Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 30th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I saw the show at Ellas St. Social Club. It was kinda weird. Ocean Age who I very much wanted to see was mostly sick. In fact all but two members left early. The other band Deacon was sick too, but sick like, "Dude that's siiiiiick." It was a duo and did not feature 2 members of AAN or any members of The Author as I had written yesterday. They went through a set that was very good and seemed kinda trancey, maybe because I was so tired. The remaining members of Ocean Age spent way too long setting up but were very good once they started playing. The goal was to improv some jams, but they kept going back to songs they had already written ( a good thing). They eventually gave up the improv stuff and ended with a stripped down version of one of their songs. I really want to see them as a full band again.

Wednesday, September 30th

Rotture is having a show with The Dolly Ranchers and Tara Jane O'Neil. "Come hear some old-school mountain finger-pickin’ with gritty post-punk subject matter." That is what the Mercury says. All I know is that TJO is da bomb. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

Berbati's is having the final installment of the AAN residency in the restaurant series. This is the one of the ones where AAN has not picked the opener. Sailing, are the lucky devils who will have the honor of opening the show. I could not find any info on the band. I feel like I have seen and or heard their name before. Whatevs, I writing about he show because of how great AAN is anyway, not because of Sailing. It is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

Laurelthirst is having its final residency show of Celilo as well. I like the idea of residencies. But honestly, I find it hard to write about them. I run out of things to say about a band. Obviously I think the band is good. Otherwise I wouldn't list it every week. What to say, what to say? They are Americana. They are Portland. They are playing for FREE at 6 PM.

Laurelthirst is having a show later that night with Future Historians, Catherine Feeny, and The Woodlands. The main dude in Future Historians used to be the one of the dudes in the Crosswalks (they also had a dudette). So, it is my guess that it kinda sounds like a rootsier sounding Crosswalks. It is a guess because they currently don't have any music on their myspace player. Catherine Feeny also plays in the band Come Gather Round Us, which I have heard very positive things about. I listened to her solo stuff and it sounds nice. She has a very warm voice and her music seems like better contemporary pop. The Woodlands is a band that I feel is underrated here in Portland. The girls voice is so sweet. Their song "Can We Stay" uses double vocals that reminds me of Azure Ray. Which in my opinion is very good. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

So if you see me at one of these shows, please say, "Hi". I mean it would cool if you did.

-Ben


Catherine Feeny sings so pretty. Hear for yourself tonight at Laurelthirst

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 26th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I fell to the temptation of a Netflix movie and a box of Annie's macaroni and cheese. This often happens when I am a) exhausted b) torn very strongly between a couple shows and c) kinda poor. Well, it is morning now and I admit that I am having feelings of regret. Did anyone go to a show last night? How was it? Sigh. Here are the shows I am interested in tonight.

Saturday, September 26th

Mississippi Pizza is having a show with Annie Bethancourt, Fred Van Vactor (Eugene) and Sabrina Fountain. Annie Bethancourt is a part-time resident of Portland. She has ine if those really strong "professional" sounding voices that is usually attached to a person that canot write good songs but songs okay singing bad ones. What sets her apart is that her songs are really good lyrically and musically. Most of her songs are love songs. But are better than the "you don't love me and I am so sad" type of songs that singer-songwriters often produce. Her songs are usually filled with hope or humor. Sometimes both. But, she also throws in some sad ones in there. I know that she has been away working on a new cd. I am not sure if she will have it or not. It might be worth looking into. This show is by donation and starts at 9 PM.

The Tonic Lounge is having a show with Fruit of the Legion of Loom, Shoeshine Blue, Sarah Gwen, and Warvette. This looks like a very interesting show. Fruit of the Legion of Loom makes music that is very quirky and often is hard to tell if it is awesome or just silly. Shoeshine Blue is great. He has a great rasp of a voice that he backs with two gals and a stand up player, and violin player (last time I checked anyway). Sarah Gwen has a haunting voice that displays her sad songs very well. Warvette seems to to be a crazy older guy. Kinda like Tom Waits, but mostly not like Tom Waits. I don't know how musch this show costs but it is probably cheap and starts at 9 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Musee Mecanique, Frontier Ruckus (Orion, MI), MBilly and Billygoat. Musee Mecanique may very well be the best band in Portland. I am saying they are, but it would be an interesting debate. I was listening to them yesterday thin king about how good their arrangements and sense of mood is. They apparently have a bunch of new material. I would wager they are going to play some of it tonight. Then who knows when you will see them next as they are going over seas to tour with/back Laura Gibson. The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

The Know is having a show with Soft Tags and The Rainy States. I have not seen them live yet, but I have two eps' of theirs and they grown on me a lot. Lo-fi indie rock aesthetic forever! The show is $ and starts at 7 PM.

Work/sound is having a show with Swim Swam Swum, Deer Or The Doe, and (((In Mono))). Indie Rock done right! The ALL AGES show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

Say "Hi" if you see me!

-Ben


Musee Mecanique play the Woods tonight!

Read More >>

BAT COUNTRY!!! Volume 1.

I was discussing with my good friend Tim over a delicious lunch of spinach and eggs over easy that what the world needs now is more really awesome indie band music videos. This in the wake of a discussion about the recent Kanye West debacle- because, when you think about it, even though our dear president was correct in calling him a jackass, Kanye was right about the awards. Taylor's Swift's video compilation of the worst moments of Weeds, Season 1, was not deserving of an award. So mainstream videos? Blah, of course, that's not news. We've featured some here on Crappy before, but I'd like to make BAT COUNTRY!!! a regular feature and drag some crazy shit in from all corners of the weird world.

Let's start sustainable:



What a land of fancy! And since we're in the land of fancy, let's go to see King Iron Maiden mc Dio:



Those crazy kids! And now you'll take your 1987 postapocalyptic computer game reference and eat it! In chiptune music video form.



I have no fucking clue about this next one. EH.



