Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks For January 19th to 22nd

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I went to the Hush for the first time. Man, I gotta say it was a pretty cool space. It is the perfect size for a small to medium size band. The show was good, but I believe the hightlight was Down South Sallie and her band. Even though Sallie was sick and kept saying that she couldn't sing, she belt out her numbers like a champ (though there was a lot of coughing between the delivery of lines). Dahni Rosa played a quiet set with what I believe was the musical Hair Projected onto him. I was really intersting to hear his songs a) by himself (I am used to seeing them fleshed out by the rest of Eskimo and Sons) and b) with people dancing in various states of undress behind him. In my head I was all like, "that's a good line, BOOBS!". Grey Anne played a good but brief set which included her bringing up a friend Blie (Bly?) from Aulstralia to sing one of his songs (bonus!). Y La Bamba played too, but since I played in the band, I have no idea how it sounded. I do know that I ended up talking. A lot. Thanks to Anne for giving me an orange so that I would use my mouth for eating instead of carrying on with my ramblings (but seriously, how long does it take to tune a guitar?).

Anyways, These are the shows that show promise this week.

Monday, January 19th

I only see one show that I interested in, (because the Boys II Men show @ Spirit Mountain Casino is SOLD OUT):

Valentine's is having a show with Harsh Sunshine, Hot Victory, and Judy (featuring members of Swan Island I am told). I am not too familiar with either, but I have been impressed by some of the youtube videos of Hot Victory. They do a bunch where it is just the two drummers. Really Hot Victory is a two person drum solo (I realize this is contradictory) with some knob twiddling added. If you are into that sort of thing, check it out. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Tuesday, January 20th

It's my Birthday! Guess what I'm getting. A new president. Here are some shows you can watch in celebration of my birth:

Someday Lounge is having it's "2009 Inaugural Freakout!" wich will feature the music of Chrome Wings, Why I Must be Careful, Eyes Like Saucers, and Sustencula. All of these bands fall under the "experimental" umbrella which means that probably do not resemble each other much. I think I have been trying to catch Chrome Wings (on the It should be a good time. The show is $6 and starts at 9PM.

Rotture is having "40 Bands Fest". Today will feature the follwing bands: 57 Octaves Below, Adelitas, The Amalgams, Anon Remora, Autistic Youth, Boot City Blood Sox, Bookends,Book of Belial, Chores, Cower, Defect Defect, Downriver, Ealdath, Exit Collapse, Full Face Riot, Helghast, Jalin, Jeannie Reno, Kudzu, Machine Gun Congress, Maraud, Nathan Jr., Nux Vomica, Order of the Gash, Raw Nerves, Scene Ripper, Squalora, Superbad, Thee Caterpillar, Tim Messing, Torn to Pieces and Transient. Granted, of these bands I am only familiar with Chores and Cower, there is something about festivals I really like (pretty sure it is the exposure to bands I haven't heard). I also only count 32 bands, but I guess it doesn't sound as catchy as 40 bands fest. Regardless, even 32 bands for a mere $5 is a steal. The show is listed as starting at 9 PM, which means it will be a either a looooong night or very short sets. Perhaps both.

Wednesday, January 21st

There is a really sweet house show going on at The Dill Pickle (5231 NE 31st ave, Portland, Oregon 97211) with Polka Dot Dot Dot (Polka Dot Dot?) of Olympia, Grey Anne, Hey Tiger!, and Wisdom Tooth (New Mexico). I have nothing but amazing things about Polka Dot Dot Dot. And of Course you guys know I love Grey Anne shows. So basically this is a no brainer. There will be a $5 cover for this ALL AGES

