Feedback Lounge 2011

As 2010 comes to a close, rather than look back at all the fun/mopping/drinking we’ve done over the last 365 days, it’s probably best to look forward. Mostly because we can’t remember a whole lot of 2010 (see “drinking”.)

Don’t know what 2011 will bring, other than closer to the end of the world. (We have GOT to quit buying Mayan calendars.) But what we can tell you is that we have a mop bucket full of events/promotions planned all 2011 long, including more live music, more CD release parties, holiday throw-downs, benefits, fund-raisers, rock birthday parties, more rock memorabilia, the spring/summer menu, new drinks, some re-imagineering of the Feedback Lounge itself, and of course, more mopping.

None of this, though, would be possible without our beloved general manager Bradi Jones and her McGuyver husband, Tim Jones, who can fix anything except broken water. But he’s working on it.

And where would we be without our magnificent staff? While you might have your favored server/bartender/janitor, they are ALL our favorites. Yep, even Todd.

You’ll be aghast – simply aghast – at the unique and wild stuff we have planned, provided co-owner/bartender Matt Johnson doesn’t shoot ’em down first. We’re even rolling out a new look for our website, which debuts…. Not gonna tell you, so just hold your broken water. Someone will be along to fix it shortly.

To our incredible customers, staff, friends and fellow drinkers/moppers: thank you for a memorable 2010. And we’re looking forward to doing more of the same in 2011…one year before the world ends.

 

Meet The FBL Staff: Todd Reneau

TODD RENEAU
Anyone who has come into the Feedback Lounge over the last two years knows Todd, the tall rock monster pouring drinks behind the bar and handing out off-the-wall quotes by the mop bucket full.

Todd has served in the Armed Forces (no, he didn’t use his mouth as a cannon), has gone to hundreds of rock concerts (and continues to do so), and has well over two decades experience in the bar service industry under his straining belt, working everywhere from sports and concert venues, to hotels and classy joints like the Feedback Lounge. Simply put, if you need to know anything about the cocktail industry, ask Todd. Just be prepared for his answer.

Here’s 20 questions with the King of Comebacks…

Where ya from, Old Man?
My Momma. She seemed fit to drag me all over the country though. Let’s settle on Boise, ID.

What five words would you use to describe yourself?
Anti-phlegmatic, The Wall, Old, Fat, Surly.

Interests or hobbies?
Concerts, concerts, concerts.

In serving our country, where do you consider the coolest place you’ve been in your travels?
Israel, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Tennessee.

Name the actor whom you would cast to play you in the movie about your life?
Charlie Beck

Name a drink that explains who you are and why.
Old Fashioned. Duh.

“Hotter than Hades” heat, hurricane force winds and rain, or “You’ll only be running into Sherpas” snow?
How about my living room with the Travel Channel. That’s what it’s there for.

Who would you just die to meet and have a convo with?
I would love to punch Oliver North in the mouth and then sit down and have tea with Donovan.

If there were a story on you in the newspaper, what would the headline read?
“Dude goes ape shit on stupid-ass in public.” I’m the Dude, by the way.

A genie walks into the Feedback Lounge and grants you three wishes – what are they?
The ones I ask for. (Weak, Todd – Jeff)

Which movie turns Big Todd into a big giggling teddy bear?
Really?

What’s your dream job?
CEO of Food Network, the Travel Channel and Live Nation Concerts.

What would your super power be if you were a comic book hero/villain? And what would be your name?
Able to make water into wine, and shake into kind. Captain Cocktail – Defending the universe against sober people everywhere.

Would you rather be a famous rock star, movie star, radio DJ, author, an inventor, or a truck driver?
Truck driver. And my handle would be “Rubber Duck.”

Describe your perfect date.
If by perfect date, you mean a bottle of tequila and a one night stand, any and all apply. No really. Apply. I promise not to throw your application away.

If there were anything that you could take with you when you die, what would it be?
How about…ME!

