Startlefish and Steve Mozarowski at the Speakeasy

"More fun than monkeys in your pants."

That's what my husband, Rob Slack, has to say about Startlefish.

I think frontman, Craig West, would enjoy that quote.

Startlefish will be playing with special guest, Steve Mozarowski from the local punk band Smeltzer, at the Speakeasy today, September 23.

Tee off time is set for 9:30 p.m. with Mozarowski opening with, well, I'm not quite sure.

"I have no idea what I'm going to be playing yet," was his reply when asked if he was going to tone down some Smeltzer tunes for his acoustic half-hour set.

Mozarowski is a man of few words.

Now, I know what you're thinking.

The dude from Smeltzer and Startlefish seem like an odd pairing for a night of music, but it just so happens the duo goes back a bit.

It was approximately two years ago when Smeltzer played a show at the Bellevue Park band shell and West approached the band afterward to inform them they needed to record an album with him.

"We really didn't feel we had a choice," says Mozarowski.

It is now two years later and the album is not finished yet, but I have heard evidence of its existence.

This delay could be due in part to the recording and upcoming release of The Debtors Heart, the second Startlefish album, or as West describes it, "Startlefish's second first album."

With the addition of Shayne Wigglesworth as not only guitar player, but also singer and songwriter, Startlefish has moved from one man's singer/songwriter vision to a more cohesive full band sound, reflecting influences such as U2, the Police and Pink Floyd.

At the time of Startlefish's first release Regretfully Yours, West was the only concrete band member, with drummer Ed Young playing the role of "hired gun" and a revolving door of bass players.

Now West has moved over to bass full time, Young has graduated to permanent member and all three bring their own unique angles to the music.

Oddly enough, it will not be Young on drums at the Speakeasy show, nor will it be their backup drummer, Mark Gough.

Miguel Gauthier of Stereo Soul Studios will fill the shoes of "hired gun" that night.

As the producer of The Debtors Heart, no one but the band would know the songs better, making Gauthier the perfect replacement.

Following Mozarowski's lead, Startlefish's first set will be acoustic with the second being a full-band electric closer.

Startlefish will take the stage around 10:30 p.m. and there is no cover for this show.

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