Smashing Pumpkins
If you want to see "Billy Corgan & Friends" attempt to play Smashing Pumpkins hits for $40, go for it. This is not the Smashing Pumpkins though. It's like if Axl Rose replaced everyone in his band, and called it "Guns N' Roses." Wait, that happened? ASSHOLE!
On a positive note, the new drummer is a Portland native, so that's cool. "Billy Corgan & Friends" is also a really nice get by MusicFestNW, so props to them.
Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Saturday, September 11th, 2010
$40
=========================================================
Keller Williams
Keller plays several different instruments, and routinely performs a la carte. The last time he was through town, he had a backing band (filled with bad ass musicians of course). This tour is being called, "An Evening With Keller Williams." Usually when they use the term "An Evening With," it means without all the extra flare. You probably want to see him solo anyway, because it makes zero sense how he can hold an audience captive on his own, yet he does.
Aladdin Theater, Portland
Sunday, November 14th, 2010
$22
=========================================================
Lotus
Roseland Theater, Portland
Saturday, October 30th, 2010
$16
Tickets on sale Wednesday, August 18th, at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
New Shows: Sufjan Stevens, Mumford & Sons, Grinderman, Caribou
Sufjan Stevens
A Sufjan Stevens show is meant to be attended by attentive music fans, which makes this Schnitz appearance noteworthy. It will be completely different than his last show at the bar, I mean the Crystal Ballroom.
It's too bad he has not continued his 50 state project. The album about Oregon was rumored to be next up. He probably realized he would lose, because people don't like songs about incest, (which rules out most of the south), or being bored to tears (which rules out the Dakatos and Wyoming).
For the struggling musicians out there, come up with a similar concept in which you guarantee your fans over 20 albums. Then if you make it big, you can say it was a joke. I'm working on an album dedicated to the letter X, with 25 additional albums to come. Most of the influence cums from movie reviews. This particular idea is already copyrighted by the way.
Arlene Schnitzer, Portland
Friday, October 29th, 2010
$27.50 - $35
=========================================================
Mumford & Sons
They sold out the Aladdin four months ago, which is no small feat for an up and coming band. With their popularity rising by the day, it would be wise to get your tickets early. Thank me later.
Crystal Ballroom
Friday, October 22nd, 2010
$20
=========================================================
Grinderman
Nick Cave's side project. Grinderman live shows have been extremely rare, so this is a must see for Cave fans.
Sorry, no Portland show (Muthafuck!)
King Cat Theater, Seattle
Saturday, November 27th, 2010
$25
Tickets on sale Saturday, August 21st at 10:00 a.m.
Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
Friday, November 26th, 2010
$40.60 (CA)
Tickets on sale Saturday, August 21st at 10:00 a.m.
=========================================================
Caribou
One of the nicest people in the industry. The last time I saw him, he sat on the edge of the stage for 20 minutes after the show, meeting fans, taking pictures, bullshitting. He didn't leave until most of the crowd had left, willing to meet every fan wanting to stick around.
He has a pretty cool light show which is projected through the band usually onto the back of the stage, rather than projected over the band on a screen. He tours with a band, and plays drums in about half the songs in addition to the full-time drummer. Two drummers never sucks.
This is a tough show to skip for $14, especially since they aren't playing at the Hawthorne Theater. It's rough playing the same night as the Black Keys though.
Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
$14
A Sufjan Stevens show is meant to be attended by attentive music fans, which makes this Schnitz appearance noteworthy. It will be completely different than his last show at the bar, I mean the Crystal Ballroom.
It's too bad he has not continued his 50 state project. The album about Oregon was rumored to be next up. He probably realized he would lose, because people don't like songs about incest, (which rules out most of the south), or being bored to tears (which rules out the Dakatos and Wyoming).
For the struggling musicians out there, come up with a similar concept in which you guarantee your fans over 20 albums. Then if you make it big, you can say it was a joke. I'm working on an album dedicated to the letter X, with 25 additional albums to come. Most of the influence cums from movie reviews. This particular idea is already copyrighted by the way.
Arlene Schnitzer, Portland
Friday, October 29th, 2010
$27.50 - $35
=========================================================
Mumford & Sons
They sold out the Aladdin four months ago, which is no small feat for an up and coming band. With their popularity rising by the day, it would be wise to get your tickets early. Thank me later.
