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Friday, October 22, 2010

Tonight! Tonight in Music: She & Him, Roky Erickson, Mumford & Sons, and more

Posted by Morgan Troper on Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 10:00 AM

SHE AND HIM, MIKE COYKENDALL AND THE GOLDEN SHAG

(Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway) See our article on She & Him

ROKY ERICKSON, BOO FROG

(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) For his work with garage-psych legends the 13th Floor Elevators, Roky Erickson is a rock god; anyone who disagrees deserves to have his/her ears dunked in Nickelback. Roky's articulate howls and incisive harmonica and guitar playing remain forever distinctive in the underground-rock canon. While Erickson's solo career never really connected with me, its obsession with demons, zombies, two-headed dogs, myriad B-movie tropes, and manifestations of a mentally disturbed mind struck a deep chord with many. Considering his history of psychiatric problems and involuntary electroshock treatments, it's a victory that he's even alive and performing in 2010. However, Erickson's serviceable backing band and diminished vocal and instrumental powers in recent live performances have left this hardcore Elevators fanatic underwhelmed. Still, you'll get chills when they inevitably do "You're Gonna Miss Me." DAVE SEGAL Also see My, What a Busy Week!

MUMFORD AND SONS, MT. DESOLATION, KING CHARLES

(Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside) You might know British foursome Mumford & Sons from soundtrack appearances on Stargate Universe and Grey's Anatomy—or, maybe, from their assured debut Sigh No More, which has gained such a fervent following in the US that tonight's show sold out almost immediately. Like their more melancholy British schoolmates Noah and the Whale, Mumford and Sons marry lyric-driven folk numbers with choruses that border on anthemic. It might be worth trolling Craigslist for tickets to this one—the Crystal Ballroom's quasi-hippie murals are the perfect backdrop for a show that promises to be at once intimate and inspiring. ALISON HALLETT

Jonah, Evile, Eskmo, and the Waterheater Benefit Show lineup, as well as a link to the complete show listings, after the jump!

JONAH, CLIMBER, DEEPEST DARKEST

(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) There was always something quite intriguing about Jonah's previous efforts, an underlying darkness buried beneath their anglophilic rock-and-roll swagger. Whatever it was, it's come to the surface on The Wonder and The Thrill, a surprisingly grown-up pop recording in which the quartet outgrows their previous niche appeal and aims for the heavens with immaculately crafted rock numbers that balance homemade tarnish and mass-consumption sheen. Simply put, opening number "Please Let Go" is one of the finer rock songs you will hear this year—a slinky and harmony-heavy track that plays off the vocal strengths of frontman Henry Curl—and you'll get equal pleasure from the Travis-sounding "Bees" and the mournful "Crowns (If You Must Follow)." Actually, no matter where you find yourself in The Wonder and The Thrill, you'll be content. EZRA ACE CARAEFF

EVILE, BONDED BY BLOOD, GAMA BOMB

(Dante's, 1 SW 3rd)


WATERHEATER BENEFIT SHOW: K-TEL '79, BLOOD BEACH, CAT STALKS BIRD, HEAVY SWEATERS, MY AUTUMN'S DONE COME, SALLO, QUIET LIFE, DJ XCALIBER

(The Waterheater, 750 N Fremont) The tumultuous history of the effort to run viable all-ages music venues in Portland has a new chapter. The Waterheater, a former industrial building off Mississippi, is emerging as a multi-purpose space dedicated to bringing Portland's "new" industries to the community at large. The building will house studios for arts and various crafts, a commercial kitchen, a brewery, a stage, and a gallery, any of which the public is encouraged to learn about and participate in. Musical performances will be just one of the Waterheater's offerings, and over two days this weekend an assortment of local acts will perform as a benefit to get some cash rolling. Although this is a space for young and old, the emphasis won't be as much on common age as on shared interest. Here's hoping that's enough to keep the Waterheater afloat. MARANDA BISH

Complete show listings can be viewed here.

 

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