Another week, another Mercury music section to push aside as you collect your dollars and cents to purchase the musical equipment of Vancouver, Washington's finest talent. Priced to move! Everything must go!!!

For his first endeavor under the Morning Ritual moniker, keyboardist-about-town Ben Darwish recruited the Shook Twins for a conceptual piece about the search for water. Drinking water is a pretty good morning ritual. What's yours? (Mine involves some Carnation Instant Breakfast and Sugar Ray's "Every Morning" and I've already revealed too much.)

LISTEN: Morning Ritual - "The Search"

I know, I know, the name Black Pus is enough of a turn-on, but there's also plenty of legitimate exhilaration to be found in the warped spazz rock from Brian Chippendale of Lightning Bolt.

LISTEN: Black Pus - "1,000 Years"

The word "psychedelic" is officially meaningless. That said, the Black Angels are super psychedelic! Can we bring back the word phantasmagoric? Far out.

LISTEN: The Black Angels - "Evil Things"

With their second album Bathed in Blood on the way, the members of Witchburn still haven't taken advantage of their music-biz connections to make them stars. The Seattle metal band is quite capable of doing it on their own.

LISTEN: Witchburn - "Bleed the Stone"

And the Up & Comings you've grown accustomed to.

Another week, another Mercury music section that contains nothing as sensational as the story about the lead singer of shitty band As I Lay Dying trying to hire someone to murder his wife. As if his terrible music, terrible parenting, and terrible tattoos weren't crime enough.

Portland has some big-profile record releases this week, but Night Mechanic isn't exactly one of them. Still, I'll put their excellent Working Late record, a collection of smartly interwoven guitar-work and great songwriting, up against anything released in this fair city. It's really, really, really good—Night Mechanic is a band you'll be hearing a lot more about.

LISTEN: Night Mechanic - "Attempt to Steal"

Wampire has been around town for a few years, but now they enter the big leagues with the release of their first album on Polyvinyl, Curiosity. With it comes a unified sound and a fulfillment of all their early promise.

LISTEN: Wampire - "The Hearse"

I recently described Sun Angle's debut album to someone as something I couldn't listen to at my desk with headphones because it makes me too wiggly. It will make you wiggly, too. Wig out:

LISTEN: Sun Angle - "Raspberry

And a brace of Up & Coming shows.

Say cheese! It's another toothsome Mercury music section, filled with all kinds of aural chemical concoctions for your ears. Remember, it's meant for topical use only. This is some bad medicine, baby.Caitlin Rose has a winning smile and an even winning-er album, filled with classic American pop.

LISTEN: Caitlin Rose - "Only a Clown"Bleached's summery debut album is the kind of sugar-sweet punk-pop sure to give you serious cavities.

LISTEN: Bleached - "Dead in Your Head"The Cave Singers added a member for Naomi, the cool new album that will elicit a grin from those pearly whites of yours.

LISTEN: The Cave Singers - "Easy Way"The thunderously biting heavy metal of Kvelertak chomps down on you like a vicious set of fangs.

LISTEN: Kvelertak - "Bruane Brenn"
The Mt. Tabor Theater is no more—please welcome the Alhambra, because I've run out of teeth gags.Plus more than a mouthful of Up & Coming shows.

Another week, another Mercury music section that'll mess up your thyroid something fierce.

Super shredder Marnie Stern can out-tap Eddie Van Halen any day, and I'm not talking tap dancing. (Although she could probably out-tap-dance Eddie as well. Jazz and modern, though? Eddie all the way—you have not lived until you've seen the man Fosse his way through "Poundcake.")

LISTEN: Marnie Stern - "Year of the Glad"

NoMeansNo's Tom Holliston gave us perhaps the most honest quote a musician has ever given this paper: "There's no grand plan. We're in a band. We want to come up with songs... sometimes."

LISTEN: NoMeansNo - "'Til I Die"

Texas black metal band Absu spell "magick" with a K. (Strangely, they also spell "tragick," "garlick," and "parapligick" with a K. What can I say, they are just really fond of that letter.)

