• Nilina Mason-Campbell

In their first show since canceling their nationwide tour with Le Loup, the Nurses boys will be performing a rare instore at the NE location of Everyday Music.

Located on the picturesque stretch of hooker territory that is NE Sandy Blvd—and mere feet from the Mercury offices (we came here for the hookers)—Everyday will be hosting their second instore as of late, the first being a July show from the Builders and the Butchers. Nurses will be playing the Rock/Pop aisle of the store on Friday, December 11th at 6pm. It is all-ages, free, and there will be tasty snacks provided by our fellow Sandy Blvd neighbor, Voodoo Dougnuts.

Well, this makes sense.

P4K is reporting that the Decemberists are transforming their conceptual The Hazards of Love album into a full-length animated video titled, Here Come the Waves: The Hazards of Love Visualized. Thankfully the band did not draw the entire film with their quill and ink, instead they used the services of Guilherme Marcondes, Julia Pott, Peter Sluszka and Santa Maria to animate and "accompany individual sections of music from the album." The entire video will be available for purchase exclusively from iTunes sometime soon. In the meantime, enjoy the cool looking trailer posted above.

Another week, another Mercury music section to read while you celebrate Perry Farrell's sexiversary. What do you get someone for a ten year sexiversary? A vasectomy? Punch in the groin?

Speaking of groin punching, we talk to Art Alexakis from Everclear. It took ten years, but we finally covered that band. Look for our Pink Martini article in 2019.
LISTEN:

Everclear - "A.M. Radio"

The tale of Dutchess and the Duke is a great story of a band that accidentally stumbled into a record deal, and success, on the strength of their songs. Inspiring! Speaking of Dutchess, Fergie's debut solo album, The Dutchess, sold eight million copies. Depressing!
LISTEN:

Dutchess and the Duke - "Hands"

Rainbow Arabia travel the globe more than Carmen Sandiego. Sorry for that reference, it's just that everything I know about geography I learned from that show. Kick It, Rockapella!
LISTEN:

Rainbow Arabia - "Holiday in Congo"

I don't care if your guilty feet have got no rhythm, you are gonna dance again, and Friendly Fires is the band that is going to make that happen. Now stop the careless whispering and listen to this song.
LISTEN:

Friendly Fires - "Paris"

The Strange Boys have changed lineups—there is now a (strange) girl in the band—but that has not stopped the Austin band from churning out the raw R&B/rock and roll that those darn kids are so crazy about these days.
LISTEN:

The Strange Boys - "They're Building the Death Camps"

Local don't-call-them-lo-fi band Meth Teeth talks about their origins (spoiler alert: it had nothing to do with drugs or dental work) and their Everything Went Wrong LP. We'll be posting a much longer version of this piece later today, so cool your jets.
LISTEN:

Meth Teeth - "A Thousand Regrets"

• Woah, calm down Stephin.

For the first time in quite a while, Stephin Merritt and his Magnetic Fields will be passing through our fair town: February 21st and 22nd at the Aladdin. You can get your pre-sale tickets right here. For what do we owe this honor? Well, they'll be touring in support of their forthcoming Realism album, which P4K describes in this baffling paragraph:

The band used no electric instruments in recording Realism, and they also played around with nontraditional percussion instruments like tabla and, seriously, tree leaves. Contributors to the album include the author Daniel Handler— better known as Lemony Snicket— on accordion, Johnny Blood on tuba, and Ida Pearle on violin.

Leaves and Lemony Snicket? This sounds like a terrible idea. Then again, so did a triple-LP with 69 love songs, so until I hear Realism, I'll give Mr. Merritt and his tiny dog the benefit of the doubt.

Carrie Brownstein—former Portlander, Sleater-Kinney guitarist, and Phish fan—conducted an excellent round-table interview with a few of today's most influential independent record labels for her Monitor Mix blog.

