Chop Suey was a nice, intimate setting for this show. The three bands that played this Thursday night appeared to know each other well, and the small room allowed them to call to the stage friends from the crowd and members from other bands. Not all of the show was ground breaking or what I would call top-notch performance, but the room was packed for the final band, Thao With the Get Down Stay Down, and the wait was worth it.
David Schultz, a solo acoustic guitarist from Richmond, VA, hit the stage first. This stocking cap and glasses-adorned good natured guy played Simon and Garfunkel-inspired tunes for about 30 minutes. Something was missing from his song construction; in fact, I couldn’t differentiate one song from another. For me, things only got interesting when Willis and Adam (the Get Down Stay Down) took the stage for the last song and gave him a rhythm section.
Up next was the Portland Cello Project, led by Douglas Jenkins. They took crowd-participation to the extreme, inviting new people on stage for every couple songs played. Willis Thompson played drums on all songs. The set started off on the dull side with a few originals including Justin Powers on vocals and guitar with a five-cello accompaniment. Things picked up after that with a Pantera cover, “Hey Ya,” then Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” with a gregarious, red-haired friend on vocals. The band smiled more and more with every dance tune. To end the set, three more friends were invited for a cover of Ah Ha’s “Take On Me.” The glockenspiel player tapped for the occasion evidently does karaoke around Portland, which was fitting. While I must commend this band for trying to bring cello into beer bars, the whole thing came off as poorly executed cello karaoke.
Finally, Thao Nguyen was on stage to give the performance the whole crowd was waiting for. She wore a cute, multi-colored dress and her long black hair was spinning in circles with every guitar strum and crooked-mouthed vocal. Adam Thompson’s bass sound was smooth and funky, completely locked in with Willis Thompson’s pounding drums. Willis showed his skills during a drum solo near the end of “Beat Health Life & Fire,” which was placed mid-set. I expected this band to be folky, but their live sound is entertainingly loud and full. In proper rock form they “ended” the set with their current hit, “Bag of Hammers,” then returned to give the crowd two more. I thoroughly enjoyed these guys, and left the show satisfied that I had the opportunity to be there. For fans’ sake, I hope they don’t outgrow venues the size of Chop Suey anytime soon.
DOWNLOAD: Thao With the Get Down Stay Down - Bag of Hammers (MP3) or Follow us for more Thao With the Get Down Stay Down MP3s (Twitter)
Deastro + Max Tundra - 11/27
Doug Fir
Morrissey + Doll and the Kicks - 11/30
Roseland Theater
Portland Cello Project - 12/4
Aladdin Theater
Passion Pit - 12/7
The Crystal Ballroom
Sick I was mixing the original in my dubstep mixes, but this just kicks it up. Thank you!!!
by Dre Ja Vu on Thu Nov 26, 2009 at 09.13 pm from the entry: Ginuwine's "Pony" Deconstructed Through Dubstep (Remix)
feelin it, thanks!
by jo on Thu Nov 26, 2009 at 05.00 pm from the entry: Ginuwine's "Pony" Deconstructed Through Dubstep (Remix)
lil wayne has a fukken song for everythingg(((: in lovee, high competition, everythingg.
**and i be with my dawg like im mutha fukken hunting
by a.d.kinchhh(: on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 02.48 pm from the entry: Lil Wayne's No Ceilings Mixtape
it’s beyonce’s sister.
by colin on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 12.36 pm from the entry: Solange takes on Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet"
Am I supposed to know SOlange?
by max on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 11.51 am from the entry: Solange takes on Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet"
this may be your best review yet, colin. and that includes the pixies and modest mouse pieces. nice work! i’m also digging these photos.
by josh on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 04.54 pm from the entry: Girls + Dominant Legs - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 18, 2009)
GREAT review!!! Love that 2nd picture up there as well.
by Siri on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02.45 pm from the entry: Girls + Dominant Legs - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 18, 2009)
