About Last Night: Hairspray Blues @ Ash Street Saloon 05/12

Last night I fought the urge. You know the one, that nagging weariness after a long days work; the one that encourages you to bag your plans for a night on the couch and bed by 11. That urge of getting old. But I did it, tired as I was, I headed down to the Ash Street Saloon and I'm damn glad I did.

The crowd was spars for a Thursday night, but in hind sight I think we'd all agree that we count ourselves lucky. The dark rings beneath our eyes and the hangovers of the next morning were our badges of honor, gladly worn with pride. All worth it for the awesome feats of musicianship we witnessed the night before.

Starting off the night was a revved up opening set by Pitchfork Motorway. Busting strait out of the gates with a full frontal guitar assault, their high tempo gasoline punk took the room by force. Unrelenting the boys banged away with each song. Like a muscle car chewing up the miles, the band pushed through their set without even the slightest pause for breath. A perfect starter for the night, Barry Williams and is gang have a sense of showmanship that is wildly aggressive and speed lovingly fun. I've been following this band for 3 years now, but this was my first opportunity to catch them live. As I suspected they were awesome. Make sure you check them out yourself, you won't be disappointed.

Unfortunately what energy Pitchfork Motorway put out was quickly dissipated by the free-form psychedelic rock of Mega Dynasty 5. Jumbled together with elements of surf, funk and ball park organ grinding, this is the kind of music I imagine Morrison and the Doors might have gotten stoned to. An experimental blend of music that lacks any true cohesion, except that possibly contrived through the use of high levels of heavy narcotics. There were moments in which I would begin to enjoy a song only for it to disintegrate into auditory chaos from which the band was never able to recover. In addition, the band seemed so disorganized on stage that I felt I now understood why I couldn't find any information on the band prior to the show. I do feel the band might be able to make something of themselves, but there's a lot of work to be done.

Luckily, the night wasn't totally lost. As the Thundering Asteroids! took control of the stage, they quickly grabbed hold of the room and shook it back to life. Their exuberant energy is so powerful it resurrected the show in just mere moments of the band's set. I grow more enamored with this band with each show I see. Endowed with spaz-tastic energy, their stage show was awesome. Like Mario in hyper-speed I found myself bouncing along with Minn and the boys, thankful that their quick actions saved me from another assault of the nagging weariness from earlier in the evening. It was apparent to all of us in the audience that this band was having a blast up on stage. That fun and enjoyment spilled out into the room making us all giddy with punk wonder and ready for Hairspray Blues.

Admittedly, "ready" might not be the right word, as I'm not sure if anyone could ever truly be ready for the pure power of Hairspray Blues. From the first count off the the last explosive crash, this band rode a freight train of energy right through us. As though possessed by a tornado, the speed and fury of Leslie Stabile on Drums and Kyle Stabile on guitars was almost frighting to witness. Aggressive and violent they tore into each song like it owed them money or had screwed their best friend. A small part of me felt sorry for their instruments, but the rest of me just enjoyed the show with a sick sense of pleasure. Minn of Thundering Asteroids! phrased it perfect when she said " After a set like that I imagine they have some wild dirty, dirty sex." The only disappointing thing about the Hairspray Blues' set was stage banter that foreshadowed a break for the band. It's not fair, now that I'm hooked, how am I going to get my fix?

This show was awesome and well worth the next-day drag at work. Hairspray Blues, Thundering Asteroids!, and Pitchfork Motorway are, in my opinion, some of the best punk bar-bands in Portland. All are worthy of a must-see status. So if you catch word that they're playing somewhere in town, join me in fighting that urge. Believe me, you'll feel younger for it.

Tuesday Double Feature: Kathryn Calder "Arrow" & Kasey Anderson "The Wrong Light"

I have always been a fan of animation, so this week's Double Feature showcase videos that use unique forms of this medium to frame some wonderful songs.

Don't forget the popcorn and enjoy.

Kathryn Calder - "Arrow"

The softer side of post-apocalyptic survival and Hope.




Kathryn Calder of New Pornographers fame will be playing with The Dimes and Himalayan Bear Tomorrow night May 18th at the Mission Theater.


Kasey Anderson & the Honkies - "The Wrong Light"

What is it that we miss as we, like the camera, moves through our lives?

"The Wrong Light" from Kasey Anderson on Vimeo.

Kasey Anderson and the Honkies will be headlining a show at Mississippi Studios tomorrow night. Check out The Triple Crown:05/17 - 05/30 for more details.

The Triple Crown: 05/17 - 05/30

This Triple Crown is filled with some fun shows, so get off your couch and enjoy yourself.


