Eclectic
Poison
Variety
at Sam Bond's, Kaswell's fingerstyle blues at Luna.
BY
VANESSA SALVIA
It was back in January when I first told you about San
Francisco's The Slow Poisoners.
They're back, and performing with The Hinges
and The Ovulators
at Sam Bond's on Thursday, June 10. Bandleader and visionary Andrew
Poisoner says, "About eight years ago, I was in Paris on my birthday
and I had a vision of surrealistic rock and roll marrying the weirdest
lyrics possible to roots-influenced music."
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| The
Slow Poisoners play Sam Bond's Thursday, June 10. |
He's succeeded on both accounts, as his music celebrates
the bizarre a bit like Jonathon Richman meets Marc Bolan. "I wanted
a band flexible enough to play country music and psychedelic music and
pop music and even R&B influenced music," he adds.
Originally, Poisoner enhanced the typical rock format
(guitar, drums, bass) with that ultra-cool instrument, the theremin.
That morphed into adding two cellos to the lineup, which, he says, "got
really unwieldy and everything was feeding back on stage 'til it sounded
like it would all explode."
They stripped down again to the standard rock combo
plus keyboards, but are now down to two, thanks to bandmates having
difficulty appreciating the touring lifestyle and the squelching of
personal ideas when bringing someone else's musical vision to life.
"I had my vision and other people wanted to make it
a metal band and by God I just wasn't going to do it," Poisoner avows.
Poisoner produced a 1999 CD on Pop Smear, Great Spiders and
Diamond Powder; the title derived from the book, Extraordinary
Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. It was published in
1841 with a chapter called "The Slow Poisoners," relating "the dastardly
art of doing away with someone by placing such a small amount of arsenic
in their drink on a daily basis that they don't know anything is wrong
until they can't get out of bed." (Spider powder and diamond dust was
a recipe revealed in this book as a good one for slow poisoning.)
Poisoner ran with that image saying, "That is so weird,
that would be a good name for a band!" After that the band had an opportunity
to travel to Memphis and record at the legendary Sun Studios, which
Poisoner says "prompted us to be more twangy in our sound but just as
psychedelic in our head space."
In 2003, the band recorded the second album for Heyday
Records, Days of the Soft Break. "I went through a period after
I discovered Bob Dylan late in life when I decided that no other music
was necessary, and I think you can hear that influence on some of the
tracks," says Poisoner. While some of the songs sound as if they were
sung with a British accent, Poisoner assures us that was not a deliberate
intent, "although some people find it charming." He theorizes that perhaps
the delivery arises from having ingested a lot of British bands during
his formative years, or perhaps it was "all the acid."
"Occasionally a group of words will get stuck in my
head which will become the song title," says Poisoner, then he'll fool
around with a guitar until the music feels right and the words "spool
forth from my brain like a murky muddy stream." Despite the discomfort
the band's name can inspire, Poisoner has no interest in creating depressing
music. "I was raised on the Beatles so I have ingrained in my brain
the desire to make hooky chord progressions," he explains.
Also on the 10th, check out fingerstyle blues guitarist
Gordon David Kaswell
at Luna. Kaswell's style ranges widely over traditional American and
British folk to contemporary rock tinged with jazz. He has built an
impressive performing career, but Kaswell is also known among his peers
as a talented composer. He composed the film score to The Passionate
Harvest, an award-winning documentary about coffee agriculture,
and co-authored "The Performer," a jazz tune that was featured in the
ABC docu-drama, A Murderous Affair, and sung on "Saturday Night
Live."
Several high-profile clients (Bellissimo Media and Symantec
Software among them) have also hired the talented musician to compose
original music for their advertising campaigns.
Kaswell honed his acoustic guitar craft while playing
coffee houses in Boston. Since those days of struggle, he has produced
two CDs: Java Roads, which features the complete music from the
coffee documentary, and Overnight Sensation. One song from that
release, "The Price of Freedom," was a finalist in the 2003 Willamette
Valley Folk Festival songwriting contest.
Interested in "Cosmic Americana?" Yes? Check out Albuquerque's
ThaMuseMeant Friday
at Cafe Paradiso. With that self-description in hand, be prepared for
a night of jam rock, bluegrass, jazz and folk combined in a way that
enhances all the senses. Catchy songs, vocal harmonies, guitar, harmonica,
bass, mandolin and fiddle provide an eclectic foundation for percolating
percussion. Lightning-fast mandolin and fiddle picking drives this predominantly
acoustic group's musical alchemy, but while you might think you know
where the song is headed, the group will throw in a chord change or
a mid-song time shift to project their audience farther out into space.
Vocalist/bassist Aimee Curl has a voice that channel
surfs between an earthy wailing and a high mountain yodel, while singer,
songwriter and guitarist Nathan Moore pens storytelling tunes a la Bob
Dylan and has a voice to perfectly complement Curl's tone, when they
do decide to add vocals, which is not often. Preferring to let the music
reign, TheMuseMeant takes a kaleidoscopic view of the tunes, eschewing
nothing if it gets a good groove going or encourages more energetic
dancing. This rootsy quartet has been together for nearly 10 years,
residing in New Mexico when not touring.
