Comments

1
Damn, firemen really are heroes who just do the shit that has to be done. Tough night for everyone.
2
Brendan, please write a feature on D&J and their musical lives. No one else could do it right.
3
thanks for being there, brendan, and allowing those who weren't able to join in the mourning/celebration a way to share in the moment.
4
Does anyone have any info on the other victims at Cafe Racer? I have not seen anything about the woman or other man. Relieved to hear their chef survived and is doing better.
5
8. There were still a fair amount of people there at 10:45pm or so, some music being played, some people leaving more flowers/candles/whatnot, people spilling into the street. TV peeps did their few minutes of live shots at 11pm and then fled the scene. Police were tolerant regarding all the people in the street, but eventually had people fully move up onto the sidewalk and alley so people wouldn't get hit by cars zooming by. Some stayed and played music in the alley, some moved up to the rooftop and played there. It was after midnight and the sounds of accordions, a tuba, fiddles, a banjo, etc. were still floating through the air.
6
Beautiful, Brendan.
xo
7
As a misplaced Seattleite, I can't thank you enough for sharing this. I have a deep fondness for the Roosevelt neighborhood and Cafe Racer, and this ain't gonna stop me from continuing to visit that bar each and every time I'm in town. Probably I'll spend even more money than I usually do. Dunno if karma exists, but I'm gonna will a little of the good side on what remains of one of my favorite places in Seattle.
8
"The crowd gathered at the police line to watch their friends blood being washed out" is the saddest line I have ever read and I feel only rage when reading it.
9
Thank you for sharing a personal view. I recently moved away from Seattle for the first time, and had spent all of my teen years hanging around their rehearsal space working with many of their friends. Those musicians playing are people I would want to be there with and for, so for me and for others who are closer to them but stuck far away, it's wonderful to have an online insight into how the community is mourning the loss and taking care of itself. Sending love to everyone I couldn't come to hug! Thank you also to those who are sensitive rather than antagonizing as to the cause of the tragic violence. It appears D already had understood the importance of inclusion and compassion and was robbed of the ability to continue the effort or seek further help. I hope Seattle will keep taking up that fight.
10
Seeing everyone in varied emotional states with beautiful music playing immediately brought tears to my eyes. I'd never experienced something like that vigil before.
11
it's strange how memories make connections. i was in cafe racer with
a buddy of mine, drinking beers, and wasting time awhile back. now
to see it associated with something like this throws you for a loop. a
part of you almost believes you could possibly understand some of
the elements, or the thinking behind what may have went wrong. but
to push yourself beyond to such a degree is something i will never be
able to comprehend. best wishes to the remaining patrons who lived
through the experience, and hopefully the place will rebound soon.
12
Please enter the fight for stronger gun control laws.
13
Why not leave your cynicism of the media home? Although you couched your story as simply being an acquaintance, you were doing what they did.
14
Why beat on the media? You couched your presence as an acquaintance however you still did what the media do.
15
Just a thot on helping the rebound: while you're making sure the Cafe Racer survives, it would be well also to find a way to help the families of those who lost their main breadwinner in this if you have the means. If something could be arranged to collect and deliver it, directing the price of a drink each time you visit the cafe to a fund for the families would be good emotional support for them as well as financial help.
Lu Kramer, May 31, 2012, 8:55pm
16
@13/14 This is the only article so far I've found consoling/inspiring. Please let it be that... There is a difference between sharing observations, particularly which are a great benefit to others and pay respects in keeping with the wake itself, and prying and terrorizing for details and graphic depictions. I would say this serves as an example of what journalism should be doing more of!

And why criticize his personal connection, he is grieving too. All it takes is looking up how many times The Stranger covered, promoted and supported Circus Contraption and God's Favorite Beefcake to corroborate his claim. But there's no reason to make this about that at all!

Thank you to the Stranger for seeking to cover this tragedy legitimately, and thank you to Brendan for sharing a personal view very artfully and sincerely. It presents the human heart of what is really going on here. Thank you again.
17
I agree with the writer who said that this was the only article that I'd read that was consoling. Thanks for being there Brendan, thanks for bringing us there. Goodbye Shmootzi the Clod and Mashugana Joe.
18
Thank you, Brendan. You have always been a great friend to Circus Contraption and its members. A memorial service and fundraiser for the families will be held at Hale's Palladium on Monday June 4 at 7pm. I'll try to communicate more details as they come in. Love and care to all our Circus friends...
19
Beautifully written. Our condolences.
Victory Review
www.victorymusic.org

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