Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, July 30th

Hello Dear Readers,

As I might have mentioned before. I do not really have computer access at home. Unless I figure out a way to sneak into my roommates rooms while they sleep (totally creepy), I do not have access to computers unless I am at work. Did you guys go to any shows? Wednesday Y La Bamba played our last Laurelthirst Residency show. Black Prairie the bluegrass band that has three Decemberists (none with the initials C.M.) playing in it. They were super fun. On one of the songs the fiddle player pulled out a fiddle with what looked like a trumpet on the end of it. It made her sound like an old record. Really neat. I had a great time playing. A really good time. If you were there great. If you did not, maybe next time? Anyway PDX Pop this weekend is the only place you have to be:


So this is the big weekend. PDX Pop Now! 2010 is going down at Rotture. This is where I will be when I am not at work this weekend. Here is today's schedule:

INSIDE
6:00: Blue Horns
6:40: Ylang Ylang

OUTSIDE
7:25: Kusikia
8:05: AgesAndAges

INSIDE
8:50: Rollerball
9:30: AndAndAnd
10:10: Witch Mountain

OUTSIDE
10:55: Jackie-O Motherfucker
11:35: Tu Fawning
12:15: AU/Dovekins (Denver, CO)

Blue Horns are jangle pop goodness. Ylan Ylang is I believe a new super group of Portland musicians. Kusikia is an amazingly dynamic duo that just kill everytime they play. I just got their LP and love it. AgesAndAges play really good vocal arranged pop. I heard a bit of their upcoming album today and I was blown away. They are gonna be huge. Rollerball is an awesome art rock band that do not play their hometown enough. The Europeans love 'em though. AndAndAnd is a newish pop band that I see going places as well. I don't have their latest. But I might get it today. I don't know Witch Mountain, but I have seen the words sludge and doom associated with them. Jackie-O Motherfucker is a pretty famous experimental group of improve folk jazz pyschedelic folks who create new sounds in music. Tu Fawning is the band that features real life couple Joe Haege (31 Knots/Menomena) and Corrina Repp (Corrina Repp/Viva Voce) and two others whose names I forget. They make music that is very dramatic and very good.

If you see me please say "Hi"

-Ben


Kusikia is awesome they play PDX Pop tonight at 7:25. Sweeeeet!

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday July 27th

Hello Dear Readers,

Yesterday was a looooong day for me. I ended up working 15 hours. I normally work 7 hours. That's over twice as long as I am used to. I was about ready to call it a night when I got off but I ran into my roommates on the way home who convinced me to go to Valentine's. I caught most of the set of The Reservations (i.e. Don Hellions and Mattress). I was kinda bummed I missed Blood Beach. According to Rex of The Reservations, "They Murdered it". I was not sure of what to expect from the band but I could not help but think of The Halo Benders. Those of you who do not know, The Halo Benders is an amazing collaboration of Doug Martsch (Built to Spill) and Calvin Johnson (Dub Narcotic Sound System/Beat Happening). In that two voices one high and one low mix together in a very cool way. In The Reservations the singer from Don Hellions (sorry I don't know your name) fills the Doug Martsch role, and Rex from Mattress fills the low end as the Calvin Johnson role. Pretty cool. Also tonight at The Gerding Theater the is The Portland Plan Arts Town Hall Meeting. "Come discuss how to effectively prioritize and weave arts-related issues in the City of Portland's road map for the next 25 years." Get your voice heard if you have an opinion. There will be a presentation by Mayor Sam Adams and probably some food and stuff. Anyways, here are some Portland shows happening today:

Music Millennium is having an in store performance by Menomena. Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod the new Menomena is out today! I have not heard Mines yet, but I bet it will sound awesome. Plus I bet it will be awesome to see them play a lot of it live this evening. Seriously this band tries and succeeds so hard. It is ALL AGES and FREE.

