Hillstomp, Pretty Gritty
After more than a decade together, Hillstomp has changed very little. Guitarist Henry Hill Kammerer and drummer John Johnson have remained a two-piece, kept Portland as their home, and mostly stayed true to the gutbucket, hill country, punk blues they first began playing over 10 years ago. With any other group, this would be a criticism or a dismissal of the band as a one-trick pony, but Hillstomp has managed to remain not only relevant, but exciting, thanks to their always electrifying live performances. SANTI ELIJAH HOLLEY