Crystal Ballroom
Friday, October 22nd, 2010
$20
=========================================================
Grinderman
Nick Cave's side project. Grinderman live shows have been extremely rare, so this is a must see for Cave fans.
Sorry, no Portland show (Muthafuck!)
King Cat Theater, Seattle
Saturday, November 27th, 2010
$25
Tickets on sale Saturday, August 21st at 10:00 a.m.
Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
Friday, November 26th, 2010
$40.60 (CA)
Tickets on sale Saturday, August 21st at 10:00 a.m.
=========================================================
Caribou
One of the nicest people in the industry. The last time I saw him, he sat on the edge of the stage for 20 minutes after the show, meeting fans, taking pictures, bullshitting. He didn't leave until most of the crowd had left, willing to meet every fan wanting to stick around.
He has a pretty cool light show which is projected through the band usually onto the back of the stage, rather than projected over the band on a screen. He tours with a band, and plays drums in about half the songs in addition to the full-time drummer. Two drummers never sucks.
This is a tough show to skip for $14, especially since they aren't playing at the Hawthorne Theater. It's rough playing the same night as the Black Keys though.
Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
$14
Sunday, August 8, 2010
New Shows: Gogol Bordello, Murder City Devils, The Sword, Bad Religion
Gogol Bordello
One of the liveliest crowds I've seen at the Roseland. Everyone was dancing or jumping, including the back of the venue, and the balcony. I spend very little time listening to this band on album, but their live shows are too much fun to miss. More bands need cheerleaders.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
$23.50
Tickets on sale Wednesday, August 11th at 10:00 a.m.
=========================================================
Murder City Devils
I wrote this about the Murder City Devils Sasquatch! show last year:
Short Version: The lead singer turned the set into a rant against frat boys who bash gays.
Long Version: Spencer Moody came out early without the band, and proceeded to tell a story about his first Lollapalooza experience when he was a kid going to see Jane's Addiction. He sounded very nervous, and apologized for not being a great speaker in front of crowds. I had never seen the Devils before, so I didn't know who he was. He looked more like a roadie than a rock star, and acted the part.
There were many frat boys there, since TV on the Radio and NIN followed, and I heard a couple people make drunken cracks about gays. It was very quiet after all, and I got the feeling he was working the crowd to see what came up, because the story was mostly boring, even if a little endearing.
Then the band comes out, and he starts screaming and jumping around like a madman. Nice intro.
His first chance to address the crowd was epic, he went off for at least two minutes calling the crowd every name imaginable. Paraphrasing here, "all you assholes can fucking leave the festival, jump in the car your parents bought you, and eat a big fat bag of dicks."
Then he used the term "faggot," repeatedly, to the point that I thought he was calling the crowd "faggots." Again paraphrasing after another rant, "this next song is for all the beautiful faggots, who are just like us."
After he declared his war, he grabbed the guitar player and made out with him during a couple songs, grabbed a (straight) fan in the front row, and made out with him, then wandered around screaming and falling down like a drunken madman, yet still sounded coherent. He picked up a VIP dude on the side of the stage, and walked him out to the middle of the stage holding him like a baby, only falling down once on the way. The only time I thought it got a bit out of hand was when he grabbed a female cameraperson's head, and rubbed it in his crotch for 10 seconds, and mildly shoving another female cameraperson later. I was thinking there might be some fall back from those two acts.
One of the coolest parts for me was when he first started screaming the word "faggot", a bearded man with a blonde wig, a tutu, and a tank top reading "I'm a Slut" passed by on the shoulders of another man. Good stuff.
Another rant had him saying all the faggots had beautiful cocks, and telling all the ladies with beautiful vaginas, to watch out for the frat boy fuckers, and not let them touch their beautiful vaginas.
Toward the end of the show, each time he started a new rant, the band started playing a song instead, to which he quickly turned back into a singer. At the end of the show, he went back to the mic, but they cut it off. He then jumped into the crowd never to be seen again.
I had never seen this band before live, but I am a big fan now. It was uncomfortable, there were people leaving in disgust, he was falling down every which way, and I can't believe he didn't hurt anyone with his antics, including swinging the mic stand around on stage several times. He was a lunatic, yet if it wasn't for the situation with the two female camerapeople, I might have guessed he was sober, with maybe a case of vertigo.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Friday, October 15th, 2010
$20
=========================================================
The Sword
I've been looking forward to catching this metal band for a couple years. I hear they put on a great show.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Sunday, October 3rd, 2010
$16
=========================================================
Bad Religion
Their manager is a cool cat. I can't say the same about guitar player Brian Baker.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Monday, November 15th
$22.50
Tickets on sale Saturday, August 14th at 10:00 a.m.
