Crappy Indie Music -- The Blog!: Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 15th to September 18th

Hello Dear Readers,

How are you? Really? Sorry to hear about that, but I am sure that if you slap on some of that ointment, it will clear right up. Anyway, there are loads of good shows this week. A week to be excited about for sure.

Monday, September 15th

A few musical performances that will make you say to yourself, "Gee, this is actually pretty cool".

The Doug Fir is having Ida play a show. They make good, albeit kind of calmer, music. They are also not from Portland. TJO (Tara Jane O'Neal) however is. She makes really good music (albeit on the calmer side as well). Actually if Ida's myspace is correct TJO might actually be a "special guest" band member. Only one way to found out if this is true. There is a $10 cover. The music starts at 9 PM.

Rererato is having a night of ambient-ish spacey noise bands in the form of Thousand Points of Light and Synesthete Ensemble. It should be cool if you want to plop down on the floor and let the music wash over you. The ALL AGES show as a $4 suggested donation and starts at 7 PM.

Or if you don't feel like leaving the house, but you still want to hear live local music, then I suggest you tune into KPSU via the radio (1450 AM) or the Interweb at 10 PM. Starfucker will be doing a live set on Arya Amig's Sound Judgement. It will be good. Again the show is at 10 PM.

Tuesday, September 16th

There is some darned good stuff going on Tuesday.

Music Millennium is having an in-store performance by local band The Shaky Hands. I have only heard one track off of their new album, Lunglight (out on Holocene Music/ Kill Rock Stars), but I really enjoyed it. Iam going to try my hardest to see this performance because the price is right (FREE!). I am sure they will have copies of Lunglight for sale too. Nice. Plus, since it is an in-store it is also ALL AGES. Sweet! The music starts at 7 PM.

Speaking of Kill Rock Stars, another of their signees, Jeff Hanson (St. Paul), is playing at the Towne Lounge on Tuesday. The thing is that Martin of We're From Japan! played on the Jeff's new record, so there is a chance that he will play drums on Tuesday night as well (psst. He's a really good drummer). Krist Krueger, mostly recognized for his work as Southerely is playing a set as well. It is incredible to see Jeff Hanson sing. I have heard it described as "if Eliott Smith were an elf". I totally agree with this. The show costs $5 and starts at 9 PM.

The Someday Lounge is having a show with The Double U, Experitmental Dental School, and Valediction. I am not to familiar with the bands that are not Experimental Dental School. But I love me some Experimental Dental School. They come from the same school as Deerhoof (ie The Bay Area) and in fact are about to go on a tour with them. See them now while you still can for a reasonable price which is $6. The show starts at 9 PM.

Or you could go to the Zilla's open mic hosted by Y La Bamba every Tuesday. Sometimes good people play there. Sometimes not. It is a little like playing the lottery. There is no cover charge and it is ALL AGES. Usually things get under way at 8 PM.

Wednesday, September 17th

Here is what is going down. You Dig?

I believe there is an afternoon show by Carcrashlander at The University of Portland. The show is listed at starting at 12:30 PM. Since this is probably not at bar, it is most likely ALL AGES. There is no cost listed. So again, the Carcrashlander show is mostly FREE and ALL AGES and will start at 12:30 PM.

There is a film being made about James Chasse Jr., Alien Boy, the man who died in Portland Police custudy under some shady circumstances in 2006. This Wednesday there is a benefit for that film featuring Calvin Johnson (Olympia), Ah Holly Fam'ly, and Tender Forever as well as the filmmaker Brian Lindstrom. All of these music people are good. Plus it should be interesting to hear the film maker speak. The ALL AGES show is $12 (plus service charge so its actually closer to $15) and starts at 8 PM.

Holocene is having an interesting show called The Baroque Bash. It will feature Sophie Lux, part of the Portland Baroque Orchestra, and Clasical Revolution PDX. Not only will there be an abundance of Baroque and Baroque inspired music. The Audience is encouraged to come in their best Baroque outfits (thats powdered wigs and such) as there will be a costume contest as well. I will just say this now, Sophie Lux puts on a spectacular show. This show is $8 (unless you are in costume, then it is $6) and starts at 9 PM.

Rotture is also having a show. Theirs is more of the heavier variety with acts Shat, Shunt (Vancouver, WA), and With Eyes Abstract providing the music. I mostly remember With Eyes Abstract being pretty good when AristeiA played with them. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Thursday, September 18th

There are several above average shows happening tonight. Choose wisely.

Backspace is having a CD Release/Tour Kick Off show for AristeiA (a pretty awesome instrumental PDX based Post-Rock band). Nice. The best thing is that the rest of the line up is pretty incredible as well. It consists of Hockey, Nanda Devi, and Westfold.Seriously Check all of these bands. They are so good. And for the low low price of $5. You cannot lose. The ALL AGES showstarts at 8 PM.

The Artistery is having a pretty cool show too. There's has Seattle legends Earth. They are actually going on tour with another Seattle act Stembo who will be here as well. Experitmental Dental School will also be playing. If you missed them on Tuesday, here is you second chance. Nice. This ALL AGES show starts at 7 PM and is $8.

Starfucker will also be having its CD release party on Thursday at Doug Fir. Theirs is a two parter. This represents partone: The ALL AGES early show. This show has openers Southern Belle and Guidance Counselor. I still have not seen Southern Belle and I am starting to wonder if I ever will. I caught Guidance Counselor at PDX Pop and had a very good time. I have been assured by a good source that he is usally even better when their is better sound and people are actually dancing (I am not say you have to dance. I am just saying). This ALL AGES show has a $7 and and starts at 5 PM.

Part Two of the Starfucker release show at Doug Fir is 21 and up. This show has Dykeritz and DJ Beyonda opening. I know plenty of people who read this are and
really down with Dykerritz (and I haven't really met anyone is isn't down with Starfucker). So this show listing is for you guys. There is a $10 cover and the show starts at 9 PM.
If you are one of those types that despises seeing music in a club setting, there is a good house show happening at 220 House. Ghost to Falco is playing with Father Murphy (Italy). Though admittedly I am not familiar with Father Murphy, I totally can back up Ghost to Falco as I have seen him play a few times and have enjoyed them. He sometimes plays with a band and sometimes just loops up a storm to create his dark music. Good stuff. There is no listed cover for the show, but I would imagine that the Italian band would gladly acceprt donations for gas money and what not. The show starts at 8 PM.
Laurelthirst Public House, a place where I have never seen a show, is having a show that I wish i could see. Leonard Mynx, Telescope Vehicle, and Michael Dean Damron (Mike. D formerly of I Can Lick any Sonofabitch in the House). I played with Leonard Mynx before where Telescope Vehicle was also supposed to play but could not due to circumstances out of their hands. Looks like they are playing this show with out me this time. But I assure you that Michael Dean Damron is way better than I would have been. This show is $4 and starts at 9 PM.