Your favorite Saturday morning cartoon…
The People I Work With. It’s better than The Office. (Pink Panther – 1st Runner-up)

What’s the best concert you’ve ever seen?
Roger Waters recreating The Wall concert at the Berlin Wall, ’90.

If you couldn’t die, get injured, or get arrested, what would you like to do/try?
Punch Oliver North in the mouth.

Name three items you would have on a “bucket list.”
Punching Oliver North in the face. Blowing through a roadblock of State Troopers in a convoy with a semi and a buddy in the next semi whose handle is “Pig Pen”. Opening a BBQ joint and retiring.

Turkey, Pumpkin Pie, Rock

Here’s a little Turkey Humor to help you get through the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday! (thanks to theholidayspot.com for these hilarities!)

Why did the turkey cross the road?
It was the chicken’s day off.

What do you get when you cross a turkey with an octopus?
Enough drumsticks for Thanksgiving

What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?
Plymouth Rock

Why did they let the turkey join the band?
Because he had the drumsticks

What did the mama turkey say to her naughty son?
If your papa could see you now, he’d turn over in his gravy!

So, when I was a kid, I used to make the hand-drawn turkey, with all the construction paper, and white glue my mom could throw at me! Did you have to wake up at the crack of dawn to help your mother prepare the turkey feast!? It was a ritual in my house. My mom would wake me up at 7am to help her get the stuffing ready with all the YUCKY giblets, and dried bread!

I remember thinking, as I was un-stuffing the store bought turkey, of its plastic covered insides and neck, stuck up its rear-end, I thought often of how, when I grew up, and it was my turn to make my family the feast of the year, how I would NOT be using the innards! I was revolted every time I took a huge bite of the yummy-LOOKING stuffing, only to find I had a huge unsavory chunk of the birds’ heart or liver stuck in my upper molar! Phethuweyy! YUCK!

It would ruin my taste buds for the rest of my dinner plate, but I’d be damned if it was gonna ruin me for the BEST part of the entire meal! THE PUMPKIN PIE!!!!!! Oooooohhh oh oh! My mouth starts the water works as I type! I could live everyday on the pie made from this lovely type of squash! If I had my way, I would have it for every meal, and in between as well!

My grandmother Winnie, was the best pie maker this side of the Crocker. My mother later
highlighted the time of the year by making some even better pies…however Grandma’s tasty treats had that little touch of down-home-waiting in the rocking chair in the kitchen-for the pie to be done-yummyness. Mom’s always had the utmost best flakiest crust ever! It would be award winning, if I knew when the contests were…I swear! Not a man nor woman I’ve made my mom’s pie crust for, hasn’t exclaimed the usual “OH MY GOD this is the best pie crust!”

So, you want to know the recipe huh!? Why, my mother and my grandmother would be so proud! Here’s a little gift for those of you who read this blog!

MY MOTHER’S PIE CRUST RECIPE
(you can NOT deviate from the type of Crisco or Vinegar mentioned! Will not turn out the same)

(makes 3 crusts)
Combine these dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
2 cups FLOUR
1 cup regular CRISCO
pinch of salt
Stir together these next 2 ingredients in a small bowl, until the milk is curdled, then add them to the above dry mixture.
2 tbsp APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
1/2 cup MILK

In order to mix thoroughly, get your hands in some flour and use them instead of any kind of spoon, etc. Keeping the flour close at hand, sprinkle a bit onto a clean space of the counter top. (Be careful not to use too much flour during the rolling out, as it will make the crust tough, but just enough to not have the crust stick to you or the rolling pin or the counter top.) Using a floured rolling pin, roll out 1/3rd of the dough into a thinnish (1/8″ to 1/4″ thick or so) crust, large enough in diameter to fully cover your 9″ pie pan, so that you have some of it draping over the sides!

