VARIOUS ARTISTS, HUNGRY EYES, ECHOFIELD
(Paris Theatre, 6 SW 3rd) Hey, The Various Artists are playing. Yeah, that's their name, The Various Artists... clever, but not that clever. So this is their last show as The Various Artists, even though they haven't played together in two years, but be open-minded, one of the band members got run over, but don't worry, now he's okay. Raw guitar, Farfisa electronic organ, and drums combine with goofy lyrics; "I'm wearing underpants on my head/I wish I was in Nebraska instead." But hey, they sound like Talking Heads, and they were recently disabled, so give em a shot. KATIE SHIMER
THE OUT CROWD, THE GREEN CIRCLES, EXPLODING HEARTS
(Berbati's, 231 SW Ankeny) If you've not been privy to the power pop of the Exploding Hearts, you simply must get a load of these crowd-pleasers. The Hearts have a powerful skill in their ability to get people out on the floor, freakin' out like their pop music invented coolness. They play with such confident, reckless aplomb that you don't even have to check over your shoulder to get a second opinion from your peers before abandoning all shame and busting out every dance rocker move you practiced to old Elvis Costello records, and ripping off your shirt sleeves in glee. Then you'll be perfectly dressed to take on The Out Crowd, who are like the mother freaking ship of bands that are so good, you won't lose your place up front to get another drink during their set. You'd spill half of it anyway, because this band's punkish, snide rhythm will also make you look stupid and not fun to anyone who catches you just standing there trying to look with it. MARJORIE SKINNER
PUFFYAMIYUMI, BLEU
(Aladdin, 3017 SE Milwaukie) See Music pg 15
THE FORTH, BASTINADO, 6 MINUTE HEARTSTOP, PARTING GIFT
(Ash, 225 SW Ash) This show is perhaps a little bit too well lined up. The Forth, Bastinado, and 6 Minute Heartstop all play a down-easy version of not-quite poppy, but hard enough to air-drum to, "rip your heart out with my growls," kind of rock. This is nothing shocking in a scene where you can't walk two yards down the street without encountering an indie rocker. The difference is that all three manage to pull off the genre with a flair that sets them apart from the assembly line. Bastinado and 6 Minute Heartstop take a softer line of attack than The Forth, who is more torture and posture than melancholic rumble. My worry is that seeing them back-to-back might diminish the subtle differences in their sound, like a run-on sentence spoken in distortion. Hopefully, it well end up as a great pig-out fest for the tuned ear of connoisseurs. MS
ZINE SYMPOSIUM KICKOFF EXTRAVAGANZA STARRING THE HAGGARD, THE DISAPPEARER, CALVIN JOHNSON, MORE
(PSU Smith Center Ballroom, 6:30 pm) The Zine Symposium is one of the best things to ever happen to Portland (See Books, pg 26), but what would it be without a kickoff extravaganza of zinesters and other proponents of DIY? It's be a goddamn travesty, that's what. Join the awesome, pared-down-yet-loud hardcore bike punk duo The Haggard (featuring sts on drums, who makes the zine Way Down Low); the battered-knees, emotional-yet-tough rock of The Disappearer (starring journalsong zine's Steve Gevurtz); and the throaty drawl of Mr. Calvin Johnson (who's run a DIY record label, K Records, for like a million years, duh). In addition, a bunch of cool zinesters will read from their catalogue, including some people who are in bands, like Al Burian (of Milemarker, who makes the great zine/book Burn Collector). Afterwards, join the crowd for a game of kickball. JULIANNE "HAMBERGUESA" SHEPHERD
THE EPOXIES, THE GAYS, THE CRIPPLES,
THE WINDOWS
(Satyricon, 125 NW 6th) Tonight, the new wave Epoxies deliver the same incredible stage show that they seem to be able to pull off every time--pyrotechnics, duct tape pants, the works. Roxy Epoxy is still one of the best frontwomen out there, and she's got more moves than Britney Spears. Seattle's Cripples will be pushing more of your futuristic buttons with their own brand of synth punk that can be compared to Devo, Wire, and maybe even the Screamers, with more of a pop feel to it. The Gays will be a bit out of place with their heavy metal anthems, but with the '80s theme tonight, I'm positive there are gonna be a few headbangers in the crowd. JOEL JETT
CANOOFLE, 1VS0, REBREATHER
(Jasmine Tree, 401 SW Harrison) Ugh! Why can't more bands sound like Kid Rock? What happened to solid, terra firma, shout-to-the-heavens rock and roll? Rebreather bills themselves as an electronic improv group--abrasive, sparse, and ethereal. To me, it is the faint noise of train wheels scrapping against the tracks, and high-pitched piano wires being tuned. PHIL DOT BUSSE
KING BLACK ACID, MENOMENA
