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.       

About Last Night: Michael Dean Damron @ The Blue Monk 01/27

Last night was just one of those nights. I was tired, parking sucked and I couldn't get my camera to work. It's one of those night's when I wonder to myself why I keep doing this shit. But sitting there in the basement of The Blue Monk, I remembered that in the end the only reason I do any of this is for the music. There might not be fame or fortune at the end of the night but it doesn't matter when you get the chance to see a show this good.

Opening the night was an acoustic solo set by Dylan Summers. Best know as the front man for the working class punk band My Life In Black And White, thankfully his powerfully dark lyrics came across as equally potent in this pared down format. Singing a mix of My Life standards and a few newer songs, Summers highlighted a raw emotional well from which he seems to draw even deeper when it's just him and a guitar on stage. It's a treat to see that an artist like Summers has more than one facet. With My Life currently on hiatus, I look forward to seeing more of Summers solo work. I feel he is developing into an awesome song writer and was a perfect choice to warm up the crowd and set the mood for the night.

As Dylan's set wrapped up it was clear that the crowd had filled in nicely with family, friends and long time fans, all there to support Micheal Dean Damron. Like most of them, I too was there to witness and be part of his recording of a live album slated for release sometime later this year on the Suburban Home label. So as Damron stepped to the stage, joined by harp man extrodinar David Lipkind and Eric Kotilla on percussion, the room was nearly buzzing with excitement. Maybe he was feeling it too because halfway through the first song he forgot the lyrics and so in perfect Damron fashion he said "F**k It!" and launched right into the next song on the set list. I sure as hell hope they keep that for the record.

With that hiccup out of the way the rest of the show went great. Playing a diversely rich set, Damron tore into a long list of songs that included a broad mix of originals from the last ten years and some wonderfully unexpected covers from artists so drastically different as David Allan Coe and Concrete Blonde. Aggressive and raw Damron ripped away at each of these tunes with his wonderfully ragged voice and a passion so powerful we in the audience were awe struck as he gave new life to these songs we love so much. As usual Lipkind blew away on his harp with an unearthly vigor that took this performance and these songs to the next level. Over all this was an amazing night filled with the outstanding energy we have come to expect out of Micheal Dean Damron over the years. If the record captures even half the energy of the night then it might become, in some circles, as cherished as Johnny Cash: Live at Folsom Prison.

Walking through the cold night to my car, I had a clear and present reminder of what I'm doing this for. Even the day after, the songs dancing around in my head and body buzzing with the energy of last night. I count myself blessed, because life is better when it's filled with music this good.