Eugene Weekly : Music : 03.11.04
Irish Licks
Luckey's hosts St. Paddy's party.
BY VANESSA SALVIA
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| Toad in the Hole plays Luckey's Wednesday. |
Looking for a lively way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this Wednesday? Let Toad in the Hole be your ace. Luckey's tavern will host the Eugene band beginning at 8:30 pm, with an open Irish jam kicking off the festivities from 4 to 6 pm, with everyone welcome to bring instruments and join in or just listen and enjoy. Wednesday's show will also be a CD release for the six-piece band's Alleyway Rover, which follows 2003's sold-out Piss Away Your Charms.
I recently spoke with vocalist Matty Hayward-McDonald to find out more. An upbringing in the Pennsylvania Appalachians led to Hayward-McDonald's early love affair with Celtic music, fueled by an active folk, bluegrass and Celtic scene and parents who would take him to shows.
In Eugene, Hayward-McDonald spent time at the weekly Irish jams at Sam Bond's Garage. "I used to go down there and listen to music, and I was inspired one time to actually stand up and do some singing," he says. "From there, I wanted to put something together." Toad came to life three years ago.
Toad's focus is on very traditional aspects of Celtic music, such as traditional instrumentation and grouping a series of jigs and reels together into a theme, with a lyrical jolt thrown in, motivated by The Pogues' high-energy musical mayhem.
"Primarily, with most of the writing lyrically, I've tried to infuse a more modern interpretation of Celtic music," explains Hayward-McDonald. Liz Meyers (currently a member of Eugene Highlanders Pipe Band) contributes flute, pennywhistle, shuttle and highland pipes. Jason Hartman Kelly (who formerly played in Eugene's ska band Varicoasters) plays a raucous guitar. Joel Kenney studied the bodhran, a Celtic drum, and fell into Toad following an Irish jam. Kathryn Claire delights vocally and on the violin (having a lot of experience as a solo performer), while John Dresdner (formerly of Eugene bands Bicker and Soda Jerk) plays the stand up bass.
Alleyway Rover is the band's first studio recording, and it's a crowd-pleasing mix of post-Pogues' style original songs, with traditional jigs, reels and ballads. Quick music lesson: jigs and reels are differentiated by their time signatures. Jigs are in 6/8 time, similar to a waltz, (the beer-spilling tunes — they make you want to pogo!) while reels are a more straight-forward 4/4 or 2/4 time. Toad in the Hole will get the crowd on their feet, and the madness won't end until band and audience are exhausted, sweaty and crying in their beers from sheer joy. Erin Go Bragh!
Adelaide, Australia pop phenoms Fruit will make two appearances Saturday night at Café Paradiso; an all ages show starting at 7 pm and a 21+ show at 10 pm. Fruit wowed audiences in past years at the Willamette Valley Folk Festival as a unique, women-fronted, harmony-driven pop powerhouse.
Formed in 1995, the five multi-instrumentalists (three women and two men) craft energetic pop that cannot be pigeonholed, and draws from folky blues, soulful jazz, and harmonious grooves. Acoustic and electric guitar, drums and horns combine playfully into uplifting ballads that span the emotional gamut from rootsy and homespun to soaring and passionate.
Fruit began when the three lead women learned they'd been booked to play a show at the same venue on the same night. That twist of fate catapulted them together and locked them into a lifestyle of ceaselessly touring the world, playing festivals and winning admirers everywhere. The five recently wrapped up recording on their fourth studio album, during which time they moved from Adelaide to a house outside Philadelphia, where they worked with Grammy-winning producer David Ivory (Erykah Badu, Patti LaBelle, The Roots).
In 2002, Fruit released an award-winning live CD, Live at the Basement, recorded at a Sydney nightclub. The group has recently released its first acoustic album, Fruit the Trio Album — Live At the Church.