AX BILLY GRILL & SPORTS BAR
999 WILLAMETTE ST. 484-4011
SA: Carl Woideck--8
BEANERY
5TH ST. 344-0221
FR: Wade Zer--7
SA: Lew Jones--7
BLACK FOREST
50 E. 11TH ST. 686-6619
TH: DJ Simy dance party--9:30
FR: Minethirtyseven--9:30; Rock
SA: Avid, Liquid, Servants of the End--9:30; Rock
SU: White Mountain--9:30; Rock
MO: Hawaiian party karaoke--9:30
TU: Comedy w/Arlo Stone--9:30
 |
| IRINA
RIVKIN PERFORMS IN THE "ROSE STREET ON THE ROAD" MUSICAL COMMUNITY
TOUR, THURSDAY AT CAFE PARADISO. |
CAFE PARADISO
115 W. BROADWAY 484-9933
TH: Rose Street Musical
Community Tour w/Irina Rivkin and Lisa Sanders--8; Singer/songwriters
FR: ThaMuseMeant--9; Acid folk
SA: Ginger Hustlers, Alpha Charlie--9; Bohemian
rock
TU: Acoustic Open Mic--7:30 (all ages)
WE: Cary Judd, Rex Morningstar, Mark Romney--8;
Singer/songwriters
CLUB ROCK
535 MAIN ST., SPFD. 726-5163
FR: Blue Face, Forrest T. Black--9; Rock
SA: Freaks on a Leash--9; Rock
MO: Blues jam w/Jess Jenins--8
TU: Open mic w/Pete Christie--8
WE: Karaoke w/Janet Kunkle--8
COFFEE GROVE COOPERATIVE
510 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GR. 942-8847
FR: Sweet Island Thyme--8; Psychotropic jam
SA: Donovan Keith--7; Guitar, Prairie Dawgs--8;
Bluegrass, folk
COUNTRY SIDE RESTAURANT
4740 MAIN ST. 744-1594
TH: Jeff Richey--8; DJ country
FR: Bob Manning & Nashville West--9; Country
SA: Bob Manning & Nashville West--9; Country
SU: Ralph--8; Karaoke
MO: Pam--8; Karaoke
TU: Larry Sievers--8; Karaoke
TU: Jeff Richey--8; DJ country
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All
Ages
8TH AVE. AND CHARNELTON ST. 338-9333
TH: Willamette Jazz
Society Jazz Jam, Unit 13--7
FR: Brothers of Max Catharsis, Nimbus--9
SA: All That Dance kids' performance--6:30, Grasshopper--9;
Folk rock
SU: Abdera--8:30; Jam
TU: Ten Mile Tide--8:30; Folk
WE: The Ingredients Band, Palm--8:30
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
DOWNTOWN LOUNGE
959 PEARL ST. 343-2346
TH: Chillin' and Grillin BBQ--6; Food, prizes,
games, Devil Brothers--10; R & B, funk
FR: The Dimes, Abdera, Marvin and the Big Booty
Beats--10
SA: Poetry slam--9; Benefit for the Eugene Poetry
Slam Team
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
FR: Karaoke--7
SA: Open mic--7
EL REY'S
38382 DEXTER RD. 937-2770
TH: McKenzie Blues Project--9; Blues
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: Eagle Park Slim Band--6; Blues
GOOD TIMES
375 E. 7TH AVE. 484-7181
TU: Rooster's 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: The Side Project--9
SA: Dahman Beck Band--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: Olem Alves Duo--9; Jazz
JOGGER'S BAR & GRILL
710 WILLAMETTE ST. 343-0224
TU-FR: Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
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| DEZARIE
PLAYS FRIDAY AT JOHN HENRY'S. |
JOHN HENRY'S
77 W. BROADWAY 342-3358
TH: '80s Night w/Chris, Jen, John--10
FR: Dezarie, Ikahba, Satya Yuga--9; Reggae
SA: DJ Tekneek--10; Hip hop, R & B, funk,
soul
SU: John Henry's Broadway Revue--10; Burlesque
MO: Better Than You--10; Live hip-hop
TU: Fireballs of Freedom, Burt Reynolds Overdrive--10
WE: The Red Elvises--7; Siberian rock, DJ Kal
El--10; Dance hall reggae
JUANITA'S HIDEAWAY
6451/2 RIVER ROAD 463-7632
TH: Peter Giri--7:30; Acoustic open mic
FR: Peter Giri, Paul Biondi--8:30
THE JUNGLE
23 W. 6TH ST. 431-1111
TH: Ozone Baby, The Tubes--8
LAVELLE'S WINE BAR & BISTRO
5TH ST. PUBLIC MARKET 338-9875
TH: Paul Biondi, Gus Russell--6
FR: Gus Russell--5, SA: Gus Russell--5
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
LUNA
30 E. BROADWAY 434-5862
TH: Gordon David Kaswell--8; Blues guitar
FR: Erik Muiderman--5:30; Singer/songwriter, J.C.Rico
and Zulu Dragon--9:30; Blues
SA: Erik Muiderman--7;
Singer/songwriter, Eleven Eyes--9:30; Groove funk hip-hop jazz
MAC'S AT THE VET'S CLUB
1626 WILLAMETTE ST. 344-8600
TH: Open mic w/Pete Christie--8:30
FR: Juke Joint Blue--9:30; Blues
SA: Deb Cleveland and the Vipers--9:30; Blues
WE: Christie and McCallum--9; Honky ronk, rock
MORNING GLORY CAFE
450 WILLAMETTE ST. 687-0709
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
OUR PLACE TAVERN
HWY. 99 & ROYALE AVE.
