Spokane Doesn't Suck

People think Spokane sucks. They're wrong.
This Friday night, in the heart of our fair city, 38 local bands will play shows across 6 venues, and you can go for a mere $5… or $10 if you’re lazy and wait til the day of the show. The lineup looks awesome, and the night promises to be a good time. Pod job, Inlander, for putting this together. Get info and your wristbands at www.inlander.com/volume First ever local music block parties don’t suck.

This Friday night, in the heart of our fair city, 38 local bands will play shows across 6 venues, and you can go for a mere $5… or $10 if you’re lazy and wait til the day of the show.

The lineup looks awesome, and the night promises to be a good time. Pod job, Inlander, for putting this together.

Get info and your wristbands at www.inlander.com/volume

First ever local music block parties don’t suck.

Brandon Vasquez

The first person we’re going to feature in our series of posts about people in Spokane who don’t suck is Brandon Vasquez. We could do an intro, but Brandon’s answers speak for themselves. If you know someone you think we should feature, let us know.

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1. How long have you lived in Spokane?

I’ve been in the area since ‘87 (minus 2 years in MI for college).  I lived in Medical Lake and Fairchild AFB during most of this time before moving to Spokane proper in 2009.

2. What do you do in Spokane (for work, for place, etc.)?

At the moment I work full time at KREM 2 in the operations department. I keep busy doing behind-the-scenes stuff like on-air graphics, tape operator, and sometimes as studio cameraman for live newscasts. 

My true passions are drums and photography. I’ve been in a few bands (Most recently Dead Serious Lovers and Mon Chéri (2009-2012) - and shot various photos for people/events: http://bvasquezphoto.com

 3. What are your thoughts on why Spokane doesn’t suck?

As much as I wanted to submit a somewhat humorous, snarky post for this delightfully clever blog, I ultimately decided Spokane deserves much more than that. It is important to highlight some positives, since I’ve encountered so many haters, even close friends and locals.

Why does Spokane not suck? Why have I not forsaken this city like so many others? There are many reasons, and I shall list them:  

  • In the inland northwest, you can experience all 4 seasons, and to the extreme. Don’t like the weather? Wait a couple weeks. It’ll be different.
  • Barely any traffic to deal with, ever. Light rush hour.  Easy commutes…  even though there’s some seriously horrible drivers out there. 
  • The city truly is beautiful, with its gorgeous scenery down by the river sprinkled in amidst some interesting architecture and landmarks.
  • Despite this ‘recession’, Spokane seems to be growing in its options for how you spend your money. There are plenty of interesting places popping up, local shops as well as national names that we’ve missed out    on for years. Businesses seem to be focusing on quality service, products, design, and customer experience. Restaurants are giving us more and more options for tasty meals, often utilizing local sources for food. Northwest wines and craft beers are booming, and there are lots of great spots to imbibe in something that’s NOT Bud Light Lime. And of course, a number of quality coffee shops focused on better coffee, from roasters that care about from where and whom the coffee comes from.
  • If you don’t like to do ‘city-folk’ things, you can travel any direction and find something outdoors-y to do. Rivers, forests, mountains, deserts, lakes surround Spokane. There are many opportunities for biking, skiing, rafting, hiking, boating, etc. There’s even some cool dog parks in the city. 
  • The arts community is starting to spread its wings some more I think. First Friday is a great way to get out, go downtown, and be exposed to some local creativity. Terrain is also a great organization spotlighting the younger artists and musicians of Spokane. The MAC is a neat museum that also hosts Begin parties every month showcasing their galleries as well as local artists and food vendors. Being part of the music scene, I can say that although it has some obvious shortcomings (venue closures, poor turnout), there are some great bands popping up and great shows to be seen. Besides regular shows around town, there are opportunities to see these bands in action at local festivals like Elkfest, Pig Out in the Park, and now the Inlander Block Party.

Admittedly this is actually a fairly basic list, only brushing the surface. There are so many other great things about Spokane, too many to list, but come to think of it, I realize it is kind of imperative to at least mention the events of Bloomsday, Hoopfest, Artfest, and Pig Out in the Park, etc.