Well that was fun. Let's bring the mood back. Here's one for the ladies:



Oh, and he's local! Now, I don't know much about the Bollywood music scene, but I would hope that this qualifies as indie:



And since we've thoroughly descended into parody, then let's go to the experts:



Well, that's it for volume 1 of BAT COUNTRY!!! I'll see you next time!

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music for September 25th

Hello Dear Readers

Last night I went and saw the Fid de Cinema thing at Holocene where they screened The Holy Mountain with out sound except for live music by Llyas Ahmed, Why I Must Be Careful, Dash!, Ghosting, and AAN. It was so awesome. The music was pretty diverse. And there was a sense of collaboration. At one point Dash!, Ghosting, and Llyas Ahmed were all playing at once. There were many beautiful moments. Hopefully somebody recorded some of it. Hopefully the series will continue to be that cool. Here is what is happening today.

Friday, September 25th

East End is having a show with Green Lady Killers (Phoenix, AZ), Bodhi, Wampire, Diminished Men (Seattle, WA), and The Erns. This is the CD release party for Bodhi. Bodhi was one of the more memorable acts from PDX Pop Now 2008 if anything because of the drummer, Erin's stage banter. Plus I have not seen them since they added Padriac-Finbar Haggerty-Hammond joined on keyboards and guitar. He is pretty excellent on his own, I am interested to see him in this context. Wampire is pretty sweet. Their song, "Orchards" was one of my summer jams. Green Lady Killers are a group of lady rockers, who...well, they play rock music. Diminished Men are one of the last bands left who have a fairly accurate description if themselves on their myspace. Psychedelic Surf. The Erns are awesome they play instrumental indie rock music. It's like your favorite indie rock band with out any of the whiny vocals. The show might cost some money and it probably start at 9 PM.

The Woods is holding Portland Round. This month they have Whip, Saw Whet, and Sarah Winchester. This is a ridiculously good line up. I was just thinking a bout Whip the other day thinking about how he never seems to play anymore. Check him out he is good. Saw Whet is Becky from Ah Holly Fam'ly. Her voice is so strong and good. I like her just as much as Ah Holly Fam'ly, and I like them a lot. Sarah Winchester has a very soft voice and I love it. These songs are a bit quieter than her work with A Weather, and I love it. The show is $8 starts at 9 PM.

Rotture is having Supernature with Panther, White Rainbow, Copy, E*Rock, and DJBJ. Apparently Panther is going to be a solo set, which hasn't happened in years. Though I have never been to one of these events they always such good line ups. That is if you like really sweet electronic based music. For real check the links! The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Hungry Tiger Too is having a show with The Touques (Reno,NV), Almost Dark, and Air War. I wrote this in here mostly because I have been meaning to see Air War's progressive shoegazey or whatever rock music for a while. Plus I think that Almost Dark sounds like they have potential. Almost Dark seems to be influenced by some of the darker 80's new wavey stuff. The show might cost some money, but definitely starts at 9 PM.

The Artistery is having a show with White Rainbow, Stag Hare (Dreamtime,UT), Hexlove, and Silver Antlers (Bone Valley, UT). These artists are generally make pretty and ambient music, though Silver Antlers sometimes adds a good amount of drums or other percussive additions. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 8 PM.

Lewis and Clark College Co-op is having a show with Ohioian, Israel Putnam El Americano, Dallas County Potential. Ohioan is pretty cool. I have only gotten to see him once, but it made me want to see more. Israel Putnam El Americano makes sample based music in the same ball park as Lucky Dragons and Panda Bear (kinda). Really cool sounding. Dallas County Potential makes indie music with a lo-fi twang to it that makes it stand out to me. The ALL AGES show is FREE or by donation and starts at 8 PM.

Say "Hi" if you see me. I would love it. You might love it too?

-Ben


Air War plays at Hungry Tiger Too. Progressive music!

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Muisc Picks for September 24th

Hello Dear Readers,

What up? Looks like regular nights of many many shows I am interested are back. I enjoyed the little lull that followed MFNW, but now it is time to get back in the swing of things. Here is what I am interested in tonight.

Thursday, September 24th

Jackpot Records is having an in-store performance by Explode into Colors. Somebody recently informed me that I hate this band. I don't recall ever saying that. I may have said that I don't think they are the best band in Portland. But I don't think that any band is. I have only seen them once and it was at a festival that had been at all day. I thought it was fun. It didn't blow my mind. Explode into Colors is a very fun band to see. I think everyone knows that, which means that this ALL AGES and FREE show will get very crowded. It starts at 6 PM, but get there early if you want to be able to see anything.

Holocene is having something called Fid de Cinema it will feature Ilyas Ahmed, AAN, Dash!, Ghosting, and Why I Must Be Careful. After doing a little research I found out that Fid de Cinema is where they screen a movie while bands provide a live score to the film. Today they are showing The Holy Mountain. The people who are playing this are all pretty amazing and now that I see what they will be doing I think they will be perfect. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

Laurelthirst is having a show with On The Stairs, Sarah Gwen, and Threads. On the stairs is one of the many bands that Nate Clark is involved in. If I not mistaken it is one of the two bands he fronts. This one is listed as Folk Rock. I think that is a pretty accurate description if only because acoustic rock has such awful awful connotations. It sounds really good. There are really cool arrangements. Sarah Gwen makes kinda slow kinda down music. Think along the lines of Sera Cahoone. I like it. I could find no info on Threads. Whatevs. The show is $4 and starts at 9:30 PM.

Dunes is having a show with Archers, Cat Stalks Bird, and The Woolen Men. This is one of those shows I am basing on someone else's suggestion. I have heard from someone, I forget who, that The Woolen Men are really good. I listened to their myspace and it does sound pretty good. So does Cat Stalks Bird. They both make kinda interesting noisey indie pop rock. I can get down with them. Actually I might be more into CSB. Not that it is a contest. The show show might cost money and starts at 9 PM.

So if you see me at any of these fine gatherings of music, please say "Hi". It would be most courteous of you.

-Ben


Sarah Gwen will play tonight at Laurelthirst. No word on whether the prominent tikki candle will be making an appearance.

