Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks Weekday Edition for July 7th to July 10th

Hello Dear Readers,

This past week was great for me. I actually didn't see that many shows only three in fact (one of which I played). I saw Shelby Sifers play twice this past week before she headed out on tour. She was great by herself and was super fun when she played as a band at the Green House (I would also like to add that Purrbot and Randy B and The Sarcastic Dharma Socitey also played Great sets that night). Any way, this week there are some great shows. Really hard decisions will have to be made by yours truly. Here they are:

Monday, July 7th

There is one show happening that I want to mention. And oh do I really want to mention it.

• Valentine's where the incredible and always great live Evolutionary Jass Band will play two sets for FREE. I mean you don't really get much better than that. Hopefully they will have copies of that vinyl that was mentioned here on CIMTB a while back. Jazz for the awesome price of FREE! The show starts at 9 PM.
  

Tuesday, July 8th

Good God, there are five shows I want to mention on Tuesday. What the hell?

• Okay, first off I just want to say Ratatat is Awesome (seriously, check out their remix of Bjork's Wanderlust. I have been listening to that track like crazy). Second off, they are playing Holocene on Tuesday, the same day their new album LP3 comes out. I know that they are not a Portland band, but one of the dudes, Evan Mast(E*Vax), used to live here. In fact, he co-founded a really sweet label with his brother, Eric Mast (E*Rock), and named it Audio Dregs. Audio Dregs puts out cool, usually, electronic based music. E*Rock will be opening a couple shows on the west coast. Tuesday DJ Hot Air Balloon (Steve Schroeder, founder of States Rights Records) will also be spinning. The show will probably be worth every cent of the $15 it costs to get in. The show starts at 9 PM.
  

• The Doug Fir is having a rock show featuring some metal type music. Portland's answer to Black Sabbath (kinda), Danava, is opening up for "Chicago cult legends" Trouble. So if you're looking for it you know where to find it on Tuesday. The show is $15 and starts at 9 PM.
  

• The Coop is having a show on Tuesday with Ghost Mice (Gainsville, FL), Heathers (Dublin, Ireland), Hey Tiger, Craig Salt Peters (Seattle), The Taxpayers, and a Super Special Guest. Looks like we got some punk of the electric and the acoustic variety probably some music that fits in categories between the two as well. $5 to see bands from across state lines and even oceans in Heather's case is certainly not bad at all. The ALL AGES show starts at 8 PM.
  

• Towne Lounge is having a show of note too as Mostly Bears (Tuscon, AZ), David Kyle and The Invisibles, and Kate's Mirror play a show. I mention this mostly cause I think David Kyles music is pretty cool. He builds music out of layers of various Eastern instruments, guitars, keyboards, and a laptop to create his songs. Sometimes he has his friend Caroline Buchalter play viola too. The show is $6 at the door. The music starts at 9:30 PM.
  

• Valentine's is having New Bloods, Softboiled Eggies (LA), and Experimental Dental School play a show on Tuesday. Though I only saw Experimental Dental School once, it made quite an impression with their two piece experimental rock assault. You should check out the dude's pedal board (cause its crazy). The show is $5 for the touring band. The music will start anytime after 9 PM.
  

• Not to mention open spaces (open mic sounds so passe). Zilla Sake house has one hosted by Y La Bamba. There are some good people who sometimes drop in. Plus there are like 300 kinds of Sake stocked and fresh shushi. This is FREE and starts at 8 PM.
  

• CIMTB contributor Gabriel Darling hosts an open space on Tuesdays at Someday Lounge. It is called Incubator and it features anything from music to poetry to various other performances.
  

Wednesday, July 9th

There is some good stuff here.

• I have not been at the Tonic Lounge in about a year when A Weather played there. They consistently have shows, but I guess it just isn't what I'm "feeling". On Wednesday Tiger House, Autumn Film (Boulder, CO), and BoomSnake are playing Tonic Lounge. While I am unfamiliar with the first two bands of that list, I would very much like to see BoomSnake play. I got the Boomsnake CD, Give and Take, on a whim at Tender Loving Empire and was quite impressed. I guess you could say I am "feeling" it. The show is $5. There is a listed start time of 9:15 PM.
  

