The Triple Crown: 07/29 - 08/11

Thursday, August 1st
Summer Cannibals(Record Release)
Grandparents / XDS
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Adv.: $5 / Day Of: $5
21 & Over

In my opinion one of the best new bands in Portland the Summer Cannibals will be celebrating the release of their debut album No Makeup, at Mississippi Studios this Thursday evening. Their grungy fuzz rock is raw and boldly rhythmic.  Fronted by the sultry voice of Jessica Boudreaux the cannibals have a sound that melds  DIY punk with garage rock a-go-go. Like an L7 for a new generation this band is taking all the right strides to stardom. If the album is any sign, this band has a lot of awesome music to share with the world, but you're going to have to get your own copy at the show to find out.
Also on the bill is the uniquely different psychedelic styling of Portland based bands the Grandparents and XDS. It's sure to be a great show so come on out and make sure you pick up a copy of the new album.  

Saturday, August 3rd
Blown Fuses Bloody Ears Comp. Release Party
Stumblebum / 42 Ford Prefect / The Thornes / The Anxieties / Dartgun and the Vignettes/ Thundering Asteroids
Tonic Lounge
3100 NE Sandy
Show: 8PM
Cover: $6
21 & Over

The Portland punk event of the summer, if not the year, this show at the Tonic is not to be missed by lovers of the local music scene. Celebrating the release of Blown Fuses Bloody Ears, an amazing new compilation on the local Volume Bomb Records label. This show has a line up of some of the best punk bands our town has to offer. From the nerd core of the Thundering Asteroids! to the speed frenzy of 42 Ford Prefect, there is sure to be something for everyone. With six bands for six bucks this show is easy on the wallet and there's no better bang for your buck this weekend.So make your way down to the Tonic and be sure to tuck a little extra money in your shoe to pick up a copy of this great compilation at the end of the night.     

Wednesday, August 7th
Bobby Bare Jr.
Mike Coykendall / Gabriel Mintz
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Adv.: $12 / Day Of: $12
21 & Over

The son of country music royalty and the pupil of Shel Silverstein, Bobby Bare Jr. has all the makings of a songwriting prophet. Awkwardly honest and painfully heartbreaking at times he is a survivor of drugs, sex and rock 'n' roll.  Blessed with a touch of the whimsical, the songs of Bare Jr are snapshots of the world in all of it's laughable chaos. Live, their are few equals. Able to tap an energy that boarders on madness you will never forget your first Bobby Bare Jr. show and ever after, will crave any chance to see him again. Topping off the show will be the Neil Young-styled rock of Gabriel Mintz and the concrete-folk of Mike Coykendall.
Still a great price at $12 bucks this show is certainly a must do, so  make a night of it with dinner at one of Mississippi's great eateries and stay for one of the best shows you'll ever see.

Cure for the Mondays: 42 Ford Prefect - "These Are Not The Waves You're Looking For"

42 Ford Prefect - "These Are Not The Waves You're Looking For"

Nerds will inherit the earth.



The speed-core punk of 42 Ford Prefect is aggressive and focused in all of it's D.I.Y. greatness. Guitarist Keith Littlefeild is the also the brains and bronze behind Volume Bomb Records that just released Blown Fuzes Bloody Ears a compilation of some of Portland's best indie-punk bands. In honor of the comps release, Saturday August 3rd, the Tonic Lounge will be hosting what might the the musical event of the Summer. In attendance will be many of the bands for the CD including the strength of fury of 42 Ford Prefect.  So make sure you come out and support your favorite local punk band and pick-up a copy of the amazing
 

Tuesday Double Feature: Beth Hart "Boom Boom Bang Bang" & Imelda May "Mayhem"

Beth Hart - Boom Boom Bang Bang



The boldly sensual soul of Beth Hart's music has been perking up ears for over a decade now.Having released not one but two albums in the last year Hart is burning the candle strong and still making the amazing music she's known for. Having recently recorded with Buddy Guy and performed with Jeff Beck, Hart is quickly earning her title as a queen of the blues. Currently on an extensive European tour that will take her through fall and winter, we can only hope she'll be touring the states next.

Imelda May - Mayhem



The bluesy rockabilly saunter of Ireland's Imelda May has all the attitude of a switch blade yielding gun moll.
Her album Mayhem is ripe with a classically swaying jive that could be right out of a Russ Meyer's film.
Whatever Imelda May is doing, she must be doing it right cause later this month she'll be opening for Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band at the Wrecking Ball Weekender in Kilkenny, Ireland. So keep your eyes open cause this girls going to make waves.  

Cure for the Mondays: Caravan Palace - " Dramophone"

Caravan Palace - "Dramophone"

Here is a quirky little dance video to get your week started right.