Valentine's is having a show with Sad Horse, Ron Burns (probably not this), Chris Johanson, and Brian Mumford. This might be an art show thing. Sad Horse is a noisy rock duo. The rest of the people on the bill are artists. You may recognize Brian Mumford as being Dragging an Ox Through Water. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Dunes is having a show with Tiny Moving Parts (Minnesota), Sunrise Sunset (Fargo), and Kidcrash. Experimental rock? Whatever. Start stop rock is more like it. Tiny Moving parts is the "experimental screamo" band that is on tour with Sunrise Sunset. That band seems like it will be cool to watch. They are a rock band but it sounds like there is a lot of brass. Kidcrash is a band that I have been meaning to check out for a while. It is kinda mathy with some screaming. Perhaps they too are experimental screamo? It will probably be a fun show. The show is probably FREE or very cheap and starts at 9 PM.

Mudai Lounge is having a show with Battlehooch (San Fran), Prescription Pills, and Weak Steel. I ran into Tony Prato who puts on the Mudai Shows last night. He told me that this was gonna be a good show. He said it was gonna be a dance show. He did not say so out right but he indicated that he thought that people were gonna dance. He also mentioned that Weak Steel is the new project of Josh who was in that band Newspapers who broke up to form the awesome band Yeah Great Fine and SAFARI (Cleavland). Also, I would like to say for the record that I think that Battlehooch is a hilarious name. The show is FREE and starts at 8 PM?

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi".

-Ben


Kidcrash play Dunes tonight.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, July 26th

Hello Dear Readers,

I am back in town. I actually got back on Saturday, but as per usual I have been super busy. Saturday I got to play as Meyercord at the Doug Fir. I was so stoked. Then yesterday I went and saw a MAKE Records Records showcase at In Other Words. I only got to see four out of I think six bands, but I very glad I went. Like a Villain and Kusikia were both incredible. Like a Villain is Holland Andrews who also plays in my band Meyercord. But as this project she goes it alone looping her clarinet, voice and glockespiel with considerable skill. I literally got chills watching her perform (it was not cold in the room, it was just really good). Then Kusikia tore it up afterwards. I love that band. They are a guitar and drum two piece that are kinda of a jazz punk thing? Never mind what I say about them, just check them out. I bought the Kusikia LP and the Like a Villain CD. I also picked up the Forest Park ep. I have not seen them but it features tow of the girls from the band Teeth and super awesome drummer Cyrus Lampton. I can't wait to listen to all of them. Anyway, here are some Portland shows that look good to me tonight:

Sellwood Riverfront Park is having a show with Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside. I have written about Sallie Ford and her band many many times and the way things are going, I will write about them many many more times. They continue to gain more and more notice from their super fun live shows and their debut ep. I think can't wait for a full length to come out. Come out if you like throw back pop, or just good music for free near a body of water (i.e. ideal circumstances to see music). The show is ALL AGES and FREE and starts at 6:30 PM.

Ella Street is having a show with The Golden Hours and Palmz (Porltand/Santa Cruz). I have written about both of these bands in the past. Then I kinda forgot about them. But I know that The Golden hours have started playing shows again. Which is cool because I never got to see them before. From what I remember they are a garage pop band. Check out their cover of The Shirelles "Baby it's you". So good. I recall Palmz music to be pretty good pop music too (kinda retro pop). The show is FREE and starts at 9:30 PM.

The Kenton Club (I hear it is world famous) is having Lana Rebel & The Love Lasers play a show. Lana Rebel used to play in a loud and heavy band. Now she plays county-esque music. We have heard of this kind of transition before, but I think that Lana has made an exceptional change. I like what I have heard her do with her new band. The show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Singing Knives, The Reservations, and Blood Beach. I am not familiar with the first two bands listed. I mean I read that The Reservations has members of Mattress and Don Hellions. I like Mattress and I really like Don Hellions. I am not sure which members but it is probably good, right? Plus I have been wanting to see Blood Beach for quite some time. Crazy weird rock and roll forever! The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi"

-Ben


Lana Rebel & The Love Lasers play for FREE tonight at Kenton Club

Read More >>

AnnieCon: Be the girl you've always wanted to be.

Move over SantaCon Presents:

ANNIECON

August 1st, 2010

3pm – 6pm

It’s a hard knock life so let’s

dress up like Annie

and get drunk!

Live your dream.

