Crappy Indie Music -- The Blog!

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, December 20th

  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I played the Blitz in the Pearl. I knew that this was not going to be my normal crowd. Quite Honestly I did not expect there to be any crowd. But what I forgot was that there was the Santa Con thing last night. [...]
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  Posted: December 20, 2009, 12:19pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, December 19th

  Number of comments: 4
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I was totally going to go out. But then I got called into work and then I had a practice. And then I was exhausted and I decided to go Holiday shopping instead which I also managed to not do. Then this morning I [...]
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  Posted: December 19, 2009, 12:26pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• The "Grouper Christmas Album" Petition

  Number of comments: 3
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Yes, that photo is doctored. I don't know that Liz Harris has ever worn a Santa hat onstage in her' [...]
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  Posted: December 19, 2009, 11:41pm EST
  by Jess Gulbranson

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, December 18th

  Number of comments: 3
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night, I did not see any shows. I did my chilling in Hillsboro gig. Aka house sitting. It was pretty chill. As one might expect. But I feel like I probably missed out on some good shows. Please let me know about them
  
  Friday, [...]
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  Posted: December 18, 2009, 1:17pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Sparkle Girl reviews Dick Dale, KING OF THE SURF GUITAR!!!

  Number of comments: 1
  
  
  Hello, it is I, your humblest translator. There were some technical difficulties, otherwise this would have been Sparkle Girl's first solo post, so I will again function as trance medium, summoning her ebullient reviews from the otherworld that is Craigslist! Thanks, Michele, I love [...]
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  Posted: December 18, 2009, 7:23am EST
  by Jess Gulbranson

• Question of the Week: X-mas Album

  Number of comments: 5
  Hi folks!
  
  Another week has passed; another question must be posed.
  
  ChristmasChristmasChristmas... OMG it's almost XXXmas!!!!!!
  
  So I ask of you, what Portland band would you most want to make a x-mas album? I think I'm gonna choose Here Comes a Big Black Cloud. I see' [...]
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  Posted: December 18, 2009, 11:05pm EST
  by Dr. Something

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Thursday, December 17th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I played a show with Y La Bamba and it was super fun. Bryan Free started the show with pretty songs he played solo on the piano. Then came Leonard Mynx and his band. It was one of the best bands that Leonard has [...]
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  Posted: December 17, 2009, 1:13pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, December 16th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  I was practicing when The Mean Jeans were set to play yesterday evening so instead I saw no music last night . Oh well. There is plenty of shows to feast your eyes and ears on tonight:
  
  Wednesday, December 16th
  
  Mississippi Studios is [...]
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  Posted: December 16, 2009, 2:34pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, December 15th

  Number of comments: 2
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I saw that free show at Berbati's. I came directly from an AristeiA practice and missed the majority of The Woolen Men's set. Basically by the time I got a handle of what they were doing it was over. I was told that I' [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 10:22am EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, December 14th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  I was very close to going out. But then I went holiday shopping. I didn't buy anything but it still took it out of me. Plus I had to get some groceries which further exhausted me. And I knew that there is a show I wanted' [...]
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  Posted: December 14, 2009, 9:35am EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• MP3: David Shane Smith - "Tarmac"

  Number of comments: 0
  
  
  A troubadour of old is transported into the overstimulation and isolation of the 21st century urban landscape. He is adept at learning to utilize modern technology to complement his lilting melodies. He is a shrewd observer of his current culture and surroundings. Inherent tension pervades his compositions, [...]
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  Posted: December 14, 2009, 9:02pm EST
  by Dr. Something

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, December 13th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I had a lot of fun. Right after I got off of work I went over the the Rock N Shop. Which was cool. I was able to catch the Ramones=esque punk of The Mean Jeans and then a bit of the loud rock [...]
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  Posted: December 13, 2009, 12:58pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Interview: Fenbi International Superstars

  Number of comments: 8
  Interview with Micheal Phillips of The Fenbi International Superstars by Ron Trembath, CIMTB reader and contributer to music blog Fensepost.com:
  
  
  The Fenbi International Superstars never fail to entertain. Their own special brand of world music has become a stock hold for many Portlanders looking for [...]
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  Posted: December 12, 2009, 4:20pm EST
  by Goldie Davich

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, December 12th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last Night AristeiA played with Westfold who were great, but who I want to write about was the opening band, My Dads. They were actually pretty cool. They were an instrumental rock band that made heavy use of a Rhodes (and other keyboards) and trumpet along [...]
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  Posted: December 12, 2009, 12:47pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• 8 Days of Hannukah, Starting Now!

  Number of comments: 5
  It's after sunset and thus Hannukah has officially begun. What better way to celebrate this miracle of light than by listening to a festive song written by Senator Orrin Hatch? Get ready for some Mormon chutzpah!
  
  

  Eight Days of Hanukkah from Tablet Magazine on Vimeo.

