BRIAN BERG - VOX, GUITAR, KEYS, KITCHEN SINK. Berg's past and present musical cohorts during the last decade or so 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 and Svelt - Brian coproduced records with Chris (see 'The Takeovers' and 'Brown Submarine') 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. Then there's Mark Sten's Oblivion Seekers (Brian was a member for a couple CD's in the mid '90'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. (Internation Male, Blubinos and many more)
SCOTT PORTZLINE - BASS, VOX. (Big Monti Amundson and mony more)
Since 1996, Brian Berg fronts Portland's 44 Long. Whether you classify them as: 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..."). 2006's "Hangover Heights Part 2" garnered similar response. 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. Berg writes and records the stuff in his studio. The most recent live band includes Cory Burden on drums and backing vocals with Scott Portzline on bass and more singing. Berg leads on guitar and vocals and adds tracks of all color to the mix. The band started with Berg, Burden, Andy Ricker (his amazing Pok Pok Thai restaurant in Portland won Restaurant of the Year for 2007 in The Oregonian - now he sports Ping in Chinatown as well) and Eric Furlong (Sunset Valley). The songs have been licensed to international TV shows such as "Men in Trees", "The Simple Life" (doh!), "Real World", "Road Rules", Fox Sports Shows and others. For licensing info, booking or to take guitar, bass, songwriting, arranging and/or recording lessons, just contact Berg at this MySpace page or 503.459.9136.
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...