• Holocene is having a KPSU presented all local show with Day of Lions, Eskimo & Sons, and Norman. I have not seen Day of Lions in a long time. In the meantime it has expanded from a solo act playing sad songs to a full band playing not as sad songs that have been recorded and released as a CD for Yukon Records called Come Down From the Mountain. I have heard nothing but good things about Boy Gorilla affiliates Eskimo & Sons. It is also a rarity to see indie folk rockers Norman as their members are spread between Portland, Salem and Corvallis. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.
  

• The Someday Lounge is having a show with some bands I have been meaning to check out. Sam Cooper, Megafaun (Durham, NC), Achille Lauro (Denver, CO), and AAN are playing. Specifically, I have been meaning to check out Sam Cooper (recommended by a friend) and AAN (recommended by myself). A lot of folks playing all kinds of folk (and indie other kind of music they want). The show is $6 and the show starts at 9 PM.
  

• Slabtown is starting to bring live music (that I care about) back to NW Portland. I confess that I have never seen a show here, but I have noticed that I have been listing a lot more shows here than I used to (used to be = never). On Wednesday they are having The Hand That Bleeds, The Quick and Easy Boys, and Strange Language. I list this show mostly because I thought The Hand That Bleeds was a fun live show. Plus its FREE. The show starts at 9 PM.
  

Thursday, July 10th

I have an impressive six shows that you could enjoy with 100% certainty if you are Ben Meyercord. Though it is quite possible that you would even if you are not.

• It is a The Old Believers kind of Thursday. Which is to say that it feels like you could maybe see them more than once. Which, of course, you can. They are playing twice today. The first show you can catch this really good folk duo is at their in-store performance at Music Millennium at 5 PM. This performance is ALL AGES and FREE.
  

• You can also catch The Old Believers at Berbati's Pan when they play with Love Menu. I played a show last month with Love Menu and really dug their well arranged folk pop (plus they did a rousing rendition of Chris Issack's "Wicked Game"). This is a special ALL AGES show at Berbati's. The cover is $5. The music starts at 8 PM.
  

• The White Eagle is having a show with American Nobody, Annie Bethancourt, and Hide & Go Hustle. I think that Annie Bethancourt is a great songwriter with a great voice. I have heard go things about Hide & Go Hustle. I think it would be worth seeing for myself if I were you (or me). The show is $4 and starts at 8:30 PM.
  

• Chaos Cafe is having a show with Sam Cooper, Benjamin Ballinger, Ivonrose Family Jamboree, and Martyrs of the Apollo Guild (Duvall, WA). So if you missed Sam Cooper on Tuesday, here is your second chance. It sounds like fun. I guess any show that has a band called Ivonrose Family Jamboree sounds fun, right? I just looked at the Ivonrose page and it looks to be a 12 piece band including a three person Ivonrose choir. Neat. Since it is at Chaos, it will be ALL AGES and FREE. The music starts sometime after 8 PM.
  

• Mississippi Pizza is having a show with Brenna Palentta and Karli Fairbanks (Spokane, WA). If you like girls singing their pretty indie-folk-pop tunes then you will like this (if you don't steer clear of this one). Brenna has assembled a band which is capable of three part harmonies (the other vocals are one girl and one boy), fiddle, glockenspiel, cello, bass , more guitar, bass, harmonica, and melodica. That sounds like there is a lot of potential for some good music. I hear that Karli Fairbanks is going to be big. The show is FREE.
  

So there you have the Weekday Edition of my live local music picks. As always come up and say "Hi" if you see me at any of

these shows.

-Ben


BoomSnake play the Tonic Lounge on Wednesday
photo by g0analogbaby

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Myrrh Larsen podcasting tonight...

Hello, CIMTB readers.

This is a brief note to tell you about tonight's RoseDropMediaCircus podcast...

First reason to show up: the inimitable and ubiquitous Myrrh Larsen will be playing.

Do you really need another reason, you musical heathen?

Well, okay, fine. Second reason: RDMC recordings will be on hiatus for about a month and when they resume they may not be at 9 Muses anymore.