You hopefully know the rest to making pies. I’m not here to teach you everything, just to pass to you one of my family’s trusted recipes! Ha! Now what are you going to use as the filling? Well, the recipe on the back of the Pumpkin Pie filling (not the Pumpkin ONLY can stuff) can is the best. Yes, the store bought stuff! Just be sure to add a tsp of nutmeg to that recipe! And don’t forget to fork holes in the bottom of your crusts before you pour anything into them! It’ll help to keep things from boiling over in your oven! Oh, and use tinfoil around your crusts (only the crusts covered) when you bake the pies. It’ll keep them from getting too brown!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! You’ll be thankful for this pie crust recipe, if anything this year! And I know your guests will be as well!

Enjoy!

Bradi Jones
Feedback Lounge General manager

The Feedback Ruins Horror Movies For You

TV’s saturated with all the better known horror movies right now for some reason. Me, I pretty much watch them all, all the time. Well, because we love you so much, we’re going to save you the time of watching all that ickiness pain and gross stuff from inside people. Here’s most of what you need to know…

FRIDAY THE 13TH

Jason Voorhees: “I’m developmentally and cranially disabled. I’d prefer it if you camp counselors would entertain me instead of making all the love all the time.”

Camp Counselors: (making the sex) “Oohh, aaahh, oooo…”

Jason: “Well, fuck it then. I’m going for a swim.” (Drowns)

Jason’s Ma: “You dicks let my kid drown, so here you go.” (Kills most of them)

Remaining Counselor, In Boat: “Well, looks like I survived. Whee!”

Jason: (Sproings out of lake and grabs her) “Sproing! Yoink!”

THE EXORCIST

Regan: “Oh, mommy, we’re so happy in our nice house. It’s so great that you’re rich.”

Regan’s Ma: “Yup.”

Regan: “Check out this Ouja board…”

Regan’s Ma: “Uh Huh. Neat.”

Regan (Now all icky and sweary mouthed): “F-WORD! C-WORD! JESUS IS NOT MY FAVORITE!”

Regan’s Ma: “D’oh!”

Father Damien: “Hey, demon? Feel like leaving?”

Regan: “Bllluuurrrggggggghhhhhh” (pukes green stuff at him)

Father Damien: “If you want, you can possess me instead?”

Demon: “That’s cool.”

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

Guy in Farmhouse: “There’s a bunch of zombies out there.”

Other folks: “Yep. They’re eating people.”

Guy: “Yep, that’s what makes them zombies, dumbs.”

Zombies: (eating guts) “Blearggggggg.”

Sheriff: (Shoots a zombie, then the hero). “Thank fuck that’s over.”

HALLOWEEN

Laurie Strode: “That guy who looks like William Shatner is killing all my friends. And also me, evidently.”

Dr. Loomis: “That’s cuz he’s evil. Eeeeeevil.”

Laurie Strode: “Eeeek. He’s strangling me.”

Dr. Loomis: (shoots Shatner guy, looks unsurprised when he doesn’t just die).

You’re welcome.

– Matt Johnson

co-owner/bartender/ruiner

The Witches Holiday Brew: Festoonary

Aheeeee hee hee! Hello, my children of Rockdom!

Everyone is getting into the Halloween mood, the scariest and most frightening time of the year! It’s all about skulls, spiders, ghouls and goblins. Best of all, my sisters and I get to roam about without any care in the world. We don’t have to worry about being caught casting our spells on whomever we choose. Nor are we asked why, when we are seen gathering the much-needed eyes of newt, or picking warts off Lemmy for our mischievious and sometimes medically helpful concoctions!

It’s the most exciting time of the year for redecorating our haunts as well. We get to pull out all the stops on gathering the eeriest of atrocities found in all the boo-tiques, my little crumbs. We will have you jumping out of your wool socks with every corner you turn in the hallways of Feedback Lounge! So be warned, you little metal-head moppets! The “BOO” factor will rise within the next few weeks!