Read More >>

Ben Meyrcord's Live Music Picks for September 23rd

Hello Dear Readers,

There is not a whole lot going on today. As far as shows go. But be chill, there is a lot going on later in the week. And also I don't want to take away from what is happening tonight. Check it out:

Wednesday, September 23rd

Berbati's is having its final performance of AAN's residency in the restaurant this time with Brainstorm. I think the world of AAN. His music is so cool and good. For sure one of my favorites. I have never seen Brainstorm, but I have heard good things about them. Plus I have written about them before and therefore have listened to their myspace page. Cool stuff. They are a duo that makes the most of their two members. One guy plays drums, keyboard, and sings. The other guy plays guitar, tuba, and sings. An interesting array of instruments for sure. After writing this blog for a while I have realized I am not very good at writing about music. But here is some thing that somebody else wrote about Brainstorm, "Brainstorm is a high energy act that oscillates through an eclectic synthesis of styles. Skipping playfully across borders and genres, they summon old American spirituals, contemporary art-rock, Gypsy-punk, and desert blues, within a unique framework of poly-rhythms and dual vocal exchange. The result is hard to place, but undeniably engaging." The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

Laurelthirst is having Celilo. This is part of a residency series as well. Celilo make really nice mid-tempo indie country americana music. They are one of those really consistent bands that is never a disappointment to see live. Plus I love all the subtle psych elements that are in the mix. They have two more Wednesday night residency slots including tonight, so go check it out if you got nothing going this evening. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

So if you see me at either of these give me a "Hi". I will give you an equivalent greeting, as I enjoy exchanging pleasantries.

-Ben


Celilo are giving it up for FREE tonight at Laurelthirst

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Septeber 22nd

Hello Dear Readers,

Lately I have been so busy that I have kind of become a mess of a human being. Over the weekend I played with four of the five bands that I currently play with. I played five sets. I worked Saturday and Sunday. Yesterday I was planning on blogging but ended up working a 13 hour day instead. I am not complaining. I think it is awesome. I just wish that there were more hours in a day so's that I could talk to you folks. If I didn't have to sleep I would be fine. Actually I am not really sleeping that much. I guess what I really need is the ability to function late at night. Currently I don't function very well past 11 PM (unless aI am at a show). Anyways here are some shows for today.

Tuesday, September 22nd

East End is having a show with Danava, Wildildlife, and Mongoloid Village. Rock! I like good Rock music every now and then. This is a fine example of what a good rock show can be. Danava makes really sweet riff heavy music that is somewhat reminicesent of Sabbath. Mongoloid Village makes awesome heavy music. They used to practice across the hall from AristeiA. For the first several months we would alwasy wonder who was playing the awesome music. We finially left a note telling them we thought they sounded really cool and asking them what they were called. A couple weeks ago, AristeiA moved practice spaces. Within a couple days of our move we surpised to find that Mongoloid Village had just moved to the same practice space. I feel it is only a matter of time before I write a post where we are playing a show together. I know nothing of Wildlife, but if you get onthis bill it is probably for a reason (that you are good?). The show is $8 and starts at 10 PM.

Someday Lounge is having a show with Red Wire Black Wire (Brooklyn), Spesus Christ, and Pony Village. I don't know nothing except that I have been meaning to see Pony Village for a long time. Indie Rock! The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Do if you see. Say "Hi". OR ELSE!!!

-Ben


Danava Play 2Nite at East End.

Read More >>

TURN MY HEADPHONES UP! Volume 2

Welcome to the next installment of my mini music reviews. I was very excited because two of my fave bands came out with new stuff recently and I thought I'd give them a listen, as well as some tunes that were sent our way from Thrill Jockey. You guys never disappoint!

CLUTCH- Strange Cousins From The West

Clutch is a band that while amazing, are known for being just a little inconsistent. Their flirtation with big labels has resulted in both the classic Elephant Riders and overly slick Pure Rock Fury, and their last label apparently split in the middle of the night leaving only a boarded-up office and some bad distribution strategy. That's rock and roll! Now the boys from Maryland have gone all modern and are putting out albums under their own power, which is commendable. Unfortunately, Strange Cousins doesn't have much to say for itself. Clutch are a bunch of road dogs, constantly touring, and it seems like they need to take some time off. Frontman Neil Fallon has always been known for pouring out his redneck soul into quirky, esoteric lyrics that rank up there with the best, but that isn't so much in evidence here. The band is tight, but the songs don't stand apart. Remember- this is a group that wrote "Muchas Veces," the most rockin' broken heart song ever, where the hapless narrator gets fucked- literally and figuratively- as he follows his gender- and time-shifting ex across the world. Alongside a trombone solo by Delfeayo Marsalis. So, we expect nothing but the best, and perhaps it's time for Clutch to step back from such a rigorous touring schedule and recapture the intensity and high weirdness that ignited their earlier albums.

LIVING COLOUR- The Chair In The Doorway

"Oh, the Living Colour comeback. Right..." Those words were actually uttered about 16 years ago by my then girlfriend when Stain came out, and I'm not sure print really does the sarcasm justice. While it might have seemed unlikely then, with departure of bassist Muzz Skillings after their watershed album Time's Up, it probably seemed even more unlikely a decade later when Collideoscope dropped, with the band having been broken up and all but forgotten by average Joe. In the meantime the members had all pursued various side and solo projects- Vernon Reid's I mentioned in the last TMHU, and Corey Glover made an absolutely spectacular turn as Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar." Just to mention a couple. The past six years have been kind to Living Colour, and they've been continuing to do those same projects, as well as jumping up further in the public consciousness by re-recording their signature anthem "Cult Of Personality" as one of the tougher songs on Guitar Hero 3. What to make of their new disc, then? A little distracted, and perhaps lacking somewhat in the urgency of its predecessor. That's understandable- Collideoscope was a motherfucker of a comeback, and was a powerful disc with only one weak track (a joke cover of "Back In Black"). These are only minor relative complaints, and The Chair In The Doorway is evidence of what four accomplished musicians can do with all the tools at their disposal, and is a fine continuance of this new era of Living Colour's career.

