WHEN I SAY Apocalypto is one of the goriest films I’ve ever seen, I say that not to warn you away from it, but to point out that its content is an effective reflection of its central concept. A lot has been said in the press about this film’s theme, but what I saw was […]
Adam Gnade
Posted inMusic
No Surfing Puns Please
Little Wings’ Dreamy Beach Pop
I’M NOT SURE how I got a hold of my first Little Wings record but I still have it and listen to it regularly. Light Green Leaves came out on the K label in 2002, and it’s one of the few albums that have stayed with me while I’ve moved around the country and lived […]
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The Scene Report
Local Music News
I’ve seen a lot of shows this past year, but I haven’t danced harder than I did to the wonderful punk rock Irish jig revivalists the Rag and Bonemen. I haven’t seen a show of theirs listed for a few months now, so the recent announcement of this one came as a damn fine surprise. […]
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The Scene Report
Local Music News
I’m a sucker for a good concept record and when said concept record is done by a band wary of the cheesiness, pandering, and handholding common to concept albums, it’s even better. Better still is when it’s a series of concept records, like Plants‘ seasonal series. We got The Mind Is a Bird in the […]
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It’s Weirder
The Weird Weeds’ Outstanding New Longplayer
LAST TIME The Weird Weeds played Portland I got to Berbati’s late and had to listen to a bunch of exited fans talk about how amazing and crazy and transcendent the band’s performance had been. I also missed them in Austin (where they’re based out of) a few months after that, but in the meantime […]
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The Scene Report
Local Music News
I just got the press release for this one about five seconds ago and I wanted to make damn sure it got in the paper: Jana Hunter. December 4 at Someday Lounge, down on 125 NW 5th. If you haven’t heard Jana’s music yet, go look her up at myspace.com/janahunter or do a search on […]
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The Scene Report
Local Music News
Local Music News As 2006 draws to a close there are a ton of excellent local records either coming out or set for release. One of those is Laura Gibson’s If You Come to Greet Me, which I’ve heard referenced both as great rainy morning music, and also as a little more music-biz-centric, a proper […]
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The Scene Report
Local Music News
The Mercury office is in no man’s land as far as dining options go. For as many great mom ‘n’ pop markets, delis, and restaurants as this city has, we’re stuck amid soda bottling warehouses, the KATU building, and a lot of houses. Thank god, then, for Club 21 with its stiff drinks, loveable servers, […]
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The Scene Report
Local Music News
The last time the Dirty Projectors played here it traumatized me, and this is why I’m writing this. Now, I realize that with Ilyas Ahmed, Congs for Brums, Xiu Xiu, and Grouper on the bill, this might be a little overwhelming, but don’t freak out; get there early, squeeze up close to the stage, and […]
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Party Time Excellent
Wet Confetti’s Laughing Gasping
PEOPLE IN THIS CITY pull all kinds of crazy tricks to get you out to shows. From Heroes and Villains’ circus last year to costume contests, celebrity appearances, pudding wrestling, and free drink tickets, it seems as if Portland bands are in a constant tug of war to lure in the audience. Sometimes it’s nice […]
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The Scene Report
Local Music News
New Tractor Operator record in the works. Yep. Says TO’s Eric Jensen, “I mentioned to somebody a few weeks ago that the next Tractor Operator record was ‘halfway done’ and haven’t been able to write any goddamn thing worth two shits since. So, hoping to jinx the jinx, the Tractor Operator record is halfway done.” […]
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House Music
Portland’s Best Throw One Helluva House Show
AS HOUSE SHOWS GO this one’s more like a house festival. Here’s how it breaks down… Show Me the Pink. Sexy fight songs. Sexy bike songs. Punk rock you can dance to and not feel like you’re pony-ing out to “dance punk.” Bury this band in the earth and consider them a time capsule for […]