Roots
in Rock
Grasshopper
alights on Luna; variety abounds through town.
BY
VANESSA SALVIA
 |
| Grasshopper
plays Luna on Thursday, May 27. |
The week kicks off with several great bands vying for
attention on Thursday, May 27. First up, seven-piece ensemble Macaco
Velho (Ma-ca-cu Vel-yo, literally "Old Monkey") brings the colorful
music and dance of Brazil to Café Paradiso. Velho specializes in
the traditional aspects of the music, especially the accordion-driven
Forró (pronounced Fo-ho) from the rural countryside.
Brazilian-born singer Heliane Ferreira-Pinto fronts
the group, with an expressive stage presence and irresistibly powerful
voice. Wistful melodies and irrepressible rhythms will transport you
to the verdant hills and vibrant streets of Brazil.
Also on the 27th, Sam Bond's welcomes two eclectic pop
singer/songwriters: Ivan Okay and Sandman. Okay, formerly
Ivan Klipstein, crafts music using funky sojourns into human beatboxing,
samples, answering machine messages and "found sounds" garnered from
carrying around a hand-held tape recorder. In short, Okay uses anything
to get the sound he wants. A Wisconsin native, Okay's recorded music
is a "purposeful mishmash" of sounds he doesn't even try to duplicate
live. Performing with only his guitar, you get just him and his spontaneous,
creative id.
Chris Sand, a.k.a. Sandman, is an equally multi-faceted
performer, strongly influenced by the cowboy culture of North Dakota
and Montana, where he grew up. As a child, he was hooked on breakdancing,
then rap, listening to Ice T in between his parent's force-feeding of
George Strait and Alabama.
In the early '90s, while in college, Sand bravely starting
his first rap band, DJ Dave and Sandman. Montana's rapping cowboy then
came out west to attend Evergreen College in Olympia, where his mingling
with the anarchists and hippies left a permanent mark on his psyche.
He found a way to merge his upbringing in western culture with his direct
sexuality and awareness of politics, filtering it all through his "post-modern
troubadour's hip-hop heart."
Over at Luna, Eugene band Grasshopper takes the
stage on the 27th. Singer/songwriter and guitarist Tony Gilchrist and
vocalist Paige Hamm migrated north to Eugene from Austin in 2001. Hamm
was a classically trained musician who "wasn't doing much of anything
with her talents," says Gilchrist, while he had not done anything with
his own compositions beyond recording them in his home studio. Hamm
encouraged Gilchrist to give his songs life in a band and despite his
initial reluctance, he did.
The pair played at open mics to "get our sea legs back,"
according to Gilchrist, and they gradually met other musicians who wanted
to play the same brand of blues, country and rock-based Americana music.
Bassist Mike Nemeth, who has played in a number of northwest bands,
joined Grasshopper when Gilchrist took his amp to Nemeth for repair
and complained that he couldn't find a bassist. Drummer Chris Munson,
who currently plays with Honey Buckit, Peter Wilde and Sun Bossa, worked
as a session player in Nashville and has played with such figures as
Vassar Clements. Lead guitarist Paul Hobbs has performed and recorded
with Colin Raye and Brother Weasel.
Gilchrist, an admitted "insect freak" who would likely
be an entomologist had music not swayed him from that pursuit, chose
the band's name in part because it's memorable and also because "there's
really nothing more American than a grasshopper," he says. "It makes
you think of being out in the country, in farmland."
As of March, the trio Rasputina has released
the anticipated follow-up to 2002's Cabin Fever. The new CD,
Frustration Plantation, is performed by founder and cellist Melora
Creager, cellist Zoe Keating and drummer Jonathan TeBeest.
Rasputina began as an ensemble of women, clad in dress
of the late Victorian era and influenced by the music and literature
of those times. Having welcomed a man to the fold was an unexpected
move, even more so since TeBeest's background in music is in ska —
however, he fits right in with the girls and adds an even more unique
texture to the music.
