New Shows: Ani DiFranco, Cradle of Filth, Little Dragon

Ani DiFranco

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Sunday, April 17th, 2011
$35
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 5th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Cradle of Filth

No Portland show. Crap. Yes, I like Cradle of Filth. It's weird.

Showbox Theatre, Seattle
Friday, February 11th, 2011
$26
Tickets go on sale Sunday, October 31st, at 10:00 a.m.

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Little Dragon

Doug Fir, Portland
Monday, January 10th, 2011
$13

New Shows: Pink Martini, Mogwai, Jewel, Dick Dale, Filter, Frazey Ford

Pink Martini (Two Shows)

Arlene Schnitzer, Portland
Friday, December 31st, 2010 (Early and Late Show)
$20 - $79
Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 30th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Mogwai

This band has quite the following. I'm a bit surprised they are playing a venue of this size. Even though the show is seven months away, buy early, thank me later.

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Thursday, May 5th, 2011
$22
Tickets go on sale Monday, November 1st, at 10:00 a.m.

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Jewel (KUPL Holly Ball)

(Insert joke here)

Roseland, Portland
Sunday, December 12th, 2010
$18 ($25 for VIP)
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 3rd, at 9:00 a.m.

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Dick Dale

"The King of Surf Guitar."

Dante's, Portland
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010
$20

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Filter

"Hey man, nice shot."

Berbatis Pan, Portland
Saturday, November 20th, 2010
$16

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Frazey Ford

Lead singer of the Be Good Tanyas.

Doug Fir, Portland
Sunday, December 5th, 2010
$12
Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 30th, at 10:00 a.m.

Live Review: She & Him

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland
Friday, October 22nd, 2010

The name She & Him is misleading. This showcase is more like She & Her & Herself & Some Other Guy. They should change their name to Zooey Deschanel & the M. Wardens.

This was my biggest complaint listening to their albums. M. Ward sings a verse on one song, sings background on a couple others, but is otherwise left with strictly guitar duties. I wasn't expecting it to be different live, but I did expect more and extended guitar solos, which didn't happen. When he did sing his featured verse, several ladies in the crowd started howling and whistling, proving the crowd wasn't only comprised of old folks and perverted middle aged men. There were still plenty of the latter. The guy in front of me even had binoculars and was taking pictures! Creepy, right? Okay, that may have been me.

Zooey's voice started out a bit soft on the first two songs, like she wasn't singing directly into the mic, leaving me wondering if she even has a good voice? She does. It may have been technical difficulties, or maybe she started singing louder and closer to the mic. While I expected her to sing, and maybe pound away at a wood block or a tambourine, I wasn't expecting her to play the keyboards or ukulele. Her first venture to the keys included a few elementary notes, which had me thinking it was the extent of her skills. She proved me wrong, as she played the keyboard on several more songs. I can't say she played anything remarkable, but it shows she takes her music serious. Much respect.

"She" engaged the crowd several times between songs, including a story about her grandparents who live in Lake Oswego. She spoke about loving the music scene in Portland. I think she said something about her cat, or hair dresser. She probably thanked the crowd a couple times and cracked a joke or two? Okay, I didn't comprehend a word she said. It was all in slow motion, and my neighbor kept blaring REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling" in my ear. (Edit: I'm now being told no one was playing REO Speedwagon? Uhhh, really? Shit.)

One highlight of the night was the VH1 popular, "In The Sun," which Zooey led the crowd chanting the echo to her chorus. The other was when M. Ward played one of his originals, "Magic Trick." Each time he started whaling on the guitar was a highlight, albeit overshadowed by Zooey jumping up and down and dancing around. It was the, "look at me, I'm a happy cheerleader," dance moves that Karen O and Perry Farrell have mastered. It's so damn cute, and so distracting.

After the show, I walked outside the venue to dry sidewalks. About a half block away, I felt the first rain drop. Two blocks later, the rain was intense. I was soaking wet, and nowhere near dressed for the elements. Having been mostly warm and dry for several weeks leading up to this show, it has been heavy rain and wind since. I can end this review by saying the summer season filled with beautiful sights and vibrant energy culminated with the beautiful sights and vibrant energy of She & Him, leading us to the inevitable transition of seasons. I could say that when Zooey thanked the crowd before disappearing behind the stage curtains, it was parallel to the summer sunshine thanking those who enjoy it before exiting behind the cover of dark clouds.

I can't end with that sappy connection though. The change in weather sucks, I want the sun back, and I'm blaming Zooey.

