Jim Jones Revue @ Doug Fir

Damn. That was an amazing show. The Jim Jones Revue roared through their set like a greased up Oldsmobile 88 pushing into the red. Never letting down, each song they seemed to reach new sonic heights, the power and noise almost obscuring the band's tightness. Every time the guitarist, Rupert Orton, decked out in full leather, stepped up to the front he delivered tight blasting solos. His understated demeanor contrasting with his thunderbolt riffs. The keyboardist, Henri Herbert, off to side, banging wildly like a manic Jerry Lee Lewis. Although each member's performance was impressive and wild, it was clear who owned the stage. From start to finish, Jim Jones showed what a frontman could be -- an argument for what rock n' roll should be. His dramatic and powerful gestures reminded me of a pissed off and crazy Al Pacino, with a little of David Bowie's flare. He postured, flirted, preached, and directed, all the while his hair and sweat flying. I have no idea how he can bark all night every night, nor that a howl could be so textured. It was as mesmerizing as it was impressive.

Simply put, if you like rock n' roll, you need to see this band.

Monarques, World's Greatest Ghosts, Jared Mees & Light For Fire

In a city rich with musical talent, where practically every night promises a couple exciting shows, it's easy to fall behind. With four great local bands playing the Doug Fir on Friday night, this is your chance to start catching up.

Light for Fire's self-titled debut celebrating failed romances and their aftermath is one of my favorite albums this year and they are great live. I'm also excited about hearing a couple great new indie folk rave-ups from Jared Mees & The Grown Children, who are releasing Only Good Thoughts Can Stay next month. World's Greatest Ghosts have been off my radar lately, but I'm looking forward to dancing to their catchy synth-fueled indie rock. The night closes with up-and-coming retro poppers, the Monarques, who should be refreshed from their SXSW trip and gearing up to launch their debut sometime later this year.

This concert should not be missed. Plus it's a steal at only $10.

Free Energy & Hollerado @ Doug Fir

Last time I saw Free Energy, girls were stage diving at the Doug Fir during MusicfestNW. It was going to be hard to live up to that performance, but I think the band gets tighter every time I see them. They know how to work a crowd and their fans eat up feel good sing-along rockers like "Dream City" and "Bang Pop" I really cannot hear  "Hope Child" too many times.

Fellow Phillies, Hollerado  opened. They approach rock n' roll with a similar good-timing attitude, as apparent on "Do the Doot Da Doot Do" or on "Americana", with a video that gives OK GO a run for the money:

Freelance Whales - "Enzymes"

Here's the newest single from the Freelance Whales. They've partnered with Green Label Sound to give away "Enzymes". It features a group harmonies, tinny keyboard, and shimmering chorus that pulls the song out of the melancholy. Basically, it's more of the pretty indie pop that made Weathervanes so popular.

You can catch them, along with the Miniature Tigers, at the Doug Fir on Sunday, November 21st.

MFNW Saturday Preview - Japandroids, Free Energy, & Jeff The

No venue hopping tonight. The line up at the Doug Fir on Saturday couldn't have been better if I curated it myself. In fact, I am going to pretend I did. I am now dubbing it the Totally Unofficial QuickCrit Rock n' Roll Showcase!!! Hell yeah! I'm getting drunk just thinking about it.

Saturday, September 11th

Jeff The Brotherhood @ Doug Fir (10 PM)
These two guys make hilariously lo-fi videos. The songs are simple, the lyrics indiscernible, and the guitar distorted and awesome.

Free Energy @ Doug Fir (11 PM)
A serious contender for my most loved and certainly loudest played album this year. It captures a hedonistic innocence that just feels like summer.

Japandroids @ Doug Fir (12 AM)
Last time I saw them on of their amps caught on fire! No joke. Their album made our Best of 2009 list. If you like scuzzy, hook-filled indie rock, you can't miss it.

FREE ENERGY "Bang Pop" from Free Energy on Vimeo.

J. Tillman @ Doug Fir

J. Tillman shuffled on stage, grabbed his guitar, said a few pleasantries and began. The place went immediately dead silent once he started singing "Three Sisters". The parable's story and imagery delivered in alternating resonating strength and delicate whisper. His captivating performance even held the bar in the back silent for 3 or 4 songs.

The Doug Fir was the perfect venue for Tillman, with the acoustics capturing the clarity and sharpness of his vocal. His songs, although quiet and beautiful, they never lulled the audience, but held them rapt and attentive as he played songs from his upcoming album, Singing Ax, due out sometime in September. He wasn't sure or seemed to care about those details, but if that night was any indication, it will be worth seeking out.

Nick Jaina - "Days In My Room" Video

Portland troubadour Nick Jaina is holding his record release show tomorrow at the Doug Fir, a perfect setting for the lush and quiet folk on A Bird In The Opera House. The soft focus on the video for "Days In My Room" captures the songs reflective tone as he rides across the Steel Bridge around the city, the nostalgic imagery appearing as if the footage was decades old. As I previously noted, "Sleep Child" (mp3) is also worth checking out.