*** LOCATIONS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE ***

Scooters 1321 SW Washington Street

$3.50 Wells $2 Drafts

Pazzo - 627 SW Washington Street

$3 wells $3.50 drafts

Roseland Grill - 10 NW 6th Ave

$2 Well $1.50 pints

C.C. Slaughters - 219 NW Davis Street

$3 Wells

Ash Street Saloon - 225 SW Ash Street

$1 domestics $2.50 wells

Fox and Hound - 217 NW 2nd Ave

$2 wells beers

Rocco's - 931 SW Oak

$2 PBR $2 wells

Red Cap Garage/Boxxes - 1035 Southwest Stark Street

SPECIAL DRINK FOR US

Find us on FACEBOOK

Read More >>

Valley of the Cheap Beats

These are lean times. I just found out that this year's HP Lovecraft Film Festival will be the last for a few years. I haven't been in a while, but it's a loveably weird Portland institution. Everyone should go to founder Andrew Migliore's site Lurker Films and buy some of the most awesome cosmic horror books and independent films around!

So, lean times. I'm broke, for sure, and what better to cheer me up than some free music!!! And in this case, to get the tunes you have to know people.

Forrest Armstrong, as he is known in literary circles, is also the entity known as Gasoline Monk, who I have mentioned in the blog before. He's a good lad, and while he was living in Portland I had the opportunity to jam out with him on some psychedelic hiphop. Apart from being a poet and editor, he's a more than capable minimalist beatmaker, and despite his modest protestations, a wild MC. His latest releases are the mixtapes When You Can't Smoke Weed, Smoke This and

7 Poems, 8 Beats. Both feature not only a perfect mix of everything from Led Zeppelin to Burial, but also some Gasoline Monk originals that will have your head bobbing. Check out his blog, listen to the free download of WYCSWST, and if you email and ask real nice, I bet he will give you a copy of the latest mixtape.

Another great new talent is Terrard Robinson. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to play with Terrard before he moved back to Oklahoma. In fact, I had high hopes of getting him together with Gasoline Monk for a jam, with me as the lucky supporting musician. Terrard is a soul singer- an AMAZING soul singer, backed by producer Jon Brownhill- and his long-awaited album Year of the Ox is a neo-soul psychedelic masterpiece the likes of which haven't been seen in years. Walking down on the street on a hot day, pop these songs in on your headphones and you are instantly cooler. Hook up with Terrard on myspace or facebook, tell him I sent you, and I bet you will be the proud owner of his new album too!

Last but not least is helpy-helperson Jeremy Osborn. His band is Wayside Drive, and they play excellent indie electronica. Their new album The Other Side is available as a free download, and you should definitely check it out. I found Jeremy and Wayside Drive after I got my Behringer FCB-1010 . This piece of kit is overwhelmingly versatile, and can be quite frustrating to program and integrate into your setup. Normally it'd be a cinch to hit teh web for a tutorial, but for some reason most of the tuts out there were either just as confusing as the unit, or just flat wrong. I found Jeremy's posts on the unit, and was set. He not only has a youtube video on his looping setup, but offers a download of his Ableton Live set, and some clear, concise directions on how to get it going. What a time and sanity saver. Thanks, Jeremy!

Thanks also to Forrest and Terrard. You three guys are the best, and I hope everyone out there in Blogistan will check out their tunes and support their music. Peace!

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday July 18th

Hello Dear Readers,

I am going to play a music festival outside of Salem called Emerg N See. That means that I will be unable to see of the many good shows happening tonight. Here are some of those shows that look good tonight:

Rontoms is having a show with The Golden Hours, Orca Team, The Stationary Set. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show Quiet Life, Shoeshine Blue, and The Dimes. I have heard good things about Quiet Life. I really enjoy Shoeshine Blue. The show is 3 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Love Always, Eratz, and Alina Hardin. Love Always is Kathy Foster of The Thermals and All Girls Summer Fun Band. This is her solo project. I think that she has only played one show under this moniker. I was at the first one. I thought it was pretty promising. I really think that Alina Hardin makes beautiful folk music. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.


