Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for April 21st - 27th

Dear Readers,

Last Week I think that my favorite show was the Why?/Starfucker/Fall of Snow/Joe Von Appen thing last Friday at Holocene. All the bands played really well but honestly I think it was the inclusion of spoken word artist Joe Von Appen that pushed it over into a great show into an awesome show. It was a nice change from just music. Plus the guy was hilarious.

Any ways, there are incredible amounts of shows this week. Check out as many as you can. Y'know...if you want.

Monday, April 21st

Truth be known there is a non-Portland/'Couve show that I am tempted today. The Caribou and Fuck Buttons show at Doug Fir appeals to me. However if you want to keep it real (local). Peep these:

• Valentine's is having a experimental music show featuring Inca Ore, Grouper, and Grandfather Claws. The darned thing is FREE. The Show Starts at 9 PM.
• Tube is having a show featuring ultra-fun-to -watch Here Comes a Big Black Cloud. Though I have only seen them once at PDX Pop Now! 2007, it made a big enough impact to want to see them again. It will be interesting to see the band, who list eight members, in such a small space. They are playing with like minded New Thrill Parade (SF, CA). The show cost $3. The music starts at 9:30 PM
  
• Or you could stay at home and let the show come to you via your radio or computer. Arya Imig's Sound Judgment show on KPSU is having Southern Belle play Live on the airwaves. You can listen on 1450 AM or online right here. The show is form 10 PM to 11 PM.

Tuesday, April 22nd

There are quite a few good ones on Tuesday. Choose wisely:

• Mississippi Studios is having a show featuring David Karsten Daniels and Bennie Morrison. Why should you care? Because Justin Ringle (of Horse Feathers) is playing a solo set at the Show too. Plus I hear that Bennie Morrison plays sax in March Fourth, so it should be interesting to see what that will be like. The show costs $7-$8. The music starts at 8 PM.
• Valentine's is having a good show on Tuesday. Graves, The Blank Tapes (Oakland), and Aidan Coughlan are all playing. I can vouch for Graves being good. I can also vouch for Valentine's shows also being consistently good. The show is FREE. The music starts sometime after 9 PM.
• City Council candidate, Charles Lewis, is having throwing a show at Someday Lounge. It is called The Charles Lewis Concert. If features Alan Singley and Pants Machine, Mishka, Trio Subtronic, andQuivah. In addition to the music, he will be speaking and taking questions from the audience. Plus its FREE. The event starts at 8 PM.
• Backspace is having a noise/experimental show on Tuesday. Excepter and Yellow Swans are both playing the show. Again, if you like Yellow Swans, this is one of their last shows as they are breaking up (later this summer). The show costs$8. The show is ALL AGES and starts at 7 PM.

Wednesday, April 23rd

One big show and a couple smaller shows:

• The big show is Mirah and Spectratone International playing with Danbert Nobacon at The Mission Theater. Let me first say that I love me some Mirah music. Let me say secondly say that I have been a bit of a bad fan and have not listened to the album she is supporting for this. Apparently the songs are about the lives of bugs. There will be a multimedia show including stop motion films accompanying the performance. Sounds cool. The tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. The show starts at 7 PM (music to start at 8 PM).
• Mississippi Pizza is having a pretty good show too. This one features Audie Darling, Leonard Mynx and Tom Thumb (Cape Cod). I have written about Both Audie and Leonard before and they both make lovely music (sometimes together). The interesting thing is that I randomly bought a Tom Thumb cd two weeks ago having never heard of him. Now he is playing in my town. He also writes good tunes, by the way. There is no listed cover (FREE?). The show starts at 9 PM.
• The other smaller but good show is taking place at Tonic Lounge. Novels a French band will share the stage with Childlike Empress, and Air War. Novels have grunge as one of their listed genres. So does Childlike Empress. Match. Air War has Shoegaze as one of their listed genres. So does Childlike Empress. Match. If any of this sounds like you would enjoy it, then I would suggest you rally up some $5. The show starts at 9 PM.

