The Triple Crown: 06/03 - 06/16

This installment of The Triple Crown is stuffed full of goodies including some wonderfully potent outlaw country, the celebrated return of one amazing Portland band, and the release of another local act's latest EP.. No matter how you line it up, it won't be hard to earn your triple crown if you don't mind missing a little sleep to catch some great  music. So cheers and have at it.

Tuesday, June 4th
The Parson Red Heads
Desert Noises / Said The Whale
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside St
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Adv.: $8 / Day Of: $10
21 & Over

The urban folk of Portland's Parson Red Heads is rich with a rustic sound. Acoustically masterful in their instrumentation  this band skirts the boundaries between pleasantly spars and perfectly layered. Vocally their lyrics are delivered in a warmly comforting manner that has the feel of a late summer evening. Refreshing in a  classical style this band and their wonderful sound are a joy to experience both recorded and live. A fact made sweeter by the celebration of the release of  their latest E.P. "6."
Just as exciting is the return of Desert Noises to Portland. Boldly powerful, this band 's music wonderfully pieces together grand elements of sound to form awesomely unforgettable songs. I had the pleasure of catching them last time they were in town and their performance blew me away. Also on the bill is the vibrant rock energy of Said the Whale making for a great night of music.    

Friday, June 7th
My Life in Black and White
Youthbitch
Dante's
350 W Burnside St
Show: 9PM
Adv.: $7 / Day Of: $7
21 & Over

This show at Dante's marks the triumphant return of Portland's blue collar punk band My Life In Black and White. This isn't the adolescent angst of your run of the mill mall punk .With a working class ethic, Dylan Summers' lyrics are the anthems of the hardworking masses with dirt beneath their nails and hearts filled with calloused handed dreams. This is the kind of rock n roll that makes you feel alive played by some of the best guitar slinging bastards that this town has to offer. This band could smoke a long list of internationally touring and radio played acts all without breaking a sweat. In my opinion this group is one of strongest bands to ever play this rainy city our. If you've ever seen them you know what I'm talking about and if you haven't and are reading this preview then trust my eleven years of musical coverage.
After a two year hiatus, this show is a must. Come and watch them shake off the cobwebs because it sure to be a joy to see. Sharing the stage is the is the rambunctious Youthbitch and their wild rocking energy.    


Saturday, June 15th
Whitey Morgan & the 78's
Denver
Dante's
350 W Burnside St
Show: 9PM
Adv.: $7 / Day Of: $7
21 & Over

Like the rebirth of outlaw country, Whitey Morgan digs deep from the influences of Haggard and Jennings. Rejecting the deluded travesty of the current CMT hick pop sound, Morgan plays true honky-tonk Country. Best heard in bars where the smells of cigarettes, whiskey and blood mix into a potent bouquet that is uniquely American in nature. This is the soundtrack to hard living, hard drinking and hard luck. Filled with heart ache and the wreckage of broken promises and dead dreams these songs still hold hope for the hard headed working class dreamers that make this country strong.
Opening the night is Portland's own Denver who's haunting petal steel and mournful vocals are the perfect musical companion to Morgan's headlining set. So order up some whiskey for you and your friends and chase it with a pitcher of beer or a bottle of wine. If you got it in you, take them both and earn your own triple crown.