New Shows: STS9, Morcheeba, Loudon Wainwright III, Cold War Kids, The Thermals, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9)

A combination of hippie jam rock and electronic music with a grand light show. I always feel sorry for the drummer, who stands out as one of the best drummers I've seen live. It's torturous playing for as long as they play, especially with the output he puts forth. I'll be hitting double digits in STS9 shows soon. I guess I like them live.

Roseland, Portland
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
$25
Tickets go on sale Saturday, December 4th, at 9:00 a.m.

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Morcheeba

Roseland, Portland
Friday, March 4th, 2011
$20
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, December 1st, at 10:00 a.m.

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Loudon Wainwright III

So your dad is named Loudon, your dad's dad is named Loudon, yet you name your first son Rufus? He obviously wanted a dog. I hear they are much cheaper.

Aladdin, Portland
Monday, January 24th, 2011
$25
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, December 1st, at 11:00 a.m.

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Cold War Kids

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
$18
Tickets go on sale Saturday, December 4th, at 10:00 a.m.

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The Thermals

Branx, Portland
Thursday, January 20th, 2011
$12

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Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

Backspace, Portland
Saturday, January 15th, 2011
$12 advanced, $15 day of the show

New Shows: Eric Clapton, Yanni, Sarah McLachlan & Friends, Bassnectar

Eric Clapton

Rose Garden, Portland
Monday, February 28th, 2011
$45 to $125

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Yanni

Keller Auditorium, Portland
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
$35/$95
Tickets go on sale Saturday, December 18th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Sarah McLachlin & Friends

Arlene Schnitzer, Portland
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
$37.50 / $65
Tickets go on sale Saturday, December 11th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Bassnectar

Appealing to both the hippies and youngsters, Bassnectar has an impressive visual show. Having seen him a couple times, I would recommend it. You don't even have to like his music if you like getting wasted watching crazy television.

Roseland, Portland
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
$26
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, December 8th, at 9:00 a.m.

Setlist: Grinderman

King Cat Theater, Seattle
Saturday, November 27th, 2010

1. Mickey Mouse And The Goodbye Man
2. Worm Tamer
3. Get It On
4. Heathen Child
5. Evil
6. When My Baby Comes
7. What I Know
8. Honey Bee (Let's Fly To Mars)
9. Kitchenette
10. No Pussy Blues
11. Bellringer Blues

Encore:
12. Palaces of Montezuma
13. When My Love Comes Down
14. Man in the Moon
15. Love Bomb
16. Grinderman

Live Review: The Quick & Easy Boys

Doug Fir, Portland
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

Portland funk/punk/jam rock trio The Quick & Easy Boys are comprised of a guitar player who looks like a cracked out version of Jimmy Fallon with a bad haircut, a bass player who looks like a younger less athletic sketch of the Fan's Big Suke, and a drummer who now tops my list of "Person I Would Be Least Surprised To Find Out Is Serving Time In Prison." After the first half of the show, the booze started flying, and the memorable moments started revealing their fugly heads.

It all starts with the "Foxy Lady," Jimi Hendrix rendition, with a crowd member stripped down to his underwear dancing on stage. He was facing the right side of the crowd when his drawers were pulled down by the bass player. Picturing a narrow minded homophobic male having pushed his way to the front of the crowd, only to be met by a fully nude man a couple feet from his face still makes me crack up.

Later on, the drummer (who appears to be the mascot, and definition of a Quick & Easy Boy) petitioned the crowd to bring them shots of whiskey. Local celeb, "Free Throw Guy," was the first to arrive with shots. Nice work Free Throw Guy.

Later in the evening, the naked dancer re-appeared on stage, and the drummer, wearing nothing but boxers, emerged from behind his kit to briefly dance with him. I thought a real life "sword fight," was about the ensue. After another shot, the drummer dropped his boxers while standing on the drum stool.

I imagine the conversation the next morning between drummer and friend went something like this:

Friend: "Man, you looked wasted last night."
Drummer: "Yeah, I feel like crap. I'm not sure I remember much after the Life of Riley."
Friend: "The Doug Fir was crazy."
Drummer: "Really, we ended up at the Doug Fir? Who was playing?"