Third reason: Myrrh. Fucking. Larsen. Who doesn't love a bit of him?



Details:

Myrrh Larsen on the RoseDrop Media Podcast
July 6th at 8pm
Live at 9 Muses, 2715 SE Belmont
Streaming at http://xltrax.com:8890/
Transmitted into SecondLife at Pannies or look for Rose Drop Rust*

See you there!


* this information could be inaccurate because I don't really know what I'm talking about when it comes to SL.

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PDX Pop Now! 2008 related show Tonite!

So there is a last minute show happening at Rontoms tonight. I think maybe you should go? I'm gonna go.

• It will feature the music of Nick Cacares and Y La Bamba. Both do variations of folk. The fun and exciting kind, not slow and boring (though I like that kind too). Its just a fun show that the PDX Pop Now! 2008 folks thought you might be interested in. It is basiclaly to introduce you to some local Portland musicians that maybe you not familiar with. I know that Both Nick Cacares and Y La Bamba are on the PDX Pop Now! 2008 CD. I also know for a fact that Y La Bamba is playing the actual festival which takes place July 25 to July 27th at Rotture. But again, this post is about Rontoms tonight at 8 PM. This show is FREE.
  

PDX Pop Now! 2008 July 25-27th

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why do portland bands always have to be the coolest?

My favorite thing about the Portland music scene is the number of amazing musicians that also happen to be incredible, nice, and interesting folks. Seriously, it amazes me. This weekend, I had the pleasure to see one of my favorite bands and friends play: Autopilot is For Lovers. If you haven't seen them or listened to them yet, I assure you you're missing out. Autopilot is For Lovers play dirge-like, multi-instrumental eclectic folk. A lot of words to describe them, but every syllable is worth it. With a seemingly consistent rotating cast of musicians, Stirling Myles joined them on bass this weekend. You never know who will show up. One of the most appealing qualities of Autopilot's music is that the songs have many possibile instrument pairings to perform them. One show you may see Adrienne playing accordian, Paul playing drums, and Matt playing violia and the next see Adrienne playing banjo, Mathew playing drums, Emily on violin, and Paul playing glockenspiel. All combinations rock.

Autopilot has just released a new EP, titled: "Sore Eyes". You can pick it up on the net or even better yet, see them live, strike up a conversation with them, and get one personally from them. You can catch Autopilot is For Lovers tonight at Slabtown with I Was Totally Destroying It. Paul will also be doing a short tour with The Builders and The Butchers next week.

Also playing with Autopilot on Friday at The Waypost, Wooden Indian Burial Ground. Another band which I would describe as multi-instrumental eclectic folk. This was the first time I saw WIBG live, they fuckin rocked. My roommate and I had an opportunity to duck out from the cops at a party with them later that night and struck up a conversation. We came to the conclusion that they are indeed "cool cats". They have also just released a new album titled: "My Bones They Are Naked". Catch them live at Rererato on June 16.

Finally, this brings me to Explode Into Colors. Explode Into Colors have quickly become my favorite Portland band, I saw them play at Dekum Manor during the Summer Of Love concert series and was blown away. They are the band I was looking for in town, the band that will play the percussive, japanese noise influenced, dance, awesome-out-of-this-fuckin-planet tunes that I love. I'm a big fan of OOIOO and The Boredoms, so this is best shit ever. My roommates and I were on a holy grail quest to catch them live this weekend, but was not able to do so. They werent able to play the Hot Boat show Friday and we werent really into hanging out at Worksound on Saturday. Fortunately!!! We were able to meet up with them and talk. I feel like such a fanboy. Definitely, come see them play on June 18th with The New Bloods and Yellow Fever at Dekum Manor, again!

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The Great Northwest: When it Reigns is RULES!

From The Golden Plates:

... Brian Coates gave himself permission to fall in love with a couple of musical motifs. He then gathered a brotherhood spanning the North American continent (Randall Alton, Josh Kalberg, Brent Fellows, Joseph Kaczmarek, Geoff Cecil, Peter Holmstrom, Jefferson Baldwin, Caleb Spiegel, Andy Olmstead, Michael Faith, Rev. Dand Lee Strickland...) around a picnic table under a fig tree and told them:

"Be not afraid. We will immerse ourselves into the chords and tones we love. Our love will give birth to a theme. We won't stop until we've given that theme a solid chance to express itself fully."

