Thanks to my pal Whitey for inviting me to last nights Blazer/Laker game. He has the greatest season ticket seats and even though this years teams are not very good, it is a pleasure to sit so close to the action. The Lakers are a long way from competing for a championship and it was a bit sad to see Kobe a shadow of his former self, here is hoping he makes it through the year unhurt and retires. I was really looking forward to last Monday's Gogol Bordello gypsy punk show, but something that has never happened to me made me walk out without even seeing them. It was at the Chrystal Ballroom, and sold out so when I arrived a bit late the place was packed. As I climbed the stairs to the top of the building the air got worse and worse, and as I entered the main floor I could hardly breathe from the thick, sickly human invested air. It was as if there was no ventilation at all, combined with the fact that the beer lines were packed, it made for quite a claustrophobic atmosphere. I decided to listen to the opening band for a while, Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas, and you know what? They were the worst band I have ever heard, surpassing the decades old record of the Fatima Mansions, which has always been my benchmark for sucks. I gave them four songs before I could not take it anymore and went outside for a much welcomed breath of fresh air, and decided I could not stand going back to inhale anymore of that soupy mixture inside. You can call me a rock wimp if you like, I just couldn't take it.

I left the Wonder Ballroom a sweaty mess last night after a packed Melvins show. Opening was the great Big Business from Seattle, a twosome that pounds out sound like seems impossible from just a guitar and drum. Next they joined King Buzzo and Dale Crover to form the Melvins, using two drums, guitar and bass, and played non stop, never stopping for such trivial adulations like applause, and killed it. This is a band that has been around a long time in many different forms, have influenced many bands, but not a lot of people have heard of them. They are industrial strength, almost metal, loud and brutal but man I love them.

John Dwyer and Thee Oh Sees are always changing lineups, which has bugged me in the past but it sure keeps things fresher. Two drummers in the middle of the stage with John's guitar's on the left and bass on right as bookends worked out beautifully at Friday's show at the Doug Fir. Always going forward and writing new material, this is one of my favorite live bands ever. Opening was a local band, Psychomagic, which early on I re-named Psychotragic, playing an organ driven, patchouli and hippy scented slow, stoned type of melody, but they finished strong and I decided to give them another chance.

Thank you so much to Ken and Gloria for purchasing "Mark" and to Si and Damion for taking home "Medley", which was their second piece. You guys saved my weekend at Tiki Oasis and I sure appreciate the support.

Thanks to Greg and Justin and all the volunteers that made this year's Tiki Kon my best. Special thanks to Andrew, Andy, and Mike for purchasing "Totem", "Power", and "Koko". Next up this week is the Gresham Artwalk, and in August Tiki Oasis in San Diego.

Thanks so much to Ila, Toby, Al & Alma, Kevin, Spike, and Jason Lee & Michelle for purchasing tikis and making my ride back home to Oregon so much more enjoyable!

Three days in and I'm still thinking the Dead Milkmen show was the best I have seen from them. A great mix of nostalgia and relevant new material, mixed with fantastic audience participation made it the show of the year for me so far. Lie (Lee-A) from Vancouver BC was the excellent opening band.

Most of the music I go to hear is loud, fast, punky, garagey- type stuff so I surprised myself by going to a honkey-tonk kind of place on Saturday. I happened upon a country swing style local band recently and enjoyed the heck out of the Barn Door Slammers at the Landmark Saloon. They play mostly cover songs from the 40s and 50s that I never would have heard otherwise featuring a great singer and alternating two fiddles, a drummer on what looks to me like an ancient drum kit, stand up bass, big Gibson guitar and steel guitar. They have a great CD out that I give two thumbs up to. Kudos to the dancers in the audience that managed to swing in such a small area. There was people of course dressed in their tex outfits, but I was pleased to see green haired, spikey faced girls and guys as well as bearded, knit hat, back pack wearing hippies. A good eclectic mix.

This Saturday I was invited to do a small local art show here in Gresham. I am only bringing small stuff, nothing that I have to hand truck in, but come on by and say hi if you are looking for something to do. 150 W Powell 10-4.

I had a music filled week, starting at the Sandy Hut, a landmark Portland venue that I had never visited. Loved the vibe and tavern, but am pleased I did not have to visit the restroom. Opening was an enjoyable band "Youth Destroyer", a punky threesome that was entertaining both musically and with interacting with the crowd. I liked the second band a lot, "King Ghidora", a mask wearing surfy, "Man or Astro Man?" type local punk band featuring the world's tallest guitarist. Their rendition of Amazing Grace got me a bit misty. On Saturday I had a ticket to see the fabulous Indiana based band "Murder by Death" and they sounded as polished and engrossing as ever. Props to them for growing and wanting to improve, they have come a long way from the first time I saw them.