Live Music Review: Meyercord @ Roadside Attraction 02/18/09

Meyercord played for a comfortably full room at the cozy Roadside Attraction. David Kyle played along for a bit and was well received. Both sounded beautiful and relaxed. That place is cool! I love the colors, the painting and the outside fire pit. I will go again. Ben Meyercord said something about they only book shows on Wednesday night... Is that true? Anyway if you are a singer/songwriter type book a show there.









All photo's by Ste. Goldie's phone.

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Photo's from AristeiA/The Sea and Cake 11/29/08 @ Doug Fir

11/29/08 The White Stage sign was in fit form boasting "MAD IN OREGON"


AristeiA rocked and blew the ear drums of a sold out crowd


Did you know drummer John McEntire was born in PDX?


Archer Prewitt takes an encore recommend from Ben Meyercord


Ben Meyercord giving an excellent recommend (what was it again?)


Eric Claridge and I talked turkey and shit about The Aladdin Theater


Much to the excitement of Adam, Ben and I -- Andy, "The Boy", from Lift to Experience is working at Doug Fir! Rumor has it he is working on a project with Josh T. Pearson called "Rocker Texas Ranger":



All Photo's by Ste. Goldie taken with her phone

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music picks for March 10-16

So my bi-weekly version was met with only one response, so I will give the reader what she wants. One full week of local shows coming right up:

Monday, March 10th

There are a couple of freebies that are going down tonight. Why don't you check them out?

• Valentine's is having Graves playing with Lake (Olympia), and Swimming. Graves is good easy listening/indie-pop. So come by and get your breezy groove on. I have seen Lake play with the Graves before and they were better than good. The show is FREE. The show is set to begin at 9 PM.
• The Hippodrome Circus Arts Center (yeah, you heard me) is having a show featuring the music of Glass Candy, DJ Beyonda, Caves, E*Rock, and Reggie Watts. I am very curious about this venue. I am unsure if any circus stuff will be going down. The show is to benefit the Tap Project, the UN sponsored effort for world wide clean drinking water. You can read what PDX Food Press wrote about the event here. It is FREE (not sure how it benefits at this price but oh, well). It starts at starts at 9 PM.

Tuesday, March 11th

Looks like you got some options for Tuesday. Look:

• You always have the option of checking out the open mic at Zilla Sake. It happens every Tuesday and is usually hosted by Y La Bamba, but...
• It is Y La Bamba's Birthday! She is having a little get together at her place. Music perhaps? Contact her via myspace for more details.
• The Tonic Lounge is having a show featuring The Days, Pacific Ocean Fire (UK), and The Morals. I know nothing of the two bands that are not The Morals. But I do know I like me some The Morals. The show will probably cost something (my guess would be money). The show probably starts at 9 PM.
• At the Chaos Cafe there are some names that I know I have blogged about before including Ali Wesley, Jack Elder, Leonard Mynx, Audie Darling (no relation to CMITB contributor Gabriel Darling), and Shoeshine Blue. All of the musicians are top friends with each other. This a) made it easier to do all of the links and b) means that this will be a fun show because shows where friends share the bill are the most fun to attend. I think this is all acoustic music related to Folk,Country and Blues. There is a lot of music and it looks to be FREE. The Music starts at 8 PM.
• Rotture is having its reoccurring event that is Joe Preston's Mancampus. Today National Sunday Law(LA) will be playing it along with Nanda Devi. Should be awesome. If you're into this sort of thing. The show costs $6. Music starts at 9 PM.

Wednesday, March 12th

I only got a few to list here:

• If you want to hear good songs and good voices, you should check out the Rotture. Y La Bamba has gathered some friends in Andy Combs and the Moth and Meyercord (Me!). It should be a good night. The price weighs in at $5. The show will get under way at 9 PM.
• Or you could go to Holocene where a bunch of local bands that I have never heard of are playing. These bands are Ley Lines, Air War, and Crook & Nanny. The reason I list this show is because Air War looks like they might be good. The show will be $5. Things will start happening at 9 PM.

Thursday, March 13th

There are quite a few shows to choose from on Thursday.

• At The Tonic Lounge you will a line up very similar to the line up that played Rotture on Tuesday. Face Pilot will be playing with National Sunday Law (LA) and Nanda Devi. This show does not have a listed cover. The show will start at 9:30 PM.
• Doug Fir has one of my favorite Orchestral indie-pop bands The Online Romance playing in between Kieskagato and Newspapers. The Online Romance , highly recommended. The show costs $6. The music starts promptly at 9 PM.
• Or you could go to The Mississippi Studios to catch Run On Sentence play with Death Songs (Shaky Hands side project alert!). I haven't seen either bands but I like what I see from their respective myspace pages. The show will cost $7-$8. The music will start around 8 PM.
• Or if funny and free is your cup of tea. Then check out the Drats!!! playing with Rollerball and Lickity at Holocene. The show is FREE. It begins at 9 PM.
• Or if you want to play Street Fighter II while digging the tunes of some of Portland's finest go check out Ground Kontrol. Pegasus will be playing with The Friendly Skies and Loch Berlin. It only costs $3. The music will start at 9 PM.