New Shows: Social Distortion, Floater, Tapes 'n Tapes

Social Distortion

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
$30
Tickets go on sale Friday, October 29th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Electric New Year's Eve with Floater

Dante's, Portland
Friday, December 31st, 2010
$20

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Tapes 'n Tapes

The lead singer has a mullet and the drummer looks like he is thirteen. Their 2005 album, The Loon, still gets regular play on my stereo.

Doug Fir, Portland
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ticket information not available

New Shows: Portland Cello Project, Brother Ali, Marina & the Diamonds, James LaBrie

Portland Cello Project

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Friday, December 17th, 2010
$15
Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 21st, at 12:00 p.m.

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Brother Ali (w/The Grouch, Eligh, and Los Rakas)

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Saturday, December 11th, 2010
$15
Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 23rd, at 10:00 a.m.

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Marina & the Diamonds

Doug Fir, Portland
Saturday, January 29th, 2011
$15
Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 23rd, at 10:00 a.m.

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James LaBrie

Lead singer of Dream Theater.

Berbati's Pan (RIP), Portland
Saturday, December 11th, 2010
$22
Update: Cancelled

Live Review: Monotonix

Mississippi Studios, Portland
Thursday, October 14th, 2010

I have news Monotonix fans will find incomprehensible. Are you sitting down? Alright, here it goes. Monotonix played the last fifteen minutes of their show ON STAGE!

One more quick surprise. They played cover songs?

Hearing Mississippi Studios would be the next victim of destruction was an exciting moment. There is a lot of room to wander, lots of high places to climb, and the lead singer might jump into the crowd from the balcony. These thoughts created wicked anticipation.

Since this review just started, and is already full of surprises, here's one more. The show was much more mellow than usual. They didn't even play outside? While the lead singer did spend a good portion of the show above the crowd, less was spent literally on top of the crowd. He still climbed whatever was near him, including standing on the soundboard, but he never made it to the bar (unfortunately).

During their most recent Portland show at the East End, Mr. Shalev jumped on the bar, poured a giant water bucket over his head, pulled down his shorts, and had a female patron spank him on his bare ass with the bartender's rubber drink mat. This occurred minutes after he threw the bar napkins and garnish containers into the crowd (make it rain). I heard they even broke the sprinkler system the last time they played the East End, yet were still invited back?

The delicate nature of the evening was probably due to the venue's staff. At one point, the band stopped the show when an employee started giving the, "tone it down a notch" hand gestures. The lead singer pointed her out and thanked her for allowing them to perform, leading to appreciative applause. Mr. Shalev later darted up to the second level, teased the crowd saying he would jump off the balcony, then said security wouldn't let him. He joked it was much higher than he expected, and playfully questioned why security wasn't holding him back. There were more than enough people in the crowd to catch him, and the VIP tower he jumped off at Sasquatch 2009 was much higher. Are they displaying a conscious because they are running out of venues they are still allowed to play?

The cover songs were shorter versions of popular songs, including two Led Zeppelin tunes, and the uber popular "Smells Like Teen Spirit," with butchered lyics. It was like stumbling into a kareokee bar in Israel full of thickly accented boozers singing Elvis Presley ballads. It was painful. He later joked the reason they play cover songs is because they are fun. He's right, it was.

A Montonix crowd is much different than your typical hard rock moshing ragesters. You are part of the show, and must work together to keep the show moving, so it's more like organized moshing. I say organized, because you can't be knocking people over into the drum kit, or bumping the gaggle of fans holding the lead singer above their heads. If you're an idiot, we all lose.

While I escaped the event without being hit in the head with a farmer's blow, and without touching a slimy hairy half naked man, I can't say my mostly voyeur status was a success. Watching a dude in a wheel chair covered in sweat leaving the pit left me wondering why I moved to the outskirts in the first place?

If what you've heard about Monotonix, or what you've read here scares you, don't be. This is the definition of a fun live band. Their music isn't great, and they'll never make it big, but why not spend ten dollars having a fucking blast with some good people? If you don't believe me, just ask the guy in the wheelchair.

New Shows: Moe., Steven Page, Ethan Bortnick, The Living Legends

Moe.

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
$22.50
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 5th, at 11:30 a.m.

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Steven Page

Barenaked Ladies front man.

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010
$24

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Ethan Bortnick

Child prodigy, and I do mean child. He's ten.

Aladdin Theater, Portland
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
$39.50


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The Living Legends

This is odd. Independent hip hop group the Living Legends playing at the Schnitz? They are basically giving away tickets, so maybe people will show up. How about that ten year old above getting $39.50 per ticket. Hurt the ego at all?