The brotherhood rejoiced at the opportunity to embrace a familiar sound and explore it's potential without having to say goodbye too soon. That is how The Great Northwest was created.

photo of Josh and Brian by Joel Didriksen

Like the Cascade volcano's that lay dormant and ready to drop Seattle into the ocean and shake the I-5 and I-205 bridge into the mighty Columbia river, The Great Northwest's album The Widespread Reign of, is ready to blow Every Ones mind. -- Ste. Goldie

PS - The album comes out July 29th. You can buy a copy here that will be shipped to you by July 29th: Kora Records

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for June 30th to July 6th

Hello Dear Readers,

Did you go to Kelly's Olympian on Friday? 'Cause it was seriously off the chain. All three bands (The Hand That Bleeds, Westfold, and AristeiA) played so well. I believed people were truly moved. I know I was. Highlights: a)Sarah, from The Hand That Bleeds, singing while wrapping her mic cord around Guitarist Orion's neck while he played on his knees as there set came to a dramatic close. b) Simon, of Westfold, using Brandon's, of AristeiA, Orange amp and 4x12 cab. He was so loud and the tone was so good. c)Debut of the Hanz intro for AristeiA. Imagine a smoke filled Kelly's (I realize the irony, but seriously it was even more smokey thanks to the smoke machine) pierced by beautiful soumdtrack music as the band members slowly crawl on stage in the haze. Sweet.

This week we got some more sweet shows going on. This is what I'm talking about.

Monday, June 30th

I only got one for you, but it looks pretty interesting.

• The Artistery is having Thanksgiving play a show with Grouper and O Paon (Canadian?). The "O" is supposed to have a "^" over it, but I don;t know ho to do type that. Adrain Orange aka Thanksgiving hasn't, to my knowledge, played under that name in years preferring variations of his own name (A.J.O.) or Adrian Orange and Her Band. I wonder if that means he will perform with just an acosutic guitar or something. The change of names intrigues me regardless. Grouper is the project of Liz Harris. 4AD’s Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil are often brought up in coversation when describing her music, so if you are into theat sort of dream-pop you might want to check this show out. O Paon is the new recording name of Geneviève Castrée aka WOELV (married to Phil Elvrum aka Mt. Eerie). Like all Artistery shows is $6, ALL AGES and starts at 8 PM sharp.
  

Tuesday, July 1st

There are a few things going on Tuesday.

• The thing that I really realy want to and probably will go to is the Shelby Sifers, Sarcastic Dharma Society, and We Play Quiet (Vancover, WA) show happening at The Grind Coffee House. I am absolutely nuts about both Shelby Sifers and Sarcastic Dharma Society. They are both kinda folky so if you are sick of the whole acoustic guitar thing I suggest you skip this. However, if you like that sort of thing, then check out Shelby's "Are you Devo?" and Sarcastic Dharma Society's "We Were". I have had both of these songs in my head for a while now and yet to tire of either of them. The show is part of their cross-country tour kick off. It is ALL AGES and starts at 8 PM. There is a requested donation of $3 to $5 (tour kick off ie collecting gas money).
  

• There is also the Incubator at Someday Lounge which is an open stage event hosted by CIMTB contributor Gabriel Darling. This is a FREE event. Some do your thing. It will be filmed and eventually be put on the Internet (no pressure though). It starts at 9 PM.

• Or you could go to the Zilla Sake open mic which happens every Tuesday night. It is hosted by Y La Bamba and there are usually some very pleasant surprises in who plays here. Plus they are now serving sushi. Very good sushi at that. The music gets started at 9 PM.

Wednesday, July 2nd

I could only two shows that are happening on Wednesday but they both look great.

