JOHN COPPOCK's HAWAIIAN BAND: 1927

THE TINY TOWN of Peshastin, Washington, was the base for a homegrown Hawaiian music group formed by guitarist John Coppock & his high-school pals around 1919. The positive reception they got after playing a few gigs there & in nearby burgs like Leavenworth and Wenatchee encouraged him enough to head off to Hollywood in 1923. It was there that he (seen here, 2nd from left) formed a new quartet and began climbing the ladder to stardom.

By 1924 Coppock's Hawaiians had added one genuine Hawaiian musician -- the ukulele ace, Dave Mahuka -- and soon scored their own weekly radio show. In 1925 the band cut a 78rpm disc for one of the West Coast's very first labels, Sunset Records, & they became one of the top acts of their type on the So-Cal scene. Throughout the summer & fall seasons of 1927 they toured through various states, including a swing up the coast & right back into Coppock's old stomping grounds.

On the evening of Friday October 28, 1927 Coppock and his crew -- which included his own brother Paul on vocals -- made a triumphant return to the old hometown for a performance at the Peshastin School Auditorium.

This rare old poster shows the local pride at having a couple of their own boys -- "Coppock's Famous Radio and Recording Trio" -- back for a visit: even the Peshastin Symphony Orchestra (!) lent a hand that night. And, as a special treat, the Coppock brothers entertained one & all with a few numbers played on their musical handsaws.

THE DAWN of GRUNGE ROCK: 1988

SEATTLE's BOXING CLUB (1011 E Pike Street) was the unusual site for a rock 'n' roll rumble of a gig on the broiling hot evening of Friday July 8, 1988. A cramped, shabby, old-school tough-guy gym, the Club hosted three local bands who each cut loose with howling sets before a sweaty, packed-in, all-ages crowd. I know – because I was there.

The event was billed as a "Psycho Delic Disco Orgy" – probably because the phrase "grunge rock" was barely a concept at that early point in time. And, as this handbill noted: the gig was also a record release party held to celebrate new releases by three first generation grunge bands – each of whom (Blood Circus, Swallow, and Mudhoney) were fresh signees to the now-legendary Sub Pop label.

Blood Circus' "Two Way Street" / "Six Foot Under" [SP13] and Swallow's "Trapped" / "Guts" [SP14] singles had both been released mere days prior in June – while Mudhoney's classic "Touch Me I'm Sick" / "Sweet Young Thing (Ain't Sweet No More)" [SP18] didn't actually drop until August.

Interestingly, during this time period it was Blood Circus who were the better-established band – indeed, both Mudhoney and Nirvana performed their first shows at Seattle's fabled Vogue club opening for them. Months later, in November, Nirvana's debut 45 – "Love Buzz" / "Big Cheese" [SP23] – was issued. The rest is, well, history...

AIRPLANE DANCE in KELSO: 1930

TEX HOWARD's BAND played something billed as an "Airplane Dance" at the Glide Hall in South Kelso, Washington, in 1930. That venue served that town in two distinct ways: as place for roller-skaters to glide around the hardwood floor – & then as a dancehall in the evenings.

Howard had been musically active for some time prior to this event. On December 24, 1926 Spokane's Spokesman-Review ran an ad for the Davenport Hotel which invited people to attend a Christmas Day dinner that would feature Howard & his 10-piece "all-artist" orchestra. On February 24, 1927, the place touted "Musicale Luncheons" which featured Howard & his Davenport Hotel Orchestra.

By 1931 Tex Howard & his Tigers took on a year-long stint at Seattle's Trianon Ballroom (2nd Avenue & Wall Street) and Musicland magazine noted gushed how "They are one of the finest home-town groups...It's difficult to keep the crowds still during the intermission. So enticing and dance-provoking is the music, that the dancers hate to see the orchestra pause for even a moment."


In '34 Howard's orchestra gigged on KFOX radio in Long Beach, California. Then on February 9, 1935 the band – which included his brother Wyatt Howard on vocals – cut "Let's Honeymoon Again" for Decca Records. Two days later, they cut three more songs ("Put On An Old Pair Of Shoes," "Love Dropped In For Tea," & "Somebody's Birthday"). The result was a pair of 78 rpm singles.

Soon Howard's band was back at the Trianon, which is where the UW's Junior Prom was held on March 5, 1936. The Tyee yearbook noted the oh-so-clever maritime theme of the dance: "When the S. S. Junior Prom cleared Seattle docks from the Trianon Ballroom, on its 'Transatlantic Journey'...450 couples were aboard. It was a grand voyage with none of the inconveniences of passports, luggage or mal de mer. Stars twinkled down upon coeds in filmy formals and their escorts in conventional black and white as they danced on the spacious 'deck.' Red and green lights marked the port and starboard sides of the big liner and life preservers and pillars disguised as masts added to the naval theme. The twelve-piece ship's orchestra, conducted by Tex Howard, was enthroned in the stern while the hall's balcony became a pilot house. Nattily uniformed ship's employees worked in the baggage (check) room...".

By the 1940's brother Wyatt had split off & formed his own orchestra which: featured the vocalist "Carol Ross" (aka Jeanne Tutmarc, sister to Seattle musician, Paul Tutmarc); was based out of the Town & Country Club (1421 8th Avenue); & recorded for Linden Records.

Meanwhile in 1948, Kelso's country bandleader, Roger Crandall, bought the old Glide Hall & his Barn Dance Boys performed there many a Saturday night. As the 1950s rolled around numerous national Country stars played the hall including Tommy Duncan, Ray Price, Tex Ritter, & the Maddox Brothers & Sister Rose. In addition, a few of the Northwest's up-&-comers such as Yakima's Tex Mitchell, Tacoma's Buck Owens, & Salem's Snead Family performed there. Then, when rock 'n' roll broke out, touring rockabilly stars like Buddy Knox drew a teenaged crowd, as did one of Oregon's very first rock bands, the Teen Kings.