Quick Pick: Thundering Asteroids! (CD Release) @ The Sandy Hut 11/07

 Friday, November 7th
Thundering Asteroids!
The Decliners /The Vacillators /  The Googins
The Sandy Hut
1430 Northeast Sandy Blvd
Cover: $3-5
Doors: 8pm
21 & Over

The overlords of Portland Nerd punk; the Thundering Asteroids will be rocking The Sandy Hut this Friday night to celebrate of the arrival of their shinny silicon child.  Conceived in throws of long passionate studio sessions and blessed with a musical genetic code that has the power of punk rock and the fun of a comic convention, The Nerd Punk Guide to the Galaxy is sure to be the musical masterpiece we've all been waiting for.
Rounding out the night will be sets by an A-list of NW Punk Rock bands primed to help celebrate this joyful event .
If you haven't taken a chance to catch this band onstage, you're truly missing out on one of the funnest live acts in town. So take this opportunity and pick-up a copy of the new CD so that great local music like this can continue to thrive. 

About Last Night: Thundering Asteroids @ Katie O'Brein's 05/24

Last Night’s show at Katie O’Brien’s is a bit of a blur as I roll into work at 5:45 this morning. I’m pretty sure there was a wookiee there, maybe even a slave girl. But to be honest, in my current state of sleep deprivation the only thing I am certain of, is that the music was phenomenal.

Opening the night was the speed and aggression of the Vacillators. A little like angry sex this band’s set was fast, raw and mind blowing fun. Boldly gritty Camille leads this band with a street wise playfulness that’s both refreshing and seductive. Punching through their set with unrelenting focus her band mate were unstoppable work horses. Kids, this is what punk looks like beyond adolescent angst and man is it beautiful. Tempered and honed, the power of this band was undeniable. To all you youngsters out there, you can only hope that your band will grow up to be this good.

Playing next was the always awesome Pitchfork Motorway and if the Vacillators’ set was like going 65 in a 35 then watching these boys was like one of those car chases you see on CNN. As always the boys attacked their songs with a wild abandon without regards to the innocent bystanders in the audience and as one of them I can’t tell you how great that is. Dangerously fun you feel like the worlds going to hop the track at any second and at these speeds who knows what crazy damage might be done. This band knows how to play a boldly tight rock n roll that’s amazing to behold. The two guitar attack of Barry and Shiggy is bold and diverse while the rhythm section of Doug and The Swede impishly play like madmen with explosives. Hands down this band plays faster, harder and with a true grasp of punk rocks emotional fury.

Finally, the Thundering Asteroids! took the mic and went to town. What they lacked in speed they make up in fun. Always to bell of the ball this band played their nerdcore tunes with a playful joy that is highly intoxicating to an audience. Celebrating the addition of their latest drummer (a resource they seem to burn through faster than quarter in an arcade) this band had an amazing set. Playing all the favorites and a few new tracks, the band got us singing along and pumping our fists to all the nostalgia inducing pop references in punk form. Clearly one of my own personal favorite bands currently playing Portland, I was not disappointed. Wild, fun and able to make you feel that all that useless pop knowledge crammed in your head isn’t worthless; I hope this drummer sticks around a while so we can get a few more great shows out of this band this summer.

I’m telling you if your not currently supporting local music, you don’t know what you’re missing because they are the most loyal and appreciative group of people you’ll ever meet. So for those of you that didn’t make it to this show, remember there’s bands playing somewhere in town every night of the week. You just have to pick a show and go.

The Triple Crown: 05/20 - 06/02

This installment of the Triple Crown has a little bit country and a little bit rock n roll, but is all soul. Filled with some amazing acts this Triple Crown also has a the added bonus of being kind to the billfold. So take your pick or see them all, either way it's a great selection of music to choose from.

Tuesday, May 21st
The Detroit Cobras
Pangea / No Good Lovers
Dante's
350 W Burnside St
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9:30PM
Adv.: $13 / Day of: $13
21 & Over

If you love music but don't know about The Detroit Cobras, something is drastically wrong. Having spent nearly the last two decades dusting off forgotten soul gems and revitalizing them with a rock perfection only they are capable of, The Detroit Cobras have earned their place as queens and kings of the musical underground.  Rachel Nagy and her band of merry men and women truly do create some of the greatest soul rockin' music around. Live, the band has few equals, bursting with an energy that attacks with the speed and force of a Bruce Lee movie.
Sharing the night is the garage magnificence of Pangea from LA and Portland's own freak rockers the No Good Lovers.Together this show should be a must, and as for the next morning. The week's already half over, why not make the hump worth getting over.       

