El Steiner Plays Downright Happy-To-Be-Alive Rock

Who are the members of El Steiner?

Michael Foster, percussion

Mike Watt, guitar

Rich Friel, lead bass, vocals, conductor

Larry Steiner, vocals

"The Hawk," guitar

Marty Friel, drums

"M.W.," guitar

It's been weeks and there's still no sign of Larry.

When a band forms around the exuberant personality of one charismatic person, it's helpful to keep tabs on the whereabouts of that person. Right now Larry Steiner is in Italy working on a movie called "Toast of the Gods."

"Well, Larry `acts' in the movie, but he's really just being Larry!" says drummer Marty Friel.

El Steiner technically got together around 1990, but that pervasive Steiner influence has been around for for years.

"I saw him dancing on the tabletops and singing along to Jimi Hendrix on the radio at Espresso Roma," says M.W. "I used to call him `El Steiner,' so I guess that's where the name came from. I thought, ` "This guy needs a band behind him!' "

Now something of a local legend, Steiner has appeared in videos for Stone Temple Pilots, Mother Love Bone and Pearl Jam, just whirling away, doing his thing, dancing and emoting and `just being Larry.' "

While the singer Steiner performs in his spontaneous and unpredictable style, the band El Steiner plays spontaneous, unpredictable, and downright happy-to-be-alive-and-playing rock 'n' roll.

"We're just fortunate enough it all works," says Marty Friel. "I mean, no other band can do what we do." The band prides itself on its musicianship and ability to play a wide range of music. The members claim not to practice a whit, instead just meeting occasionally to discuss the odd band issue or chord-progression for a new song. Their live sets consist of whatever they feel like playing, from Ted Nugent or Kiss favorites to a new tune created on the spot. The Art of Larry, and the orchestration by Rich Friel, are the guiding lights.

"Rich is a brilliant orchestrator," says M.W. "He came in, got us together and helps keep us together on stage. He's the guy always yelling `B flat! A!' "

The band met with immediate success after its first show at the OK Hotel in 1990, and the members attribute a huge chunk of their success to their loyal and energetic under-age fans.

"Our core is the all-ages fans and venues," said M.W. "The kids have more fun, and the shows aren't all about an alcohol thing. They're really into the music. They know all the words and sing along to our songs. So it's hard now that there really isn't a venue for them anymore around here."

El Steiner also loves to play for a worthy cause. It has participated in benefits for the Chicken Soup Brigade and the Bothell Food Bank, and is adamant in support of the pro-choice movement.

And despite thechaos surrounding the band, it's still managed to put out a tape that sells out at every show, and a CD is slated for release in March 1995. El Steiner created its own label, NS Records.

Where to catch El Steiner: Saturday night, Dec. 17, at the OK Hotel, 212 Alaskan Way S., phone 621-7903.

Where to buy El Steiner: Self-titled cassette available for purchase at shows or at Fallout Records, 1506 E. Olive Way on Capitol Hill.

Are you in a local band? If you'd like to be considered for Sound Check, send a cover letter telling us about your band and your upcoming gigs, the name and daytime phone number of your manager or contact person, a tape and a photo to Sound Check, c/o Jan Even, Seattle Times, PO Box 70, Seattle WA 98111.