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Bim Ditson goes to more shows than you. Don't feel bad: He goes to more shows than just about anyone. And sometimes, he takes pictures with his cell phone. In this new column, we're letting Bim—who you might know as the drummer for garage-pop misfits And And And—show you where he's been and who he's seen this week, and tell you where to go and who to see in the week ahead. You should take his advice. After all, he goes to more shows than you.
WHERE WAS BIM LAST WEEK?
4/6 @ The Firkin Tavern
Toy Boat Toy Boat Toy Boat (T Rex cover night)
When Cody from Talkative throws a T Rex cover night at Firkin as his birthday party, it's a par-tay! This place is conducive to becoming out of control. Hell, Portland musicians are as well. Toy Boat Toy Boat Toy Boat didn't exactly sound like T Rex, but that didn't matter because they came to rip and so did the billion stinking, guzzling locals that were crammed into this place like their lives depended on it.
4/7 @ Doug Fir
Houndstooth
With a new, capable drummer, Houndstooth is holding down that mellow area on the beach, with the occasional dad-shredder guitar solo sneaking in between masterful sad-summer female vox. This is a band that, rather than shocking you into submission, eases you into revelry.
4/10 @ Star Theater
Starship Connection
This was extremely Bay Area. Three young, well-to-do-looking guys playing on a massive pile of toys and requesting I raise my hands at certain times. Though this is completely not my scene, there was a lot of skill and ability that went into this music, I can't connect to it with any part of my body, other than the left side of my brain.
WHAT'S BIM SEEING THIS WEEK?
4/12 @ Star Theater (Bender): Cheater Slicks, The Missing Monuments, James Arthur's Manhunt, Thee Headliners, The Wimps, The Pity Fucks, Glitz, Youthbitch, MUSK
After six years at Slabtown, the Bender has moved downtown. I think that's a horrible move and a gross abandonment of the perfect venue for this event, especially after Slabtown's new owner has started throwing shows in the back room which could have cracked this festival wide open to fit all the bands that come to mind who are not booked to play this year's Bender and should be. What's my beef? It's that this just is not an exciting lineup compared to years past. I'll probably go anyway and have a great time, so what do I know?
4/13 @ Bunk Bar: The Shivas, Hooded Hags, Mister Tang
The Shivas have been touring like feral cats after a hummingbird, and now they're finally releasing they're new full-length Whiteout! and have officially made the move from, Burger Records to K Records—and in doing so, became my favorite K Records band. This is a Portland band that has truly earned their stripes, from basements to Ella St. and the like. Like in their songs, the Shivas have never cut corners. As a Portlander that likes our music scene, I'm honored to call them a local band.
4/14 @ Star Theater (Bender): Black Bananas, Big Eyes, Plateaus, M.O.T.O, Sad Hourse, Buck Biloxi and the Fucks, the No Tomorrow Boys, Courtney & the Crushers, Piss Test, the Bad Tats
Pace yourself. By the time the No Tomorrow Boys start past American rabble-rousing you better still have it in you to act right and demolish. And when their done, you've still got six ripper bands left before ending your longest Sunday show ever.
4/15 @ Bunk Bar: Savages, No Bra
I'm not going to pretend I know much about either of these bands. I don't. I did look 'em up, and listen to everything they had online. Savages is dynamically noisy—with vocals that sound like they're coming from a TV that isn't getting reception, in the best of ways—and if I were to make assumptions, I'd guess that they can rip through a live set with hearty abandon.
4/16 @ Bunk Bar: Beach Day, Chains Of Love
Beach Day has the elegant, soft summer simplicity that will either hold up brilliantly or fall generic live. Chains Of Love, despite their name, sound great. Many of the elements on their table are clearly Portland inspired. At moments, you could be hearing versions of Radiation City, the Shivas or even the Suicide Notes. Sure, I'll spend every night at Bunk Bar. Again.
4/17 @ Doug Fir: Red Jacket Mine, the My Oh Mys, Lone Madrone
Boy, that's a fuzzy Spoon, and I've still got a spot for those in my blood pumper. Red Jacket Nine is definitely cleaner that I generally like to keep my ears but I'm getting sold something here and I know it. I even sort of want to buy it. Plus, I'm a sucker for clever drummers that hiccup to fit goofy tambourine hits in.
4/18 @ Dante's: The Funs, Jollapin Jasper, Sonic Angels, Jerry Rogers
I think the last time I wanted to go to Dante's was for King Khan and the Shrines like a year ago. Sonic Angels are from France and pretty damn sick. The Funs are from Chicago and damn yes. Jerry Rogers is one of the 157 White Fang affiliated Gnar-tastic bands that's been floating around the NW and beyond over the last however long. I'm not sure the length of time, because it's been flying by.
4/18 @ Langano Lounge (Jarra's): Nova Albion, Thanks, DJ Darkness
Here's what's on the FB event for this show titled "The Invincible Summer Party":
"This is party.
It is summer themed.
It is tequila themed.
It is pre-420 themed.
BBQ ribs will be provided*
Short shorts are encouraged.
Bikinis required.
Live sets from Thanks will be happening.
Mad booty dance jams from DJ Darkness will also be happening.
*this party is BYOBBQ"
Deal.
FOLLOW: Bim is on Twitter at @bimditson. He also makes chain jewelry. Visit his Etsy store here.
WWeek 2015