The Triple Crown: 05/06 - 05/19

In this edition of The Triple Crown we're highlighting some of the amazing bands that are playing opening slots in the next two weeks. With richly vibrant music and top-notch live shows, these bands are worth the price of admission on their own. So get to the shows early because the you'll not want to miss a note. 



Saturday, May 11th
Super Water Sympathy
Redwood Son / Cody Beebe & The Crooks(Headliners)
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside St
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Adv.: $10 / Day Of: $12
21 & Over 

The dreamy self-styled water pop of the Louisiana based Super Water Sympathy is boldly ripe with emotions. With the ability to rage like flood waters or fall hapless like soft rain, the music of this band is a wonderfully malleable thing that has the beauty of a waterfall and the cleansing properties of a baptism. Fronting the band is the wonderfully fluid sirens call of Ansley Hughes whose luscious tones are unforgettable. Touring on the heals of their sophomore release Hydrogen Child the band will be opening for the roots-rock powerhouse of Cody Beebe & the Crooks. Known for their working class anthems and the lovely crunch of their blues guitar rock the band will be celebrating the release of their own latest album Out Here. Finishing out the lineup is the folk pop of Portland's own wonderfully talented  Redwood Son. With a pairing like this the night should be unforgettable.






Wednesday, May 15th
Hanni El Khatib
Wall of Death / The Black Angels(Headliners)
Wonder Ballroom
128 NE Russell St
Doors: 7:30PM / Show: 8PM
Adv.: $16 / Day Of: $18
21 & Over

The fuzzedelic garage rock of LA based Hanni El Khatib has all the guitar crunch and unabashed rhythm you want to in your music. Boldly aggressive and wildly energetic this is the soundtrack of crime sprees and dive bar brawls. Dirty in all the right ways the concussive power of Khatib will grab your attentions with an evil eye and an switch blade smile. A perfect compliment to the headlining act The Black Angels whose murky dredge rock holds all manner of hidden secrets and buried bodies.You might want to tuck a little money in the bottom of your shoe, cause with a show like this who knows where you'll wake up. While you're their make sure to pickup a copy of Hanni El Khatib's new album Head in the Dirt .
Make no mistake, the damage your going to sustain from this show will last for years but the stories will make you a legend. 
      




Friday, May 17th
Sassparilla
World's Finest / The Quick & Easy Boys(Headliners)
Wonder Ballroom
128 NE Russell St
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Adv.: $11 / Day Of: $12
 21 & Over

If you haven't seen Sassparilla  live, it's a damn shame. Quite easily one of the best stage shows in Portland, this wild roots rocking jug band is unforgettable. Their sweet mix of juke-joint blues and prohibition jazz is fueled by authentically potent emotions. Armed with the instruments of a by gone era including a wash board, cigar box guitar and washtub bass, Sassparillia brings their classic sound to the modern day with clear and powerful amplification. Like a roving band of carpet-baggers Sassparillia, seems hellbent on finding some sort of salvation in the loving embrace of an audience.Their set, no matter how short should be a highlight of this uniquely eclectic show at the Wonder Ballroom. Also on the bill is fellow openers World's Finest with their broad musical influences and the wildly fun Quick & Easy Boys holding the headlining slot. This show is the perfect ending for an amazing Triple Crown so make sure you pace yourself so you can make it through three of these awesome shows.

The Triple Crown: 05/21-06/03

I thought I'd make it easy on every one and so this Triple Crown showcases three shows at the awesome Doug Fir Lounge. With great food and drinks and a rustically beautiful performance space the Doug Fir is the perfect place to catch some music, so I tried to pick some great bands playing their the next two weeks.  




Tuesday, May 22nd
We Are Serenades
Yards
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors: 8PM/ Show: 9PM
Adv.: $10/ Day Of: $12
21 & Over

You can't help but to feel good listening to the music of Sweden's We Are Serenades. I don't know if I've heard such optimistic music since the synth drenched 80's of my childhood. With a wide range of styles you're sure to find something about this band and their music to love. With instrumental and vocal elements that gravitate with all sincerity towards bands like Big Country and Ah-ha, We are Serenades have chosen to focus on the silver lining. Fortunately the band dose so with an evolved artistic integrity that should provide this duo with a more lasting presence. Touring in support of their debut album Criminal Heaven this pair of highly-regarded Swedish songwriters should charm the masses. Joining them on stage is the sonic tidal-wave of the band Yards.This is certainly a wonderful start to another Triple Crown.    



Thursday, May 31st
Wintersleep
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors: 8PM/ Show: 9PM
Adv.:$10 /Show:$12
21 & Over

The phasing atmospheric sound of Wintersleep is filled with misdirections and audio magic that leaves the listener entranced and amazed. Their heady style of alt-rock perfectly balances energy and artful subtleties that is sure to sound amazing off the earthy wood walls of the Doug Fir Lounge. With a danceable rhythm that is near infectious and vocal harmonies sweetly layered into music that  teeters towards psychedelic madness, this band has made a name for itself. Set to release their third album Hello Hum in early June this show should highlight some of the awesome material off the forthcoming album.       




Friday, June 1st
Redwood Son
Gavin Wahl-Stephens / Cody Beebe & The Crooks/ The Wheeler Brothers
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors:8PM/ Show: 8:30PM
Adv.: $8 /Day Of: $10
21 & Over

This evening of Progressive American should be amazing. From bluesy rock to acoustic storytelling there's a wide range of styles that fall under the the title of Americana and you'll get to see a little bit of them all. Headlined by the rich west coast American-soul of Redwood Son whose songs are ripe with musical emotions. Josh Malm plays music that lies somewhere between rusty blues and  groovy acoustic funk and has the ability to convey the ache of long months of rain and the joy of perfect Oregon summers.
Filling out the rest of the line up is an amazing collection of bands including fellow Pacific Notherwesterns Gavin Wahl-Stephens and Cody Beebe & The Crooks and The Wheeler Brothers all the way from Austin Texas. This should be an awesome night to take in some new music and to start off the new month so come on down and finish out The Triple Crown strong.