Eugene Weekly : Music : 01.29.04
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Old-Fashioned Rock
Riffbrokers rock, Zadok rasta hops, Bop Kings bop.
BY VANESSA SALVIA
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| Mary And Mars plays Sam Bond's Friday. |
Seattle-based trio the Riffbrokers will show Samurai Duck-goers just why old-fashioned rock will never go out of style. Saturday night, the Riffbrokers will showcase tunes from first album Your Superhero In That Bar, songs that offer a gritty testament to the power of heartland rock and pop.
Guitarist and songwriter Nick Millward and bassist Heather Burnett have been together, musically and romantically, since their Boise days in 1999. They first performed under the moniker "Unsmashable Riffbrokers," but dropped the cumbersome "Unsmashable" — only retaining it as their label name — when they relocated to Seattle in 2000 and joined forces with drummer Dustin Miller. (Unsmashable Records also handles affairs for two other Seattle-based acts: Vegas In Flames and The Small Change.)
Superhero kicks off with a classic theme, a song of wounded love called "Hatcheted Heart," which propels itself along with a catchy beat you'll be tapping your toes to. "Eighty-sixed" is a fine power pop number, and Millward's throaty voice gives it just the right amount of snarling attitude. The band keeps the energy up all the way through to the CD's closer, "Attractive Nuisance," about a girl who's irresistible but troublesome. The band also shines on a cover of 10,000 Maniacs' "Stockton Gala Days."
Superhero is a short EP (eight songs in 30 minutes), but shows a lot of potential for the future, and Millward promises a new full-length CD in a more timely manner later this year.
While Superhero is spiced with meaty guitar riffs, none of it is heavy-handed, and the Riffbrokers are not an "alt-country" band — no nasal twang, no affected honkey-tonkin' personas. It's just great, straight-ahead rock music with a touch of Americana roots that'll make you feel like dancing.
Also shaking around town: Luckey's continues its foray into eclectic booking with San Antonio's the Bop Kings. In a Saturday night show at the pool hall, the Texas trio will show Eugene why Las Vegas voted it the Best New Rockabilly Band of 2002.
Casey Miller sings and plays acoustic guitar, Mike Nesloney plays electric guitar and Chris Darrell goes wild on the stand up bass. What's missing from this line-up? That's right, no drums. But you won't miss a thing when you hear their astonishingly authentic rockabilly sound as they perform songs from their debut record Rock It To the Moon.
Miller has played in several other rockabilly acts, notably The Texas Thundertones, K.C. Miller and the Kozmik Kowboys and the Hectic Hepcats. Darrell honed his chops in Corpus Christie's The Hellbillys. The Bop Kings tear through 16 songs on the self-titled CD, all the way from "Cryin' Alone" to "Hepcat Jive." These guys are the most authentic-sounding and talented outfit I've come across in a long time. Fans of rockabilly and hillbilly boogie will not be disappointed!
Calling all Rastas! Calling all hip-hoppers! It's Rasta Hip-Hop by Canada's Sons of Zadok, appearing Saturday night at Cozmic Pizza. Presenting teachings from the bible of the Essene Church of Christ, Sons of Zadok performs songs from the CD Nazarene Vow, offering "conscious, radical, revolutionary rasta rap" that seeks to "confront the false powers of Babylon" and promote spiritual transformation.
Lastly, former Dixie Chick (albeit more than 10 years ago) Sharon Gilchrist is now part of "progressive bluegrass" trio Mary And Mars. Each member of this acoustic trio from Santa Fe, N.M, is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; they trade vocal duties as well as instruments during their energetic sets. Together since 2002, Mary And Mars presents mostly original takes on modern bluegrass while remaining true to the roots of the genre. Since the band's inception, the accomplished musicians have played clubs and festivals to critical acclaim hundreds of times, and now perform at Sam Bond's Friday, opening for Eugene's Jack Straw.
ALASKAN BUSH CO.
