The Milkmen Deliver, Again

The Milkmen

“Everyone loved The Milkmen in the early ’80s — the blues-ers, the punkers” says Dan Schmid, bass player for legendary Eugene band the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. On Nov. 15, The Milkmen are reuniting for a one-night-only performance at Mac’s Restaurant at the Vet’s Club in Eugene. “It’d be nostalgic for sure,” Schmid continues. “[The Milkmen] were great. They rocked!” Continue reading 

Dub Studies

Fortunate Youth

What better way to celebrate the passing of Measure 91 than warmly welcoming the chart-topping roots-reggae band Fortunate Youth, whose sponsors include RAW Rolling Papers and Cannabliss Clothing and whose merch includes T-shirts emblazoned with “Love is the Most High.” The six-dude Hermosa Beach-based outfit recently released their fourth album, Fortunate Youth Dub Collections, Vol. 1, an album featuring electronic remixes of songs off previous albums (and, of course, weed references).  Continue reading 

Where the Buffalo Roams

Jake Smith

Jake Smith, the singer-songwriter and mastermind behind L.A.-based trio The White Buffalo, sings in a rich, oatmeal baritone. And White Buffalo’s 2014 release, Shadows, Greys & Evil Ways — a loose concept record based around the characters Joe and Jolene — is a fitting backdrop for Smith, who looks like a Viking from Texas. Continue reading 

Fresh Beats

PROJECT Trio, Duo Chrysocolla, the UO Symphony and company keep it contemporary

Trio Con Brio Copenhagen

People who worry about classical music’s future point to its aging, dwindling audiences; stale, predictable repertoire (the same old pieces by the same old long-dead European composers); stuffy atmosphere (tuxedos! No unauthorized clapping!); dull, rote performances. Then come glimmers of hope like PROJECT Trio, which performs at The Shedd this Thursday, Nov. 6. Continue reading 

The Wolf Among Us

Yelawolf performs to a sold-out crowd on Oct. 6, 2011, at WOW Hall. Photo by Todd Cooper.

Sample “Till It’s Gone” from Southern rapper Yelawolf’s yet-to-be-released Love Story, and you might be surprised — first by the rich, oaky acoustic guitar line that kicks the track off and next by what the bluesy, looping arpeggios recall: the piano figure introducing Nina Simone’s classic “Sinnerman.”  Continue reading 

A Rose by Any Other Name

Before discussing indie-rock siren Frankie Rose, one must ask: Which Frankie Rose are we talking about? The founding member of garage-rock acts Crystal Stilts, Dum Dum Girls or Vivian Girls? Or the Brooklyn-based songwriter rumored to be related to legendary hard rocker and mouthpiece for Guns ‘n’ Roses, Axl Rose?  The answer is both. “Why, yes. In fact [Axl] is my great grandfather,” Frankie Rose tells EW. “I only met him once backstage when his band was headlining a Metallica-Motorhead concert.”  Continue reading 

The Band That Wasn’t There

United Nations

United Nations is a punk-rock super group of Ronald Reagan-mask-wearing banditos. Not just any band could get away with standing up to both The Beatles and the actual United Nations. But see exhibit A: the cover of the band’s 2008 debut featuring The Beatles’ famous Abbey Road image (this time with The Fab Four engulfed in flames and crossing right to left). And exhibit B: The real U.N. sent the band a cease-and-desist letter for unauthorized use of the name and U.N. logo on Facebook.  Continue reading 

Dubble Dragon

White Mystery

At this point it’s a local tradition: “We play a costume party in Eugene every year,” says Miss Alex White of the Chicago-based rock ‘n’ roll brother-sister duo White Mystery. “White Mystery loves the people of Eugene, its punk-rock spirit and great food.” White Mystery also loves Halloween: “Halloween,” White jokes, “means White Mystery Airheads, group costumes and my half birthday.” Continue reading