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.

Sound Art: Witch Mountain @Mississippi Studios

Sound Art is a new feature at BLS that will highlight the amazing work of visual artists that create gig flyers/posters, t-shirt designs and album covers. The music would be there with out them but it just wouldn't be as cool.

So to launch this segment off right, we have this awesome Poster for the February 17th Witch Mountain show at Mississippi Studios.



Designed by Witch Mountain drummer Nathan Carson. He used this awesome image from the 1968 Sci-fi B-thriller The Green Slime.

Tuesday Double Feature:Water Tower "Meet Me Where The Crow Don't Fly" & Quiet Life "Jim's Wedding Band"

This weeks Tuesday Double Feature has two videos from local Portland artists that have a little folk flavor to their music. So sit back and in enjoy the sweet organic twang of the Pacific Northwest.


Water Tower - "Meet Me Where The Crows Don't Fly"

I don't know where this was filmed, but I wish I was there.



The organically rustic music of Water Tower, Formally the Water Tower Bucket Boys, is rich with the Northwest folk sound. With songs that can range from energetically playful to painfully mournful this Portland band has something for anyone with an appetite for good music. They'll be celebrating the release of their Where the Crows Don't Fly EP Later this month, so keep an eye out for details in The Triple Crown.


Quiet Life -"Jim's Wedding Band"

If only all wedding were as fun as this.



With opening spots for the Alabama Shakes and The Builders and The Butchers, this Portland Band is quickly gaining ground and winning new audiences. Their style of Folk rock has a classic late 60's, early 70's sound that's remonstrant of Haight-Ashbury Grateful Dead and The Band. Keep your eyes and ears tuned into this band because I'm sure it won't be too long before Quiet Life is a house hold name.

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.

Tuesday Double Feature: Concrete Blonde"Still In Hollywood" & Alabama Shakes"You Ain't Alone"

This week's Tuesday Double Feature has something old, something new, the video's are barrow, and look close enough there's got to be something blue. So for all you brides to be, you're all set. But for the rest of us, just take a few minutes to enjoy some good tunes.

Concrete Blonde - "Still In Hollywood"

An oldie but a goodie.




Alabama Shakes - "You Ain't Alone"

Soul music so good it can make you ache.



Both bands are playing Portland this week, check out the details in the latest installment of The Triple Crown.

The Triple Crown: 01/16 - 01/29

Filled to the brim with some amazing shows this Triple Crown is sure to have a concert for everyone. There's an old favorite, a local favorite, and a little bit of soul to make it all so good.



Tuesday, January 24th
Concrete BlondeMenkena
Star Theater
13 NW Sixth Ave
Doors:8PM/Show:9PM
Adv.:$25/Day Of:$30
21 & Over

Like most, the first time I heard the Concrete Blonds was in a dorm room, the pungent mix of incense and bad beer thick in the air. There was something beautifully primal about the voice of Johnette Napolitano that blew my mind, something in her music that echoed of the tarnished industrial sprawl of the real Los Angeles. Like the Novels of John Fante set to a post-punk soundtrack the Concrete Blondes have spent the last 3 decades telling musical stories wonderfully tragic and rich with details. Thankfully time has only seasoned Napolitano to perfection not only as a song writer but also as a singer making this rare opportunity to see her with the band that much more wonderful. Opening the night is Menkena whose dream like music is rich with bold instrumental strokes.
So whether you're a long time fan or are just in need of a good concert make sure you get your tickets early.



Friday, January 27th
Michael Dean Damron
The Blue Monk
3341 SE Belmont
Show:9PM
Cover:$5
21 & Over

The soul and music of Micheal Dean Damron lies somewhere in the mix of Barkersfield country outlaws, LA punk clubs and the rain drenched streets of Portland, Oregon. With heartbreaking songwriting that is both beautifully brutal and painfully honest Damron's songs walk a thin line between a survivor's story and cautionary tales. He is quite possibly the greatest of musical diamonds in the rough of Portland's amazing music scene. Live, Damron is wonderfully unpredictable. With a show that can range from the hardest howling rock show you'll ever see to a mournfully acoustic set that feels like the best whiskey soaked conversation you've ever had. This show should be extra special as it's being recorded for a live album so Damron is sure to be joined by some of his amazing musical friends. The pure anticipation of it all, makes this intimate show at the Blue Monk that much more exciting and a perfect candidate for this Triple Crown.





Saturday, January 28th
Alabama Shakes
Quiet Life
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors:8PM/Show:9PM
Adv.:$9/Day Of:$10
21 & Over

For those of us raised in ear shot of our parent's Motown vinyl there's something wonderfully comforting about the music of the Alabama Shakes. Powerfully reminiscent of 60's area Aretha Franklin, Carol King and Mister Otis Redding himself, the Shakes play that sweet smooth soul that makes you ache deep down in your bones. Brittany Howard's voice is a compellingly raw thing that over takes your scenes and when paired with the tightly constructed groove of her band takes on the strength of a force of nature. No matter your taste in music this band is one not to miss. So even if you can't make it to this show, though hope you can, keep your eyes peeled for their debut album slated for an April release.
Sharing the night is Portland's own Quiet Life whose rustic rock has a classic feel of it's own like tracks from a record by The Band or early Grateful Dead. Unique in their own way this match up should lend itself to a great night of music. So grab a friend and finish off this week of music strong.

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