The Triple Crown : 05/03 - 05/16

This Triple Crown has a little bit of everything, from rootsy-pop, fun punk frenzy and old soul song writing. There's sure to be something for everyone. So get out of the house and reclaim the night, because once it gets warmer it's going to get crowded.

Friday, May 6th
The Dimes
Derby/Violet Isle
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors:8PM /Show: 9PM
Adv.:$8/Day Of:$10
21 & Over

This night of homegrown indie rock is filled with an A-list of some of Portland's movers and shakers. Top of the list is the rootsy pop of The Dimes. With a perfect balance of earthy acoustics and pop sensibility these boys are in the same class as The Shins and The Decemberists. Having spent the last few years perfecting their stage presence this show in the intimate setting of the Doug Fir should be fantastic.
Opening the show are two bands with their own clout in the local indie circles. Derby's living room pop is energetic and comfortably familiar. Dynamically fun, their sound is a perfect compliment to The Dimes. Meanwhile, the Violet Isle has a music that is wonderfully multi-faceted. Bold and detailed all at the same time their acoustic pop gives each song a distinct flavor.
No matter how you look at it, this is a great way to get your weekend started off right.


Thursday, May 12th
Hairspray Blues
Thundering Asteroids!/Mega Dynasty 5/Pitchfork Motorway
Ash Street Saloon
225 SW Ash St
Show:9:30PM
Cover:$5
21 & Over

The walls of the Ash Street Saloon will be pulsing with a punk-frenzied-sweetness so powerfully luscious they're going to feel it all the way in Lake O. With a line up that includes 3 of Portland's best little secrets this show should be one for the record books.
Headlining the night is the primitive beats and ferocious six-string attack of Hairspray Blues. Their dark bastard blues is made of the bassets of emotions and claws at the scenes with the sames addictive thrill as a good 70's horror flick . Stripped of any pretentiousness and blessed with just the slightest of garage-retro-voodoo this band is wickedly delectable.
Joining them on stage is a who's who of Portland's funnest acts and a visitor from the Cajun country. Top of the list is the geek chic pageantry of Thundering Asteroids!. Their nostalgia rock is lighthearted and youthfully energetic, elements only magnified by the stage presence of the band and their lead singer, a bonafide fanboy-siren. In addition the high octane garage punk of Pitchfork Motorway is sure to get the crowd worked into a lather with their face melting, rubber burning fury. Completing the lineup is Mega Dynasty 5 visiting from New Orleans, a complete mystery, but sometimes that can be the tastiest of treats.
This line up has no equal and with only a $5 cover, they're almost paying you for this awesome show.


Saturday, May 14th
Joe Pug
Celilo(CD Release)/Strand Of Oaks
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors:8PM/Show: 9PM
Adv.:$10/Day Of:$12
21 & Over

Like the sudden discovery of an unexpected treasure, I'm anticipating this show at the Doug Fir with bated breath. Somewhere between Ray LaMontagne, Chris Smither, and Classic Bob Dylan, the music of Joe Pug is boldly haunting. Filled with some of the most insightful and thought provoking lyrics I have heard in years, his richly organic songs are a folk, as powerful as wisdom itself. His live presence is certain to be an awe inspiring thing that will send tingles strait up the spine leaving your head swimming in a euphoric bliss.
Opening the show is Portland's own Celilo whose mid-west soul is ripe with broad strokes of instrumental texture with liberal leanings toward early Neil Young. This hometown band will be celebrating the release of their latest album. So support local music by picking up a copy. Finally, filling out the rest of the bill is the breathy ethereal dream-scape folk of Philadelphia based Strands of Oaks.
A night of amazing music, this is defiantly a show not to miss and the perfect way to earn your triple crown.

The Triple Crown: 04/19 - 05/02

In my life, I've drank too much Whiskey and spent too many nights chasing the White lines of endless highways not to admit that some part of me finds the twang of Country music familiar and comforting. So this Triple Crown highlights some country music everyone can enjoy. Don't worry though, this ain't the hick-pop of CMT, so order a long neck, grab your favorite girl and kick your legs up and enjoy the music .


Friday, April 22nd
Eddie Spaghetti
The Devil's Point
5305 SE Foster Rd.
Show: 9PM
Cover: $10
18+ with ID

If the music of Eddie Spaghetti was a house party, there would be empty beer cans in the front yard, panties on the doorknob and a rodeo clown passed out on the couch. Not surprising coming from a man who's day job is as the lead singer of the rock outfit The Supersuckers. Raised on outlaw country AM radio, even a punk rock icon like Spaghetti can't deny the sound in his heart. Unabashed fun these songs are perfect for drinking with your friends and sweeping the cutest girl out onto the dance floor. Admittedly there's not much room to dance at the Devil's Point but if your lucky you might find a good looking lady whose willing to share a little piece of floor with you. So leave your week behind, order yourself a drink and let the night take you where it will.



Sunday, April 24th
The Devil Makes Three
Brown Bird
Wonder Ballroom
128 NE Russell St
Door: 7:30PM/ Show: 8PM
Adv.:$15/Day of:$17(SOLD OUT!)
All Ages

Like a spontaneous back porch ho-down with enough moonshine to make everyone happy, the music of The Devil Makes Three is a wildly fun thing to experience. Their potent Dixey Bluegrass is a rich mix of Whiskey-gold water from the Mississippi delta, a powdering of Blue Ridge coal dust and enough New Orleans swing to make the body dance with a voodoo vigor.
With a youthful punk spirit that brings a fresh modern infusion into this timeless music, this trio has tapped something that's powerful whose roots reach nearly as far back as this country's origin. If you were lucky enough to get yourself a ticket, make sure you wear a pair of comfortable shoe because whether you plan on dancing or not, this music won't give you much of a choice.









Sunday, May 1st
Christian Kane
Dante's
350 West Burnside
Show: 8PM
Adv.:$13/ Day of:$15
TicketsWest
21 & Over


Of these three shows, this is the closest to Commercial-radio friendly Country music, but unlike most of the Hollywood polished crap you might find on your local country station. Christian Kane has a heart and power to his music that only comes from appreciating the lovely burn of Whiskey and the tight ache of a hungry heart. Ranging from raucously energetic party favorites to soft crooning love songs, Kane is making music strait from his soul. A soul that knows the comforting sting of road gravel on bare feet and the exhilaration of howling at the moon fueled on Kentucky bourbon and the desire of an untamable country girl. Honest and fun, this is what country music should sound like.
So whether you're a closet twangster or a pickup driving country fan, this Triple crown is for you so raise your glass and drink it down because there's too much great music out there so be sitting at home.