Get out the Vote: Sexiest Guy contest ends 1/10/09

We've are in the home stretch. The votes continue to trickle in for THE SEXIEST MUSICIAN GUY IN PORTLAND 2008

So far:
ALL OF We're From Japan!
Scotty Gervais from The Fenbi International Superstars
Nick Vicario of Autistic Youth ( <--nice name) Westin Glass of the Thermals Josh Hodges of Starfucker James Mitchell of Nurses BB, Colby, Storm and Caleb From Black Mercies Adam Steinfink of AristeiA Bill Slater from Grails Jake Anderson (huh? somebody please send a link to this guy)* Michael Rockstar (what?) Westfold - 1 vote from MP and 1 vote for Toneeey
Front runner "Hottie" Scotty Gervais of The Fenbi International Superstars

if your guy is totally obscure and/or has 23 friends on their myspace please include a link to a photo if you really really really really really think that they are hot so dat i kin sho dem peeps... -- Ste. Goldie

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for January 5th to January 8th

Hello Dear Readers,

How are you? Do you remember me? I used to tell you about all the great local shows going on in Portland. Well I am back. After taking some time off (ie I have been working a week straight with no computer), and failing to report some really great shows that have been going on in our town. And failing to see said shows, I think I am able to get myself together enough to start doing this again. That being said I did make it to one show in 2009 and it was hands down the best show I have attended all year. It was Ben Barnnet (ex-Kind of Like Spitting), David J. (of Novi Split, and ex-Kind of Like Spitting), and Sean Bonnette of Andrew Jackson Jihad all played a shared set at the Artistery and it was amazing. All the songwriting was top notch. There were also several covers that were also top notch. If I only had two words to describe it, I would say "top notch?". Anyway then I went into hermit mode (which for me is not too much different than regular mode). So here is what is going on this week.

Monday, January 5th

Hmmm... I could only find one show that looks interesting.

Which is to say I have seen the name Symmetry/Symmetry around town. Sleepwalk Kid is also playing. Alls I know is that they list Centro-Matic as an influence. They are one of my all time favorite bands so good on them for having good taste. The show is at White Eagle Saloon and starts at 8:30 PM. Its FREE!

Tuesday, January 6th

Okay. This can't be right. I don't see any shows that I am interested in on Tuesday. Please tell me that I am mistaken and that there is some sort of good show happening somewhere.

Wednesday, January 7th

Okay here are some shows:

The Press Club is having a show with Super XX-man, John Vecchiarelli, and Mike Johnson (I am not sure which one, there are like a million Mike Johnsons). This will be pretty sweet. I think I will try to make this show. Check out the mid-tempo greatness of Super XX-man's latest album on Tender Loving Empire and tell me that you wouldn't want to bob your head, perhaps stomp your foot, and sing along. Plus I have been meaning to see John Vecchiarelli for like forever. The price is right at FREE. THe show starts at 8 PM.

The Fez Ballroom will hosting Gregory Miles Harris and his (maybe?) buddies The Bits, and By Sunlight. Indie-pop Indie-rock, Whatevs. Check it out. The show is $5 and the doors are at 9 PM.

Doug Fir will be host to a "Log Love Winter Wednesday" with Brad Makeson, Tango Alpha Tango, and Deepest Darkest. Basically I am only familiar with Tango Alpha Tango and I like what I have familerized myself with of the band. They have the ability to rock or not rock while maintaining a level awesome that most bands find difficult to achieve. Looks like Deepest Darkest has ex-members of the band The Carolines and a current member of Derby. Also it looks as though Brad will be using the show as an oppourtunity to premiere his new album. The show is a mere $6 and starts at 9 PM.

Thursday, January 8th

If you have $55-$120 to blow (or know the right person to blow) I suggest you see Neil Diamond Tonight at the Rose Garden. However, I believe there are other shows in a "poorer" price range to be seen this Thursday as well. Check it.