Holocene is having a pretty good showcasing of local talent. They are having AAN, Ohioan (which ranges from one to thirteen members), Golden Hours, and Sigmund Henry. I am familiar with the first two and would hightly recomend seeing the show based on just them. But there are two more bands. Bonus! AAN announced via a myspace bulletin that they are debuting a new member and new equipment. Well shoot. I was blown away by their old members and old equipment. I would be stoked to see what these additions umm...add to the music. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Laurel Thrirst Publeic House will be having a show with some indie-roots type people. Namely Audie Darling and Run On Sentence. Audie Darling has, a dare I say, "sultry" voice and the the songs to back it up. She also has a really well hand-packaged CD that she usually sells at shows with said songs on them. Run On Sentence has been on my radar since October when he released an album on Hush records. I have not seen him. This looks like the perfect time to catch him in action. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

White Eagle Saloon is having a show with the jazz stylings of Blue Cranes. The Blue Cranes is one of the many many bands that I really like what I have heard online, but have been unable to catch a live show yet. Sam Howard Band and A Cationary Tale are also set to play this show. The best part is that it is FREE. The show starts at 8:30 PM.

Thursday, January 22nd

Gots some shows for you. And this is what they are.

The Doug Fir is having one of its Log Love shows (which are always all local). This one has a lineup of Leigh Marble, House of Badger, and Lowenbad1. I believe I have seen all of these names around town. Maybe its worth checking out? At $5, probably. The show starts at 9 PM.

The Fez is having a benifit concert to raise money for the National Leukemia/Lymphoma Society presented by L.O.V.E. Promotions. Aurora (seattle), The Jezebel Spirit (Portland/Corvallis), Break As We Fall, and Breviamore (Salem) will all be playing sets. I (as part of AristeiA) played a show once with Jezebel Spirit and they were pretty rad. Blood Cancers are not rad. This show is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The doors open at 7 PM.

So that is what I show as interesting to me. If you see me at any of these shows, you should walk up to me, tap me on the shoulder, and if I haven't flipped you onto the groud (hey. I got reflexes, okay), then say, "Hi". If you choose not to greet me, then by all means shoot me longs stares that will sure to confuse me.

-Ben


Grey Anne is play a house show on Wednesday. She would probably be liking you to go to it.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for january 17th and 18th

Hello Dear Readers,

Well shooot. I saw another good show the other night. This time it was the Tender Loving Empire show at the Doug Fir. It featured TLE artists Finn Riggins (from Boise) and Jared Mees and the Grown Children (Jared is one of the head honchos over at TLE). It also featured TLE buddies World's Greatest Ghosts. Man it was so much fun. World's Greatest Ghost started the night with a bang. They are are really good at layering their guitars and keyboards in various arpeggios and scale running. Plus it is cathy as hell. Finn Riggins was up next. I had only very briefly listened to their myspace page. So I was just expecting some pretty good pop rock. What I was not expecting was the proggy-ness that they mixed in with their pop. Let me just say that their drummer had a steel drum (and he actually played it on more than one song, pushing it past a novelty instrument) and instead of a bass player they had a dude who sang behind a mountain of keyboards. And let me tell you a little story regarding Jared Mees and the Grown Children. I saw him play a show once and I thought it was good. Afterwards I told him so, Jared looked at me in the eye and apologized he said that he wished he could have brought more energy (it was the night they returned from a good length tour). Seeing as to how they had a good amount of energy at that show, I did not know what he was talking about. Thursday night they brought the energy that Jared had referred to. It was so fun. I danced and sang and clapped along which left me sweaty and satisfied (is that dirty?). Anyways, I am remembering why I go to see live music.

Here are some opportunities for you to remember what live music is all about.

Saturday, January 17th

There are a bunch of good shows today

• Aladdin Theater is having absolutely great local folk line up of Blind Pilot, Loch Lomond, and The Old Believers. I was totally stoked about this show last month (it was canceled due to the freakish snow of last month), and I am still totally stoked now. These are some of my favorite bands. Do yourself a favor and see this show. It is ALL AGES with a cover of $12. The music starts at 8 PM.

• East End is having a show with Blue Skies for Black Hearts, Pure Country Gold, DJ Hwy 7. I think Blue Skies is one of the better pop bands and Portland. Plus, I have nothing but good things about Pure Country Gold. The show has no listed cover and starts at 9 PM.