The Knife Shop is having a show with AO, Lions & Eagles, and Shenandoah Davis. AO is the latest moniker of Adrian Orange who gained prominence in the indie wold as Thanksgiving. Lions & Eagles is a band that is related to the Sec Saints Art collective. I am a fan of collectives. Shenandoah Davis was at my house last night. She had made acquaintance with a friend who was staying at my house. I had no idea that she made the music she does, which is very good. Dramatic vocals mixed with string and piano arrangements. It is really cool. The show is $4 and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Everest, Ezza Rose, and Winterhaven. I have heard good things about Everest. I think. The name seems familiar. Ezza Rose is pretty great. I love her voice. She recently recorded an album at Type Foundry. I cannot wait for it to come out. Winterhaven is named after the town that birthed Gram Parsons. They make music that they hope would please the Grievous Angel. It should be noted the Hoyt Emerson The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

Rotture is having a show with No Kind of Rider, The Non (Oklahoma City), and The Jezebel Spirit. The Jezebel Spirit is so cool. They are so cool. BroFam forever. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi".

-Ben


Lions & Eagles play at Kelly's Olympian Tonight.Port

p.s. I am going to be out of town for a week. Check out pc-pdx.com

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday July 16th

Hello Dear Readers,

Umm...I took a bit of a break. Not really. I have been super busy. Specifically during the normal hours of blogging. I will be trying to get back in the swing of things but it has been difficult. What are the best shows you have seen in the last couple of weeks? I have been playing them like crazy. I played Wednesday night with Y La Bamaba, last night with AristeiA, tonight I am playing with Sean Flinn, and then a couple of Y La Bamba gigs this weekend. Good times for Ben Meyercord. Anyway here are the shows that want to mention tonight:

Doug Fir is having a show with The Mynabirds (Omaha), Celilo, Sean Flinn & The Royal We, and The Physical Hearts. Do you remember that band Georgia James? You know, that one that had the dude from Q and Not You and that woman that you were unfamiliar with. Well, I do. I thought they were pretty good. Anyway that woman who I referenced is Laura Burhenn. Like most Omaha based bands they are signed to Saddle Creek. After just a quick taste of the songs I feel that this is what Jenny Lewis' second album should have sounded like. Celilo is one of the finest Americana Rock bands our town has to offer. Sean Flinn & The Royal We is are a rotating cast of people based around the really well crafted pop songs of Jolie Holland, Nick Jaina, and Y La Bamba guitarist Sean Flinn. He has an album coming out eventually. But I am not sure when. The Physical Hearts are another kinda Americana band. The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

Wonder Ballroom is having Built to Spill and Quasi. Do I really need to say more? Sigh. I really really really really really really really really really wish I could go to this. Pacific NW Rock Gods will grace the stage. Oh My God. This show will be Epic. I have loved both of these bands since I was 18. That is a good decade of indie rock love. You probably should go to this show. It is $23. ALL AGES, and starts at 9 PM.

Rotture is having Superfest 2 Electric Boogaloo. This is a kinda eclectic two day festival that will feature some bands that I quite enjoy. Tonight they have Copy, Wampire, Fake Drugs, Hosannas, Strategy, Joey Casio (Olympia), and Rude Dudes (DJ Solomon and DJ Rad!). I also think it is the first official use of the downstairs area being a part of Rotture. I know we have all seen PDX Pop Now! shows there but this is will be a regular thing. Bigger shows downstairs, smaller shows upstairs. Anyway a lot of these bands are dance music. But all a little skewed. It makes it okay to like dance music which is a lot of the time predictable or boring or whatever. I have no idea what Hosannas is going to be like. But I think it will be a two piece. So weird. Somebody has to go to this show and tell me what is up with the performance. The show is $8-$12 and starts at 7 PM.