LISTEN: Absu - "Abraxas Connexus"

And plenty of Up & Coming shows to get you through the week.

Another week, another Mercury music section. This week is supersized—there is a LOT going on this week—and the theme is La, La, La, He, He, Hee. (You can Google that if you need to.)
Prince is coming! Prince is coming. Prince... is coming? Prince is coming! PRINCE. IS. COMING.

The Thermals have a new album! It's about killing. (Note: The Thermals did not actually kill anybody during the making of this record. That they told us about.)

LISTEN: The Thermals - "The Sunset"
Bat for Lashes makes spooky music that's just flat-out great. Get ready to be haunted.

LISTEN: Bat for Lashes - "All Your Gold"
Speaking of great, the Veils—good lord, there are a lot of good shows this week—are exactly that. They're just great great great. And really dreamy, too... ahem, sorry, what were we talking about?

LISTEN: The Veils - "Through the Deep, Dark Wood"
Telekinesis' Michael Lerner joins the ranks of singing drummers including Micky Dolenz, Phil Collins, Don Henley, Andy Sturmer, and that guy from the Barbarians who had a hook for a hand.

LISTEN: Telekinesis - "Ghosts and Creatures"
Filthy gay bear rapper Big Dipper wants to fist you. (If this teaser doesn't grab you, nothing will.)

LISTEN: Big Dipper w/Rica Shay - "Summertime Realness"
Ryan J. Prado wrote something a teensy bit critical about Tera Melos a few years back, and the fans called him a piece of "human garbage-shit." Tera Melos have a great new album. So what's Ryan gonna say about them now?

LISTEN: Tera Melos - "Tropic Lame"
You will have noticed this is a ridiculously overstuffed music section, but there is so much going on this week that we didn't even have room in the paper for one of this week's biggest stories: Sparks is playing Portland, and if you know Sparks, you are hyperventilating. We have a complete Q&A with Sparks' Russell Mael—read it here!

LISTEN: Sparks - "The Number One Song in Heaven [live]"
Plus the usual batch of Up & Coming shows.

Another week, another Mercury music section that's buzzing louder than rumors of secret Coachella performers. I'll tell ya what, forget about the little someone whose name sounds kind of like "blintz." It's gonna be Holograph Teddy Pendergrass, all the way!Johnny Marr, a fresh faced young musician, has yet to earn a name for himself—in fact, you are surely saying aloud to your computer screen, "Johnly Marp?? I've never even heard of that guy! Not even, like, a little bit." Well, give the newcomer a chance; he's got his debut album The Messenger out now, and I think the kid is going places.

LISTEN: Johnny Marr - "The Right Thing Right"The Bender is back! Now in its seventh year, the punk-rock-garage-etc. three-day fest has moved from its origins at Slabtown, to park its unwashed keister at the swank Star Theater. Good times and hazy memories shall ensue.
CHECK OUT THIS MASSIVE SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OF BENDER BANDS.Also back! The wide-reaching, all-encompassing Soul'd Out Music Festival kicks off tonight, injecting a little uplifting soul into our dour, rain-soaked city. Feel it:

And some Up & Coming shows, all laid out.

Another week, another music section... the clock is ticking so let's jump right in.

Nick Jaina has an amazing new album. He recorded Primary Perception with good friends and kept things spontaneous. Tonight Jaina and a group of friends—many of them the same as those on the record—will play at the Doug Fir. Tell me if this sounds good to you: One of Portland's greatest songwriters, fronting a crack band of some of the best players in town. Right. See you there. Trust me, it will be outstanding. And it's your only chance to hear these Primary Perception tunes, as the record's not out for a couple weeks yet.... Okay, fine, here's one:

LISTEN: Nick Jaina - "Don't Come to Me"

Unknown Mortal Orchestra has a phenomenal new album, too—and it's called II. (You can hear this one, as it came out in February.) UMO frontman Ruban Nielson gave us a wonderfully candid interview and touched on a great many things, including the difficult balances between songwriting vs. record production, and the rock 'n' roll lifestyle on the road vs. normal family life at home. In these seemingly irreconcilable chasms is where Unknown Mortal Orchestra's excellent work lies.

