posts about music
As always, there are a million reasons to shop at Music Millennium. Now there’s one more, and it may be the most important reason of all. The details are not mine to tell, but confirmed word is out that MM got pinched for a substantial amount of money- apparently enough to nearly close the store…
you can read about it on Jennifer’s blog
Saturday Night December 29th some asswipe smashed out the window of Jennifer’s car and stole her main guitar of the past 15 years. the car was in the parking lot of the Casa Del Matador restaurant 2424 E Burnside. If you happen to see this guitar please contact Jennifer or Buko.net so we can get it back to her. If you happen to see it in a pawn shop please let the owners know its stolen and who it belongs to.
here is another shot.
Tis the season where being rude has the most impact. Enjoy my lunch! 🙂
Love Jennifer, Bambi, Elvis, Mitch and Kelsey
Kzme’s, Dennise M. Kowalczyk, interview with Terry currier of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame
The Oregon Music Hall of Fame (OMHOF) has just announced the inductees for 2012. These inductees will be honored at the 6th Annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Concert, to be held Saturday, October 6th at 7pm at the Aladdin Theater.
This year’s inductees are:
EVERCLEAR: Art Alexakis moved to Portland and started Everclear in 1992. With their first album “World of Noise” being released on Tim Kerr Records creating a buzz, the band signed to Capitol Records. The band released 5 albums on Capitol Records including 2 Platinum and 1 Double Platinum. They had numerous hit singles including the now classic “Father of Mine” and “I Will Buy You a New House.” The band was nominated for a Grammy and was named Billboard Magazine’s Modern Rock Band of the Year. The classic line-up of Art with Craig Montoya (bass) and Greg Eklund (drums) parted company in 2003, but Everclear continues to release albums and is currently on the Summerland Tour with Lit, Marcy Playground and Sugar Ray.
THE HUDSON BROTHERS: Brett, Bill and Mark Hudson started playing together in 1965. In 1967 they won a battle of the bands contest and were signed to a record label, calling themselves the New Yorkers. In 1970, they changed their name to Hudson and continued releasing music for various labels, including Playboy Records and Decca. In 1973 they changed their name to the Hudson Brothers after signing to Elton John’s Rocket Records. In 1974 they had their own TV variety show, The Hudson Brothers Show, followed the next year by the Hudson Brothers’ Razzle Dazzle Hour. They released albums on Arista, Casablanca and Elektra up to 1981 when they disbanded. Mark has continued in music producing and writing for Ringo Starr and Aerosmith, among others. Brett has continued in music as well as working in TV production. Bill also continues to work in music.
PATRICK LAMB: Patrick Lamb studied early with OMHOF inductee Thara Memory and won Best Soloist at the Lionel Hampton Jazz competition. Since then he has played with numerous musicians as a much in-demand sax player in all fields of music. He has won 3 Muddy Awards from the Cascade Blues Association and was awarded the Independent Spirit Award from the City of Portland. He has released multiple albums on his own, with his most recent receiving a Grammy Nomination. He plays with Grammy winner Diane Schuur as well with legendary artists Gino Vanelli and Bobby Caldwell. His project “A NW Tribute to Ray Charles” got great reviews and was featured with the Oregon Symphony.
CHRIS MILLER: Guitarist Chris Miller played in one of Portland’s most popular bands in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, The Rockin’ Razorbacks. The Razorbacks’ fan base grew and the band played regularly all over the NW. He then played in a blues band called the Terraplanes before moving to Texas. Playing with artists such as Junior Brown and Marcia Ball (which included a performance at the White House), Chris became popular with both fans and other musicians. The legendary Dave Alvin asked Chris to join his band and Chris became Dave’s right hand man, playing both steel and electric guitar.
CALVIN WALKER: Calvin Walker was more than a drummer and the leader of the Calvin Walker Band. Calvin was a pivotal player in the Portland Music scene from the late ‘70s as a producer, manager and promoter. He has produced music for many local artists including Michael Allen Harrison, Five Fingers of Funk and Sheila Wilcoxson, as well as many others. He was also an active member of the Portland Music Association and was always finding ways to help the local music community. In 2003 he became the Development Director of KMHD Radio, a position he held until OPB purchased the station. Calvin also owns Nacawana Projects Productions, a company that produces music recording and video.
U-KREW: In 1984 a group emerged on the scene in Portland called the Untouchable Krew: Kevin Morse, Larry Bell, Lavell Alexander, J.Mack and Hakim. Their mixture of hip-hop and R&B built up a strong local following. They soon shortened their name to U-Krew. In 1989 they were signed to Enigma Records and released their self-titled album, “The U-Krew,” which hit #93 on the Billboard Top 200. There were two singles released as well; “If You Were Mine” reached #21 and “Let Me Be Your Lover” reached #68. U-Krew is credited with being the pioneers of the hip-hop scene in the state of Oregon.