The loose conversational format is essential reading and the contributors—Mac McCaughan from Merge, Maggie Vail and Portia Sabin from Kill Rock Stars, Gerard Cosloy from Matador, Chris Swanson and Darius Van Arman from Jagjaguwar/Secretly Canadian/Dead Oceans, Robb Nansel from Saddle Creek—shed a lot of light on the state of the modern record label, and what the future holds. While it's not all doom and gloom (hooray for vinyl), this line is a bit frightening:

Carrie Brownstein: Does a Pitchfork 9.1 help?
Maggie Vail : Absolutely.
Gerard Cosloy: Sadly, yes. A Pitchfork 9.1 is more influential to the audience and the retailers than a Rolling Stone or New York Times review.
Carrie Brownstein: What does a Pitchfork 4.5 do?
Portia Sabin: A 4.5 can kill a record. Unfortunately.
Mac McCaughan: Agree on the Pitchfork thing, though I do think that a 9.1 helps more than an average number hurts.
Robb Nansel: I'd be inclined to say a high Pitchfork number helps; a low Pitchfork number is irrelevant.
Gerard Cosloy: There remain great things that aren't even on the Pitchfork radar.
Mac McCaughan: Impossible!

• Saudade is either the guy in the hoodie, or the spatula.

After a nationwide search—coast to coast, LA to Chicago—local label Arena Rock Recording Co. (Richmond Fontaine, Talkdemonic) has signed soul icon Sade.

Oh, sorry, I mean, Saudade (pronounced "so dodgy"). While not quite a smooth operator, Saudade represents a bit of a departure for the local label, bringing them a more ambient, experimental act for their primarily indie roster. Saudade's second full-length, Lookouts' Journal will be out on the 8th of December, and celebrated with a show that night at Holocene.

LISTEN:

Saudade- "I Have Come To Claim My Throne"

Remember when we broke the news that Starfucker was ditching their NSFW moniker and becoming Pyramid? Well, it was fun while it lasted but the band has (sort of) changed their name, once again:

Pyramiddd

No, my keyboard didn't get stuck, the three "D's" are part of their new/refineddd name. I suppose the name Pyramid wasn't as available as they suspecteddd, so the band tosseddd on a few more letters for gooddd measure.

In addition to dropping records like the bouncy See Mystery Lights, YACHT has spent time working on various music-free "supplementary materials." These include everything from mixtapes to that baffling The Secret Teachings of the Mystery Lights: A Handbook for Overcoming Humanity and Becoming Your Own God pamphlet. Now you can add this poster to that list.

This massive—2'3" x 3'3"—poster chronicles all the band's influences from 2007-2009. Just a few of the influences included are the Branch Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, Aleister Crowley (not just an Ozzy song), and Star Trek. (Not sure why the band just got into Star Trek in the past two years, but I guess there is no denying the appeal of the Enterprise.) You can buy this huge piece of wall art for $12 via the Marriage Records site.

Sadly, if my influences were to be captured on a single poster, it would look like this.

Another week, another Mercury music section to read while you purchase this classy painting of Dimebag Darrell's murder. Classy!

DRUGS ARE GOOD! Mean Jeans party hard and worship Joey Ramone. Hey dudes, here's a hint: When trying to expense report cocaine purchases, put it under the "mileage" category. Duh.
LISTEN:

Mean Jeans - "Born on a Saturday Night"

DRUGS ARE BAD! From heroin to Hüsker Dü, the life of Grant Hart has included plenty of tough breaks, but he is back, armed with an excellent solo recording.
LISTEN:

Grant Hart - "Barbara"

CULTS ARE BAD! A survivor of the Children of God cult, Christopher Owens talks about his odd upbringing (flirty fishing!), and fronting the hyped-up rock act, Girls.
LISTEN:

Girls - "Lust for Life"

Is that a ransom demand written in Papyrus? $30,000 is one thing, but using Papyrus as a ransom font is just plan cruel.

Actually, the venue is back under the name Mt. Tabor Theater, and has a fancy new website as well. But they can't seem to escape their dubious past, as the Mt. Tabor Legacy site—which the screen shot is from—still remains the top search result.

