Starlight Mints

Once again we have been neglecting our own blog to write for Salad Days Music. Read our review of the Starlight Mints show that took place at the Doug Fir Lounge on 7/30 here. Above is a picture of the limited edition (only 100 exist) Change Remains album on rainbow vinyl we picked up at the concert. We have been doing some fun stuff around the Portland area lately so stay tuned for more posts soon.

The Shins

Sorry we haven't posted in a while, but we were busy writing a blog post for another blog. So if you want to read our blog post about The Shins, please visit Salad Days Music.

The Hold Steady - Private Show

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to get tickets to an invite-only show put on by Jack Daniels featuring The Hold Steady. The show was at our favorite Portland music venue the Crystal Ballroom on a cold rainy Monday night. There were free Jack Daniels themed drinks, pizza, and giveaways. The opening bands were decent, Suburban Anthem was first up and they were sort of the same vain as All-American Rejects or perhaps Blink-182. The second opening band, Morning Teleportation, has recently relocated to Portland from Austin, TX...so take that Austin! The band had a great sound (you can stream their songs on myspace), and they might just be a band to keep an eye on.

Now to the main event!! The Hold Steady were amazing, as if there was any doubt. We positioned ourselves front and center, just one row back from the stage. Craig Finn and band were on fire, they played non-stop for 2 hours. They played a lot of songs off of their Almost Killed Me, and Separation Sunday albums, which I had not had the pleasure to see performed live. The band also played their standard rocking songs like Chips Ahoy!, Massive Nights, Party Pit, Sequestered in Memphis, etc. Of course they ended show with Stay Positive, which left us so pumped up. The show was great but with that said there is one thing to take away from the experience if you plan to be up close and personal at a Hold Steady show be prepared for the spit to fly...Peter called it Finn Rain (so germaphobes beware). But it was worth it, I would do it again in a heartbeat. And now here are the pictures.

Oklahoma's Rock Song

So I have been wanting to do a post about the awesomeness of The Flaming Lips for awhile. Now I finally have a reason. The great citizens of Oklahoma have selected an official state rock song and it is "Do You Realize?" by, of course, The Flaming Lips. Way to go Oklahoma!! You guys stepped outside of the box and selected a great, uplifting song by a band comprised of oklahomans led by the one and only Wayne Coyne. Wayne Coyne not only still resides in Oklahoma City but he gives back to the community, and lends some well earned respect to the state of Oklahoma. So my hats go off to Oklahoma and their kick ass new rock song. Do yourself a favor and download this song immediately if you don't already have it. The song will brighten your day and make you want to be a better person.

Venues to rock in: Crystal Ballroom

This weekend I had the pleasure of experiencing one of the music venues in Portland - the Crystal Ballroom. Going to see The Hold Steady gave me a great reason to go to a "landmark" of Portland (okay, okay you got me, I'd see The Hold Steady in a McD's parking lot if I had to). If you took the Bricktown Ballroom in OKC, raised the ceiling 20 feet, doubled the floors space, added an extra flight of stairs, added peculiar wall paintings, and add 90 years of musical and performance history, you would get the Crystal Ballroom. So the only thing the two really have in common is performances and the word "Ballroom" (both capitalized).

The main area was just like the name says, a ballroom. The stage was stuck in a far corner of the ballroom to maximize the viewing angles (just go with it, 'cause I don't know for sure). There were gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows on one wall, which were covered for the concert. At the far end of the ballroom there is a balcony where people can actually sit and watch the show (from 40 yards away!). The only 'crystal' that I saw in the ballroom was on a chandelier. But there were some neat wall paintings with a not quite mardi gras, not quite moulin rouge feel. Oh, and there was a little bit of air conditioning, a definite plus in my book!

For this concert there was a waist high wall running diagonally down through the center of the venue. On one side was the "drinking age side", complete with bar. However, the "sober" side actually had access to the front of the stage (where I ended up for the concert). The only disconcerting thing with the Crystal Ballroom was its floor. There was a lot of give in the floor when people started dancing around. I don't know if this is by design or a sign of the building's age. Whatever the case, I didn't fall through (bonus!).

Because of it's location in downtown Portland, there are few parking places. It is good because you can see the band's tour bus parked in front. However, you will have to walk a few blocks if you drive (I live 10 blocks away, so it was easy for me to get to). Then again, you can take mass transit.

If you are in Portland, and they have a band playing that doesn't offend you, I would recommend going to the Crystal Ballroom. It was a nice venue, with plenty of character.

For a review of The Hold Steady's concert, please click here.