One of the liveliest crowds I've seen at the Roseland. Everyone was dancing or jumping, including the back of the venue, and the balcony. I spend very little time listening to this band on album, but their live shows are too much fun to miss. More bands need cheerleaders.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
$23.50
Tickets on sale Wednesday, August 11th at 10:00 a.m.
=========================================================
Murder City Devils
I wrote this about the Murder City Devils Sasquatch! show last year:
Short Version: The lead singer turned the set into a rant against frat boys who bash gays.
Long Version: Spencer Moody came out early without the band, and proceeded to tell a story about his first Lollapalooza experience when he was a kid going to see Jane's Addiction. He sounded very nervous, and apologized for not being a great speaker in front of crowds. I had never seen the Devils before, so I didn't know who he was. He looked more like a roadie than a rock star, and acted the part.
There were many frat boys there, since TV on the Radio and NIN followed, and I heard a couple people make drunken cracks about gays. It was very quiet after all, and I got the feeling he was working the crowd to see what came up, because the story was mostly boring, even if a little endearing.
Then the band comes out, and he starts screaming and jumping around like a madman. Nice intro.
His first chance to address the crowd was epic, he went off for at least two minutes calling the crowd every name imaginable. Paraphrasing here, "all you assholes can fucking leave the festival, jump in the car your parents bought you, and eat a big fat bag of dicks."
Then he used the term "faggot," repeatedly, to the point that I thought he was calling the crowd "faggots." Again paraphrasing after another rant, "this next song is for all the beautiful faggots, who are just like us."
After he declared his war, he grabbed the guitar player and made out with him during a couple songs, grabbed a (straight) fan in the front row, and made out with him, then wandered around screaming and falling down like a drunken madman, yet still sounded coherent. He picked up a VIP dude on the side of the stage, and walked him out to the middle of the stage holding him like a baby, only falling down once on the way. The only time I thought it got a bit out of hand was when he grabbed a female cameraperson's head, and rubbed it in his crotch for 10 seconds, and mildly shoving another female cameraperson later. I was thinking there might be some fall back from those two acts.
One of the coolest parts for me was when he first started screaming the word "faggot", a bearded man with a blonde wig, a tutu, and a tank top reading "I'm a Slut" passed by on the shoulders of another man. Good stuff.
Another rant had him saying all the faggots had beautiful cocks, and telling all the ladies with beautiful vaginas, to watch out for the frat boy fuckers, and not let them touch their beautiful vaginas.
Toward the end of the show, each time he started a new rant, the band started playing a song instead, to which he quickly turned back into a singer. At the end of the show, he went back to the mic, but they cut it off. He then jumped into the crowd never to be seen again.
I had never seen this band before live, but I am a big fan now. It was uncomfortable, there were people leaving in disgust, he was falling down every which way, and I can't believe he didn't hurt anyone with his antics, including swinging the mic stand around on stage several times. He was a lunatic, yet if it wasn't for the situation with the two female camerapeople, I might have guessed he was sober, with maybe a case of vertigo.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Friday, October 15th, 2010
$20
=========================================================
The Sword
I've been looking forward to catching this metal band for a couple years. I hear they put on a great show.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Sunday, October 3rd, 2010
$16
=========================================================
Bad Religion
Their manager is a cool cat. I can't say the same about guitar player Brian Baker.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Monday, November 15th
$22.50
Tickets on sale Saturday, August 14th at 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
New Shows: She & Him, Deerhunter, JP Chrissie & the Fairground Boys
She & Him
M. Ward on guitar is an amazing spectacle. Zooey Dachnaschanklelorthel's appearance is an amazing spectacle. I'm not sure it's worth the steep ticket price to see She sing, and Him play.
Arlene Schnitzer, Portland
Friday, October 22nd
$32-35
=========================================================
Deerhunter
Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Thursday, October 28
$16
=========================================================
JP Chrissie & the Fairground Boys
As in Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. Apparently, she thinks her new album is her best work yet. Okay, we get it, you are generating hype. No one thinks their new material is going to suck, right? Even Green Day thinks they are currently creating their best work. Shameless.