Thanks to Cary for the tip.

In honor of Veterans Day we've decided to compile a few military-related songs to honor the complex nature of our brave vets and the wars they fight. "Ballad of the Green Berets" is the song most fitting, although this Johnny Cash version is a little looser than the Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler original. Plus, Cash was probably high on pills while singing it.
LISTEN:

Johnny Cash - "Ballad of the Green Berets"

If "Ballad of the Green Berets" was the brave call to arms, Jason Isbell's "Dress Blues" is the sad reminder of the heavy cost of battle. The former Drive-By Truckers guitarist penned arguably the finest modern war song, the heartbreaking tale of a kid from his hometown returning from Iraq in a casket: "You never planned on the bombs in the sand or sleeping in your dress blues."
LISTEN:

Jason Isbell - "Dress Blues"

War clearly isn't for everyone, but since there will never be a Draft Dodgers Day (I guess that's every day), we're including Phil Ochs' proud ode to skipping out on combat, "Draft Dodger Rag." There is also a Pete Seeger version of this song (shocking, right?), but the Ochs' version always sounded better to me. "So I wish you well, Sarge, give 'em Hell! Kill me a thousand or so/And if you ever get a war without blood and gore I'll be the first to go."
LISTEN:

Phil Ochs - "Draft Dodger Rag"

In honor of year number ten of stickin' it to the man, those no good punks at Dirtnap Records are offering up a free sampler. Their 2009 sampler can be downloaded here and features music from Mean Jeans, High Tension Wires, and the Girls—not Girls—White Wires and plenty more.

The label is also hosting a series of monthly "Dirtnap Records/Green Noise Records Nights" at Ground Kontrol, including the big Mean Jeans release party this Thursday. See you there.

And don't really explain why. (But judging by that picture above I'd say it's pretty obvious.) A letter from the band's publicist:

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Fuck Buttons will not be playing Worksound in Portland on Saturday, Nov 14th as scheduled. The band apologizes for any inconveniences, and will certainly make every effort to play Portland during the next US tour. Feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns.

Finally, a Pavement show not in New York or overseas. The reunited indie icons will be performing with top billing at the 2010 Sasquatch Festival, MAY 29th-31st, in the Gorge. The rest of the lineup still has yet to be named—that announcement won't come until mid-February—but you can buy your "discount 3 day festival pass" Saturday morning at 10am. Hit up their site for more info on the advance pass.

Well, looks like I know what I am doing next Memorial Day weekend.

• Chrissy Piper

Someday soon when John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats wins a Grammy, Pulitzer, MacArthur Genius Grant, and Super Bowl MVP Trophy, I'm going to lead an unofficial "Darnielle in Portland" tour in one of those double decker tourist buses. I'll regal visitors with tales all about Darnielle's sordid days as a Portlander, plus I'll throw in a star map to Courtney Taylor-Taylor's house as well. Book your seats now!

Until that happens, you'll just have to settle for seeing Darnielle and the Mountain Goats at the Wonder Ballroom on Wednesday, November 11th. In fact, we're giving away three pairs of tickets to the show. Just comment below on why you deserve to attend, and the top three posts by Monday 9am will get into the concert without opening their wallets. If you are not the commenting type, tickets can be purchased here.

Also, if you dare doubt this paper's Mountain Goats obsession over the years, Darnielle has been the subject of more features than any non-local musician in our ten year history. In fact, he even wrote an article for us about Sonny Liston.

LISTEN:

The Mountain Goats - "Psalms 40:2"

The Unfortunate Demise of Whitley Rackham—illustrated by Ellis and written by Meloy—should be completed soon. No details have been released... only the above illustration. This will go perfectly with Gwar's new album Lust In Space I was planning on getting my nephew for Christmas.

Another week, another Mercury music section to read while you dress your child like a hideous mutant. Correction: an adorable hideous mutant.