LISTEN: Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "So Good at Being in Trouble"

Phosphorescent has a very fine new album, too! It's called Muchacho and it sounds sad, even though the guy responsible is not quite as sad as all that.

LISTEN: Phosphorescent - "Song for Zula"

Bubble Cats didn't make a really good album—instead they made THREE really good EPs. Also, they are called Bubble Cats. You are intrigued.

LISTEN: Bubble Cats - "Forever Alone"

Plus a fragrant potpourri of Up & Coming shows!

Well, we did it. We went ahead and did a Bob Seger issue (in honor of his show at the Rose Garden on Saturday). It's about what you'd expect from us: Mostly dumb jokes and weird celebrity impressions, plus a serious, excellent piece from local novelist—and Seger expert—Scott Sparling on why Michigan's favorite son matters. And make no mistake, Seger matters.

LISTEN: Bob Seger System - "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man"

Against the Wind! 1939 Ensemble make music with drums, vibes, and noise. Music in 1939 sounded nothing like this.

LISTEN: 1939 Ensemble - "Sabotage"

Stranger in Town! People can't seem to forget that Michael Nesmith was on a TV show called The Monkees. But the renaissance man has an impressive solo discography, not to mention countless other works under his belt.

LISTEN: Michael Nesmith & The First National Band - "The Crippled Lion"

Turn the Page! Local writer Michael Heald spoke to Christopher Owens about leaving his group Girls behind to go it alone.

LISTEN: Christopher Owens - "Here We Go"

Shakedown! Tampa band Merchandise came out of that city's hardcore scene, but it isn't hardcore at all—in fact, it's unlike anything else from that strange Florida city.

LISTEN: Merchandise - "Become What You Are"

The Fire Inside! The man behind the DVS1 moniker elucidates on the current state of IDM.

LISTEN: DVS1 - "Behind Lines"

Rock & Roll Never Forgets! Goddamn, we really, really, really miss the Exploding Hearts.

LISTEN: The Exploding Hearts - "Modern Kicks"

K-k-k-k-k-k-Katmandu! Plus an overstuffed sock drawer of Up & Coming shows.

Another week, another Mercury music section with nary a mention of SXSW. Well, after this one mention, I mean. So how are we to tell you about the future of music? Friends, the future of music is not down in Austin, Texas, crowded in with all the other bands and brands. No, the future of music is from Estonia. It is a band called Winny Puhh. And they are what music will sound (and look) like from now on. Welcome to the future, music lovers.Joking aside! Milk Music is an actual good band. Their music doesn't live in the future, or, more importantly, the past—their hardcore flower power resides in the here and now.
BOAT is the kind of band that inspires fans to bring their own confetti to shows. In other words, they're really fun and really great and a good reminder that life is short and none of us are getting any younger and we might as well make the most of it before we're all dead and buried and forgotten. Fun!
Anaïs Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer did their own versions of several of the Child Ballads, from the historical collection of traditional English and Scottish folk songs. Sounds scholarly? It isn't: The Child Ballads, while beautiful, are bloody tales of lust and revenge and werepeople. BONUS! Due to deadlines, we weren't able to include our interview Anaïs Mitchell in print, but we've got the full Q&A up on the blog. Her answers are great, thorough and thoughtful. Be sure to read it.
Plus the usual glut of Up & Coming shows.

Another week, another Mercury music section that pales in comparison to the Morrissey/Jimmy Kimmel feud of 2013, which would be a more even match if Morrissey wasn't so good at slamming the former The Man Show host—not to mention funnier. "Tune in and relive the intellectual fog of the 1950s"? Damn, Moz.STRFKR dropped the vowels, but retained their aptitude for glowing, undeniable party pop.

