Birthday Binger-Part 1:Let's hear it for the ladies

It's been 4 years since I drank enough to howl at the moon. In those days I use to be famous for celebrating my birthday with a little more than the needed amount of friendly libations. Now sober, I still have a tendency toward toasting another year of life with a little binging. These days it's with a whole lot of live music in the two weeks leading up to my birthday. So this is the first of two articles previewing the six awesome shows I'm hoping to catch in the next two weeks. I hope to see you at a few.


Thursday, August 18th
Avengers
Roxy Epoxy & The Rebounds/Defect Defect/Ari Shine
Dante's
350 West Burnside
Doors:8PM /Show: 9PM
Adv.:$10 /Day Of:$12
21 & Over

Penelope Houston is a pivotal figure in Punk rock whether the world knows it or not, and a concert by the Avengers is better than a visit by royalty. Having originally existed in a short span of time between 1977 to 1979 this band ran with the likes of the Sex Pistols, X and the Dead Kennedy's and created some of the most meaningful punk rock that ever existed. Their music was not just rage and rebellion, it was raw emotion given purpose and their brief run might in fact have, in my opinion, legitimized punk rock as a musical form. The ground work they laid has shaped all the music that followed. Whether you like punk rock or not this is a show you don't want to miss.
Blessed with the opportunity to support this band is Portland's siren of synth-punk Roxy Epoxy and her band the Rebound. Energetic and powerful in her own right she is a perfect compliment to these trailblazers of punk. Also on the bill is the berserker assault of Defect,Defect and the unique pairing of Ari Shine's rock'n'roll. If your withing 400 miles of Portland or Seattle this weekend you need to make this show.


Sunday, August 21st
The Ettes
Hans Condor/My Goodness
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors:8PM/Show:9PM
Adv.:$10/Day Of:$12
21 & Over

The musical equivalent to the perfect storm, The Ettes have a power and energy that can lift cars and up root trees. Their fuzz rich guitars and strutting groove makes a raw sexy sound that feel lusciously dirty and is delivered with a speed that causes whiplash in those improperly secured. With the tornado fury of Poni on drums and the deceptively aggressive precision of Coco and Jem; live, this three piece might have no equal.Touring in support of their latest audio masterpiece Wicked Will; Coco and the crew reveal a new unshakable confidence and the slightest effects of the outlaw country of their new home town of Nashville.
I saw this band 2 years ago at Slabtown and have been jonesing for a chance to see them again ever since. Joining them on stage, like two brothers, is the bluesy aggression of Hans Condor whose powerful music is a thunderously sweaty beast while the broken blues of My Goodness has a smoother yet just as effective come on.



Monday, August 22nd
White Mystery
Shannon & The Clams/The Men/Milk Music/Hurry Up
East End203 SE Grand Ave
Show:9PM
Price: $8
21 & Over

The bold fuzztastic rock'n'roll of Chicago based White Mystery is a powerful thing made of an audio force that can topple buildings. Their crunchy garage madness is an assault of viciously raw guitar and a blunt force attack of brutal drumming. Like a page out of Phil Specters "Wall of sound", this brother and sister duo make the music that melts the brain and infects your body with an unforgiving rhythm. Live their energy is highly unstable and verges on volatile. Like their wild locks of vibrant red hair Alex and Francis are barely containable when on stage which will make this night at the East End outrageously fun.
Sharing the bill is four other awesome bands. Headlining is the 50's garage flashback phenomenon of Shannon and The Clams. While the supporting slots are held by the wild sonic freakout of The Man, the boldly raw force of Milk Music and the freshly birthed super-group of Hurry Up. Jammed pact with music there's no better way to spend this Monday night.

Tusday Double Feature: White Mystery "Powerglove" & Roxy Epoxy and The Rebound "Unnamed"

This Tuesday Double Feature highlights two amazing acts playing in Portland this coming week. Check out the videos and then catch them live, you won't regret it.

White Mystery - Powerglove

A redheaded love fest with an amazing garage rock soundtrack.



The sibling team up of Chicago based White Mystery play a bold powerful garage rock that's dirty in all the right way. They'll be playing at the East End, with a gang of bands on Monday the 22nd. Check out our preview of the show.

Roxy Epoxy and the Rebound - Unnamed

A low budget video but great song.



Portland's own queen of synth-punk Roxy Epoxy and her band the Rebounds will be opening for punk royalty the Avengers this Thursday night the 18th. If you want to read more about is check out this write up.

10 Questions: Mark Ortmann of The Bottle Rockets

1) Your newest album, Not So Loud was recorded at the Lucas School House in St. Louis. What in particular about this venue and show made you decide to record your acoustic album there?

MO: The Lucas School House was an intimate listening room with good acoustics and sound system, making it well-suited for the audience and performers.

2) On the new album you re-imagined and re-tooled 13 songs from your extensive catalog. What process did you take in choosing the songs you would use for the album?

MO: We chose the best performances with the best recording quality and technical aspects. However, with over four hours of music recorded over two nights, we were selective in choosing only enough for a single disc.

3) What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of an acoustic show verses an electric? Is it a misnomer that you need less equipment for an acoustic show?

MO: The quieter volume of an acoustic performance can allow songs to be heard easier. An acoustic show seems to require about as much equipment as an electric show, but the gear is much lighter to carry. I guess it's easier on our ears and our backs.

4) In converting from electric performance to an acoustic one how did the drum parts evolve?

MO: I stripped down the drum set to just a bass drum, snare drum and hi-hat, and modified the drum parts to fit within that confinement. Playing with those restrictions forced me to approach the drum parts from a different creative space.

5) Rock and Jazz are know for their drummers, from the antics of Tommy Lee to the skill of Gene Krupa. Who do you gain influence from and are their specifically any Country music drummers among the list.

MO: Some of my favorite old-school drummers are John Bonham, Joe Morello, Clyde Stubblefield, Ringo Star, and Art Blakey. I do admire the talents of many of the Nashville session drummers, but none have necessarily influenced my style.

6) In past interviews you’ve sites influences like Jim Chrochy and David Gates. What are the names of current or newer bands/musicians that have had an effect upon the music of the band? With changes in the line up over the years, did that infuse new influences?

MO: I can't think of newer acts that have influenced the band, but yes, new band members do bring different influences to the band. Not all band members share the same exact tastes in music, so each brings their unique talents when they join.

7) The Bottle Rockets have been around for almost 2 decades, in that time what has been the most significant changes to the music industry? What have you done as a band to survive these changes?

MO: The biggest change has been the decline or necessity of record labels because of the Internet. Anybody can post or share free music in the spirit of do-it-yourself. We are slow at keeping up with the newest web technologies.

8) Over the years you’ve been connected with several record labels with both positive and negative results. To date you’ve released the most albums with the Chicago based Bloodshot label. What is it about this label that’s made the difference?

MO: Bloodshot (Records) does what they say and doesn't promise what they can't.

9) Your 2002 album Song of Sahm, a tribute to Doug Sahm that demonstrated your love of his music and the respect of his craft. Name 3 other songwriters that you feel are long over due for a tribute album.

MO: I haven't thought about it, but there is such a glut of tribute albums at this point, is there anybody who hasn't had one made yet?

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

MO: I'm embarrassed to admit I'm out of touch with that.