David Bazan and Jesus used to be so close that they'd carve "DB + JC = 4EVAH" into the trunks of trees. But those days are no more. Bazan's wonderful Curse Your Branches recording chronicles his fall from faith. Does that mean he's a free agent? You hear that Jews? He could be ours!
LISTEN:

David Bazan - "When We Fell"

BOAT are just like us, they put their pants on one leg at a time. Except once their pants are on, they create the funnest music known to man... while we're just happy to be wearing pants.
LISTEN:

BOAT - "We've Been Friends Since 1989"

The Mountain Goats find a copy of the bible—in David Bazan's dumpster—and proceed to write an entire record with blblical verses for song titles.
LISTEN:

The Mountain Goats - "Genesis 3:23"

In their first visit to Portland, Video Games Live combine symphony orchestration with video game soundtracks. Hey Mario Bros., take off those colorful overalls and put on something nice, you're going to the symphony!
WATCH:
Video Games Live Trailer

Our Town Could Be Your Life looks at former Meow Meow kid Kelli Schaefer and her recent single series that will feature a new release every six to eight weeks.
LISTEN:

Kelli Schaefer - "City Morgue"

• I know, I know, Quasi is a trio now. Sorry.

For their "swanky New Years celebration" known as the Fir Ball, Doug Fir has recruited Quasi to headline their ball-dropping (ewwww) farewell to 2009. But this ain't your average Quasi show, this is an all-Who dedicated set, which will include plenty of arm windmills, deaf/dumb/blind kids playing pinball, and someone driving their car into a hotel pool.

Quasidrophenia—this name is genius, feel free to use it—will be joined by the Shaky Hands, and Inside Voices and tickets are available at the Doug Fir box office, or that kiddie pornography site that Pete Townshend definitely was not visiting that one time. You should probably just buy them at the box office.

• Simone Muller

Woah. Didn't see this coming. Portland legends—and proof that rock and roll monogamy does exist—Fred and Toody Cole have inked a deal for Pierced Arrows to join the Vice Records roster. Their second full-length, Descending Shadows, will be out on the 2nd of February and supposedly you can stream a song ("Paranoia") from it somewhere on this clustered page of hipness. Can you find it? I can't.

Take it away, mister press release man:

Descending Shadows expands on their fervently rough signature sound, recorded at Portland's Buzz or Howl Studios and mastered to vinyl lacquer per tradition at Fred and Toody's home. Promising to herald a new generation of fans steeped in the progeny which Dead Moon influenced, Descending Shadows will provide longtime followers of the Cole's work with a new vital installment of what Fred once described as "rock'n'roll that's rough, ragged, and honest", a sincere answer to the void of emotion lacking in today's era.

• greg aune

When the colorful popster in Nurses raised the white flag and canceled their current national tour with Le Loup citing the vague/scary reason of "medical issues," [insert "Nurses need nurses" joke here] we were concerned. But we checked with their label, and the band is fine, just a wee bit exhausted from circling the country in support of Apple's Acre. As a consolation the band has posted a link to some live videos from Philadelphia to watch while they eat their vitamins and get some rest.

They should see Dr. Conrad Murray, I heard that guy has experience with musicians suffering from exhaustion and he will prescribe anything.

Portland, OR - The Elton John / Billy Joel Face 2 Face concert originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 10 has been postponed.

Promoter Live Nation and The Rose Garden were informed by management today that Elton John has been advised by his doctor to postpone these performances due to a serious case of e-coli bacterial infection and influenza.

Organizers of the event are working to establish a new date. All patrons who have purchased tickets for the Face 2 Face concert on Tuesday, November 10 at Rose Garden are being asked to hold on to their tickets until more information is available regarding the proposed rescheduled engagement.

• Actual photo.

