Classic rock band

Marquee draws record-breaking crowds

photo -- Patrice Raplee

by Patrice Raplee and Charles Raplee

The escalating number of classic rock bands in Portland comes as no surprise. The appeal of music from those hormone-driven adolescent days of the '70s reminds most of us in our '30s and '40s of staying up late in anticipation of watching favorite bands on Burt Sugarman's Midnight Special. While MTV and VH-1 have taken the place of that vintage rock TV show, the allure of classic rock prevails.

Marquee, a four-man band of dynamic presentation, leads the pack of the comeback kids. For the last year, this relatively new band has drawn record-breaking crowds to the clubs where they perform. Kerry Stickler, lead guitar; Jim Killinger, bass; Cactus Davis, keyboard; and Rob Elliott on drums, formed the group with the intention of enjoying the kind of music they play and when. "We all have day jobs and nobody wanted an 800 milligram headache from trying to tour and stay booked night after night," states Stickler.

Each member of Marquee has a colorful and varied background. Stickler, originally form Lewiston, Idaho, grew up in a progressively religious family with his mother as church pastor. At the age of 17, Stickler's first band Casino started on the road to success by performing in a strip club. Of groups he was in over the years, Stickler says he was particularly fond of Road Kill and Black Sheep. All joking aside, this talented guitar player recently undertook the job of musical director for the Missing Children's Locate Center telethon at the Drum in S.E. Portland. It's not an easy job coordinating a line-up for the best blues musicians in the Northwest.

Raised in the Moses Lake area, Killinger's background in church bands and small musical groups have given him a solid foundation for his bass playing. In the service, Killinger often played with his band on the deck of an aircraft carrier while hosting a barbecue at the same time.

Davis, born and raised in Alaska, is the son of a commercial fisherman. Starting his musical career early, Davis joined America's Youth in Concert. This vocal group appeared at Carnege Hall; toured Europe; performed before the Queen of England and the Pope in Rome. Before moving to Seattle and finally Portland, Davis worked with singer and bandleader Taska Barlow in Alaska, (proving the six degrees of separation theory).

Elliott, a native of Indiana, grew up in Portland. In the '50s and '60s, his dad was in the Portland group Rapid Transit. The youngest member of Marquee remembers his dad sneaking him into clubs to play drums because he was underage. Drummer for the band Fate, Elliott was in the Andrew Dice Clay movie Brain Smasher. Apparently true to humorous form, Andrew Dice Clay asked Elliott upon meeting the group for the first time, "So, is your band any good?" "Yes." "Then get the F outta here." Obviously kidding, the good-natured actor ended up jamming on drums with Elliott.

Appearing at Tippy Canoe, 28242 E. Historic Columbia Hwy., in Troutdale, Marquee claims that this is their favorite haunt. With patrons packing the club to the rafters and vying for spaces on the dance floor, it is obvious these guys are no hacks. Starting off the night's set list, a wicked version of Stevie Ray Vaughan's Cold Shot comes gloriously well-mixed out of the PA. Progressing through the evening, tunes such as Born To Be Wild, What I Like About You and Runaway are executed with such energy and precision that even the sometimes-jaded writing staff of Positively Entertainment is completely impressed.

Marquee's version of Pink Cadillac is probably the best example of this group's crossover talent, (Aretha never intended four white boys to pull her song as a copy tune...maybe they should have been her backup band). Generally speaking, small odd-shaped rooms are hard to mix and the individual quality of instruments gets lost in the miasma of effects and barrage of volume. Marquee shows their professionalism and experience by taking the time to secure an accurate sound check and keep their volume within a reasonable level.

The group is currently working on a CD to be released in about five months. Containing all original compositions, the music is described as alternative rock with tones of heavy metal and crust, hold the anchovies. Marquee has the talent and presence to keep the listener around beyond the first set, even when it's standing room only. The experience of Stickler coming over to your table serenading you with searing Stevie Ray Vaughan licks on his Strat will definitely wipe out any malaise you might be feeling. For dates and schedule, check out Bandstand and Tippy Canoe ad this issue.

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