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Monday, August 4, 2008

Let's Talk About... What About You?

Posted by Andrew R Tonry on Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 3:27 PM

Musically speaking, it's been pretty crazy here in Grumptown these last few weeks. There was the phenomenal PDX Pop Now festival, along with Pickathon (which, thanks to Ned's reviews, I'm totally checking out next year), not to mention a slew of awesome shows like The Hold Steady, Sharon Jones at the Zoo (unfuckingbelieveable), Boris, Ray Davies, The Zombies, No Age, and probably a whole lot more I'm forgetting because they happened more than two weeks ago. Not bad, eh?

Today, and the next few days, however, feel a little slow (relatively speaking). Maybe it's just me. But you know what? I'm fine with it. I, along with my swollen, embattled liver, need a moment to breathe.

So, in the hopes of starting a dialogue, I thought I'd take this time to YOU how YOU'RE feeling about the state of Portland music. What are you happy to see? What are you missing? What rules/times/venues are putting the clamps down on an otherwise good time? Who's doing the best job? Which bouncers are the most blood-thirsty? Best show of the year so far? Biggest letdown? Who's the craziest live band around? What's a band not getting coverage here on End Hits that ought to be?

And so on...

You get the drift. It's like a "listening tour" that are all the rage in politics these days. Seriously though, I'd like to hear what y'all are thinking.

Come with it!

 

Commenting was not available when this article was originally published.

Comments (3) RSS

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1
Seems like there are too many soul-less twee acts moving here from out of state, not that I mind moving to Portland, I only mind non-rocking.
Just would like to see a bit more breadth besides electro-synth-dance-disco-punk. You know who you are.

I love seeing shows in unorthodox places too, seems to be on the rise.
Clubs - four bands seems to be pushing it these days, for the audience and especially the bands. I know it's hard to draw crowds, but when friends come to check you out, they'll either show up late and miss the openers, or won't come because you're going on at 1, kinda eventually screwing the club.


Biggest big show letdown - Police at Clark Co.

And to whomever ripped off my H2 recorder at The Melvins (they DO allow taping) -- for my next trick, I'll magically transform the PBR into piss for your hollowed eye sockets.
Posted by D on August 4, 2008 at 6:24 PM · Report
2
PS - cause I really went to see Elvis Costello, though I can't blame him
Posted by D on August 4, 2008 at 6:32 PM · Report
3
I agree with D's comment above. Granted, the electro/dance/disco stuff can be fun from time to time and when done right, but I feel there are just too many bands here doing that sort of thing. Party rock might be the right term for it. Irony gets tired pretty quick. I've commented before about the over abundance of pop music here, I'd really like to see some of these venues putting on some more thoughtful music. My tastes lean towards a lot of experimental electronic (not noise, not harsh noise) and I just haven't seen many places or people doing that.

On the plus side, I love the fact that I'm constantly forced to make decisions about what shows to go to. It seems like there are a great number of venues putting on music so frequently it's hard to decide where to go and who to see. It's good to see that music is so imbued in the community here.

Posted by JadedEvan on August 6, 2008 at 1:53 PM · Report

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