My impression of Nisennenmondai burning brightly

Nisennenmondai is Tokyo-based Japanese noise-pop that really hit stride in their set on the third song. Sayaka Himeno (drums), Yuri Zaikawa (bass) and Masako Takada (guitar) really created an interesting and complex fare. This trio tossed around this large crow. I got a kick out of how they politely and diminutively they thanked us — very nice girls. I look forward to them next time starting with the third song and then taking it further to kick my butt again.

Battles at Webster Hall New York

I’ve been a fan of Battles for a while. Honestly I didn’t know how it would all change with the departure of Tyondai Braxton, but Dave Konopka, Ian Williams, and drummer John Stanierthis is a Battles to keep.

Battles at Webster Hall New York

Dense interesting energy is what they deliver. Battles is now an instrumental trio with guest vocalists. So joining them (in a pixelated fashion) on stage was Gary Numan, Kazu Makino (of Blonde Redhead) and Matais Aguayo.

Battles at Webster Hall New York

I’m really enjoying Battles Gloss Drop (Warp) this past month. It took me a while to pick up the CD (I’m too old school in these regards).

Charlie Wilmoth In Dusted Reviews writes, “Extra Life’s ridiculously complex instrumental parts … are sometimes quiet, sometimes brutal, but when they’re at one extreme, there’s always the sense that the other is a possibility.”

Wilmoth goes on to say, “The thing with Extra Life is that their music is about 18 times more accomplished and complex than most math rock bands could ever hope to be. And yet their music isn’t the least bit ironic, and its complexity nearly always sounds like it’s in the service of some broader idea.”

Extra Life’s MySpace page is:

http://www.myspace.com/extralifetheband

Extra Life 2009 tour dates
02.05.09 – Middletown, Conn. (Wesleyan University)
02.07.09 – Brooklyn, NY (Death By Audio) *With Made in Mexico
02.12.09 – Amherst, Mass. (Hampshire College) w/ Little Women
02.13.09 – Toronto, Ontario (The Boat) w/ Little Women
02.16.09 – Chicago, Ill. (Empty Bottle) w/ Larkin Grimm + Lichens
02.18.09 – Minneapolis, Minn. (Nomad World Pub) w/ Vampire Hands
02.20.09 – Vancouver, British Columbia (Peanut Gallery) w/ Certain Breeds + Shearing Pinx
02.23.09 – Portland, OR (the Tube)
02.24.09 – Portland, OR (East End)
02.25.09 – Eureka, Calif. (Auntie Moe’s)
02.26.09 – Oakland, Calif. (The Parkside)
02.28.09 – Los Angeles, Calif. (The Smell) w/ Abe Vigoda
03.01.09 – San Diego, Calif. (Radio Room)
03.03.09 – Denver, Colo. (Rhinoceropolis) w/ These Are Powers
03.04.09 – Lincoln, Neb. (Box Awesome)
03.05.09 – St. Louis, Mo. (Lemp Arts)
03.06.09 – Oberlin, Ohio (Oberlin College)

DeVotchKa at Crystal Ballroom Portland Oregon

But of course it helps if you arrive in style.  This person arrived…

...in the only way to show up to DeVotchKa

DeVotchKa, for those of you who don’t know, plays an eclectic rock – Gypsy-punk – Eastern-European – folk sound all created with blend of instruments: violin, tuba, accordion, theremin, bouzouki, and many more. But this show had more, a tuba with christmas tree lights.

DeVotchKa

In May, I posted images of DeVotchka at their Terminal 5 show in New York City. In NYC they had many other musicians join them on stage for a bigger sound, though this more intimate show in Portland seemed to have a bit more spirit.

DeVotchKa Crystal Ballroom Portland

DeVotchKa Crystal Ballroom Portland

DeVotchKa, from Denver, was warmed up by a great set by Portland’s own Norfolk and Western, who will also join them in the Seattle show. Sorry no images from that part of the show.

In May, NPR, had the following posting:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2008/05/devotchka_in_concert_illustrat_1.html

DeVotchKa’s “We’re leaving” on youtube:

DeVotchKa’s “How it ends” on youtube:

Upcoming shows:
12/30 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
12/31 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
1/23 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Life
1/24 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
1/27 – Aspen, Colorado @ Belly Up
1/29 – Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort & Casino – Grand Theatre
1/30 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
1/31 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
2/2 – West Hollywood, CA @ Viper Room
2/4 – San Diego, CA @ The Belly Up
2/5 – Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
2/6 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
2/7 – Lubbock, TX @ Jakes place Sports Café
2/8 – Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa
2/13 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre

Crowd leaves DeVotchKa Crystal Ballroom Portland

Charlie Wilmoth In Dusted Reviews writes, “Extra Life’s ridiculously complex instrumental parts …  are sometimes quiet, sometimes brutal, but when they’re at one extreme, there’s always the sense that the other is a possibility.”

