I’M SICK TO DEATH of people talkin’ shit on Rilo Kiley. I hear this all the time: some silly looking shaggy-dog hipster at a party whining, “Welllll, Rilo Kiley has some good songs buuut….” But what, shitbird?! But you’re afraid of being made fun of for admitting you like a band? Rilo Kiley’s a great […]
Adam Gnade
Posted inMusic
It’s Who You Know
Local Music News ‘n’ Shit
I love to trash-talk Canada as much as the next red-blooded, brash, violently stupid Yank, but they got us beat far as healthcare goes. Last week, local musician Jake Anderson (Yuma Nora, Gang Wizard, Wankatorium, Yak Brigade) was hospitalized for what his Yuma Nora band-mate Amy Vecchione called “serious issues of the gut.” Without health […]
Posted inMusic
To: Elliott
From: Portland Bands That Miss You
I’M NOT A PUSSY and I don’t wanna sound like one, and that’s why I’ve declined most opportunities to write about Elliott Smith post-suicide. After Smith split for the Great Whatever in October ’03, the critical outpouring was gross, precious, and unbecoming. Honoring dude’s life by writing about vintage sweaters and tearstained cheeks is bullshit […]
Posted inMovies & TV
Born to be Mild
Easy Riding with The World’s Fastest Indian
THIS MOVIE’S BORING. That’s the first thing you need to know. But once you accept the fact that you’re not gonna see any hot tits or gushing blood geysers or flashy CG, this two-hour depiction of motorcycle legend Burt Munro’s underdoggy style is fucking awesome. It’s a mild-flavored film—all quiet man-versus-himself determination, big sprawling vistas, […]
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It’s Who You Know
Skronky, Jazz-Tinged Local Music News
If I go to ONE MORE party where ONE MORE bitter, spiteful, bored slimebag tells me “live music in Portland sucks these days,” I will deliver said slimebag a murderous, wine-bottle smash to the skull. For conclusive evidence that there’s always good music happening, step outside your comfort zone and find salvation in the Akron/Family, […]
Posted inMovies & TV
Give Me My LIFE Back!
The Californians is AGONIZING!
DEAR EVERYONE involved in the production of The Californians: You stole 91 minutes of my life and I want it BACK. When I think of all the things I could’ve done in 91 minutes it makes me want to vomit napalm darts into star Noah Wyle’s eyes. I hate everything about this movie. I hate […]
Posted inMusic
It’s Who You Know
Leaning Tower of Local Music News
So, there’s piles of local music news this week. Stacks. Great leaning, tottering, sky-high towers dotted with condor nests, fearless window washers, and wide-eyed suicidal, SAD-addled dotcommers. First off, make sure to check out this month’s issue of Spin (Strokes cover) for a big investigative piece on the Suicide Girls by none other than ex-Mercury […]
Posted inMusic
Circusize Me
Heroes and Villains Lead PDX Circus Bands
I HAD A REVELATION recently: I am no longer afraid of clowns. It happened last week at Powell’s, while I sat on the floor on a rainy, cold, ghoulish night and read Henry Miller’s “clown biography,” The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder. Halfway through the book, I suddenly realized that—after years of toeing […]
Posted inMusic
It’s Who You Know
Unholy Trinity News
This is a dark week, folks, one filled with plagues and pestilence, creeping beasts, and blood raining from the sky. Portland’s good music sanctuary is about to be defiled by some bona fide boogiemen—serious fun-enders the likes of which haven’t been seen since kill-crazy mofos like Pol Pott and Ronald Reagan stalked the Earth. On […]
Posted inMusic
So Alone
Decemberists’ Colin Meloy Sings Solo
I’M KINDA SHY when writing about Colin Meloy these days. So much has been said, so much mythology laid down, so much compartmentalizing and reductive rock writing. This, I guess, is a testament to how HUGE our boy’s gotten. Which is not to say I’m all “fuckin’ Decemberists get enough press” or anything. So the […]