LISTEN: STRFKR - "While I'm Alive"Sapient's new album irritates hiphop nerds. In other words, it's really good.

LISTEN: Sapient - "Seeking New Skin"On their new album, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down make self-empowerment sound catchy.

LISTEN: Thao and the Get Down Stay Down - "We the Common (For Valerie Bolden)"Chillwave is too small and reductive a term for Toro y Moi, AKA Chaz Bundick, who makes larger-than-life, big-tent pop music.

LISTEN: Toro y Moi - "So Many Details"And a helping hand of Up & Coming shows.

Another week, another triumph for all things Morrissey, as he tells the Staples Center that meat is, indeed, murder, and they reportedly respond by making their menus all vegetarian the night of the show. OR DO THEY? Controversy!

With their tough, terrific new album, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside would like the French to focus more on the "rock" and less on the "abilly."

LISTEN: Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside - "Rockability"

The dead-flower, drunk-sick pop on Eat Skull's third album started off in a recording studio. It didn't end up there.

LISTEN: Eat Skull - "Space Academy"

Like a phoenix, Scrimshander rose from the ashes of the late, loved Bark Hide and Horn. And also like a phoenix, Scrimshander has starred in such delightful fare as A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon. Wait, sorry, that was River Phoenix.

LISTEN: Scrimshander - "Forest Fire"

Last but not least, Pete Krebs is not just a mainstay on the Portland music scene—he's one of its undeniable figureheads. When the guitarist/vocalist/songwriter/bandleader was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, Portland musicians got busy organizing some benefit shows to help with the doctors' bills. Some of these musicians shared stories about Krebs—memories, impressions, recollections, about the man and his music. I could tell you why Krebs continues to be such a vital part of Portland music, but why not let the people who actually play it tell you? (Note: We couldn't fit all of the stories in the print edition, so be sure check out the full version online.)

Also? Up & Comings, also.

Another week, another Mercury music section, so let's cut right to the chase. It's time for the second annual Malt Ball! Beer! Bands! Saturday! Wonder Ballroom! Get doused in sound and soused on beer! And don't say we didn't warn you.Death Songs has a magnificent new record. Sung Inside a House is not just the equal of anything songwriter Nicholas Delffs has done with the Shaky Hands, it's the most honest album title since Fleetwood Mac's We Recorded This in a Very Expensive Studio While Surrounded by Mounds of Cocaine. Wait, they never named an album that?

LISTEN: Death Songs - "Overdose"Ben Folds Five are back! And still don't know how to count.

LISTEN: Ben Folds Five - "Draw a Crowd"Cody Chesnutt stopped womanizing and now focuses on what really matters: community, love, soul, art, and not spoiling his daughter's appetite before dinner.

LISTEN: Cody Chesnutt - "Don't Wanna Go the Other Way"
Plus the usual mash tun of Up & Coming shows.

Another week, another Mercury music section that—ATTENTION. We interrupt this weekly summary post for very important breaking news: Danish metal band Anubis Gate have announced the departure of drummer Morten Sørensen. Fortunately, the band have announced the name of their new drummer. Morten Sørensen shall be replaced by a new drummer by the name of... Morten Sørensen. No, that is not a typo, and yes, they are different people. What a coup! They don't even have to redo the monogram on their band pajamas.Parquet Courts (that's "Par-kay" to you, American dog) make tightly coiled New York rock, yes, but in a way that's no mere echo of tightly-coiled-New-York-rocks past. To wit:
LISTEN:

Parquet Courts - "Stoned and Starving"Portland group Themes is based around the married duo of Jacy McIntosh and Kelsey Crawford, but their great new album Loveweapons is evidence of the flexibility of both their sound and their ever-evolving lineup, which, in their words, is based around the idea that "we all want to see our friends succeed."
LISTEN:

Themes - "Get By"Plus the usual rigamarole of Up & Coming shows.