(Dante's, 1 SW 3rd) The official wrap party for the King Black Acid video of their song "Soul Systems Burn," off the Mothman Prophecies soundtrack. With super, bent-pop trio, Menomena. So glamorous, like it's the Portland Oscars or something, but with more drunk people. JS
SHERRI MANILOW, THE HIGH & THE MIGHTY, THE MEXICAN BLACKBIRDS, THE DEL TOROS
(Conan's, 3862 SE Hawthorne) Rock never gets old in my mind, and butt rock never gets old in my mind either, so take my opinion for what it's worth. The High & the Mighty plays high-energy, punk-influenced rock (but not annoying) with a singer whose hyper speak-sing trails off into a cool arrogance that, I must say, is pretty sexy. KS
TRACY SHEDD, SUPER XX MAN, BLANKET MUSIC
(Disjecta, 116 NE Russell) Okay--Mark Robinson, father of TeenBeat Records, is one of those guys who would take you to the library on a date, and it would come off as nothing less than totally endearing, earnest, and cool. He's a frigging heart-melter. So it stands to reason that he would sign artists to his label with similar qualities, such as the wonderful Tracy Shedd, of Jacksonville, Florida. Ms. Shedd writes jingle-jangle pop songs that swim behind a love-colored cloud--TeenBeat compares her to the velvet dream-pop of the Sarah Records echelon, and they are not merely whistling Dixie. With a calm, distinctly Brit take on melancholy, smart vocals (but don't worry, no fake accents or anything) and the propulsive, intuitive rumble of bass, guitar, and drums, Ms. Shedd has an enormous faint factor--you can nestle your heart in her pillowy music. JS
APPLE SAUCE W/SPACE GIRL, DJ ENRIE
(Crystal, 1332 W Burnside) Cutting his teeth between Queens, New York and California, DJ Enrie plays razor-sharp house music, with a tempo that just won't quit. KATIA DUNN
CHIMERA PRESENTS PARTY TIME, THE RUBY DOE, HARKONEN, FIERY CUBIST
(Blackbird, 3728 NE Sandy) Fiery Cubist boasts the loudest drummer in all of Portland, and is paired oddly with a suit and bow-tie dude who plays peppy guitar and rivals the motivated karaoke set for performance energy. Look for them on Star Search. Harkonen are fucking insane. With a background in screaming and sloppy guitar playing... they, like the evolution of technology, are becoming a smoother-running machine... that still rocks. KS
FAST HORSE SUMMER HOOTENANNY w/CEDELL DAVIS, TUATARA, THE MINUS 5, THE WAYWARD SHAMANS
(Berbati's) Scott McCaughey, Barrett Martin, and Peter Buck played on the forthcoming record from headliner CeDell Davis, a 74-year-old Delta bluesman. Davis was previously signed with Fat Possum Records, but is now with Fast Horse Recordings, a newish label run by Martin and fellow Wayward Shaman Joe Cripps. These shows kick off a national summer tour of the four cross-pollinated bands, who are thrilled to be sharing the stage--a virtual guarantee this will be an extraordinary show. HANNAH LEVIN
THE BULEMICS, THE RITCHIE WHITES, THE TRIGGERS, ELECTRIC EYE
(Satyricon) Austin, Texas' the Ritchie Whites are amazing, and their new album on TKO records has been on my turntable for weeks. It's tough-as-nails punk rock, and their singer's voice will give you goosebumps; think Naked Raygun crossed with early Social Distortion. With Junk Records artists The Bulemics, who upchuck a bunch of sleazy punk rock and roll, you can bet there's gonna be blood and sweat in the air tonight. JJ
AGAINST ME!, THE ASSISTANT, FUNERAL DINER, ARROYO SECO, CHASED BY BEES, 1905, FIYAH, HIRETSUKEN
(Meow Meow, 527 SE Pine) See Music pg 17
MY REGRETS, CHARM PARTICLES
(Dante's) A lot of conversations about the My Regrets start out with, "I appreciate what they're trying to do, but..." Purportedly, what they're trying to do is keep a certain spirit of rock and roll alive. The kind of reckless self-sacrifice practiced by Iggy Pop, a sense of danger and glamour. Well, hell, who wouldn't appreciate that? It just seems like something you have to be in the mood for. You're either with them or against them, but if you decide to take their trip, you won't regret it; if nothing else, you can't say they're not fun to watch... sexually fantasize about, even. The Charm Particles are relatively mellow, but it's fun to follow their intergalactic trail of gadgety guitar and don't-touch-me-there vocals. The combination of familiar style and unanticipated progressions is like riding a roller coaster in the dark. It's structurally sound, but unpredictable. That, and they're tighter than a surgically reconstructed hymen. MARJORIE SKINNER
THE BREEDERS, POSTER CHILDREN
(Crystal) See CD Review pg 15
THE SUFFOCATION KEEP, THE PRIDS, CRACK CITY ROCKERS
(Blackbird) See MWBW pg 13
JUCIFER, EASY ACTION, THE OWNERS, WADSWORTH
