Burgerville

Record label pays tribute to women in rock with two-night fest at Hi-Fi

Popular California record and tape label Burger Records reflects the West Coast garage, punk and psychedelic rock revival upon which well-known acts like Ty Segall and Oh Sees rose to prominence. Burger’s inaugural Burger-a-Go-Go Tour, a two-night mini rock-fest stopping off in Eugene at Hi-Fi Music Hall, pays tribute to the female contribution to the movement. Appearing on the tour are acts like Dengue Fever, Summer Twins and Death Valley Girls.

Topping the first night Burger-a-Go-Go bill is garage/punk band The Coathangers. Their most recent release, the blisteringly excellent Nosebleed Weekend, came out last year on the Suicide Squeeze label. But bassist and vocalist Meredith Franco (also known as Minnie Coathanger), tells me Burger Records “puts out our tapes,” and her band has a good and long-lasting relationship with Burger Records.

Started in Atlanta, The Coathangers transplanted to LA, and members now live on separate coasts. Nevertheless, Franco says, the band is working on new material while also preparing the release of a live album recorded recently in Long Beach, California. “We did two nights,” she recalls, and the thought that her performance could end up on an album was on her mind. “The first night, I was thinking the whole time.”

The Coathangers’ new stuff is the first time the band has written separately, Franco adds, and the tone is “looking outward.” She’s finding the shift inspirational.

Also appearing at Burger-a-Go-Go will be Feels, Winter, The Flytraps, Patsy’s Rats and many more. Burger-a-Go-Go is 8 pm Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 21 and 22, at Hi-Fi Music Hall; $20 each night, $30 both nights, all-ages.