The Days of Lore

Menomena: Whaddya say?

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 | musiX, pdX | No Comments

A few weeks ago I was telling a friend about Menomena’s song “TAOS.” Much like the rest of the band’s latest record, Mines (Barsuk), it’s vicious, sprawling, confusing, beautiful, spastic, loud and waggish. I was blown away by the song (which made it on to the TDoL Summer Mix). Yet, for the many sonic qualities it possesses, the only thing that managed to come from my mouth was: “This song will punch you right in the dick-hole.”

Now I realize this might sound a bit over the top, sophomoric and, quite frankly, stupid. Add the fact I was standing in the middle of the ice cream aisle of a crowded Fred Meyer, and it’s even more ridiculous. What can I say? I was very excited. Here’s what else I can say: Mines is a gem through and through. The members of Menomena know how to make every single note and every little sound heard. Fuzz bass dances with piano, horns, guitars, and drums that sound as if your head is stuck inside of the kick (listen to the aforementioned “TAOS”). Arty, but not pretentious, this is a band that makes over-thinking sound fun.

I’ve recently read some reviews of Mines that seem to make it a point to be unnecessarily verbose (guess which?). Of course, “This will punch you right in the dick-hole” isn’t what I’d call a shining example of eloquent wordplay … then again I am a firm believer that when it comes to most things—including music—it’s best not to mince words.

Menomena performs Saturday, Sept. 11 at Crystal Ballroom with Akron Family and Tu Fawning for MFNW. More tour dates here.

“TAOS” - Menomena

“Five Little Rooms” - Menomena

Like The Days of Lore on Facebook. Follow TDoL on Twitter.

Tags: Barsuk Records, Menomena, MFNW, Mines, Portland music

It’s now Horse Feathers’ duty to completely drain you

Friday, August 20th, 2010 | musiX, pdX | No Comments

Is Nirvana one of most oft-covered bands of the past two decades? I know I’ve unleashed my version of “Polly” at every party I’ve been to since 1994. But that’s me.

Portland’s Horse Feathers actually bring something new to their interpretation of “Drain You.” The song—which they performed recently at the Doug Fir—will appear on Horse Feathers’ forthcoming 7-inch. I’m still holding out for an acoustic version of “Milk It.”

Tags: "Drain You", Horse Feathers, Nirvana, Portland music

Black Whales got first

Monday, August 9th, 2010 | musiX, pdX | 1 Comment

There’s a first time for everything, as they say.

This Wednesday’s show with Black Whales, Ravishers and Nucular Aminals marks the first time TDoL has done anything with said bands. It’s the first time they’ve played the same bill, probably their first time playing Mississippi Studios. On a completely unrelated note, I bought my first Rush album last week.

Maybe it will be your first time seeing these bands … hopefully it won’t be your last. In keeping with the rule of firsts (kind of like the Rule of Thirds in photography, only with firsts and no connection to photography), TDoL caught up with Black Whales drummer Davey Brozowski (first one on the left) to discuss some very crucial musical firsts in his life. Also included below is “The Diamond Divide,” the first song off the band’s first EP. Oh, and come down to Mississippi Studios Wednesday, Aug. 11—Black Whales go on last.

First album.
Miley Cyrus … my friend Nathan gave it to me.

First instrument.
Trombone—tried it for two weeks at the request of the band teacher because they had too many drummers. I promptly returned in two weeks with sticks in hand. I’ve been playing drums since. I’ve never touched a trombone again.

First concert.
Beach Boys. America opened. Puyallup Fair. Let’s go to Kokomo!

First band.
Very first band was Missing In Action; first band to tour and put out records was the Catheters. The band I was in between MIA and Catheters was called Damaged Goods. They basically traded me like free agent for the Catheters’ drummer because he couldn’t take all the crass humor and harsh jokes from the other members. I was 14 and just wanted to play drums loud, fast and hard—could have been any band.

First Black Whales EP.
Origins. It literally is the origins of the band. We made these first recordings to see what the songs sounded like … nice demos. Turned out we all really like the songs so we took the steps to release our first slab of plastic. I still like it. A band’s early stuff is not necessarily their best, but you can see what they’re capable of with time and work. Plus there’s usually less inhibitions with songwriting. I feel like that was captured on Origins, and we’ve only raised that bar with the full length that’s to be released.

“The Diamond Divide” - Black Whales

Like The Days of Lore on Facebook. Follow TDoL on Twitter.

Tags: Black Whales, Davey Brozowski, Mississippi Studios, Nucular Aminals, Origins EP, Ravishers, The Days of Lore Presents

Black Friday? Mary Shelley says yes

Friday, August 6th, 2010 | musiX, pdX | No Comments

It’s been many a black Friday since the last Black Friday on TDoL—things were getting a little too wholesome around here.

Portland’s Mary Shelley has jerked me from my no-metal funk (hmm … a little nervous placing the words “funk” and “metal” so close to one another). Named after the creator of Dr. Victor Frankenstein the five-piece has been shelling out black metal evil under Portland’s gray skies for years. They have a four-song demo out filled with slice-and-dice riffs, double-kick, and more changes than a costumer at a Britney Spears concert. Above all else, Mary Shelley has a cellist and an incredibly killer, incredibly unreadable logo. Pretty and horrifically frightening at the same time.

