Featured Shows
Andy Frasco & The UN - The Aladdin Theater PDX
Andy Frasco & The UN play Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR
photos by Julia Varga
I knew Andy Frasco from his podcast Andy Frasco’s World Saving Podcast, listening to him interview some of my favorite artists, stand up comedians and actors has always been enlightening, fun and every now and then runs off the rails, and I’ve loved it! I was so thrilled to see him on the bill in PDX, and I had no idea what to expect. Luckily, I met some cool people who had seen his most recent five shows and gave me a bit of a heads up for the calamity that may ensue; I am thrilled I got the inside info, because I was prepared!
A barefooted Frasco perched behind a custom piano, greets the fans as one tosses him a mushroomy souvenir, which he happily and unquestionably gobbles up, thanks Portland for their kindness and goes right into his set.
Frasco and his band are noted for their on stage “shtick” but from what I saw, there was no “shtick” per se, there was definitely a genuine feeling of “fuck it lets play music and have as much fun as possible”, but no shtick. Frasco jumped atop his piano singing to the crowd from a dizzying height (apparently just dizzying for me , stupid vertigo) then just as easily jumps back down and takes his place behind the keys.
I grooved along to their originals, and absolutely loved their covers of Talking Heads “Life during Wartime”, Stone Temple Pilots “Vasoline”. Guitarist Shawn Eckels brought metal guitar riffs to complement Frasco’s piano, and Ernie Chang’s saxophone, Andee Avila on drums and at one point Frasco had everyone switch instruments mid song without interruption. Eckels even had it in him to jump on top of Frasco’s piano, as it lifted him even further towards the top of the theater and absolutely shredded.
Opener Big Something jumped on stage, along with rapper Damn Skippy (Alex Veazy) and Frasco leaned into the role as the Orchestrator of Chaos demanding guitar duels, two drummers one kit and a music mayhem to create some insane energy and an energized crowd.
Fun show for sure, I definitely recommend seeing an Andy Frasco show, with or without “shtick”, it WILL be fun.
photos by Julia Varga
Kitchen Dwellers - The Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
Kitchen Dwellers perform their progressive “galaxy grass” at The Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR
photos by Julia Varga
Montana based Kitchen Dwellers brought their “galaxy grass” psychedelic light show laced high energy bluegrass to Portland in February. In doing some lite research before the show, I wasn’t quite sure what exactly “galaxy grass” meant. I expected the bluegrass aspect, banjo and all, but I had no idea what I was really about to experience until I was standing shoulder to shoulder with the latest incarnations of a tie dyed tribe woozy with specialty infused chocolates.
For a band who’s name refers to their start with after school jam sessions in Montana, they’re now playing in big venues (including Red Rocks!) with amazing dancing lights, and mesmerized fans bouncing along that would make even the most notorious jam bands envious.
So you can call it galaxy grass, progressive bluegrass, jam grass, whatever you want; you’ll be filled with big sky banjos, stand up bass, and guitars that will get you moving and bouncing reaching up for those big spirited skies.