DANNY SCHAUFFLER: Danny Schauffler has been one of the busiest sax players in Oregon. Over the years he has played or recorded with Felicidades, Sky River, Paul Delay, Quarterflash, The Rockin’ Razorbacks, Dan Reed Network, Johnny Limbo, Tom Grant, The California Raisins and others. He was a member of Oregon Music Hall of Fame bands Nu Shooz and the Crazy 8’s. It was with the Crazy 8s that Danny became known not only for his playing but also his energetic stage presence. He is a high school music teacher and also books the music at the Lake Oswego Arts Fair.
D.K. STEWART: D.K. is a go-to guy in the community when a keyboard player is needed. D.K. Stewart has been performing in Oregon since the 1970s when he was in the Nighthawks in Eugene. He’s had the opportunity to perform with some of the legends of the blues such Big Walter Horton, Hubert Sumlin, Sunnyland Slim, James Cotton, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, Joe Louis Walker, Roomful of Blues, Albert Collins and others. He played in NW bands led by Lloyd Jones, Robert Cray, Jim Mesi and Paul Delay before starting his own band in the mid ‘80s. He has won multiple Cascade Blues Association awards and is a member of the Muddy Hall of Fame.
TOM ROBINSON AND MARK STEN OF CONCERT SOUND: The Portland punk movement of the late ‘70s could not have existed without the presence of Tom Robinson & Mark Sten and their company, Concert Sound. Concert Sound was there doing sound for the Rats (Fred & Toody Cole), The Neo Boys, Poison Idea, The Wipers and many others. They did sound for Oregon Music Hall of Fame Bands like the Crazy 8’s and the Dan Reed Network. They cared about artists that played in this town and the music they loved, as well as caring about the sound the artist got. They also did sound for many nationally and internationally known artists who played in Portland.
IRIS HARRISON: Iris Harrison started doing radio at KVAN-AM, a progressive rock station in the ‘70s, before moving onto KGON-FM. To many, Iris is KGON and she has entertained radio listeners and turned them on to both new and classic rock for over 35 years. Iris has been a great champion of Oregon-based artists, including being the first in the country to play Johnny & The Distractions. You will see her at tons of live music shows, from legends like Tom Petty and Roger Waters to local favorites like the Crazy 8’s. Not surprisingly, you will also find her talking to her listeners at these events. She is genuinely a music fan and great supporter of causes in the community, from musician benefits to health issues.
THE DECEMBERISTS: In January 2011, The Decemberists released possibly their best album to date, and one of the most critically acclaimed albums in the world: “The King Is Dead”. They also released a limited edition CD, “Live At Bull Moose”, for Record Store Day in April and another live release in November, titled “Long Live The King”. They appeared on both Late Night With David Letterman and The Jay Leno Show during the last year.
THE DECEMBERISTS: 2011 was a great year for releases by Oregon artists but the Decemberists’ “The King Is Dead” took this year’s honors. The album found the band taking a somewhat different approach to their music, with an amazing collection of well-crafted songs.
The 6th Annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame (OMHOF) Induction Ceremony and Concert will be held at the Aladdin Theater on Saturday, October 6th at 7pm. The event is a benefit for music education in the state of Oregon, one of the primary efforts of OMHOF. The event will also honor 10 individuals from the state of Oregon that have had a major impact on music. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, an artist or individual must have been born in Oregon and working in music professionally for 20 years or moved to Oregon and worked in music for 20 years.
This year’s Master of Ceremonies will once again be the amazing and colorful Tony Starlight. There will be musical performances by Everclear, one of the most successful bands from Oregon, as well as a reunion of U-Krew, a Portland hip-hop group whose career started in the mid-’80s with their album hitting the Billboard Top 200 in 1990. There will be a guitar auction with 100% of the proceeds going directly to music education in Oregon Schools. There will be 15 autographed guitars including The B-52’s, Jimmy Cliff, K.D. Lang and John Fogerty. The event’s sponsors are Berkeley North Pacific, Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker and Joe Kassab Jewelers. Additional sponsors include KINK-FM, KGON-FM, Willamette Week, Oregon Music News, KZME-FM, Portland Music Co., The Benson Hotel, Five Star Guitars, The Portland Observer and The Skanner.
Tickets are $25 in advance. VIP tickets are available for $100 and include prime seating, a special signed and numbered hand pulled poster by artist Gary Houston and entrance to the VIP party with all the inductees after the show. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Aladdin Theater box office. Doors will open at 6PM and the event will begin at 7PM. For up to date information, check out www.omhof.org.
Images from the Wilkinson Blades CD release show.
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PORTLAND, OREGON-BASED ROCK ACT, WILKINSON BLADES TO RELEASE THEIR DEBUT CD, “4:00 AM”, JUNE 9TH AT SECRET SOCIETY BALLROOM.
