Aug. 29
Trio to try, try again
Somewhere between the world of grunge and the world of progressive rock dwells Failure, the L.A. trio whose 1996 album, Fantastic Planet, has been cited by all the cool cats and kittens in the alternative metal and space rock scenes as influential. From 1990-97, the band released four albums and other recordings, including Planet, before breaking up, its members then going on to work with such bands as Queens of the Stone Age, A Perfect Circle, Veruca Salt, Campfire Girls, Lux and Autolux. Bassist-singer Ken Andrews reformed Failure last year with guitarist Greg Edwards and drummer Kellii Scott, and this June released The Heart Is A Monster. Tracks like the Nirvana-meets-Alice-In-Chains Hot Traveler already have gotten a lot of play, and every 90s rock nerd is going to be at this show because nothing breeds angst-ridden success like Failure.
Failure, The New Regime, 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, Wonder Ballroom, 128 N.E. Russell St. All ages. $25 in advance, $28 day of show. Info: 503-284-8686, www.wonderballroom.com
Life in Deelane
Portlands favorite ginger-headed singer Kris Deelane plays drums, bass, guitar and keys and now has a nine-piece soul band, The Hurt, which includes Ned Failing (Mexican Gun Fight/Floydian Slips) on drums, Steve Kerin (Too Loose Cajun Band, Atomic Gumbo, Rose City Kings) on keys, Heidi Shuler (Merl Saunders) on percussion, and Mark Bowden (Miriams Well, Josh Malm, Laura Ivancie) on guitar. With a horn section and backup singers, The Hurt plays deep cuts from Motown, Atlantic and Stax records, also known as much of the great American music of the 1960s.
Kris Deelane and The Hurt, 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, Duffs Garage, 2530 N.E. 82nd Ave. $10. Info: 503-234-2337, www.duffsgarage.com.
Aug. 30
Protecting their Lehrer
In order to prevent yet another live music venue from shutting down, a group of roots-rock, blues and soul performers are getting together to play a benefit for The Lehrer. On deck to go to bat for the pub/dancehall/eatery are The Strange Tones, The Knuckleheads, Lloyd Jones, the Ken DeRouchie Band featuring LaRhonda Steele and Arietta Ward, Lisa Mann, Karen Lovely and others. All proceeds go to help keep the joint open and hoppin, so if you dont want to see Portland turn into the land live music forgot, come on down for the show.
Preserve the Lehrer Benefit, 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, The Lehrer, 8775 S.W. Canyon Lane. $30. Info: 503-384-2442
Sept. 4
Puerto Rico meets Portland
Led by guitarist-vocalist Neftalí Rivera, Grupo Borikuas is Latin band that performs Puerto Rican/Afro-Caribbean music. The Oregon Folk Department contracted the band to play a series of presentations in Portland parks under the program Music in the Park, and theyve been a highlight of numerous Latin music festivals. The band includes Ramón Cancel on lead guitar, Puerto Rican cuatro (a lutelike instrument), and vocals, and Victor Pizarro and Martín Velez on percussion and vocals.
Borikuas, 8-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, Andina/Bar Mestizo, 1314 N.W. Glisan St. Info: 503-228-9535, www.andinarestaurant.com.
Sextet in the city
The Bridgetown Sextet plays old-time jazz and swing, and will mark the release of their third album, Stomp, Defined, with this show. Bridgetown co-founder, pianist and drummer Andrew Oliver will be featured, visiting Portland from London for a few weeks. The Sextet was founded in 2008 by Oliver and Scott Kennedy to share their love of 1920s and 30s jazz. The Sextets new album features recordings made right before Oliver moved to London in 2013, and includes selections by Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Bennie Moten and Jelly Roll Morton. The Sextet shares the stage with The Midnight Serenaders, who blend hot jazz, swing, blues and the occasional Hawaiian instrumental.
The Bridgetown Sextet, The Midnight Serenaders, 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, Secret Society, 116 N.E. Russell St. $12. Info: 503-493-3600, www.secretsociety.net.
Quick hits
Breaker Breaker One Niner, Lysol Gang, Ninjas with Syringes and other pleasantly named bands play an 8 p.m. show Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Analog Cafe & Theater, 720 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. $7. Info: 503-432-8079, www.analogpdx.com.
Two 1980s bands that gave that decade its sound, The Psychedelic Furs and The Church, share an 8 p.m. bill Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St. All ages. $35, $135 VIP package with The Church. Info: 503-225-0047, www.mcmenamins.com.
Hard psych-rockers Atomic Bitchwax hit the stage at the Panic Room, 3100 N.E. Sandy Blvd., at 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. The power trio has just released its latest record, Gravitron. $10. Info: 503-238-0543, www.panicroomportland.com.
Combining influences from Simple Minds to Roxy Music, Mexico Citys Rey Pila open for Brandon Flowers of The Killers at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Roseland Theater, 8 N.W. Sixth Ave. All ages. $27.50. Info: 971-230-0033, www.roselandpdx.com.