Wilmoth goes on to say, “The thing with Extra Life is that their music is about 18 times more accomplished and complex than most math rock bands could ever hope to be. And yet their music isn’t the least bit ironic, and its complexity nearly always sounds like it’s in the service of some broader idea.”

Extra Life’s MySpace page is: www.myspace.com/extralifetheband

The previous lineup was always known as KBA to local fans. Actually the name for the latest incarnation of KBA is properly called “King Black Acid and the Sacred Heart“. So the new acronym is KBASH(?)

This new version is led by KBA frontman and creator Daniel Riddle and features Jeff Trapp on guitars, Joseph Trump on drums, Thom Rusnak on bass, Rich Landar on keyboard. I’ve seen Dan Riddle play around Portland for the past 15+ years in various bands such as “Hitting Birth” and “KBA.”

Hard to make too many comments about a band starting out and trying to hit a groove all at the same time. In the past, I remember that Daniel continually tweaked sounds and songs, so I expect an evolution. At this show, what we heard was just solid rock.  I was really hoping for a bit more inventive sound and some pushing into new territory.  For the next show, I’d like to hear what music should sound like in 2011. I think they are capable of doing much more,  so we’ll have see where they take us.

KBA’s previous work had some great mesmerizing atmospheric-psych jams that reminded many of the better parts of the later Pink Floyd sound. They played one song I really liked from the previous KBA CD “Loves a Long Song“.

There were a couple of interview’s with Daniel Riddle in both the Portland Mercury and the Willamette Week.

In the day, I took enough psychology to minor in it. Courses, at all levels, would spend a couple of weeks talking about Freud and then spend the whole rest of the course showing how science-flimsy Freudian ideas didn’t bare out. I’ll freely admit I don’t have the chops to argue with Psychoanalysts or Psychologists on that side of the debate, I do think that too many artist just rely on simple Freudian descriptions in their art (maybe that they learned from an art prof when they got their MFA?).

Over the past several year, I’ve seen too many references to Freud or Freudian imagery in shows in both New York and Portland.  Freud isn’t the only well to go to, artists need to dig deeper and cast a wider net. It is like trying to only using the 4 Greek elements (Earth, water, Air, and Fiber) to provide the only vocabulary to talk about modern physics. … or only using Aristoliean art theories to create art.

…sure there are some classic ideas that are at the foundations of cultural thought, but my advice, don’t be lazy, read everything, there are some amazing new ideas in every field of study and thought.

I first came across Derby at two different shows at the Doug Fir (including the FirFest) and really liked their sound. At that time I said, “These local boys really have music that is fun and damn it just so catchy that their tunes stick in your mind. Their new CD is in final production, and I can’t wait to get a copy.”

Now I have the CD and like it on my first spins. It was worth the wait. I wish they would have added a bonus track of their great earlier song “This Conversation.”

On the new CD, Ryan Wines write in his blog “Pet Marmoset” writes, “Posters Fade champions Derby’s signature sound of sweeping soft melodies and upbeat hooks, draped over bouncy keys, punchy guitars, and a healthy dose of 50’s-era drum beats… Good luck keeping this record off of your year-end lists. This one is a K.O.”

The show started off with a very energetic and strong feel. Their music is bright, smart, and damn catchy. If things go right these local boys could really have a larger influence.

The second half of the show featured different local musicians on nearly every song. Derby has a lot of respect from many of their peers in the upcoming Portland music scene. Scores of people joined them on stage. They were members of bands such as The Dimes, Tango Alpha Tango, Oh Darling, Dominic Castillo & the Rock Savants, Crosstide, Theopolis, Deepest Darkest, and more. While likely very fun for everyone on stage, in my mind this is where the show dragged down some. Even talented musicians need a few songs to get into the grove and the transitions cut down on the energy. This gave it the feel of a party at a warehouse studio jam session. Great if you are in an amongst everyone on stage, but less of a show if you are part of an audience. Crosstide and Climber opened for Derby.

Portland band “Caves” provided an energetic and enjoyable set to warm up the crowd.

The play an eclectic rock – Gypsy-punk – Eastern-European – folk sound all created with blend of instruments: violin, tuba, accordion, theremin, bouzouki, and many more.

