My Goodness - "I've Got A Notion"

My Goodness are a Northwest based duo that play heavy garage blues featuring monster riffs with just enough grit to get you dirty, but stopping just short of stoner rock sludge. If you like the video for "I've Got A Notion", you should also check out "C'mon Doll" (mp3). Maybe they can start to start to fill the void left by my much loved Pure Country Gold. Now they just need head on down 5 and play Slabtown or the East End.

The Biters - All Chewed Up (2011)

The Biters are back with another EP packed with power pop and classic punk. They pretty much stick with the formula that made their last two EPs must haves for fans of snotty vocals and fist pumping choruses. "Born To Cry" (mp3) mixes meaty drums and classic rock riffs with a peppering of enthusiastic whoa-oh-ohs and lyrics romanticizing the glitter in the gutter. "Hold On" stands out by injecting a punk strut with a fantastic chorus built around a tight and soaring keyboard. While obviously indebted to the past, pulling bits from the Buzzcocks, T.Rex, and even the Who, the Biters' combination of passion and hooks make the otherwise familiar sound their own. Plus, practically every song is catchy enough to be a single.

They'll be playing with label mates and fellow garage rockers The Booze at the East End on Friday April 1st. Add plenty of cheap beer and you have a perfect Friday night... and probably a pretty hazing Saturday morning.

The Cute Lepers - "Tribute To Charlie"

After hearing "Tribute To Charlie" (mp3), I am pretty excited to hear the rest of The Cute Lepers' new album Adventure Time, out April 5th on 1-2-3-4 Go! Records. The songs adds blasts of soulful horns to their catchy yet snotty garage punk. I can't wait to see them when they play Portland on April 13th. The venue isn't set, but I'm guessing they'll be playing the East End.

The Booze - "Kick Me Where It Hurts"

I am a sucker for bands like The Booze, who are seriously indebted to "Tumbling Dice" era Rolling Stones. They may not be reinventing rock n' roll but they make great party music. On "Kick Me Where It Hurts" (mp3) angelic backing vocals contrast with the lyrics spit through a sneer.

They'll be playing the East End on April 1st with similarly sleazy Biters. It should be a great nigh for fist pumping rock n' roll.

The Biters - The Biters EP / It's Okay To Like Biters EP (2010)

While The Biters' mix of classic power pop and punk rock could easily find a place on Rhino's now out of print D.I.Y. series, their sound mainly reminds me of Portland's fabulous and doomed Exploding Hearts. Judging from their video, they look like some the guys I see down at Slabtown and the East End, where I am sure someday they'll be warmly received if they ever tour through town.

There are plenty of us-against-the-world lyrics designed to maximize the fist pumping, beer swilling, and maybe some joyful jumping around. "Hang Around" (mp3) sneers and postures, but might just be sweet song of friendship. The bouncing rally cry of "Anymore" has a great celebratory cheer in the middle of the chorus. "Melody For Lovers" (mp3) rides a classic escalating riff and hand claps. I'll definitely keep my eye out for the 3rd EP coming out later this year.

East End Block Party!

After checking out the line up, I am amped for the East End's Block Party this July 4th weekend. Saturday nights features some of my favorites from Slabtown's Bender. Ty Segall just released Melted and Pure Country Gold should be releasing Tough Tuesday any day now, so their should be plenty of new songs to hear and love. With manic and entertaining Mean Jeans headlining it will ensure a great night of loud, sloppy rock n' roll. And Sunday features the catchy garage pop of Harlem. I still can't get enough of Hippies.

Of course, it will mean missing out on some of the Waterfront Blues Festival, but lucky for me, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm are playing on Friday and Booker T is playing pretty early on Saturday.

Garage Fest Pre-Party @ East End

Holy crap. I've been so focused on the the Scion Garage Fest that I somehow missed that East End was having a pre-party on Friday with DJs King Khan and BBQ and a surprise guest. Judging from the music they make, their DJ sets should be great. It's free.

On top of that, Davilla 666 is sticking around after they play the fest until Monday for a set, which is good because they are playing the same slot as Cheap Time and I've been dying to see them.

International Pop Overthrow

Flipping through the Portland Mercury today I came across a listing for the International Pop Overthrow power pop festival at East End. Although I've never heard of any of the bands playing this weekend, but I bet they all play hook filled indie pop, like the kind on the IPO compilations that I've been collecting off and on for years. They always feature a couple standout heavily influenced by the Beatles, Big Star or the Romantics. I can't believe I almost missed it. Not sure which set I'll be able to catch, but either way it will be a good opportunity to pick up the new compilation.

Has anyone heard of any of these bands?

Friday, August 14
8:00 The Welfare State
8:30 Phamous Phaces
9:00 Beyond Veronica
9:30 The Quags
10:00 The Imprints
10:30 A.M. Interstate
11:00 Big Daddy Stereo
11:30 Mission 5

Saturday, August 15
8:00 Graystar
8:30 One Silver Astronaut
9:00 Blue Skies For Black Hearts
9:30 The Irises
10:00 Hawkeye
10:30 UHF
11:00 Throwback Suburbia
11:30 Black Mercies

Sunday, August 16
7:30 Someday Tricycle
8:00 The Orchid Highway
8:30 The Neat
9:00 Pale Blue Sky
9:30 Sean Wagner
10:00 Orange Collection
10:30 The Strange Effects