Bad news, folks. Looks like Lucero is trapped by bad weather—and a blood-thirsty snowbeast—and will be forced to cancel tonight's "Ramblin' Roadshow and Memphis Revue" show at the Hawthorne Theatre.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Lucero is currently trapped in the Rockies; an avalanche has blocked off I-80 and, while the band worked to take an alternate route to Portland, the weather has caused some damage to their bus/trailer and forced them to stop driving.

The band is canceling this show with a heavy heart and held out hope that they would make it until the last possible moment. Thanks very much for your understanding and we'll be in touch as soon as we have a makeup date.

This news is sad, but not surprising since the band is a bunch of Southerners and they clearly have no experience fending off an Abominable Snowman—unlike us Pacific Northwesterners. Gentlemen, aim for the eyes. Or the groin.

1.) One of our very favorites, Nurses are touring and have been for some time. The trio recorded a set of live videos in Chicago, produced by Art In The Age, who did an excellent job on the sound. You can find three more songs on Nurses' blog.

2.) The Seattle Weekly put together a feature on Nirvana's Bleach in commemorating the upcoming re-issue. None of the five stories are particularly stunning on their own—including the interviews done by Krist Novoselic—but taken together they are a worthwhile diversion.

3.) Recent travels brought me through New York during CMJ. And though I was not there in any journalistic capacity, I attended a few shows, but mostly just to see friends' bands. As it has been in recently, CMJ continues shrinking. The idea of a multi-day music festival in NY is a nice idea, but also an idiotic one. Especially in rainy, frigid, late-October. Hotels are too expensive and so is the beer.

Anyway, aside from those paltry gripes, I did catch what was likely the most-buzzed-about group of the festival, The xx. It was late after midnight at the Tribeca Grand, a ridiculously hip, bursting at the seams, Standard-like hotel. Lines out the doors, packed on both floors, all kinds of garbage milling about the Good Looking People's Club. A loud, Un-IDM dance party down-stairs pounded along while The xx got their gear together, presumably from an earlier show. When they finally got the DJ's attention, the band's sound-system was unfortunately weaker than the DJ's (why weren't they connected?).

But then it may not have mattered. The xx are another one of the Johnny-come-lately blog-hyped acts who have little or no clue yet how to put on any type of engaging performance, despite having made in interesting album. It's not hard to imagine how adding a bit of velocity to the lackadaisical, pre-dawn, low-breeze, detached vibe of the self-titled record could translate to a more interesting stage show, but The xx either refuse to or cannot. It was soft and the band appeared bored, but their look could've been a bit of self-protective posturing, as the 20-year-olds may have just been overwhelmed.

After seeing this performance it's not surprising The xx just canceled a few upcoming shows due to "exhaustion." It's a familiar story, and begs the question: are bands and management going to recognize that over-exposure while being under-cooked is hurtful to longevity in the blog era? Or is this one hellacious window the only chance before The Next Big Thing swoops in?

• Erin Volk

Okay. I'm sorry. We won't call it that, I promise. But perhaps you'd still like to read it?

PDX Pop Now! Benefit w/Britt Daniel, the Robinsons, & IOA; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $25, all ages

Another week, another Mercury music section to flip through while you assemble your skull artwork with nothing more than a few hundred cassettes. See? There is hope for the music industry.

Ironic? No. British? Oh, yeah. Art Brut tickle the fancy of our resident Red Coat, Matt Davis. What's next? Yours truly writing a news story about sit/lie regulations? That's a law about napping, right?
LISTEN:

Art Brut - "Alcoholics Unanimous"

Spoiler alert: At the end of this World's Greatest Ghost article, you'll find out that the band has been dead all along.
LISTEN:

World's Greatest Ghost - "The Royal Court"

The good news is that Sallie Ford sings like Olive Oyl from Popeye. The bad news is that Bluto just kidnapped her and sold her to the Sea Hag.
LISTEN:

Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside - "This Town"

A n00b's guide to the Fall into Darkness metal festival. It's three days of pure metal, so please bring a change of ear plugs and black T-shirts with illegible band logos on them.
LISTEN:

YOB - "Doom #2"