Jonatha Brooke, Back in the Circus, BAD DOG RECORDS 2004, By Cameron J. Yee
Those finding themselves newly single after an extended relationship will understand the metaphor behind Jonatha Brooke's new album, Back in the Circus. While finding love, losing it and struggling through grief are not new subjects, Brooke, like other good songwriters, finds a way to make the well-worn topics resonant and relevant. Who hasn't begrudgingly entered the dating scene ("Back in the Circus"), been fearful of taking risks ("Better After All") or gotten caught up in the past ("It Matters Now")? Mind you, these are not songs to wallow to, but ones to elicit reflection and self-examination, and ultimately, a bit of strength. In this latest effort, Brooke also draws on notable artists James Taylor ("Fire and Rain"), Brian Wilson ("God Only Knows") and Alan Parsons ("Eye in the Sky") to round out her song cycle. Brave decisions, especially with Taylor's quintessential piece, but bravery is just one of many great things to expect from Brooke. Pick up your copy of Back in the Circus today, and give your support to this talented (and wholly independent!) singer-songwriter.
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Mars Volta, De-Loused In The Comatorium, UNIVERSAL RECORDS 2003, By Aaron Maltz
De-Loused In The Comatorium, the first full-length album from bellwethers Mars Volta, sparks a growing debate concerning the future of mainstream rock. Lyrically, it is a conceptual album following the struggle between life and death fought by one man within the confines of a hospital bed. Musically, it swerves like a drunk driver through a nimiety of musical genres, presenting chaotic and technical prog-rock spliced with hauntingly ambient passages battling a veritable blend of Santana-like rhythms and acoustic interludes. Historically, this combination propels a band solely into "cult" status. Instead, Mars Volta has nicked the windshield of the music industry with a video for "Televators" and substantial media coverage. The ostensible question then becomes this: Why now does an unconventional prog-rock band in 2004 capture the attention of the music world? From the moving passages of "Son Et Lumiere/Inertiatic Esp," the sonic insanity of "Drunkship of Lanterns" and the epic conclusion, "Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt," De-Loused In The Comatorium reveals an authenticity that cannot be refuted. It is highly unconventional, exceptionally jarring and undeniably catchy, achieving a desperately needed honesty that music fans have responded to positively in an industry desiccated of creativity.
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The Pixies, Doolittle, ELECTRA RECORDS 1989, By Kris Bluth
8:58 Saturday morning — You're standing in line at the McDonald Theatre with your fellow hipsters. Granted, you're the only hipster wearing an Old Navy shirt, but that's OK. Just keep your coat zipped up. 9 am — The line briefly lurches forward, then comes back to a halt. 9:02 am — Maybe you should've gone online or gone to Safeway. No, stay independent; Keep it local. 9:08 am — The call goes out: No more tickets to be sold at the box office. The scalpers are getting ready to post on eBay and, apparently, the McDonald doesn't want to hurt their feelings. The crowd dissipates, but you begin walking home at a brisk speed. 9:20 am — You burst through the door, drop your coat on the floor, log on to Ticketswest.com, and there it is: One Pixies ticket, plus convenience and handling fees. You fumble for your debit card, but then you think about your wife, who spent yesterday trudging from one temp agency to another. You look up to see Doolittle on the CD rack and weigh your options: drink overpriced beer with a crowd of sweaty strangers or lie on the couch eating Kettle Chips in your underwear? Either way you'll still get to hear Wave of Mutilation on April 27.
Click the mouse. Are you sure you want to shut down this computer?
Yes. Yes, you are.
The Perverts, Porn on the Cobb, SELF-RELEASED OCTOBER 2003, By Ed Cole
The Perverts from Eugene are kickin' into gear with this solid release: Songs about wanting to stay home, girls gone wild and getting back to that wasted state of mind. Clean-yet-chunky guitars and a quick, solid rhythm section lend this CD an older-school punk sound — think Wire, Buzzcocks, Samoans. A very fun disc to listen to while you crack open that first beer on Friday night.