Wednesday, May 18th
Kasey Anderson & the Honkies
Gasoline Silver/Lincoln's Beard
Mississippi Studios
3939 N. Mississippi
Doors: 8:30PM/ Show: 9PM
Adv.: $5/Day Of: $7
21 & Over

The bluesy rock'n'roll of Kasey Anderson and the Honkies is a thick brew of raw guitars spread over a rhythm of industrial beats. With echos of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, Anderson revels himself as a blue collar troubadour of extraordinary caliber. Brimming with amazing stories that translate into vibrant living songs, his music is the confession of a man who carries the long miles in his shoes and the memory of loss in his chest. Live Anderson and his tightly astute band controls the stage like a crossroads preacher who's fighting for souls with his words of common mans' truth. This amazing showmanship is sure to captivate and overwhelm the audience in the quaint atmosphere of Mississippi Studios, so make sure you don't miss it.
Joining Kasey and his Honkies will be Gasoline Silver who's music is an oddly fascinating mix of Dylan and the Ramones, giving it the artsy feel of late 70's Manhattan. Finishing off the opening line up is the energetic folk of Vancouver's Lincoln's Beard who's sound lends heavily from the likes of The Band.
This a perfect show to celebrate hump day and start this Triple Crown, so breakout of your weekly rut in style. Add dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants in the area, and this will make the weekend that much sweeter once it arrives.


Friday, May 20th
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers
Hillbilly Hellcats/Honey Wars
Dante's
350 West Burnside
Doors: 8PM/Show: 9PM
Adv.:$20/Day Of:$25
21 & Over

If you know about Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, then you already have your tickets. But, if you still haven't discovered this amazing band and their fun filled live show then you need to get your ass down to Dante's for this Friday night show. Known as much for their punchy liquor fueled rock'n'roll as their loyal family of fans. A Peacemaker concert has the feel of a great party. With music richly influenced with south of the border elements that have blown across the Rio Grande on dry Arizona desert winds. Clyne and his men are road worn rockers of near legendary status with enough desert hippie and hard drinking surfer in them to make their songs wildly fun and soulfully honest.
Sharing the stage will be the raucous rockabilly of the Hillbilly Hellcats whose swinging music is wonderfully energetic and infectiously danceable. Also on the bill is an opening set by the folksy country of Portland's own Honey Wars. This is sure to be one of the funnest shows to hit Portland this month so make sure you don't miss it.

Thursday, May 26th
Guitar Wolf
Cheap Time/The Flip Tops
Dante's
350 West Burnside
Doors: 8PM/Show: 9PM
Adv.: $13.50/ Day Of: $15
21 & Over

The sound of Guitar Wolf is the angry growl of motorcycles through the over crowded streets of Tokyo and the primal scream of a people who have clawed their way out of the ashes time and time again. Aggressively powerful and abusively fast these gods of Japanese rock play their music like a physical assault; vicious and unrelenting. Blending the personality of 60's Garage rock with the fury of punk, this band has a style all of it's own. Live they are a force of nature clad in leather and speed and if you're lucky enough to survive the show you'll wear your scars with pride, showing them to anyone you can.
Opening the show is the speed punk of Portland's The Flip Tops. Their gritty garage fuzz is a perfect compliment to Guitar Wolf and an amazing way to open up the show. Additional support comes in the form of the new wave psychedelic of Cheap Time.
A chance to see a band this good in a small venue like Dante's doesn't come around too often so make sure you don't miss it.

By the Light of the Stereo is now on Facebook

Hey there all,
Just wanted to let you know that you can now find By the Light of the Stereo on Facebook.
Some special treats await you on our Facebook page including Photo albums filled with concert shots that I couldn't fit on the blog. So come on over and say hi.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Lawrence IV

Writer, Editor, Photographer, basically all things By the Light of the Stereo

By The Light of the Stereo's Facebook Page

Tuesday Double Feature: Kleveland-"You're Not Sorry" & The Builders & the Butchers "Lullaby"

This marks the first installment of a new weekly feature here on By the Light of The Stereo. Every Tuesday I'll be posting two videos that have caught my eye and thought I'd pass on to everyone else.

This week I have two videos by Portland bands that feature great Music and a supernatural twist.

First up:

Kleveland's "You're not Sorry"
With awesome rock'n'roll, muscle cars and hot vampires how can you go wrong.



The Builders & the Butchers "Lullaby"
Murder and zombie revenge, do I need to say any more?

10 Questions: Eddie Spaghetti

1) What is the Favorite part of your new album Sundowner?

ES: Just Getting back into the studio with the songs that get played in my home.

2) What is the benefits and draw backs of creating music as a solo artist versus being part of a band?

ES: The benefits are things get simplified, the draw back is the juggling. The Band is like my wife and the solo is my girlfriend.

3) How do you know when writing a song, whether you will use it for the Supersuckers or your solo material?

ES: I Don't. I am never writing "for" anyone, just writing. The Older I get the harder it comes, so if it's good, wife gets first pick.

4) Blond Or brunette? Whiskey or beer? What's your preference and what's the deadliest combination?

ES: I prefer pink hair. Beer for sure. Deadliest combo? No such thing.

5) As part of the Supersuckers you've played some large venues. Do you enjoy playing the smaller spaces as a solo artist and what about it do you like?

