I had a great time at this year's Tiki Caliente in Palm Springs the past week. I was able to break even and also bring home some cool art from Norm Daniels and Michael Sbicca, plus all the great music and friends to see was superb. I have to say that the highlight was seeing Shags newest paintings that were on display in the hotel lobby...simply fantastic. Thanks so much to Si and Damian who purchased their fifth carvings from me, Cindy and Mark with their second, and Michael with his first. You are the reason I can keep doing this and it is greatly appreciated!

It had been a long time since I went to a show at the Roseland, but with the Japanese band Melt Banana playing with the Melvins I could not miss it. It was many moons ago when I first saw them open for Mr. Bungle and I was interested to see how much they have changed in 20 years. Now with only a "vocalist" and guitar, this noise rock band can still bring it. The female singer is still a firecracker, mixing screams, shrieks, barks and the like to mesmerize like the old days. The songs are now a bit more melodic and much longer than their first album, which was comprised of many 10, 20, 30 second snippets of sound, but was glad that they have evolved and not still doing the same thing. Of course the Melvins were fantastic, it seems they are finally getting some recognition for being one of the most influential NW bands of my time. The headliner was England's Napalm Death, not my cup of tea but still entertaining.

Well I'll be go to hell if I did not have another great time at the Wonder Ballroom last night. It is my least favorite venue in Portland but it seems like the shows I go to see are located there. I have witnessed the event known as the Reverend Horton Heat numerous times as they always work hard to please, yet never disappoint. This time they brought an excellent guest to play a handful of songs with them to spice things up and change the pace a bit. The Unknown Hinson is a vampire looking southerner that can kick major ass on the guitar and vocals, he was a great addition. Opening was a one man band called Lincoln Durham. I cannot imagine how I would feel being onstage all by myself and trying to please a hundred plus drunkin' fools who are not there to see you, but he pulled it off beautifully. Playing the guitar, banjo, cigar box three string and I think one string, pounding his foot on a bass drum, tambourine peddle, drumming behind his back while he sang, it was something to behold. The Legendary Shack Shakers were next with a HIGH ENERGY set that was the perfect setup to the main event. I needed a shower big time by the time I arrived back home at 1:30 AM.

Seeing Parquet Courts last night at the Wonder Ballroom reminded me of why I love live music so much. This New York based foursome was my favorite band that I had never seen live and they filled me with energy and inspiration, thanks dudes! Locals Wooden, er Woolen Men opened.

I signed up again for Tiki Caliente, May 12-15, in beautiful Palm Springs. It is my favorite of the three I do each year as this event is smaller, more intimate, and was my first tiki show that I vended at. Rory Snyder does a great job of putting on this party and has given me sage advise through the years on tiki culture in general. Can't wait. July will be Tiki Kon here in Portland, August Tiki Oasis, the big daddy of all tiki events, in San Diego.

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.

Thanks to local band Wavesauce for the very enjoyable record release party at Analog in Portland Friday. It seemed like a lot of friends and family attended this all ages show and that was a large part of the fun. Excellent old footage of space and rock and roll movies filled the background and enhanced the surfy sound of this foursome. If you do not know what a theremin is (like I didn't) then check them out.

Thee Oh Sees did it again, making me think they are the best live band going. They ripped through an hour long set with nothing but non stop fast and loud music that had the sold out crowd moshin' and surfing' the whole time. The lead singer/guitar player is fantastic and switches from a six string to 12 with great dexterity, alternately pounding them with his fingers or grabbing the pick from his mouth to create different sounds within the same song. Backing him up was a stripped down version of his band with only a bass and drum. No mention was made of what happened to their female keyboardist/singer and other guitar. Hopefully that is just temporary as those two really round out the sound. Leading off was Jack Name, a foursome that played an intimate, enjoyable set of synch, fuzzy, industrial style music.

I was happy I braved the cold weather last night to see the Tijuana Panthers play at the Hawthorne Theatre. A poppy threesome from Long Beach, they did a great job of warming up the audience with a lively 45 minute set that I really enjoyed. All three took turns doing vocals and did songs from both their albums. It is funny to see the band as well as audience dressed in jackets, knit hats, gloves, but it was cold in there! Opening was a nice surf band Pounded by the Surf, although Mellowed by the Surf might be a better name. Headlining was Mariachi El Bronx from LA (?) an eight piece, white, rather punky band that finally had the crowd at least unzipping their jackets and taking off gloves.

About 20 years ago I went to see the Lemonheads with Hole and thought it would be a great show but was not impressed with either band. Fast forward and my chance to "get" the Lemonheads, which happened Thursday as they opened for the Psychedelic Furs here at the Aladdin Theatre. Besides the best tune up of guitars I have seen (The lead singer came out and soloed) their show was all that I remembered... Bland, plain and devoid of anything noteworthy. A bunch of manufactured, brooding, imagined complaints by the lead singer that bothered me to no end. Saving the day was the main act, which blistered through an 18 song set that was both nostalgic and relevant. Thanks to Richard Butler and his mostly original 5 piece for such a great show!

I always see the Melvins when they come to town, one of the heaviest bands around. They never disappoint and last night was no exception. Opening was a La Butcherettes from Mexico featuring a wild female singer, fantastic female drummer, and a dude handling bass. Very odd and enjoyable. The Melvins featured of course King Buzzo on vocals and guitar, Pinkus from the Butthole Surfers on bass, and the best drummer in rock, Dale Crover. Many years of music was covered, a perfect blend of old and new.