• You know how I mention Shelby Sifers and Sarcastic Dharma Society before, well this time they are playing in Portland with their tour mate Jordaan Mason (Canadian) and Purrbot and Randy B (of Junkface) at the Green House. I played a house show with Jordaan like a year ago and was blown away. This show, in this man's opinion, is not to be missed. This is the final part of the tour kick off events for these people. They leave on Thursday for the cross-country tour. The show is ALL AGES and starts at 8 PM. There will be donations excepted (so please make them).

• The other show is at Rererato and features Carcrashlander, Odessa Chen (San Francisco), and Millions of Birds. It is cool to see Carcrashlander play live because they generally "rock out" a little bit more than they do on record. Millions of Birds list themselves as experimental indie-pop. The Willamette Week labeled them as post-rock. It would probably be fun to see where you think they fall on the music spectrum. The ALL AGES show is $4 and starts at 7 PM.

Thursday, July 3rd

Shows are happening on Thursday. Shows like these:

• It is first Thursday, which means there will be a lot of art stuff happening in the downtown area. One of the things happening is live music by the self-proclaimed "lyrical" band Almost Nearly at Tender Loving Empire. TLE is hands down my favorite store in Portland. They have so much cool stuff(local music, local prints, local clothes,local comics, etc...) that I don't beleive I have ever left without purchasing something awesome. There is no cover. The music gets started at 8 PM.

• Rotture is having Dat'r play with Brother, Sister and The Beauty. This should be a high energy show with lots of dancing and general "getting down". All three groups specialize in making people shake rumps. The show costs $6 and will start sometime after 9 PM.

• Towne Lounge is having a show with a band that used to live here, White Hinterland, and a band that currently lives here Bapstist Arms. When Casey Dienel of White Hinterland lived in Portland she recorded an album under her own name for local-hip label Dead Oceans. Baptist Arms is the Southern Gothic project of Alicia Rogers, trumpeter of Evolutionary Jass Band. In this project she sings and plays piano while band mate Anna plays viola. There is a $8 cover charge. The show starts at 9:30 PM.

Friday, July 4th

Its America's Birthday (the important part of it anyway)! Why not celebrate by seeing some live Independent Portland music on Independence Day?

• There are a couple all day shows happening on Friday. For instance, The Coop is having an all day show that features Neckties Make Me Nervous, The Lost Boys (CA), Flat Out (CA), The Rainy States, Hockey, and Transformers Kick Your Kids. There will probably be a lot of fun things going on. I don't know what they are but for $4 (and FREE airhockey), I might be willing to find out. The ALL AGES event is happening ALL DAY.

• There is another ALL DAY event at Work/Sound for Johnny X and The Groadies 12th Birthday Party. Said band will be playing along with Fist Fite, Experimental Dental School, Sei Hexe, and Nicole Georges (a zinester, I'm not sure what she will be doing). There will also be a Veggie BBQ thing going on and a vegan chili cook off. I have even heard that there will be kiddie pools. Classy. This ALL AGES event did not have a cover listed. It was listed as being ALL DAY. The food is at 7 PM.

• The Waypost is having a show where Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Autopilot is for Lovers, and Run On Sentence will all play sets. I am not familiar with the two that are not Auto Pilot, but I remember liking Autopilot when I saw them play the one time I saw them play. I have heard good things about Wooden Indian Burial Ground from good people so there is probably some truth to those statements. This show is FREE. It is ALL AGES and starts at 8 PM.

• The Doug Fir is also having a show on the 4th with Nick Jaina, Fernando, and Wallen Pash. I like Nick Jaina's songs. I really do. But the last two times I have seen him they have been solo affairs. It will be nice to see the songs in their fully arranged splendor. There is an $8 cover. The music starts at 9 PM.

Saturday, July 5th

There are a couple of good ones on Saturday. Its kinda refreshing to only have to pick from two shows. Though they both look good.

• Exit Only is having a PDX indie-pop-rock filled show featuring Newspapers, The Morals, Paper Brain, The Rainy States, And Project Eldridge. I have like d what I have heard of Newspapers. I first heard them make music when they covered Starfucker's "German Love" on local cut. I then was impressed by what they have on the myspace, but I have yet to see them. I love The Morals. They write and sing songs with a passion that is missing in a lot of bands. And I don't mean that they scream. I mean, they sometimes wail a bit but its not with any heavy music. They mearly have two dudes, one with an acoustic guitar and one with a harmonica, who don't hold back when they perform. I am not really familiar with the otehr acts but it seems like The Rainy States play out quite a bit, so it is only a matter of time before I see them. The show is ALL AGES and $5. It will start at 8 PM.

