Shazam “Tea Time” Watkins and Liz Scarlett are Tacoma buzz duo, THE FAME RIOT. They insist those are their real names and not quirky alter egos, and that THE FAME RIOT be spelled in all caps, as if their band moniker should only be yelled. And yes, they're a little bit different.
Their sound is the kind of brassy indie-dance-pop that's sure to reel in fans of Foster the People, MGMT and Gotye. But their look is in campy contrast to all those Pitchfork-approved acts, a flamboyant mashup of eyeliner, sequins and bared chests that would fit right in at the Whisky A Go Go, circa 1986.
This weekend, local fans will have two chances to catch THE FAME RIOT (echo echo), first on July 13 at Seattle's Showbox at the Market, supporting Tacoma rock bud, Ben Union. They they'll spray on some more Aqua Net to play the Dirty Oscar's Annex stage at Art on the Ave, the block party that will take over Tacoma's Sixth Avenue on July 14 (see sidebar.) Tacoma Weekly gave them a ring to find out what to expect.
Tacoma Weekly: How did this band get started?
Liz: We had a band called Moon Juice. It was pretty much the first version of THE FAME RIOT. … We started doing that in 2010 with Moon Juice. It was all electronic. In April 2012, we became THE FAME RIOT.
TW: How did you develop your sound, and how would you describe what you do?
Shazam: (He speaks in a faux British accent to differentiate his voice from Liz, making him sound like Keith Richards or Murdoc from Gorillaz) Well, I would say that we try to take as much beautiful, classic, wonderful pop music, mix it with rock n' roll roots; and we try to create this new interpretation of everything that's been going on in the past and transfuse it into people's brains in the now, if that makes any sense at all. I would definitely say it's definitely a mix of the old and new and present and past and future.
Liz: It's like giving mainstream pop testicles, you know.
Shazam: It's definitely a masculine presence, but it's in touch with its feminine side, as well.
TW: Earlier this year, you made it to the finals of the Sound Off competition (Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum's battle of the bands for groups with members aged 21 and younger.) What kind of a springboard was that for you?
Liz: Our manager entered us into it. I didn't know what it was, being new to the area. We didn't really know how big it was, who was behind it. Obviously, the first competition night was pretty slammed, and all the press that they had seemed to be very respected. So it was exciting, and it definitely gave us an open door to do what we do anyway – to shock people.
Shazam: (initially forgetting accent) It was a good connection. (Immediately correcting himself) It was a really good connection to local musicians, yeah.
TW: Your sound is more Foster the People, but you look more Steven Tyler. Where does your sense of style come from?
Shazam: (dropping accent) We love rock n' roll and we love glam rock and theatrics. We need to have good songs, but I think visual presence is a huge aspect.
Liz: It's much more effective when you can take control of someone's ears and their sight, aesthetically. If you can intrigue them with not only your sound, but also the way you look and appear and the things you do, then you've really won them over.
TW: Is this your every day look, or do you just rock that when you're performing?
Liz: (cracking up) We look pretty ... crazy right now.
Shazam: It's almost like a play when we play live. We're not just standing there playing music. It's like (performance art) I want to play some amazing songs and communicate why they're amazing or why they mean something at all, I guess.
TW: So what about the album I hear you're recording?
Liz: Right now we're just creating content, preparing ourselves for the battle, the business side of it as well as the entertainment side. We're just creating an arsenal of great songs.
Our approach to the world is different than just singles and just records. It's gonna be this big thing – this big, epic idea. But it takes time to develop, and that's what we're doing right now. It's a giant soup that just keeps cooking, but we let people try it along the way.
The 15th annual Art on the Ave festival will take over Tacoma's Sixth Avenue, between Cedar and Trafton streets, on July 14. Free, family friendly fun – food, dance, art and some of Tacoma's hottest bands – will go on from 11 a.m. To 7 p.m. Here's a partial lineup, with updates available online at http://www.artontheave.org.
Jazzbones stage: Nolan Garrett, Big Wheel Stunt Show, Randy Hansen, Mighty High and C-Leb and Kettle Black
O'Malley's stage: The Fun Police, Ten Pole Drunk, Kramer, Northslope and Devil on a Leash
Dirty Oscar's Annex stage: THE FAME RIOT (see accompanying story), Ben Union, The Dignitaries, Not From Brookly, Bandolier and Roswell
Community stage: Zumba, Rocio Miller (11 a.m), Probox Theatre Group (11 a.m.), belly dancing with Kat Ross (11:45 a.m.), Tacoma City Ballet (noon), Studio 6 Ballroom's Natasha Thayer (12:30 p.m.), karaoke with Rev. Colin (1 p.m.), Grub Crawl judging (2 p.m.), karaoke with Colin (3:30 p.m.), Acroyoga demonstration (4:15 p.m.), hot hula with Roe Sang (4:30 p.m.), Peruvian dancing with Theresa McDermott and troupe (4:45 p.m.), Bokwa dancing with Deena Giesen (5 p.m.), karoake with Rev. Colin (5:15 p.m.), Sweet Kiss Momma (6 p.m.)