Eugene Weekly : Music : 03.04.04
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Don't Fear
Lots of music to reap this week.
BY VANESSA SALVIA
In the music biz, getting a recording contract usually works something like this: Band sends demo to 1,000 labels, receives 999 reject letters. Label 1,000 says OK, releases demo CD, band breaks up. The end.
That's not how the story goes when you're high school drop-out Tom Gabel. Gabel started his one-man band Against Me! in Gainesville, Fla., in 1997 at age 17. He added a drummer and played for a year as a two-piece band. By 2000 Against Me! was a fully electrified rock and roll foursome. The band released a handful of 7 percents and a debut CD on small but well-respected Gainesville label, No Idea.
It was then that Fat Wreck Chords (FWC) stepped in and offered to release another 7 percent, despite the fact that Against Me! is decidedly not the typical fare of SoCal pop/punk the label usually releases.
That small offer turned into a full-length record deal. Now, Against Me! and their Billy Bragg meets Social Distortion meets Bruce Springsteen style-rock is poised for major success. Against Me! crafts punk rock with a twist: bold, brutally honest songs with an anti-establishment attitude that speaks to young, hardened punk rockers, folkies and fans of America's heartland music.
The band's sophomore effort, Eternal Cowboy, benefited from FWC's plump recording budget and as a result sounds more polished and brighter than the band's previous full-length. What was lost in rawness and immediacy is made up for in Gabel's distinctive vocal style and strength of songwriting, from pensive ballads to devastating socio-political indictments.
Though Eternal Cowboy is a full-length release, it's short at 11 tracks in only 25 minutes, leaving plenty of room for this band to continue to grow. Gabel (who also plays guitar) and bandmates drummer Warren Oakes, guitarist James Bowman, and bassist Andrew Seward put on an astoundingly energetic live show, and they will appear at WOW Hall on Thursday, March 4.
If you missed Peluka's performance at Samurai Duck on Feb. 23, here's another chance to catch this rising San Francisco pop rock outfit. Peluka is on the return leg of a San Francisco to Canada tour, and will appear again at Eugene's Tiny Tavern on Friday, March 5.
The band immediately hits hard with a catchy pop punk vibe, but give it a closer listen and you'll discover a keen use of mood, tension and dynamics, glossed over beautifully by violins. The music is at times dreamy and hushed or powerful and driving, depending on the emotion being conveyed through the songs. The ABC series "Knock First" chose a Peluka song, "Mac Truck," as the main theme for two episodes, and "Run" can be heard on adult contemporary radio stations across the country.
Guitarist Jon Smith, violinist Suzanne Chittick, bassist Dan Stadler and drummer Colin Crosskill combine to form a musically interesting organism that evolved from the sounds of Radiohead and Built to Spill into something all its own.
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| Blue Öyster Cult plays The Jungle Wednesday. |
Here's two tidbits: Good Times Cafe & Bar will host a musical milestone Friday, when party band Riffle (you've seen the truck driving around town, right?) celebrates 20 years as a band. Husband and wife team Tim and Pam Patrick played their first gig at Barney Cable's Tavern (now Good Times) on March 4, 1984. The band plays instantly recognizable dance and party songs from the past six decades, from disco to R&B, country to rock and roll, and will be joined by some past members.
The band that brought us classic rock gems "Burnin' For You," "Godzilla" and "Don't Fear the Reaper" is hitting our town. That's right, Blue Öyster Cult will appear March 10 at Eugene's hot new nightclub, The Jungle.
The Cult began as Soft White Underbelly in the late '60s in New York has regaled listeners for three decades with creative songwriting and big rock riffs. Vocalist Eric Bloom, guitarist Buck Dharma, Allen Lanier on keyboards and bass and drummer Bobby Rondinelli (who has played with Black Sabbath and Rainbow) will rock your world.