Doug Fir will have a Blue Cranes show with Celilo and The Physical Hearts. Blue Cranes are a jazz band that I am consistently writing about and then missing their show. Practice what I preach. Not what I do (or don't do rather). Go to the show if you like things a bit "jazzy".

Valentine's is having an art show of E*rock's drawings. If you stick around, you can also see him play E*rock music too. Josh Kermiet will also be doing some music. Its FREE, yo! The thing starts at 8 PM.

Kelly's Olympian is having a show with one of my favorites Grey Anne. She is so good. FOR REALZ. If you must, you may also check out the bands athat are opening, My Darling Boy, and Crow Canyon, but I am sold at Grey Anne. The show is $5 and starts at 10 PM.

Why i must be careful is playing a show at The Armory aka the Gerding Theater aka where Portland Center Stage is located aka where the plays and stuff are at. If you like somewhat crazed spazzy experimental jazz jamz, this is for you. The price has yet to be determined but it should be cool. The performance starts at 6:30 PM.


That's All I got for now. So if you see me say "Hi".

-Ben


Why I must be Careful examines a steel drum. Carefully. They play on Thursday at a classy joint called The Armory.

Read More >>

cold hard reality

I woke feeling like Napoleon from Bill and Ted's.



My eyes open and I am angry and confused. A giant bowl of ice cream appears. I eat it. I eat it up. My brain hurts but I am no longer angry or confused.

Thank you walking with me on this excellent musical adventure...

- Ste. Goldie

Read More >>

Whoa-what?!: IDM good lord

Did you know about this? I just found out:



I got my mind blown for Christmas!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I love it... It's beautiful.... -- Ste. Goldie

Read More >>

Of Montreal: Tell me something good

I don't get Of Montreal. I tried to get it because I am on the quest for dance par-tay music. New Years is next week and I am not going to play my tired ass playlist that I've had for 2 years. I promise I tried. I thought their Outback Steak House song was weird and mildly interesting, however I like the actual Outback song way better. Everyone else loves them! Indie musicians please do not make "dance music" unless you at least drop a sexy disco beat and look hot doing it. I'm not sure how one is suppose to dance to Of Montreal. I can't take the white man's overbite much longer and or the Molly Ringwald (people it's 2008). I can only flail around so long before I feel embarrassed and sad... IT IS CALLED SOUL PEOPLE! GET SOME! or something. Good lord.


Chaka Khan



I hate my life. I need to get down. Help me find some modern soul/dance music... please. I promise not to judge you. Simon Matt Carrillo reminded me it's what's inside that counts, not your taste in music.

-- Ste. Goldie

Read More >>

Explode Into Colors - Live Footage of "Wooden Ghost"

Here is footage of Explode Into Colors playing at Holocene from November 29th's showcasing of Cartune Xprez, "a travelling roadshow of animated videos and multimedia performances."

Explode Into Colors are probably my favorite band in PDX right now. Its pretty easy to see why in this video, check it out yourself.

If you want to catch Explode Into Colors live, there are two very excellent opportunities coming up soon(ish).

Dec 31st - New Year's Eve Show w/ White Fang and Nightclubbing vs. Hot Mess @ The Holocene

Feb 14 - w/ Starfucker, Strength, and Dirty Mittens @ The Wonder Ballroom

Read More >>

Ben Meyercord Live Music Picks December 19th to 21st

Hello Dear Readers,

What do you think of our little "Winter Wonder Land"? It is kinda cool. I mean I would be lying if I said that it was not negatively affecting my show attendance. But I am still in amazement that it can snow where I live. But what's that? You don't care and would rather me get on with the music picks? Fine.

Friday, December 19th

There are a few things going on today. They are shows. They are good.

• Rotture is having a s Christmas show with Copy, Explosivo (Manny of Atole and E*Rock. It will be really cool. I really like Copy a lot. It is so fun to see him play. It will make you "get your groove on ". The show is a mere $3 and starts at 9 PM.