Arlene Schnitzer, Portland
Friday, February 4th, 2011
$6.50

Setlist: Broken Social Scene

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

Rage Against the Machine's chant, "Fuck you I won't do what you tell me," from the song "Killing In the Name Of," was repeated during one of their final songs. I don't recall which song it was. If anyone remembers, let me know, and I'll add it to the setlist. Wait a second? Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me.

1. Pacific Theme
2. Texico Bitches
3. 7/4 (Shoreline)
4. Fire Eyed Boy
5. Forced To Love
6. All To All
7. Stars And Sons
8. Cause = Time
9. Art House Director
10. Sweetest Kill
11. Super Connected - with Modest Mouse lyrics to "The World At Large." "My thoughts were so loud, I couldn't hear my mouth."
12. World Sick
13. Lover's Spit
14. Anthems For A Seventeen Year Old Girl
15. Almost Crimes (Radio Kills Remix)
16. Ungrateful Little Father
17. KC Accidental
18. Meet Me In the Basement

Encore:
19. Looks Just Like the Sun
20. Water In Hell
21. Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day)
22. Major Label Debut

New Shows: Crystal Castles, Helio Sequence/Ramona Falls, Rehab, The Greenhornes

Crystal Castles

Roseland, Portland
Sunday, March 6th, 2011
$25
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, October 20th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Helio Sequence / Ramona Falls

Friday, December 31st, 2010
Mississippi Studios, Portland
$22

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Rehab

These guys had such potential. I still love their debut album Southern Discomfort. They used to be pretty hilarious.

Hawthorne Theatre, Portland
Sunday, January 16th, 2011
$14

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The Greenhornes

Reunion band consisting of bassist Jack Lawrence (Raconteurs, Dead Weather), drummer Patrick Keeler (Raconteurs), and guitarist/singer Craig Fox.

Berbati's Pan, Portland
Friday, December 10th, 2010
$13

Live Review: Guided By Voices

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Just like how pornography makes you horny, watching someone get shit-faced drunk makes you thirsty. That would be the theme this night.

The show started relatively tame, with my personal favorite "Tractor Rape Chain" being the third selection. Slowly sipping my beer in hand and with low expectations, I was starting to get into the music. Then I noticed a bottle of what appeared to be tequila in Robert Pollard's left hand, which he took pulls off between songs. Fifteen minutes later, he was noticeably drunk, and that's when the fun started.

Pollard told a story about how they used to smoke cigarettes playing gigs, lamenting about how that is no longer allowed, and how they should be grandfathered into being allowed to smoke. A fan near the stage offered Pollard a cigarette, which he didn't hesitate to light. After a couple quick drags, he stated, "I can't sing 'Hot Freaks' without a cigarette."

That was when the show started to take off. It was the "fuck you staff, I'm drunk and going to smoke a cigarette," attitude that had me enthralled with what might happen next. It wasn't like most shows, when I think, "should I go get another beer, or wait a couple songs." This was, "I need to pound this beer so I can get another one, and I should probably take a shot."

Swinging his microphone around, pounding beers between his swigs off the bottle, doing cheerleader kicks on stage, and generally freaking the fuck out, the show was picking up steam. Pollard rambled on about how much he likes the Oregon Ducks football team, before commenting his Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Ducks in the Rosebowl last year, chanting "Bucks beat the Ducks, Bucks beat the Ducks," followed by playful belligerent laughs. He also mentioned the Duck's basketball coach, who he referred to as "Lou Rawls," seeming a bit upset when a fan informed him of Ernie Kent's firing.

Another rant between songs had Pollard talking about the Matador Anniversary show they recently played in Vegas. He said there was no reason to attend other than seeing Guided By Voices, poking fun at how boring Sonic Youth is (sorry, I had to agree). His stories were completely self-indulgent, but in a non-pretentious way. It's a drunk guy trying to entertain, and that he did.

From a far, Robert Pollard looks a lot like Anthony Bordain, with his shiny gray hair. Earlier in the show, he bragged about his hair color, and dissed older musicians for dying their hair. As for the rest of the band, they put forth a very energetic set, filled with punk ditties, and a lot more bounce than you would expect from a group of elders. There were a handful of breaks when Pollard stepped aside and let the rest of the band display their skills.

One of the great things about seeing this band live is when they play a song you don't care for, it will be over in less than two minutes, and you might get another drunken story. They played roughly 35 songs in two hours, including three encores (hell yes!). While I think the concept of encores has lost its luster over the years, this crowd deserved three, and really deserved a fourth. The first was planned, the second felt the same, but the third felt genuine, and the crowd was still going nuts wanting a fourth.

