Lee “Scratch” Perry
Flamingo Cantina, Saturday, March 17
There’s a continuum of showcase punctuality: on-time, late, really late, island time, and city-code violation. The last was sadly experienced by those at Lee “Scratch” Perry’s evening-closing set. Sonic chemist and studio impresario Perry is a Jamaican music legend, something evident two hours before his scheduled 1am slot when the Flamingo Cantina posted a “sold out” sign (badges/wristbands only, space permitting). Undeterred, a few enterprising chaps snuck in from an adjacent rooftop. By 2:30am, the Grammy winner’s backers – Brooklyn’s Dub Is a Weapon – were solo, thanks in part to prior bands who were tardy. The 71-year-old Perry finally hit stage at 2:45am, but after two songs, the cops ordered the PA silenced, something unlikely in Seattle or Chicago. No one left happy.
This article appears in March 23 • 2007.