JASON URICK- Husband
So yeah. Ambient music is, like many musical genres, poorly defined. Underneath this broad umbrella you get cringe-inducing new age (ENYA. I'M TALKING ABOUT ENYA. SHE LIKES JOSH GROBAN'S WEEEEIIIIINEERRRR), rave cool-down joints, indie folk shenanigans, occult metal dronings, musique concrete-inspired avant garde, and everything in between. This release from TJ (Thrill Jockey, not Tom Jones) falls pretty squarely in the latter two categories of avant garde and kitchen sink. I'm not sure what pedigree Urick holds outside what is listed in his bio, but apparently it's enough that he feels he can anchor an ambient album. Now, while I can appreciate the stated approach of using only minimalist sound capture on limited equipment, and having a light touch in mixing and editing to retain the immediacy of performance, in this case I don't feel that it works. Husband never quite leaps above the level of self-indulgent, and even after repeated listen gave me the idea that perhaps this music would work better as the interstitials of more traditional pop or rock music, and not as a full-length ambient work. There's plenty out there that does work within the same space as this- Disintegration Loops for example. Anyone interested in where to start would be keenly advised to head for Kek-W's various essays on ambient music.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 17th

Hello Dear Readers,

I dropped the ball yesterday. I finished half of a blog and then bam. The rest of my life got in the way. It is always frustrating when you put a good amount of effort into something and then you don't get to use it. Oh well. Last Night I saw AAN at Berbati's and it was awesome. He played a song that I always hope he will play but usually doesn't called "like I love you". So good. I unfortunately missed Leonard Mynx, a shame cause he is good too. Anyways, this is a big week for music here in Portland. MFNW is upon us. You can look at their schedule for all the details, but I am going to focus on the local bands that I like. Here is what today looks like

Thursday, September 17th

Berbati's is having a show with Dirty Three, Norfolk & Western, Tu Fawning, and Ah Holly Famly. A very fine line up for this show. Mostly Portland dwellers. Norfolk doesn't seem to play that much. I remember seeing them at PDX Pop last year and they seemed at the top of their rock game. I have not seen Tu Fawning since last year's PDX Pop either, but I remember thinking that I wanted to see them after they had a little more time to grow into their own. I think a year is a good amount of time. Ah Holy Famly is really great live. I have heard their new album and it is super good. The show is $15 or entry with a wristband.

Crystal Ballroom is having a show with Explosions in the Sky (Austin) and Eluvium. Both of these acts are on Temporary Residence and make beautiful instrumental music. But I can assure you that do not sound at all alike. I love them both dearly. It seems unfair to live in a city with Eluvium and never get to see him. The show starts at 9 PM. is $20 or entry with a wristband.

As Street Saloon is having a show with The Dimes, Derby, Black Whales (Seattle), Hey Marsielles (Seattle), and Mbilly. I will be honest with you, I have heard of all of these bands. but I am only familiar with one of them. I used to write about Mbilly all the time, when he played more often. "Portland's Bonnie Prince Billy ", I believe I said. He is pretty great. I have been told that Hey Marsielles is like a less pretentious version of Decemberists. If that appeals to you, then you should check it out. Personally I prefer The Deceberists to be a little pretentious. The show is $8 and starts at 8 PM.

White Eagle is having a show with Sean Wagner, Winterhaven, and Violet Isle. I know nothing of two of these bands. I know that Winterhaven is band that is a fan of three part male harmonies. What has two thumbs and loves three part harmonies? This blogger. Also the band feature Hoyt Emerson who, like me, is in several bands and writes for the internets at This Heart Will Burn Right Out The show is $4 and starts at 8:30 PM.

So if you see me at any of these shows. Please tell me "Hi". I would love it if you did. Otherwise it will make my staring at you, uncomfortable.

-Ben


Ah Holly Famly plays tonight at Berbati's

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 15th

Hello Dear Readers,

You did not see me last night. I ended having a long AristeiA practice. It was the coolest practice ever, because it was a joint practice with our practice space-mates Nanda Devi. We took turns playing songs. They are pretty awesome, if you have not heard them. It was kinda like seeing a show. However, if you go to one of the following shows, it will be more like going to a show.

Tuesday, September 15th

Plan B is having a show with Frank Portman aka Dr. Frank of The Mr. T Experience fame. Pat Kerns of Blue Skies for Black Hearts is opening. So is Eric Peabody. So here it goes. I used to love pop-punk. I listened to a lot of it in middle school and, sigh, high school. In my mind there was pop-punk and there was punk-pop. I felt that a band like NOFX was punk-pop. While a band like the Mr. T Experience was pop-punk. MTX was probably my favorite band in that category. Their songs were so catchy and clever. I was always amazed at how well Dr. Franks words flowed and were humorous and rhymed all at once. So I think this show will be great. Plus it will be interesting to see what Pat sounds like all unplugged and band less. The show is $5 at 9 PM.

Ella Street Social Club is having NW Mini-fest with The Slaves, Happy Birthday Secret Weapon (Seattle), Starcicleanatomy, Cloaks, and Luis Gutee & His Friends (Santa Cruz). This is of course a nod to the big festival that will start tomorrow Music Fest North West. I am mostly listing this show based on the strength of the performance that The Slaves put on a while back at the Nurses album release show. It was so good. That is if you like ridiculously beautiful ambient tinted music. Which I do. It looks like a fun show though, and besides this fest is much more affordable at $5. It starts at 9 PM.

Music Millennium is having a Portugal. The Man in-store performance. This band is very good. But be warned they are constantly changing their sound. Their last album was a pop album. But they used to be kinda crazy. From what I understand they play from their whole catalogue. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with White Hinterland and Neal Morgan. I think White Hinterland makes pretty interesting music. Honestly I think I like the feel and textures of her music more than I like her songs. I cannot remember any particular song, but I know that they have a dark feel and that Casey Dienel and Shawn Creeden use candles to light their instruments. Shawn, in particular, makes noises with various electronics and percussive instruments, while Casey sings and mans a Fender Rhodes. Neal Morgan on the other hand is less dark and more drums. He mostly does vocal looping and live drumming, though I have read the at has included Dahmris Peterson as a vocalist as well. I am not sure if this will put an end to the looping or not. Only one way to find out. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Pizza is having a show with Dinner Pelonca and Elliot King. Dinner (yes, that's his real name) is a piano playing man, who plays piano and croons out some pop with an indie twist. Elliot King plays very very earnest music and good music that sometimes reminds me of old Alan Singley. I love old Alan Singley, so... Oh, and tonight he will debut his full band. Sounds exciting. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.