I've always said, the mark of a great live band is if someone unfamiliar with their work will dig the show. Let's face it, if you see one show per year, and it's your favorite band, they can play six songs, take a dump on stage, tell the crowd to fuck off, and you'll still be talking about how awesome it was, and how they played your favorite song. GBV is a great live band, which surprised the hell out of me.

Also, thank you Mr. Pollard for getting me wasted. I did.

New Shows: Chromeo, Nipsey Hussle/Curren$y, The Wood Brothers

Chromeo

Roseland, Portland
Saturday, February 12th, 2011
$25
Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 14th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Nipsey Hussle/Curren$y

Roseland, Portland
Friday, December 3rd, 2010
$20
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, October 13th, at 9:00 a.m.

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The Wood Brothers

Wonder Ballroom
Saturday, January 29th, 2011
$15
Tickets go on sale Friday, October 15th, at 10:00 a.m.

New Shows: Guster, Mumford & Sons (Free to Ticket Winners)

Guster

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
$25.50
Tickets go on sale Friday, October 15th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Mumford & Sons (Afternoon Show)

Mississippi Studios, Portland
Friday, October 22nd, 2010
Free to Ticket Winners

Sold Out: Portland

Manu Chao at the Crystal Ballroom, Wednesday, October 13th, 2010.
Mumford & Sons at the Crystal Ballroom, Friday, October 22nd, 2010.
Black Keys at the Crystal Ballroom, Tuesday, December 7th, 2010.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor at the Crystal Ballroom, Friday, February 18th, 2011.

Setlist: Alice in Chains, Portland

Memorial Coliseum, Portland
Saturday, October 9th, 2010

1. Them Bones
2. Dam That River
3. Rain When I Die
4. Again
5. New Song - Who Cares?
6. New Song - Who Cares?
7. No Excuses
8. Grind
9. We Die Young
10. New Song - Who Cares?
11. New Song - Who Cares?
12. It Ain't Like That
13. Rooster

Encore:
14. Nutshell
15. Man in the Box
16. Would

New Shows: December to Remember

With the winter months being dead for new shows, this is the last big announcement this year. The Crystal Ballroom just released their annual December to Remember series, and it's pretty great. I'm a bit surprised Menomena isn't included, but oh well. They'll be around soon. Here's the lineup:

Temper Trap w/A Silent Film

Let's talk commercials. The Temper Trap have a catchy tune called "Sweet Disposition," featured in a Coke commercial. It's a bit ironic the only song that really caught my ear on their album Conditions was "Drum Song." Then I realized the drums on "Sweet Disposition" is a blatant rip off of Arcade Fire's "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)."

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Monday, December 6th, 2010
$15
Tickets go on sale Monday, October 11th, at 12:00 p.m.

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Black Keys w/Sleigh Bells

Black Keys live review here. I'm interested in seeing Sleigh Bells, so I'll see if I can get over my Black Keys grudge by then. If you are curious what songs the Keys will play at this show, it will be these, in order.

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
$34
Tickets go on sale Monday, October 11th, at 12:00 p.m.

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Neon Trees w/Tokyo Police Club

Speaking of commercials, you know Neon Trees, right? They have that song "Animal" on the Vegas commercial. "Oh, oh, I want some more, oh, oh, what are you waiting forrrrrrrr." You got it now. It's terrible. I'd rather smash my pinkie toe with a hammer while simultaneously shooting myself in the armpit with a staple gun than see this show.

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010
$15
Tickets go on sale Monday, October 11th, at 12:00 p.m.

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Broken Bells

James Mercer, lead singer of the Shins, with DJ Dangermouse, half of Gnarls Barkley.

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Thursday, December 9th, 2010
$32
Tickets go on sale Monday, October 11th, at 12:00 p.m.

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Cake w/Portugal. The Man

Holy crap, look at the ticket price? I don't care, missing Portugal. The Man live is not something I ever want to write home about. I've never seen Cake live, so I'll enter with a open mind.

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Friday, December 10th, 2010
$40
Tickets go on sale Monday, October 11th, at 12:00 p.m.

Live Review: Black Keys

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Monday, October 4th, 2010
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

I've been waiting for the Tuesday night setlist to surface on the internets before posting my review, but it's looking like it doesn't exist. Therefore, I will state what I've been trying to avoid saying for the last four days. It's bullshit playing the exact same show two nights in a row.