Friday, March 14th

There are shows on Friday. Here they are:

• The Know will be hosting Jakob Adler, and Paperbacks. The only reason I am listing this show is because Jakob listed some pretty good influences on his Portland Mercury ad. The show, like most shows at The Know, is FREE. Things start at 8 PM.
• The Tonic Lounge has a show featuring Kleveland, Thee Loyal Bastards, and The Decliners. Basically I like the Country Rawk that is Thee Loyal Bastards (ex- I can lick any Sonofabitch in the House). This will cost an unlisted amount of money (probably cheap). The show begins at 9:30 PM.
• Or you can go to Rererato at 42nd between Sumner and Alberta. Cause they are a great all ages/art/music venue space. On Friday they are having +Cnctd, Moderstate, and The Paper Ballet. There is a suggested donation of $4. The show will start at 8 PM and is ALL AGES.
• Also, remember that Coffee House in Downtown Vancouver that was Blogged about a while back. Yes, The Grind. A friend of mine, Jon Hecox, wrote me to say that he was playing there on Friday. He found out about the venue via this very Blog. Yay! The show is free and starts at 7 PM.
  

Saturday, March 15th

A Couple of shows for a couple if dollars (realistically $5):

• Kelly's Olympian is having The Friendly Skies play on Saturday with The Wagon(San Diego), Boldbird(Tuscon), The Angry Orts, and Post Harbor(Seattle). So, if you missed the Skies on Thursday here is your chance. The show will probably cost $5. With five bands and starting at 10PM, this will be a long night if you choose this route.
• The alternative is to get all dance-like at Someday Lounge where Starfucker is playing with Copy, and DJ Linoleum, and DJ BJ. This also costs $5 and starts at 10 PM.

Sunday, March 16th

There are a grip of show on Sunday:

• Two of the shows are BRO benefit shows. One is at Someday Lounge and has Alan Singley and Pants Machine, Oh Captain My Captain, Swim Swam Swum, The Vonneguts, Palo Verde, and Gregory Miles Harris. The admission price is $7 to $12 depending on how much you love Basic Rights. The Show starts at 7 PM.
  
• The other benefit is at Backspace and features Here Comes a Big Black Cloud, Hey Lover, World's Greatest Ghosts, Sleepyhead, Dirty Mittens, and Almost Nearly. Again, the admission price is $7 to $12 depending on how much you love Basic Rights. The show starts at 7 PM and is ALL AGES.
  
• Valentine's has a show consisting of Ohioan, Sonny Fields and Inside Voices. I usually trust the music that Valentine's books. The show is FREE. Things get started sometime after 9 PM.
• Or Holocene has a ridiculously good show involving Tara Jane O' Neal, Dragging an Ox Through Water, and Dirty Mittens (not sure if they are doing both the BRO benefit and this show).
  

So there you have it. Another long post. Enjoy your shows. And say hi if you see me at one of these.

-Ben


Here Comes a Big Black Cloud plays Backspace on Sunday. ALL AGES to support Basic Rights Oregon.
Photo by At Dusk Greg

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks Feb.25th to March. 2nd

Hello dear Readers,

How are you? I would like again to beg of your help for a better name that Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks. Maybe I can raise the stakes a little. If you come up with the new name of my weekly post, then I will make it worth your while (I am unsure of what this entails at this point, but it will be good). In the meantime, you might garner some inspiration by attending some of the many shows that are going down this week:

Monday, Feb. 25th

Usually Valentine's is the only place with something happening on Monday, but I'll be darned if there aren't three shows happening this evening.

• I have never been to McMenamins Edgefield as it seems like it is really far away, but guess what. I am going to go on Monday. Because Fall of Snow is playing a special acoustic set with the aid of two cellist courtesy of The Portland Cello Project. Edgefield looks like it has a lot to offer. Plus it has been a while since I have hung out in a stately Manor. Best part of the whole thing is that it is FREE. There will be two sets between 7 PM and 9 PM.
  
• Valentine's has what looks to be a very promising show featuring Dragging an Ox Through Water, Anni Rossi(LA/Chicago) , Bird Costumes, and Mad Gregs(LA). If you have read this column at all, you know that I highly recommend Dragging An Ox. But I also find that Bird Costumes looks and sounds really interesting (from the looks of it, he sometimes actually wears a bird costume). The show is FREE. The thing starts at 9 PM.
• Or the Someday Lounge seems to have a cool show that night too. Calabi Yau (North Carolina), Alexis Gideon, and Night Wounds will all be playing I am unfamiliar with two of them, but Alexis Gideon has been on my radar. He makes cool music that draws from a variety of influences. Plus he told me that he had made claymation videos for all of his new songs (and I know Someday has a good screen. I'm just saying). This will cost you $5. The show starts at 9 PM.

Tuesday, Feb. 26th

Traditionally show goers options are limited on Tueday nights. Not this Tuesday look at all of these shows:

• I first want to mention the open mic at Zilla Sake. I know open mics are supposed to be wretched. Y La Bamaba apparently didn't get the memo because she runs on of the most talent drenched open mics I have ever seen or heard (she is also is one of my favorite people making music right now). Check out Open Mic Scout for a preview. The sign up starts at 7:30 PM. The music starts at 8 PM.
• The other Open Mic that actually has talent is of course CIMTB contribuer Gabriel Darling's own Incubator hosted at the Someday Lounge. Not really fair to call it an open mic though. It is really more of an open stage (most anything goes). There is no price of admission for this event. Things will get going at 9 PM.
• Valentine's is having a pretty awesome show tonight as well. Castanets, who recently taped a Blogotheque show (if you have not seen the Take Away Show series you are in for a treat), and Death Songs will be playing. The price is FREE. The doors are at 9PM.
• Over at the Towne Lounge, Pop Tomorrow! (not to be confused with PDX Pop Now!) is presenting a show featuring Natural Bridges, Raise the Roof Beams, and Sunshine. The price is right (FREE). The music starts at 9:30 PM.
• Do you like the place where blues and gospel and bluegrass meet? Don't laugh, some people do. If you are in that crowd, you might want to check out the Chaos Cafe on Tuesday. Mimi Naja (you may recognize them name as I played a show with her last week) will be playing a free set starting at 8 PM.