Miles Kurosky - The Desert Of Shallow Effects (2010)

In a year with an abundance of albums by bands I like, this probably would've been my most anticipated album if I believed it ever would come out. Likely, it was my most anticipated album of 2005, the year after Beulah broke up.

Any Beulah fan should love this album and probably some people who hear this will be prompted to go back and discover Beulah for the first time. I'm just stoked to hear Miles Kurosky share his bummed out perspective over upbeat indie pop. The songs playfully shift gears multiple times, packing in plenty of hooks, tempo changes, and layers of orchestration. However, it never seems overstuffed. I like every song on the album, but my favorite sub-songs are embedded in "An Apple For An Apple", when the drums crank it up and then later when the keyboard takes over as the driving force, and in "I Can't Swim", when a squiggling guitar backs a soaring chorus.

With so many instruments playing all at once I'm curious to see how he pulls if off live when he plays Doug Fir on April 9th.

The Whigs - "Like A Vibration" Video

Oh man, the Whigs are playing with the Features at the Doug Fir on Sunday night. I loved the Features' Some Kind of Salvation, and the Whigs "Like A Cibration" should be a garage rock classic. This has the potential for being an awesome show. To prep, check out "In The Dark" (mp3) off the Whigs upcoming album.

Awmercy's Recent PopWreckoning Posts

These posts aren't quick, so I've included a one line summary.

Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags - We Will Be Forgotten EP (2009)
A beautiful and sentimental last EP.

Nurses @ Doug Fir
Shambling and psychedelic indie rock.

Joe Pug - "Hymn 101" Video

As luck will have it, just days after the Builders and the Butchers' Ryan Sollee recommended him in his interview, singer-songwriter Joe Pug is playing the Doug Fir on Wednesday night. Here's a video of "Hymn 101", just in case Sollee's word isn't good enough for you. If you really like what you hear, you can also pick up his free EP (mp3) online.

The Mint Chicks - "Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!" Video

The Mint Chicks are playing tonight at the Doug Fir. I can't wait.

I Was A King Inteview

I really enjoyed I Was A King's self-titled debut, so it was especially cool when frontman Frode Strømstad graciously answered a couple quick questions via email shortly before their concert at the Doug Fir. They are back in Norway now, but it sounds like they had a good time, so maybe they'll be back.

QuickCrit: How is the tour going?
Frode Strømstad: The tour has been great so far! Of course some shows and places better than others, but we are really enjoying being here. Always a lot of friendly people coming out. We like friendly people.

QC: Judging from your videoblog, your days seem extremely packed. Are you getting any time to explore any of the cities you play in? If so, what are going to try and do or see in Portland?
FS: Well that is the bad thing about the tour, that we don´t have any time to explore each city. But we see a lot of truckstops and roadsigns on our way. We've been trying to locate some good food in each city, basically the only thing we have time to do. For Portland, I met Marty [Marquis] from Blitzen Trapper some days ago, and he drew me a map, with directions and good places to go, and told us that Portland is the best, so we are excited.

QC: Which songs seem to be the crowd favorites?
FS: It is hard to tell, but I think "California" and "Golden Years" have been well received.

QC: You seem to pull in a wide range of fuzzy pop. Who or what do you think are your biggest influences?
FS: Hm, that is always hard to say, influences seem to change all the time. Right now I've been really into bands like Red Krayola and Licourice Roots. Also traveling around has a big impact on me. I have tons of new ideas after this round, so can't wait to come back home and sit down with a guitar.

QC: How did you decide to place such an amazing song as "Norman Bleik" at the end of the album?
FS: Norman Bleik is actually one of the oldest recordings on the album, and were not meant to be on any album in the first place. But when we started to mix the album, we gave it a new chance. I still don't think it is our best song. Since it is an album there shouldn't be rules about when a song should or should not appear.

QC: I don't know many Norwegian bands. Are there any other up and coming bands I should know about?
FS: Serena Maneesh (not up and coming, but new fantastic album in the works), Harrys Gym (which is Anne Lises other band), Bygdin (new project from the 120 days guys), Megaphonic Thrift, Maribel.

Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags @ Doug Fir

It's not often that I go to a show just dying to hear my favorite songs off the band's new album and not hear a single one... and walk away completely satisfied, if not loving the band even more. But that is exactly what happened last week when I caught Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags' opening set for Clem Snide. They only played one song off that album, an excellent version of "Heart Of Rome". The rest were new songs they are working on for their next album. The songs sounded great, so how could complain? And Scotland Barr promised a longer set when they return to the Doug Fir for a free show on May 2nd, so there is good chance I'll hear "Juanita" and "Fall Hard" next time.

awmercy's Recent PopWreckoning Posts

These posts aren't quick, so I've included a one line summary.

M. Ward & Port O'Brien @ Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR
A dark and intimate show.

Fujiya & Mijagi, Pop Levi & Project Jenny Project Jan @ Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
A night of sweet dance moves.

Interview with Blind Pilot's Ryan Dobrowski
A couple quick questions for a local favorite.

Fujiya & Miyagi @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
Chill music for a hip lounge.

Murder City Devils @ Roseland Theater, Portland, OR
A hot and sweaty return to Portland.