Photo By Mark Lawrence IV

Friday, May 24th
Thundering Asteroids!
Pitchfork Motorway / The Vacillators
Katie O'Brien's
2809 NE Sandy Blvd
Show: 9PM
Donation of $3 - $5
21 & Over

Like a good meal, rock shows are always better when bands are perfectly paired. Such is the case with this punk rock show at Katie O'Brien's. The triple threat of these top tier Portland punk bands should make this night memorable. Headlining the festivities is the fabulously fun nerd-core of the Thundering Asteroids!. Righteously energetic their set is always a riot, with songs so drenched in pop culture reference that it's know to cause bouts of 80's retrograde flashbacks. Also on the bill is the all-power, no mess of  Pitchfork Motorway. Their high octane speed rock will red-line your senses and will make you beg for more . While opening the night is the garage tease of The Vacillators with their crunchy guitars and front woman Camille's sultry vocals. If you're looking for good thrills to fill your Friday night I can't think of anything better and the price line is unbeatable.     

Friday, May 31st
Patterson Hood
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi
Doors: 8PM /Show: 9PM
Adv.: $14 / Day Of: $15
21 & Over

All the best song writers are story tellers at their core. Van Morrison, Ronnie Van Zant, Springsteen and certainly Patterson Hood. As one of the front men for the Drive-By Truckers Hood has brought dignity to character back to Southern Rock. As a solo artist Hood reveals a deeper side with songs that are filled with honest stories that are revealing of the wonderful and at times heartbreaking nature of the human experience. Touring in support of this years earlier release of Heat Lighting Rumbles in the Distance, Hood will be bringing his solo act to the warm environs of our own Mississippi Studios. This rare opportunity should not be missed and with tickets still available you should move fast. Make sure you take a second and check out the interview and review of Heat Lighting Rumbles in the Distance we did earlier this year, and I hope to see you at the show.

The Triple Crown: 04/23 -05/06

I know April is all about the environment, but I'd like to petition that the latter part of the month and the first part of May should be dedicated to the amazing women of  rock'n'roll. So this Triple Crown is has three concretes that showcase some outstanding female acts gracing Portland.

Saturday, April 28th
Thundering Asteroids!
48 Thrills / The Food / The Vacillators
Club 21
2035 NE Glisan
Show:9PM
Free!!
21 & Over

If you are anything like me you have those moments where you realize that an unfair amount of your brain is filled with unprofitable pop culture trivia rather than rocket science. If that's the case, then you're going to love the Thundering Asteroids!. Littered with enough TV, movie and video game references to make your head spin this Portland band has a unique style they have affectionately dubbed:  geek-core.   Lead by the skater vixen Minn this band is having a blast putting the fun back in punk rock.Whether you're already a fan or just curious, make sure you don't miss this show as the band says goodbye to their drummer and will be taking the next few months off. Populated with a line-up of bands that all love playing with each other this is certain to be a night to remember. Heck it doesn't cost a thing, so how can you say no. 
 







Friday, May 4th
Girl In A Coma
Pinata Protest/ Sara Radle
Dante's
1 SW 3rd Ave.
Doors: 8PM /Show: 9PM
Adv.:$10
21 & Over

Darkly brooding and viciously wild at times the band Girl in a Coma seems like a wounded beast; ready to bite at anyone who ventures too close. If you've ever caught them live, it's no mystery why Joan Jett, signed them to her Blackhearts Records label. I'm sure they reminded her of her younger self, all spit and vinegar and hell bent to take on the world. It's a treat to see three women as talented as these rocking the crap out of their instruments and leaving the bloody wreckage of their hearts on the stage. Playing at Dante's, I can't think of a better venue to see this band. I caught them one of the last times they were in town and they were truly worth the money.
Join them on stage is the one woman tour de force Sara Radle and the Mexicali boarder punk of fellow Texans Pinata Protest. With music like this you got to shake off those working blues and get your weekend started right.       

Sunday, May 6th
Katie Herzig
Andrew Belle
Aladdin Theater
3017 SE Milwaukie Ave
Doors:7PM/ Show:8PM
Adv.:$15 / Day Of:$15
Minors Accompanied By Parents

Katie Herzig is a sweet souled songwriter of the highest caliber, and any time you can catch her wonderfully honest live show is a must. Finding the perfect balance between compelling song writing and pop-playfulness Herzig's music is mature enough for a more discerning audience and yet ripe with a child like wonderment potent enough to put a smile on any ones face. Blessed with a beautiful voice and a job she loves. it's apparent she loves to me on stage as much to sing as connecting with the people in the crowd. I can't think of an artist that seems to be as genuinely as nice when performing. It's that kindness and human quality that makes it such a joy to see her live. I can't wait to see her soar in the wonderful settings of the Aladdin Theater, not to mention this all ages show will allow my 12 year-old daughter, a huge fan, the opportunity to see her live. So bring the family and take in this terrific artist.