Portland, Oregon-based rock outfit, Wilkinson Blades will celebrate the release of their debut, 4:00 AM, June 9th at Secret Society Ballroom. Centered around songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Steve Wilkinson, the band is rounded out by Johnny Huck on bass, Jon Beyers on drums, Grant Cumpston on guitar and backing vocals, and Rich Lander on keyboards, mandolin, and backing vocals.
Editor’s Note; SP Clarke’s review of 4:00AM
Also on the bill are Eskimo and McDougall. Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm. Cover is $10.00 at the door or $15.00 with a CD.
4:00 AM, which will be released nationally on indie label Shiftone Records (an Austin, TX-based label), is an eleven track collection of rootsy-pop, Stones-y rock, sunshine pop, and rainy-night melodies. Recorded by Wilkinson and friends at various studios, the making of the album was unlike any of Wilkinson’s other projects (including Gravelpit and Mission 5). There were no expectations, no pressures, and certainly no constraints put on the music. The only goal was to make a record Wilkinson would be proud of, could play for his friends, and not have to compromise with members in a band setting.
“I was busy with Mission 5 at the time, making records, writing, and playing lots of live shows,” comments Wilkinson, discussing why his debut solo record took longer than any of his previous records to make. “All of the bands I have ever played with had a sense of urgency as far as schedules go and getting records out on time and on a tiny budget. I wanted this record to be done on my time, without rushing and without worrying about deadlines. Needless to say that with a five-year project I more than accomplished my goal by about four years.”
Playing the majority of the instruments himself, Wilkinson wasn’t without his friends on this record, including them as much as he could, assembling a band without the confines of a band.
“I really wanted this to be a huge group project without the idea of a ‘band’ being behind it. From writing, to arranging, to all of the instruments, backup vocals, production and engineering, this was exactly what I set out to do when I decided to make this record,” Wilkinson proudly proclaims.
Guests include Wilkinson’s former Mission 5 band mate, and favorite guitarist, Grant Cumpston, drummer Rob Stroup, journeyman and multi-instrumental Rich Lander, Professor Gall’s Drew Norman, and Sean Flora. The album also features co-writes by Rob Barteletti, Nick Peets, and Anthony Lambright.
“All of these people made a huge difference in how the record sounds. I am really proud of the fact that I could pull together some of my favorite musicians in Portland and mash it together in an album that sounds like me, while at the same time showcases their contributions to the record.” He pauses, then continues. “It sounds like me but even better, even though most of them weren’t in the studio at the same time. We made it sound cohesive, and I’m very proud of that.” Although it was never planned, the band has currently started playing out live and gaining a loyal following – an unlikely twist to the original scope of the recording project.
Leading off with “No Exit,” a song Wilkinson wrote while on the road with Gravelpit during a Rocky Mountain region tour, Wilkinson’s distinct gravel and smoke rock pipes let you know this record is going to be a musical journey. Few artists can pull off a strong rock song like “No Exit” and later in an album write a country number, without having it sound out of place or forced. However, Wilkinson pulls it off with the banjo number “Someday,” a song he beams about when discussing. “The song is about acknowledging my own double standards and owning up to stuff rather than blaming it on someone else. Since this is somewhat of a new outlook, I decided to do it in a new style.”
And then there is the buoyant, summertime pop of “Sunshine Now,” written in Portland, at night, during rainy and dark weather, offering up a glimpse of warmth and clarity while the sky showered the city with sheets of rain.
A highlight for Wilkinson is the Lee Hazelwood cover, “Some Velvet Morning,” a subdued, yet inviting blurry-eyed number that pays tribute to Hazelwood while allowing Wilkinson room to commandeer it as his own. Same goes for “Crippled Mind,” a song penned by legendary Northwest songwriter Chris Newman for his post-Napalm Beach outfit Snow Bud and the Flower People.
The end result: Wilkinson accomplished what he wanted. He made a record that truly sounds like him, that he is unabashedly proud of, and the culmination of his musical past and history.
Visit Wilkinson Blades online at:Reverb Nation: http://www.reverbnation.com/wilkinsonblades
On Tour in Canada Now!
Vancouver, BC natives WEST OF HELL and GuitarWorld.com are teaming up to unveil the brand newmusic video trailer for the band’s track, ‘Water of Sorcery’, cut from their new album, Spiral Empire.
Spiral Empire was released on May 8, 2012 and is available for purchase now at iTunes, Amazon, and other digital retailers, or with a free digital download if purchased at www.reversedrecords.com/estore.html. Head over to GuitarWorld.com to check out the trailer for ‘Water of Sorcery’ now and get a visual taste of the new album!
Spiral Empire was recorded at The Factory Studios in Vancouver and is produced by Juno Award winning engineer Rob Shallcross (Strapping Young Lad, GWAR, Zimmers Hole, Fear Factory).
WEST OF HELL is currently on the road in Canada! See below for all currently confirmed dates.
WEST OF HELL TOUR DATES:
WEST OF HELL is:
For more information about WEST OF HELL, please visit these websites:
1. Being Jesus Again – Rob Stroup