1030 HWY. 99 688-9027
FR: Vida Girls--10; Classic jammin' rock
AX BILLY GRILL & SPORTS BAR
999 WILLAMETTE ST. 484-4011
SA: Tim Clarke Trio--8
BEANERY All Ages
152 W. 5TH AVE. 342-3378
TH: Richie G and Michael Kevin Daly--7
BLACK FOREST
50 E. 11TH ST. 686-6619
TH: Sad Bastards Night: Dan Jones, Andy from Blasphemous, more--9:30; Acoustic, rock
FR: Cosmodelic Eargazums--9:30; Rock
SA: Dave Young Band--9:30; Rock
SU: Super Bowl Party--2, Open mic with Pete Christie--9:30
MO:: $1000 Karaoke Competition w/DJ Jared--9:30
WE::Blacklight Underground--9:30; Disco, dj
CAFE PARADISO
115 W. BROADWAY 484-9933
TH: Satya Yuga--9; Hip hop, jazz, reggae, funk
SA: Neil Bjorklund Band--9; Singer/songwriter
TU:: Acoustic Music Open Mic--7:30 (all ages) and 9 (21+)
WE: Adam Werner & Chris Yeaton--9; Acoustic
CLUB 50 All Ages
165 W. 11TH AVE.
FR: Hip Hop Dance Party--9
SA: Hip Hop Dance Party--9
COFFEE GROVE COOPERATIVE
510 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GR. 942-8847
FR: White Mountain--7; Eclectic
SA: Tyee Rob Murtaugh, Rainbow Bird--7:30; Land-inspired modern Native American, bluegrass, country
THE COOLER
20 CENTENNIAL LOOP
TH: Rock and Blues Show--8:30
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| SONS OF ZADOK PLAY COZMIC PIZZA SATURDAY. |
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All Ages
8TH AVE. AND CHARLENTON ST. 338-9333
TH: Willamette Jazz Society Jam w/Unit 13--7
FR: The Vipers with Deb Cleveland CD Release--8; Jazz, blues
SA: Sons of Zadok--7; Reggae, hip hop
SU: Ashbury Park--8; Acoustic rock
MO: Cozmic Family Film Club--6; Melissa Mitchell--8:30; Acoustic
TU: Salsa Night--8
WE: The Matt Butler Project--8; Jam
DIABLO'S
959 PEARL ST. 683-3855
TH: Thirsty Thursday w/Jon Smith --10; Requests
FR: Big Beats w/Dinari, Jon Smith--10
SA: House Nite w/Howie, Anmar--10
WE: DJ Gen. Erik and guests--10
DOWNTOWN LOUNGE
959 PEARL ST. 343-2346
TH: Devil Bros—9; spin R&B, funk
FR: Lady & The Tramps--10; Blues rock
SA: Illamental--10; Hip hop
SU: Super Bowl Super Soul Party--all day and night
MO: Monster Truck Monday w/Diablo, DJ Mayhem and guests--10; 80s punk, butt rock
TU: Stone Cold Jazz w/Kenny Reed, Clayton Rhodes--10
WE: DJ Gen. Erik and guests--10
EMBERS SUPPER CLUB
1811 HWY. 99 N. 688-6564
TH: Billy McCoy—9; Country
FR: Michael Anderson Trio—9; Variety, country
SA: Michael Anderson Trio—9; Variety, country
FOOLSCAP BOOKS
780 BLAIR BLVD. 681-9212
TH: SongwriterSlam--9
SA: The Ovulators, Dan Jones--9; Rock
GOOD TIMES
375 E. 7TH AVE. 484-7181
TU: Rooster's Blues Jam--8
INDIGO DISTRICT
13TH AVENUE & OAK STREET. 434-6553
WE: Lick--9; Glam rock, electro, dance
JAKE'S PLACE
605 W. 19TH AVE. 431-0513
