.
Acoustic
& Reggae Roots
ASS,
Midnite offer faithful recordings.
BY
VANESSA SALVIA
 |
| Asylum
Street Spankers play Sam Bond's on Thursday, Feb. 5. |
It was early August the last time the Asylum Street
Spankers toasted Eugene. Now, six months and two ice storms later,
ASS is back to acoustically rock your world with the brand new CD, Mercurial.
By brand new I mean shit-hot, as of just this week, and it's full of
musical gems from (as usual) more genres than you can poke in the eye
with a 10-branched stick.
Mercurial, the band's sixth release, dredges
up covers the likes of which you'd never have thunk — Black Flag's
"TV Party," Beastie Boys' "Paul Revere," Neil Young's "Harvest Moon"
— and maybe a couple you would have imagined, like the traditional
tune "Tight Like That" and soul sister Nina Simone's sexy "Sugar In
My Bowl."
Austin's A.S.S. is proudly nearing its 10th anniversary,
and to mark that milestone, there's not only no career "retrospective"
best of album (that would be sooo Hollywood and sooo not ASS-like),
but the new CD consists of none of ASS's own songs, hence the smorgasbord
of Mercurial's covers.
In addition, the band has a forthcoming documentary
DVD entitled Sideshow Fez, which was recorded at a sold-out show
in Portland's Fez Ballroom on Aug. 15, 2003.
The idea for Mercurial actually began several
years ago, as bandleaders Christina Marrs and Wammo realized they played
a few cover tunes that were audience favorites but never fit in with
any album. Over the years, that grab bag of tunes grew. The band decided
to compile those orphan songs into a single "party album," recorded
in Austin's Mercury Hall, a restored wooden church in the town's south
side. Optimal acoustics in the old church and a vintage tape machine
led to an album that does justice to a live Spankers show.
Named after a famous street in Austin that once featured
a mental hospital, ASS has polished its ultra-tight acoustic playing
to perfection. Onstage, band members play wildly with no amplification,
and hold nothing sacred in the realms of sex, pop culture or legal and
illegal substances. They also never limit themselves to playing songs
only from certain eras or styles. That means the band has 200 years
of American songcraft in its repertoire, and something new to offer
each and every time, while remaining predictable in the best of ways.
The Spankers perform Feb. 5 at Sam Bond's.
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands band Midnite will
perform its old-school roots reggae music at WOW Hall on Feb. 6. On
the reggae scene since brothers Vaughn (vocals, songwriter) and Ron
Benjamin (keyboards, musical director) founded the band in 1989, Midnite
has made a splash with uncompromising teachings from the Rastafarian
tradition and long hard looks at oppressive culture.
Midnite debuted in 1997 with Unpolished, followed
up in 1999 by Ras Mek Peace. The third album, Jubilees of
Zion, garnered the band even more acclaim for its stripped down,
honest approach to classic reggae and Rasta interpretations of the modern
day black experience. Though originally from Antigua, the band relocated
to the U.S. in 1994 and has spent considerable time in Washington, D.C.
The Midnite musicians return frequently to the island
of St. Croix and its dedicated Rastafarian community for spiritual sustenance
and sound refinement. Friday's WOW Hall show marks the second Eugene
appearance for Midnite (rounded out by drummer Dion Hopkins and bassist
Philip Merchant) following a sold out show at John Henry's in September.
Friday's show also holds special significance, as it falls on the birthday
of reggae legend Bob Marley.
Critics have hailed Midnite as "poetic and profound"
and "the rootsiest band since the Wailers." Opening the show will be
DJ Swami I of Santa Cruz's Green-Up Sound System, who will get
the vibe going by spinning reggae classics as doors open.