Ahhh! What we have in store will bring you to the edge of your screams, while you bask in the delectible delights of our Mix Masters; you will be frightfully delighted by their tasty potions. But a word of CAUTION: the spell that these mingle-mangles put you under ,will make you want more and more of them, infinitely bringing you back to revel in their scrumptiousness!

Ahhhhhhh ahhhhh ahhh heee heeee oooohhhhaaaa!
So, we will see you soon, won’t we? Bring your friends– they’ll fit in the pot too! Yeeeehheeeee!!

– Bradi Jones, General manager

Soundgarden CD Release Party

OK, summer was here a minute ago. Where the heck did it go? Sure seemed to be in a hurry to get outta town. And to make matters more lovely, King 5 News had this as a recent headline: “Brace yourself, La Nina threatens wetter, colder NW winter.” Why can’t news occasionally be good?

But we planned for this eight-month-long weather crapfest, starting with the Soundgarden CD release party for Telephantasm, their first album in 13 years. It’s a two-CD retrospect, but it’s loaded with a bunch of cool obscure tracks from the band’s 12-year career, as well as some hits and hidden gems. And if I haven’t honked this horn loud and long enough, I was honored to be asked to contribute the album’s liner notes. The release party is set for Monday, September 27th, 10PM. We’ll be playing the CD in its entirety, which means you can hear and buy it at The Feedback before it goes on sale nationwide the next day. We’ll have some surprises as well. (Don’t speculate – you’ll only stress yourself out.)

Over the following months The Feedback Lounge will play host to several rather unique parties, including Halloween (wait ‘til you see what Bradi Jones, our drop dead gorgeous and endlessly talented GM is planning), and a new spin on traditional holiday parties. Speaking of, we’re now taking reservations now for your private or company holiday event. We can do everything from creating a specific menu to custom designing a drink for your guests. Shoot us an e-mail at feedbacklounge@gmail.com to hold a date or just to ask some questions. (Be sure and include your phone number – We’d rather respond in person.)

Elsewhere, The Feedback is up for “Best Cocktails” in King 5’s annual Best of Western Washington poll. We won first place in 2009, but the competition is stiff for 2010. We say bring it – Matt Johnson’s ground-breaking cocktail concoctions are putting us on the map. Yeah, it’d be cool to win again, but Matt’s always looking to (pardon the pun) raise the bar on his drink recipes, regardless of a contest. If you think we’re deserving of the title, we’d appreciate your vote, which you can do by clicking HERE.

Can’t say recipe without thinking food – and we’re almost ready to roll out our fall/winter lunch/dinner menu, with new tasty dishes as well as our tried ’ n true classics. The Feedback Lounge Kitchen Kings have worked on the entrees all summer long, testing, tasting and tweaking. When we do put it on the glass, you can pretty much forget about ever eating at home again.

Lots more coming up, including our plans for 2011, some redecorating, more rock memorabilia, and (crossing fingers) consistent blog updates. (We’d do it more often, but we keep getting distracted by Matt’s killer cocktails.)

And if I haven’t mentioned, a Feedback Lounge hoodie is just the thing to keep La Nina from making you wish you lived in Arizona. Or Ballard.

– Jeff Gilbert, co-owner

Elvis Lives at the Feedback

Elvis Tribute Night
Tuesday, August 17, 6:30PM

We’re honoring the King (who passed on August 16, 1977), with a unique event, starting with our friend and noted rock author Gillian G. Gaar, whose new book, Return of the King: Elvis Presley’s Great Comeback, has just been released [Genuine Jawbone Books]. Gillian will be on hand to sign copies of the book at 6:30PM, as well as co-hosting a special Elvis-themed Rock Trivia session at 8PM with our very own Chachi Beck. There’ll be special Elvis prize packages for the top 5 scoring participants as well.

We also have the Elvis Traveling Museum van stopping by (you gotta see this thing). Need more E? We’ll be playing an extended set of Elvis’ best rock songs and showing Elvis in concert on the big screen. Plus, we have a special Elvis cocktail designed by the award-winning Matt Johnson. (He’s blushing as we speak.)