Thursday, April 24th

Good shows for you Portland area people:

• David Dondero is a singer and a songwriter. You can make judgments from that statement or from the following one. He also is on Conor "Bright Eyes" Obert's imprint Team Love and is playing Holocene. He is also playing with a band backing him. Some very good Portland bands, A Weather (also on Team Love) and Aan are playing as well. The show will run you $7. The show starts at 9 PM.
• The Towne Lounge is having a good show. This one consists of The Friendly Skies, Pacific UV and Joust. I have seen and really enjoyed The Friendly Skies. I have heard good things regarding Pacific UV. And I liked the one song Joust has on their my space page. I predict an enjoyable evening for any one who attends. The show cost $5. The doors are at 9 PM.
• However, if you wanted to grab a slice of pizza while you watched good music, I would suggest heading out to Mississippi Pizza. They have Gatos, The Bicycats (NY), and Love Menu (the only non-cat related band who is also the only band I had heard of). It should be good and is probably free (minus the pizza you order). The show starts at 9 PM.
• The Know is a bar on Alberta St. They sometimes have bands play there. Thursday is one of those times. Check out the pop stylings of the caps! I am pretty sure that there is no cover at the Know. The show is listed as starting at 8 PM.

Friday, April 25th

Many shows to choose from:

• KPSU is having a live performance by Nick Carceres as part of their show called The Hour Long. My guess is that is is an hour long. It is on you radio at 1450 AM or here. The show starts at 6PM.
  
• If you like what you hear from that radio performance, or if you missed that radio performance, then you can see Nick Carceres perform at Clinton St. Pub with Will Carpenter and Mr. Free and The Satellite Freakout! (Tuscon). This apropriately enough is FREE. The show starts at 8 PM.
  
• The Artistery is having a benefit for Rock'n'Roll Camp for Girls. They have lined up LKN, Xpodntocolrs, and Sick Sick Sister. Admittedly, I have only heard LKN. But it is for a very good cause, so you should check it out. The ALL AGES show is has a sliding scale price of $5-$10. The music starts at 8 PM.
• Ground Kontrol is the location in the latest KPSU related awesome show. This one celebrates issue #3 of the KPSU magazine/program guide. The show offers the music of Strangers Die Every Day, New Century School Book, Dance Terror, and The Buttfrenchers. Interesting fact: AristeiA bought a guitar amp and cabinet from The Buttfuckers just months ago. The cover is $5. The music starts at 8:30 PM.
• Backspace has been getting some pretty hot shows lately (see Tuesday). Friday they have BARR (LA), Pwrfl Power (Seattle), Alexis Gideon, and Over the Atlantic (Brooklyn). We have some major cities represented at the show. I guess you can sort of think of it as a sampler of what is going on in popular music on a nation wide scale. I have seen Alexis play in Carcrashlander but this apparently is very different (rumors of stop motion films abound). All for just $8. The ALL AGES show starts at 8 PM.
  
• Kelly's Olympian is having a show with Tractor Operator, Excellence, and Yeltsin. I like me some Tractor Operator. Maybe you will also. I just listened to the other bands. They sound good too (Indie-Rock!). This is the Portland cd release show for their album A Closer Walk with Yeltsin. The show is $5 . The show starts at 10 PM.
• East End is having a pop night on Friday. Their show includes the pop numbers of Soft Tags, The Vulturines, and The Fall Colors. Also there is supposedly a super famous guest appearing. Might be worth checking out. The show is $5. The show starts at 9 PM.
  

Saturday, April 26th

Too many shows to choose from:

• The show I am going to for sure is the early Loch Lomond show at Mississippi Studios. Y La Bamba will be opening up and debuting her new band which includes drums, glockenspiel, accordion, two guitars, bass, and three part harmonies. It will be awesome. There is also a late show for Loch Lomond where Holcombe Waller will open. If you have not seen Loch Lomond live, you are missing out. It is truly incredible to see their music recreated in a live setting. Both shows are $10-$12. The early show is at 7 PM. The late show is at 10 PM.
• Also in North Portland, The Waypost is having a really cool show. Sweeping Exits, Museum, and Church are all playing as part of a series of shows that Arya Imig puts on at The Waypost on the last Friday of every month (at least I think thats the deal). Also I want to express again that I really like Church. The show is ALL AGES and FREE. The show starts at 8 PM.
• Boy Gorilla, the very talented and young musician label/collective(?) is having a showcase at the Towne Lounge on Friday. Ghosties, Southern Belle, and The Black Black Black are all playing. It is as they used to say, "all good". The show will only set you back $5. The music starts at 9:30 PM.
• Kelly's Olympian has a show worth checking out too. It involves Michael the Blind, Thanks Kipp, and Ladies & Gentlemen. I have saw Michael the Blind at one of the WWeek's Lounge series and was rather impressed. The show costs $5. It begins at 10 PM.
• Someday Lounge is having a pretty quality show on Friday with Jackie-O Motherfucker, Indian Jewelry (they claim Afgahnistan but I don't believe them), Ill Ease (Brooklyn), and Cexfucx. Check out this quote from Liz Armstrong of the Chicago Reader, "Indian Jewelry plays the kind of music I want to hear in my head during sex". Sold. The show is $8. The music starts at 9 :30 PM.
• The Doug Fir is having Point Juncture, WA play with The Lymbyc System (Austin/Phoenix) and Head Like a Kite. Point Juncture is real good like. I have no idea about the other bands, but the Doug Fir claims all to be Dream-core. The cover is $8. The start time is 9 PM.
• The Artistery is hosting a diverse show with Late Night Curly, D Numbers, and Gejius. All of the acts are of the "doing their own thing" variety of music. It should be pretty enjoyable. The ALL AGES show is $6. The music starts at 8 PM.
• East End is hosting Pre (UK), The Mae Shi (LA), Panther, and Fist Fite. I could find nothing on Pre . But I really enjoyed the sound of Mae Shi. Most shows at East End are $5. The show starts at 9 PM.

Sunday, April 27th

I found three shows. But they are all really good shows. I do not know which I should go to. They are both so appealing. If you are under 21, the choice is easy. Go to the ALL AGES on. But I'm 26. I could go to either of the other two. I keep swinging from one show to the other and then to the other in my mind. I guess I will leave it up to fate.

• The Doug Fir is having Nick Jaina and his band play with Throw Me The Statue (Seattle), and The Brothers Young (Richie Young from Loch Lomond and his brothers). All are excellent. This show is $8. The music starts at 9 PM.
• Exit Only is hosting The Ocean Floor, Alan Singley and Pants Machine, Per Se, and Hanner. This ALL AGES show is probably very cheap. The show starts at 8 PM.
• David Kyle and The Invisibles are playing with Panther Attack (Seattle) at Rontoms. I have yet to make it to Rontoms, though I have heard the name a few times now. They have like the most mysterious website ever (clue highlight and you find the address and phone number of Rontoms, but that is all) Both band are kinda mathy and kinda kick-ass. The show is FREE. The show starts at 9 PM.
  

So there you have your good shows list. I hope you make it to some. I already know that I am going to miss several great shows this week, so help a guy and see the ones I don't. As always, if you see me at any of these shows come up and say hi. Have a great week.

-Ben


Y La Bamba plays the early Loch Lomond Show at Mississippi Studios on Saturday. Nice.
photo from Y La Bamba's Myspace.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for March 24-30

Hey everybody,

Did you have a good weekend? So did I. Shows everynight. But then again, there are always shows everynight, which is why I do this crazy blog-post-thing. Check out the Awesome for this week:

Monday, March 24th

Okay, I might have gotten a little ahead of myself. There aren't any local shows that I can fully recommend. Not that all the local shows are bad for Monday, its just that I don't know them. So maybe you can check out Jens Lekman at Berbatis. Or better yet The Phosphorescent, Bon Iver, and White Hinterland show at Holocene. That show has a person who used to live in Portland, White Hinterland (She has cd out on local label Hush under her birth name, Casey Dienel). Anyways:

• You can usually count on good music to be seen at Valentine's on Monday nights. This evening they will have Noel and Rush-N-Disco do their thing. I just checked out Noels thing. It is lo-fi goofy white boy rap. Rush-N-Disco do something pretty unique in that they reenact clips of tv shows etc... from their child hood (it is kind of like performance art, kind of). You can see you tube videos of them on their myspace page. Did I mention they are brother and sister. Well, they are. This show is FREE and starts sometime after 9 PM.