So if you see me at one of these shows, take a deep breathe and then walk up to me and say "Hi". There is a good chance you will not regret it. I will be wearing a red Yellowstone hat.

-Ben


If you like this, you'll love Valentine's (where Neal Morgan will be playing tonight)

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 14th

Hello Dear Readers,


Last night I saw The Congratulations/The Old Believers and The Red River at The Old Church. It was pretty cool. Though I think the idea of having it a church was cooler than actually having to do sound at a church. There were many many feedback mic moments. But over all the feel of the show for me was overwhelmingly positive. Plus the opening song was The Red River playing one of my favorite songs "Man on the Frontier" which I think included all three bands at once. It was one of those I can feel my heart trying to break loose from my chest type moments that one feels when experiencing great beauty through music. And I saw a lot of people I knew there. Including fellow CIMTB contributor Jess (shout out alert!). Anyways there are not many shows that I am interested in tonight, which is fine because MFNW is happening soon so I get it. But if I were to go to a show tonight, it would be one of these two.



Monday September 14th


Dekum Manor is having a "Tour Comeback" show for Here Comes A Big Black Could!!Tony Knives, Stag Bitten, and Tweakin Like Matty. This is not the kind of show I go to normally. I used to get down with punk but I haven't much lately. I never really did the live punk experience when I was actually really into punk. I was not aware of any house show scene in Dallas, TX So I feel I missed out on a lot. Something I might easily gain by going to this show. That being said, I don't really know if this qualifies as a punk show. It looks like it would probably be fun. The ALL AGES show is by donation and starts at 8 PM.


Valentine's is having a show withHornet Leg, Bridez (San Francisco), and "Friends". Hornet leg is kinda punk kinda not as well. I have heard that it is fun to see. Bridez are a rock band who play rock music. That is all. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.


So if you see me at one of these shows, and you might, please say "Hi". I will be the bearded one with the red hat.


-Ben


Hornet Leg...It's fun. Tonight at Valentine's

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 13th

Hello Dear Readers,

Good Morning/afternoon/or night. Here are the shows I really want to go to.

Sunday, September 13th

St. Philip Neri Church is hosting something called Muddy Boot Organic Fest. It is "a soulful celebration of sustainable living". This year's theme is "connecting communities in a changing climate". There will be workshops and organic foods and beverages and fun stuff. Included in the fun stuff, and why I have included this will be the music of Weinland, Stephanie Schneiderman, Portland Cello Project, and Midnight Serenaders. The show is $5 (unless you see the keynote speaker, in which case it leaps to $25) and lasts noon to 6 PM.

Speaking of churches, The Old Church is having a show with Old Believers, Red River, and Congratulations. All of these bands are pretty fantastic and songs that generally end up using a lot of people to create. Congratulations is most of the people that were in Eskimo and Sons. I heard of Red River because of a cover that their good friends Eskimo and Sons performed called "Man of the Frontier" (a really good song, by the way). The Old Believers used to be a duo. Now it has most of the members (all of the members?) of Congratulations. So they are all friends. The best part though, is that they will be selling a double spilt 7" between all of the bands and the equally great band Lake. It will be the first release from Brave Records. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Rontoms is having a show with Wax Fingers and Yeah Great Fine. This is a really good pairing. Both of these bands play awesome kinda "post-rock" (not instrumental post-rock like Explosions or anything) music that also remains in the pop realm. Wax Fingers is very guitar driven. Yeah Great Fine is leans more pop and experiments with keyboards a whole lot more. But seriously this will be a good show. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

So if you see me at any of these shows, please say "Hi". I promise it won't hurt.

-Ben


Congratulations (Which features most of these people) will be playing with the people who wrote this song tonight.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 12th

Hello Dear Readers,

I really like the Woods. You should check it out. I had a lot of fun. I saw Church play there last night and it was Uh-Mazing. I love that band so much. I made a mistake when I listed the show yesterday. Lane, their drummer has been back for a week now. So that alternate set involving a drum machine I made mention of, didn't happen. Which I am totally fine with, because I have seen Church with Lane and without Lane and prefer the with Lane version. Anyway, here is what I am interested in tonight.

Saturday, September 13th

The TBA's The Works is having Bugskull and Quasi play tonight. The works is located at Washington High School. I have heard of Bugskull before. I love me some Quasi. They are one of the bands that I looked forward to seeing all the time when I moved up here almost five years ago now. A it turns out, they don't play out that often, so when they do it is kinda a big deal. The show is $8-10 and starts at 11 PM.

Rotture is having its three year anniversary with a show consisting of Fleshtone, Fist Fite, Hot Victory, Diamond Liars, and DJ Linoleum. This to me seems like a very Rotture-esque show. The venue tends to lean towards a little bit more experimental type music. It doesn't do a lot of pop rock shows. While Fleshtone maybe catchy, it is also clearly kinda performance art pop. Fist Fite is great but is, as I recall, pretty scream/yelp filled. Hot Victory has two drummers and a keyboard. Experimental! I don't know anything about Diamond Liars. All the other acts I can say that I would have a good time watching. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Ella Street Social Club is having a show with Pill Wonder (Seattle), The Golden Hours, and Sunn Dagger (Olympia). Pill Wonder plays cheerful noisy pop music. Sounds good. I have heard really good things about The Golden Hours. I just checked out their myspace and I think it would be awesome to see them. Their recordings are rough lo-fi pop gems. Check out their cover of "Baby it's You" so good. I just checked out Sunn Dagger. They are also a good example of noisy pop greatness. This is how pop punk should have gone instead of the polished crap that it eventually became. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

White Eagle is having a show with The Maldives (Seattle), Gavin Wahl-Stephens & The New Americans, and Celilo. Americana! I love it. And judging by the amount of Portland bands who play it, so does this city. I think that the Maldives are a very good example of the twangy, dare I say, country end of the Americana spectrum. They have it down. It is so good live. Actually it has been a while since I have seen them . maybe they have a new album to sell. Oh, they do. Also I have been very impressed every time I have seen Celilo. The show is $8 and starts at 9:30 PM.

