Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, January 12th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I practiced again. I wanted to see No Kind of Rider but I got too tired by the time it started. My friend went to the show and text me that I would have liked it. I know I would have liked it! Jerk. He then suggested that if I took naps I wouldn't have the problem of being too tired to go to shows. I will take it under consideration. Anyways, here are the shows that look good to me:

Roadside Attraction is having a show with WH Walker, Pure Country Gold, Guantanamo Baywatch, and White Fang. It is easy for me to forget that Roadside usually has shows on Wednesday nights for FREE. I generally practice until I am done with music for the day. Also Roadside doesn't usually advertise their shows. It is mostly a word of mouth sort of thing. Well, word got out about this show. I am writing about it because I like what I have heard of Guantanamo Baywatch and White Fang. Both have put out tapes on Gnar Tapes (Eric Gage of White Fang runs the label). Both play music that would be appropriate at parties. Normally I don't advocate shows with more than three bands on the bill, but this is FREE y'all. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Al James, Liz Janes, Greylag, and Bridges. Let's consider the facts: Al James aka Al James the Unfazed is best known for leading the Americana group Doloreon. Dolorean has a new album about to come out entitled The Unfazed. I don't know what's going on with this guy but whatever it is, it is not fazing him. I think of Portland having two very solid Americana bands that are like the kings or whatever. Richmond Fontaine and Doloreon. Not that there are other great Americana bands in Portland (Celilo, I didn't forget you). Liz Janes is part of the Asthmatic Kitty Family. Asthmatic Kitty has something to do with Sujan Stevens, who is great. Not everyone on the label is great. That being said Liz is pretty good. Greylag is a band that I have not seen but is definitely on my radar. I say that they have a similar feel to Blind Pilot or something like that. I immediately liked what I heard of their music. The show is $8 and starts at 8 PM.

Bunk Bar is having a show with Wild Flag and Drew Grow & The Pastors Wives. Wild Flag is a band with some very familair names. Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss? Whoah you almost have Sleater Kinney. Mary Timony? She was in Helium and also put out some stuff under her own name on Matador Records. Plus there is Rebecca Cole who was in The Minders. I guess what I am trying to say is...SUPERGROUP! The band is pretty new, but are off to a good start from what I hear anyway. I could not find any recordings, but there are youtube videos. High Energy rock and roll. Two guitars, keyboards and drums. Who needs bass? Drew Grow & The Pastor's Wives sounds totally different. They are kinda all over the place actually. But they are really good. You should check out their label Amigo/Amiga which puts out the equally as good if not better Kelli Schafer recordings. The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I would get a kick out of it.

-Ben


Wild Flag plays Bunk Bar Tonight!