Metal Night at Backspace

Line-up for the evening was Nether Regions, SubArachnoid Space, and Red Fang at Portland's Backspace, a venue that functions as a cafe by day and an all-ages venue (w/ alcohol) by night.  Red Fang opened with the slow, but delightfully heavy "Humans Remain Human Remains" before picking up the pace for their 50 minute set.  Cries came from the crowd frequently for "Prehistoric Dog", a hit due in large part to the great video made for the single, and the band closed with it, much to the audience's moshing pleasure.

I haven't shot photos from a mosh pit since Warped Tour last year. It's a fun challenge. More pics here.

The Slackers and The Getbacks - 03-24-10

My first venture into Mississippi...the Portland version, that is.  A communal bike pump and diverse food choices welcome me to the 'hood.  I'm in the newly revamped Mississippi Studios, though, having never been here, I don't know the difference.  41 chairs upstairs and a side balcony -- all good views from above. Two chandeliers and assorted low wattage sconces illuminate the room.

Portland's The Getbacks are on first. The red walls and single dim red light on stage worries the photographer in me, but time will tell. The crowd is not as I'd expect: a single mohawk and a couple checkered hats, but sweaters and vests dominate.  The lights flash and the show begins...well, a few minutes later, but that's not as dramatic-sounding.  The singer informs us that they are here for "our entertainment pleasure". They sound good from the start, but the seven-piece looks crowded  up there, with horn players shuffling to make room for solos. The take home song from these guys is the mildly gross, but catchy "Drunk Girl".

     "Uh, uh, uh....uh, uh, uh, uh, you better watch what you do.
       If you take home a pukin' girl, you might get puke on you."

The Slackers are self-described "Jamaican rock 'n' roll". At least one person in the crowd wanted to make the atmosphere just a little more Jamaican.  In the past, I'd seen Vic (lead vocalist, keys) play the mad scientist with the theramin, but tonight he stuck with the organ.  The band eased into their classic "Married Girl" with a story, but at the start of the actual song there was a point of crowd realization, followed by cheers and instant skank: Just add water.

On that note, it's not a ska show if the audience isn't drenched in sweat. They were ---- it was.

Post Harbor - The Dunes - March 6, 2010

The club is black, with a recessed door and no signage.  No wonder no one is here. I had the address number and that's the only reason I even approached the massive 15 foot door.  A drum kit is set up, but no one is playing...except Freddie Mercury.  Queen Live at Wembley is pumping through the sound system and is projected on the wall.  I ask the guys if they've ever had Queen open for them. A remarkable night indeed.

An hour after the advertised showtime and there are ten others in the room. Considering the three bands on the bill tonight, I'm guessing that I'm the only one that's not a band member or a girlfriend.


Bombs Over You starts the night off with a slow, spacey number full of synthey fuzz guitar and double keyboards. The microphone stand progressed through various stages of rebellion throughout the set, but the singer stuck it out and handled the troubles well. During the last song of the set, a group of four in clever hats -- frog, dinosaur, red-and-white-striped waldo, and cowboy -- strolls into the bar.  One's sporting a tutu as well and her behavior communicates the fact that they know Post Harbor.

Tonight's special on the sign is "Big Beer $4", which turns out to be a cheap American corporate beer (no names mentioned to preserve innocence) in what was at least a 25 oz mug.  I pass.  The not-as-big drink of the night is crushed ginger, ginger ale, and whiskey.  A glance down the counter gets me thinking: The velociraptor with glasses at the bar worries me. Is he here for trouble? If I avoid eye contact, will I be fine? Eye contact? Which eyes: the human or reptilian pair? I go back to my drink.

Bombs Over You breaks stage loading protocol by talking to friends while slowly packing up instead of getting everything offstage first. As bonus points, however, the drum hardware is nicely stuffed into a golf bag to the amusement of those who see.

Watching Post Harbor set up is comical as well, but the band demonstrates the adaptability a touring band must have as it fits four keyboards, a full drum kit, three guitars, a cello, and a bass in what I'd guess is about 90 square feet.  A Tetris game of musical instruments in front of us.  I'm familiar with the music of Post Harbor, which is why I came out tonight.  Bowing guitars as well as cellos, using drumsticks as guitar slides.

The fuzz can put you to sleep. You don't happen upon a place like this.

Videos from the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWf4XcxZAvU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Ai1vvGT_k