So if you see me at any of these shows. Say "Hi". Someone did last night and it was awesome.

-Ben


Just a taste of some of the sonic freak outs you might witness as Quasi plays tonight at Washington High School.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 11th

Hello Dear Readers,

What are you doing right now? If you answered that you were wondering what sort of shows Ben Meyercord would be interested tonight. I have good news for you. I have made a list of those shows. Plus I have links to all the bands/artists so that you can make decisions as to wether or not you are interested in the show based on the music you hear. Nutz.

Friday, September 11th

The Woods is having a show with Church and Y La Bamba. As you probably know. I love the band Church. I think their sense of mood in their music and use of dynamics are impeccable. I have heard that they are short a member due to Lane being on tour with his other band The Ocean Floor. Because of this it is rumored that their sets have been completely rewritten with new arrangements better suited for their three person abilities. I play in Y La Bamba and I think we are great. Tonight we will have a special guest on guitar. Come out to see who it is. The show is $7 and starts at 8:30 PM.

Mississippi Studios is Great Northern (LA), A Weather, and Hello Morning. I find that Great Northern and Hello Morning both kind of have a post-mainstream-indie sound. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe, I am lazy in my descriptions. But I could totally see either acts songs on a hip TV show. A Weather on the other hand I feel is a unique sounding band. They used hushed vocals, interesting rhythms and dynamics to create very moving songs. I love them for it. The show is $11 and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Pizza is having a show with Blue Cranes, Gavin Castleton, Gardening Not Architecture, and Ben Henderson. I think Blue Cranes are so good. I think that Gavin Castleton is so Good. Though I just heard of Gardening not Architecture before writing about this show, I think they are so good. This is totally the show I would be at were I not playing elsewhere. Blue Cranes do very dynamic (I am noticing that I love dynamics in music) cool jazz influenced music. Gavin Castleton does whatever he wants be it hip hop, pop whatever fits his fancy. He is going on tour with Gardening not Architecture who sound like they wouldn't be out of place on Morr Records. Which is to say it is really good electro-pop (heavy on the pop). I know that there is a lot of bad bands that fall into this genre, but Gardening Not Architecture is not one of them The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

The Blood Bank is having a show with Sallie Ford and the Outside Sound, William Carpenter and Towering Trees, Ben Cooley Hall (Rhode Island), Miranda Rensch (Minneapolis). Sallie Ford and her band make some of the best retro-ish pop music with a bit of bluesy twang that you are likely to hear. They are great. I have heard much from William Carpenter and Towering Trees in a while. I have never seen them, but I do really like what I have heard on their myspace page. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

Kelly's Olympian is being renamed The Knife Shop. To celebrate they are having a Big 'ol show. The show also will benefit Transition School. The bands playing are Federale, Growler, Slutty Hearts, Pellet Gun, The Rainy States, Pony Village, and Royal Houser. This is a lot of bands to write about. But I can assure there is some good stuff in the group. I have been meaning to see Pony Village for some time. There is a $5 cover and it starts at 8 PM.

The Artistery is also having a benefit tonight. There's is for the China AIDS orphan fund. The bands are Panther, Hedgehog (China), Queen Sea Big Shark (China), and Casino Demon(China). This is all part of the Sing for China tour. It features the three bands from China. This is what the website had to say, "“The Sing For China Tour will bring three of China’s biggest and best indie-rock bands to the US for 28 days in August/September as part of an unprecedented effort by the Chinese music community to raise funds for charity China AIDS Orphan Fund.” You guys probably familiar with Panther from here in Portland. It will be fun. Come cross some language barriers and help a good cause. The show is $6 and starts at 8 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Tango Alpha Tango, Drew Grow & The Pastors' Wives, Oh Darling. I really like Drew Grow and his band. I think they are great. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

The Waypost is having a show with Sweet William's Ghost, Audie Darling, and Tyler Gaston. I do enjoy it when a woman sings. Sweet Williams ghost has that going for it (though they also have a dude who sings too). Audie Darling is one of those women singers too. They both have very good backing bands and make music that you will not regret heading out for. I could not find The ALL AGES show will be FREE and starts at 8 PM.

Portland Playhouse is having a second show in it's acoustic music series. This time they have The Ascetic Junkies, The Glyptodons, and Heather Kropf. The Ascetic Junkies play very catchy and good pop-folk. The Glyptodons play acoustic pop. And Heather Kropf plays lady singer songwriter type stuff. The cool thing about these shows is that they are all acoustic. Meaning there will be no PA's no mic's just you and the music. The show is $6-8 and starts at 8 PM.

So if you see me at The Woods, say "Hi". If you go to a different show, just carve in the wall "your name" was here. That way I will know.

-Ben


Blue Cranes play tonight at Mississippi Studios.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 10th

Hello Dear Readers,

I missed shows last night. Damn. Maybe I will see some shows tonight? Here is what is happening.

Thursday, September 10th

Twilight Cafe & Bar is having a show with Olina and Prairie. These two bands are both pretty good. Olina plays pretty Americana. Prairie makes good indie rock music. Seriously, I wish I could write about music better, but you will have to trust me on this one it is good.The show is $3 and starts at 9 PM

East End is having a show with Mangled Bohemians, Jackie-O Mother, Moodring, and Paint & Copter. This show is for the slightly different kind of music lovers. Mangled Bohemians makes cool ambient music (if you like that sort of thing). Jackie-O Mother makes folk music that is far more psychedelic than say...well most folk. Moodring on the other hand I can only describe as dark. The show is $7 and starts 9 PM.

