Local Talent Showcase

[ERawkStar]

Yo.

New thread since we need more OT subjects in this bitch. I know there's a thread called "Time to Share Your Favorite Bands With the World" that had mention of some local/friends bands in conjunction with some of the more well-known Neil Young/Arcade Fire/Vampire Bullshit/etc. answers.

So for this thread, please highlight some of your favorite bands from your area of residence that are nowhere near Pitchfork's, Tinymixtapes', Daytrotter's radar. MySpace and webpages will help as well.

If you want to highlight your own band, I think there' s a thread in the OR side or just start a new one here in OT or something.

I will come back at some other time and post a few links....I have to get ready for work.

[Christel]

In my immediately local area, I'm currently into The Underlings (http://www.myspace.com/theunderlings). I missed the recent CD release shows, but Ed led the boys through a blistering headlining set at the last local Strummerville benefit (and I love guys who have the balls to cover The Clash, and actually do justice to the music!).

Elsewhere in Oregon, I like Wake Robin (http://www.myspace.com/wakerobinmusic) who split time between Portland, Corvallis and Eugene. I especially like the live show. Oh and Casey Neill (http://www.caseyneill.org/)! He's also PDX-based, he shares band members with the Decemberists (but I don't mind! ) and he did a mean selection of songs from Rock Art and the X-Ray Style for Strummerville and the skate park!

In and around my other localities, I'm loving Hacienda (http://www.myspace.com/haciendaspace) for the band's sexy slow burn; Dans La Lune (http://www.myspace.com/danslalunemusic) for that 60s mod beat; Electric Touch (http://www.electrictouchmusic.com/ <--give this page a second, it's worth it!) for its garage-y goodness and Built By Snow (http://www.builtbysnow.com/mega) for my dose of Weezer-esque, Devo-ish pop deliciousness.

And as ever, I adore Miss Jessie Lee Miller (http://www.myspace.com/jessieleemiller).

Hmmm... That's enough for now. I've got to get hair and heels on and head downstairs to see if any secretly good opening bands have been slipped into the lineup (Last night, the description said "Jazz/Bluegrass" so I figured I'd listen out my window just in case the bluegrass was good... The unannounced second band was suddenly rocking a hot Hammond B3 thing and I almost took out a neighbor in my rush to the elevator! Tonight, I'm checking in first, so the projected rain doesn't ruin my attempt at Claudine Longet if I have to traipse across town.).

Happy Hallows!


"Oh, here's your hat."
"Oh, look... you keep it."
"But you may need it."
"No, I'd like you to keep it."
"All right. If you think that you should want it or need it sometimes..."
"Well, if I need it... I could always come, perhaps, and pick it up."
"That would be very nice."
"When would you be available for me to pick up my hat?"
"Well... Maybe next week."
"I'll come and get it then."
"OK."
"For I'd love to have my hat back."

"Goodbye."
"Bye bye."

[RyanWK]

Prizzy Prizzy Please They are the most badass band with a saxophone since Sweep the Leg Johnny. The first time I saw this band was last year at this tiny club in Elgin, since then they have gone on to open up for bands such as Spoon etc. I would highly recommend checking them out if you have a chance. Notable song: "Campfire Girls Weekend Party" (INDIANA)
http://www.myspace.com/prizzyprizzyplease

Grampall Jookabox I am not sure if he qualifies anymore, he just signed to asthmatic kitten not to long ago, but I played a show last winter with one of my bands, Bryan Scary and the Shredding tears and Everthus the deadbeats were headlining (who were both really bad by the way) and Grampall opened. Needless to say I didn't even want to play after he finished his set. It was incredible. I think trying to describe him would be doing you a major disservice, but the most I will say is BIG BEATS. Check out "The girl ain't preggers" (INDIANA)

Karma with a K This band isn't really that active anymore. Their new project, headed by Michael is called Thin Hymns. I would still recommend checking them out though, they do something that I wish more bands did; they play highly creative, aggressive(ish) music that doesn't involve any sort of whining. Check out "Questions and Answers" (Chicago)
http://www.myspace.com/karmawithak

OHTIS
This is a band that I feel safe saying that most Okkervil River fans will probably enjoy. They have a quirky Americana feel to them with a heavy Paul Simon influence. Highly Recommended. All of the songs on their myspace are golden.
http://www.myspace.com/ohtis