Plantation was inspired by Creager's time spent
in Louisiana and shows all the hallmarks of her creative vision: creaks
and crackles like a drafty old house at night, ghostly vocals and dramatic
flair. Rasputina appears Friday at WOW Hall.
Looking ahead to June 2nd, the WOW Hall hosts Phoenix,'s
Reuben's Accomplice and San Luis Obispo's Watashi Wa.
Accomplice's latest CD, The Bull, The Balloon and The Family,
is released on Western Tread Recordings, a start-up imprint run by Jimmy
Eat World's singer Jim Adkins. It features guest vocals and piano by
Giant Sand's Howe Gelb, vocals and guitar by Adkins, steel guitar and
banjo by Jon Rauhouse (Neko Case, Old 97's) and vocals by Pedro the
Lion's David Bazan.
Arizona natives Jeff Bufano and Chris Corak, the core
of Reuben's Accomplice, debuted in 2001 with I Blame The Scenery.
After splitting with their rhythm section, they enlisted their "extended
family" to help them record the follow up.
The Bull's urgent energy and catchy melodies
are softened by a wistful tone, especially on "Tonight We Drink," which
features Gelb's fantastic, sun-baked voice. Each song starts out with
an infectious energy and pulls the listener through with pulsating bass
lines and distinctive melodies.
Adkins' production gives the guitars a razor-sharp rock
edge but allows an overall shambling, plaintive mood to shine through.
This CD is destined to become one of my favorites.
Watashi Wa was formed in 1996 by four 13 year olds who
are now 20 and touring to support their third album, The Love of
Life. The guys combine mature lyrics with melodic power pop and
punk.
BEANERY
5TH ST. 344-0221
SA: Lew Jones--7
 |
| CALVIN
JOHNSON PLAYS SATURDAY AT CORESTAR CULTURAL CENTER. |
BLACK FOREST
50 E. 11TH ST. 686-6619
TH: Angry Foreign Roommate, Brundlefly, Minethirtyseven--9:30;
Rock
FR: Epoxy Morons--9:30; Rock
SA: Ailment, Grynch--9:30; Rock
SU: Botox, Audio Schizofrenic, DJ Dyanoga--9:30;
Rock, electronic
MO: Karaoke w/DJ Jared--9:30
TU: Comedy w/Arlo Stone
WE: Hollowfall, Shoefly--9:30; Rock
CAFE PARADISO
115 W. BROADWAY 484-9933
TH: Macaco Velho--9; Brazilian dance
FR: Americanistan--8:30; Middle Eastern
SA: Scrambled Ape--9; Brass band
MO: Retro Night--8
TU: Acoustic Open Mic--7:30 (all ages)
WE: Best of open mic w/Billy D., Carl Marsh, Ila
Krieg--8
COFFEE GROVE COOPERATIVE
510 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GR 942-8847
FR: Open mic w/Ron O'Keefe--8
SA: Blue Road--8; Folk, rock
CORE STAR CULTURAL CENTER
439 W. 2ND AVE.
SA: Calvin Johnson, Viking Moses, Tigersaw--9;
Indie
SU: Mount Eerie, The Microphones, WOELV, Thanksgiving--9
 |
| LAUREL
BRAUNS PLAYS SATURDAY AT COZMIC PIZZA. |
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All
Ages
8TH AVE. AND CHARNELTON ST. 338-9333
TH: Midnight Sun--7:30
FR: Everyone Core-Tet--9
SA: Laurel Brauns, Gypsy Moon, Middle Eastern
Dance Guild of Eugene--7; Jazz, groove, rock
SU: Gamelan Sari Pandawa--7; Javanese gamelan
MO: Token--8:30; Acoustic
TU: Esconder--8:30; Rock
WE: Joe Manis Trio--8:30; Jazz
DIABLO'S
959 PEARL ST. 683-3855
TH: DJ Jon Smith--10; '80s through today
FR: Big Beats with Dinari & Supa J--10; Hip
hop
SA: House Nights with Anmar--10
SU: Fetish night--10
DOWNTOWN LOUNGE
959 PEARL ST. 343-2346
TH: Basic Assumption--9; Rock, Devil Brothers--10;
