[9:2] Kicking Giant drove all the way to L.A. from Olympia to play the second day of our Block Party. (The first day had Money Mark, Red Aunts, and J Church.) Drummer Danny Sasaki, who went on to play with Mocket and Enemy Mine, had a terrible time with his car. It broke down on the way down and wouldn't start after we had a post-show snack at Noodle World. He also forgot his clothes. At least, he had the attention of ESL to keep him up. Tae stayed at my home, and is really cool to hang out with. He's one of the most thoughtful, mellow, and considerate people you'll ever meet. (So is his partner, Nikki McClure.) But then he lets it all out when he plays his indie funk, writhing and rocking like Stevie Wonder's neck. The next day we went record shopping and he turned me onto this great Joe Gibbs compilation that I still listen to all the time. An indie rock icon, Tae's sparce and funky indie rock has made waves in the early incarnations of Kicking Giant with Rachel (now in The Need) and KO (IQU), and now the KG with Danny (you know) and Heather (Tiger Trap, Lois, Dub Narcotic Sound System). Look for art and music by Tae on records on Calvin Johnson's label, K, and Fortune 4, the label run by the guys from Seam. IMAGE