Rigsketball

What do bands and basketball have in common? Rigsketball.

credit: @tomfalconchamberlain

credit: @explodinggreen

This is an interesting little ditty that creates community amongst PDX bands in a way that is pretty truly innovative (yeah, pretty truly). And And And strapped a hoop on a hinge on the back of their van, to help pass time at shows, which has evolved into a full 32-team bracket, all of which are bands (mostly).



The PDX music scene is involved in this in various ways, and Vice even gave it a great little write up. Maybe this will turn into a music festival with set times based on how you place in the bracket, with the headliner being the band that wins the bracket... it'd certainly make it just a little bit more interesting than the ridiculous amount of interesting it already is. 

credit: @tyandre via walberg

Not only is it fun competition that gets pretty rough (definitely saw lots of blood and bruises), but it's a great way to actually get to know the groups in portland that are making waves, as some of the bigger named local bands partake in the bracket.

With recently getting picked up to partake side by side with PDX POP NOW, Rigsketball holds a promising future, and attendance is recommended.

Catch more info here: www.rigsketball.com

There's a few more games and the Rigsketball show is on the 25th, with some seriously primo bands on the line up, in particular BearCubbin'. 

The Love Loungers at the Crown Room

First Impression: Good look.

These guys goin' with the mildly cliche' red and black look, pull it off well. The group with their self titled genre "Groove Hop" are certainly entertaining. The male lead vocalist, while he doesn't really sing to a tune necessarily, certainly commands the stage lyrically and physically. He's always hopping around! Extremely entertaining, he puts it all out there.

The female vocalist is just a badass. Nuff' said. Don't believe me.... go listen to them.

Some great covers, Outkast and others! Love it!

Their horn line is SOLID, awesome solo's, no cracked notes, and their energy is up even when they're not playing, they pull it off well.

Rhythm section is stone cold. No mistakes all night, and they're all moving around and into the music. I don't think I've ever seen a bass with a body that has such a long strap mount on the top of it.... craziest bass ever. Ok not ever, but up there.

Overall: Go see them if you want to shake your booty. I'm going to definitely check them out when I get the chance.

(For the record, this show was also with Luc One and Phife from A Tribe Called Quest, but I wasn't able to stick around for them.... sad times)

Desert Noises, Aan & Candy Claws

Desert Noises
Up until they hit a note I was the only one standing in the room. For playing in front of now about 10 or 15 people, these guys put their hearts out on the line.
Apparently they are from Utah!  Cool.
Harmonies are solid. That's always a pleasant surprise. The lead vocalist in particular has a soothing element to it. The attendance is slowly but steadily rising, I feel it's because of these guys' music. I would describe their sound as spaghetticana, a pleasant mix of folk americana and spaghetti western influence, with a dash of roots rock.
These guys could definitely give tips to other bands on how to give great stage presence. All three on the front line are into it! I love it!
Drummer is sturdy! Not overplaying or overbearing, kit is tuned well also.
I could hear these guys on a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack, easily.
Overall: These guys are really good. I'm going to try to catch another show of theirs, probably even follow their tour schedule. Highly recommend these guys.

Aan
First word that comes to mind.... Interesting.
An interesting group due to their skillful use of dissonance. Sometimes it feels as though their chords are competing, then resolve so nicely! Every time!
Peculiar songs structures, eclectic organizations, and high energy! A very organic feel.
Cant pick out where I've heard a vocal sound like theirs before, but it fits like a glove, I cant imagine someone else singing for them.
Good use of samples too! My head is nodding, always a good sign.
Personally I could use a bit more punch on their song endings, they seem to fizzle out to me, but it's not necessarily a bad thing, just a personal preference.
As per my friends recommendation, and I have to agree, it  reminds us a lot of Explosions in the Sky, but with vocals (and in my opinion a little more Pink Floyd influence (their druggier days))
Overall: Interesting. I want to check out their recorded music for comparison. I'd see them again given the opportunity, they aren't mainstream at all and I love it!

as usually I had to leave before the headliner :( No review of Candy Claws, sorry folks

RX Bandits with Maps & Atlases and Zech's Marquise

Lineup:

RX Bandits
Maps & Atlases
Zechs Marquise

 Location:
The Hawthorne Theater

I'm stoked to say the least! More to come.