I love seeing bands back to back nights. How many times have you been to a killer show and thought, "goddamn, I wish I could see them again tomorrow?" Comparing and contrasting the merits of each show is so engaging, especially since you're never in the same mental state for each show. This is the reason I had early October circled on my calendar. I get to see the Black Keys two nights in a row! Every essential song they don't play the first night, they'll play the second night! I can't wait!

I had a blast at Monday's show. They delivered an entertaining energetic performance. Their minimalist light-my-basement type light show worked perfect with their minimalist bluesy basement sound. I was curious to see how two men could pull off the material on their most recent album, so it made sense they brought out two others. It was a bit strange seeing four people playing Black Keys songs, but it was fun.

Then Tuesday hit. Have you ever watched a movie you thought you've never seen, then get through the first fifteen minutes and think, "Wait, this is really familiar. I think I've seen this before." Then 20 minutes pass, and you know you've seen it. You can tell your friends who is going to die, how the plot unfolds, and what is going to happen at the end. You're not on the edge of your seat. Instead, you change your laundry, smoke a cigarette, or call your mom.

I know certain bands don't have the ability to mix things up live, because they play to their visuals and/or light show, so it's expected seeing back to back shows in different cities will be nearly identical. But this is a drummer and a guitar player. They can easily switch up their setlist. Why not say, "We played 'Sinister Kid' during last night's encore, let's play 'When The Lights Go Out,' tonight?" It's the same fucking city, and half the crowd was there for both shows.

Having seen Modest Mouse four nights in a row, I can say I heard every hit, every new song, and every cult classic, but didn't see them each night, or in the same order. Some classics were played three nights, some lesser known hits were played once, and the sequence was always different. I never thought, "they will play (fill in the blank) song next, because that's what they did last night." Even if you play the same songs, switching up the order keeps the show fresh. Opening with "Your Touch" would have created the thought of "Holy shit, they closed with that last night, I wonder what they will close with tonight?" Unless you're a Star Wars fan, paying to see the same movie two nights in a row sucks, right?

I've held an Interpol grudge for three years now because they played the same setlist in Portland, eight months removed. That grudge is warranted, because Interpol live is average at best. I'll always think playing the same set two nights in a row is Bush League, but the Black Keys are above average live, so I'll get over it.

Fans posted want adds for double face on craigslist, sellers asked for $150, and many Black Keys fans didn't attend because they couldn't afford the scalper prices. Knowing what I know now, I'm kicking myself for not going to the Felice Brothers or Caribou the second night, and providing a die-hard fan the opportunity to see the Keys live. Luckily for those die-hards who missed the show, the Keys are playing again in December.

The next band I pay to see two nights in a row, will be nothing like that ex band I paid to see two nights in a row, I made mistakes back then, I'll never do it again.

Setlist

New Shows: Keith Sweat, Balkan Beat Box, Misty River

Keith Sweat

Prediction: Most of crowd won't be around for the encore. They'll be at home fucking.

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Friday, December 31st, 2010
$55
Tickets on sale Saturday, October 9th, at 12:00 p.m.

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Balkan Beat Box

Roseland, Portland
Friday, February 25th, 2011
$18

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Misty River

Aladdin Theater, Portland
Sunday, December 5th, 2010
$20/$50
Tickets on sale Saturday, October 9th, at 12:00 p.m.

New Shows: Langhorne Slim, Badly Drawn Boy, The Expendables

Langhorne Slim

Mission Theater, Portland
Friday, December 31st, 2010
$20
Tickets go on sale Friday, October 8th, at 12:00 p.m.

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Badly Drawn Boy

Doug Fir, Portland
Sunday, December 12th, 2010
$18

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The Expendables

Berbati's Pan, Portland
Thursday, December 9th, 2010
$15
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, October 6th, at 10:00 a.m.

Setlist: Black Keys, Portland

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Monday, October 4th, 2010

1. Thickfreakness
2. Girl Is On My Mind
3. 10 a.m. Automatic
4. The Breaks
5. Stack Shot Billy
6. Busted
7. Act Nice And Gentle
8. Everlasting Light
9. Next Girl
10. Chop & Change
11. Howlin' For You
12. Tighten Up
13. She's Long Gone
14. Ten Cent Pistol
15. I'll Be Your Man
16. Strange Times
17. I Got Mine

Encore:
18. Sinister Kid
19. Your Touch

New Shows: Old 97s, Om

Old 97s

In case you missed them in July, they are back already.

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
$21
Tickets on sale Saturday, October 9th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Om

Doug Fir, Portland
Saturday, December 18th, 2010
$15