SU: Norman Mesman--10 am; Classical flamenco
JO FEDERIGO'S
259 E. 5TH AVE. 343-8488
TH: Jo Fed's Jazz Jam Session--9
FR: Jerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate--9:30
SA: J.C. Rico--9:30
SU: Mark Allan--9
MO: Open Mic--6, Skip Jones Hammond Organ Trio--9:30
JOGGER'S BAR & GRILL
710 WILLAMETTE ST. 343-0224
TH:Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
FR: Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
TU: Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
WE: Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
JOHN HENRY'S
77 W. BROADWAY 342-3358
SU: John Henry's Brodway Revue--10; Burlesque, variety
MO:Origin, YOB, Uphill Battle, on the first day... they were kittens--9; Rock
TU: Sirens Echo, DJ Sneakers--10
WE: Reggae vs. Hip Hop: DJ Kal El vs. DJ Tekneek--10
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| EEK-A-MOUSE PLAYS THE JUNGLE SUNDAY. |
THE JUNGLE
23 W. 6TH AVE. 434-1111
FR: Ultimate Male Review--8, DJ George the Mixologist--9:30; Dance favorites
SA: DJ George the Mixologist--9:30; Coast-to-coast hip hop
SU: Eek-A-Mouse--7; Reggae, dub poetry
KELYNSKI'S SPORTS PUB
1712 IVY ST., JUNCTION CITY 998-5688
TH: Karaoke w/Clydester--7
FR: Karaoke w/Clydester--7
SA: Karaoke w/Clydester--7
SU: Karaoke w/Clydester--5
WE: Open Mic--6
LAVELLE'S WINE BAR & BISTRO
5TH ST. PUBLIC MARKET 338-9875
FR: Gus Russell--5; Jazz
SA: Chris Stubbs--5; Jazz
LONE STAR BAR AND GRILL
I-5 AT COBURG 686-8686
TH: Girls get wild--9; DJ dancing
FR: Guys get wild--9; DJ dancing
SA: Karaoke--9
TU: Open mic--9
WE: Coyote Ugly--8
LOS GROUCHOS
100 E. BROADWAY 484-1747
TH: Hip hop, R&B, Old-school--9, Bobby Six Crows Jam w/the Riggin' Warriors--9:30
FR: Ladies Night: Salsa w/DJ Son del Barrio, Salsa Cumbia Merengue--10
SA: Banda Oaxaca w/DJ Son Del Barrio, Salsa--10
MO: Karaoke—8
TU: New Rock—9
WE: Classic Rock--9
LUCKEY'S CLUB CIGAR
933 OLIVE ST. 687-4643
TH: Deke Falcon--10; Superhero indie rock
FR: The Sawyer Family, The Bop Kings, Joshua James and the Runaway Trains--10; Rocking country
SA: The Champagne Syndicate--10; Funky original soul
TU: Peace, love, jazz and Ken--10
WE: Nimbus--10; Funky pop
LUNA
30 E. BROADWAY 434-5862
TH: Walker T. Ryan and the Delta Mystics--8; Blues
FR: Erik Muiderman--5:30; Singer/songwriter, Michelle Van Handel--8:30; Jazz vocalist
SA: Erik Muiderman--5:30; Singer/songwriter, West Coast Jazz Ensemble--8
MAC'S AT THE VET'S CLUB
1626 WILLAMETTE ST. 344-8600
TH: Christie & McCallum--9; Honky tonk, rock
FR: Over the Counter Jug Band--9; Acoustic Americana
SA: Mo Fessor--9; New Orleans boogie
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| TOAD IN THE HOLE PLAYS MAX'S TAVERN FRIDAY. |
