Rhymes with Seltzer

Related Content

• Counting Crows' Openers Mean Creek And The Power of Pop
  April 11, 2012
• Baby, I'm at Star
  February 15, 2012
• Cha:n Is a Cute Little Place with Little, Little Dishes
  May 21, 2012
• Stars Bar & Grill Karaoke, Where Staying in Key Proves Costly
  February 10, 2012
• The 15 Best '90s Movie Soundtracks
  September 15, 2011

More About

• Koichi Koyama
• Federal Way
• The Smashing Pumpkins
• Gardening
• Flowers

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

In response to last week's Rhymes With Seltzer, Koichi Koyama of Federal Way writes:

"It was disturbing to see Smashing Pumpkins listed as a participle phrase band when 'smashing,' thus used, is adjectival, not participial—didn't you graduate high school? You then assert that Dreaming of Wet Panties (U.S.) are the equal (or better!) of Counting Crows. Wrong! The American DOWP are the shits, daddy. I was further dismayed by your omission of a truly excellent participle band, Painting Daisies. I've caught them on numerous occasions, and they are the finest unit I know featuring tuba, tambourine, and electro-acoustic wah-wah stick. Please plug 'em next time they make the scene."

No, Koichi, I didn't finish high school (why should anyone?), but I know my participles. While the word cluster "smashing pumpkins" may not be quite up to snuff, phrasewise—it is kinda static, sure—"smashing" easily meets the criterion "a verb form used with an auxiliary to indicate certain tenses, or which functions independently as an adjective" (emphasis mine).

But "right" and "wrong" in the professional crit biz? C'mon! (I suggest you take a long, stiff peek at Kant's Critique of Judgment before barking up that tree.)

As to Painting Daisies, thanks for the tip, muhfuh.

Painting Daises play Wazobia at 9 p.m. Thurs., July 11. $5