The Waypost is having a show with Your Rival, River Banks, and Faire du Surf (Washington state). River Banks is Justin of Pigeons. He is quite good. I have played a show with him before and I was impressed. He has a really cool sounding vintage amp. Your Rival my not be your actual rival, but it is an actual band. Kinda. There is a myspace and it lists a member and has one song. I actually don't feel like I know what is going on with the song. Which is more than I can say for Faire du Surf who have no songs up. They claim to be an Indie Surf band. That is a pretty hot genre right now. Especially with summer in full swing. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

Paschal Coeur, Ed & The Red Reds, and Hello Constable. I know that I have written about Paschal Coeur before. But I am mostly writing about this show because of Ed & The Red Reds. This is essentially the band for Ed Thanhouser a man about town. You should check it out assuming you like a taste of the indie country folk type stuff. The ALL AGES show is $ and starts at 9 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Westfold, Tempest Fujit (SF), and Dan Connolly. Westfold is a good band. I have never seen them in a venue as nice as the Woods. Let's face facts, that despite it being an ex-funeral home it is the coziest venue in Portland. Westfold's music is not that cozy. It is generally about talking about the uncomfortable social issues that plague our society. They also do it while sounding very raw. You should check them out. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

The Green House is having a show with Foot Ox, Forever, Blandina, Blood Beach, and Matthew & The Minervals. There are a bunch of bands playing this, obviously. I have heard of Foot Ox before. I just listened to it. It is the sort of music you either love or hate. Indie pop with a singer with a funny voice. It is an album release show for them. I am writing about the show because of Blood Beach though. I have still not seen them. I have heard really cool things about them. I used to see front man Shane when he played as Tex Winters. I think is a pretty cool guy. Check out his very weird psych music. The ALL AGES show is probably FREE and starts at 8 PM.

The Red and Black Cafe is having a show with Purrbot, Jordaan Mason, Shelby Sifers, and D. Purrbot makes delicate and restrained music usually on banjo or piano. You should check it out. I have not heard Shelby Sifers play in a long time. Apparently she has a new dancey kind project called Peacock Dreams. But I still like her very cute songs that she writes under her given name. Jordaan is really good. Really dramatic, but really good. The ALL AGES show is probably by donation and starts at 8 PM.

So if you see me at Doug Fir please say, "Hi".

-Ben


Sean's playing at the Doug Fir tonight.

Read More >>

Ron Trembath presents: A Bi-Coastal Interview With Westfold.

For the last couple years or so, Mark Palumbo, Tony Reyes, and Simon Carrillo have been rocking the underground scene in their home base of Portland, Oregon. And with the addition of drummer Nic Moen, as well as the release of their third EP, which is a self titled re-definition of an acoustic trio turned electric manic suppressants.
Though the city of Roses is wear our boys primarily lie their tweed hats down, the band has their roots in the home of the most famous crack, Philadelphia, PA. I have a selfish obsession with promoting these guys whenever possible. They were actually my very first exploit as a new to the game music blogger. I also like to think of myself as a pretty damn good thinker. And being the utter genius that I am, I finally realized that I have been contributing to a wonderful music blog based out of Philadelphia, Comfort Comes, for the last two years. And when it comes to all things Portland indie rock related, Crappy Indie Music The Blog reigns supreme, and have let me throw in a different interview to their site once before. Then it just made sense. Bring the two cities together, if only for a quick interview. Let the worlds collide. So, for the few folks who might read this, take a chance to visit the blog these words are also having the day on.
I had the opportunity to reconnect with the band’s lead guitarist and vocalist, Mark Palumbo, via a series of questions and corresponding answers via e-mail (which we have both decided is really a rather convenient way to go) in which we discuss the band’s latest EP, their upbringing, and, of course, paint covered blood stains and bullet holes.
For the Crappy Indie Music readers who might have missed Ben Meyercord’s constant plugs and mentions, or Goldie’s long time love for you guys, how would you describe Westfold?
Westfold is a group of friends who spend most of their time hanging out together while writing Face Melting Indie Rock.

