Quick Pick: Saint Warhead @ Branx 05/10

Friday, May 10th
Saint Warhead
IAME / Quiz Zilla / Bad Habitat/ Tawk Sicc
Branx
320 SE 2nd Ave
Doors: 8PM
Cover: $5 or $10 with CD
21 & Over

Hip Hop versus zombies, why wouldn't you go to this show? Admit it, you got a thing for the the undead, whether its World War Z, Romero's classic films, or you've just hopped on to the Walking Dead band wagon the mobs of shuffling corpses have your attention. Saint Warhead knows it's true, and with aggressive beats and lethal rhyme attacks he's going to take out as many of the rotting bastards that he can before becoming one himself or eating a bullet.

Celebrating the release of his latest album #Zombie Kisses, Saint Warhead has amassed some of the best hip hop in Portland for the occasion. This should be one of the record books. With a stage set for a  high caliber line-up that includes IAME of the Sandpeople, wise beyond his years Quiz Zilla, Portland's favored sons Bad Habitat, and the suave Tawk Sicc this night might in fact raise the dead. Just to warn you though, don't be surprised if you glimpse one of the cursed among the crowd. Word gets through the graveyard like guts spill through teeth and with no cover for zombie ladies and undead dancers, you might want to keep a tight hold on your brain pan. So take precautions, but don't miss this show and if tonight is the start of the zombie apocalypse make sure to go for the head.     

About Last Night: Hurry Up @ Mississippi Studios 05/05

Last night’s show at Mississippi Studios was a showcase of some of the amazing female musicians this city has to offer.

First on deck was the thunderous rock n roll of the Summer Cannibals. The newest group on the bill, this band is truly developing into a local powerhouse. Oozing a boldly aggressive sensuality Jessica Bourdreaux and the crew play their garage dirty tunes with a strutting confidence that builds with each song. Calculating and controlled their performance had a baser feel like a hunter stalking prey. Coordinated guitar attacks and uncanny stage awareness added to the visual aesthetic of their set. While forcefully dive into songs without losing control, proved them to be masters of their art. I swear this band gets better with each show and it’s getting me excited for the release of there debut album, rumored for this July. If you haven’t seen them yet, make it a priority.

Next to the stage were Kim Baxter and her band. Enjoyably confident they performed their dreamy mod rock with a polished crispness that spoke volumes of the experience of these musicians and the bond between them. Radiating a euphoric optimism, Baxter seemed at home on stage and the resulting effect it had on the music was apparent. Beautifully energetic, the clarity of the bands fuzz lovely songs spilled from the stage lightening hearts and limbs while leaving us all doe-eyed for the rock n roll sweetheart that is Kim Baxter. As an audience member it’s nice to see artists that are good at what they do and enjoy doing it. If you loved her in the All Girl Summer Fun Band then make sure you check out her solo material, you won’t be disappointed.

Last up was the local super group Hurry Up. Though the shortest set in the night it truly was the most energetically wild. True to their name, the Hurry Up played fast and furious songs, bringing the punk aesthetic to the night. Trading off vocals between Maggie Vail and Westin Glass gave a unique dynamic to the show making it truly feel like collaboration instead of the Thermals with a different bass player. Musically tight, this band had the work ethic of steam engine punching through one song after another. Ultimately I would have liked to a longer set, but I was happy with what I did see. Hopefully the band will be releasing some material soon, but until then I’ll settle for the occasional show.

Without a margarita or a cerveza I guess it wasn’t much of a Cinco Di Mayo, but with all this good music on stage made for a great Sunday night.

Tuesday Dould Feature: The Black Angels "Better Off Alone" & Cody Bebee &The Crooks " Hold The Line"

Since we focused on opening acts in The Triple Crown, this week's Tuesday double Feature has videos by two of the headlining acts.

The Black Angels - "Better Off Alone"



The murky dredge rock of the Black Angels is thickly atmospheric psychedelic layered on tightly woven fuzz guitars and top heavy rhythm. Touring in support of their latest album Indigo Meadow, the band will be headlining at the Wonder Ballroom with Wall of Death and Hanni El Khatib on Wednesday May 15th. You can find the details in our latest Installment of The Triple Crown.