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Kanye West, The College Dropout, ROCAFELLA RECORDS 2004, By Todd Cooper
This year's most anticipated hip hop album comes from 26-year-old producer Kanye West. West's first solo joint, The College Dropout, showcasing his lyrical skills, dropped early February.
West's sample-heavy, soulful beats have been blowing up the charts for the past year. The mastermind behind hits like "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" (Jay Z), "Stand Up" (Ludacris), "You Don't Know My Name" (Alicia Keys), and "Get By" (Talib Kweli), Kanye no doubt has it as a producer. Dropout vouches for his instinctive gift as an emcee. He easily keeps his audience interested and entertained. Songs like "The New Workout Plan" will have you bobbing your head and cracking up at the same time. West spits witty word-play in an honest, down-home style. You can even forgive the "bullshit ice rap" on "Breathe In, Breathe Out." He does come serious on tracks like "All Falls Down" (with Syleena Johnson) and "Jesus Walks." His strong passion for music is evident in his first single, "Through the Wire," which was written and recorded while his mouth was wired shut after a nearly fatal car accident in 2002. Other stand-out tracks include "2 Words" (with Mos Def, Freeway and the Harlem Boys Choir), "Family Business" and "Slow Jam" (with Twista and Jamie Foxx). Although most of the album was leaked through the Internet months ago, The College Dropout surprises with some reworked versions.
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: Angela Gailinas--7
SA: Rick and Lavina Ross--7
BLACK FOREST
50 E. 11TH ST. - 686-6619
TH: Col. Angus--9:30; Rock
FR: Angry Foreign Roommate, The Burpups, Todd Jihad and the Taliban--9:30; Rock
SA: High On Peeps, Dum Dum, The Venus--9:30; Rock
SU: DJ Luscious--9:30
MO: $1000 Karaoke Competition w/DJ Jared--9:30
TU: Acoustic w/Isaac & Wade--9:30
WE: St. Patty's Day Part w/The Vida Girls--9:30; Rock
BREW N CUE
2222 HWY. 99 N - 461-0413
SA: Marvelous Marv Edwards Sock Hop Dance Event--8:30; '50s and '60s rock
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: The Clumsy Lovers--9
FR: The Laura Cortese Band--8
SA: FRUit--7 (all ages), 10 (21+)
MO: Retro '80s Night--8
TU: Acoustic Open Mic--7:30 (all ages), 9 (21+)
WE: Scott Fisher, Troy Johnson--8
COFFEE GROVE COOPERATIVE
510 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GR. 942-8847
FR: Jayme Vineyard--7, Fortune Cookie--8
SA: Donovan Keith--7, Blue Road--8
THE COOLER
20 CENTENNIAL LP. - 484-4355
TH: Rock 'N Blues Jam--8:30
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All Ages
8TH AVE. AND CHARLENTON ST. 338-9333