Wednesday, Feb. 27th

There are only a couple show I find interesting for Wednesday.

• So there is a great show at the Chaos Cafe (I am playing it but honest to goodness it is a great show). It will feature myself as Meyercord, Y La Bamba, and David Evan. If you have read this blog at all you know that I think that Y La Bamba is the Bomb (say that aloud, its fun). Also I believe I have spoken about how great David Evan is (he is great). He is great and also he is now playing with a full band which he debuted on Saturday. Check out what Local Cut said about him here. The show is FREE; though you should bring some money for CDs as both Y La Bamba and David Evan will have some available (I have both and think they would make a fine addition to anyone's music library). It is also ALL AGES. The show starts at 8 PM.
• The other show going on Wednesday is at the Holocene where Ethan Rose, Yellow Swans (quite possibly the loudest band in Portland), Unrecognizable Now, Very Stereo, Linger and Quiet will be playing as part of the "Landmarks" event. "Landmarks" is a multimedia portrait of Portland's landmarks and is presented by Vision+Hearing project. The show will be $6 at the door. The show will start at 9 PM.

Thursday, Feb. 28th

Quite a few shows are going down on Thursday though:

• The elusive Dunes is hosting, the newly signed to Kill Rock Stars, New Bloods with Agent Ribbons(CA), The Vaginals(CA), Magic Johnson, and Alas Alak Alaska(CA). I believe that the shows at Dunes are FREE (but bring some dough for the touring bands). The show starts at 8 PM.
• Laurelthirst Public House is having a three band bill featuring Audie Darling, Shoeshine Blue, and Autopilot is for Lovers. The show should be good as it appears that all of the bands are friends. The cost is $5. The music starts at 9:30 PM.
• The East End is holding a benefit show for Team Awesome who are basically two dudes from Portland who are riding bikes across our nation by bike spreading the gospel of cycling. The bands playing are Oh Captain My Captain, Highway, DJ Zach Brooks, and DJ A Train. The benefit costs $6. The show starts at 9 PM.
• There also appears to be a pretty cool show at Rotture. They will have Fist Fite, Starfucker, DJ Tobias, DJ Metronome, and The Paperbacks as part of the Risk Vs. Reward series of shows (it takes place every 4th Saturday or the last Saturday of the every month). The show is $6 at the door. The doors are at 9 PM.

Friday, Feb. 29th

Did you see that date? That means its a leap year! Why no celebrate by going to a local show tonight? You have options. Maybe too many of them (all really good).

• The Alberta Street Pub is having Ezra Carey play with one of my favorite locals, Westfold. Westfold puts on a hell of a show. I highly recommend this show.
• And yet over at the Someday Lounge, Strangers Die Everyday (who I have been meaning to see forever), are having a CD release party form their new album Autopilot is for Lovers are playing with one of my other favorite bands to see, We're From Japan! What the hell. Thats a tough decision.
  
• And theres more at the Fine Grind Coffee House (2035 SE 39th Ave Portland, OR 97214) is having a fine show that includes the like of The Ocean Floor, Jambo Land, Down South Sallie, and Y La Bamba. If you have heard Down South Sallie it is incredible. Her speaks like a normal person, but when she sings it is very hard not to stare. She sounds like Billie Holiday I swear. The show is FREE and ALL AGES. The thing starts at 8PM.
• Or there is a show at a place I have not heard of before called Work/Sound. They are having a CD release show for Gulls. It will feature them and friend Michael Bruce of Sonic Lozenge with instillations by Erik Blad. A price is not listed. The thing starts at 10 PM.
  

Saturday, March 1st

Happy New month! Empty your bank accounts for rent and then spend the rest on either of these shows:

• The Doug Fir is having an opbmusic.org sponsered CD release show for Weinland who have a new record out, La Lamentor, on the Badman Label. Death Songs and Musee Mecanique will also be playing sets. The show costs $10. It begins at 9 PM.
• Slabtown is having Soft Tags, So Many Dynamos(MO), and Wax Fingers play a show. I have not heard of any of these bands but...the description of Wax Fingers list their "Musical Cues: Akron/Family, Animal Collective, Mogwai, Slint, Don Cab, Battles, etc..". Those are the kind of musical cues I like to see. The show is $6. The doors ar at 9 PM.

Sunday, March 2nd

There are some big shows going on tonight:

• The first big show is not big in the number of bands playing(there are only two), but rather for the size of the bands playing . I am of course talking about The March Forth Marching Band and Kazum(acrobats?) show that is happening at the Crystal Ballroom on Sunday Afternoon. It is part of the big-ass celebration of a big-ass band (3 days of celebration). Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 5-12 and free if you are younger than that. The doors are at 1 PM. The show begins at 2:30 PM. ALL AGES.
• The other big show just has a shit-ton of bands. The Holocene is having, "An evening of music, dance, theater, tiny stages, regular size stages, no stages. It's a party, dudes,
  with some party dudes. Some of our favorite bands/collaborators will be in the backroom:Tara Jane O'Neil, Cex Fucx, Evolutionary Jass Band, Starfucker, Bryce Panic (Mirah's awesomelydancing/rapping drummer)--interspersed with a special
  presentation of Ten Tiny Dances (4 Tiny Dances) in thefront room. On the Tiny Stage will be Fever Theater,Rush-N-Disco, local heroes Linda Austin and KarenNelson presenting The Tuning Score (whose originator, Lisa Nelson, will be in residency in Portland at the
  time of this event!), and dear little Woolly Mammoth(that's us). We hope Fred Nemo shows up, but we can't get through at the phone number we have for him. In asilent auction you can place bids on gift certificates galore from places such as Tiga, Podnah's, Lovely Hula
  Hands, Hi iH Gallery, The Fresh Pot, and items such as delicious wine, massages, a Gyrotonic session, and yoga classes, just to start." While I am not exactly sure why Wolly needs the benefit, I think with that line up they will get my help. The show costs $10. The thing begins at 7 PM.

