Doing the Wash

Washboards always remind me of old-timey clothes washing techniques, and by extension, my mother. She will never, ever forgive her older sister for threatening to put her through the clothes wringer if she didn't behave (or leave her sister alone, or do her chores for her, or something -- not sure about the exact reason for the threat, but it clearly made an impression). I can only assume that the washboard was a pre-wringer washing tool that, perhaps, has just-as-serious connotations for my poor mom.

What washboards do NOT remind me of is loud, swinging, rhythm-y folk/blues music from Minneapolis. At least until this weekend, when we saw The Brass Kings perform in Potrero. Our neighbors know the washboard player, who teams up with a washtub bass player (what would the technical term for that, do you think?) and a guitar player/singer/songwriter. They were great! (This is where I refrain from going into any more detail for fear that Dave will tell me I was wrong or something. You'll just have to check them out yourself. They play at the MN State Fair later this month.)

A few additional notes to share:

• Their name comes from the brand of washboard they typically use.
• We learned that zinc washboards just don't do the trick -- too soft. So stick to harder metals.
• Thee Parkside in Potrero (at 17th and Wisconsin) is a great divey bar with amazing grill food. Grass-fed beef burgers to die for. (How many bars use grass-fed beef? It's crazy here.)

And finally, what are the chances that the California Jug Band Festival is this coming weekend?