Tuesday, March 25th

There are some shows going down. This is the info:

• The big show tonight is the band that just got huge over the past year, Vampire Weekend(NY). What makes this show special is that Portland's own Yacht is opening and set to tour opening up for the band on several dates. Who knows, he may be the next Vampire Weekend. Maybe hes already huge and I don't know it. Its so hard to tell who if a local musicians are big unless they are on MTV and add members from The Smiths to their line up. Anyways, this show is at Doug Fir. It costs $12 and chances are that it will sell out. If you want to go buy your ticket now. The music starts at 9 PM.
• You also got a sweet show at Mississippi Studios on Tuesday. Musee Mecanique will be opening for These United States (D.C.). Musee Mecanique is awesome and about to go on tour until May so catch them now while you can. The show is $8-$10. The music starts at 10 PM.
• Or there is always good times at the Zilla Sake open mic held every Tuesday. It is hosted by the very talented Y La Bamba. This is FREE. The music starts at 8 PM.

Wednesday, March 26th

Due to a bandmate going out of town, I am free to do whatever I want on Wednesday. I will not be attending the I am think maybe one or two of the following:

• The first thing listed for Wednesday is not actually a show you can see, but you can hear it. I know this sounds lame, but check it out. You also don't have to pay for it either. So it kind of evens out. I am of course babbling about Y La Bamba playing on KPSU Portland State University's radio station. I think that there is also a interview taking place so it should be pretty interesting. You can listen on 1450 AM or online at the above link. Things get started at 6 PM sharp.
  
• If you are in the 'Couve there is a show taking place at Pistols Skate Shop (2305 E 5 St, Vancouver, WA) . If you want to watch Lewd Acts (CA), I quit, Brain Eaters, and Building Failure, then get a Lincoln ready (that is $5) and stop by around 7 PM. It is an ALL AGES punk/hardcore show.
• If you want to go to a underage punk show in Portland, then hows about checking out the new ALL AGES venue in North Portland called Exit Only. Altlases, Batman Vs. Predator (CA), and Tyrants will be playing. I know nothing about these bands but with a name like Batman Vs. Predator how could you possibly go wrong. The show might cost money? Show starts at 8 PM.
• Perhaps you don't want to go to North Portland (its okay, I understand). Maybe you should check out Towne Lounge. Trespassers William (Seattle) is playing a bill with Tractor Operator, and The Coast (Toronto). Its all good stuff. This one will only cost you $6. The Music starts at 9 :30 PM.
• Or if you are in the SE, by all means check out Rotture. They are having The Beauty, Brother Sister, Megadome, and Pipedream play. Four bands, $6; not bad. The music starts some time after 9 PM.

Thursday, March 27th

This is whats up with Thursday:

• David Evan and his New Band (awesome band) are playing with Raised by Television, Betacrack, CIMTB contributor Gabriel Darling and special Guests (Myrhh?) at Kelly's Olympian. How can you make this awesome show more awesome? How about charging $3 thanks to PRA. Ridiculous, I know. The show starts at 9 PM.
• Or go to Holocene where Love Menu will play with The Maybe Happening, Church, and Paper Brain. I really like Church (a sentence I never thought I would type). Anyways, the show will cost a little more than the David Evan show, but just barely at $4. The doors are at 9 PM.
• Or if $3 to $4 is too much for your wallet, then I suggest you check out the Kenton Club on Thursday. There is a FREE Drats!!! and Cicada Omega show. The show starts at 9 PM.

Friday, March 28th

You can go see Jose Gonzales play at the Aladdin or you can go see Bruce Springsteen at the Rose Garden Arena for like A Gazillion dollars ($100), but I think that maybe you're probably more into local stuff:

• Slabtown is having a show consisting of The Slow Poisoner, The Department of Motor Vehicles, Andy Combs and the Moth, and Here Comes a Big Black Cloud. I have seen Andy Combs and the Moth and Here Comes a Big Black Cloud. Both are super fun to see live. The show is only $5. It starts at 9 PM.
• Or you can go to the Towne Lounge and see Newspapers, The Attachments (CA), and Lasers All the Time. Lasers All the Time are releasing an ep. The other bands are super poppy on a good way. The show is $5 at the door. The music starts at 9:30 PM.
• Or you could go see one of my favorite Portland bands, Weinland, at Mississippi Studios. Telegraph Canyon (TX) opens the show. Weinland put together really well arranged Americana tunes. Well worth seeing. The show costs $10-$12. The show starts at 10 PM.