Houston Press reviewed Return of the King: Elvis Presley’s Great Comeback and stated, “Author Gillian Gaar did exhaustive research for the book, including many contemporary interviews with Presley’s bandmates and associates. Her most interesting chapters delve into the background behind the TV special – simply titled Elvis, but universally known as The Comeback Special.”

Come meet Gillian, get a copy of her book, and read the chapter about what happened at the taping of the Comeback Special, which is long-regarded one of television’s landmark rock moments. And learn the inside secrets of that famous black all-leather suit he wore. (Elvis sweated so much that it had to be peeled off his body and dried with hair-dryers to look fresh for the 8 p.m. taping.)

Get here early to snag the book as the supply is limited. You’ll still be able to get a copy from Easy Street Records and/or Amazon.com in case you dawdle and the thing sells out.

The Best Drinks You’ve Never Had

SUNDAY, JULY 25

Matt Johnson, Feedback Lounge’s master drink craftsman, is raising the bar (no pun intended) with a new series of infused cocktails. Matty went to the farmer’s market and bought a bushel of fresh strawberries (he shoved a few down his yap while the clerk wasn’t looking, just to ensure quality and taste ratio), washed ‘em in water that came from Mt. Olympus, loaded ‘em up in big air-tight jars and bathed the precious fruit in a variety of liquors. Out of this he’ll make flavor-rich drinks that will get you all giddy and/or life-fulfilled.

And that’s just for starters. Sunday, August 1st, Matt’s doing it again, this time with blueberries so plump, you’d think they were purple hot dogs. With fruit so abundant at the market right now, expect more extreme infusions, like cherries, pineapples and coconuts. (OK, maybe not that last one as the shell is kinda bitter.)

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Matt’s not the only one with drink-making skillz. We asked the stunningly lovely ladies of Feedback to each create a “Girls of Summer” cocktail, each representing their own personalities and sense of deliciousness. Every Wednesday you can come in and try any one (or more) of five new cocktails designed by Gia, Kassie, Nell, Leslie and Allison. Here’s what they made especially for YOU…

Gia’s cocktail (debuting July 28)
IN THE GARDEN
Ingredients: Gin, Tomato, Celery Syrup, Cucumber

Kassie’s cocktail (debuting August 4):
GREECE IS THE WORD
Ingredients: Ouzo, St. Germain Elderflower, Lime

Allison’s cocktail (debuting August 11):
CARCIOFO
Ingredients: Gin, Cynar, Lemon, Grapefruit Bitters

Leslie’s cocktail (debuting August 18):
LIL’ DOBBIE
Ingredients: Cachaca, Falernum, Apricot Shrub, Lemon, Aperol

Nell’s cocktail (debuting August 25):
BACON MARY
Ingredients: Housemade Bacon and Roasted Garlic-infused Vodka, Tomato Juice, Olives, Fresh Horseradish, Spices

Exciting. Refreshing. Daring. Like skinny dipping in a public pool or hanging out with Lady Gaga. The other best part: the drinks are only $6 – a downtown drink for a West Seattle price. These kickers are being served every Wednesday, but you may get the ladies to whip one up for you on any of the other days that aren’t Wednesday, whatever those are.

Is It H.O.T., or Is It Just me?

My LAND and gravy! I haven’t felt this hot since I last watched a Guns ’N Roses video! The glowing orb up in the sky, beating down rays of goodness, makes me stop and think…WOW! I need a frosty cool beverage! And where does my little freshly-painted twinkley toes take me? Why, to the Feedback Lounge of course! Even though I grew up in the trailer, with all the vodka and grape Kool-aid I could drink, I have been turned to the side of Mr. OMJ’s cocktails! Drinks that make your mouth go “Ummmm — yes, maam, may I have another?”

