5 Questions for 5 Bands at Westword Music Showcase, Part 2

Here is the next installment in my series of “5 Questions for 5 Bands” who are playing at the 2018 Westword Music Showcase … which is rapidly approaching on Saturday, June 23rd!

Greeblehaus will be hosting the Vybe stage along with “There’s An Ape for That” so he is one of the five acts profiled below. Check out the last five bands I talked to, and get to WMS early to see all these great Colorado bands.

Be sure to read about our Scavenger Safari #WMSLocal contest to win fun prizes from now through WMS. Looking forward to your posts on Twitter and Instagram!

Use my promo code below to get a discount on your WMS tickets!

There’s An Ape For That // VYBE 12:30pm – 6pm (between sets)

Band Members: The Ape
Facebook | Twitter

1. Describe your music.
The Ape plays uptempo music on vinyl records.

2. Why should people come see you at Westword Music Showcase?
The Ape will provide music that will make the humans smile, and the humans may take a record or two home with them.

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
The Ape is not sure if he understands the question.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.
The Ape has been fortunate enough to share a bill with Wildermiss, Solid Ocean, All Chiefs, and several others. All bands have treated The Ape very well thus far.

5. Best interaction with a fan?
When The Ape gives a record to a human, and the human’s eyes light up in excitement … that is why The Ape does this.

The Hollow // VYBE 12:55pm

Band Members: Spencer Townshend Hughes – Lead vocalist/rhythm guitar, Jonathan Bray – Lead guitarist/vocals, Jimmy Swanson – Bassist/vocalist , Jason Hoke – Drummer (questions answered by Spencer).
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

1. Describe your music.
I think of our music as theatrical rock music or Art Rock. We’ve heard from folks that if you like Thrice, Incubus, The Dear Hunter, and Queens of the Stone Age, you might like The Hollow. Which is incredible, because those bands are obviously stout. Jonathan and I graduated from UNC Greeley with Musical Theater degrees, so regardless of the genre of music we play, there’s going to be that musical theater influence.

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?
I think people should see whomever they’d like at WMS because there’s SO much incredible music happening that day. I’d hope that people would come to see us because they’ve heard from others that our live show is electric and our energy is palpable. We like to have a good time on stage and we like to have a good time with the people who came to spend time with us. Integrating the audience into the live experience is what’s most fun for us, so I’d hope the crowd felt the same.

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Unicorn. Because pretty pony plays for keeps.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME!?? OBVIOUSLY, I can’t name them all (to save time and space), so we’ll go with five off the top of my head right now… Overslept, Meliora, Post Paradise, Corsicana, and Izcalli. SOOOOOOOO many more, but this is where I’m at.

5. Best interaction with a fan?
We did this incredible interactive opportunity last year where we played back-to-back shows in Northern Colorado over the weekend (FOCOMX on Friday and Greeley MayPlay on Saturday). We offered to drive a handful of fans up for the weekend to hang out, sleep over, and enjoy some music. We had a handful of friends but, just as importantly, we were greeted by brand new fans of our band. That weekend was one of the most memorable weekends of my musical career. You can read about it here if you like.

Chloe Tang // VYBE 12:00pm

Band Members: Chloe Tang, Alex Bailey, Evan Lei, Mike Tritsch, Payden Widner
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

1. Describe your music.
Pop! With influences from R&B, rock, 80’s pop, and more! It’s very fun but I also really like to be real when I write lyrics. All my songs are about experiences that have really happened to me.

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?
People should see me at WMS because we put on a really fun show. I am very lucky to have such amazing chemistry with the guys in my band and we always have a blast on stage. I have always wanted to play WMS and now it’s finally happening and I get to share it with all these Denver music lovers! What more could I ask for?

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Honestly, I want to say I’d be something super fierce like a jaguar, but my friends always tell me I’d be a dog because I get really excited when the doorbell rings/see other dogs and I love snacks.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.
Recently, I’ve had major respect for Trayce Chapman! His new album is really great. Also, some classic favorites are OptycNerd, Wildermiss, and Iolite!

5. Best interaction with a fan?
I played a solo show a few years ago at Marquis and this girl (who is my friend now) named Abby came up to me and told me she really loved my music and she related to my lyrics. It was so heartwarming and now we keep in touch. She even came to my EP release show last year.

