the hum / By Bob Doran

Ragamuffin Buskers

Blind Bellingham-based politi-folk-punk Boris Budd and his cohorts The Waterboarders bring it to the Boiler Room Thursday, June 25. Boris’ songs deal with topics Humboldters may relate to: “Medical Marijuana” is about just that (with a reggae beat). He also has a paean to the Bellingham Roller Betties, a women’s roller-derby team.

Coming to the Boiler Room Tuesday, June 30, is Mobile Deathcamp, a Midwestern death metal band that includes bassist Todd Evans whose claim-to-fame is a stint as Beefcake the Mighty in Gwar. Their Jägermeister-sponsored tour also includes the Jäger Girls (not a band). Please note, according to Wikipedia, “Contrary to an urban legend, Jägermeister does not contain any deer or elk blood.”

The Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival runs Friday through Sunday at Black Oak Ranch about 40 miles south of the Humboldt County line. You’ll find the best in folk and roots music including sets by Emmylou Harris, Richard Thompson, Patty Griffin, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women, Mavis Staples, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Rosalie Sorrels and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. The rambling cowboy from Brooklyn figures he’s played the fest seven or eight times, often singing with his “old friend Rosalie.”

“We never work anything out in advance; we just let the magic take its course,” notes Jack. “I just get onstage and hope that my guitar’s in tune. That’s about all the preparation I do.” He says he always has fun at the festival. “It’s a great adventure, getting together with old friends from the music world in a country situation that’s very relaxed and friendly, playing outdoors.”

Jack is actually playing all three days, although aside from Rosalie, he wasn’t sure with whom. “I’ve probably met them before but I can’t remember what their names are. I figure when I get there, they’ll tell me what to do.” Organizers filled in the blanks: He’ll play Friday with Rosalie, Sunday he tells stories and plays solo and, “He will be joining Chris Smither and Dave Alvin for a set over at one of our more intimate stages late Saturday afternoon.” That’s the way things work at Kate Wolf. We’re told to watch for “impromptu drop-ins” by Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Joe Craven and “an unannounced guest or two.”

“I’m looking forward to having a good time at the festival, meeting everybody,” says Jack. “You know Emmylou Harris is going to be there. There’s a lot of good music. I know we’ll all have a fine time.” That much is for sure.

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