ODEN SMASH! SMASH BALL GOOD! Think he deserves it? Wagering on potential over past results, the Portland Trail Blazers surprised no one and have sent a qualifying offer of $8.8 million to talented/fragile center Greg Oden. Despite only 82 games played, and more knee surgeries than playoff wins, Oden is still a valuable commodity in […]
Ezra Ace Caraeff
Ezra Ace Caraeff is the former Music Editor for the Mercury, and spent nearly a third of his life working at the paper. More importantly, he is the owner of Olive, the Mercury’s unofficial office dog. His writing has appeared in The Fader, The Stranger, The Onion's A.V. Club, ESPN's TrueHoop network, and countless fanzines that are thankfully long out of print. He makes a mean tofu scramble and yes, Ace is really his middle name.
Posted inMusic
Blind Pilot to Release We Are the Tide on September 13th
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard anything from Blind Pilot. A very long time. The local folk act first rode into our hearts with their stunning 3 Rounds And A Sound debut and penchant for touring by bicycle, but their sophomore recording was delayed. And then delayed even further. There were rumors of […]
Posted inVideo
Sapient – “Grown Up” (Video)
A quick primer in case you were unaware: Sapient is one finely skilled emcee. A member of the Sandpeople crew, he released his most complete work to date in 2010, a solo disc entitled Barrels For Feathers. You really should own that record. In fact, buy it right here. It’s cool, we’ll wait. Now that […]
Posted inMovies & TV
That One Guy from Modest Mouse to Score a Movie Starring That One Guy from Tool
Lizzy Caplan in Queens of Country I think I got that right. Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock will be scoring the upcoming film Queens of Country, which stars Party Down‘s Lizzy Caplan (yay!) and master thespian Maynard James Keenan of Tool. Sounds interesting. I hope it involves either line dancing or time machines. The film centers […]
Posted inMusic
Adele Reschedules Portland Date
Remember when we were all Adele has laryngitis and has to cancel her Portland show? And then you started sobbing and things got really awkward because tears make us uncomfortable? Well we have some good new, you big baby. The chart-dominating British singer is laryngitis-free and has rescheduled her Portland date for August 11. There […]
Posted inSports
Meet Your New Portland Trail Blazers
Raymond Felton During the Kevin Pritchard era, the NBA Draft was like Christmas morning for Blazers fans. Tyco racing set, Nicolas Batum, Dyno GT dirt bike, Rudy Fernandez… with a slick GM and a deep pocketed owner, Portland was the envy of the NBA and the Blazers faithful couldn’t get enough. Of course, as we […]
Posted inSports
2011 NBA Draft – Live Blog
Oh my, it’s time. Will Portland make yet another draft day move? Will the state of Utah get crazy (crazy wholesome that is) if they draft Jimmer Fredette? Will we all fall asleep by the time Portland makes their select? This is likely the last NBA event we will see this year (lockout coming), so […]
Posted inSports
Blazers Draft Day Rumor Du Jour
Why not get both? The NBA Draft is only a few hours away, so that can only mean one thing: unsubstantiated trade rumors! Last night the Blazers were supposedly close to swapping Frenchies (ewww), acquiring Tony Parker and the 29th pick from San Antonio in exchange for his fellow countryman Nicolas Batum, plus Andre Miller, […]
Posted inMusic
This Week’s Mercury Music Section
Daniel Pitout Hunx and His Punx Another week, another Mercury music section to enjoy while you sip on a nice glass of Drops of Jupiter Sirah from the Train Wine Club. Please leave wine alone. Is ruining music not enough for you? The sweet and sinister Girl Group pop of Hunx and His Punx is […]
Posted inMusic
Teenage Symphonies to Guys
Hunx and His Punx Hang in There
Hunx and His Punx hang in there.
Posted inSports
2011 NBA Draft Preview
Getty Images Please draft this man Despite bad things looming on the horizon, the NBA draft is just one day away. While this year’s draft class is unimpressive—it’s made up entirely of white guys who shoot underhand free-throws and can’t dunk—draft night has always been an exhilarating event for Portland Trail Blazers fans. Even when […]
Posted inSports
TMZ Confuses Greg Oden with LeBron James
You know, because all black NBA players look alike.