• The other show is happening at Holocene. It too seems to be indie-pop-rock oriented. In fact is is part of a PDX Pop Tomorrow! Showcase. The line up for this one is New Century School Book, The Grokkers, The Gentry, Disgustion, and House of Badger. All of these bands for $6. Plus I beleive that CIMTB contributor, Amber Dawn, is in New Century School Book. The show starts at 9 PM.

Sunday, June 6th

I have three shows lined up for you to attend.

• Valentine's is having a show with all experimental music maker Adam Forkner (White Rainbow etc...), Pulse Emitter, Acre and DJ Scott. I can almost guarantee that this will be an ambient blissed out sound experience. So if you are in to that sort of thing (I sometimes am), then this show is for you. Its FREE!. It will begin sometime after 9 PM.

• Slabtown is having a show with I was Totally Destroying It (Chapel Hill, NC), Tennis Pro (Seattle), Autopilot is for Lovers, and Sean Brooks (of Minmae)I will be honest, I want to say that what grabbed my attention was Autopilot, but really it was the name I was Totally Destroying It. I am a sucker for a dumb name like that. I think they are totally awesome. This show is only $5 and starts at 9 PM.

• Hawthorne Theater kinda sucks. But on Sunday they are having Tilly and the Wall (Omaha, NE) play with our own Southern Belle, and World's Greatest Ghosts. I have seen Tilly and the Wall live before and I loved it. They are definatley a gimmick band but its a pretty good gimmick. Instead of a drummer, they tap dance. I know, Genius. On another note, I listened to World's Greatest Ghost at Tender Loving Empire the other day and really liked it. The show is a bit pricey at $12 to $14, but it will be fun. The ALL AGES show starts at 9 PM.

So have a great week, and say "Hi" if you see me.

Ben


World's Greastest Gnomes er... Ghosts play on Sunday at Hawthorne Theater.

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Ha Ha, Ben.

OMG My Fave Site Is Don (WTF)

PS
Look what Adam Steinfink showed me before Alia Grace was going to:

file under "pee'd in pants".

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Service Announcement: There's No Place Like Home

Would you be shocked to find out that people actually read blogs? Okay then would you be shocked to know that there is a lady named Evy who wants to get to know your band and then possibly write about you and/or do a podcast interviewing you?

Well both are true. Do the math.

The following is a message from one of CIMTB's favorite friends, the wonderful Evy Metal. Evy runs an 'online guide to kick ass rock and roll in your own backyard'. -- Ste. Goldie


Photo of Portland band, Prize Country at an interview for Evy Metal


----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: Evy Metal
Date: Jun 29, 2008 2:31 PM


The name does not limit the types of bands Evy wants to talk to - looking to hear from any bands who are actively playing shows, recording, touring and interested in a little promotion. THERE ARE NO STRINGS ATTACHED - NOT NOW - NOT EVER.



Evy Metal is at full speed with her own recording/editing set up. Plans are to post 2 interviews a month. If you have an upcoming tour or CD release you would like to promote, or if you just want to get your name out there - get your band on the schedule now; the timing of your interview posting will be in conjunction with whatever you are promoting.



Evy Metal is all about the music ~ there are no fees ~ no strings ~ no obligations.

You show up for the interiview prepared to talk about your band and your music - Evy does the rest. Okay, one thing and one thing only is requested ~ promote the interview on MySpace or through whatever methods you have available.



Are you ready? Contact Evy here on MySpace or at evymetalpdx@gmail.com

IF YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED TO ONE OF THE PODCASTS - PLEASE GO TO THE WEB SITE - www. evymetal.

com - LISTEN TO ONE OF THE AWESOME INTERVIEWS WITH PRIZE COUNTRY ~ MORA TAU ~ MADRASO

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