Saturday, March 29th

There are shows and then there are SHOWS:

• The SHOW in I was referencing above is at the Ivy House (117 Ne Ivy St, Portland, OR) and it is all day ordeal. It is also a benefit for SMYRL (sex​​ual​​ minority you​​th resource center). You can read about it at A Modern Woman on the Move here. It will feature the music of The Vonneguts, The Taxpayers, Hey Tiger, Hugh Downer, and more. It will also be an art opening and a Risk Tournament. There a requested donation of $5-$10. The thing will last 2 PM to Midnight.
  
• You could probably see some of the benefit and then check out other things like Sudden Anthem and Beliss (featuring sometime members of Pink Martini). They are playing at Chaos Cafe. This means is ALL AGES and FREE. The show starts at 8 PM.
• Or you could go to The Waypost to hear Leonard Mynx, Shoeshine Blue, and Julie Rose play a set. Why not? Its FREE. The show starts at 8 PM.
• But then again you could always head over to East End and catch Birds of Avalon (N.C.), Old Growth, and Hungry Ghosts play. That is if you like rock. This show has a cover.

Sunday, March 30th

This Sunday is all about FREE and awesome music:

• Okay, I will be the first to admit that I am being biased, but I thing that the show at Towne Lounge on Sunday is the "show of the week". It is the WWeek sponsored Lounge Series XVIII. It will feature Meyercord, Per Se, and Laura Gibson. There will be three individual interviews and performances of all of the artists which will later be podcast via localcut. I cannot tell you how excited I am to play with these ladies. And its FREE. The event starts at 9:30 PM sharp.
• The other FREE show is really good too. It goes down at Valentine's and features Jeff Brown (of The Evolutionary Jass Band), Plankton Wat, and Bob Jones. FREE! This starts at 9 PM.

So there you have it many shows for many nights. As always, say hi to me if you see me at any of these shows. Have a great week.

-Ben


Laura Gibson plays for FREE at Towne Lounge on Sunday
photo by Jason Quigley

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Ben Meyercords Live Music Picks Feb. 4th to Feb. 10th

Hey everyone, guess what. I made it to some shows last week. It actually felt pretty good. You know what else? There are some shows that I will definitely attend this week as well. I think I'm back. Check it out:

Monday, Feb. 4th

There are a couple of freebies for this Monday. You what they say, "if the price is right...". Anyway, I think that the price is right.

• Valentine's is having MBilly, William Holley, and The Moon in Light play on Monday. All I can say is listen to the links. It would appear Valentine's has put together a nice little folk show. Show is FREE. Music starts at 9PM.

• Doug Fir is also having a free show on Monday. The headliner is a boy/girl rock duo from Cambridge who have brilliantly named themselves Drug Rug. The local openers are a some what collective based around Ryne Warner called Ohioan and Native Kin. In fact the myspace page states that "Native Kin is the community of musicans that exists autonomously and symbiotically" . I guess that makes Ryne "Ohioan". The show is FREE. The music starts at 9PM.

Tuesday, Feb. 5th

Pay Day! Here is what is happening.

• Valentine's is having a show consisting of Blue Cranes, Strangers Die Every Day, and Sam Cooper. I have missed Strangers Die Everyday every single time they play. Tonight will probably be no w exception. But it does look to be a good show. The show cost a mere $5, pretty good deal considering the caliber of music. The show starts at 9 PM.
• Your other option, and an option to hear me(yercord) play music, is to go to Zilla Sake. They have a pretty good open mic hosted by friend and amazing songwriter Y La Bamba. The sign up is at 7:30. Music starts at 8PM.

Wednesday, Feb. 6th

Normally Wednesday is chock full of shows that I want to attend. That is not the case this week.

• Holocene is having this thing called Beat Off beat battle. It is described as a live sample-based beat battle. It sounds like it coul be cool. It costs $5. Doors are at 9PM.