So that is it. A whole mess of shows. Do yourself a favor check some of them out. And if you see me at a show, please say hi.

-Ben


Woolly Mammoth play with many many bands on Sunday.
photos: Chris Mullikan; costumes: Diana Lang

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Ben Meyercord's live music picks for Feb. 19th to Feb. 24th

Hello dear readers, how are you?

Last week I kind of fell behind. I missed one entire day (Monday)* and I neglected a really cool show at the Funky Church (Paleo, Kele Goodwin and Loch Lommond). I will do better this week.

Also I thought that maybe this weekly post should have a name. However, I can't really think of anything write now. Perhaps you guys could come up with something better than Ben Meyercord's live music picks. Anyway here are some shows:

Tuesday, Feb. 19th

There is not much happening that I am interested in but what is happening is good.

• Every Tuesday, Zilla Sake has a really good open mic. It is hosted by the amazing Y La Bamba. You should come out. I will play a few songs as Meyercord. The sign up starts at 7:30. The music starts at 8 PM.

Wednesday, Feb. 20th

Here are two shows worth seeing (I think).

• The White Eagle Saloon is having an "Unfiltered: Indie-Rock Showcase" featuring Quaker Gun, Jared Mees, and Andrew Gorny. Basically I want to check out Jared Mees cause I haven't yet. The show is FREE. Music starts at 8:30 PM.
• The other thing happening tonight is at Mississippi Pizza where Barons in Trees is playing an early show. Their Bio includes this paragraph which makes me want to see them. "Barons in Trees creates a nostalgic blend of indie, folk, and classical music. With influences that conjure Paul Simon, a hint of Sufjan Stevens and a dash of DeVotchKa, their unique polyphonic sound is just the kind of performance for which Portland’s musical palette yearns." The show is FREE. The music starts at 6 PM.

Thursday, Feb. 21st

There is some good shows happening on Thursday. They look like this:

• There is a show going on at a place that, if I am not mistaken, is called Extreme Cowboy Tennis (14 NW 3rd Ave). It will feature Caves, Gejius, Disgustitron, and Dance Terror. I don't know most of this music, but I do enjoy Gejius' music quite a bit. The she is $8. The doors are at 9 PM which is weird for an ALL-AGES show.
• Lola's Room is having a (kinda) Metal Show on Thursday night. Danava is playing with SubArachnoid Space, Dark Black, and Torn to Pieces. I am not that into metal, but I figured that some people (Brandon) are so I listed it. The show is listed as $6-$8. The Music starts at 9 PM.
  
• Rererato, the super awesome art space that sometimes has music, is having music on Thursday. On the bill are Fields at Night, Church, and The Newspapers. I saw Church play at Valentine's last Sunday and was really impressed with their arrangements produced y the three piece. Should be pretty cool. I believe donations are excepted. The music starts at 8 PM because it is ALL-AGES.

Friday, Feb. 22nd

There is a lot going on Friday. Some hard decisions must be made. Fortunately, I won't have to make any decisions because:

• I am playing a show as Meyercord with Y La Bamba and Mimi Naja at Zilla Sake (fitting becasue we all met via the Zillas Sake open mic). This will be a good show (I realize that it is hard to lend this show any credibility because I am playing it, but Y La Bamba is so good and Mimi is really good too). All I 'm saying is that there will be guitars and a banjo and a lot of singing. This show is FREE. It starts at 9 PM and is ALL-AGES.
• There are a two shows (one early and one late) at The Mississippi Studios tonight both of which feature Nick Jaina. The early show features Karli Fairbanks and Kaylee Cole opening up. They are both female songwriters from Spokane, WA. This show costs $8-$10. The start time of the early show is 7 PM.
  
• The late Nick Jaina show at The Mississippi Studios will have Pancake Breakfast of White Salmon, WA (that is the Washington bands in one night. Say WA?) and Portland's own Au (pronounced Aay You). This show also costs $8-$10. The show starts at 10 PM.
• Another good show is going down at the Funky Church. The line up is Ohioan & Native Kin, The Ocean Floor, Adam Gnade, and Johanna Wright. The show seems kind of mysterious, as there is no other listed inform (like cost, or time or if its all ages or not). My guess would be to show up at around 9 PM.
• Another good show is at the Urban Grind (on the Eastside). They will be having Starfucker, Rature (France), Doubledutch, and Breakfast Mountian. This is part of the Meow Meow presents series put on at the Urban Grind. The show will most likely be FREE. The show starts at 8 PM because it is ALL-AGES.
• Or there is another cool show that is happening at Kelly's Olympian. I am referencing The Rainy States CD release show (their debut album is called Basement Air). The show will have performances by The Rainy States and Church (who I have already mention in this blog). The show probably costs $5. The music starts at 10 PM.

