Exiled In Eugene

Before I talk about the actual show, I’d like to say this: 

I’ve been going to Gathering Place shows for a handful of months now, and though I feel sorta old and creepy as a 30 YR old man surrounded by high school kids, I also feel consistently impressed by the scene that this one venue and handful of kids have managed to build in a year’s time. There are not only new fledgling fans, but a handful of young, up-and-coming bands that EXIST due to having their eyes opened to local music, punk, rock and metal, by this small, grassroots operation. This is the sort of place that Eugene/Springfield has needed for quite some time, and I’d just like to applaud these kids for what they are doing for local music. Keep in the loop about Gathering Place Events here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/163287947119431/

Alrighty. Still with me? Let’s do this article thing. 

Nearly two weeks ago (because Exiled is a powerful mighty snail of local media) I had a sweaty, sticky, ear-drum-shattering good time at the Gathering Place, and got to catch 3 acts I’d never seen before, Catch Hell, Stress Relief, & Rape Revenge. 

Catch Hell, somewhat new to the area, is a 3 piece pop/punk/ska monster that’s set up shop right here in our back yard (“Not in MY back yard!!”)*. Summoning skate-punk demons from Millencolin to Fenix TX, these guys pack an energetic albeit reasonably friendly punch that feels like a kick in the teeth, with a pair of vans… or chuck taylors? Either way, they’d fit right in on a Fat Wreck mixtape played at a drunken summer BBQ full of YR closest friends, and that girl you’ve been trying to talk to since freshman year. Unless of course, it’s your freshman year now, in which case, dude… just talk to her already. 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa2EZLtkPjQ&feature=plcp

Stress Relief (Redding, CA) came on next and smashed the crowd in the face with a fast, brutal, fast, agressive, generally fast (no really, like 10 minutes, fast) set of brutal, hardcore, straight-edge-gut-punchers and face-melters (Ending before I knew what hit me, or that I’d missed my window to shoot some video). It was one of those sets where you can’t tell if the crowd is engulfing the band or vice versa. The kind where you feel guilty walking away unscathed. Fucking epic.

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Continuing the trend of smashing things to pieces was Rape Revenge (Alberta, Canada). Being a feminist, vegan, queer, straight edge band means having not only a lot to be upset/feel strongly about, but having a fuck of a lot to say. Loudly. The intensity of this band (even with a flu-ridden vocalist, not that we would have known, she shrieked, growled and barked relentlessly) matched the intensity of their lyrical content/ideas. True art challenges the audience to stop and think, and, in the best cases, debate, argue, and *gasp* maybe even learn. Learn more and listen at their tumblr http://raperevengeband.tumblr.com/

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc1HYrKcg-o&feature=plcp

Strength Inside followed with their usual brand of hardcore with a genuine personal/emotional side. Stephen Klabo, already known for his tendency to share stories of personal loss, growth, and learning from stage, opened the set by thanking booker/Get Wise frontman Peter Morse (who is stepping down from booking for the time being) for his contributions to the local scene, in no uncertain terms, getting Klabo himself involved/interested in hardcore music.  It was a rare moment of public acknowledgement of one of the pillars of our local scene, and made me a little misty eyed, to be honest. I learned earlier today that Strength Inside is on a bit of a hiatus, reworking the lineup amongst other things. In the meantime, Klabo has taken over a portion of booking at The Gathering place, so we can definitely expect to see more sick hardcore shows, and hopefully Strength Inside will return, bigger, badder, and… uhm… Strengthier. Keep YR chins up, gentlemen. 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU0Jz0icE3k&feature=plcp

Sadly, after all that Peter Morse uptalk, my ride was leaving before Pete’s band, Get Wise went on (curse my lacking mobility!!) and I wound up having to miss em. Next time, man, sorry :(

Catch Hell: https://www.facebook.com/CatchHellBand

Stress Relief: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stress-Relief/178943512123652

Rape Revenge: http://raperevengeband.tumblr.com/

Strength Inside: https://www.facebook.com/pages/STRENGTH-INSIDE/350883394934287

Get Wise: https://www.facebook.com/finalapproach541

More pics and shit: https://www.facebook.com/ExiledZine

More video: http://www.youtube.com/user/exiledineugene

*Cool it, shitty-neighbor-Steve.

