Nov. 12
Cult leader speaks
Ian Astbury, lead singer of goth-metal-rockers The Cult, has a wide-ranging mind to match his wide-ranging career, which includes singing with former members of The Doors for several years, to working with Slash, Debbie Harry and Tony Iommi.
Astbury and his fellow Cult members, guitarist Billy Duffy, drummer John Tempesta, and touring bassist Grant Fitzpatrick and keyboardist Damon Fox, come to town this week previewing the bands next album, Hidden City, to be released in February.
I think it certainly will be a familiar texture and have certain familiar modalities, Astbury says of the record. However, he says, The Cult takes some chances on the new album.
Weve been using a lot more piano, he says. With piano you can take your foot on and off the gas.
In a brief interview, Astbury touches on a gazillion subjects, so well share the best stuff here. His dark Celtic locks and rich voice won him a gig singing with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors, an experience, he says, Ill take to my grave. His favorite moment on stage with them was launching the song Crystal Ship a capella for a few notes until the band kicked in.
That was a cue that had to be on the money, he says.
Hes kept his considerable baritone pipes in shape through a simple plan: Never stop drinking.
Water, that is.
I find that if Im not hydrated, I feel the effect on my voice.
Hes also learned to stay in touch with his innermost self, Astbury says, noting hes occasionally taken extended breaks from music just to recharge.
As an artist and musician ... our currency is emotion, he says. Our currency is energy. Our currency is our interior lives.
And as for his band its still ready to gather more Cult followers, Astbury says.
I think on a good night we can take anybody, he says with a chuckle.
The Cult, Primal Scream, 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St. All ages. $54.50. Info: 503-225-0047, www.mcmenamins.com.
Nov. 14
Perfect pop
Portlands Brian Copeland has been compared to Neil Finn of Crowded House and Matthew Sweet for his ability to craft catchy, intelligent pop rock. With this show, he releases his new single New Wave, a danceable folk-rock number with just a hint of Squeeze and Aztec Camera. Copeland is one of Portlands hidden songwriting treasures. He worked on New Wave with award-winning producer-engineer Keith Sommers, who co-produced the Circles and B Sides recordings with Copeland in 2010 and 2013, the latter earning the 2015 Akademia Music Award for Best Alternative Rock Album.
The Beautiful Trainwrecks, Brian Copeland Band, Kelly Brightwell, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Jimmy Maks, 221 N.W. 10th Ave. $10. Info: 503-295-6542.
Quick hits
If you havent caught Portlands soulful Redray Frazier, who sounds just a bit like Lenny Kravitz, youve wasted your life. The hip-hop influenced blues, folk and rock performer has released a tres cool record, Blood in the Water, and will play cuts off it at this show at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in Secret Society Ballroom, 116 N.E. Russell St. Goldfoot and DJ Klavical share the bill. $10. Info: 503-493-3600, www.secretsociety.net.
Downtempo hip-hop maestro Emancipator performs with a full band he calls his Ensemble, along with Blockhead and Manatee Commune, at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in Roseland Theater, 8 N.W. Sixth Ave. All ages. $20. Info: 971-230-0033, www.roselandpdx.com.
Emmy winning bluegrass kings Trout Steak Revival and progressive stringmeisters Head for the Hills share a bill at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in Star Theater, 13 N.W. Sixth Ave. $12. Info: www.startheaterportland.com.
Bluegrass flavored folkies 10 String Symphony, featuring former Illinois state fiddle champ Rachel Baiman, as well as fellow fiddler Christian Sedelmeyer, are on the road promoting their new record Weight of the World. They play with folkie Eli West at 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N. Mississippi Ave. $10. Info: 503-288-3231.
Canadian indie rock trio Young Rival rock out with Born Ruffians at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Mississippi Studios. 3939 N. Mississippi Ave. $11 in advance, $13 day of show. Info: 503-288-3895, www.mississippistudios.com.
Everclear marks the 20th anniversary of its breakthrough album Sparkle and Fade with an 8:30 p.m. show Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Wonder Ballroom, 128 N.E. Russell St. $25 to $125. Info: 503-284-8686, www.wonderballroom.com