Saturday, Feb. 23rd

There are a lot of shows on Saturday as well. Except this time I don't have the luxury of playing a show and not having to make a decision. At least I have band practice. That will probably weed out a few of the shows. Here they are:

• The one that I am most likely to attend is the final show at Brainstains a house show venue that has become quite popular on the house show circuit. Check out this little thing that David Evan posted: john brains, the man who has hosted so many amazing shows at his home/venue, brainstains, is leaving us! he needs money to move, so we are throwing him a benefit to say "thank you" for all he’s done for this community....also, i’ll be debuting my new band! dusty richards on bass, emillie rose currin on violin and keys, joshua polk on drums...all ages!...$5 (all proceeds go directly to john’s sweet ass pocket)...the line-up is as follows: Julie Rose 3pm...Bob Moricz 3:45...betacrack 4:30...autry 5:15...Sleepwalkers R.I.P. 6...advisory 6:45...gulls 7:30...LKN 8:15...hand that bleeds 9...david evan with his new band 9:45...jonny x and the groadies 10:30...shitfit 11:15...taxpayers 12...then bubble wrap dance party :)...this will be a night to remember. All of this for a measly $5. It is advertised as entertainment from 2 PM to 2 AM ALL-AGES.
  
• Speaking of house shows, The Artristery puts on shows in their basement. On Saturday they will be having a show that will most certainly reach capacity. Fast. Pitchfork aprroved and Sup Pop signed band Blitzen Traper are playing with Starfucker (who also played on Friday Night). You can order tickets here. The Show starts at 8 PM.
• Or there is an excellent folk show at Towne Lounge. Justin Ringle of Horse Feathers will be playing with Ryan Sollee of Builders and Butchers, Justin Power, and Nic Delffs of The Shaky Hands. With Horse Feathers recently signed to Kill Rock Stars this might be one of your last times to see those songs in an intimate setting. The show costs $6. The music starts at 9:30 PM.

Sunday, Feb. 24th

I could only find one show that I want to see on Sunday. But it actually looks to be a really good show. This is it:

• The Towne Lounge has a Portland Lounge Series ( yeah, I didn't know either). This Sunday will be the 16th on if I read my roman numerals correctly. From what I can tell the Portland Lounge Series entails getting some really good musicians to play the Towne Lounge for free (also, I learned that the bands are interviewed). This edition includes Nick Jaina (which is great cause I can't see either of his shows on Friday), Michael Apinyakul (of Shoeshine Blue), and Michael The Blind. This show is FREE. The music starts at 9:30 PM.
  

So there you have it. I hope you enjoy the shows. I know I will. Please come up to me and say hi if you see me at a show.

-Ben Meyercord


Nick Jaina on Friday and Sunday photo by Melani Brown

*it happened again

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Ben Meyercord's live music picks for Feb. 12th to Feb. 17th

I saw some music last week. I didn't however get to see Talkdemonic, Starfucker, and Tu Fawning at the Doug Fir. Apparently I was not the only person excited to see them, because it sold out. I was kind of disappointed. Hopefully a lesson was learned.

Also for some strange reason I actually had to work at my job on Sunday and Monday. This never happens. The result of this injustice is that my live picks will actually start on Tuesday this week. So anyway, these are some shows happening in the next six days

Tuesday, Feb 12th

There are a couple of free gigs that are going on in town and one thats not.

• Every Tuesday at Zilla Sake on Alberta, there is an open mic. Every Tuesday I attend. I have my reasons. I will now narrow them down to three. It is hosted by Y La Bamba which means I get to see her play twice. The people are really great. The curry at Zilla is top notch. Plus I usually play it as Meyercord. The sign up is at 7:30; the music starts at 8 PM.
• Or if you happen to be down town, you should check out whats happening at Valentine's. The Morals are playing with Train to Nowhere and Randy from Junkface. I always enjoy The Morals live sets (there are no set lists and two drunken guys singing real loud, in a good way). The show is FREE. It starts at 9 PM.
• Or if you like spending money(who doesn't?), you can head over to the Doug Fir where Baby Dee will be playing with Holocombe Waller. Baby Dee is a trans gendered musician from Cleveland. Holocombe Waller is a local who blurs the lines between theater and performing musician. It should be noted that both out on quite a show. The cost is $10. The show starts at 9PM.

Wednesday, Feb. 13th

Here are some things that I might consider going to if I get out of practice early enough:

• The Satyricon, which all though it is all ages is usually pretty lame, is actually having a decent show on Wednesday. Though I am not too familiar with any of them I have heard of The Beauty who are playing with Imaginary Airship, Air Fortress, and Dot Matrix. I have also heard of Imaginary Airship. I read that Dot Matrix is kinda like Opera. Should be interesting. The show is $6. The show starts at 8PM.
• Or if you want to get your groove on, 8-bits of it any way, you can go to the Holocene. Portland based record label Audio Dregs is presenting "8-bit Disco" which features a documentary on chip music music, 8-bit Generation, and performances by Laromlab, Robotcowboy, DJ E*Rock (one of Audio Dregs founders), and B*Retta. All of this for $5. The event starts at 9 PM.
• Or if you like to eat pizza whilst you listen to people bearing their existence, you can check out Y La Bamba at Mississippi Pizza. She is playing with Andy Combs and the Moth. I highly recommend you check out Y La Bamba. The show is probably by donation. Music starts at 9 PM.
  

Thursday, Feb. 14th

Thursday is Valentine's day. There are three ways to view this holiday. Valentine's Day is a time to be with that girl or guy non-gender-specific significant other and appreciate them for all that they are for you. Or how you don't have a girl or guy or non-gender-specific significant other and how much you long for that and how your life sucks with out it. Or lastly, how Valentine's is such a joke and how you can't believe how much people buy into the BS that Hallmark has created. Regardless of you views I hope you enjoy your day.

