Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks For January 19th to 22nd

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I went to the Hush for the first time. Man, I gotta say it was a pretty cool space. It is the perfect size for a small to medium size band. The show was good, but I believe the hightlight was Down South Sallie and her band. Even though Sallie was sick and kept saying that she couldn't sing, she belt out her numbers like a champ (though there was a lot of coughing between the delivery of lines). Dahni Rosa played a quiet set with what I believe was the musical Hair Projected onto him. I was really intersting to hear his songs a) by himself (I am used to seeing them fleshed out by the rest of Eskimo and Sons) and b) with people dancing in various states of undress behind him. In my head I was all like, "that's a good line, BOOBS!". Grey Anne played a good but brief set which included her bringing up a friend Blie (Bly?) from Aulstralia to sing one of his songs (bonus!). Y La Bamba played too, but since I played in the band, I have no idea how it sounded. I do know that I ended up talking. A lot. Thanks to Anne for giving me an orange so that I would use my mouth for eating instead of carrying on with my ramblings (but seriously, how long does it take to tune a guitar?).

Anyways, These are the shows that show promise this week.

Monday, January 19th

I only see one show that I interested in, (because the Boys II Men show @ Spirit Mountain Casino is SOLD OUT):

Valentine's is having a show with Harsh Sunshine, Hot Victory, and Judy (featuring members of Swan Island I am told). I am not too familiar with either, but I have been impressed by some of the youtube videos of Hot Victory. They do a bunch where it is just the two drummers. Really Hot Victory is a two person drum solo (I realize this is contradictory) with some knob twiddling added. If you are into that sort of thing, check it out. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Tuesday, January 20th

It's my Birthday! Guess what I'm getting. A new president. Here are some shows you can watch in celebration of my birth:

Someday Lounge is having it's "2009 Inaugural Freakout!" wich will feature the music of Chrome Wings, Why I Must be Careful, Eyes Like Saucers, and Sustencula. All of these bands fall under the "experimental" umbrella which means that probably do not resemble each other much. I think I have been trying to catch Chrome Wings (on the It should be a good time. The show is $6 and starts at 9PM.

Rotture is having "40 Bands Fest". Today will feature the follwing bands: 57 Octaves Below, Adelitas, The Amalgams, Anon Remora, Autistic Youth, Boot City Blood Sox, Bookends,Book of Belial, Chores, Cower, Defect Defect, Downriver, Ealdath, Exit Collapse, Full Face Riot, Helghast, Jalin, Jeannie Reno, Kudzu, Machine Gun Congress, Maraud, Nathan Jr., Nux Vomica, Order of the Gash, Raw Nerves, Scene Ripper, Squalora, Superbad, Thee Caterpillar, Tim Messing, Torn to Pieces and Transient. Granted, of these bands I am only familiar with Chores and Cower, there is something about festivals I really like (pretty sure it is the exposure to bands I haven't heard). I also only count 32 bands, but I guess it doesn't sound as catchy as 40 bands fest. Regardless, even 32 bands for a mere $5 is a steal. The show is listed as starting at 9 PM, which means it will be a either a looooong night or very short sets. Perhaps both.

Wednesday, January 21st

There is a really sweet house show going on at The Dill Pickle (5231 NE 31st ave, Portland, Oregon 97211) with Polka Dot Dot Dot (Polka Dot Dot?) of Olympia, Grey Anne, Hey Tiger!, and Wisdom Tooth (New Mexico). I have nothing but amazing things about Polka Dot Dot Dot. And of Course you guys know I love Grey Anne shows. So basically this is a no brainer. There will be a $5 cover for this ALL AGES

Holocene is having a pretty good showcasing of local talent. They are having AAN, Ohioan (which ranges from one to thirteen members), Golden Hours, and Sigmund Henry. I am familiar with the first two and would hightly recomend seeing the show based on just them. But there are two more bands. Bonus! AAN announced via a myspace bulletin that they are debuting a new member and new equipment. Well shoot. I was blown away by their old members and old equipment. I would be stoked to see what these additions umm...add to the music. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Laurel Thrirst Publeic House will be having a show with some indie-roots type people. Namely Audie Darling and Run On Sentence. Audie Darling has, a dare I say, "sultry" voice and the the songs to back it up. She also has a really well hand-packaged CD that she usually sells at shows with said songs on them. Run On Sentence has been on my radar since October when he released an album on Hush records. I have not seen him. This looks like the perfect time to catch him in action. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

White Eagle Saloon is having a show with the jazz stylings of Blue Cranes. The Blue Cranes is one of the many many bands that I really like what I have heard online, but have been unable to catch a live show yet. Sam Howard Band and A Cationary Tale are also set to play this show. The best part is that it is FREE. The show starts at 8:30 PM.

Thursday, January 22nd

Gots some shows for you. And this is what they are.

The Doug Fir is having one of its Log Love shows (which are always all local). This one has a lineup of Leigh Marble, House of Badger, and Lowenbad1. I believe I have seen all of these names around town. Maybe its worth checking out? At $5, probably. The show starts at 9 PM.

The Fez is having a benifit concert to raise money for the National Leukemia/Lymphoma Society presented by L.O.V.E. Promotions. Aurora (seattle), The Jezebel Spirit (Portland/Corvallis), Break As We Fall, and Breviamore (Salem) will all be playing sets. I (as part of AristeiA) played a show once with Jezebel Spirit and they were pretty rad. Blood Cancers are not rad. This show is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The doors open at 7 PM.

So that is what I show as interesting to me. If you see me at any of these shows, you should walk up to me, tap me on the shoulder, and if I haven't flipped you onto the groud (hey. I got reflexes, okay), then say, "Hi". If you choose not to greet me, then by all means shoot me longs stares that will sure to confuse me.

-Ben


Grey Anne is play a house show on Wednesday. She would probably be liking you to go to it.