MAX'S TAVERN
550 E. 13TH ST. 349-8986
FR: Toad in the Hole--10; Celtic footstomp
MCDONALD THEATRE
1010 WILLAMETTE ST.
SA: The Soul of John Black--9; Soul, funk, pop
THE O BAR
1 COMMONS WAY 349-0707
TH: Thirsty Thursdays: DJ Johnny--9; Hip hop, dance
TU: Karaoke w/Jared--9
OREGON ELECTRIC STATION
27 E. 5TH 485-4444
FR: Don Latarski Trio--8; Jazz
SA: Don Latarski Trio--8; Jazz
PEABODY's
444 E. 3RD AVE. 484-2927
TH: Timothy Patrick--8; Eclectic acoustic, comedy
FR: Ace Luxo--8; Piano bar, singer
SA: Kenny Reed & Stone Cold Jazz--8
TU: Dan Henson--8; Singer
WE: John Crider--8; Piano bar
PERUGINO
767 WILLAMETTE ST. 687-9102
WE: Irish Jam--7; Celtic
PLANET GOLOKA All Ages
679 LINCOLN ST. 465-4555
TH: Spiritual film--6:30
FR: Blue Road Band--7
SA: Hare Krishna Chanting and Dinner--6:30; Ritual
MO: Original Songs Open Mic--6:30
TU: Poetry Night--6:30
WE: Kava Circle--6:30; Ritual
PRIME TIME SPORTS BAR
1360 MOHAWK RD. 746-0549
SU: Karaoke w/Donny--9
QUACKER'S
2105 W. 7TH 485-5925
SA: Jim Basenight Band--9; Rock, blues
MO: Karaoke--9; Variety
WE: Quacker's Blues Bash—8:30; Blues jam
SAM BOND'S GARAGE
407 BLAIR 431-6603
TH: Shelley James Musicbox--9; Pop
FR: Jackstraw, Mary and Mars--9; Bluegrass
SA: Laura Kemp Band, Jill Gibbons--8:30; Benefit
SU: Testface, Brian Mumford, Modern State--8:30; Rock
TU: Bluegrass Jam--9
WE: Anne Feeney--9; Folk/hellraiser
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| SUNKEN GRADE PLAYS SAMURAI DUCK THURSDAY. |
SAMURAI DUCK
980 OAK ST. 345-6577
TH: Sunken Grade, Hills' City Bus--9:30
FR: Headrush, Bitter End, Allost--9:30; Metal
SA: Western Arial, Riff Brokers, 5th City--9:30
SU: Tales from the Crate w/DJs Cade, F-Minus, C-4--9:30
MO: Old School Vinyl Night--9:30
TU: Comedy Night w/Arlo--9:30
WE: Avoid the Future Shadow and guests--9:30
SPIRITS
1714 MAIN ST., SPFD 726-2972
FR: Go 2 11--9
SA: Go 2 11--9
SWEETWATER'S
VALLEY RIVER INN 687-0123
FR: Jim Basenight Band--8:30; Hip rhythm & blues, soul dance
SA: West Coast Rhythm Kings--8:30; Jump, jive, swing
TAP 'N' KEG
1704 MAIN ST., COTTAGE GROVE 942-8713
TH: DJ Rick--9
FR: DJ Rick--9:30
SA: DJ Rick--9:30
WE: DJ Rick--9
WETLANDS
922 GARFIELD ST. 345-3606
SA: 5south, Kaddisfly, Outset, The Empty--10; Emo-hardcore
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| ROGER CLYNE AND THE PEACEMAKERS PLAY WOW HALL MONDAY. |
WOW HALL All Ages
291 W. 8TH AVE. 687-2746
FR: Grynch, Goathead, Last Chapter, Ugly Litter--8:30; Hard rock
SA: Joules Graves & Rhythmethod, Freedom--8:30; Power folk
MO: Roger Clyne& The Peacemakers, John Shipe & The Scapegoats--8:30; Rock
WE: Mates of State, Hawnay Troof, Rogue Wave--8:30; Indie rock
CORVALLIS
FOX 'N' FIRKIN
202 SW. 1ST ST. 753-8533
FR: Basic Assumption--9
SA: Ego Machine--9
MURPHEY'S
3740 SE 3RD ST. 758-9000
SU: Nairobi Bois--6; Jazz
PLATINUM NIGHT CLUB
126 SW 4TH ST.
FR: Natural Vibrations, Jah-Bong--9; Hawaiian reggae
SA: Monsters of Metal: Knockout John, Fusion Ball, Sullen--9:30
WE: Sirens Echo, Beezy--9; Hip hop
SQUIRREL'S
100 SW. 2ND ST. 753-8057
SA: Eleven Eyes--9:30