Zech's Marquise.... holy.... Wow.

So upon my arrival I see an old friend at the bar, we strike up a conversation which leads to others joining in. This resulted in learning that monger other than Omar Roderiguez-lopez's brother is in this band.

After a snarky comment from someone on the floor to the group, I'm pretty sure it's the bassist. I'll check that later. (though he really looks like Omar). If you don't know Omar, google him.

This band is wild, their music is erratic, and they have no singer. They certainly are tight and their music is well rehearsed. Not surprising though.

I just have to say this, their drummers beard would put a viking dwarf from lord of the rings to shame. IT'S EPIC! His drum skills are as epic as his beard, he's solid as a rock.

These guys are so organic. I'm sure it's rehearsed but it really sounds like they are just going with the flow! Tight beats and bitchin' licks.

Overall: I'm seeking these guys out for when they come back to portland. They are amazing.

Maps & Atlases

probably the craziest math rock bamf I've ever heard of. The lead singer looks like he was pulled off of a wild hippie commune, but that doesn't deter his amazing guitar playing.

I'm really loving that the crowd knows when to join in on some synchronized claps. The level of concentration observed on the faces of these guys is unparalleled! They poetically have to think so much harder just to get those crazy time signatures to sound impeccable. Definitely makes me want to just go home and practice.

Other than that though I feel there's not much to say. They're just frickin' talented.

Overall: I probably would go see them again at some point. If you want to expand your musical prowess, check them out.

RX Bandits
Too awesome. You are not worthy of hearing about their show. If you weren't there, you should have been.

'nuff said.

The Dark Backward, Ask You In Gray, and Sunny Travels

Sunny Travels
First up was Sunny Travels. Not bad! Being the judgmental person that I am I really didn't expect much based on looks alone, but they weren't bad!

The singer, while mildly overweight and wearing a badass Voltron shirt (the older crowd will get that) can sing! His pitches were on and the harmonies supplied by their guitarist were in tune! I love that.
They have ok stage presence, could probably spice it up a bit.

The drummer definitely has a niiiice Gretsch kit. Love looking at the sparkles on the finish.
Enough about the looks, their sound is good!

They are definitely feel good music, I could find myself listening to these guys on the beach on a nice sunny day. Rock/Raggae mix with some definite long beach influence. I think they'd have a lot more success down in the long beach area certainly, though I have no idea how long they've been a band.

Overall feeling: I'd probably see them again if I knew they were playing somewhere close, but I don't think I'll seek them out like I would some more favorable bands. With some refinement they could easily climb higher on my list. Definitely a solid band though.

Ask You In Gray
I like that these guys perform their show at full power no matter how the size of the crowd is.

Sometimes I hate myself because I can't help but dance to pop music. These guys tend to have the same effect apparently. I'm bobbing up and down as I write this part of the review from my cell phone...

Their performance is well rehearsed, but I think they could do with more performers to help create the sounds that are currently sampled. A drummer, bassist (synth bass... or anything!) and whatever else is sampled would have such a better punch the live element I feel.

For two guys though they are bountiful in stage presence! Teach other bands that! Seriously!
I just want to book these guys at an epic house party, they would be awesome! Or some big dance party, for realz.

The Dark Backward 
Spunky.

The look is good, but it seems like only the bassist and guitar player got the memo on dressing up. Maybe it's just this show, if the whole band had that uniform look I think it'd suit them well.

 Good energy on stage. All but the bassist moving like they're throwing their heart into it, especially the fiddle player, but I think it's because he's not locked to a boom stand for backing vocals.

 Drummer is solid! He's definitely into it and I've been impressed by his study and crafty fills. Lead vocalist is into it! Love that, not to mention get pitch and tone fit the band well.

Humor on stage, appreciated.

 Overall feeling: an eclectic sound, solid and rehearsed. Good mesh of harmonies with the music underneath. If you want to dance to some upbeat fun rock music, check them out.