There's nothing quite like the blinding light

Stuff to report from November! Black Angels at Wonder. Yeah, it was good, I realized I don’t know a bunch of the records, it always helps to know the songs when you see a supposed old fave. Rev Hall is a bit of an odd place to see a band where you want to stand; unless you go down to the front section past the seats, you’re just standing in your seat. I wrote this note during the show, “the fine line between interesting psych garage and crap rock. Slow it down. I know yr from the shithole country that we call Texas, but avoid the honkey tonk at all cost”. I crack myself up! I did feel that some of the newer stuff was a little too rock and roll and not enough psych, but what do I know. Opener, L.A. Witch, was a winner, moody, lightly psych all girl garage rock, will check them out and keep an eye out if they come through on their own. J.R.C.G./Dreamdecay and The Body at Bunk Bar. Well, first off, apparently Lee had Covid so there was a fill-in drummer with Chip for The Body. He filled in admirably. They were good, but you could tell they were limited in what they could play. The mystery of the night for me was Dreamdecay and, damn, they were great. I wrote “I’ve seen a lot of live music- but two saxes?”. Seriously. I loved the two bass, two percussionist pummeling of Cop Shoot Cop (30 fucking years ago!) and thought that was kinda cray, but yeah, two saxes?!? I don’t mean to harp on that, they were good and not gimmicky, kinda dreamy goth, with lots of hooks and plenty of wonderfully just noisy segments. This crew is now on my radar. And La Luz at Wonder. Hmmm. I’ve wanted to see them for ages, and, well, they were kinda boring. Yeah, the stupid, almost New England level of puritanical bullshit that is the O.L.C.C.’s divide between the drinking and non-drinking areas never encourages good vibes, but I think maybe I just don’t dig them like I thought I did. It was fine. It was almost forgettable too. Which, compared to most things, which I can’t stand, is still something. A lot of chatty, causal “fans” there. Definitely an easy band to pretend to like for the presumed cool factor. Okay. December is typically kinda quiet. It appears that Twilight Cafe has disappeared for good, I never did end up seeing a show there, that makes me legit sad. Here’s what I see in the future (other than the unabated destruction of the planet, big oil and big pharma squeezing every last drop out of us and the aforementioned planet, the continued increase in nationalism and hate, dipshits ever more aggressively clinging to their fucking guns and bibles, further emboldened white nationalists and misogynists, increasing wealth inequality… shit…). Damien Jurado and Okkervil River (solo), Wed & Thurs, 12/8 & 9, Mississippi Studios. Funny that they’re billed as Okkervil River solo, not just Will Sheff. Anyhoo, in 2005 and 2006, Black Sheep Boy was on nearly constant rotation with my primary crew. Icy mid-winter party, around a midsummer Berkshires campfire, we couldn’t stop. It pleased all the factions, we all loved it. It’s upbeat yet fucking depressing. It’s literate and well made, but not cheesy. “For Real” is seriously like the perfect folky indie song. Goddamn, that record is still so good. If this was him playing Black Sheep Boy, I’da bought a ticket, but, and I kinda hate to say this, I’ve always been a little underwhelmed by the rest of his (their) catalog. I suppose it’s partly borne out of the fact that it’d be tough to live up to Black Sheep Boy, but I don’t think it’s just that. The other records are fine, but they’re missing that magic. As for Damien Jurado, I know the name, I know he’s been around for ages, and when I’ve heard him I liked him, I just never caught the bug. Derp alert. I just tweaked the draft of this email and realized that today’s not Wednesday and these shows aren’t tonight and tomorrow, but last night and earlier tonight. Well, shit. If anyone went, tell us how it was.

Also the Fuzz show at Wonder tonight was cancelled. See you in February, Ty. Yeah, I really need to get back on this, looks like we missed our favorite local, live drums/synthy dance party, Sea Moss, tonight at The Fixin’ To and earlier this week at No Fun. Get yr shit together, dude. Xibling, Sun 12/12, Dante’s. Saw them a while back and if I remember correctly I liked them, thought they were some sort of ADULT. wanna-be’s (that sounds caddy, but as I adore ADULT., I meant that as a weird compliment). They do that same caustic, retro-electro thing, also a male/female two-piece if I recall. I’ve wanted to see them again. The bonus this night? Portland’s own dark wave darlings, Ritual Veil, are DJing between sets. Yas, queen. I don’t know any of the bands on Turn! Turn! Turn!’s Wednesday 12/15 listing, but this description from their website makes me think I need to be there; “This bill’s got a little for anyone, assuming anyone digs mangled post-hardcore surf, 80s Soviet No Wave, or kitchen sink indie guitar rock.” Fuck yeah! Plus, TTT is a rad, sometimes forgotten little spot that we should frequent more (and the backyard we just bought Lucas is less than a 10 min walk from there!).

The Reverend Horton Heat, Sun 12/12, Wonder Ballroom. For comin' on 35 years, the Rev ’s been bringin' the heat. Amen to that. YOB, Tues and Wed, 12/21 & 22, Doug Fir. Someday I’m actually gonna see these guys. And not just in a Red Fang video (keep reading). Devotchka, Wed and Thurs, 12/29 at Mississippi and 12/30 at Polaris Hall. Always enjoyed them. As mentioned before, I have a big soft spot for their neo-gypsy thing, or whatever it is. I believe I’ve recounted my seeing them open for The Magnetic Fields, search “wonderful little tart” in your emails. Social media tells me she’s married and just had a baby. Time flies. Insert annual dig at the piece of shit Dandy Warhols here. High On Fire, Thurs, Dec 30, Hawthorne Theatre. Our gives no fucks flabby doom metal lord returns! And his performance in the recent (/yet another awesome) Red Fang video is a shirtless Oscar worthy treat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNMNytLQqR4 The Mistons, Thurs 1/6, Holocene. Yet another opportunity to see what Portland demi-legend Sean Croghan is up to these days. Slender Gems open. I’ve briefly met the main dude from Slender Gems and he seemed great and my friends that know him better say that ain’t the half of it. Let’s go to this show. Yeah, sometimes I barely make time to write these stupid missives, but it’s always fun. Gonna be a busy month or so (I know, busy’s decidely not a virtue), that’s not a complaint, just a statement of fact for a bit til we get moved into this new house. But I still wanna meet y’all somewhere to see and hear something great (or even just good!). Let’s do it. Also, buy yourself a sequin jacket (or two). Feels good. I know I can’t stand most people, but if you’re on this thread, you’re an exception (not that you need my approval, but) you make my life better. Be safe. Give somebody a hug. And be good to all the animals and pets. Not sure what else we can do. As always always, additions, corrections, and/or subtractions welcomed. DW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrt5Qg9ReCQ SIOUXSIE 4EVA