Cody Bebee & The Crooks - "Hold The Line"



The working class rock n roll of Cody Bebee & The Crooks is thick with blood, sweat and unruly guitar. Built with root elements of blues and down home rock this is the music of the back breaking masses. These are the anthems of those with grease beneath their nails, whiskey in their veins and those who still believe in baseball, apple pie and the American dream. Beebe will be playing the Doug Fir Lounge this Saturday night celebrating the release of their latest album Out Here. Check out The Triple Crown for the details.

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.

Cure for the Mondays: Kate Nash - "Pumpkin Soup"

Kate Nash - "Pumpkin Soup"

A little bit of whimsey to get you through your Monday.



The amazingly unique song writing of Brittan's Kate Nash is both fun and honest. Having just self-released her third album Girl Talk in early March, Nash is touring in support. Lucky for us we won't have to wait long for our chance to see her as she'll be playing Mississippi Studios next Monday night. Don't miss your chance to see this award winning musician here in our own backyard.
Here are the show details:
Monday, May 13
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi
Doors:7PM / Show:8PM
Adv.:$15 / Day Of: $15
21 & Over

Quick Pick: Hurry Up @ Mississippi Studio 05/05

Photo By Mark Lawrence IV

Sunday, May 5th
Hurry Up
Kim Baxter / Summer Cannibals
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Adv.:$5 /Day Of:$5
21 & Over

For those of you that are in need of your weekly music fix but want to avoid the downtown madness of Cinco De Mayo, this cheap show at Mississippi Studios tomorrow night is perfect. With an amazing lineup of local acts, there might not be a better bang for your buck in town. Headlining the show is the fitful energy of Hurry Up. A dynamic three piece that plays a raw crunchy rock n roll made of tightly woven full throttle chaos. Consisting of Maggie Vail and Thermals' alum Kathy Foster and Westin Glass this threesome are known to make some ruckus.

Photo By Mark Lawrence IV

Equally deserving of mention are the two opening acts of Kim Baxter and the Summer Cannibals. Long time Portland music staple Kim Baxter is well remembered as a member of the All Girl Summer Fun Band. Now a solo artist under her own monicker, Baxter is playing a boldly atmospheric electro-mod-rock. Finishing off the line up is the Summer Cannibals. The youngest group on the bill, this band of new comers to the Portland scene has some of the greatest potential I've seen in years. Having caught one of their recent shows I was blown away by the powerful nature of their crunchy fuzz rock and the Honestly raw sensuality of front woman Jessica Boudreaux. This is one of those show where you'll want to get there early to catch all the great music. So come on down and have dinner at one of the many amazing eateries lining Mississippi and make a night of it before you have to start another week of the grind.  

Tuesday Double Feature: Bleached "Next Stop"& Kim Baxter "Devil On My Side"

This week's Tuesday Double Feature focuses on two female garage pop acts coming to Portland this week. So take a listen, dust off your mod wear and get yourself to a show.

Bleached - "Next Stop"


Made up of Jennifer and Jessie Calavin, the LA sister act Bleached are cruising high with their sun baked garage pop. Having just released their debut album Ride Your Heart on the Dead Oceans label, the ladies are on the road in support. They'll be playing the Star Theater this Friday, May 3rd.
Details:
Doors:8:30PM / Show:9PM
Adv.: $5/ Day Of: $5
21 & Over


Kim Baxter - "Devil On My Side"


No stranger to the Portland music scene, Kim Baxter spent ten years in the All Girl Summer Fun Band. Now on her own, Baxter released her first solo album last spring The Tale of Me and You with the recent vinyl re-release on the German label Expect Candy. She'll be playing Sunday, May 5th at Mississippi Studio with Hurry Up and the Summer Cannibals.
Details:
Doors: 8PM/ Show:9PM
Adv.: $5/ Day Of: $5
21 & Over