• Also I am playing a small show as Meyercord at CIMTB contributer Gabriel Darling's practice space along with David Evan and Myrrh Larsen. It should be fun. This comes direct from her myspace:
  

  anti-Valentine’s day singer/songerwriter show on 2/14 pour moi
  Current mood: fabulous

  Semler Building, Suite 411, PDX....
  SW 3rd between SW Yamhill and SW Morrison....
  near Borders...
  
  well, Myrrh Larsen, David Evan, and Benjamin Meyercord have confirmed for the Thursday, let's not celebrate coupledom and anti-Valentine's day singer/songwriter mellowness starting at 8PM!!!
  
  FYI, the elevator does not run after 6PM, so, please be aware that you must be able to climb up AND down 4 flights of stairs...
  additionally, you need to e-mail me for specific directions: gabriel.darling@gmail.com
  (cause I will have to escort you upstairs --- i'm not gonna give you the access codes!) :.P
  but please feel welcome to flash me! hahahaha
  
  you are more than welcome to bring a guest or guests..
  think we need to be done around 10:45PM with the loud cranking noise fest....
  BYOB... of course, a few tasty snackin's might be provided...
  
  Please come celebrate romance, anti-romance, or all the profanities rolled into 1!!!!

  Currently listening : The Fashion Focus By Starflyer 59 Release date: By 06 October, 1998

Friday, Feb. 15th

So much going on Friday. I cannot decide. I will just provide you the list of shows. Perhaps you can decide for me?

• Dante's is having a ROCK show featuring Blue Cheer, Danava, and Red Fang. All three bands look like they "bring it". I bet Brandon of AristeiA wishes he was going to this.
• Maybe country is more your thing. Maybe you like Johnny Cash. I know I do. Well, Ash Street is having a Johnny Cash Tribute night featuring Joshua James & the Runaway Trains, Kate Mann, and Myrrh Larsen. I am not familiar with most of the acts but I know that Myrrh always has interesting interpretations of songs (I believe that he currently has one of Row Row Row Your Boat on his myspace page). It costs $7. Music starts at 9:30 PM.
  
• Perhaps you want to help out and attend a benefit show. The Someday Lounge is hosting a benefit show for Ethos Music Center called Cover Your Hearts. This what Someday has to say about Ethos, "Ethos Music is an organization that was established as a direct response to the budget cuts in public schools which limited music education for children. The Ethos mission is that every child has the right to learn and make music. Through Ethos, music education is available on a sliding scale so any child can participate." Sounds pretty good to me. The Charmparticles, Climber, Oh Darling, Curious Jones, Dr. Theopolis, Tango Alpha Tango, Castle, Jonah, Derby, and UHF are playing the show. Tickets are $7-$8. The show starts at 9 PM.
• Or if you just want to kick it Nopo Style. You can check out the show thats going on at The Waypost. Paige Crater, Saw Whet, Allison Milham, and Dave are playing. I don't know anything about these people except that I really enjoyed what I heard of Saw Whet on her myspace page. The show is FREE. It starts at 8 PM.
• If you are in NW Portland, you night swing by Slabtown cause Pay The Coyote, Ezra Carey, and Obscure Opus are playing. The first two bands listed I know of indirectly through Westfold (pay the Coyote is a top froend, and Ezra is playing a show with them on the 29th) so they are probably good. The show costs $5. The show starts at 9 PM.

Saturday, Feb. 16th

Locally it is a slow night. You might be tempted to check out Pinback at The Wonder Ballroom, or Bone Thugs at the Roseland though. I however, will probably go the local and cheap route:

• The Twilight Cafe (1420 SE Powell Blvd) is hosting Magic Johnson (not the basketball player), Pegasus, We Quit, and Dragging an Ox Through Water. As you may be aware we here at CIMTB love us some Draging an Ox so go out and see what we are talking about. The show is FREE. Music starts at 9 PM (?).

Sunday, Feb. 17th

Not a whole lot going on this night either but...

• Valentine's is having a pretty sweet show. It will feature Aan, Church, and Saw Whet (in case you missed her on Friday). All band are good. The show is FREE which makes it all good. The show starts at 9 PM.

Come out to some of these shows. Support your local bands. Saw hi to me if you see me. And have a good week.

-Ben


Y La Bamba host of the Zilla Open Mic performs on Wednesday at Mississippi Pizza. Be There!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks Jan. 21st - Jan. 27th

Oh man, I am tired. I tried to got to more shows last week and yet I think I managed to go to even less than normal. I am ready for warmth outside. Or some free time or sleep or a combination of the the two. But what is that you say? This is not a dairy and you want actual music picks. Well hold your horse is, cause here they are:

Monday, Jan. 21st

Usually there are some decent shows on Monday. This Monday, however, has two really good shows. Both are free. Both are at venues that are too cool to have websites.

• The Tube (18 NW 3rd Ave) are having a show with Reporter, Swallows, DJ Nate C. You may recognize Reporter because they used to play under the name Wet Confetti. I is awesome angular rock. I must admit I am not familiar with Swallows, but it looks to be awesome as well. And why not go see them. The show starts at 9:30 and is Free.
• Speaking of awesome and free. You might want to check out Valentine's (232 SW Ankeny) because they are having Sarah Winchester, Sonny Fields, and Jack Bouba. Sarah sings as the "girl" part of the boy/girl vocals and plays the drums in A Weather (one of my favorite Portland bands). I saw her play at the Holocene a month ago just her and a guitar and it sounded great. I am excited about the possibility of hearing her play again. I just listened to Sonny and he sounds good. Geez. I just checked out Jack and he sounds good too (plus he wants his music to be called Fuck Folk. Bonus!). This show looks like it might be where I end up. Free. 9PM.
• Or if you want to go to a free show in NOPO then you get check out the hillbilly sounds of Podunk at The World Famous Kenton Club. This is the place that has the huge lumber jack outside of it. Free. 6PM.
  