I know I'm going to eventually get punched in the face for writing reviews like this. It's insulting, dirty, ruthless, and mildly immature, but it's meant to be entertaining, which is exactly what this show was all about. Some people take life too seriously. If anyone can read a review like this, and chuckle instead of getting pissed off, it's these guys. (Note to law enforcement and owners of the Doug Fir, I tend to glorify events, no one actually got naked. Settle down already).

All kidding aside, having seen this band once before, the guitar player was the main reason I came back. He is one of the more bad-ass lesser known guitarists in the region. Aside from the memorable antics, watching his skills was worth the price of admission. Not to take anything away from the rest of the band. They played all out for an hour and 45 minutes straight, which included covers of Robert Palmer's, "Simply Irresistible," and David Bowie's, "Moonage Daydream." The bass player has a soulful multi-ranging voice and was doing the funk dance the entire show. As for the drummer, [thinking...], you still creep me out.

Either way, The Quick & Easy Boys are exceedingly fun live, and more than worth the price of admission. With their following still relatively small (there were about 175 people at this show), they are much more affordable than paying to see the next sensitive indie flop loved by the Internet community. Don't expect them to get naked, but expect a engaging, energetic, and entertaining performance. Better yet, expect to have fun, which is what live music should be all about.

New Shows: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave/Los Amigos Invisibles, Justin Townes Earl, Gary Myrick & the Figures, Morning Teleportation/Mimicking Birds

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave/Los Amigos Invisibles

Dante's, Portland
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
$18

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Justin Townes Earl

Mississippi Studios, Portland
Sunday, February 20th, 2011
$15 advanced, $17 day of the show

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Gary Myrick & The Figures

Myrick is best known as the guy who replaced Stevie Ray Vaughn in Kracker Jack.

Aladdin, Portland
Saturday, February 26th, 2011
$20
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 24th, at 11:00 a.m.

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Morning Teleportation (w/Mimicking Birds)

A couple bands signed to Isaac Brock's label Glacial Pace. Morning Teleportation is pretty wild live. Mimicking Birds are much more mellow live, but own one of my favorite albums of 2010. I would recommend checking out their self-titled debut.

Holocene, Portland
Sunday, December 12th, 2010
$6 advanced, $8 day of the show

New Shows: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Baths, Thee Oh Sees, School of Seven Bells

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

If this is the last show at Berbati's, way to go out with a bang (although I'd guess they add a New Year's Eve show).

Berbati's Pan, Portland
Thursday, December 30th, 2010
$25 ($100 VIP)
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 24th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Baths

Holocene, Portland
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
No ticket information available

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Thee Oh Sees

The East End, Portland
Friday, December 10th, 2010
$10

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School of Seven Bells (Opening for Interpol)

Roseland, Portland
Saturday, January 29th, 2011
$29

New Shows: Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses, Joshua Raddin, Electric Six, Super Diamond, Nicole Atkins

Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Saturday, February 19th, 2011
$17
Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 20th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Joshua Raddin

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Thursday, March 10th, 2011
$16.50
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 26th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Electric Six

Dante's, Portland
Sunday, March 27th, 2011
$12

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Super Diamond

I don't usually support cover bands, but Neil Diamond is a different beast. I'm not ashamed to admit I've had a blast seeing Super Diamond live, even if their bass player creeps me out.

Dante's, Portland
Friday, February 4th, 2011
$18

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Nicole Atkins

She is really thin. She must be on one of those trendy diets.

Mississippi Studios, Portland
Sunday, February 13th, 2011
$12 advanced, $14 day of the show

Live Review: Alice In Chains/Deftones/Mastodon

Memorial Coliseum, Portland
Saturday, October 9th, 2010

Mastodon

Stoner Metal at is finest. It doesn't seem like Stoner Metal listening to their albums, but they jam live, routinely playing songs ten minutes and longer, with a trippy monitor/light show.

The highlight was when the double necked guitar made an appearance. I have not attended enough metal shows, so I can say this was the first time I've seen it live. Brent Hinds played the top neck of the guitar for the first five minutes of the song, but as each minute passed, you could feel the anticipation of the crowd for the switch increase. For such an insignificant event on the grand scheme of the show, the crowd went nuts when he finally did switched necks.

