Pre-Plank Colin Upton’s old buddy Bryce-Thing (né Rasmussen) finally makes good on a longstanding threat to recruit the Planks into performing at an exhibition of his visual work at the Gallery Gachet (88 East Cordova). We will give it our anarchic best (cutting ourselves short only of Puke Theatre), and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Also featuring the opening of Florida artist Jordan Massengale’s work Sub-Urban Commentaries.

But what of Bryce’s work?  Let the curatorial blurb speak for it:

Vancouver-based Bryce Rasmussen’s Gutter Punk Space Opera chews on the themes of outsider, a reflection of his childhood, weaving epic personal myths, populated with monsters, spaceships and bedraggled heroes that seem to stumble through the backwaters of the mind. The work emerges through a liberal use of whatever medium is available – most often from the alleys around town. Focusing on isolation and rebellion, filtering the street culture through a wonky lens.

The only thing that could improve this grouping would be if his co-exhibitor’s show was instead entitled “Sub-Human Commentaries”. For a taste of his work, enjoy the two (decade-old) photos below of some of his earlier work on similar themes:

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Clark Nikolai took a heaping tablespoon of photos over the course of the evening:

the Planks Creak on

Our fervour was so vehement, we even stopped people in their tracks passing by on the sidewalk

The show was visited by our friends in the Margaret Charles Chopper Collective (MC3)

The joint, as they say, was jumping... albeit while we were still setting the PA up.

Caught in the act!

Rumblebucket manipulates his intriguing theremin.

Daisy Jones-Locher's santur also provoked its fair share of questions.

The artist is moved to join us on the harmonica

At long length, the Puke Theatre principals determine they can't keep up with us

A Sunday afternoon sharing (at a secret location — but not THE secret location) of musical arrangements of the children’s poems of author Shel Silverstein (whose “Polly” we’ve been getting some good mileage out of since debuting it at our Penthouse gig)… plus Planks covering some of his more famed songs already covered by others. (Meta-covering?) For more information about the particulars of the show (contested by the Silverstein estate), please contact the ringmaster of the arrangements at peppermillrecords.com/contact

Running from 8 pm until well past midnight, this culmination of the Rio’s (1660 E. Broadway at Commercial Drive) April series of concerts will be featuring screenings and musical accompaniment by Tarran the Tailor, Blackberry Wood and Maria in the Shower, including special guests the Mind of a Snail puppet troupe (of “the Laughing Disease” fame)… and (of course!) the Creaking Planks, joining forces with Travis to demonstrate a certain magical, musical spirit cabinet. A craft market will be set up and the first few rows of chairs removed to maximalise DANCE PARTY potential! Admission is $15, but these supertoys last all summer long.

The facts are well-established:  We do good work at the Little Mountain Studios (195 E. 26th Avenue at Main), and we do good work with Erin Graves.  Why not put one in the other?  (A: because the LMS will not fit inside Miss Graves.)

A command performance for some distinguished visiting dignitaries from Phalonious J. Knucklebones’ storied past, this show sees us flexing our creative muscles (there, to the left of the goof glands) in a space that’s practically our home away from home. Joining us again is Erin Graves contributing a set on the keys, likely again commandeering a chunk of the Planks to be her back-up ensemble (Gravesdiggers?) Doors at 8; music should certainly be well underway by 9 pm. By donation.