The techno swing styling of Caravan Palace will be spinning into town this Wednesday evening at our own Star Theater. This French group has created a sweetly fun hybrid sound that translates the danceable jive of big band swing through a digitally malleable voice. Touring in support of their latest release Panic, this band should be a joy to see live so get your dancing shoes on an make your way on down to the Star Theater.

Living Room Performance: Caravan Palace - "Clash"

Caravan Palace - "Clash"

Le Trianon, Paris

2012



The French music collective Caravan Palace makes some highly addictive elector swing that will possess you with an overwhelming urge to dance. My advice, just give in. Touring in support of their sophomore album Panic the band will be in Portland this Wednesday, July 24th at The Star Theater. Check out the latest Triple Crown for more details.

The Triple Crown: 07/15 - 07/28

This installment of The Triple Crown has a wide range of bands to check out, form one of Portland's leading Hip Hop bands to the French pioneers of electro-swing. So whether you are fans of one of these bands or just looking for something  new, you'll find what your looking for.

Friday, July 19th
Bad Habitat (Duel Album Release)
Monster's Ink / Load B / Eminent
The Blue Monk
3341 SE Belmont St
Show: 10PM
Cover: $7
21 & Over

The three prong attack of Portland's Underground hip hop act Bad Habitat is unrelenting and awe inspiring. This band alone has not only excited in me an interest in Portland's vibrant underground hip hop scene, but has also revitalized my faith in the genera as a whole. Celebrating the release of their latest album Paper People, the guys will be sharing the festivities with Monster's Ink who are also releasing their own new album. This show should be amazing tucked into the intimate setting of the Blue Monk. With music this powerful, the venue is sure to be bursting at the seams and exuding an wildly addictive energy that is certain to be  felt blocks away. You can't miss this show, and as an added incentive the first 50 people to pay admission will get a free physical copy of Paper People.

Sunday, July 21st
Deadstring Brothers
Root Jack 
Dante's
350 West Burnside
Door: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Cover: $8
21 & Over

The ghost highway country of Detroit based Deadstring Brothers has just enough blues rock to rattle the crossroads bones a bit. At times stoically mournful without tipping into full on depression, this band has the songwriters sensibility of wandering blue-collar spirits; While still possessing the ability to conjure a danceable strut of a Chicago blues man. On the road in support of their latest Bloodshot Release Cannery Row the Deadstring Brothers will be playing an early short set before Dante's Sinferno Cabaret.  Sharing the stage will be Portland's own three piece country-rock band Root Jack.  So eek out the last little life out of your weekend and check out this show.   

Wednesday, July 24th
Caravan Palace
GlobalRuckus
Star Theater
13 NW Sixth Ave
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Cover: $18
21 & Over

Ripe with a playfully Parisian attitude, the electro-swing of Frances' Caravan Palace has all the wonderful energy of a vertigo inspiring cabaret extravaganza. The music of this digital big band is wonderfully addictive, laced with a fun danceable energy that's hard to deny. Touring in support of their latest album Panic, which saw US release late last month this band is conquering hearts one city at a time. Warming up the crowd will be the boundless DJ styling of Portland's GlobalRuckus.  Certainly something unique, this show is great for anyone looking for something new to add to their musical arsenal. So celebrate the hump and come on out and get your dance on, because what's the point of a well rested Thursday if your life sucks.       

Quick Pick: Eddie Spaghetti @ Dante's 07/14

Sunday, July 14th
Eddie Spaghetti
Dante's
350 West Burnside
Show: 9PM
Cover: $8
21 & Over

Eddie Spaghetti, the hard rocking front man of Seattle’s Supersuckers and bad boy country convert will be playing his drunken-style country-kung-fu at Dante’s this Sunday July 14th. No stranger to the seedier bars and venues of our fair city you can guess this show should be a good one.

Spaghetti’s country songs have a great hair of the dog feel to them. Certainly composed in the blurry eyed hangover of many a rock show, they have the painful honesty and bitterness of to life hard lived and hard played on the road. Carrying the sweet burn of half whiskey and half diesel you can only wonder which might kill you first.

Celebrating the release of The Value of Nothing, his latest album on the Bloodshot label. The night should be memorable. If we’re lucky we might even have a few surprise appearances by some of Portland’s own country outlaws. So make your weekend last a little longer and ward of the Sunday-nighters with a little bit of country and what ever poison makes you smile.

Cure for the Mondays: The Mowglie's - "San Francisco"

The Mowglie's - "San Francisco"

If life could only be like a music video.



Based out of LA, The Mowglie's are 8 friends making music and having one hell of a time doing it.  Having recently released their latest album Waiting For Dawn just this last month, the band is winning hearts and minds with their boundlessly fun energy. This video and their music is the perfect thing to get you through your Monday and to top it all off, they'll be swinging up our way in October. So take a moment and check them out and remember that Friday's now one more cay closer.