TH: Dave Cavanagh Trio--7:30, Willamette Jazz Society Jam w/Unit 13--7:30
FR: Eugene Irish Cultural Festival--8; www.eugeneirishfest.com
SA: Eugene Irish Cultural Festival--8; www.eugeneirishfest.com
SU: Eugene Irish Cultural Festival--8; www.eugeneirishfest.com
MO: Blues Society Meeting--5, John Twist--8:30
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/Jon Smith--10
FR: Big Beats w/Supa J, Dinari--10; Hip hop, requests
SA: House Nite w/Howie, Anmar--10
THE DIVE BAR & GRILL
844 OLIVE ST. - 345-8489
TH: Carsie Bean Blue, Blue Latitude--9; Acoustic montage
FR: Eagle Park Slim Blues Band--9:30; Authentic blues
SA: 21Below Jazz Jam w/Sam Haber--6, Dahman Beck Band--9:30
SU: All Styles Jam w/Silas--8:30
MO: Karaoke w/Don Stokes--7 (all ages), 9 (21+)
TU: Paul Paydos Group--8:30; Eclectic
WE:Todd O' Singleton's Shamrock Jazz Jig--8:30
DOWNTOWN LOUNGE
959 PEARL ST. - 343-2346
TH: Devil Bros—10; R&B, funk, soul
FR: The Jet City Fix, The Courtesy Clerks--10; Rock
SA: The Gay, The Buttless Chaps, 9; Electro-country indie pop, Illametnal--11; Hip hop
SU: Sheffield Drive--9; Rock
MO: Monster Truck Monday w/DJs Mayhem, Diablo--9; Punk, metal, butt rock
TU: West Coast Swing--7, Kenny Reed and Stone Cold Jazz--10
WE: St. Patty's Day Par-tay--9
DUCK INN
1795 W. 6TH AVE. - 342-5729
TH: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--9
SA: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--9
EL REY
HWY. 58, DEXTER
FR: McKenzie Blues Project--9:30
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: Springtucky Skillet Lickers--8; Bluegrass, rock
FOOL'S PARADISE
460 WILLAMETTE - 338-9733
SA: Turkish Aksent--7:30; Music from Turkey
GOOD TIMES
375 E. 7TH AVE. - 484-7181
TU: Rooster's Blues Jam--8
THE HIDEAWAY
645 1/2 RIVER ROAD
SA: Christie & McCallum--8; Folk, country, rock
INDIGO DISTRICT
13TH AVENUE & OAK STREET 434-6553
FR: The Turn-Ons, Charmparticals, Man of the Year--10
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: J.C. Rico--9
SA: The Side Project--9
SU: Mark Alan--9
MO: Open Mic--8, Skip Jones on the Hammond Organ--10
TU: Barbara Dzuro Jazz Piano--8:30
WE: Marc Siegal 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: High Priestess Third Annual Body Modification Celebration--9
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 Beat Down w/DJ Sneakers, Evil One, MO-B, John the Baptist--9
TU: New Band Night w/Another Reason, special guests--9
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
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: Yeltsin, Stacked--10; Rock
FR: The Visible Men, Staranchala--10
SU: The Ovulators, Sombrero, Will Sartain--10
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| ANNE WIESS PLAYS LUNA THURSDAY. |