  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: December 11, 2009, 7:53pm EST
  by Dr. Something

• Arctic Day-Glo

  Number of comments: 0
  It's December and many of you are probably eagerly awaiting a magical, sparkling gift from the upper regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Lucky for you, Caribou drummer Brad Weber and his alliterative side project Pick a Piper have delivered us a video for their song "Rooms," filmed in Iceland [...]
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  Posted: December 11, 2009, 7:10pm EST
  by Dr. Something

• Regretsy Ventures into Musical Territory

  Number of comments: 0
  If you haven't seen the blog Regretsy yet, click on that link immediately! It's a blog that delivers crafty comedy using the trusted laugh-generating formula of making fun of crappy art.
  
  Today I was delighted to see that blogger Helen Killer has ventured beyond crappy crafts and visual' [...]
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  Posted: December 11, 2009, 6:26pm EST
  by Dr. Something

• Ben Meyercord's Liuve Music Picks for Friday, December 11th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  House sitting in Hillsboro is pretty sweet. No responsibility except for the house which is pretty easy considering it is an inanimate object. I just watched DVD all day. Yes, I missed a lot of cool shows. But I was going to miss a lot of [...]
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  Posted: December 11, 2009, 5:03pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Question of the Week: Hey You!

  Number of comments: 9
  
  This one is for the musicians/performers, which I'm sure encompasses much if not most of our readership. What would you say was your most successful moment as a performer?
  
  I think mine was shortly after performing a solo acoustic set when I overheard a guy from the' [...]
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  Posted: December 11, 2009, 12:59pm EST
  by Dr. Something

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Thursday, December 10th

  Number of comments: 2
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Played a show last night at the Someday Lounge benefit show for Bolo Moyo as part of Sean Flinn and the Royal We. It was fun. Not too many people were there which was understandable considering the $30 cover cover charge. I was super busy today [...]
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  Posted: December 10, 2009, 5:42pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord;s Live Music Picks for Wednesday, December 9th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night was pretty cold. I tried and tried (not very hard) but could not leave the house. I hope people made it out to that Valentine's show. It looked so good. Anyway I saw Paper Heart which was cute. But today looks to be a [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 2:08pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• SparkleGirl's review of Hockey/Passion Pit at the Crystal Ballroom

  Number of comments: 7
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I don't really know if that is what Sparkle Girl looks like, it was just one of the first Google image results' [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 1:54pm EST
  by Jess Gulbranson

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, December 8th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  No show for me last night. I instead shared a meal with AristeiA, the idea I guess was to get me to eat out of something other than a pot with a wooden spoon (an everyday occurance with me). It was fun. I got to DJ [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 1:03pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, December 7th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night got taken over by a very productive Y La Bamba practice. I don't want to give too much away but, we are working with a guest member. We are working on a new song and are stoked. Anyway, after that I was pooped. Plus' [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 11:58am EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, December 6th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  So last night was fun. I ended up seeing two out of the four shows I thought I might be able to do. I saw the Folk thing at Waypost but to honest there was kinda a weird vibe. I was very happy to see The [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 12:36pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Hey ladies...

  Number of comments: 11
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Nah, that's not fair. Anybody can answer this. But maybe this is a peculiarity that you rocker ladies have experienced...
  
  What's so hard about meeting people [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 11:45pm EST
  by Jess Gulbranson

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday December

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I took some time to myself. Partly because I was lazy but mostly because I knew that I was/am going to try to see a lot of music tonight. You see there is a lot of stuff going on, and a possibility of seeing [...]
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  Posted: December 05, 2009, 1:53pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord'sLive MusicPicks for December 4th

  Number of comments: 3
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  One of the reasons I was late for blogging yesterday was because I was being filmed for the cooking with bands series that Brennan Novack has been posting for Potlatch Presents. It was pretty fun you should check it out.
  
  Friday, December [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 1:43pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, December 3rd

  Number of comments: 2
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  I got totally busy today. I know this is post unacceptably late in the day, but here are the shows very briefly described in case you see are looking for a show tonight.
  
  Thursday, December 3rd
  
  Holocene is having a show with Dat'r,' [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 6:04pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Question of the Week: Musical Etiquette

  Number of comments: 2
  Today I was reading some of fellow blogger Eriq Nelson's older posts on this very blog. It seems that the bulk of his ingenious writing for Crappy Indie Music was done last Spring when I had terribly spotty Internet access, so now I'm playing catch-up.
  