I always thought learning the 12 string guitar would make playing any type of guitar pedestrian. I'm now thinking learning the double neck would have a similar virtuoso quality. I'm going to take it one further. I want to learn the double necked 12 string. I'll call it the 24. Mastering the 24 will make learning the pedal steel with my feet a cake walk.

It is hard to say Mastodon didn't steal the show, because they pretty much did. They will get my money again.

Deftones

Have you ever been pepper sprayed? Me neither, but I've been close enough to know it is a feeling I never want to experience.

The Deftones hold a special place in my heart because of this story. Shortly after I moved to Portland, my roommate and I were blaring, "Passenger," on repeat after a long night of drinking. Occasionally, this barbaric behavior is deemed unacceptable by neighbors. The police arrived soon after the song started for the eighth time.

My on/off idiot switch has worked well over the years. I can curse in front of friends, but avoid the fuck word in public. When I eat a terrible meal, I don't tell the cook (s)he sucks. When I'm holding a sign saying "Pinstripes Are For Pussies," in Yankee Stadium, and am approached by a mob of fans with rope, glass beer bottles, and concrete mixer, I know it's time to put the sign away, compliment their attire, and run. That is why when the cops asked us to cut the music, I was quick to oblige. However, my then roommate's on/off idiot switch was jammed, which happened way too often when he was drunk.

I'm not sure exactly what happened next. I was in the other room trying not to laugh out loud when he got pepper sprayed, and I started violently coughing. My eyes were watering, and I could barely breathe. I couldn't even get my camcorder out for youtube hilarity. He spent the night in the drunk tank. That story still cracks me up.

So, "Passenger," was one of the highlights of the night. Sure it's the, "Somebody's Watching Me," of the Deftones catalog, their big hit with the uber popular guest vocalist. The die-hards in the crowd didn't seem too enthralled, but I was pumping my fist and laughing uncontrollably at the same time.

Alice In Chains

I know why I attended this show (Mastodon and the Deftones), but I don't know why I stuck around for the headliner. Being a huge Alice in Chains fan growing up, the death of Layne Staley hurt me more than the death of any musician. He is Alice in Chains, so seeing someone else sing his songs was painful. It was like watching the girl who broke your heart having sex with another man with thousands of people cheering them on. I went through the Kubler-Ross five stages of grief in a matter of moments:

1. Denial - This can't be happening. Nooooooooo?
2. Anger - Why the fuck are all of you cheering?
3. Bargaining - Excuse me sir, if I give you $20, will you tie this t-shirt around my throat and squeeze until I quit breathing?
4. Depression - Tears rolling down cheeks, continually yelling, "WHY?"
5. Acceptance - What the fuck, this show sucks. I'm thirsty.

New lead singer dude, I mean no disrespect, you stumbled into a position where you will make a lot of money trying to sound like Layne. It's not your fault, and you absolutely hit Layne's voice perfectly on "And We Die Young." I blame Jerry Cantrell for allowing this to happen. With so many songs about the heroin addiction that eventually took Layne's life, there were certain song inclusions that had me feeling like they were stomping on his grave. Had they played "Junkhead", I swear I would have ran on stage with fists flying.

Jerry, please change this band's name to Allie in Chains. This can't even meet the strict criteria of Tribute Band. This is a cover band, and promoting it as the real thing is not fair.

Allie In Chains Setlist

New Shows: Josh Ritter, Best Coast/Wavves, The Shaky Hands

Josh Ritter

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
$22
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 19th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Best Coast w/Wavves

Hawthorne Theatre, Portland
Saturday, February 19th, 2011
$17

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The Shaky Hands

Backspace, Portland
Friday, December 31st, 2010
$10 advanced, $12 day of the show

New Shows: My Chemical Romance, Dashboard Confessional, Underoath, Wire

My Chemical Romance

Roseland, Portland
Friday, April 1st, 2011
$38.75
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 17th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Dashboard Confessional

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Friday, January 14th, 2011
$25
Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 18th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Underoath

Roseland, Portland
Tuesday, February 4th, 2011
$20
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 17th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Wire

Dante's, Portland
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
$20

New Shows: The Decemberists, Lykke Li, Ra Ra Riot, Man or Astroman, The Concretes

The Decemberists

Arlene Schnitzer, Portland
Saturday, February 19th, 2011
$32
Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 20th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Lykke Li

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Saturday, May 28th, 2011
$23
Tickets go on sale Monday, November 15th, at 11:00 a.m.

