Four Tet Thurs Oct 23 Berbati’s As much as we all may love electronic music–especially the stuff that gets herded into the daftly coined “IDM” category–it’s no secret that most laptop-oriented shows contain all the excitement of watching someone Instant Message with a buddy at an internet cafe. And sure, I’m all for subverting traditional […]
Julianne Shepherd
Posted inMusic
Shapeshifter
The Sharp-Tongued Jean Grae
Jean Grae The Bootleg of the Bootleg EP (Baby Grande) **** Where were you when Jam Master Jay died? A year after his death, JMJ’s still-unsolved murder has contributed to a malaise wherein a procession of NY underground rappers have reacted in all manners to his death, producing a crop of existential, dark, soul-searching albums. […]
Posted inMusic
Horse Whisperers
The Planet The “Lassos” a New Record
The Planet The Fri Oct 17 Berbati’s It’s hard to believe, but ubiquitous Portland progsters The Planet The are finally putting out a proper CD. After playing together for years, suffering several lineup changes, and a brief yet unfortunate name change (The Plan The, anyone?), the disgustingly badass Physical Angel is released this week by […]
Posted inMusic
Jack It to Ten
Lifesavas Night Turns Up the Dance Party
Volume Thurs Oct 16 Holocene Straight up: the world needs more dance parties. This is one motivating factor behind Volume, the new monthly DJ party curated by Portland hiphop megastars the Lifesavas, debuting this Thursday with guests Pam tha Funkstress (the Coup), DJ Unity, and Marquez. With Volume, Lifesavas are interested in getting back to […]
Posted inMusic
Alarm Bells
From Ashes Rise’s Apocalyptic Hardcore
From Ashes Rise Nightmares (Jade Tree) *** From Ashes Rise come from the guts of Portland basements. That’s why you may have never heard of one of our city’s best hardcore bands–though playing together in some form for over seven years, the four-piece has existed primarily in the DIY scene, mostly playing house shows with […]
Posted inMusic
The Sound of Discontent
Rock Against the Regime
Bands Against Bush Sat Oct 11 Liberty Hall After months of preparation, anticipation, and benefit shows, Bands Against Bush D-Day has arrived. On October 11, 2003–the 20th anniversary of Rock Against Reagan–the nationwide protest encompassing cities from LA to DC will bring together a diverse selection of musicians, artists, and activists who all share one […]
Posted inMusic
Apothecaries of Rhythm
Nice Nice Melts Your Face
Nice Nice Chrome (Temporary Residence) So you see, sir, the premise is that local duo Nice Nice–exceptionally talented at their respective tools of drums, guitar, and kinetic rhythm–plays all genres of contemporary music, ranging from psychedelic field-recording bliss-out to slamming hiphop riddims to unlikely crunky noize, sometimes in an improvised manner. But like, melted all […]
Posted inMusic
Saving (Portland) Hiphop
Q&A With David Parks
Luv Jonz Wed Oct 15 Ohm On Wednesday, at the weekly Luv Jonz where he plays drums with his band, Reparations, David Parks will present a series of essays entitled “Why Portland Hates Young Black People,” addressing the economic and race issues that keep Portland hiphop marginalized and suppressed. It’s an appropriate forum, considering last […]
Posted inGeneral
Don’t Let Your Party Turn Into a Shitty Wedding
Records You Absolutely Shouldn’t Play
Pullout: Best Party Ever
Posted inGeneral
Don’t Drink, Don’t Smoke–What Do You Do?
Advice For Aspiring Teetotalers
Pullout: Best Party Ever
Posted inMovies & TV
The Corpse of Gen-X
School of Rock is Pure Nostalgic Hell
School of Rock dir. Linklater Opens Fri Oct 3 Various Theaters The School of Rock is the single most excruciating film I have suffered through all year. Every time Jack Black flashed the devil horns, it was all I could do to keep from scraping out my eyeballs with my soda straw. My viewing companion […]
Posted inMovies & TV
Piece Now
Armed Revolution, Underground
The Weather Underground dir. Green & Siegel Opens Fri Oct 3 Cinema 21 In 1969, the Weather Underground went underground. An ensemble of college students spawned from the Students for a Democratic Society, the group began protesting racism and the atrocities in Vietnam–first by organizing communities and, eventually, by bombing buildings. They were preparing for […]