Tuesday, Jan. 22nd

So I know that usually I only list open mics on Tuesdays. But that is because usually that is all that is going on on the second day of the week. But check it, I'm going to list at least two non-open mic shows.

• If you happen to have an extra $25-$28 laying around, you might consider going over to The Crystal Ballroom to see The Decemberists play a show with The Dead Trees (after looking at their page I see that they are plying the Know the previous day. How do you play the Know one night and The Crystal Ballroom the next night? Crazy.). I know that they are huge and on a major label and all but hey, I still thank they're great. So what? It costs $25-$28. Show is at 9PM.
• If you don't have that kind of cash but still feel like seeing some local quirky indiepop you can head to Holocene to catch the Alex Arrow Smith (get it?), Lonesome Radio Heart, and New Agency show. I don't know much about these bands but Holocene usually has good taste in music plus it is only $6. Show is at 9PM.
  
• Don't even have $6? Do not worry. There is always open mic at Zilla Sake every Tuesday. I know that open mics are usually very cringe worthy but this is quite the opposite. First of all it is hosted by the incredible Y La Bamba. Second of all Meyercord usually plays it. Third of all I hear they have good sake and I know they have good tea. Sign up is at 7:30PM. The show is free. Music Starts at 8:00PM.

Wednesday, Jan. 23rd

As always, you have quite a variety of shows to pick from on Wednesday.

• If you missed The Decemberists play on Tuesday or if you happened upon $30, you'll want to check out the (in my humble opinion) better of the two shows at The Crystal Ballroom as Psuedosix will be opening. Again it will be $25-$28. 9PM.
• Speaking of The Cyrstal Ballroom, a while back I was attending the last night of MusicFest NW at that very same Venue. I was there see Wolf Parade. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that both opening acts were quite good as well. Holy Fuck seems to really be taking off. It will be interesting to see if the local band, Swim Swam Swum will see some of the same success. You can catch them at Berbati's Pan with Seattle's Patient Patient and World's Greatest Ghosts on Wednesday. The show is a modest $5. 10PM.
• The Doug Fir is having Musee Mecanique, Michael Hurley, and MBilly play a show. I first noticed Musee Mecanique quite a few months ago when I noticed that several of my favorite local bands had this band in their "top friends". Then when it was announced that they were Laura Gibson's touring backing band I finally checked them out. They sound pretty darn good. Michael Hurley is apparently a folk singer legend. I heard him play with Alela Diane at Holocene once. He was pretty good. I have seen that MBilly has opened for many a good musician. I assume that he is then good in his own right. For $8 you can go find out for yourself. Show starts at 9PM.
• Speaking of the Holocene, Per Se is playing there with Dirty Mittens, Hurah Hurah, and Sea Caves on Wednesday. If you have ever met Anne from Per Se you know she is pretty cool. What you might not know if you met Anne is that she writes and performs good music. So if you like those other bands she is playing with you might want to consider this show. It will set you back $6. Show at 9PM.

Thursday, Jan. 24th

I most likely will not go out tonight. I will not lie to you and say oh yeah sure. I will be at the show. Lets face facts folks. Working at 6:30AM on Friday does not lend itself to seeing a show on Thursday nights. That being said:

• Mississippi Pizza is having thebrotheregg play with The Envelope Peasent. They are playing an early show at 6PM.

Friday, Jan. 25th

So usually there are a few things going down on Fridays. Here is what I see.

• One time Cello player of AristeiA, George Turner, plays in the group Sketchy Ted. If you like good old fashioned guitar pop, you might dig them. They play along side Rowdy James Band, Blare, and The Misery Science at The Ash Street Saloon. The show is $5. 9:30 PM.
• The Someday Lounge is having a very cool event on Friday. It is part of the Triple Dare Series which usually involves an author, a film maker, and a musician. This one is called, "Is that all there is?". There is a lot to this event and I don't really feel like writing it all so let me just let you know that Shelly Short will be playing and you will get more entertainment value than a "normal show". The event will set you back $8 and totally be worth it.
  

Saturday, Jan. 26th

Show night in Portland. You want some options? I got your options right here:

• Hip Hop in PDX! The Ash Street Saloon is hosting some of Portland's best emcees including Cool Nutz, Maniac Lok, Cancer Rising(Seattle), Syndel, Living Proof, and DJ Chill. It is all part of Just Family Records' "Don't Hate" event.There will be a lot of rhymes and good times. The show is $10. 9:30PM.
• One of Brandon Gordon's (AristeiA, Meyercord) favorite bands right now is local rock group Danava. He Loves them. Anyway, they are playing Kelly's Olympian on Saturday with Rabbits and one DJ Wroid Wrage. The price of admission is not listed. Show at 9PM.
• The Doug Fir is having a "triple tiered night of chamber folk and pop" which includes Norfolk & Western, Point Juncture, WA, and Bark Hide & Horn (wow two bands with ampersands). All good. The cost is $10. Show is at 9PM.
• If you want some good old Pacific NW indie-rock, I would head to the Towne Lounge. Old Growth, Chores (Features Lou from A Weather), and Les Flaneurs. The show will undoubtable be a good time for the price of $5. Show starts at 9:30PM.
• Or perhaps you want a slightly off kilter yet awesome show. Check out Mississippi Studios as Two Ton Boa (Olympia, WA) and Dragging an Ox Through Water play a late show. I love Dragging an Ox Through Water. It costs $7 or $8. Show at 10PM.

Sunday, Jan. 27th

I usually don't go to show on Sundays but...