The TBA's The Works is having Rush-N-Disco play tonight. The works is located at Washington High School. Rush-N-Disco are great. Just ask Goldie. They redo youtube videos. Live and accapella. Sweet. The show is $8-10 and starts at 11 PM.

The Know (2026 Ne Alberta Street, Portland, OR) is having a show with Harvey Girls and Slutty Hearts. Harvey Girls is another one that Goldie kinda got me into. They play kinda weird good pop music. Slutty Hearts make even weirder pop music. So if you like kinda weird non-traditional pop music. This is the show for you. The show is FREE? and starts at 7 PM.

Red and Black Cafe is having a show with Mike Xvx (Santa Barbara), Camping Party, Shelby Sifers, and Lee Corey Oswald. I have seen Camping party party before. It is pretty cool. He does everything he can to recreate the lo-fi experience. He uses reverb heavily and everything else as I recall. Shelby Sifers makes cute and very good music. I have not seen her play in a very long time. Last time she had a few friends backing her. Though, I personally like her better as a solo act. The show is ALL AGES and FREE and starts at 7 PM.

So if you see me at any of these shows, please please please say "Hi". Just Sayin'

-Ben


Jackie-O Mother plays tonight at East End. Nice.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 9th

Hello Dear Readers,

I know it has been a while. I guess I have been very busy. And away from a computer. But here I am. And here are some shows.

Wednesday, September 9th

Berbati's is having the second installment of the AAN residency in the restaurant. Also, Brainstorm is playing. AAN is amazing. His song writing and arrangements are great. Brainstorm is kinda mathy and kinda cool. The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

Berbati's the actual venue side is having a show with Anomie Belle (Seattle), Benoit Pioulard. I am listing this show because have been impressed with what I have heard of Benoit Piolard. The show is $8-10 and starts at 8 PM.

Holocene is having a show with Michael Hurley, Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, and St. Frankie Lee. Michael Hurley is a folk legend. He is pretty cool. I like his music. Also I feel like Sallie will be huge. She just toured with The Avett Brothers. And St. Frankie Lee is so much fun to see live. The show is $7 and starts 8:30 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Weinland, Telegraph Canyon, and Friday Mile. I have not seen Weinland since the released their last album Breaks in The Sun. They are super good at Americana pop that they play. Telegraph Canyon is from Ft. Worth, TX. That is right next to Dallas, TX where I grew up. One of my favorite local bands in Dallas was Centro-matic. I love Centro-matic. Will Johnson the lead guy in that band recorded and produced Telegraph Canyon and it has the same feel as some of Will's work. The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

So if you see me at any of these shows, say "Hi". Cause why wouldn't you?

-Ben


Sallie plays at Holocene tonight!

Read More >>

Excellent is not good enough! The Autopilot Is For Lovers album review.

From the title of Morrissey's album Vauxhall and I and the lyrics to his track "Reader Meets Author", some drew the conclusion that he was firing a musical shot across the bow of his almost supernaturally gifted biographer Johnny Rogan, with whom he'd had a love/(mostly)hate relationship over the years. Now, I'm no Mr. Rogan to Autopilot For Lovers' Moz, potential wishes for me to die in a fire aside, but there is a tempting parallel to draw. The title of their new album from Bladen County Records is To The Wolves. As in their band being thrown? Just who are these wolves? The listening public? Pompadoured critics? Literal lupines? I've 'reassured' Adrienne, AIFL's frontwoman, that with their brand of folk/pop/whatever she has nothing to fear in this town, and with this great new disc I think I will be proved right. But will cutting a really good album be enough? Let's take a look.

In my assessment of AIFL's previous album, I expressed a thought that perhaps they were needing a little road grime, something to add depth to their sound. Maybe I was hoping that this album meant that they were going to grow a pelt, heft some rough-hewn axe and devolve To The Wolves. So to speak. They've actually gone the other way- TTW is a very polished album. It sounds great, sophisticated and professional, befitting a band beginning to seize the zeitgizzle in our hot little hamlet.

For me personally, this is the reason that I don't think the album will mean much to me. Portland is crowded with this type of folky stuff, and it certainly seems to be many people's cups of tea. It's great, but not Tony the Tiger grrrreat, and I think it comes back to what I've posited before. There are no risks being taken here. All this 'noir-pop' stuff is territory that has been well-covered and is well-liked here and now. Adding a studio gloss without big-time artistic gravitas, as on To The Wolves, serves only in some cases to steer Autopilot Is For Lovers in the direction of emotive nineties girlie alternative. We don't need any more Heather Novas or Tracy Bonhams, so I'm just warning you kids that it is a slippery slope.

After some repeat listens, the album did grow on me overall, but I did notice something. The lead vocal cadences tend to sound the same, and I think that gets its root in Adrienne Hatkin's lead instrument, the accordion, which also finds its way onto most of the songs on TTW. Now, there is nothing wrong with this instrument- it has graced many fine metal albums such as Voivod's Angel Rat or The Hills Fell Silent by Portland's own Paranaut. Its omnipresence here, and the sameness of its rhythms does nothing to help break Autopilot out of the throng.

So what's the final assessment? Despite my personal disagreements with the band and general level of disinterest in the genre, I find that Autopilot Is For Lovers' To The Wolves is a top notch album of Portland folk pop, one that will appeal greatly not only to the highly attuned audience here in PDX, but people all over as the world's ears get less and less tinny. It's also a sophomore sign that this a band that needs to dig way deeper and get way riskier in order to produce something truly captivating.

Read More >>

Free Music = Punk Fucking Rock!

September 1st, Quote Unquote Records digitally released local punk band, The Taxpayers, album "A Rhythm In The Cages" for FREE/DONATION DOWNLOAD! You should totally download it and make them feel important, ahem....

