GALLERY: ’90s makes a comeback at Grant Co. Fairgrounds
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 6 months AGO
MOSES LAKE — Crowds of people decorated in colored flannels cheered as guitars were shredded and smashed, music blared and drinks sloshed at the third annual ’90s Flannel Fest.
The festival started Friday with Parabola, a Tool tribute band; Jar of Flies, an Alice in Chains tribute band; and Red Not Chili Peppers, a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band.
“It went extremely well as it usually does,” Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan said. “The performances were stellar; there was a lot of compliments from people about how good the bands were.”
Saturday festivities started at 2 p.m. and went on until the late hours of the night. Bands included Island in the Sun, a Weezer tribute band; Head Over Feet, an Alanis Morissette tribute; Fighting Foos, a Foo Fighters tribute band; 21 Guns, a Green Day tribute group; Superunknown, an ode Soundgarden; Nevermind, a Nirvana tribute band; Grand Royale, a Beastie Boys tribute band and Washed in Black, a Pearl Jam cover band.
Anthony Medici performed as a drummer for Island of the Sun, and guitarist and singer for Superuknown.
“It was a blast. It was great,” Medici said. “This is my first time here. It's beautiful.”
Nevermind performers Sean Ross, drummer; Nick Stone, singer and guitarist and Travis Wolfe, bassist said they had a blast at the festival.
“It was electrifying. I love it when they’re like bouncing on the barricade and it looks like it’s just gonna fall apart,” Stone said.
During the Saturday night performance, the band smashed both a guitar and a bass on stage during their final song. Wolfe said he had owned the bass since he was 14 and he doesn’t regret that it’s in pieces now.
“That was the first time we've ever smashed two on stage like that,” Wolfe said. “So, I loved it. That was really fun. I think the crowd was really digging us so we wanted to give them a finale they would remember.”
Grand Royale, a Beastie Boys tribute band is composed of the three MCs, MCAin’t, Mike Double D and BADRock, backed by a four-piece band including a DJ called the White Castle Combo.
“The crowds are always the best, so they think I'm pretty bossy when I'm up there, but they were pretty damn responsive tonight, so that was great,” Mike Double D said.
Grand Royale started about a month after original Beastie Boys member Adam “MCA” Yauch passed away May 4, 2012, from cancer according to Mike Double D. The three had been rapping together and saw an opportunity.
“And my thought was that, okay, we're lifelong Beastie Boys fans,” Mike Double D said. “Someone's going to make this tribute band, and there's a possibility they're going to screw it up, so we better do it first. So that's kind of where it came out of.”
The night concluded with an after-party performance from Washed in Black, a Pearl Jam tribute band.
“Please come out next year if you missed it,” Medici said. “You know, this is a great event. It's beautiful out here as locals already know, I'm sure. But hell, you know, this is a pretty special thing that we've got going here.”
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
‘Show up’
Local leaders say community voices shape schools, cities and trust
WARDEN — When Warden Mayor Rosaelia Martinez looked out over the audience at the April 28 Warden City Council meeting, she didn’t see empty seats. She saw neighbors. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.” That message – that showing up matters – was echoed by city and school leaders across the Columbia Basin, many of whom say public participation directly shapes decision-making, transparency and long‑term planning.
Warden council bans kratom, considers parking regulations
WARDEN — Warden City Council passed a kratom ban and special event permit Tuesday night. It also discussed its comprehensive plan update and an ordinance for parking regulations. Around 17 residents were in attendance, a fairly large showing for a Warden council meeting. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Mayor Rosaelia Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input because it really validates what a lot of people are hoping to achieve in the city. Thank you. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.”
Columbia Basin Hospital nominates Allred for board
EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Hospital received one application for a vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 3. Dr. Lowell Allred has applied for the role. He was officially nominated for the role at the April 28 board of commissioners meeting. “Public notice of this nomination shall occur between April 29 and May 14, to allow time for registered voters residing in the hospital district to also submit nominees for the vacant position,” said Chief Executive Officer Rosalinda Kibby.












