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.

The Triple Crown: 04/19 - 05/02

In my life, I've drank too much Whiskey and spent too many nights chasing the White lines of endless highways not to admit that some part of me finds the twang of Country music familiar and comforting. So this Triple Crown highlights some country music everyone can enjoy. Don't worry though, this ain't the hick-pop of CMT, so order a long neck, grab your favorite girl and kick your legs up and enjoy the music .


Friday, April 22nd
Eddie Spaghetti
The Devil's Point
5305 SE Foster Rd.
Show: 9PM
Cover: $10
18+ with ID

If the music of Eddie Spaghetti was a house party, there would be empty beer cans in the front yard, panties on the doorknob and a rodeo clown passed out on the couch. Not surprising coming from a man who's day job is as the lead singer of the rock outfit The Supersuckers. Raised on outlaw country AM radio, even a punk rock icon like Spaghetti can't deny the sound in his heart. Unabashed fun these songs are perfect for drinking with your friends and sweeping the cutest girl out onto the dance floor. Admittedly there's not much room to dance at the Devil's Point but if your lucky you might find a good looking lady whose willing to share a little piece of floor with you. So leave your week behind, order yourself a drink and let the night take you where it will.



Sunday, April 24th
The Devil Makes Three
Brown Bird
Wonder Ballroom
128 NE Russell St
Door: 7:30PM/ Show: 8PM
Adv.:$15/Day of:$17(SOLD OUT!)
All Ages

Like a spontaneous back porch ho-down with enough moonshine to make everyone happy, the music of The Devil Makes Three is a wildly fun thing to experience. Their potent Dixey Bluegrass is a rich mix of Whiskey-gold water from the Mississippi delta, a powdering of Blue Ridge coal dust and enough New Orleans swing to make the body dance with a voodoo vigor.
With a youthful punk spirit that brings a fresh modern infusion into this timeless music, this trio has tapped something that's powerful whose roots reach nearly as far back as this country's origin. If you were lucky enough to get yourself a ticket, make sure you wear a pair of comfortable shoe because whether you plan on dancing or not, this music won't give you much of a choice.









Sunday, May 1st
Christian Kane
Dante's
350 West Burnside
Show: 8PM
Adv.:$13/ Day of:$15
TicketsWest
21 & Over


Of these three shows, this is the closest to Commercial-radio friendly Country music, but unlike most of the Hollywood polished crap you might find on your local country station. Christian Kane has a heart and power to his music that only comes from appreciating the lovely burn of Whiskey and the tight ache of a hungry heart. Ranging from raucously energetic party favorites to soft crooning love songs, Kane is making music strait from his soul. A soul that knows the comforting sting of road gravel on bare feet and the exhilaration of howling at the moon fueled on Kentucky bourbon and the desire of an untamable country girl. Honest and fun, this is what country music should sound like.
So whether you're a closet twangster or a pickup driving country fan, this Triple crown is for you so raise your glass and drink it down because there's too much great music out there so be sitting at home.