Fast Fact: Chris Walla the Cougar



Did you know that Chris Walla was a cougar?

It’s true! The cougar in question was the mascot for Bothell High School, Walla’s alma mater. Walla, guitarist for Death Cab for Cutie and producer for groups like the Decemberists and Nada Surf, once wandered BHS’s hallowed halls, taking classes when he wasn’t in bands. During this time he played in a short-lived band called the Wallflowers and was also an early member of the Long Winters. Another BHS alum had different plans. That would be Senator Patty Murray. •

Illustration by Regina Volpi Baerwalde for City Arts.