• Hush will be having Jared Mees & The Grown Children, Patterns and The Rainy States play a show. All of these bands are pretty good. I have wanted to check out Hush for a while now. I have not seen Patterns , but I do like what I have heard. I also want to see Jared Mees and his crew again. This ALL AGES show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

• Aladdin Theater is having Live Wire! with musical guests Blue Giant, Blind Pilot and Ralph Huntley & The Mutton Chops. Also there will sketch comedy and other things. It will be ALL AGES and $15 at 8 PM. If you don't want to pay and don't mind not seeing the "action" you can listen via OPB radio.

Saturday, December 20th

Saturday I could only find one show, but it looks to be a good one.

• Hush is having another show. This one is the One Year Anniversary show with Guidance Counselor, Atole, MEGA*CHURCH and White Fang. This show looks amazing. I saw three of the these four bands play this years PDX Pop Now. And had a good their respective sets. I remember thinking that White Fang was one of the highlights of the festival. I have sen Guidance Counselor a few times since and really think they are good (and fun to watch). The ALL AGES event is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Sunday, December 21st

There are several things going on Sunday.

• For instance, in the afternoon, Nick Jaina will be playing the Emerson Street House (the big white wooden building at the corner of NE 30th and emerson, a few blocks North of 30th and Alberta). I am not sure why, but it seems kinda of a rare thing for Nick to be playing an ALL AGES show, so all you kids should check it out while you can. It will be $6-10 and start at 1PM.

• Doug Fir is having a "pre-Holiday" show with local popsters Alan Singly and Pants Machine, Team Evil, and Modernstate. It shall be a good time for all. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

• Tender Loving Empire is also having a holiday show. Theirs is at Dunes and will feature Jared Mees & The Grown Children, The Winebirds, and DJ Travis Wiggins. I am unsure if any Christmas tunes have been cooked up, but I do know it will be a good time. I also know that you can find many gifts at Tender Loving Empire including the Willamette Week Another Grey Christmas 2 that is full of local talent doing x-mas tunes (A Weather, Boy Eats Drum Machine, Dolorean, Easter Egg, Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble (Chris Funk of the Decemberists), Future Historians, Laura Gibson, Gingerbread Patriots, Ohioan and Native Kin, Old Believers (with Eskimo & Sons' Danielle Sullivan), Podington Bear, Run On Sentence (with Pancake Breakfast's Mike Midlo), Super XX Man (with Mike Johnson) and Ralf Youtz (of Ape Shape and Built to Spill). So, check out the show or the store. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

• If you don't think you can handle the prices of either of those shows, you might consider heading over to Rontoms. Doubledutch, Tango Alpha Tango, and Quiet Countries. The last time I saw DoubleDutch they weren't terribly great (though there were a couple songs that were really good). Their recordings sound great though, NS I know they have playing shows since then. SO, I want to give them another shot. It will also be interesting to see how Leb Borgerson aka Quiet Countries handles his night playing this show and also being a member of Pants Machine playing at Doug Fir (I guess it is only a couple of blocks away). This show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

• There is a show happening at Matchbox Lounge This show will have jesse bettis, the lead singer of Oh Captain, My Captain , doing a stripped down set, as well as Y La Bamba and Make Nice doing sets. It should be noted that Michael Kitson will be performing in all of the sets (he's crazy like that). The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

So those are the shows I pick for this weekend. If I omitted something that you think I should not have please leave a comment. If you see me at any of these shows, then by all means say, "Hi".

-Ben


Quiet Countries doing double duty on Sunday Night (are those helicopter blades on his back? Sweet!)

Read More >>

Go Fish or Die Trying

Wait! This isn't music!

But its awesome nonetheless.

Local stupidass short-film creators, Los Moustachios, have posted a video up on Funny or Die (the Will Farrell site).

You should check it out and vote "Funny" or you can be a dick and vote "Die". So, become popular and vote Funny! Los Moustachios also have a few other shorts up on there, so don't be shy.

Go Fish or Die Trying - watch more funny videos

Read More >>