Spin, R & B, funk
FR: Outspent, others--10; FOOD for Lane Co. benefit
SA: Under the Stairs, Stacked--10; Hard rock
SU: Kung Foo Karaoke w/DJ Jeremy--9
MO: DJ Diablo--10; Metal, punk, butt-rock
TU: Swing dance--7, Kenny Reed and Stone Cold
Jazz--10
WE: Gen.eric and guests--10; Hip hop
DUCK INN
1795 W. 6TH AVE.
TH: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--8
SA: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--8
EARLY RISE CAFE
485 COBURG RD. 868-1261
SA: Open mic--7
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
JIMMY MAC'S OVERTIME GRILL
770 S. BERTELSEN 342-5028
TH: Westside Blues Jam--8
JOE'S BAR & GRILLE
21 W. 6TH AVE. 338-9000
TH: Grateful Dead Night--9
MO: Brothers of Beat--8; Soul
TU: DJ Tekneek--9; Hip hop
WE: DJ Tai--9; '80s
JO FEDERIGO'S
259 E. 5TH AVE. 343-8488
TH: Jo Fed's Jazz Jam Session--9
FR: Coastal Steamer--9; Jazz
SA: Tim Clarke Quartet--9; Jazz
SU: Mark Alan--9
MO: Funky Monday open mic--7, Skip Jones--8:30;
Hammond organ
TU: Barbara Dzuro Jazz Piano--8:30
WE: Jacob Pavlak Duo--9; Jazz
JOGGER'S BAR & GRILL
710 WILLAMETTE ST. 343-0224
TU-FR: Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
JOHN HENRY'S
77 W. BROADWAY 342-3358
TH: '80s Night w/Chris, Jen, John--10
FR: Poison Idea, The Defocaters, Monkee Torture,
Captain Punk--10
SA: DJ Tekneek--10; Hip hop, R & B, funk,
soul
SU: John Henry's Broadway Revue--10; Burlesque
& variety
MO: Strange Attractor, Ahimsa Theory--10
TU: Things and Stuff That Don't Suck--10
WE: DJ Kal El--10; Dance hall reggae
JUANITA'S HIDEAWAY
6451/2 RIVER ROAD 463-7632
TH: Peter Giri--7:30; Acoustic open mic
KELYNSKI'S SPORTS PUB
1712 IVY ST., JUNCTION CITY 998-5688
TH-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 Russel--5; Jazz
SA: Gus Russel--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: KRVM birthday party--10; Rock
FR: White Mountain, Unkle Nancy--10; R & B;
