BRIAN BERG - VOX, GUITAR, KEYS (past and present musical cohorts of note include: John Doe of X and the Knitters. Dave Allen of Gang of Four and Shriekback. Scott McCaughey of The Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5 and R.E.M. Chris Slusarenko of Guided by Voices - Brian contiues to coproduce records with Chris (see 'The Takeovers') featuring Robert Pollard and guests like Stephen Malkmus, Sam Coomes and more. John Moen of The Decemberists and The Dharma Bums (who also plays drums on several of the Bob Pollard tracks). Jim Talstra (also a Takeover) and Jeremy Wilson of the 'Bums are also continuing musical collaborators. Then there's Andrew McKeag of The Presidents of the USA, Mike Musberger of The Posies, Dave Harding and Paul Brainerd of Richmond Fontaine...
CORY BURDEN - DRUMS, VOX (the Blubinos and many more)
SCOTT PORTZLINE - BASS, VOX (Big Monti Amundson and mony more)
Influences
everything that's got guts from punk to bacharach
Sounds Like
the greatest rock station you never heard - beatles to kiss to neil young to elvis costello to...
Portland's 44 Long: Indie? Pop? Americana? Straight up rock? Swamp? Alt Country? Who Cares? Whatever it is, GREIL MARCUS of Rolling Stone loved the first album, "Collect Them All" (number 7 of his favorite things in 1997). Chris Morris of Billboard loved the 2nd album, "Inside the Horse's Head" ("...darkhorse pick of the year..."). KCRW in L.A. has been playing the new record, "Hangover Heights Part 2". CMJ, Puncture, No Depression, ArtForum Intl., Spin, The Oregonian, The Orange County Register, The Austin Chronicle and dailies across the country have all raised the banner.
Brian Berg writes and records the stuff in his studio. He's joined by Cory Burden (Blubinos and many more) on drums and backing vocals with Scott Portzline (Big Monti among others) on bass and more singing. Berg leads on guitar and vocals and adds tracks of all color to the mix. The band started in 1996 with Berg, Burden, Andy Ricker (his amazing Pok Pok Thai restaurant in Portland won Restaurant of the Year for 2007 in The Oregonian) and Eric Furlong (Sunset Valley). The songs have been licensed to national TV shows such as "Men in Trees", "The Simple Life", "Real World", "Road Rules" and others. For licensing package info, just contact Berg at this MySpace page.
Hey, I just heard "up on blocks" play at Willamette's Bookstore where I work. Of course, I've got my iPod hooked up to the sound system so that might explain it...
Congrats on getting "Wake Up" on Men In Trees. I've never watched the show before, but made a point to check out this episode. It was great hearing that undeniable intro!
oh man, missed another great show... cant wait to catch up on all the cd's i been missin out on... c u next summer for a trillion beers or a zillion shots of tuaca!!! happy thanksgivin xoxoxox :-)
Hey Brian -
Did you see the review of the conference musical stuff in No Depression? There was a nice mention of you in there. It was certainly a pleasure sharing a stage with you. Hope all is well!
Rob
Brian, me lad, new (FINAL!) mixes are sounding supreme. Thanks for all the love. White Eagle? Damn, MD and I are flying out to Chicago early next a.m. Better maybe to just stay up all night so we can catch dem Heaters.
Hope to see you before then, on a golf course near where we used to live. Hmm, sounds like a song.
I became aware of you through
Pat McDougall's Themelounge Podcast.
Thanks for adding me.
Terry L. Odor
Vice President
Cascade Blues Association
Portland, Oregon