Thursday, Feb. 7th

Is Thursday the new Wednesday? From the list of shows below, it definitely could be a contender.

• Kelly's Olympian is having a Portland Radio Authority presents show. It will feature Junkface and Team Evil (Skyler from Point Juncture, WA)as well as some Pirate Radio. I have heard nothing but complimentary things about Junkface and Team Evil have a pretty good name. There might be something there. It only costs $3. Show begins at 9 PM.
• Ground Kontrol, the awesome video arcade/sometimes music venue, will be having the out-of-towner's, Glass Elevator (Olmpia, WA), along with locals Root Beer and French Fry, and Delightful Young Man. I will be honest with you, the only reason I am mentioning this show is because of the name Root Beer and French Fry. Show costs $4. Music starts at 9 PM.
• The other day I went to an awesome store called Tender Loving Empire. It is a store I have been meaning to visit for quite some time and as I expected, it was quite cool. They also run a small music label and do custom silk screening. One of the bands that had silk screening by Tender Loving Empire is Newspapers. I noticed that they are playing on Thursday at The Ash Street Saloon along with Sea Weasels and Cereal. It might be worth checking out. The cost is $5. The show starts at 9:30 PM.
• It is also 1st Thursday. Portland Center Stage is having LA -based songwriter Wisely perform. He did a video starring Jenna Fisher of The Office. But more importantly, Local gal Per Se will be playing as well. It is all ages and FREE. The event takes place between 5:30 and 7 PM.

Friday, Feb. 8th

There are a few shows that are good tonight but I am going to:

• Talkdemonic is playing the Doug Fir. I love this band. They have finished recording a new record so I am guessing they will play some of it on Friday. Plus the opening acts, Tu Fawing (Corrina Repp and Joe Haige of 31 Knots plus two) and Starfucker are both local and very good. The show is $12 and is worth every cent. The music starts at 9 PM.
• But there are other good shows. There is even an all ages show at The Modern Age, KPSU's all ages venue. Per Se will be playing, in case you didn't see her the previous night, with Swimming, The Janglies and Dhani The Champion of the World. It is a sliding scale of $3 to $5. The show starts at 8 PM.
• The Someday Lounge is also hosting a mostly local show. Except this one is for free. Chores (featuring Lou of A Weather), Klicitat, H is For Hellgate (Seattle, WA), and Ferocious Eagle are all playing. A good time will be had by all who attend. That is four bands for FREE. Show begins at 9 PM.

Saturday, Feb. 9th

Just like Wednesday where there are usually too many shows, this Saturday has been parred down to only a small handful of shows. This is what they are:

• Local group, The Helio Sequence, just released their new album KeepYour Eyes Ahead on Sub Pop Records. To celebrate they are playing and instore at Music Millennium. Like most instore performances it will be FREE. The music starts at 7 PM.
• The Artistery will be having a pretty kick ass indie pop show on Saturday. We got the orchestrated arrangements of The Online Romance, the very good but not local Lake (they have a split 7 inch with locals Typhoon), and other locals World's Greatest Ghosts. I have seen two of the three and highly recommend this show. The ALL AGES show costs $6. The music starts promptly at 8 PM.
• David Evan is a guy who writes songs and then sings them. The thing that sets him apart is that the songs he writes are quite good. I sure that he gets it all the time but his voice is reminiscent of Colin Meloy of the Decemberists except better. Anyway you can go to The Daily Planet (superman reference?) this Saturday to catch him play a FREE set. The music starts at 8 PM.
  

Sunday, Feb. 10th

There is only one show I see that I want to go to:

• Cars and Trains is a guy who I found out about by making this weekly blog listing. I still haven't seen him but I really want to. I will try my darnedest to see this show. He plays with Demune at Mississippi Pizza this Sunday. There is no listed cost. The show starts at 9 PM.

So there you go dear reader. I want to remind everyone that this is by no means a comprehensive list of every show that is happening in Portland. I want to extend an invitation to comment on this post of other shows you think I left out. Or, by all means, start your own blog (and link it to this blog). Say hi to me if you see me at a show.

-Ben


Talkdemonic plays Doug Fir on Friday the 8th. Sweet!

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