LUNA
30 E. BROADWAY - 434-5862
TH: Laura Kemp, Anne Weiss--8; Singer/songwriters
FR: Erik Muiderman--6:30; Singer/songwriter, Ezra Weiss Sextet--9; Jazz
SA: Erik Muiderman--7; Singer/songwriter, Deb Cleveland Band--9:30
MAC'S AT THE VET'S CLUB
1626 WILLAMETTE ST. - 344-8600
TH: Christie & McCallum--8:30; Honky tonk, rock
FR: Eden Express--9:30; Rock
SA: Ruckus--9:30; Dance
WE: JTM--8:30; Irish hip hop, dance
MORNING GLORY CAFE
450 WILLAMETTE ST.
SU: Conjunto Flamenco--7
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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| LORI FLETCHER PLAYS PEABODY'S FRIDAY. |
PEABODY'S
444 E. 3RD AVE. 484-2927
TH: Sound & Fiori w/John Crider--8; Piano, vocals
FR: Lori Fletcher, Deco Moon w/John Crider--9; Jazz
SA: Kenny Reed's Friends--9; Jazz
MO: Peabody's Jam Night w/Kenny Reed--8
TU: Dan Henson, Timothy Patrick--8
WE: John Crider & Singers Opn Mic--8; Piano bar
PERUGINO
767 WILLAMETTE ST. 687-9102
WE: Irish Jam--7; Celtic
PLANET GOLOKA
679 LINCOLN ST. - 465-4555
TH: Spiritual Film--4
FR: Blue Road Band--7
SA: Hare Krishna Chant & Dinner--5
MO: Open Mic--6:30
TU: Poetry Night--6:30
WE: Kava Circle--6:30
PRIME TIME SPORTS BAR
1360 MOHAWK RD. - 746-0549
SU: Karaoke w/Donny--9
QUACKER'S
2105 W. 7TH - 485-5925
SA: J.C. Rico & Zulu Dragon--9; Funk, soul, blues
MO: Karaoke--9; Variety
WE: Quacker's Blues Bash—8:30; Blues jam
RAMADA INN
225 COBURG - 342-5181
FR: Valley Boys--9:15
SA: Valley Boys--9:15
SAM BOND'S GARAGE
407 BLAIR - 431-6603
TH: Terry Rob, Mitch Kashmar--9; Blues
FR: Shelley Doty, Paul Benoit, Ashleigh Flynn--9:30; Rock
SA: Champagne Syndicate, Vida Girls--9:30; Rock
SU: Tamara J. Brown, Nicole Barrett--8:30; Acoustic
MO: Scrambled Ape--9; Jazz
TU: Bluegrass Jam--9
WE: St. Patrick's Night--9; Irish jam
SAMURAI DUCK
980 OAK ST. - 345-6577
FR: Raw, Bleeding the 5th, Spider Hol--9:30; Punk, metal
SA: Hauler, Whore!, Grynch, Goathead--9:30
SU: Tales from the Crate w/DJs Cade, F-Minus, C-4--10; Open mic, freestyle hip hop
SAM'S PLACE
825 WILSON ST. - 484-4455
SA: Karaoke w/Cathy--8
STACY'S
401 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GROVE 767-0320
WE: Open Mic Night w/Ron O'Keefe--8:30
SWEETWATER'S
VALLEY RIVER INN - 687-0123
FR: Nicolette Helm Band--8:30; High-energy blues
SA: Adam Comer Band--8:30; Funk, rock, 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: Wade Zev--10
FR: Ape and Nero--9:30; Rock, punk
SA: The Shudders and guests--9:30
MO: Open Mic--9:30
TSUNAMI BOOKS All Ages
2585 WILLAMETTE - 345-8986
SA: David Rogers--3; Classical, fingerpicking guitar
WETLANDS
922 GARFIELD ST. - 345-3606
WE: St. Patty's Day Party w/Strange Folks, The Burn Unit, Organic Assault Weapons, Cleveland Steamers, The Phormula, Big Balou the Sasquatch--10; Underground hip hop
WOODSMAN GRILL
117 S. 14TH ST., SPFD. - 741-0150
TH: Johnny Wilde--9
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| VAGIANT UK PLAYS WOW HALL WEDNESDAY |
WOW HALL All Ages
291 W. 8TH AVE. - 687-2746
FR: 5 South, Ailment, Conception, Whore--8:30; Hard rock
SA: The Footnotes--noon, Celtic Fiddle Festival--4, 7
SU: Heather Alexander--noon
WE: Vagiant UK, The Morning 40 Federation, The Boston Docks Oister Boys, Cellar Door--8:30
YUKON JACK'S
4TH AND W. BRDWY., VENETA
935-1921
FR: Jerry & the Stage Hogs--9
SA: Jerry & the Stage Hogs--9
SU: Karaoke--7
CORVALLIS
BEANERY
500 SW. 2ND ST.
FR: Second Crass Act--8
SA: Mitch Lies--8
SU: Bob Hexem--10 am
FOX 'N' FIRKIN
202 SW. 1ST ST. - 753-8533
FR: Derby--10
SA: Standing in the Middle--9
WE: St. Patrick's Day Celebration w/R.o.b. Celtic Music, Attack Ships On Fire, EgoMachine--8
MURPHEY'S
3740 SE 3RD ST. - 758-9000
SU: Nairobi Bois--6; Jazz covers
PLATINUM NIGHT CLUB
126 SW 4TH ST.
TH: DJ Big Brad--9
SA: Paul DeLay Band, Vanilla Sugar Blues Project--7:30; Blues
SQUIRREL'S
100 SW. 2ND ST. - 753-8057
SA: School of Cool--9:30