Long before Radiohead and NiN "set trends" by releasing music for free/donation download, Quote Unquote Records had been doing just that for years. Quote Unquote champions itself as "The First Ever Donation Based Record Label", which is most likely entirely true. The label is headed by DIY hero, Jeff Rosenstock, who has earned the adoration (and extreme distaste, why? i dunno... haters be haters) of punk rockers all around the world. Jeff, who is a wonderful person, also fronts the synth crazy, ska-core musical collective Bomb The Music Industry! (my favorite band) and The Arrogant Sons of Bitches. Rumor says he once even turned down a a multi-thousand dollar deal with Hummer for use one of his songs, punk as fuck!

If you truly believe in DIY music, you should stop over to Quote Unquote (download the new Taxpayers album, eh eh?) and check out the incredible bands they have to offer. Bands like Cheeky, We Versus The Shark, and Laura Stevenson prove that DIY music can be amazing and can come in any variety. Great fucking stuff.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 3rd

Hello Dear Readers,

So last night I saw the first show in AAN's Residency at Berbati's. Honestly I was really glad I went. Though The Sarcastic Dharma Society had the misfortune of having a hard time with sound, there were true moments of beauty that came through. I feel that a noise laden bar is just not the right venue for their music. AAN on the other hand would probably work just about anywhere. I have not seen them as a band in quite some time. It allowed Bud, the leader of the group, to yell and get louder than usual. This proved more effective than one might think. I am going to try to catch some more of these shows. Anyways, here is what is happening tonight.

Thursday, September 3rd

WonderBallroom is having a show with Daniel Johnston, Scout Niblett and Gregory Miles Harris. What a bunch of Weirdos. That is what someone might say about this line up. Truthfully, that might be correct. But there is nothing wrong with being a weirdo, especially if you make great music. Daniel Johnston is the king of that sentiment. The characters in his music are not your usual fair, but tend to be kinda funny and kinda heart wrenching at the same time. I have only seen Scout Niblet once and it was strange. But the memory leaves me wanting more. I still have not seen Gregory Miles Harris, but I like his songs and I am curious to hear what they sound like live. He has said they often change. Gregory and his friends will also function as a back up band to Daniel. I would imagine that this is quite incredible for them. I would be so stoked. The show is $18-20 and starts at 8 PM.

There will be a First Thursday show at Tender Loving Empire with Y La Bamba and White Lighter (Kyle of Typhoon!). This will be a stripped down version of Y La Bamba. I am not sure how stripped down, but pretty stripped down. I have seen Kyle play solo before and it is just as effective with out the Typhoon!. I am not dissing the band, just that I find it just as captivating, but perhaps in a different sense. There will also be art by Jeremy Okai Davis, Julianna Swaney, and Ariana Harley. Fun fact Jeremy used to do a lot of photos for Y La Bamba before there was a band. The show is FREE and starts sometime after 6 PM.

Holocene is having a show with Extra Golden (Chicago?), Explode into Colors and Ohmega Watts. Extra Golden apparently Extra Golden play a mixture of "American Rock mixed with African Guitars". Sounds interesting. What sounds even more interesting is that they are on Thrill Jockey Records (home of Tortoise, etc...). Then there is Explode into Colors, a band that I have only seen once and I am still a little undecided on. I guess what throws me is there nomination of "Best New Band". I heard them and they were good. But personally I wouldn't pick them as number one. So I guess I feel it is unfair to have such expectations. That is why I am glad not to have been selected as the number one pick for "Best New Band". And of course there is Ohmega Watts who is just one of the best hip hop artists in the NW. The show is $10-$12 and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Carrie Rodriguez (Brooklyn), Cordeo (NYC), and Leonard Mynx. I must admit that I am not at all familiar with the two acts that are not from Portland. But I am familiar with Leonard Mynx and have subsequently listed this show. He always pulls together a fresh band of friends to play a new batch of songs. The guy cannot stop writing, which I guess I am very jealous of. I did not know about the show until Sam Cooper mentioned to me the other night that Leonard had asked him to play. So I know that there will be at least a fiddle in the band. The show is $14 and will start at 8 PM.

So if you see me out and about these here shows, please say "Hi".

-Ben


White Lighter is what Kyle from Typhoon! calls himself when he plays solo, which you can do for FREE at Tender Loving Empire today.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for September 2nd

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night at Mississippi Studios was super fun. I was really kind of surprised at the amount of people (not as many as I would have suspected) who showed up to Ritchie Young's Performance. He is really pretty great. I am partial to the songs where he uses the violin as a strummed instrument. Then I well...Black Heart Moon I thought did pretty well (I was on stage singing for most of the time, so you really cannot trust my opinion). Then Auto Pilot killed it with their large sound (though for full disclosure I will admit I sang on three of their songs as well, but that was a sort of very last minute sort of deal). Adrian played a very Piano heavy set because the piano was right there. What? Was she not going to play it? I don't think so. So anyways, here are the shows that look good tonight.

Wednesday, September 2nd

Berbati's is having the start of a month long residency for AAN (inside the restuant portion of the place). I could not be happier. I think that AAN is amazing and I have been saying so for a while. It would seem people are starting to reckonize. I think my friend Matt said it best when he decribes AAN as one of the most intentional bands he has ever seen. Bud from AAN incorporates a lot of jazz chords and textural sounds from keyboards and samplers etc... He loops in a very effective way. What's even better is that The Sacastic Dharma Society is opening up (which includes my previously mention friend Matt). They are such a good band. The songwriting is sooooo good. And so is the music. I cannot stress enough how good of a show this will be. I am excited. The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

Laurelthirst is having a show with local Americana pros Celilo. I have seen these guys a couple of times now and they are solid. I think that they are also doing a residency. They will be playing every Wednesday in September for FREE at 6 PM. This is the first and like I said will be FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Peter's Room at the Roseland is having a show with Joshua James, Cory Chisel and Jared Mees & The Grown Children. Jared Mees is such a good band to see live. If you were at Rontom's last Sunday you could have gotten a free ticket to the show. I think that it is free anyway, but it is kinda cool to have the ticket. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

So if you see me tonight, make sure that you say "Hi". Because if you don't then you might regret it.

-Ben


The Sarcastic Dharma Society plays tonight with AAN for FREE at Berbati's

Read More >>