By the way, my next live show review is going to be the shit. Be sure to check back often, you don't want to miss it!
Roseland Theater, Portland
Thursday, October 21st
$20/$32.50
M. Ward on guitar is an amazing spectacle. Zooey Dachnaschanklelorthel's appearance is an amazing spectacle. I'm not sure it's worth the steep ticket price to see She sing, and Him play.
Arlene Schnitzer, Portland
Friday, October 22nd
$32-35
=========================================================
Deerhunter
Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Thursday, October 28
$16
=========================================================
JP Chrissie & the Fairground Boys
As in Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. Apparently, she thinks her new album is her best work yet. Okay, we get it, you are generating hype. No one thinks their new material is going to suck, right? Even Green Day thinks they are currently creating their best work. Shameless.
By the way, my next live show review is going to be the shit. Be sure to check back often, you don't want to miss it!
Roseland Theater, Portland
Thursday, October 21st
$20/$32.50
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
So You Like Electronic Music?
Paul Oakenfold
Roseland Theater, Portland
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
$25
=========================================================
Paul Van Dyk
Playing almost a year from now? That's pretty ambitious. I don't even know what I'm eating for dinner tonight.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Saturday, July 2nd, 2011
No ticket information available
=========================================================
Vitalic/Rusko
Roseland Theater, Portland
Thursday, September 30th
$15
Roseland Theater, Portland
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
$25
=========================================================
Paul Van Dyk
Playing almost a year from now? That's pretty ambitious. I don't even know what I'm eating for dinner tonight.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Saturday, July 2nd, 2011
No ticket information available
=========================================================
Vitalic/Rusko
Roseland Theater, Portland
Thursday, September 30th
$15
Monday, August 2, 2010
New Shows: Roky Erickson, Head Cat, Starfucker/Octopus Project
Roky Erickson
Dude is a bearded legend, and his latest album was produced by Will Sheff, with Okkervil River backing. There are no Okkervil shows scheduled in October, so there is always a chance. If the entire band is there, this will surely be a treat.
Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Friday, October 22nd, 2010
$22
=========================================================
Head Cat
Why does Lemmy have to charge so much money for tickets? This is his third time at Dante's, each time charging a small fortune. Is it just him, or does the Stray Cats drummer make them worth the money? I might pay $20 for Motorhead, but come on?
Dante's, Portland
Friday, September 17th, 2010
$20
=========================================================
Starfucker/Octopus Project
What the fuck happened to Starfucker changing their fucking name to Pyramiddd so it wasn't so fucking offensive?
Roseland Theater, Portland
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
$12
Dude is a bearded legend, and his latest album was produced by Will Sheff, with Okkervil River backing. There are no Okkervil shows scheduled in October, so there is always a chance. If the entire band is there, this will surely be a treat.
Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Friday, October 22nd, 2010
$22
=========================================================
Head Cat
Why does Lemmy have to charge so much money for tickets? This is his third time at Dante's, each time charging a small fortune. Is it just him, or does the Stray Cats drummer make them worth the money? I might pay $20 for Motorhead, but come on?
Dante's, Portland
Friday, September 17th, 2010
$20
=========================================================
Starfucker/Octopus Project
What the fuck happened to Starfucker changing their fucking name to Pyramiddd so it wasn't so fucking offensive?
Roseland Theater, Portland
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
$12
Live Review: Wolf Parade
Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
The transformation of Spencer Krug into a rock star has been fun to watch. I knew nothing about this band when they opened for Arcade Fire in 2005, and their live performance was nothing special. Krug looked like a fourteen year old band nerd with a quirky voice asked to fill in for the real keyboardist. He was barely even set up on stage, being as far to the left as possible. Dan Boeckner on the other hand was a rock star from day one, and pretty much controlled the stage.
While the singing duties have been split, not since their debut album has the weight been carried equally. Starting with the underrated At Mount Zoomer, it became clear that while Boeckner is writing competent rock songs, Krug is writing epic stories. The same feeling is prevalent on their third album, Expo 86, a very NW friendly title.
As for the show, they opened with, "You Are A Runner, And I Am My Fathers Son," the song that begins many of our earliest Wolf Parade listenings, being the first song on their debut. The two men traded songs back and forth, with Boeckner spazzing out on stage and Krug headbanging along on the keyboards, which seemed to be turned up much louder than previous shows. Let's face it, synth is back, and I've got my Vision Street Wear on back order in celebration.