  I've especially enjoyed [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 5:43pm EST
  by Dr. Something

• National Solo Album Month : Dusty Grimm "Senseless Bliss"

  Number of comments: 5
  So, as you may know, November was National Solo Album Month. And, it has just drawn to a close.
  I myself would much rather let other people tell me what to play than try to write a song, but I have the utmost respect for those brave souls who [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 2:41pm EST
  by Amber Dawn

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, December 2nd

  Number of comments: 2
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Yesterday at work sucked. I did not have any time to blog. I know I know. Boo hoo. But I really wanted to tell you about the AristeiA show that we played last night at Doug Fir. We played with We're From Japan! who played a' [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 12:08pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, November 30th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I had the first AristeiA band practice in a week (an eternity in AristeiA time). Though a bit rusty at first but I know that we are gonna be on tomorrow at Doug Fir (hint hint). Here are the shows that look good to [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 11:57am EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, November 29th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Okay I will level with you. I didn't tell you about the best show last night. I will be honest I thought it would get too crowded if I let you know about it. I know I know, I am a jerk. But Last night there' [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 12:14pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, November 28th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  What happened? I was doing so good. But then last night winter laziness struck. Hard. Which is to say I stayed at home and watched a Netflix. Have you seen Tim Burton's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory? It is weird. Anyway here are some shows that [...]
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  Posted: November 28, 2009, 1:26pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, November 27th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  I hope you had a good Holiday. Did you take some naps? How many Pumpkin Pies did you try? How was the Tofurkey/Turkey? Did you actually go out and see Peaches after that Meal (she was one of the only ones playing last night)?
  
  Friday, [...]
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  Posted: November 27, 2009, 12:10pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday 25th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I checked out the Carcrashlander and Rey Villalobos show at Valentines. It was a really good show. The opener was a band called Grandchildren from Phily. They were pretty cool. They had I think five members who all played many instruments. Four of the [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 12:55pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Question of the Week: Thanksgiving Edition

  Number of comments: 4
  If you could have Thanksgiving dinner with any band, which would it be, and why?
  [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 11:50am EST
  by Dr. Something

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, November 24th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  No show for me yesterday. But I see some potential for show going in my immediate future. I see...
  
  Tuesday, November 24th
  
  Valentine's is having a show with Carcrashlander, Rey Villalobos, and Grandchildren (Philadelphia). Carcrashlander is a very good band.' [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 1:00pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, November 23rd

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I played yet another show I did not write about. This time it was as Meyercord and a potluck. There were some other people who played as well. But one guy in particular caught my ear. He apparently moved here from Nashville and calls [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 2:53pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Album Review : Today The Moon, Tomorrow The Sun "Heavyweight Champions" EP

  Number of comments: 0
  Today The Moon, Tomorrow The Sun hail from Atlanta, Georgia. They are a four-piece electro pop band, and their most recent EP, “Heavyweight Champions” was released in October of this year.

  This record is definitely catchy. Nearly every song has me moving a bit and singing along while [...]

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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 5:17pm EST
  by Amber Dawn

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, Novmber 22nd

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I ended up doing two performances. The first doing some backing vocals for Sean Flinn at Press Club. Who I totally did not even mention though I listed the show (I drop the ball sometimes). The other was a house show as Y [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 1:16pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercor's Live Music Picks for Saturday, November 21st

  Number of comments: 4
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  I know that lately I have not been going to a lot of shows. But they are always there and I will keep writing about them because, in my heart of hearts, I wish I was at all of them. Music is awesome and shows are [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 1:35pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, November 20th

  Number of comments: 2
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Yeah, I still have very little funds. That means if it isn't free, I probably won't be able to make it to the show. However, there are a couple shows that cost some money that I would not mind catching:
  
  Friday, November 20th
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 1:18pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Thursday, November 19th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  What up? You see any shows last night. Let me know. Comment. I missed shows because I had to drop my friend off at the airport this morning. So I was responsible and didn't go to any shows. Plus I have very little money. Luckily there' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 4:24pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Question of the Week: Showdown

  Number of comments: 4
  Which one of these videos would win in a fight?
  
  Hooliganship: Adventure(excerpt)?
  
  
  or
  
  VonHummer's Childhood Depression PSA?
  [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 8:50am EST
  by Dr. Something

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday November 18th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last Night I saw the Young Widows and Russian Circles. Good lord it was so good. I wish you were there. These shows look good to me.
  
  Wednesday, November 18th
  
  Mississippi Studios is having a having a Paul McCartney tribute with [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 12:53pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Muisc Picks for Tuesday, November 17th

  Number of comments: 1
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  I will be honest with you folks. yes, there are a few local shows that look interesting today. But the one I will probably attend is not local but I am all about it. Doug Fir is having Russian Circles and Young Widows play a show. [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 1:04pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, November 16th

  Number of comments: 0
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Last night I finally made it out to a show. I don't want pat myself on the back or anything, but yeah (pats self on the back). It was a tough decision, but I ended up choosing the show over at Rontoms. It was really good.' [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 12:47pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord

• Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, November 15th

  Number of comments: 2
  Hello Dear Readers,
  
  Whoops! As it turns out sometimes it is better to stay home. I regret nothing except maybe missing Design.Drift.Destination They will play again. But Tonight there are a couple shows tonight that I will for sure make it out to (at least one of them). For [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 9:02pm EST
  by Ben Meyercord