AX BILLY GRILL & SPORTS BAR
999 WILLAMETTE ST. 484-4011
SA: Carl Woideck--8; Jazz
BEANERY All Ages
152 W. 5TH AVE. 342-3378
TH: Richie G and Michael Kevin Daly--7
FR: David Rogers--7
SA: Samsum and Tomass--7
BLACK FOREST
50 E. 11TH ST. 686-6619
TH: Acoustic w/Isaac & Wade--9:30
FR: Ozone Baby--9:30; Rock
SA: Kandy Shazz & Namesake--9:30; Rock
SU: Open Mic w/Pete Christie--9:30
MO: $1000 Karaoke Competition w/DJ Jared--9:30
THE BUZZ COFFEEHOUSE
EMU, UO 346-0408
FR: Eclectic Open Mic--8
MO: Poetry Open Mic--9
CAFE PARADISO
115 W. BROADWAY 484-9933
TH: Buddahead--9
FR: Morning Wood--8; Pop-punk, emo, power pop
SA: Marcus Eaton & The Lobby--7 (all ages), 10 (21+)
MO: Retro '80s Night--8
TU: Acoustic Open Mic--7:30 (all ages), 9 (21+)
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| WEST COAST RHYTHM KINGS PLAY SWEETWATER'S SATURDAY. |
COFFEE GROVE COOPERATIVE
510 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GR. 942-8847
FR: HippyCrits--8; Acoustic
SA: White Mountain--7:30; Jazz
WE: Micrcenima Night--7; Film
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All Ages
8TH AVE. AND CHARLENTON ST. 338-9333
TH: Impact Arts Multimedia Showcase--1, Willamette Jazz Society Jam w/Unit 13--7:30
FR: Carlos Washington's Brass Rain, Funktifyno, Reeble Jar--9
SA: Upstart Crow--6; Family show, Grasshopper--8:30; Country, acoustic
SU: Ashbury Park--8; Acoustic rock
MO: Young Life Open Mic Talent Show--5; Teen event, Ila & Ocean--9:30; Acoustic
TU: Salsa Night--7
WE: Open Stage w/Ethan Dirin-Brown--7; Poetry, hip hop, Mindset Hip Hop--9
DIABLO'S
959 PEARL ST. 683-3855
TH: Thirsty Thursday w/Supa J--10
FR: Big Beats w/Jon Smith, Supa J--10; Hip hop, requests
SA: House Nite w/Howie, Anmar--10
THE DIVE BAR & GRILL
844 OLIVE ST. 345-8489
TH: Carsie Bean Blue, Sam Hahn & Acoustic Montage--8:30
FR: Girls Nite Out w/The Vida Girls--10
SA: Abandon Ship, Brundlefly, The Morals--9
SU: Open Jam w/Silas--8:30
MO: Karaoke w/Don Stokes--9
TU: Paul Paydos--8:30; Eclectic
WE: Todd Singleton--8:30; Jazz
DOWNTOWN LOUNGE
959 PEARL ST. 343-2346
TH: Devil Bros—10; R&B, funk
FR: Pete Christy, Jerry and the Stage Hogs--9; Blues
SA: Stacked, Domeshots, Frown Squad--9; Rock
SU: Service Industry Night--9
MO: Monster Truck Monday w/DJs Diablo, Mayhem--9; Punk, butt rock
TU: West Coast Swing--7, Kenny Reed and Stone Cold Jazz--10
WE: Cheapskate Wed. w/ DJ Gen. Eric--10; Hip hop
DUCK INN
1795 W. 6TH AVE. 342-5729
TH: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--9
SA: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--9
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
EUGENE WINE CELLARS
255 MADISON ST. 342-2600
WE: Eric Muiderman--8; Singer/songwriter
FOOLSCAP BOOKS
780 BLAIR BLVD. 681-9212
SA: The Maybe Happening CD Release Party--9
FOOL'S PARADISE
460 WILLAMETTE 338-9733
SA: Al Rivers--8; Acoustic, blues, folk
GOOD TIMES
375 E. 7TH AVE. 484-7181
FR: RIFFLE 20 Year Anniversary Party--9; Rock, variety
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
JIMMY MAC'S OVERTIME GRILL
770 S. BERTELSEN 342-5028
TH: Westside Blues Jam--8
JO FEDERIGO'S
259 E. 5TH AVE. 343-8488
TH: Jo Fed's All Star Jazz Jam Session--9
FR: Cafe Ramblers--9
SA: Kenny Reed Quartet--9
SU: Mark Alan--9
MO: Open Mic--8, Skip Jones on the Hammond Organ--10
TU: Barbara Dzuro Jazz Piano--8:30
WE: Liesel Alkire Group--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: Synergy Magazine Benefit w/The Courtesy Clerks, Kaddis Fly, Outset, more--10
SA: DJ Tekneek, DJ Kal El--9; Hip hop, funk, R&B, dance hall
SU: John Henry's Broadway Review--10; Burlesque, variety
MO: The Rebirth Brass Band--10
TU: WAZ, Speedshift, Careen--8
WE: Reggae vs. Hip Hop w/DJ Kal El, 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
WE: Blue Oyster Cult--7
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
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
WE: Coyote Ugly--8
LUCKEY'S CLUB CIGAR