I don’t mean to uptalk Kemosabe when I say that they fucking destroy every time I see ‘em. I’m a fan, and thus, my thoughts on a Kemosabe show are gonna be biased. That said, they tore the lid (tarp?) off of Uncle Brad’s Secret Stage at the Whiteaker Block Party this year. The balance of explosive use of dynamics (both vocal and instrumental) as well as straight-forward grooves, is something of a signature for the band at this point. What IS new with Kemosabe is a cohesiveness that has come with settling into the new lineup, and just a general comfortability in the skin this act wears, which is allowing the guys to experiment a little more with what exactly Kemosabe is, now that they seem to know.

The addition of a little post-mod background video, by videographer Ian Grey, visually focusing on both elements of nature and the monotony of city life and drab shades of concrete and traffic, gives Kemosabe yet more presence live, and hints at things to come. I’m stoked to see what these gentlemen do next…

Video hindered by art and alcohol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMEaNKv0RI&feature=plcp

It was the night before The Whiteaker Block Party and I was determined to stay home and remain sober. I failed on both counts after an event invite on FB dragged me out kicking and screaming to The Black Forest, for a mismatched bill and cheap Line Dry Rye. 

Opening the night was North Carolina singer songwriter, Michael McFarland, well into a 20 something date jag, but seeming none the worse for wear, despite the small crowd, comprised of the other bands, and people very obviously there for more of a rock show. McFarland, ever professional, gave his all, delivering a set of personal and heartfelt acoustic tunes filled out by a trusty looping station. He ended his set with an effective attention grabber, looping multiple vocal parts to create gorgeous, lush harmonies, not with the microphone, but the pickup inside his acoustic guitar. The room filled with smiles in a fleeting magical moment, the musicians in the room exchanged nods of approval as McFarland sang into the body of his guitar. I was so stoked I forgot to take pictures (sorry, guys). 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrj9dJw6NIs&feature=plcp

Next up was Mallory (Oakland). These guys have a pop-rock, a la Saves The Day, sorta thing going on. Pulling out all the stops for a high-energy set that got the heads bobbing and engaged the tiny crowd, giving the sticky hot atmosphere inside the Forest a reason to sweat out that alcohol. I picked up their record. Anticipate a proper review next physical issue. 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc9ZH6P3nB0&feature=plcp

Then, like a sweaty, pissed off, rock’n’roll demon with fleas in it’s fuckin’ britches, came Burnt Thrones Club. BTC is a noisy, spit, piss and vinegar 2 piece, fuck-you-rock’n’roll-machine that smashes whatever shit gets in it’s way. This particular night, the shit was a crowd of 10 and the Black Forest stage. Undaunted by the small crowd, or humid bar, the powerhouse tore through a half hour set, screaming, stomping, and shredding the occasional bluesy solo. These guys eat nails and shit bullets. Don’t fuck with ‘em.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prO536DhAXw&feature=plcp

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelMcFarlandMusic

http://mallory.bandcamp.com/

http://burntthronesclub.com/

Do you remember the sweaty, dirty, punk rock days of the early 90’s scene here in Eugene? Do you remember this old mixtape?

Alot of us don’t, were too young, were elsewhere, etc. For those people who wanna educate themselves, or reminisce, check out The Panic On 13th Blog (http://panicon13th.blogspot.com/), championing those good old days of word of mouth and fliers, when people BOUGHT music (GASP) and there was still magic. Ok, so there’s still magic, it’s just different when things change (Boo change!!).

Go forth and get YRself an eyeful of EugScene history!

Don’t stop there, kids!! There’s also a nifty Panic Youtube page to help scratch those itches: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxIGKYwdRuZY3Y-h6FNyP7Q

Big Hammer Theory likes masks, chug-chug style metal, and theatrics. Before making Slipknot comparisons, lets do a proper headcount, shall we? You’ll notice only 4 (one toting a super ballsy, heavy-ass baritone guitar *SICK!!*) and a sound just as big as their mask-wearin’ brethren. Hit up their reverbnation for a little taste.

Words by Fatty. Photos by Josh Ewing

I just wanna say that I LOVE all the bands and fans who came out to my birthday party at WOW Hall a few weeks back. It was great times, with great people. I’ve been holding off on posting pics until we’d kinda amassed a bunch, but, alas, for now we’ve got just the ones that we took, short staffed (and I was pretty drunk, thus useless) so, if you wanna send some our way (especially pics of Æshtree!!), we’ll credit you! (exiledineugene@gmail.com)

Bad Luck Blackouts

Lowmen

Kemosabe