was awesome. Very energetic crowd that danced throughout our entire set. Gave us a lot of energy up on stage.

CB Most of the shows at the skylark. That is an incredibly fun, supportive place.
JL The show we just played on 3/12 at The Skylark was a blast. The opening bands were awesome and we had people dancing and yelling, including some go-go dancers on stage, almost the whole set.

What was the flat out worst show you've done up to this point?
CB One at Jimmy Z's in Everett (too drunk) and one at Fuel in Pioneer Square (too drunk)

SC There are a couple of them I think of! … Train wreck at Fuel where we drank too much…once my guitar malfunctioned at the Blue Moon tavern – forgot to bring my back up guitar. I have never forgotten my back up guitar from that point on….

JL One night at Fuel, too much fuel was involved and we were a train wreck waiting to happen, but never completely went off the tracks, or did we?

Are there any salacious and hedonistic rock star stories from Nine N Out Land that you can share?
CB Well, they happened while I was *in* Nine N Out, but not as a result thereof. also, I cannot share. :)
SC We are pretty straight laced band…the craziest we ever get is tipping back a few too many pints. Nobody has fallen of the stage, yet.

JL I like to listen to baseball games in my car while sucking on a cold latte while I wait for our set.

Since this is the April issue, where can people find you rockin' out this month and down the road?
JL April 17th @ the Josephine in Ballard
May 22nd at The Shanty in Lake City

Check them out at www.myspace.com/ninenoutband and at the usual places (Facebook, Reverbnation, etc.). Also if you want your 15 minutes stretched out a little further, email me at blacksurge1977@yahoo.com.
- Seattle Sinner Magazine