SPOTLIGHT ON THE TOTAL SPOTS, PART ONE.
THE MISSOULA ART MUSEUM, PATTEE STREET, DOWNTON MISSOULA. Because we've all but wrapped up the slow release of our lineup, and have actually posted the TFIX schedule here on our website (right hand side there), we're going to take a minute to look at some of the spots and people and their businesses that help us make this thing possible. First up, it's the Missoula Art Museum ("MAM"). A vibrant place on all accounts, first as a Carnegie Library, the museum had a classically Roman via Pittsburgh facade. Then a couple years ago, after much raising of funds and planning, a nice modern addition was put on, and the museum's galery/office space went from not much to lots more in just about a yar. As fans of art, creativity and all things in between, it's been awesome for we Total Fest organizers to see the museum grow as a central part of Missoula's cultural life, with our very own Tom Dewar (Total Fest poster printer nonpareil) having shown work there, as well as tons of awesome local, regional and national artists. The folks who run the museum have the rare gifts of being both visionary and ambitious about bringing in art from elsewhere, but also to fostering a creative, arts-stoked Missoula/Western Montana communities.

The MAM folks do a monthly event called Artini, wherein they sneak preview new shows and open the doors in the evening, and allow for some alcohol enjoyment on premises. This year, Artini, or TotalTini as we're calling it will bring some punk rock to the MAM in the form of Abe Coley, Japanther, Fag Rag and Muhamadali. We'll start up first thing at about 6PM on Thursday, July 19 and welcome folks to Total Fest with a new venue in the family. We're excited about the partnership, and encourage Museum patrons to come and enjoy some more of what we've got on offer. More to come soon!

LOCAL SIGHTING: FAG RAG

I'm still amused by the delicate navigation surrounding Missoula's Fag Rag. Sure, the name “controversy” has blown over, but I still smile over the occasional “homosexual rag” that I hear on the radio – it sounds more like a dance step than a band name. My sensibility finds it more humorous if the play would have focused on ways to adulterate the second half of the band's name, but that's neither here nor there. Perhaps the bleep would be more appealing, but it's all still a bit silly to me.

In spite of the fact that Fag Rag has been playing for a little over a year, I still have trouble disassociating them with Knot Knocked Up. Not in a bad way. I liked Knot Knocked Up – they were brash, noisy, loud, offensive, chaotic, dreamy – and, what better band to open for AIDS Wolf? Chains on metal tubs and punctuated screams? Come on. More than anything, I was happy that Missoula had it. But such chaos can only last as a happening. Fag Rag brings together the anti-melodic and frantic vocals of Mikki with the pseudo-rhythmic stylings of drummer Mat, keyboardist Isaiah and guitarist Jerrod. Underlying all the reactive temperament is a residual calm. Something reminds me of PRE or Divorce, but maybe that's because I've been overdosing on those two bands recently, and I could find similarities with the Black Eyed Peas at this point. Regardless, the similarities stick. Fag Rag is ballsy and fierce, undeniably talented and creative. They border on the brink of chaos but are able to, if only momentarily, ground it and send it spinning all over again. They're challenging to what may or may not be music – if we need to stick to such a dichotomy, and we're lucky to call 'em “Missoula's Own.”