• Green Dragon Bistro is having a great indie-pop show with the excellent Someday Tricycle and New Century Schoolbook (shout out to CIMTB blogger Amber Dawn!). Very good indie-pop played very well. This bad boy is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

• Backspace is having a show with Truckasaurus (Seattle), Atole, and Breakfast Mountain. So break out your dancing shoes, because I'll be damned if you go to this show and are not moved to spaz around the place (aka dance). The ALL AGES show is $5 and starts at 8:30 PM.

• Berbati's is having a School of Rock show. They will be performing Radiohead. So if hearing a bunch of snot nosed kids playing The Bends appeals to you (and I admit it kinda appeals to me) then you might consider going down to Berbatis tonight, The cover is $10-12. The ALL AGES show starts at 6 PM.

Sunday, January 18th

• Rontoms is having another one of their Sunday night shows. This time they have a very good line up of Autopilot is for Lovers and St. Frankie Lee. Both of these bands are good and even better to see live. If you missed St. Frankie Lee when they played earlier this week, this is your second chance. If you didn't miss them you might go to see what Sunday night's theme will be. They always have a theme which they will talk about between songs (Monday's theme was trees). This shoe is FREE and starts at 9:30 PM.

• The Hush is having an incredible show with a butt-load of great artists: Down South Sallie, Saw Whet, Somersault, Grey Anne, Dhani Champion of the World, and Y La Bamba. I know. You see a bill with this many acts and one's immediate reaction should be, "it sucks". But in this instance you would be wrong. These are some of the best Portland has to offer. The ALL AGES show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

• The Artistery is having a show with Flaspar, Spenking (Brunswick?) and Ruth Allison (Oly). It is an interesting mix to be sure. Spenking is just a dude with his acoustic guitar. Ruth Allison can do that, but sometimes has a band. Flaspar is dance. Nutty. The ALL AGES show is $5 with doors at 7 PM.

• Valentine's is having a folk night with Maymay, Sworn Virgin (tjo + ilyas ahmed = new project), and Daniel Sparks. Perhaps you noticed that I mentioned it is TJO in anew project. I shouldn't have to write anything else. That is all you need to know. But I will add that Maymay is very good as well. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

So there you have it. These are the shows that I think look amazing, good or interesting. If you see me at any of them, do not hesitate to say "Hi".

-Ben



Blind Pilot will play this song kinda like this tonight at the Aladdin.
thanks to KEXP

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for January 15th and 16th

Hello Dear Readers,

Let me just say that seeing live music is awesome. I also want to mention that living in Portland, we are luuucky. In fact when I went to see the excellent Old Believers, St. Frankie Lee, and Black Heart Moon show at Valentine's on Monday, I met I guy and his gal who came all the ways from Reno to hang out in our town. Lets call them Bryan and Kara (cause that's their respective names). They came show specifically to see The Old Believers. Bryan was shocked that a show of that caliber was FREE. Also he was surprised at St. Frankie Lee's 7 members, "Just like the band he plays at in Reno! " I think he said. Buster Blue is the name of his band. He also eyed Derrick's (of St. Frankie Lee) banjo, stating that it was exactly like the one he uses. I think band friends were made. Anyway, he was kind enough to give me an advance copy of his CD "This Beard Grows for Freedom" . Now Bryan was sporting no beard, so I had some initial doubts. But I was surprised to hear that it was actually pretty good (if you like with some twang, if you like your twang with a little sax, if you like music that incorporates chains, then check it out). Then Last night I saw Carcrashlander play at Rotture. My goodness they are awesome. I thought it was criminally unattended. While talking to Cory Gray (leader of Carcrashlander) he said that was the last show for a while as he is going into Jackpot Studios in February to record a new album. Nice.

Anyways this is what is going on the rest of the week:

Thursday, January 15th

There are a lot of excellent shows to choose from.

