Last week we spent five of six nights out on the town. If anyone ever complains that we don't have enough venues or shows to attend we beg to differ.
APRIL 27: DEAD END ARMORY, SAMUEL JAMES, THE PACK A.D., PRISM CAMP AT SPACE GALLERY
Dead End Armory and Sam James played solid drawn-out sets featuring new material as they stalled for Canadian female duo, The Pack A.D., who had van troubles. Worth the wait, they were fierce and tight upon arrival. Lead guitarist/vocalist Becky Black delivered heavy vocals with impeccable control and range. Headlining were locals Prism Camp. SPACE was the last stop on their one-night "Portland Tour" after hitting Metal Mondays at the Big Easy and Flask's open-mic night. They delivered a seriously hard and trance-like sound. Earplugs are necessary, but don't miss out on Rachel Henthorne's amazing pipes.
APRIL 28: OUR ACCENTS SURE ARE PRETTY TOUR, FEAT. THESIS SAHIB, JAMESPHONEY & JAMES REINDEER, PIERRE THE MOTIONLESS, ZOEN FUNKEN, ROMA AT SPACE GALLERY
Locals Brzowski and Pentateuch gave their fast and furious all opening for alt-rappers and producers from around the globe. A highlight was California's The Mole, who graced the stage in a makeshift superhero outfit with hilarious hooks and message-filled lyrics like, "When you go to the movies hush/And when you make doodie flush."
APRIL 29: A NIGHT OFF
APRIL 30: ASTRONAUTALIS, BLEUBIRD AT BUBBA'S SULKY LOUNGE
Riding the line between offensive and funny the duo Boyfriends Inc. took the stage in fluorescent shorts and popped over-the-counter sexual-enhancement drugs. Their irony became obsolete in their strong and smart solo sets. Astronautalis delivered his much-counted-on freestyle with topics from the crowd like Bea Arthur and the swine flu.
MAY 1: H++L, HEY CHAMP, THE SOUNDS AT PORT CITY MUSIC HALL
H++L held it down proper providing the tunes for a large mingling crowd prior to opening band Hey Champ. The sound at Port City Music Hall is phenomenal. If you have yet to make it to this venue, get yourself there. You will not be disappointed.
MAY 2: THE OUTSIDERS TOUR, FEAT. SOLE, AWOL ONE, CESCHI, BRZOWSKI AT ASYLUM
Awol fans got a treat with his classic laden set that fans sang-along to. Ceschi, a Connecticut native, had incredible cadence. Sole rolling without his band proves strong as ever solo. Security was called to the stage during the finale posse freestyle when a dispute between an audience member and tour mate (appropriately named Dildo) broke out over an unapologetic, insensitive freestyle. Mysogynists never win, even when their opponent is the one being thrown out.