electro
SA: Stacked, Stabitha, The Epoxy Morons--10; Rock
TU: Default--10; Open hip hop
WE: 11 Eyes, The Everyone Orchestra--10; Funk,
jazz
LUNA
30 E. BROADWAY 434-5862
TH: Grasshopper--8; Roots folk rock
FR: Erik Muiderman--5:30; Singer/songwriter, Sun
Bossa--8:30; Brazilian samba
SA: Erik Muiderman--7; Singer/songwriter, Side
Project--9:30; Jazz, fusion, R & B
MAC'S AT THE VET'S CLUB
1626 WILLAMETTE ST. 344-8600
TH: 2 For 5--8:30; Rock
FR: Maven Johnson Blues Band--9:30
SA: West Coast Rhythm Kings--9:30; Swing
WE: Christie and McCallum--9; Honky ronk, rock
MCDONALD THEATRE
1010 WILLAMETTE ST.
FR: Equipto, Cool Nutz, Maniac Lok, Mackdub, DJ Chill--9;
Hip hop
SA: Hell's Belles--9; ACDC rock
MORNING GLORY CAFE
450 WILLAMETTE ST. 687-0709
FR: Conjunto Flamenco, Cerro Mora--7; Flamenco
WE: String Theory Band--7; Jazzy country
MULLIGAN'S PUB
2841 WILLAMETTE NO PHONE
TU: Tommy's Tuesday--9; Rock & blues jam
THE O BAR
155 COMMONS WAY 349-0707
TH: Thirsty Thursdays: DJ Johnny--9;
Hip hop, dance
PEABODY'S
2105 W. 7TH 485-5925
TH: Jon Fiori--8; Vocals, piano
FR: Deco Moon w/Lori Fletcher--9; Jazz
SA: Deco Moon Jazz--9
MO: Jam w/Kenny Reed--9
TU: Open mic w/Tim Patrick--8
WE: Jazz singers' showcase w/John Crider--8
PERUGINO
767 WILLAMETTE ST. 687-9102
WE: Irish Jam--7; Celtic
QUACKER'S
2105 W. 7TH 485-5925
MO: Karaoke--9; Variety
WE: Blues Jam--8:30
RAMADA INN
225 COBURG 342-5181
FR & SA: Rock-it--9:15; Rock
 |
| PRESTON
SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY PLAYS MONDAY AT SAM BOND'S GARAGE. |
SAM BOND'S GARAGE
407 BLAIR 431-6603
TH: The Ovulators, Sandman, Ivan Klipstein--9;
Rock
FR: Jackstraw--9:30; Bluegrass
SA: Big Island Shindig--9:30; Rock
SU: Bingo w/Tom and Scott--9; Prizes, hoo-haw
MO: Preston School of Industry--9
TU: Bluegrass Jam--9
WE: The Weary Boys, Salt Lick--9; Alt. country
SAMURAI DUCK
980 OAK ST. 345-6577
TH: Epoxy Morons, Ahimsa--10; Rock
FR: Amadan, DJs Article & Dianoga--10; Stout
Irish
SA: Whore, Lucika, Trucklulance, Desolation--9:30;
Metal
SU: Cade, F-minus, C-4--9; Open mic hip-hop
MO: DJ Synchronoise--10; Industrial
STACY'S COVERED BRIDGE
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: Adam Comer Band--8:30; Funk rock
SA: Deb Cleveland Band--8:30; Jazz, R & B
TAP 'N' KEG
1704 MAIN ST., COTTAGE GROVE 942-8713
WE & TH: DJ Rick--9
FR & SA: DJ Rick--9:30
TINY TAVERN
394 BLAIR BLVD. 687-8383
FR: Fuzz--10; Funk, jazz
MO: Open Mic--9:30
WETLANDS
922 GARFIELD ST. 345-3606
SA: The Courtesy Clerks--10; Rock
WOODSMAN GRILL
117 S. 14TH ST., SPFD. 741-0150
TH: Johnny Wilde--9; Rock
FR: Mo' Fessor--9; Rock
SA: Mo' Fessor--9; Rock
 |
| MICHAEL
K COMPETES IN THE "BETTER THAN YOU" BATTLE, SATURDAY AT THE
WOW HALL. |
WOW HALL All Ages
291 W. 8TH AVE. 687-2746
TH: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Scrambled Ape--9:30;
New Orleans jazz
FR: Rasputina, Audio Learning Center--9:30; Goth
rock
SA: "Better Than You" MC battle--9; Rap, hip hop
WE: Watashi Wa, Reubens Accomplice--7:30;
Christian rock
CORVALLIS
BEANERY
2ND ST.
FR: Madison & McCoy--8
SA: Aric Riley--8
SU: Lew Jones-8
FOX 'N' FIRKIN
202 SW. 1ST ST. 753-8533
FR: Jah Bong--10
SA: Sweetspot--9:30
WE: TenPas' Tricky Trivia--8:30
MURPHY'S
3740 SE 3RD ST. 758-9000
SU: Nairobi Bois--6; Jazz covers
NEW MORNING BAKERY All
Ages
2ND ST. 928-9578
SA: Bluegrass jam--7:30
PLATINUM
126 SW 4TH ST. 738-6996
FR: DJs Ivan, Lupe--10; Salsa
SA: Amadan, Blackout Radio--9:30; Irish punk
|