• Doug Fir is having a Tender Loving Empire curated night with a great lineup of Jared Mees & The Grown Children, Finn Riggins (Boise, ID), and World's Greatest Ghosts. All of these bands are super fun. As you may recall I thought that World's Greatest Ghosts were one of the best performer at PDX Pop last year. They are great. Jared Mees and co. Are super fun live, and their song "Bees" is definately one of my favorite songs of last year. If you go to this you will most assuredly dance around. And if you can't dance (or don't dance), you will at least bob your head to this joyous night of pop bliss. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

• Holocene is having a show with the amazing Shelly Short, Iiyas Ahmed, and M Billy. This is a show if you like things a little on the acoustic but somewhat weird side of things. Shelly Short has an incredible voice and often plays with Alex Gideon who has a very unique (and awesome guitar style that he has developed with Carcrashlander (Brian Wright and Cory Gray, of said band, also often back her up as well). Iiyas Ahmed is very good and often plays with TJO (in fact, check out Valentine's on Sunday to see a new project feature those two). M Billy is really good but is kinda mellow. Actually they are all a bit mellow. You might want to sit down for this one. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

• Backspace is having a video release show for Ocelli's "Fiction Failed this Family". Ocelli will be playing a set as well as screening their video. The music video makes use of Castiron Carouselmarionettes.Y La Bamba (a stripped down set of Luzelena and myself), and Saqi will also be playing. It should be pretty sweet and and its ALL AGES. The $7 starts at 8 PM.
  

Friday, January 16th

You want to see a show? Perhaps you should look at the following:

• Slabtown is having a show with Blue Horns, The Crosswalks, and Dominic Castillo and The Rock Savants (not to be confused with Damon Castillo Band). You see these are are all rock bands. Not particularly heavy, but perhaps they are pretty good. You click on the links. $6 9 PM

• Backspace is having a show with MEGA*CHURCH, Deelay Ceelay, and Pep Assembly. These bands are pretty good from what I've heard. Remember The Snuggle Ups? well Liam from that band is in Pep Assembly if that means anything to you (it means something to me). The ALL AGES show is $5 and starts at 8:30 PM.

• The Coop is having an awesome with At Dusk, Point Juncture, WA, Aaron Shepard (of Metal. This is a stellar lineup. At Dusk hardly EVER plays so this is really special. The show is ALL AGES and is only a mere $2. It starts at 8 PM.

• Red and Black is having a show with Lion and Eagles of the Sec Saints Art Collective which impressed me with thier roster. They will be playing "Special Guests" This is an ALL AGES show with donation based cover. It starts 6 PM (ps the food at this place is great).

• Grey Gardens (2849 NE Davis) is having a show with Panther , Fist Fite and The Captains Daughter. If you are a fan of the energy charged house show setting. You probably already know about this show. If you don't know about how awesome house shows are, I suggest you attend this to see what its all about. Its is ALL AGES and $0. The things gets underway at 8 PM.

I will list some more shows happening this weekend later. And Trust me there is some great stuff coming up. So if you see me at any of these, please say "Hi".

-Ben


2nite + 4eva from MEGA*CHURCH on Vimeo.
MEGA*CHURCH plays backspace on Friday. Come to the service!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for January 12th to 14th

Hello Dear Readers,

Check it out...I actually have started to regularly. Its crazy I know, but I went to a show on Saturday night AND Sunday Night. What's more is that I intend to see a show tonight as well.

Basically On Saturday wasn't going to go to a show. I had band practice and then was somewhat "beat". But when I got home I remmebered that I locked my keys in my apartment that morning. So I had to go back downtown to get my roomates keys. When I was down there I walked by Backspace and suddenly realized I was five minutes away from a show that I actually really wanted to see (DoubleDutch, Reporter and Maggie Morris). So it was basically fate telling me that I should see this show and I am very glad that I did. DoubleDutch who I had seen once before played much better than I when I saw them before. With the exception of a technical diffuctly in the middle of the set (which allowed singer Jordan to do a lovely solo song) everything was much tighter. They are starting to acheive some of their potential. Typhoon, as always, brought it. They really need to play more often. I should mention that they also played the set with Maggie Morris as her backing band and were excellent.

