Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks – Doug Fir 12/21
Porltand’s own Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks are playing one of their two dates this holiday season at the Doug Fir Lounge December 21st. Having been a rabid fan of Pavement since early high school, I am so looking forward to this show. Stephen and the Jicks are a hard band to describe. Not because “they are sooo innovative”, but because they are and they aren’t. I am sure that makes tons of sense, but let me try to explain. The music is rooted in classic guitar driven rock, but contains the lyrics and arrangements that only a weirdo like Stephen Malkmus can produce. You either love or hate his lyrics, as they are in no way coherent and meaningful in a literary sense. But I dig it. His guitar playing is one of the main highlights for me. Nothing too flashy, nothing too messy, but always interesting to me as a fellow six-shooter. Stephen/Pavement appeal to me also in the fact that they have no gimmicks to sell you with. No douchebag hair, matching outfits, or any other of that trash that most bands these day drive me away with.
My wife and I will be there with bells on. I believe pre-sale tickets have sold out, but an email I received from Doug Fir claims they will have a small amount for sale at box office day of. Also, Blitzen Trapper is opening up, which is another Portland band I have heard great things about.
Recent interview with Stephen Malkmus
Brewcaster – you scooped me by about 30 seconds! Ha, ha. I had my own take on this already to post. Oh, well – yours was better anyway.
Let me just add:
Scroll down to the bottom of the interview to read the former Pavement frontman’s thoughts on the Portland “scene”. “Flannel-y whiteness”?
Note to Blitzen Trappen – I think you guys were just called out.
Blitzen Trapper is one of those bands I just can’t figure out. I love them but their music makes me squirm a little. It has missed beats and off kilter country twang and then some amazing licks. I would love to see them sometime to see what their live show is about.
If you wanna little sample of live Blitzen Trapper, they recently did an in-studio set for In House on OPB Radio:
http://opbmusic.org/
/me
discreetly hides matching outfit
Let me clear that up Pants, I don’t mean outfits that match in the fashion sense. I mean band members wearing outfits that match each other. Or “uniforms”
I do like me some Blitzen Trapper.
I tried to get tickets, no luck! Grrrrr.
I have seen Blitzen Trapper a few times, they put on a good show.
speaking of matching outfits, I present to you the Huckabee family…
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/images/2007/12/13/huckfamily.jpg