Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, December 20th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I played the Blitz in the Pearl. I knew that this was not going to be my normal crowd. Quite Honestly I did not expect there to be any crowd. But what I forgot was that there was the Santa Con thing last night. So there were plenty of people. But they were all drunk and in Santa attire. There was one Santa who propped up a baby doll that looked creepy next to me. He then started taking pictures of me playing with the creepy doll in frame. Scott from Super XX Man played a great set. He played two new songs that were on par with his other great ones. The best part for me was that he actually read the blog yesterday and played my favorite song by him. Score. Anyway I will be out of town for a bit. Holidays! So this is the last entry for a week. Please check out Pc-pdx.com. Anyway here are the show that look good to me tonight:

Sunday, December 19th

Rontoms is having a show is having a show with Panther and Patterns. So I have written about Panther many times. I like what they do. But this is the last time. This is their last show. The break up is not ugly but the two have plans for other musical pastures. Their last record had a lot of piano on it so I would not be surprised to see the instrument make an appearance. Patterns makes really cool pop music with cool break downs and a nice use of keyboards. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Studios of is having a show with The Cave Singers (Seattle), Haley Bonar, and Fences (Seattle). I have seen the Cave Singers a handful of times and I think they are great. The lead singers voice is very raspy and he kind of reminds me of a old man voice but mixed with the foot stomp inducing mix of blues folk and whatever else it is a perfect fit. Haley Bonar is a relatively new addition to the Portland scene. She made her start in the Midwest but seems like she should be West coast. Her music is poppy but has firm roots in Americana. I have only seen her once and it was solo. Her songs were good but I could see so much potential with the backing of a band. If you listen to her myspace you see that she does use a full band in her recordings that sound pretty good. I like them. Fences is kinda blowing up in Seattle and it is easy to see why. He writes really good folk pop music. He is like a tattooed Blind Pilot. I am stoked that Y La Bamba will be playing a couple dates with him early next year. The show is $12 and starts at 9 PM.

-Ben


Haley Bonar will play her sweet music at Mississippi Studios.