Sunday night I went to the MusiCares benefit and good lord it was good. I have never seen Ritchie Young by himself and was pleased to see that he completely held his own. Using only one,very nice, mic he strummed out his songs on his acoustic or violin. He is the only person I can recall strumming his viloin at this moment. Heather Woods (Broderick) did a set with Eric Early (frontman of Blitzen Trapper) performing lead guitar/banjo and some vocals (these two sound great together). Amanda Lawrence (of Loch Lomond and Sabertooth, who played pretty solid set later) also provided some vocals on the first few of Heather's songs. But the real gem (or gem among gems rather) here was Musee Mechanique. They just blew me away with howw good it was. These boys know how to arrange the crap out of a song. They kinda sound like Grandaddy mixed with Blonde Redhead with some folk mixed in. Really good. Any who, there are some more great shows this week.

Monday, January 12th

There is only one show I could find, but it is a great one.

Valentine's are having a show with The Old Believers, Black Heart Moon, and St. Frankie Lee. The Old Believers released a really good album last year entitled "Eight Golden Greats". You should go buy it, now. Black Heart Moon is a newish band featuring members of Hide and Go Hustle doing something completely different. And St. Frankie Lee is what would happen is what would happen if Calvin Johnson were in a male/female country band. This bad boy is FREE! It starts at 9 PM.

Tuesday, January 13th

I originally couldn't find andything but then I saw this...

Electroacoustic artist Ethan Rose will be performing at Oaks Park Roller Rink for the release of his new album "Oaks" which is based around the use of the 1920's Wulitser organ located in the roller rink. It is presented by PICA and Holocene Music, so I bet that if one were to want more information, one could click on these links to find out more information. This will be one of two releases for Ethan this year. The other is a collaboration with Laura Gibson witch I cannot wait to hear. Anyways, the show is $10 for memebers and $12 for the general public. I should mention that the cover also includes skate rentals (sweet!). The ALL AGES event opens doors at 7 PM and starts at 8 PM.

Wednesday, January 14th

Rotture is having a sick show with CIMTB favorites: Westfold, Aristeia, and Carcrashlander. From the socio-core tunes of Westfold, to the vast instrumental post-rock exploits of AristeiA (I play bass in this group. Whatevs!), to the downer sober rock of Carcrashlander it is all good. Seriously, this show is not to be missed. It is a mere $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Dunes is having a show featuring people of the Lions & Eagles, Dinner Pelonca, and Nick Mamula. The show is $5 and starts at 10 PM.

Holocene is having something called Six. It is apparently some sort of experimental sound design. This is what Holocene's website said about it, "hree dimensional music is back, courtesy of Portland's ONLY multi-channel performance environment event, SIX!!! For those of you tired of the flat, ordinary, life of stereo sound systems we bring you a high-end, Holocene-sized six channel sound system. Multi channel performances recontextualize the audience's physical relationship to the music -putting the audience at the center of the experience, literally-- and force the musicians to rethink issues of directionality, space, and conventional music making in a completely new way. This is music you can only hear in this unique live setting, not reproducible in any other environment, with compositions tailor made for this sound system by the city's leading experimental artists. Multi-channel sound performances are usually relegated to exclusive European sound galleries, electronic music PhD programs at faraway universities, etc...But now it's here for Portland, for everyone to experience and enjoy. In 2007, SIX provided a midsummer foray into contemplative and immersive listening. SIX Part Two is proud to bring you some returning artists as well as new angles. Celebrated local DJ, experimental music guru, and producer DJ Brokenwindow has devised a three-turntable, six-channel DJing configuration, and will be providing music between sets all evening. The elusive Jetfinger will return with his ever-growing, ever changing magnificent home built modular synthesizer, possibly one of the largest and most comprehensive systems in the city. Portland's ambassador of reverberant inner space music Grouper (Type Records) will join us for her first ever multi-channel performance! Computer music artist and SIX chief curator Cloudburst will be joined by fellow traveller Robert Deeble while returning SIX artist map~map will collaborate with Portland's own Gasp. Rounding out the night will be a rare solo live set from futuristic mischief maker Strategy. Please join us for another wonderful experiment in new sound system experimentation!" There will be several musical participants using the system to the best of theor abilities. Specfically: Strategy, Grouper, Cloudburst, [[ Gasp + map~map ]], Jetfinger, DJ Six Broken Windows aka DJ Brokenwindow (Get it?). The show is $6 (get it?) and starts at 9 PM (what do you get when you turn 9 upside down? hmmm...).