FR: Clyde Baxter--8; Karaoke
SA: Clyde Baxter--8; Karaoke
OVERTIME TAVERN
770 S. BERTELSEN 342-5028
TH: West Side Blues Jam—8:30
PEABODY'S
444 E. 3RD AVE. 484-2927
TH: Jon Fiori--8; Vocals, piano
FR: Deco Moon w/Lori Fletcher--9; Jazz
SA: Ronny Turrell--9; Karaoke
SU: Summer Sundays--2; Rock
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
PLANET GOLOKA
679 LINCOLN ST. 465-4555
TH: Spiritual film--6:30
FR: DJ Layla--7; Eastern trance groove
SA: Chanting & Dinner--5
MO: Open mic--6:30
TU: Poetry night--6:30
WE: Kava circle--6:30
QUACKER'S
2105 W. 7TH 485-5925
MO: Karaoke--9; Variety
WE: Blues Jam--8:30
RAMADA INN
225 COBURG 342-5181
FR & SA: Johnny Law and the Rebels--9:15;
Rock
SAM BOND'S GARAGE
407 BLAIR 431-6603
TH: The Ovulators, The Slow Poisoners, The Hinges--9;
Rock
FR: Son Mela'o--9:30; Cuban dance
SA: Cabinessence CD release--9
SU: Eugene Composers Collective--8:30
MO: Joe Mack, Corona--9; Americana
TU: Bluegrass Jam--9
WE: Mood Area 52, Petracovich--9; Tango
SAMURAI DUCK
980 OAK ST. 345-6577
FR: Lock and Key--10; Rock
SPIRITS
1714 MAIN ST., SPFD 726-2972
FR: Go 2-11—9:15; Rock
SA: Go 2-11—9:15; Rock
STACY'S COVERED BRIDGE
401 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GROVE 767-0320
WE: Open Mic Night w/Ron O'Keefe--8:30
TAP 'N' KEG
1704 MAIN ST., COTTAGE GROVE
942-8713
WE & TH: DJ Rick--9
FR & SA: DJ Rick--9:30
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| LATIN
EXPRESSION PLAYS FRIDAY AT THE VET'S CLUB BALLROOM. |
TAYLOR'S BAR AND GRILL
894 E. 13TH AVE. 554-5320
FR: DJ Tekneek--10; Hip hop, R & B
TINY TAVERN
394 BLAIR BLVD. 687-8383
FR: Angela & Michael Galinas--9:30; Folk Duo
SA: U-Gene Band--9:30; Jam rock
MO: Open Mic w/Gary--9:30
TSUNAMI
2222 CENTENIAL
FR & SA: DJ Smur--9; Hip hop, R & B
VET'S BALLROOM
1626 WILLAMETTE ST. 344-8600
FR: Latin Expression--9; Salsa, merengue
WOODSMAN GRILL
117 S. 14TH ST., SPFD. 741-0150
TH: Johnny Wilde--9; Rock
 |
| THE
COURTESY CLERKS PLAY FRIDAY AT THE WOW HALL. WITH ROCK 'N ROLL SOLDIERS,
CAPGUN SUICIDE AND OTHERS. |
WOW HALL All Ages
291 W. 8TH AVE. 687-2746
TH: United States of Electronica, Aqueduct--8:30;
Pop rock
FR: Rock 'n' Roll Soldiers, Courtesy Clerks, Monkee
Torture, 2 Bucks Short, Capgun Suicide--7:30; Rock
SA: Blackfire, Ramona Africa, Kevin Price, Claude
Marks--7:30; Benefit for Jeff "Free" Leurs, Native American rock, spoken
word
SU: Annual membership meeting--1
CORVALLIS
BEANERY
2ND ST.
FR: Pete Kozak--8
SA: Samusson & Tomassi--8
FOX 'N' FIRKIN
202 SW. 1ST ST. 753-8533
SA: Upright Dub Orchestra--9:30; Reggae
WE: TenPas' Tricky Trivia--8:30
MURPHY'S
3740 SE 3RD ST. 758-9000
SA: David Samuel & The Vanilla Sugar Blues
Project--8:30; Blues
SU: Nairobi Bois--6; Jazz covers
PLATINUM
126 SW 4TH ST. 738-6996
SA: Big Boy and the Toys--8:30; Rock
SQUIRREL'S
100 SW. 2ND ST. 753-8057
SA: Amadan--9:30
|