A quick message to the fellas. So you're on a hot streak. You are full of confidence. You can do no wrong. There is a cute chick dancing her tail off next to her friend, singing along with every song. If you think she wants to have a "let's get to know each other" conversation, you've already lost.
Guess what? She is a fan of the band. Target the girl texting, or the one having a conversation with friends with her back to the stage. If you just can't let this one go, try dancing, and save the meaningful conversations until after the show. She paid good money to see one of her favorite bands, not to be continually interrupted by cologne and collars.
As I digress. "California Dreamer" was the perfect closing song to their first set, and had the largest crowd reaction. That was until the encore closer of "Kissing the Beehive." I'm not sure Wolf Parade should be allowed to close a show with a song other than this eleven minute masterpiece.
This was the best Wolf Parade performance I have witnessed, and they easily had more crowd participation than previous years (sure, they are more popular, but anyway). I'm not trying to take anything away from Dan Boeckner. Him and his wife put on a high energy show with the Handsome Furs, and he is still half of what makes Wolf Parade, but it is Spencer Krug morphing into a rock star that now makes this band a must see.
Setlist:
1. You Are A Runner And I Am My Father's Son
2. Palm Road
3. Cloud Shadow on the Mountain
4. Language City
5. Dear Sons And Daughters of Hungry Ghosts
6. Ghost Pressure
7. What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had To Go This Way)
8. Fine Young Cannibals
9. Cave-o-sapien
10. This Heart's On Fire
11. I'll Believe In Anything
12. Pobody's Nerfect
13. California Dreamer
Encore:
14. Two Men in New Tuxedos
15. Shine A Light
16. Kissing the Beehive
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
The transformation of Spencer Krug into a rock star has been fun to watch. I knew nothing about this band when they opened for Arcade Fire in 2005, and their live performance was nothing special. Krug looked like a fourteen year old band nerd with a quirky voice asked to fill in for the real keyboardist. He was barely even set up on stage, being as far to the left as possible. Dan Boeckner on the other hand was a rock star from day one, and pretty much controlled the stage.
While the singing duties have been split, not since their debut album has the weight been carried equally. Starting with the underrated At Mount Zoomer, it became clear that while Boeckner is writing competent rock songs, Krug is writing epic stories. The same feeling is prevalent on their third album, Expo 86, a very NW friendly title.
As for the show, they opened with, "You Are A Runner, And I Am My Fathers Son," the song that begins many of our earliest Wolf Parade listenings, being the first song on their debut. The two men traded songs back and forth, with Boeckner spazzing out on stage and Krug headbanging along on the keyboards, which seemed to be turned up much louder than previous shows. Let's face it, synth is back, and I've got my Vision Street Wear on back order in celebration.
A quick message to the fellas. So you're on a hot streak. You are full of confidence. You can do no wrong. There is a cute chick dancing her tail off next to her friend, singing along with every song. If you think she wants to have a "let's get to know each other" conversation, you've already lost.
Guess what? She is a fan of the band. Target the girl texting, or the one having a conversation with friends with her back to the stage. If you just can't let this one go, try dancing, and save the meaningful conversations until after the show. She paid good money to see one of her favorite bands, not to be continually interrupted by cologne and collars.
As I digress. "California Dreamer" was the perfect closing song to their first set, and had the largest crowd reaction. That was until the encore closer of "Kissing the Beehive." I'm not sure Wolf Parade should be allowed to close a show with a song other than this eleven minute masterpiece.
This was the best Wolf Parade performance I have witnessed, and they easily had more crowd participation than previous years (sure, they are more popular, but anyway). I'm not trying to take anything away from Dan Boeckner. Him and his wife put on a high energy show with the Handsome Furs, and he is still half of what makes Wolf Parade, but it is Spencer Krug morphing into a rock star that now makes this band a must see.
Setlist:
1. You Are A Runner And I Am My Father's Son
2. Palm Road
3. Cloud Shadow on the Mountain
4. Language City
5. Dear Sons And Daughters of Hungry Ghosts
6. Ghost Pressure
7. What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had To Go This Way)
8. Fine Young Cannibals
9. Cave-o-sapien
10. This Heart's On Fire
11. I'll Believe In Anything
12. Pobody's Nerfect
13. California Dreamer
Encore:
14. Two Men in New Tuxedos
15. Shine A Light
16. Kissing the Beehive
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