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: 02/13 -02/26

At first glance you might not think there's a common thread connecting the shows of this Triple Crown, but unlike the Grammy's the common thread is Good Music. So whether you need a fix of metal, glam rock or folk there's a show waiting for you.



Friday, February 17th
Witch Mountain (CD Release)
Sons of Huns /Bison Bison
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi
Doors:8:30PM/Show:9PM
Adv.:$8/Day Of:$8
21 & Over

If you're in need of your monthly metal fix, look no further. This show at Mississippi Studios is sure to hit the spot. Headlining the night is the bluesy sludge metal of Witch Mountain. Celebrating the release of their highly acclaimed South of Salem album to CD, this weighty doom rock is a righteously thick mix of instrumentation topped by the Joplin like vocals of Uta Plotkin. Profoundly dense and atmospheric, this music is sure to find favor even in those who aren't struck with metal cravings. In addition to the CD release this show also marks the swan-song for long-time bassist Dave Hoopaugh, so make sure you don't miss this chance to see the band in their original line-up. Opening the show are the Sons of Huns and Bison Bison, two amazing bands of their own making for a memorable evening.


Thursday, February 23rd
The Darkness
Foxy Shazam/Crown Jewel Defense
Roseland Theater
8 NW 6th Ave
Doors:7PM/Show:8PM
Tickets West:$23
All Ages

The beautiful bastard child of Queen and Slade, The Darkness is a band that believes from their very core that rock'n'roll should be irreverent, sexy, and above all fun. Though don't be mistaken, these boys from Britain might have a tongue-in-cheek attitude, but they're certainly no joke. Grand and loud this band knows how to throw down, with a full frontal guitar assault that is feared by most dictators and a musical pedigree of the most influential British rock and metal bands pulsing through their veins one must wonder the sheer will power The Darkness must employ to not conquer the world.
Lending additional power and flash are Foxy Shazam and Crown Jewel Defense who are certain to work the crowd into a frenzy. So, whether you buy a ticket for this show or not you're sure to feel it as they rock the hell out of the Roseland Theater, but if you're one of the lucky ones to see the rise of this phenix it's something that you can tell your grandchildren.



Friday, February 24th
Water Tower (CD Release)
Sassparilla / C.W.Beck
McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd Ave
Show:7PM
Free!
All Ages

Playing a richly organic Dust Bowl-Americana folk the boys of Water Tower, formally the Water Tower Bucket Boys, tap a vein of blue grass wonderment that can move even the most hardened of urban-nites. With songs that range from mournful down and out ballads to energetic hoedown numbers, this band has a bit to offer everyone. Celebrating the release of their Where the Crows Don't Fly EP, it should be a good night. A few pints in, you're sure to find yourself dancing in the converted hallways of McMenamins' Kennedy School. Joining them on stage is fellow Portland musician C.W. Beck and the band Sassparilla who will bring their signature speak easy blues and their famously wild live show that is nothing short of jaw dropping.With all that said, how can you pass up free music? With the economy the way it is, you got to take the breaks when they come and with music this good you'd be a fool to miss out. Not to mention, you can take the whole family, what a deal.

Tuesday Double Feature: The Slants "You Make Me Alive" & Sassparilla " My First Lover"

All jokes aside about how everyone in Portland is in a band, one of the greatest things about living in here is all the music. Not only is there a endless list great bands but their music stretches all across the board from Blues, Hip Hop, Rock and country. This week's Double Feature highlights two Brand new videos form two uniquely Portland bands.
Enjoy.


The Slants - You Make Me Alive





Sassparilla - My First Lover