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Ra Ra Riot

From the 2010 MusicFestNW Live Review:

"If a tree falls in the forest, and the lead singer of Ra Ra Riot switched places with Ezra Koenig, would anyone notice? I'm going to keep this rated PG by saying cellist Alexandra Lawn looked like she was 'dancing with' her instrument."

Hawthorne Theatre, Portland
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
$13.50
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 17th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Man or Astroman

Doug Fir, Portland
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
$15
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 19th, at 10:00 a.m.

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The Concretes

Doug Fir, Portland
Saturday, February 26th, 2011
$13
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 19th, at 10:00 a.m.

New Shows: The Get Up Kids, Rebelution, Escape the Fate, Eluveitie

The Get Up Kids

Hawthorne Theatre, Portland
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
$20
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 17th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Rebelution

Roseland, Portland
Thursday, January 20th, 2011
$20
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 17th, at 9:00 a.m.

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Escape the Fate

Roseland, Portland
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
$16
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 17th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Eluveitie

Hawthorne Theatre, Portland
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011
$16
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 17th, at 10:00 a.m.

Live Review: Bloody Beetroots - Death Crew 77

Roseland Theater, Portland
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

Stage Diving 101: A lot of people don't like getting kicked in the head. If a person is about to fall on top of you, a natural reaction for many is to get out of the way. Those sandwiched between each other in the center main pit at a concert have nowhere to go. Their only option is to catch you.

I don't take that much pleasure in other's misfortunes. Sure, watching "less than athletic" folks running to catch a bus is immensely hilarious, especially when they fall short of their goal. Rookie Stage Diver was a more rewarding experience on the comedic scale. He chose the path less taken, and jumped off the edge of the stage where the crowd was less dense. The people surrounding him trying to help him off the ground was priceless. Ahhhh, you silly bastard, you had my ass cracked up.

The Bloody Beetroots are an electronic duo from Italy, who wear masks to hide their identity. Masked man number one is set on the left side of the stage behind his keys/electronic noise makers. At the middle of the stage was masked man number two, perched between a wall of keyboards and electronic devices. To the far right, a new addition, a third masked man playing drums (that's right, an EDM drummer). Actually, the "Death Crew 77" refers to their live performances with the drummer.

I cannot say enough about how cool it was seeing a live drummer performing EDM. Note to struggling electronic musicians, add a drummer to your shows and get people talking. You can find a capable drummer at Pioneer Square who will work for Carl's Jr. chicken sandwiches. Try it out, seriously.

Another grand addition to the stereotypical EDM show was an electric guitar, played by center-staged masked man number two, who also sang what few lyrics they had. Actually, I can't recite any lyrics other than the song they counted to four, because he spent most of the time screaming. At times it felt a lot more like an industrial metal show, which was fine by me. One minor complaint was the nearly non-existing light show. Don't you know half the crowd is rollin?

The usual EDM suspects were there, Shirtless Baggy Pants Guy, Glowstick Girl, Crowd Surfing Somersault Dude (one of my favorites), Put Me On Your Shoulders I Can't See Anything Chick, and Crooked Flat-Brimmed Hat Guy. I was probably the only one there with sandals and long hair. At one point, I felt obligated to hit up the balcony, feeling a little out of place dancing next to teenagers (well that, and I was thirsty). At least there wasn't a line to get a beer, because I was one of the few over 21 allowed upstairs.

Hanging out with myself and three other elders sipping beer, I started thinking, am I the only one here who has seen the Fleet Foxes live? Can anyone here name a Bob Dylan song? What am I going to do when I near my 40s, and an EDM act I really want to see is announced? I'm still going to want to jump up and down simultaneously with 1,000 other people. I think I'm having a mini mid-life crisis writing this. Maybe I'll just wear a mask, baggy pants, and a flat-brimmed hat?

Fuck it. I like electronic music. As long as there are people like Rookie Stage Diver to keep me entertained, I'll still be there.

New Shows: The Nels Cline Singers, Telekinesis, The Handsome Family, The Angry Orts

The Nels Cline Singers

Wilco guitar god's side project. Being at the Doug Fir, you can actually, like, see him. Up close even.