So, we know you currently rock the hell out of Portland, yet have deep roots in the great city of Philadelphia. What exactly is your connection with both cities?
Portland is our hometown. We all live here and love it. Philadelphia is where Tony and I grew up and met. I go back every once and a while to visit family and friends.
What brought you guys out to the Northwest?
We didn't come to Portland together. I moved out here in August 2001 as a transient. I was in a band called The Wayward Symphony with my friend Rodney Shank. We wanted to start new. {Portland made sense. So I packed a bag and my upright bass and took a train west. We didn't have jobs or a place to live. We played on the street for money and slept in a disgusting hotel downtown. It was the type of place where they just painted over bloodstains and bullet holes in the room.
Once we got settled in, Tony came out to visit. We had a blast together! Until that point we hadn't hung out in years. I was shocked when a few months later, Tony called me with news he was moving to town. At that point I started writing songs on guitar and Tony was just learning bass. We then started a band called Jacobin.
Was it directly after Jacobin, that Westfold was born?
Yeah. Simon and I started hanging out. We had this idea for “dual songwriter” acoustic songs. Westfold grew from that beginning.
What sort of, if any, music were you and Tony playing/becoming inspired by when you were growing up in the home of Rocky?
Tony and I always seemed to be in bands that were on the fringe musically. Heavy and bizarre. Lyrically, our past bands were thought provoking and poetic. I was a drummer back in the day. Tony was a guitarist.
Do you think that your music still holds a bit of east coast influence?
Maybe a little. It's still in our blood. I don't really think about that kind of stuff much.
You recently released your third, and arguably your finest, EP. What do you think it was that made this one so different from your first two releases?
There were a few things that made this last recording different. First of all, we never intended on releasing it. We planned on just recording a demo to send to labels in hopes of landing a deal to record our first full length album. Also the speed in which we recorded. We finished everything in just 32 hours. I think that by working so diligently, it captured a moment in time without over thinking. Like a diary page that has charm, honesty and flaws. Plus it was our first time working with engineer Adam Pike at Toad House [Recordings]. He's amazing! If we ever get the backing to record the new songs we wrote this winter, we want to work with [Pike] again. He knew his stuff and really made us feel comfortable in his studio.
For long time cult followers, the general style of Westfold might have seemed to have changed pretty drastically over the last couple of years. You’ve progressed from an experimental folk group, to a band with a much heavier and complex sound, to say the least. What do you think has inspired such a change?
I started playing electric guitar again last year. That has a lot to do with it. We still write on acoustic but when it's translated to electric the sound builds. The four of us have recently been writing collectively with more ease than ever.
So, can we expect to hear the newly transformed version of you guys from here on out?
We hope so. It's been a humbling learning process. Westfold intends to continue to go forward and always take a new approach to each new song. Simon and I still play the occasional house party with acoustics. We still enjoy the intimacy that an unplugged set creates. The full band just continues to grow in a very natural sense. Being fully electric has definitely changed us for the better, though. We're so excited about the new songs we're working on. We're like kids in a candy store.
Any plugs you would like to throw out before we close this up?
The Portland band Themes is on the top of my list. They just finished recording in the studio and played us a sneak peak. It's amazing! Also, The Taxpayers are about to leave Portland on a two month tour. I recommend checking out their show if they come to your town. They're going to be in Philadelphia towards the end of July. They're having a bit of trouble booking a show there so if anyone can help them please do so. My favorite band in Philadelphia is Sweetheart Parade. I love those guys. I usually play a show with them when I come to Philly, and Joshua Britton plays with Westfold when he comes to Portland.


Westfold’s latest self titled EP is now available on iTunes.
If you are in the Portland area, or plan on making your way out the upper left coast, be sure to catch Westfold playing at The Know on July 5th.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, July 7th

Hello Dear Readers,

Yesterday I mostly finished moving. I packed essentially by myself from 6 PM to 12 AM. Intense. That being said I missed all the shows that happened. Though once I got home I got to hear Bohr, the new AristeiA side project, practice. It is sounding really cool. I will totally let you guys know when there are some recordings. Anyways, here are some quick thoughts (I'm too tired for in depth thoughts) of the local shows tonight:

