Eugene Weekly

American history is rooted in the spirit of revolution, and Fast Rattler wants you to remember that. Brendan Phillips sings: “Take it to the streets; the streets are where we win.” Continue reading →

Does the band name Glitter Dick mean a penis covered with glitter? Or a jerk who likes to be sparkly? Does it matter? No, nothing matters but the music, having good stage names and perfecting your delivery of “Whoa yeah.”  Continue reading →

Odesza came about when BeachesBeaches and Catacombkid, two well-known Seattle-area producers, joined forces. The results have Pacific Northwest techno fans pretty excited. Odesza, who refer to themselves as a production duo, are glitch-y, dreamy techno, heavy on the chill-out; blending the cut ‘n’ paste minimalism of DJ Shadow, the slow rolling backbeat of hip hop, and indie-tronica like LCD Soundsystem — creating instrumental dreamscapes ideal for a post-club come-down or soundtrack to an overcast Northwestern afternoon.  Continue reading →

Channeling traditional, African vocal styles such as isicathamiya and mbube, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group that will not only challenge your preconceptions about world music, but will also have you grooving to something new. Continue reading →

While backward-gazing classical music institutions slip further and further into cultural irrelevance — see, for example, the Eugene Symphony’s season schedule, containing a total of two works by living composers — those who cherish the future of classical music can look to fountains of innovation such as the University of Oregon. Continue reading →

Can vulgarity be artful? Can obscenity be beautiful? Who decides these things anyway? Who knows? Indie hip-hop/rock experiment Why? is pushing the boundaries, trying to find out.  “I don’t see Why? as a hip-hop group,” says Josiah Wolf, who forms the core of Why? with his brother Yoni. Josiah says his brother grew up on rap, while his background is in jazz. The two combined these styles with a shared interest in rock ’n’ roll to form Why? Continue reading →

Monday, March 4, at the UO’s Matthew Knight Arena is going to be a fizzy, indie-pop playground in three acts: Alt-rock-pop kings Passion Pit, indie-pop darlings Matt & Kim and Swedish DJ pop duo Icona Pop — too bad it’s a school night.  Continue reading →

There is a common misconception about conscious hip hop. “I don’t give a fuck, you can call us conscious, but rappers hit the stage spitting fucking nonsense,” Aaron Harris raps on the latest Eastern Sunz EP, Filthy Hippie Music, a sly retort on being labeled as environmental hip-hop artists. “I think of it as a compliment in some ways,” says Harris, a UO grad student studying urban planning.  Continue reading →

There are some groups that will be remembered for being different. Reverend Horton Heat have decided to drop by, fairly unannounced, this week, to John Henry’s. Yes, you heard us right — it’s the Reverend Horton Heat. Since 1985, Jim Heath and his bandmates have been breaking out unique, hair-raising psycho-rockabilly music. For those that aren’t familiar with the genre, take all the angst of punk, the class of swing, the crest of surf and the twang of country. Throw in a stand up bass and you’re half way there. Continue reading →