Los Mocochetes // Stoney’s Main 6:10pm

Band Members: Diego Florez, Elias Garcia, Joshua Randy Abeyta, Stephen “Bon Bon” Marshall, Jozer Guerrero, Eli “E” Montoya, Tyler “BluAvenue” Neal, Jon Rubio
Facebook | Instagram

1. Describe your music.
Los Mocochetes are a 7-piece Chicano Funk band from Denver, CO. This colorful cast of characters fuses thoughtfully brazen, socio/politically charged song lyrics, groovilicious melodies and high-energy stage antics to create an immersive experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Much like a machete, which can be used either as a tool to build or a weapon to kill, they have chosen to use their music to inspire and encourage positive social change, and they have a ton of fun along the way. Every show is different, but it’s always a dance party!

Los Mocochetes were the recipients of Westword Music Showcase award to Best Latin Band of 2017. They also were featured in the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase and have played numerous iconic Denver venues such as the Bluebird Theater, Oriental Theater, Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Larimer Lounge, Syntax Physic Opera, Aztlan Theatre, Lost Lake, Hi Dive, 3 Kings Tavern, Herman’s Hideaway, Lion’s Lair, and recently sold out Ophelia’s Electric Soap Box. The band has a strong connection to New Mexico, and often tours the state, having played as far south as Acapulco, MX.

The current lineup features artists with a wide variety of influences. They are poets, singers, painters, rappers, actors, musicians, dancers, producers, composers, dreamers, doers, thinkers. They are gente who make music together and enjoy all forms of creativity. The Mocochetes are here to ignite a fire in every audience member to enjoy the moment and then go out and make a difference!

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?
Because we love making new friends, and we guarantee to leave you dancing!

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Jozer: Otter. Otters and I have a lot in common. We are both very cute, small and brown. They are also very playful, but have you ever seen a hungry otter? They’ll fuck your shit up. Just like me!

Diego: I am a EAGLE LION! Because I am a eagle *and* a lion.  😜

Joshua: MonkeyHawk

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.
Vic N the Narwahls, Twin Flame Medicine, Roka Hueka, Copper Children, Milk Blossoms, Ghost Pulse, Ghost Tapes, Trayce Chapman, Jyemo club, SF1, The Other Black, Son Moreno, Don Chicharrón, Wheelchair Sports Camp, Pink Hawks, Venus Cruz, Felix Fast4Ward, This Broken Beat

5. Best interaction with a fan?
Now that we’ve done the CPR Open Air session, it’s been really cool to meet people who recognize our music from the radio. We know we have a lot of work to do, but it’s super humbling and a wonderful reminder that we’re on the right path.

Lady Gang // Stoney’s South 2:45pm

Band Members: Jen Korte and several instruments.
Website | Facebook

1. Describe your music.
Lady Gang is indie rock mixed with hip hop and Latin musical beats and treats.

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?
My live show and execution is what really makes Lady Gang an accomplishment. I generate live beats as well as loop guitar, bass, and vocals using good old-fashioned analog skills. No computers here folks, just me and my gang of instruments.

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
If I could be any animal, I would be a blue whale. The ocean is my favorite place in the world and to be a giant swimming mammal would be a dream come true. Swimming and eating, swimming and eating.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.
There are so many favorite Colorado bands! I have really been digging on Pink Hawks, Bevin Luna, Whippoorwill, The Still Tide, The Eyebeams, Venus Cruz, US Tygers, Kitty Crimes, Porlolo, Wheelchair Sports Camp, Other Black, Felix FastForward … oh man … sooo many to love and be proud of!

5. Best interaction with a fan?
Honestly, I love interacting with the audience and making them laugh. It’s so essential to put the effort into connecting with them. I have had a few occasions where random people have come up to me to tell me how big of a fan they are. Recently a woman came up to me and told me I was the reason she started playing music and that when I am working hard, it inspires her to work hard as well. These are the moments that I cherish.

Thanks for all the fun answers! Looking forward to our next installment of questions.

We’re in countdown mode for Westword Music Showcase!

• Get your WMS tickets with discount code GREEBLE.
• Bookmark the FanPlan mobile schedule (not an app, works on any smartphone browser).
• Come early in the day for all the local bands!
• See you online with the #WMSLocal hashtag.
• Visit us at Vybe to pick up your prize(s)!