Laurelthirst is having a show with Y La Bamba and Meyercord. Y La Bamba landed the Laurelthirst Residency for the entire month of July. I am stoked. We are are going to be playing some old favorites as well as using this opportunity to try out some new stuff as well. Tonight is especially exciting for me because I will be opening up for Y La Bamba, one of my favorite bands (that I play in). I will be honest, I gain a sense of satisfaction when I play in more than one band at one show. It feels like I am not wasting my time. I am very happy with how things have been progressing with Meyercord lately. We are sometimes a five piece now, though tonight we will play as a three piece with upright bass by Perry Pfister and Holland Andrews on clarinet and vocals. I love the way it sounds. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Branx is having a show with Golden Retriever, Pulse Emitter, Josh Hydeman, and J. Hanson. I like Golden Retreiver. Check it out. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Ella Street Social Club is having a show with Gratitillium, Snuffaluffagus (CA), and Witt (San Diego). I wrote about the two California bands just a few days ago. Gratitillium has a new EP out and an album on the way. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Sleepy Sun and Tu Fawning. Tu Fawning is rad. Has Joe from 31 Knots and Menomena with Corina Repp and others. You can hear a track from their upcoming album on their myspace (which I linked to earlier). The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

Laughing Horse Books is having a show with Purrbot, Shelby Sifers and Letmore. I have not seen Shelby play in years. But her songs are good. Her voice as I recall reminds me of old Joanna Newsome. So you will either like it or hate it. I like it. Purrbot is pretty great. Kinda moody, but great. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at the Laurelthirst please say, "Hi". I would be very appreciative.

-Ben


You can catch Purrbot at Laughing Horse Books on Burnside.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, July 6th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night at the Know was pretty fun. Secret Codes is definitely progressing. Due to a bit of minor illness, there was not any singing last night. David Kyle, the band's leader, told me that four of his songs now incorporate singing. Also new to the mix was a song that features saxophone. I guess what I am saying is that I want to seen Secret Codes again. As for AristeiA, we played a set that was very loose. The set was barely on the rails. Plus we had Holland Andrews (Like a Villain, Meyercord etc...) on clarinet. Anyways, here are some shows that look pretty good. They are happening tonight:

Holocene is having another installment of The Rumble. This time it is with Swim Swam Swum, What Laura Says (Tempe, AZ), Wax Fingers, and DJ Skin So Soft. You know what the rumble is, right? It is that FREE party that is thrown every single month that features a touring band while spotlighting some local acts as well. Acts like Swim Swam Swum. This is a band that I write about every time they play. I think that they are one of the more solid bands in Portland. They epitomize slightly nasal guitar driven indie rock. Wax Fingers is a band that I have been meaning to catch for a while now. I like what I have heard. What I have heard was slightly experimental pop music. You should check it out. What Laura Says has gotten a lot of positive press. I have not listened to them much. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

The Woods is having something called The Story Chapter XIV: Priya Zara's Sweet Revenge upon the Population of Ravana-Than-Gur (An Angel's Silence in 6 Acts) with Mountainhood (Northern CA or NY), Bird by Snow (San Francisco), Ilyas Ahmed, I beleive in Sunshine, Pioneer, and Plankton Wat. This is what The Woods website has said about The Story, "The Story is an ongoing music series which tells a continuous narrative from show to show, as the bands tell the story with songs. Each Chapter is curated by Feather (Michael Curtis Hilde from Mountainhood). Further: The Story is happening all around us, made of TV, molecules, lives, lies, dreams, perceptions. The Story, in and of itself, is an idea that encapsulates all that's happening on the inner and outer plane, real and superreal, canny and uncanny: everything. People's music and lyrics tell it. The purpose of our happenings is to gather together and hear it. Whatever the narrative may be - reality decides - Only We perceive. Every happening is a new chapter, each band tells the next sentence." Sounds pretty interesting, right? All of the bands are weird folk or psychedelic folk or just weird. The show is $6 and starts at 8:30 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Water & Bodies, Archeology, and Ocean Age. I am mostly writing about this because I think that Ocean Age is one of the most promising bands in Portland. I really dig the feel that they create. I really am not quite sure how to describe it, but I do recognize it as being good. Archeology also shows potential. They make very modern sounding lite indie rock. I feel that I have seen the name Water & Bodies before, but I do not know much about them. I sadly do not have the ability to give any bands a listen today (not speakers at work right now). The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