The band’s MySpace says their influences are “Nature, horror, literature and music.” I can get behind that.

“Beneath” - Mary Shelley

Like The Days of Lore on Facebook. Follow TDoL on Twitter.

Tags: Black Friday, Mary Shelley, metal

TDoL Presents: Black Whales, Ravishers and Nucular Aminals

Monday, August 2nd, 2010 | musiX, pdX | 6 Comments

Otra noche de rock con tus amigo(s) de Los Dias de Lore y nuestros amigo(s) de The Deli Portland. ¿Si o no?

This time we have Seattle pop twangers Black Whales, along with PDX full-on rock outfits Ravishers and Nucular Aminals making some racket at one of my favorite music venues Mississippi Studios. Special guest: Emiliano Zapata.

It goes without saying that TDoL will be giving away a couple pairs of tickets to the show. Leave your name and e-mail address in the comments to enter. Winners will be notified Monday, Aug. 9. Until then, sink your teeth into these choice cuts, and look for more fun and goodies prior to the show.

“Books on Tape” - Black Whales

“Keep You Around” - Ravishers

“Ooooh Kill Oooooooh” - Nucular Aminals

Like The Days of Lore on Facebook. Follow TDoL on Twitter.

Tags: Black Whales, Mississippi Studios, Nucular Aminals, Ravishers, The Days of Lore Presents

Getting Chummy: TDoL Summer Mix 2010

Monday, July 26th, 2010 | musiX, pdX | 2 Comments

Summer is finally here in Portland … at least for a few days—’tis the season for barbecues, tubing down the river, bottomless ice chests and summer jams (Jams? JAMZ!).

TDoL spent countless hours in a dark room assembling your summer soundtrack for 2010, a mixtape filled with singalongs, un poquito de español, noise (Noise? NOIZE!), a few breezy numbers, a handful of Portland cuts, and loads of hand claps … we’re talking more clap than a state school fraternity house. Most of the music on this compilation has been lovingly featured on The Days of Lore. You should totally buy the records.

Grab the full mix in a convenient zip folder by clicking the link below. Pairs well with road trips, good barbecue and cheap beer, as well as bad trips, good times and cheap friends.

TRACKLIST:
1. “Guadalajara” - Pepe Guízar
2. “Girlfriend” - Ty Segall
3. “Too Young to Burn” - Sonny & the Sunsets
4. “Free Association” - These Hills of Gold
5. “Better Surrender” - Far
6. “Beverly Kills” - Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
7. “Flashes” - International Waters
8. “Miss Metro” - The Knuckles
9. “Starting Over” - Typhoon
10. “The Ghost Inside” - Broken Bells
11. “Bad Buzz” - The Mint Chicks
12. “Get Around Town” - Revolver
13. “Juniper” - Y La Bamba
14. “Evening Star” - Blitzen Trapper
15. “TAOS” - Menomena
16. “La Barra” - Montañas
17. “Cars and Explosions” - Kevin Dunn
18. “Doesn’t Shake Me” - The Goodnight Loving
19. “Floating Vibes” - Surfer Blood
20. “Atom Bomb” - The Apples in stereo
21. “Sidepain” - Sea of Bees
22. “A More Perfect Union” - Titus Andronicus

DOWNLOAD: Getting Chummy: TDoL Summer Mix 2010 (117 MB ZIP)

Like The Days of Lore on Facebook. Follow TDoL on Twitter.

Tags: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Blitzen Trapper, Broken Bells, Far, Getting Chummy: TDoL Summer Mix 2010, International Waters, Kevin Dunn, Menomena, mixtapes, Montañas, Pepe Guízar, Revolver, Sea of Bees, Sonny & the Sunsets, summer, summer jamz, summer mix, Surfer Blood, The Apples in Stereo, The Goodnight Loving, The Knuckles, The Mint Chicks, These Hills of Gold, Titus Andronicus, Ty Segall, Typhoon, Y La Bamba

Blue Giant between the covers

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 | musiX, pdX | No Comments

Kevin and Anita Robinson, aka the Robinsons, aka Viva Voce, aka Blue Giant have been fixtures in Portland after moving here from Alabama years ago. The husband and wife duo’s songs are pure pop whether they’re couched in country, psychedelic or rock. Blue Giant incorporates them all.

The band just released their debut full-length on Vanguard Records, an album that chugs and rumbles like the great outlaw country records. Songs are lean and muscular. Surprises are always around the corner. Take “The Game,” which if you stay tuned will treat you to a gorgeous piano outro.

Live Blue Giant is relentless, churning out one song after another whether it’s one of their own or a well-chosen cover. Portlanders will get to hear what’s between the covers of the new record for free tonight and tomorrow at Music Millennium and Jackpot respectively. Tonight at 7 p.m. hear Side A; tomorrow Blue Giant will perform Side B. Yes, that’s Side A and Side B … from an actual record. No iTunes Libraries allowed.

“The Game” - Blue Giant

Like The Days of Lore on Facebook. Follow TDoL on Twitter.

Tags: Blue Giant, Kevin and Anita Robinson, Viva Voce