933 OLIVE ST. 687-4643
TH: Lil' Bit and the Costumatics--10; Rockabilly
FR: The Ovulators, Station Wag, Mis led--10; Rock
SA: Vagiant U.K., The Shudders--10; Rock
TU: Open Jazz Jam--10
WE: Nimbus, Savitri--10
LUNA
30 E. BROADWAY 434-5862
FR: Erik Muiderman--5:30; Singer/songwriter, Lo Nuestro--9; South American, Carribean
SA: Erik Muiderman--6; Singer/songwriter, Shelley James Musicbox--8:30; Power pop
MAC'S AT THE VET'S CLUB
1626 WILLAMETTE ST. 344-8600
TH: Christie & McCallum--8:30; Honky tonk, rock
FR: The Cheeseburgers--9:30; Parrothead
SA: The Vipers w/Deb Cleveland--9:30; Blues
WE: JTM--8:30; Hip hop, dance
THE O BAR
155 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
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| JOHN SHIPE PLAYS SAM BOND'S SUNDAY. |
PEABODY'S
444 E. 3RD AVE. 484-2927
TH: Timothy Patrick--8; Eclectic acoustic, comedy
FR: John Crider--8; Piano bar
SA: Kenny Reed & Stone Cold Jazz--8
MO: Peabody's Jam Night w/Kenny Reed
TU: Dan Henson--8
WE: John Crider--8; Piano bar
PERUGINO
767 WILLAMETTE ST. 687-9102
WE: Irish Jam--7; Celtic
PRIME TIME SPORTS BAR
1360 MOHAWK RD. 746-0549
SU: Karaoke w/Donny--9
QUACKER'S
2105 W. 7TH 485-5925
SA: McKenzie Blues Project--9
MO: Karaoke--9; Variety
WE: Quacker's Blues Bash—8:30; Blues jam
RAMADA INN
225 COBURG 342-5181
FR: Coupe De Ville--9:15
SA: Coupe De Ville--9:15
SAM BOND'S GARAGE
407 BLAIR 431-6603
TH: Robert Hoyt, Danny Dolinger--9; Folk
FR: Lucky Moyo, Loveness Wesa, Kudana, Vakasara Mbira--8; Marimba, mbira
SA: The Kitchen Syncopators, Michael Hurly--9:30; Jug band
SU: Friends of KRVM Benefit w/John Shipe, Tony Kaltenberg, Pete Wilde--8:30; Americanna
MO: Foscoe Jones--9; Singer/songwriter
TU: Bluegrass Jam--9
WE: Po' Girl, Chris and Kate--9; Americanna
SAM'S PLACE
825 WILSON ST. 484-4455
SA: Karaoke w/Cathy--8
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| THE PERVERTS PLAY SAMURAI DUCK SATURDAY. |
SAMURAI DUCK
980 OAK ST. 345-6577
TH: Dum-Dum, Spelunk--9:30; Experimental rock
FR: Tipper Whore, Ditch Liquor, Allost--9:30; Metal
SA: The Perverts, Sunken Grade, Takimoto--9:30
SU: Tales from the Crate w/DJs Cade, F-Minus, C-4--10; Open mic, freestyle hip hop
TU: DJ Synchronoise--9:30; Industrial, EBM, more
WE: Ladies Night w/My Hotel Year, Lonely Kings, Still Life Projector--9:30; Indie rock
SPIRITS
1714 MAIN ST., SPFD 726-0113
FR: Go 2 11--9; Rock
SA: Go 2 11--9; Rock
STACY'S
401 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GR. 767-0320
WE: Open Mic Night w/Ron O'Keefe--8:30
SWEETWATER'S
VALLEY RIVER INN 687-0123
FR: Deb Cleveland Band--8:30; Jazz, R&B
SA: West Coast Rhythm Kings--8:30; Jump, jive, swing
THE TANGO CENTER
194 W. BROADWAY. 349-8682
SA: Introduction Tango Lesson and Dance w/ Evan Griffith's Tango Combo--8
TAP 'N' KEG
1704 MAIN ST., COTTAGE GR. 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
FR: Yeltsin, Peluka, Dot Dot Dot--9:30; Indie pop
SA: Fuzz--9:30; Rock
MO: Open Mic--9:30
TU: The Business Machines, The Birdtoes--9:30; Indie rock
WOODSMAN GRILL
117 S. 14TH ST., SPFD. 741-0150
TH: Johnny Wilde--9
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| MASON JENNINGS PLAYS WOW HALL WEDNESDAY. |
WOW HALL All Ages
291 W. 8TH AVE. 687-2746
TH: Against Me!, Lucero, Grabass Charlestons, EPD--7:30; Punk rock
FR: KRS-One, Genus Pro, Hanif, more--9; Hip hop
SA: Club Groove--9; DJ dance
SU: Benefit Dinner w/Troupe Americanistan--5
WE: Mason Jennings, The Beautiful Girls--9; Singer/songwriter
YUKON JACK'S
4TH AND W. BRDWY., VENETA 935-1921
FR: Papaws Blue Jelly Band--9
SA: Papaws Blue Jelly Band--9
SU: Karaoke--7
CORVALLIS
FOX 'N' FIRKIN
202 SW. 1ST ST. 753-8533
FR: J.P. West, Uprite Dub Orchestra--10
SA: The Sham--9
MURPHEY'S
3740 SE 3RD ST. 758-9000
SU: Nairobi Bois--6; Jazz covers
SA: Marty Dread, Humble Soul, Native Elements, Jah-Bong--9; Hawaiian roots reggae
SQUIRREL'S
100 SW. 2ND ST. 753-8057
SA: Eleven Eyes--9