(Ash Street) Jucifer's Amber Valentine can go from siren to banshee in under two seconds. On album, the husband and wife duo present an intricate amalgam of dark pop and metallic sludge. But live, you'll get chaos overload with drumming on par with Lightning Bolt and guitar tonnage compliments of at least 14 speaker cabinets that overwhelm every stage and every listener. Easy Action is the latest vehicle for ex-Negative Approach and Laughing Hyenas main man John Brannon. Expect classic Detroit rock funneled through 20 years of hardcore underground and scar tissue. Wadsworth and The Owners round out the bill, proving that Portland actually has a few great hard rock bands on par with any other city in the U.S. NATHAN CARSON
BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE, DEAD MEADOW
(Dante's) Contrary to popular rumor, no one from Orthrelm is in Dead Meadow. But don't let that deter you and your arty friends from coming and seeing a truly great, young classic rock band. Often, the looseness and mistakes on their albums are as endearing as their riffs are heavy. Over that early-Budgie fuzz guitar are Jason Simon's winsome rock vocals that lean more towards Built To Spill/Flaming Lips territory than Robert Plant. Last time I checked, Dante's doesn't frisk, so you should be safe to pack a pipe and prepare to be transported to that extra-dimensional blasted heath where Dead Meadow plays by night in front of a sea of zippos. If you discount Zia's breasts, Brian Jonestown Massacre are better than the Dandy Warhols. And that's all I'll say on the matter. NC
THE WEAKLINGS
(Union Jack's) Rock & roll + stripping is a combination that hasn't been explored nearly enough. The two should meet more often, because good rock & roll, like good stripping, is always wild, loose, raunchy, and fun. The Weaklings understand this, like the Heartbreakers and Elvis before them. They combine a blisteringly furious attack with a gleefully raunchy who-cares attitude, and it is all about the good times baybuh. Okay yeah, their singer's gotten some attention in the past for carving himself up with busted beer bottles and whatnot. But this little touch of nihilism just ups the ante on the don't-give-a-damn, teetering-on-the-brink-of-chaos factor, and shouldn't overshadow the basic goodtime/freedom factor that makes the Weaklings a great complement to, and inspiration for, girls taking off their clothes. ROLAND COUTURE
AAVIKKO, MONOPAUSE, THE KILLS
(Blackbird) See Music pg 15
SKATING CLUB, EMILY SPARKS, A JOHN HENRY MEMORIAL
(Blackbird) Skating Club is one of those indie pop bands who are really too cute for school, i.e., they describe themselves in the following way: "Skating Club is the music of knitting, banister sliding, cat petting, beckoning, and heating up canned soup in inclement weather." You see? But if you can get over that, they play some interesting little poppy melodies, which sometimes lean more towards electronic, and they're from Boston. KD
ROCK CAMP FOR GIRLS BENEFIT: ALICE BLUE, TEASING ZEN, ELECTRIC EYE, THE STARVE
(Meow Meow) You've probably now heard about the Rock n Roll Camp for Girls, but if you haven't, it's this really awesome camp that teaches little girls how to be rock stars. It's a huge effort, however, because lots of money needs to be raised, and, in support, lots of shows are being played. This particular show is the "rock" portion of the benefit show, starring local bands Alice Blue, Teasing Zen, Electric Eye, and the Star. C'mon. Help a little girl learn to drum. KD
SWORDS PROJECT, WINDSOR FOR THE DERBY, AVENUE OF THE STRONGEST, ROCK FOUR
(Dante's) See My What a Busy Week pg 13
ROCK CAMP FOR GIRLS: SMIDGEN, SMALL WONDER, PAXIL ROSE, INDUSTRIAL HONEY
(Meow Meow) See Monday listing.
ROCK CAMP FOR GIRLS: SLEATER-KINNEY
(Aladdin) It's Sleater-Kinney, one of Portland's many treasures, with the Rock Camp for Girls, another of Portland's many treasures. How can you contemplate the implications of this show and not think about how fucking great our city is? One of the coolest, toughest bands in America, and a frigging camp that teaches little ladies how to ROCK? Not to mention the Zine Symposium earlier this week... JESUS CHRIST, PORTLAND IS AMAZING!! JS
IMMORTAL STARRING KELLY REVERB
(Berbati's) C'mon now, how often do you get to see a DJ who's from Texas? Out of Dallas comes Kelly Reverb, and he's not one of those dudes who fucks around with trying to make the most subtle, artiest kinds of sound. No, he's here to blow your mind with heavy house, music that demands to be the center of attention. KD
PROJECT PERFECT, PLAN B, DR. MANISCHEWITZ
(Blackbird) Electronic music that wraps around you like some chiffon or... cellophane... or butter? Including Plan B, which incorporates "indie downtempo" with stand-up bass, trumpet, and visuals. JS
Wed 7/17: The Dishes (Graceland); Yes (Paramount)
For more info, visit
www.thestranger.com
New Releases July 16: The Ants, Crematorium, Love Life*, The Fire Show*, No Warning, Pia Fraus, Space Monkey Vs. Gorillaz*, ZAO *=excellent, or better than average