So that is the first half of the week for you. If you see me at any of these shows, do not hesitate to approach me with a "Hi". I will most assuredly say "Hi"back.

-Ben


The Old Beleivers play tonight. I will be there. You Should be there too. Just Sayin'

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Which way to Olympia?

The Hard Way...


Tim Diedrich, Elizabeth Yeager, Scott Taylor, Dave Hyatt = The Hard Way
photo by Amanda Driffen

YAY! A band from Olympia! Long time no listen to former indie rock capitol...

Sounds like:
Cheap Trick + The Northwest in the 90's

One line review:
This band makes me wish I was Cameron Crow!

Buy their album Only If... and Even Then
Favorite tracks: World Falls Down, I Like Elephants
Add them as your friend: myspace.com/thehardwayrocks

-- Ste. Goldie

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for January 9th to 11th

Hello Dear Readers,

I am so tired. I have not seen any shows. But I am going to try to catch some this weekend. It would appear that I have quite a few amazing ones to choose from. So I will write this blog, get rested and see what I can do to see some local Portland music.

Friday, January 9th

Some tough decisions tonight. Here is what is happening:

• The Artistery is having a show with Alan Singley and pants machine, Chores, and Travis Wiggins . I have heard that Alan will be performing as a seven peice with viola and sax and female vocals and new drummer , Scott Hayden. I think that this would sourely be worth your while. Chores and Travis Wiggins should put on fun performances as well covering your pop-rock and weird samplin' and etc.. needs respectively. The ALL AGESshow is $6 and starts at 8 PM.

• Crystal Ballroom is having a Bitch Magazine Benefit: Kimya Dawson (Olympia), Mirah and Anomie Belle (Seattle). In these crazy financial times certain things that we may take for granted (say a certain feminist quarterly magazine) are in financial dire straights. Often Benefit concerts with very entertaining people are held to raise money to save the certain neglected things. This is one of those things. You probably know who these entertainers are but if you don't know who they check them out right now. They are very good. The ALL AGES show is $18-22 and starts 9 PM.

• If perhaps you fancy yourself an artful person who lives an artful life you might want to check out the Launch Pad Gallery which is having a art opening with a bunch of artists collaborations. The artists participating are: Ennah Snyder and Nikki Jones, Ben Carey and Nathan & Noah Rice, Veranda Haddon and Michelle Purvis, Brent Wear and Jamie Watson, Rick Warren and Charles Daniels. There will also be a film collaboration by Film by: Michelle Tuffias, Sara Robbin and Charles Daniels. The reason I list this event though, is because there will also be music provided by Kaitlyn ni Donovan and Point Juncture, WA. These are both good performers and at the price of FREE, it is hard to say no to this show. The ALL AGES opening opens at 6 PM. The music starts at 9 PM.

• The Know will be host to the Live from Portland DVD Release this weekend. I am going to go out on a limb and assume that there will be a DVD for sale featuring some really good Portland bands performing live on it. The event will actually last two days and feature many our city's great bands performing from 7 PM to 11 PM. The first night has Leviethan, Weinland, and Sean Flinn and The Squealers. There is a $5 cover both nights. and again starts at 7 PM.