• Valentines is having Paint and Copter, EET, and Smoke & ; Mirrors play this Sunday. Valentine's is good for bringing together interesting bills. This is no exception. The show is FREE. Show starts at 9PM.
  

Whew. As always I hope to see you at some of these shows. Support your local bands (you can also support your local blogs by commenting on and linking to this blog). Have a great week.

-Ben Meyercord


Come see Brandon's Favorite Band this Saturday at Kelly's Olympian

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Ben Meyercord Live Music Picks for Jan. 14th to Jan. 20th

I am proud of myself. I actually made it out to some shows last week. A whopping 4 out of the 12 shows I had listed. Do the math, (thats a third of the shows I listed, just in case you didn't want to do the math). I plan to do even better this week. And believe you me there some good shows to catch this week.

Check it out:

Monday, Jan. 14th

• The Someday Lounge will be having a show which features Seattle's Pwrfl Power and two of Portland's up and comers Mattress and Ah Holly Fam'ly. I believe that this show got a write up in the Mercury so I won't get into too much detail, but I will say this. I have been meaning to catch Ah Holly Family for what seems to be forever. Hopefully I will on Monday. It costs $5. Show at 9PM

Tuesday, Jan. 15th

• The only thing I can full heartedly recommend is the Zilla Sake Open Mic. Again this happens every single Tuesday and is hosted by the amazing Y La Bamba. I try to play this as Meyercord every week. Other cool people play this every week. The quality of this thing is actually quite surprising. Sign up at 7:30. This free music extravaganza starts at 8PM.

Wednesday, Jan. 16th

Apparently the nights that are most likely to have shows that I want to see always fall on the days that I am least likely to see them (ie band practice days: Wednesday and Saturday). This may be a good thing though since there always seems to be some difficult decisions to be made.

• You could to the cheap thing and see folk legend Michael Hurley play a free set at the Laurel Thirst Public House. Free. 9PM.
• Or you could go to the show I am most likely to attend at The Hawthorne Theater. Normally I don't like this venue, but this looks like a pretty good line up. You got your Jared Mees & The Grown Up Children (I have still haven't seen them yet), Jon Garcia's new band form Castle, Minmae, and personal friend o' mine Stephanie Casey as Fall of Snow (check her write up in the Mercury). Show is $8. ALL AGES so show time is 8PM.
• The Holocene also is having an good show as well. They have locals Modernstate, and Ghost to Falco (think Dragging an Ox Through Water but less folky). Plus they have (sometimes member of Xiu Xiu, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, The Dead Science, etc...) Jherek Bischoff's new project, Ribbons. Show costs $6. Music at 9PM.
• Or you can see my other friends, Elliot King and Down South Sallie play at Mississippi Pizza. While they are both pretty young and pretty goofy. They are also both pretty talented. If I were not going to the Hawthorne Theater this is where I would go. Show is Free. Music starts at 9PM.

Thursday, Jan. 17th

• The Holocene's music label, Holocene Music, has put out some pretty good local records in the past year or so. This night they are planning the premiere of a couple of good local music videos for their label's own The Shaky Hands and Swan Island in the form of a screening. Both bands will also perform live sets as well as DJ sets. And the best part is free. Show starts at 9PM.

Friday, Jan. 18th

I know that Dan Decon is playing an awesome show at the Holocene tonight but if you want to keep it local or at least among friends of Portland, than look at this:

• At Zilla Sake, I will perform as Meyercord along with Clifford Libby(Tony ofWestfold) and his Philly brethren: The Sweetheart Parade, Mike Cades, and Laura Walsh. Donations will be accepted for the traveling artists. Show starts promptly at 8:30PM.

Saturday, Jan. 19th

You know how earlier I made mention of all the shows being on Wednesdays and Saturdays,; well check this out. There are no less than six shows that I will list for this Saturday. Crazy.

• The first show I want to list because it sounds like alot of fun. I am unsure as to how "good" it will be, but it will most likely be a good time. I am talking about Fist of Dishonor's show at Dante's. Fist of Dishonor, of course being the local Ninja band sensation, will be performing with Cocktail Cabaret and Hello Lobster. This will cost you $5. Show starts at 9PM.
• Kelly's Olympian will be having a show featuring The Harvey Girls, Cars and Trains (who I have mentioned in this blog before but have yet to see), and Autotopia. All of these acts sound look like they would be interesting to see. There is no listed cost of this show. Show starts at 9PM.
• The Doug Fir Lounge is having the always awesome live, ochestrated folk-pop of Loch Lomond. Matt Sheehy and Johanna Kunin. Show costs $8. Music starts at 9PM.
• The Artistery is having a good show this night as well. Mirah is playing. This is exciting because it seems like she has only played a handful of shows in the last several years. Bryce Panic, Arrington de Dionyso, and Rebecca Pearcy,who are all interconnected in ways too complicated to list here, will open the show. The show is $12. ALL AGES so show will start at 8PM.
• Mississippi Pizza is having two shows tonight. Both are worth checking out. Alan Singley will be having an ALL AGES early show. He has a new record coming out pretty soon so he will probably be busting out some new tunes. Don't know if there is a cover. Music at 6PM.
• The second show at Mississippi Pizza will feature Loch Berlin, TheFriendly Skies, and Wooden Indian Burial Ground. An interesting line up for sure. I saw The Friendly Skies play las Monday and it was awesome. I am unsure if there is a cover. Music starts at 9PM.

Sunday, Jan. 20th

Sunday is my Birthday! There are also no recommended shows by me!

So go out to shows this week. Come say hi to me if you do. I will be the guy near the front who looks like this:


Meyercord will be playing Zilla Sake on Friday.

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