POH-HOP XI – Wednesday through Friday @ various venues
2009 brings another installment of this fantastic showcase for Portland’s abundance of hip-hop talent. In years’ past, the organizers have locked in a couple of nationally-known talents to boost attendance. But for this edition, the focus is solely on our local MCs and DJs who will likely start to break through into the mainstream. A few acts to look out for include Grayskul (a duo that shares a label with Brother Ali and specializes in a dark, brooding sound) [pictured], Braille (the Christian rapper who recently relocated to San Marcos, California), and Young Dami (a Latino rapper whose latest album No Time To Waste is filled with inventive production that firmly complements his growling delivery). This is just the tip of the iceberg – check out the POH-HOP MySpace for links and information.
All – Saturday @ Dante’s
After singer Milo Aukerman left to continue his studies in biochemistry, the remaining members of California punk icons, The Descendents, decided to continue on their weird and wonderful path with a new singer and a new name: All. It has been 22 years since All formed, a period that has seen the group go through three lead singers, including former Dag Nasty front man Dave Smalley. What hasn’t changed in all that time is their melodic approach to punk that emphasizes the instrumental trio’s virtuosic playing and the lyrical attack that is alternately lovelorn and juvenile (they did write a song called “She Broke My Dick” after all). Technically, the group is still fronted by Chad Price, who joined the group in 1993. But for this date – their only NW show – the vocals will be handled by former member Scott Reynolds. No matter who is on board, though, this is sure to be a fierce and fun show.
City Center – Tuesday @ Valentine’s
This Brooklyn duo create fractured and spacious soundscapes filled with dub-like echo, looping crashes of noise and shimmery overlays of processed guitar. Their recorded work slinks between pure ambience with an undercurrent of clatter and throbbing bass sounds and odd experiments that are little more than drones and pings. Live, it all comes together in a fascinating conglomeration of live mixing, looping and the crash of a standup drum kit.