Saturday, January 10th

Another night of tough Choices. I don't think it gets any easier.

• Doug Fir is having a show with a band that was one of my favorite Portland bands before I even moved here, Quasi. They play rock music in some of its purest forms. While there songs used to be filled with very cynical and amusing lyrics they have lightened up over the years and now occasionally have positive things to sing about too. Eat Skull and The Golden Bears will also be performing sets to round out this all local show. From what I can tell Eat skull make loud lo-fi recordings that seem to beg to be seen live. The Golden Bears make folky music but the two members have been in a lot of bands that you may have heard of that sound quite a bit different Like Electrolettes, Circus Lupus, and Crime in Choir.

• It is day two of the Live from Portland DVD Release event at The Know. Saturday night will feature: His Name Shall Breathe, Graves, Run On Sentence and Pancake Breakfast (White Salmon, WA). All bands are worth checking out. I am going to try to go to at least one of the nights to pick up the DVD. Again, like the previous night, the show is $5 and starts at 7 PM.

• Backspace qill be having an awesome show too though. They are having Reporter, Typhoon, Doubledutch and Maggie Morris (San Francisco) play on Saturday night. These are all great bands and performers (a lot of Boy Gorilla related bands), but seriously Typhoon is not to be missed. They really put on some of the most moving and amazing live shows. 9 p.m. $5
  

• Berbati's Pan is hosting the Chicharones (Josh Martinez and Sleep) CD release show. I hear that the DJ for Chicharones wears a pig mask. Thats pretty crazy. But the reason I list this show is because it will feature some of the best NW hip-hop currently happening. Performers like Braille, Night Crawlers, Jon the Baptist and Erd are all pretty great. But there is also Raise the Bridges (who rep Hillboro), a rock rap outfit. I don't maybe that's your thing. The show is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. The music starts at 10 PM.

Sunday, January 11th

Here are some more shows that you might enjoy.

• There is another good benefit show happening this weekend. This one is happening at Doug Fir and will help put MusiCares & OHSU Uninsured Patients. This was orignially scheduled as a benefit concert for local musician Kele Goodwin who injured himself and had mad medical bills which were eventually very graciously covered by MusiCares. THis is a way of saying thank you and perhaps raising money to help other musicians who might not have medical insurance. The all-star lineup consists of Musee Mecanique, Sabertooth, Heather Broderick and Ritchie Young of Loch Lomond. If you know anything about these musicians you have probably already made arrangements to get to this show. If you don't know anything about these people, now would be a charitable time to "discover" them. The cover is a sliding scale of $10-15. The show starts at 9 PM.
  

• Valentine's is having a The Flight & The Fall show with Root Beer & French Fry and The Wedding Singers also performing. So what the heck is The Flight and The Fall? Well, its a variety show? This is what I found from the Mercury's site. It looks pretty interesting, plus Root Beer and French Fry are really good. This show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

• Someday Lounge is having a musical/performance art filled evening. Rush-N-Disco, Janet Pants Dance Troupe, Diana Joy (Seattle) and Joe Bryan will all be performing. If you don't know about Rush-N-Disco, you need to. Also, it should be noted that Janet Pants Dance Troupe features Brian Mumford of Dragging an Ox Through Water and will have guest appearances by Heather Treadway of Explode Into Colors and some guitar by Tara Jane O'Neil. There is a $5 cover. The event starts at 8 PM.
  

• 220 House is having a show with The Hugs , Meth Teeth, Best Supporting Actress, Chrome Wings . These are some good bands. And everyone knows nothing can beat a good house show. So if it is good music in a loud and intimate setting that you crave, I suggest you attend this show. I am unsure of a cover, but the show is set to begin at 8 PM.

So that is what is happening this weekend, show-wise. If you see me at any of these please say "Hi".

-Ben


Mirah to perform for all you bitches (and Bitch magazine) tonight at Crystal Ballroom.

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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

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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.

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