I’ve seen their name around for a while but always seem to not quite get around to seeing them. I’m really sorry it to me this long. My climbing buddy Antony planned for a group of us to see this show. THANKS!

DeVotchKa only has a few more shows in the US before they go to Europe. See them if you can.

DeVotchKa, from Denver, was warmed up by a great set by Canada’s Basia Bulat. Sorry no images from that part of the show.

Last week, NPR, had the following posting:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2008/05/devotchka_in_concert_illustrat_1.html

It was a good-sized crowd.

Earlier this month, even though I was in Portland Oregon at that time, I missed the the same show at the Wonder Ballroom (May 1,2008). Now, I really regret that. It is always good to finish with a beer…

Not only do you get great views in a pleasant open-and-airy dining room that is in a “green” building (LEED), but the building is also “green”. The Rocket actually grows their veggies on the roof. Yes that’s right, the roof is green with new growth.

I meet a buddy of mine, Rich, before the Bob Mould show at the Doug Fir (more on this below). We had drinks and dinner. A bonus was a special tour of the roof garden. These images are from that visit. The building is “LEED platinum”, which requires that it use 50% less energy than code requires. It also has its own well for water.

On the roof they have two beds right on the roof. In addition they have lots of little kiddie pools planted as well. They are getting ready to add a lot more kiddie pools this spring. They already have many bags of soil on the roof that are getting ready for the new pools. Along various handrails they also have 3″ pots getting other starts ready. The rocket salad I started off with was wonderful and fresh – no wonder!

The Rocket is in the building that is against the Portland rock gym, right at the Sandy Blvd and Burnside split. To get to the Rocket which is on the top floor you have to go to the middle of the building where you’ll see a stairwell and an elevator once you walk in a bit. A unrelated bar occupies the bottom floor and there is not way to get to the Rocket from that bar, you have to walk up the sidewalk to the middle of the building.

Leather Storrs is one of Portland’s established chefs. He studied at the Culinary Institute of America and also worked at Chez Panisse, the French Laundry and Portland’s own Noble Rot.

This restaurant was maybe over-hyped at the beginning and even with a good start they didn’t quite live up to everyone’s expectations, BUT now that they’ve had some time I really think they’ve hit stride. I seen to continually adjust their menu and tweaked their style. It has really worked the food is now even more interesting and more flavorful. If you haven’t been back lately, I’d encourage to head up to the Rocket.

Rocket
1111 E Burnside St,Portland, OR 97214
Open Tuesday – Saturday from 5pm, Happy Hour – 5 to 6:30pm
(503) 236-1110
http://www.RocketPDX.com

Bob Mould

Bob Mould, a favorite of mine from Husker Du and Sugar. was in Portland last Friday at the Doug Fir. I first saw Bob back in ‘84 in a monumental show – at C.O.D’s in Chicago I saw Naked Raygun, Husker Du, Effigies, and The Dead Kennedys. That was a pivotal event! Take about bands that would influence many all together in one place.

Bob Mould just release his solo album ‘District Line. Bob is really returning to his guitar roots and it is great! Bob’s band includes Jason Narducy and Brendan Canty of Fugazi.

It was a great show. The set featured classic material as well as new songs off District Line. Oh yeah, one other thing, it was LOUD. My ears were still ringing the next day when I was up on Mt Hood skiing thigh-deep champaign powder. Yep, Friday & Saturday were great days.

Set list:
AOT
Idea
ADT Rock
Light
Hoover Damn
Vision
Silence
Tree
Parade
Favorite
… (look at the setlist below):

I bought the new District Line CD at the show. District Line has been getting heavy rotation (and decoding) on my various systems. I like it a lot. He is also getting a lot of well-deserved critical praise from many

Bob has been traveling the US in March, The shows continue in Europe in May/June.

05/23/08 Glasgow, UK
05/24/08 Manchester, UK
05/26/08 Birmingham, UK
05/27/08 London, UK
06/02/08 Frankfurt, GER
06/03/08 Cologne, GER
06/04/08 Hamburg, GER
06/07/08 Berlin, GER

Saturna opened up. I liked what they played. I’m keeping my eye on them as who knows they may be able to go somewhere.

The poster shown shown in the lower left of the first of my images from the show was created by well-known graphic artist Shepard Fairey. If you want the poster of Bob (edition 500), you need to go to a show (250 will sold on the tour) or go to Obey Giant(who gets to sell the other 250).

For video about Bob featuring live footage and interviews with Mould himself see the video below. It also has musicians from Interpol, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Death Cab For Cutie talking about the importance and influence of Bob Mould.