Someday Lounge is having a show with Julian Snow, Carcrashlander, Christopher McFetridge (Dallas, OR), and The Lilies (CA). I have not seen Carcrashlander in FOR-EVER. They are a great band that is super chill. Sometimes Jammy always impressive. Cory Gray is one of the top players around town and has been on countless records and has backed himself with some of the best players in town. The show is $3 and starts at 9 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Key Losers, Total Noise and The Whisperlights (Tempe, AZ). Key Losers is the new band from Katy Davidson most popular for the band, Dear Nora. Dear Nora is a band that I got into before I moved to Portlandia. Katy Davidson is a bit like a musical chameleon but though the outside layers change, at the heart of all of her music is pop. I think you will like the music. And would you look at that, another Tempe band. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM

If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi". I predict good things if you do.

-Ben


Wax Fingers will play tonight at Holocene. No word on whether they will bring trippy visual companion installations.

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, July 5th

Hello Dear Readers,

It's been a while huh? I have been ridiculously busy lately. I have been able to see some shows. I have also missed some shows. Here are some highlight and low lights. Highlights was being able to see The Sarcastic Dharma Society and Alameda play in a barn at Kickitat Winery. Low points missing the last Hosannas show. I know that Brandon and Richard Laws will continue to make music together (perhaps as the Hosannas Brothers?), but I will miss the songs that I love so much. I also know that Lane Barrington will continue with his wonderful project The Ocean Floor. Christof will make his own music and has been rumored to make a documentary on the Portland music scene (are there any other scenes?). Anyways, I hope you all had a happy 'Merica Day yesterday. I did. Here are some shows that look good tonight:

The Know is having a show with AristeiA, Rubedo (Denver), and Secret Codes. Hey everybody come to my show. I play in AristeiA and I think that we are a pretty quality band. We are instrumental so you do not have to endure obtuse lyrics and vocals that are not to your liking. There is just raw feelings emoted through the power of music. Or something. Not to take away from the other two bands that do have singing and words and such. I know that Secret Codes used to be instrumental and they still might be heavily instrumental, but they do have some vocals in the mix. I have not seen them in a long time and I am interested to see how far they have progressed as a band. It used to be just the band members playing the parts at that band leader David Kyle wrote. But I am sure that over time the members have added their own touches to the music. If you like Efterklang or Tortoise, I think you will like this band. I don't know much about Rubedo, but my Drummer from Denver Vouches for them. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Ducketts is having a show with Palo Verde, Pluvial, and Tyrants. So okay, Palo Verde is a improvisational instrumental rock duo. There are not too many of those around town. And if there are, no offense, they probably aren't very good. Yet, the ladies in Palo Verde are good. Very good. They have undeniable music chemistry that allows them to play what seems like not improvised improvised music. It is also very very rock. They recorded and released an album recently. I have not heard it but I bet it is awesome. Pluvial is a very very cool bass and drums post rock sounding band. I really like what I heard on the Internet. It features the very talented and busy drummer David 'Papi' Fimbres who plays in like a million bands. I think The Tyrants are best described by the labels punk or post-punk. They make kinda discordant music with vocals that are difficult to understand due to the yelped vocals. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Slabtown is having a show with Bad Sports (Denton, TX), The Polaroids, Trash TV, and Blood Beach. Bad Sports is a band from the town where I went to college. They make music of the punk rock variety. Meaning while it does sound punk there are also traits of rock and roll like guitar solos and riffs and such. I am unsure as to whether or not the band I linked to as The Polaroids are the band that are playing tonight, but if they are they are a rock band. They have some heavily distorted live YouTube videos. I am also unsure of the Trash TV band I linked to. The main reason for writing about this show is because of Blood Beach. I think what they are doing is pretty unique sound. It is led by a guy who used to play under the moniker Tex Winters (who moved to Portland from Denton). He has a background in experimental folk and psychedelic rock. Though with this project I would say that he is leaning heavily on the rock side of things. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I will be the one playing bass in AristeiA.

-Ben


Palo Verde will rip it up for FREE tonight at Ducketts.

Read More >>