ES: I like to play anywhere. I like it when there are fans, big or small - Someone's having a good night and that's the goal.

6) Everyone has heard of rock-star moments. Is there such a thing as a country-star moment and if so, can you describe one of your most memorable?

ES: I think country guys are too busy growing their tomatos and smokin' their weed to throw a proper fit.

7)What is the best bar in Seattle or the state of Washington to inspire a country song?

ES: Hazelwood

8) The cover art for Sundowner was done by Tim Gabor, an artist amongst many that you've worked with before. How important do you feel it is to cultivate a visual persona to a band through cover art, gig posters and other visual media?

ES: Well it use to be real important, I think and now not so much. I like the look of my solo stuff, so much so, I can't imagine using anyone else. When you see the covers together, they tell a story.

9) Do you have a favorite guitar and dose it have a name? Is there a story behind it?

ES: My Gibson acoustic is my favorite. Sometimes I call it the "Dude" but usually I refer to it as my "Little Breadwinner." No big story behind it really. I needed an acoustic guitar to record Must've Been High with and I went with the producer of that record to a guitar shop and this one caught my eye(and my ear!). It's an awesome tool!

10) What is the name of 5 bands you love but few people have heard of?

ES: The Troublemakers

Danko Jones

The Dwarves

The Hangmen

Zen Guerilla

The Triple Crown : 05/03 - 05/16

This Triple Crown has a little bit of everything, from rootsy-pop, fun punk frenzy and old soul song writing. There's sure to be something for everyone. So get out of the house and reclaim the night, because once it gets warmer it's going to get crowded.

Friday, May 6th
The Dimes
Derby/Violet Isle
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors:8PM /Show: 9PM
Adv.:$8/Day Of:$10
21 & Over

This night of homegrown indie rock is filled with an A-list of some of Portland's movers and shakers. Top of the list is the rootsy pop of The Dimes. With a perfect balance of earthy acoustics and pop sensibility these boys are in the same class as The Shins and The Decemberists. Having spent the last few years perfecting their stage presence this show in the intimate setting of the Doug Fir should be fantastic.
Opening the show are two bands with their own clout in the local indie circles. Derby's living room pop is energetic and comfortably familiar. Dynamically fun, their sound is a perfect compliment to The Dimes. Meanwhile, the Violet Isle has a music that is wonderfully multi-faceted. Bold and detailed all at the same time their acoustic pop gives each song a distinct flavor.
No matter how you look at it, this is a great way to get your weekend started off right.


Thursday, May 12th
Hairspray Blues
Thundering Asteroids!/Mega Dynasty 5/Pitchfork Motorway
Ash Street Saloon
225 SW Ash St
Show:9:30PM
Cover:$5
21 & Over

The walls of the Ash Street Saloon will be pulsing with a punk-frenzied-sweetness so powerfully luscious they're going to feel it all the way in Lake O. With a line up that includes 3 of Portland's best little secrets this show should be one for the record books.
Headlining the night is the primitive beats and ferocious six-string attack of Hairspray Blues. Their dark bastard blues is made of the bassets of emotions and claws at the scenes with the sames addictive thrill as a good 70's horror flick . Stripped of any pretentiousness and blessed with just the slightest of garage-retro-voodoo this band is wickedly delectable.
Joining them on stage is a who's who of Portland's funnest acts and a visitor from the Cajun country. Top of the list is the geek chic pageantry of Thundering Asteroids!. Their nostalgia rock is lighthearted and youthfully energetic, elements only magnified by the stage presence of the band and their lead singer, a bonafide fanboy-siren. In addition the high octane garage punk of Pitchfork Motorway is sure to get the crowd worked into a lather with their face melting, rubber burning fury. Completing the lineup is Mega Dynasty 5 visiting from New Orleans, a complete mystery, but sometimes that can be the tastiest of treats.
This line up has no equal and with only a $5 cover, they're almost paying you for this awesome show.


Saturday, May 14th
Joe Pug
Celilo(CD Release)/Strand Of Oaks
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors:8PM/Show: 9PM
Adv.:$10/Day Of:$12
21 & Over

Like the sudden discovery of an unexpected treasure, I'm anticipating this show at the Doug Fir with bated breath. Somewhere between Ray LaMontagne, Chris Smither, and Classic Bob Dylan, the music of Joe Pug is boldly haunting. Filled with some of the most insightful and thought provoking lyrics I have heard in years, his richly organic songs are a folk, as powerful as wisdom itself. His live presence is certain to be an awe inspiring thing that will send tingles strait up the spine leaving your head swimming in a euphoric bliss.
Opening the show is Portland's own Celilo whose mid-west soul is ripe with broad strokes of instrumental texture with liberal leanings toward early Neil Young. This hometown band will be celebrating the release of their latest album. So support local music by picking up a copy. Finally, filling out the rest of the bill is the breathy ethereal dream-scape folk of Philadelphia based Strands of Oaks.
A night of amazing music, this is defiantly a show not to miss and the perfect way to earn your triple crown.