AX BILLY GRILL & SPORTS BAR
999 WILLAMETTE ST. - 484-4011
SA: Mike Denny--8; Jazz
BEANERY All Ages
152 W. 5TH AVE. - 342-3378
TH: Richie G and Michael Kevin Daly--7
FR: The Walton Complex--7
SA: Eagle Park Slim--7
BLACK FOREST
50 E. 11TH ST. - 686-6619
TH: Col. Angus--9:30; Acoustic, rock
FR: Grynch--9:30; Rock
SA: Like Breathing--9:30; Rock
SU: Open mic with Pete Christie--9:30
MO:: $1000 Karaoke Competition w/DJ Jared--9:30
TU: Vida Girls--9:30; Rock
WE:: Norman Mesman--9:30; Flamenco
THE BUZZ COFFEEHOUSE
EMU, UO - 346-0408
FR: Eclectic Open Mic--8
SA: The Ordinary Flies, Not Quite Right--8:30
MO: Poetry Open Mic--9
 |
| CRAIG
HORTON PLAYS CAFE PARADISO FRIDAY. |
CAFE PARADISO
115 W. BROADWAY - 484-9933
TH: Ricardo Cardenas--9; Jazz, blues
FR: Craig Horton--9; Blues
SA: Dan Jones, Anbot Rodroid--9; Rock, space pop
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: Eric Hause, Ted Talbot--8; Folk, rock
SA: Prairie Dawgs--8
THE COOLER
20 CENTENNIAL LOOP
TH: Rock and Blues Show--8:30
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All
Ages
8TH AVE. AND CHARLENTON ST. 338-9333
TH: Willamette Jazz Society Jam w/Kahli Burke,
Jeffrey Adams, Stephen Jankowski--7
FR: Dabbledooya--9
SA: Os Cantos da Noite-- 8; Samba, jazz, bossa,
blues
SU: Midnight Sun Trio--7
MO: Cozmic Family Film Club--6
TU: Salsa Night--8
WE: Eugene Blues Society Meeting--7, Smokin Joe
Kubec and Bnois King--8
DIABLO'S
959 PEARL ST. - 683-3855
TH: Thirsty Thursday w/Jon Smith --10; Requests
FR: Big Beats w/Dinari, Supa J--10; Hip hop, requests
SA: House Nite w/Howie, Anmar--10
MO: Big Beats w/Dinari, Supa J--10; Hip hop, requests
TU: House Nite w/Howie, Anmar--10
THE DIVE BAR & GRILL
844 OLIVE ST. - 345-8489
TH: Gordon Kaswell--9; Acoustic, variety
SU: Blues Jam w/ Steve Arriola--9
TU: Jam w/ Paul Peados--9; Variety
WE: Open Jazz Jam w/ Todd Singleton--9
 |
| KARNEY
PLAYS THE DOWNTOWN LOUNGE SATURDAY. |
DOWNTOWN LOUNGE
959 PEARL ST. - 343-2346
TH: Devil Bros—9; spin R&B, funk
FR: Art opening w/ Dann Hitchcock, Eagle Park
Slim--6, The Dimes, The Lo-cals, The Observers--10; Rock, punk
SA: Karney--9; Eclectic pop, rock, reggae
SU: Service Industry Night--9
MO: Monster Truck Monday w/DJ Diablo, DJ Mayhem
and guests--9; 80s punk, butt rock
TU: Study Hall Tuesday w/ Kenny Reed, Stone Cold
Jazz--8
WE: Cheapskate Wed. w/ DJ Gen. Eric & guests--10;
Hip hop
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
WE: Billy McCoy—9; Country
GOOD TIMES
375 E. 7TH AVE. - 484-7181
TU: Rooster's Blues Jam--8
 |
| UNITED
STATE OF ELECTRONICA PLAYS INDIGO DISTRICT FRIDAY. |
INDIGO DISTRICT
13TH AVENUE & OAK STREET. 434-6553
WE: Lick--9; Glam rock, electro, dance
FR: United State of Electronica, The Playskool
Fools and the Noisy Toys featuring Tha Weightlifta, The Lo-Cals, DJ Justin--9;
Electro dance pop, rock
JAKE'S PLACE
605 W. 19TH AVE. - 431-0513
SU: Norman Mesman--10 am; Classical flamenco
JAVA CONNECTION
215 W. 4TH AVE. - 738-8344
SA: Siobhan--7; Pop/folk originals
JO FEDERIGO'S
259 E. 5TH AVE. - 343-8488
TH: Jo Fed's Jazz Jam Session--9
FR: Ritmo de La Noche--9
SA: Mood Area 52--9
SU: Mark Allan--9
MO: Open Mic--8, Skip Jones on the Hammond Organ--10
TU: Barbar Dzuro--8:30
WE: Olem Alves Duo--9
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
TH: 80s Night w/Chris, Jenn and John--10
FR: Melvin Seals and Friends--10
SA: DJ Tekneek, DJ Kal El--10; Hip hop,
funk, soul
SU: Pigmy Love Circus featuring Danny Carey of
Tool, Northwest Royale--7, John Henry's Broadway Review w/ The Eric
McFadden Trio--10
MO:Better Than You... Part 2--10
WE: Reggae vs. Hip Hop: DJ Kal
El vs. DJ Tekneek--10
THE JUNGLE
23 W. 6TH AVE. - 434-1111
FR: DJ George the Mixologist--9:30; Dance
favorites
SA: DJ George the Mixologist--9:30; Coast-to-coast
hip hop
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 pm
LAVELLE'S WINE BAR & BISTRO
5TH ST. PUBLIC MARKET - 338-9875
FR: Gus Russell--5; Jazz
SA: Gus Russell--5; Jazz
LE SOUS-SOL.
