This last week was a very fun filled week of shows and music. It all started with my birthday on Sunday in which The Dirty Words Performed our first show at the Hawthorne Theatre. We shared the bill with our good friends,
The Autonomics, as well as new Portland band,
The Neverdowells. Birthday shows are always so much fun, and this was no exception. Hawthorne Theatre is outfitted with a very large stage, complete with drum riser and multiple LED lights illuminating the stage. TDW played second and after some minor technical difficulties rocked a solid set combining material that is on our upcoming sophomore album,
Cain, and some brand new tracks. After that, The Neverdowells took the stage. These guys create a very layered and intricate soundscape blending mellow indie rock and folk with just enough dance and rock influence to get people moving. We look forward to sharing another bill with this talented group of guys originally from Colorado. Headlining the night was The Autonomics, who put on an amazing set as usual and it was a genuine treat to see them on such a large stage.
Wednesday marked the second show of the week. This was my first time at The Know, a punk rock dive on Alberta St, and it was a Rock and Roll show to the fullest extent. Performing that night was
Dark Country and
Company. Dark Country opened and they played a solid set of tracks bordering on hardcore punk, but with the attitude and riffs of west coast flavored Rock and Roll. Their stage presence was entertaining and made you feel out of place if you weren't rocking out with them. Complete with funny/awesome banter, this is a band I plan on following for a long time to come. Check out their bandcamp profile below and download their
free demo. It fucking slays and will have you proclaiming "This is...Dark Country!!!" for days!
Company is a four piece rock outfit that fit in with and also complemented the set played by Dark Country. They incorporate more of a garage rock sound than that of the hardcore punk styling of DC, but they do it with and added dose of the punk rock mentality and approach to their songwriting. Check them out and keep an eye out for an upcoming release sometime in the near future.
Friday night marked another great night of live music. Two shows going on simultaneously in my neighborhood, St Johns, The Autonomics shared another bill with The Neverdowells at one of my favorite bars in North Portland, Slim's. Both bands played amazing long sets and kept everyone's interest throughout the entire evening. And, literally, right across the street was the "St. Johns Theme Song Competition". My good friends in the band
Tall As Rasputin sported more members and a completely different line-up with drummer Andy taking center stage and rocking the guitar and vocals. Calling themselves
Andy Bro and The Lombardians they played a heartfelt song embodying the spirit of Portland's newest up and coming neighborhood, St. Johns. Also competing that night was
The Filfs. The competition went on for two nights and I am, as of yet, unsure as to the official winner of the St. Johns Theme Song Competition.
Saturday marked another show by The Dirty Words, our technical 100th gig, and we pulled out all the stops at the Twilight Cafe and Bar on SE Powell. Joining us at this gig were Seattle based
Pocket Panda. Pocket Panda plays a unique blend of synth driven pop with upbeat and melodic indie rock. Featuring female vocals and an electric violin, Pocket Panda creates beautiful and layered songs and carry a baseline groovyness. Check out their debut EP through their
Website or below:
And to close out the week, I attended another Pocket Panda performance (alliterations...allll right!) at the Ash Street Saloon. Arriving late, I missed the opening band, but did manage to catch all of Pocket Panda's set, which, minus the violin, proved to be more rocking than their set the previous night. The Ash St. is one of my favorite venues in Portland at the moment due to the size of their stage and the (really loud at times, I mean REALLY LOUD) awesome house sound system. It was a treat to see these guys on that level and be able to feel every hit from the kick drum in my bones. The true surprise of the evening was the headlining set from All The Apparatus. This group featured one of the best live performances I've seen in Portland to date and they incorporated up to 10 people on stage playing a range of instruments from two accordians and and electrified ukulele and cello, to a trumpet duel, trombone player, keyboardist, bass, various other percussion, and finally drums. AtA plays a very unique and danceable blend of what I would call Arcade Fire meats Gypsy folk. Check out their Facebook Profile below and see them live. You will dance harder than you thought; I did.
-AP