Ultimately, Spokane is a place I’m proud to call home. It is a city that certainly has some growing to do, but it is quite exciting to be part of that change as a young adult. Enjoy this town and stop complaining. If something needs to be different, make something happen.

Cities that have donut shops that are this awesome don’t suck. If you haven’t experienced Donut Parade yet, you… you should. Don’t be fooled by their website; they’re awesome.

SDS has been on something of a hiatus lately, in case you hadn’t noticed. But this very day (in the shower) an idea came that really doesn’t suck. A major reason why Spokane doesn’t suck is the people who make it up. We have artists, baristas, entrepreneurs, barbers, bloggers, shoemakers, sandwich makers, and way more that make this place what it is. And we’d like to feature them… And here’s how it’ll work. We’ll start out with a few people we know. We’ll feature them and ask them why they think Spokane doesn’t suck. But we won’t only feature people we know. We want to feature people you know, too. Maybe even you, dear readers. If you’re interested in being featured, send a photo of yourself (because people don’t read things that don’t have photos) and answers to the following questions to spokanedoesntsuck@gmail.com 1. How long have you lived in Spokane? 2. What do you do in Spokane (for work, for play, etc.)? 3. What are your thoughts on why Spokane doesn’t suck? Let the great experiment begin!

SDS has been on something of a hiatus lately, in case you hadn’t noticed. But this very day (in the shower) an idea came that really doesn’t suck.

A major reason why Spokane doesn’t suck is the people who make it up. We have artists, baristas, entrepreneurs, barbers, bloggers, shoemakers, sandwich makers, and way more that make this place what it is. And we’d like to feature them…

And here’s how it’ll work.

We’ll start out with a few people we know. We’ll feature them and ask them why they think Spokane doesn’t suck.

But we won’t only feature people we know. We want to feature people you know, too. Maybe even you, dear readers.

If you’re interested in being featured, send a photo of yourself (because people don’t read things that don’t have photos) and answers to the following questions to spokanedoesntsuck@gmail.com

1. How long have you lived in Spokane?

2. What do you do in Spokane (for work, for play, etc.)?

3. What are your thoughts on why Spokane doesn’t suck?

Let the great experiment begin!

Spokane’s getting a Chipotle. I’ve not heard better news in a very long time. See the Inlander’s article on the matter here. Barbacoa burrito bowls don’t suck.

Spokane’s getting a Chipotle. I’ve not heard better news in a very long time. See the Inlander’s article on the matter here.



Barbacoa burrito bowls don’t suck.

While they’re a little particular about the things they’ll take and won’t take, and their trucks are INSANELY loud, the fact that Spokane offers recycling doesn’t suck.

While they’re a little particular about the things they’ll take and won’t take, and their trucks are INSANELY loud, the fact that Spokane offers recycling doesn’t suck.

There are two (excellent) disc golf courses in Spokane. Right in the city. No major travel required to access them — minus avoiding construction, but hey you can’t win ‘em all, right? Downriver and Highbridge. Check them out before it gets too cold. Also check out the Spokane Disc Golf Association if you’re into it.

There are two (excellent) disc golf courses in Spokane. Right in the city. No major travel required to access them — minus avoiding construction, but hey you can’t win ‘em all, right?

Downriver and Highbridge. Check them out before it gets too cold.

Also check out the Spokane Disc Golf Association if you’re into it.

Nice people don’t suck. Nor do people who take time to write the Inlander about nice people.

Nice people don’t suck. Nor do people who take time to write the Inlander about nice people.

Plain and simple, cities that have Apple stores don’t suck.

Plain and simple, cities that have Apple stores don’t suck.

Riverfront Park: right in the heart of downtown and right on the Spokane River. It’s got a carousel and a sweet fountain that humans and other animals can play in on hot summer days. Plenty of running trails and beautiful views. Ok sure, there’s a lot of construction going on currently… but once that’s done, we’ll be back in full swing. Public spaces this pretty in the middle of a city don’t suck.

Riverfront Park: right in the heart of downtown and right on the Spokane River. It’s got a carousel and a sweet fountain that humans and other animals can play in on hot summer days. Plenty of running trails and beautiful views. Ok sure, there’s a lot of construction going on currently… but once that’s done, we’ll be back in full swing.

Public spaces this pretty in the middle of a city don’t suck.