375 RIVER RD.
SA: Punk Rock Show w/Coldera, Lucika, Happy Bastards,
Apa--8
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: Basic Assumption, How Far Long--10; Rock,
Indie
FR: Rhetoric Tuesday, Stacked--10; Rock, pop
SA: The Visible Men, False/Positive--10; Smartie
indie
TU: Jazzy Flavored Presidential Poop Night w/Ken
Ackerman--10
WE: Eleven Eyes--10; Futuristic funky jazz
LUNA
30 E. BROADWAY - 434-5862
SA: Erik Muiderman--6; Singer/songwriter, Buster
B. Jones--8:30; American fingerstyle guitar
MAC'S AT THE VET'S CLUB
1626 WILLAMETTE ST. - 344-8600
TH: Christie & McCallum--9; Honky tonk,
rock
FR: The Peter Giri Project--9; Blues, rock
SA: J.C. Rico & Zulu Dragon--9; R&B
MCDONALD THEATRE
1010 WILLAMETTE ST.
TH: Leftover Salmon--9
SA: Renegade Hip Hop Extravaganza--9
SU: Victor Wooten--8
THE O BAR
1 COMMONS WAY - 349-0707
TH: Thirsty Thursdays: DJ Johnny--9;
Hip hop, dance
TU: Karaoke w/Jared--9
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: Christopher James--6; Original songwriter
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: Suburban Slim Band--9; Rock, blues
MO: Karaoke--9; Variety
WE: Quacker's Blues Bash—8:30; Blues jam
RAMADA INN
225 COBURG - 342-5181
FR: Go 2 11-- 9
SA: Go 2 11-- 9
SAM BOND'S GARAGE
407 BLAIR - 431-6603
TH: The Asylum Street Spankers--9
FR: Eleven Eyes--9; Avant funk
SA: Hillstomp, Ill Lit, Ernie November--9:30;
Variety
SU: The Mammals, Chris Merenda--9; Old time folk
MO: The Great All Merge--9; Tribute
TU: Bluegrass Jam--9
WE: Everyone Orchestra Core-tet--8; Jam
SAMURAI DUCK
980 OAK ST. - 345-6577
TH: Cozmodelic Ergazumz, Ratt--9:30
FR: The Sawyer Family, The Perverts--9:30; Rockabilly,
punk
SA: YOB, Iommi Stubbs, Whore!--9:30; Doom, sludge,
metal
SU: Tales from the Crate w/DJs Cade, F-Minus,
C-4--9:30; Open mic, freestyle hip hop
MO: Old School Vinyl Night--9:30
WE: System and Station, Angry Foreign Roommate--9:30
SPARKY's PLACE
626 SMITH ST., HARRISBURG
SA: Ozone--9; New rock, classic rock
SWEETWATER'S
VALLEY RIVER INN 687-0123
FR: Mo' Fessor--8:30; R&B
SA: Deb Cleveland Band--8:30; Jazz, R&B
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
TINY TAVERN
394 BLAIR BLVD. - 687-8383
TH: The U-Gene Band--9:30; Folk, rock, soul
WETLANDS
922 GARFIELD ST. - 345-3606
SA: Northwest Royale, Red With Envy, Conception,
Ailment--10; Metal, hardcore
 |
| THE
SUPERSUCKERS PLAY WOW HALL WEDNESDAY. |
WOW HALL All Ages
291 W. 8TH AVE. - 687-2746
TH: Floater--9; Acoustic rock
FR: Bob Marley Day Celebration w/Midnite--9; Reggae
SA: Club Groove--7; DJ dance
MO: Orange County Supertones, Number One Gun,
Falling Up--8; Christian ska
TU: TSOL, Thought Riot, Red Tape, Blasphemous
Abnormality--8:30; Punk
WE: Supersuckers, The Koozies, Courtesy Clerks--9;
Rock
CORVALLIS
FOX 'N' FIRKIN
202 SW. 1ST ST. - 753-8533
SA: No Comply & The Rats--10
MURPHEY'S
3740 SE 3RD ST. - 758-9000
SA: Plaehn & Hino Big Blues Band--8:30
SU: Nairobi Bois--6; Jazz
|