Doug Fir, Portland
Sunday, January 30th, 2011
$14
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 12th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Telekinesis

Doug Fir, Portland
Sunday, February 20th, 2011
No ticket information available

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The Handsome Family

Doug Fir, Portland
Friday, January 21st, 2011
$12
Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 13th, at 10:00 a.m.

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The Angry Orts

"Orts, Orts, Orts, Orts." I enjoyed this NW up-and-coming band live. Get your chanters ready.

Doug Fir, Portland
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010
$7

New Shows: Gang of Four, Swans, Ke$ha, The Radio Dept

Gang of Four

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Thursday, February 17th, 2011
$24
Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 13th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Swans

Roseland, Portland
Sunday, February 27th, 2011
$20 GA, $30 Reserved Balcony
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 10th, at 10 a.m.

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Ke$ha

Yuk (the music that is).

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011
$25
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 19th, at 10:00 a.m.

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The Radio Dept

Doug Fir, Portland
Sunday, February 13th, 2011
$12

Holy Shit: Ween Live In Portland

Ween is like pop music if it was created by someone who is funny and interesting, who is not trying to appeal to 14 year old girls. It's pop for adults, yet they blend all genres of music, usually on one album. Take La Cucaracha for example, four of the first seven tunes include the Latin influenced horn song "Fiesta," the southern folksy "Learnin To Love," the Heavy Metal ass-kicking "With My Own Bare Hands," and the reggae entry, "The Fruit Man." They even throw in a Kanye-esque autotune song, and finish album with one of my favorites, "Your Party." I'm not sure why anyone would consider a song about attending a dinner party to be interesting, which is pretty much the point. It's not.

Just like how teenagers jump up and down screaming when Justin Beiber takes the stage, I'm not ashamed to admit I found myself jumping up and down screaming during Ween's Sasquatch headlining set earlier this year. Okay, there was a bit of whiskey involved, but still. I'm looking forward to round 2.

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
$35
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 12th, at 10:00 a.m.

For Sale: Ghostland Observatory Ticket, Way Below Face ($5)

Every November 11th, the little known binarynymphzoea larva hatches on tree branches throughout the Northwest. They feast on the stems of leaves, furthering the process of abscission. For every hundred leaves dropping dead, one leaf drops while still living, due to the binarynymphzoea. When the larva matures, they move to land, and wreak havoc on the felinae species, attacking while their prey are in a dormant state. Once infected, the felinae exhibit venereal symptoms similar to that of crabs in homo sapiens.

Knowing this phenomena occurs, the felinae species must fight back, and kill the binarynymphzoea before maturation, and mobility. There is a unknown bloody war occurring each fall. When you see a cat staring attentively upwards toward a tree, it is the binarynymphzoea they seek. The concentrated glance towards these land-larva is known as a "Ghostland Observatory," since larva is Latin for ghost.

This year is a huge anniversary for the binarynymphzoea. Being obvious binary fans, 11/11/10 will be their biggest celebration since 2001. In other words, I overlooked this fact when I purchased a ticket to the Ghostland Observatory show. November 11th, I will instead be volunteering my time to the Portland Fire & Rescue, helping get kitties out of trees, putting much needed smiles on the faces of helplessly concerned owners.

This is why I need to sell my ticket. If you want it for $5, email me knowidyuh@gmail.com.

New Shows: Galactic, Big Freedia, Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O.

Galactic with Special Guests Cryil Neville and Corey Henry

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Saturday, March 26th, 2011
$22
Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 6th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Big Freedia

Holocene, Portland
Friday, December 10th, 2010
$13

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Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O.

In the running for greatest band name of all-time. I've always been partial to ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, and Scary Kids Scaring Kids. Popularity aside, doesn't Death Cab For Cutie have one of the best?

Doug Fir, Portland
Saturday, March 26th, 2011
$13
Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 6th, at 10:00 a.m.

New Shows: Doobie Brothers/Michael Franti & Spearhead, Girl Talk, Deerhoof, Pete Yorn/Ben Kweller

Doobie Brothers w/Michael Franti & Spearhead

And I thought Mavis Staples & Billy Bragg was an odd combo.

