

I was surprised at how few people were at Tuesday night's Black Heart Procession show. Maybe it was the icy cold that set in, keeping everyone in. Either way, the eerie, orange mist hanging over the streets set the perfect stage for the moody crooning of this (apparently) still secret band. Anyone who is a Three Mile Pilot or Ugly Casanova fan should give them a listen—they have a solid discography of brooding, love-sick and love-lost songs that are perfect for dark Pacific Northwest winters.
Their line-up shifts; last time I saw them I think they had five people playing, and this tour it was only three. This made each song sound a little slower, a little more sad, and it was a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover that eventually stirred up the energy.
Chelsea Wolfe opened the show, making it a double header of dreary noise—perfect for the night that it was.
Bring it on, cold front.
Pictures after the jump!
The Sea and Cake played a sold-out show Saturday at the Doug Fir, and I'm gonna go ahead and speak for everyone and say that it was a pretty magical night. As emotionally rich as their songs tend to be, musically they are a talented bunch of dudes who aren't afraid to show you that they still know how to get sweaty like the best of 'em.
Lia Ices warmed up the room with her rich voice, and stripped-down arrangements that sounded closer to Beach House than anything on her record. She sent out good vibes with two very large crystals set up on her keyboard stand. Read what Ned wrote about her.
The only thing that would have made this show better? If the Doug Fir had put their nice lighting set-up to use.
More after the jump!
On Thanksgiving Eve, Winnipeg's Imaginary Cities came through town to play a show with young Portland band Brave Chandeliers. But you don't need me to blab about it—you can see for yourself: The talented Rachel Bowman was on hand to get pictures of it all. Rachel reports that despite a small crowd, it was a great show. Take a look!


Take a look! More after the jump.
Kansas post-emo/guitar-heavy heroes the Appleseed Cast graced the Doug Fir on Saturday—with a slight change in the line-up. Ted Stevens (of Cursive) was filling in on lead for Aaron Pillar, who had been with the band for 14(!) years. No word yet on who would contribute to future recordings. The new energy felt good, and more than a little raw (lead singer Chris Crisci broke not one, but two strings in a single swipe). Their sound was still right on and plenty loud. There was a tender moment with a major room sing-along to "Hanging Marionette."
I can't pass up an opportunity to see them play, and it's a bonus to get some shots here and there.
More photos after the jump.
The sold out M83 show on Friday was jam-packed, and the French-by-way-of-LA band rose to the challenge, with a heaping pile of songs from their latest double opus, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. It was a great, if crowded, concert, aided by an extravagant light show. At one point I tweeted, "M83 sounds like if Giorgio Moroder kissed a teddy bear to life. And then gave it ecstasy."
The talented Minh Tran was on hand to take these great photos. And yes, M83's set began with an appearance by that weird bug thing you see above (it's also on the inside cover of Hurry Up, We're Dreaming). It just kind of stood there for a few minutes before the band started. Plenty more pictures after the jump.
Here are some lovely pics of the Erasure show at the Crystal Ballroom on Wednesday, complete with such fantastical things as Centurion helmets! Gargoyles! Andy Bell! It looks like quite the show, and luckiy our Minh Tran was on hand to capture it all inside of his camera. Plenty of pics after the jump!
The most controversial thing to happen to hiphop since this guy, Odd Future Golf Wang Kill Them All (I think I got that right) made their Portland debut this week. We dispatched Minh Tran to take some pictures and hopefully not get raped by Taylor the Creator.
Alright, who let dad and his buddies play with my synths? Oh, that's just OMD. Back from the dead, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark stopped by the Wonder Ballroom this past weekend and our Minh Tran was there to capture it all on film.
I caught up with Nurses on tour. A few shots I took at their show last week in L.A.:
In Los Angeles a few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to spend some time up at The Getty with Charles Bradley. It was there we did the interview for my print piece for Bradley's MFNW show. Later that evening he and the Menahan Street Band performed in the open air courtyard. It was marvelous. I took photos.
I know they're a little late in coming—this concert was almost a month ago. But I think the photos show that Bradley is a subject worth revisiting.

So. Much. Damn. MusicfestNW.
While us lazy End Hits writers—I ate 83 bags of Pop Chips, that counts for something, right?—stare at a bunch of bands and do nothing, the hardworking Katie Swezey attended a ton of shows with camera in hand. Here are some of her photos.

We've got pics from yesterday's MFNW shows—including Handsome Furs, Thousands, Blind Pilot, Phantogram, and Viva Voce—from tireless photographer Katie Swezey, who braved crowds and sweat and heat to get these great shots. Lots more after the jump!

While our writing staff was distracted by free drinks—Christ, Heineken is a terrible beer—at least one member of the End Hits staff was working hard during the opening night of MusicfestNW: our dear photographer Katie Swezey. Check out her snaps of The Corin Tucker Band and the Kills from last night.
Lots more photos to come over the course of the next few days.
This past weekend Obits made the drive (like Jehu, I assume) to Portland for a volume-heavy set at the Doug Fir. We dispatched our Katie Swezey to take some photos of it all. And here they are. Enjoy.
Remember we told you about how Green Noise Records was biding farewell to SE Clinton and heading to SE Gladstone? Their final day at the old locale is Friday, August 26, and the new store is set to open at 3840 SE Gladstone on Tuesday, August 30. I love their new motto.
A weeks into September there will be a grand (re)opening shindig. We'll keep you posted.

While I was buying unfunny/racist dolls down the street and our writers were searching for the body of Ray Brower on the train tracks, Katie Swezey was hunkered down in front of the stage at PDX Pop Now! taking excellent photos of nearly every single band. Here is a visual look back at this year's festivities. Enjoy!
Spotted this AM in SE Portland:
Late last week the reunited, and still as adorable as ever, Cibo Matto came to town. We dispatched Minh Tran—also, still as adorable as ever—to take some photos. Enjoy.

No, not this one.
While this looks like the aftermath of a Black Flag concert, it's actually a photo of a riot that broke out after a hockey game. Is "Mr. GBH" here a big fan of Roberto Luongo? Who knows? But good to see drunken frat boys and street punks working hand in hand, or fist in fist, to fuck shit up for no particular reason.
LISTEN:
Charged G.B.H. - "Maniac"
h/t: National Post

"Okay, Michael, here's my plan: I'm going to leave Asbury Park, move to California, build my own freakin' amusement park with giraffes and shit, buy the Elephant Man's bones, marry Elvis' daughter, get accused of a bunch of creepy pedophilia, release a few terrible records, and then die suddenly. Yeah, so, that's what I have going on for the next couple decades. Don't steal my ideas, okay?
Oh, I might name my kid Blanket. You can do that too if you want."
Late last week the gentlemen of Yeasayer rolled through the Wonder Ballroom on their way to the Gorge for Sasquatch. We dispatched Katie Swezey to photograph the band in their true element: wearing tank tops and looking cool under colorful gel lights.
Last week A-Trak and Kid Sister came to Portland as part of the Magic 8-Ball Tour, a package tour that either really loves fortune-telling toys, or cocaine in 1/8 of an ounce increments. Maybe both. We dispatched the one and only Minh Tran to shoot the show. Enjoy.