As I mow my lawn just before dusk, I think of the St. Basil. In the words of my husband, one-famous Mr. Jones, this drink is like “mowing the lawn with your mouth open!” And YES, that is a compliment! As I lay my head down for an early evening nappers, I pop right back up with the thought, “My Lord, I haven’t had a Honeybush today! No wonder I’m getting sleepy!” My day wouldn’t be fullfilled without a tasty Honeybush!

So, take it from me – whether you love to chug-a-lug a frosty bottle of Bud as I do, or if you like to just hug and caress the keg of Manny’s, or if you dream of going to the place where St. Germaine is drank like water, then you need to join me for a cool one down at the ’ol FBL! See you there! I’ll be the one with the tube-top-romper and flip flops, with my trusty Jazzercise sunglasses on!!!

Catch’ya later!
Bradi Jones
Feedback Lounge, GM

Your Questions–Now With FREE Answers!

Did you make up all the cocktails on your list?
About half of them, with a couple contributed by current and former staff (Gia and Drew). The rest are old recipes from legendary bartenders born so long ago that they’re no longer not dead.

I was in the other night…
Excellent. That’s…you know, awesome.

Let me finish. I was in the other night and a creepy guy kept asking me questions about cheese. What can you do about it?
That was me. I was trying to figure out what you wanted on your burger. And while I may be creepy, my mom says I’m cool and those who don’t just don’t know me well enough. Not that I’m desperate for anyone to like me better. P.S. Please like me better.

You know that one bartender? What’s his deal?
We have one bartender that’s part Ork. I’m not telling you which one.

Your fries taste unhealthy and delicious. I should be concerned about the “unhealthy” part, but I don’t care.
That’s not a question.

Can I have a job?
I don’t know, CAN you? I always wanted to do that. In your face, mom!

I heard you and your wife recently had a baby. Can I hold her?
We did, and they both make me happy now, as opposed to just one of them making me happy previously. And no, you can’t. Hey, sorry, I had no say in it. My little girl’s only six weeks old, but she makes the decisions. She’s got an iron will, despite not being able to hold her own head up yet.

I’m bored with all my music. What should I do?
If you like the rock, go buy all the Black Keys albums, a bunch of Hellacopters, and Baby by the Detroit Cobras. If you need some whiskey-throat country rock, buy Rebels, Rogues, and Sworn Brothers by Lucero. If you like the growly metal, get The Way of All Flesh by Gojira. There are more, but that should keep you busy for a couple days.

I was the guy who tagged your bathroom a couple months back. Did you enjoy my “art”?
Yes. I enjoyed it so much I’d like to discuss it with you more. There’s a contract for providing us with much more art along with a hundred thousand dollar cash advance back in the liquor room. Yep, right over there – just past where I had to jackhammer the floor up and dig a large hole for, uh, plumbing problems. Shhhhhhhhhhh…it’ll all be okay soon.

Do you know how to make a Flaming Monkey Ass Juice shot? My friends and I made it up the other night. It was orange.
Nope. I wasn’t there when you made it, remember? Wait, was I there? Stop freaking me out.

You look like you need a haircut.
I do. I apologize for my ugliness. Please refer to the question about the newborn baby for an excuse. I’ll be using that for a LOT of things for a long time. Matter of fact, why don’t we all go ahead and just assume that whatever question you have with regard to my appearance, tardiness, eye-bags, weight-gain, foot pain, mental aptitude, change-making ineptitude, order-taking forgetfulness, or thousand-yard stare will be answered the same way. It won’t always be true, but we can still play our little game.

All these questions are obviously fake. Can we ask real ones?
By God, if you’ve read this far, I salute thee and invite you to ask whatever questions you want via the comments. I’ll answer them all. Really. Please notice that I didn’t promise a time frame. Also please notice when I DO get a haircut, cuz it’s not like it’s easy to take 10 minutes out of my way. Thank you, and please remember what I said about the ghost that lives in the mop closet. Uh, wait, I didn’t mention that. Forget I said anything.

Heart,
Matt J