Roseland, Portland
Friday, December 10th, 2010
$42.50 GA, $69.50 Reserved Balcony

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Girl Talk

The most well known mash-up artist of all-time? I would say so. Playing "name that tune" is part of the joy of a Girl Talk show. He focuses on modern hip hop and pop, mixing it with all the classic tunes from the past 40 years. He still mixes in obscure bands, which make his mash-ups so great. The negatators will say all he does is press play on his laptop, but it's still so much fun.

Roseland, Portland
Thursday, March 17th, 2011
$25
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 5th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Deerhoof

Holocene, Portland
Saturday, February 26th, 2011
$15

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Pete Yorn w/Ben Kweller

I always thought this was the same guy?

Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Sunday, April 3rd, 2011
$25
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 5th, at 10:00 a.m.

Live Review: Of Montreal/Janelle Monae

Roseland Theater, Portland
Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Carnival [kahr-nuh-vuhl]: a traveling amusement show, having sideshows, rides, etc.

Before I get into the Of Montreal carnival, I must give opener Janelle Monae props. She put on a theatrical show that didn't feel overdone. Her dance moves and voice shone brightly. She was worth the price of admission, and I will definitely pay to see her perform again. What a voice.

As for Of Montreal, let us not forget why they exist. Kevin Barnes has a unique voice (which is quite powerful live), and they've put out some damn good music over the years. That is why the carnivalistic path they chose seems a bit mind boggling. Sure it matches Barnes' flamboyant personality, but what about everyone else in the band? For example, I'm sure the guitar player still digs his job because he gets to play an instrument for a living. But don't you think he longs for the good ole days standing at the front of the stage having panties thrown at him, instead of standing behind a shirtless man dressed as a dwarf doing ballerina spins?

The stage lay out included a large empty semi circle pointing away from front-and-center stage to allow Kevin Barnes and the carnival plenty of room to perform. The "band" filled up the rest of the stage. The actual music was a distant third behind Kevin's showmanship and the carnival's antics, to the point that watching the crowd occasionally jump up and down made me remember I was actually at a concert.

How about that drum solo? Sorry, Kevin had his head under the loin cloth of a nearly naked male dancer, graphically describing his visuals. Remember that really catchy guitar riff? Uh, no, I was distracted by the gigantic paper mache heads shooting confetti over the crowd. How about that bass solo? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention, I was watching Barnes mimicking fucking a pig doggystyle (wait, do pigs fuck like dogs? Can we call this piggystyle instead? Anyone grow up on a farm?)

For one moment though, forget all the costumes, antics, piggystyle fucking, and whatever else occurred leading up to the encore. Janelle Monae and her crew came out to join Of Montreal for the finale, and a Michael Jackson dance party ensued. The bouncers started crowd surfing, the bartenders started pounding drinks, people jumped off the balcony into the crowd, and the front door security snuck in the Burnside locals dragging them upstairs to join the madness. For ten minutes, everything was right in the world.

The three songs covered were "Thriller," "Wanna Be Starting 'Somethin'," and "PYT." Even if I exaggerated a bit above, who doesn't like Michael Jackson? People go nuts over him. Once, I even saw a dancer at a gentleman's club take her clothes off when a Jackson tune came on.

Had this show occurred in March, it might go down as one of the most ridiculous shows I've witnessed. However, being a couple days before Halloween made this a highly entertaining costume party. Based on the definition, I guess it wasn't a carnival after all, they didn't have rides.

New Shows: Interpol, Social Distortion (second show), Amos Lee, Jesus Presley, Buzzov-en

Interpol

Roseland, Portland
Saturday, January 29th, 2011
$29
Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 6th, at 10:00 a.m.

Showbox SODO, Seattle
Friday, January 28th, 2011
$30
Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 6th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Social Distortion (second show)

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
$30
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, November 2nd, at 10:00 a.m.

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Amos Lee

Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Friday, January 21st, 2011
$25
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 5th, at 10:00 a.m.

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Jesus Presley XMAS

Dante's, Portland
Saturday, December 18th, 2010
$10
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, November 2nd, at 10:00 a.m.

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Buzzov-en

Dante's, Portland
Thursday, December 16th, 2010
$12
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, November 2nd, at 10:00 a.m.