If anyone can bring the rock ‘n roll high-kick back into the front-and-center, it’s Joe Machamer, guitarist and singer of Portland power trio Dark Skies. This long-forgotten show-stopper has nearly ceased to exist in this, the age of the pseudo-emotional singer-songwriter. Why? Because you can’t fake the rock ‘n roll high-kick and get away with it.
Machamer had on a beige leather jacket (or something like that) with fringes. Aside from the jacket it was disheveled hair, t-shirts, Converse and cans of warm Pabst (drummer Rob McConlouge and bassist Charlie Gotgart included). I didn’t know what to make of it.
On that night (the first of many), the set was a balancing act, with Blue Cheer-ish sonic blow-outs and break-downs weighing against a lean, sinuous energy and blue-collar ethos reminiscent of the Minutemen.
You see, you can’t just walk out onto the stage and do one of those kicks. There has to be a reason to fling your leg up above your head just at the right time (while playing a wicked riff, mind you). And if you think about it, most rockers aren’t in good physical condition, and by show time their balance has probably become a little impaired. The strength and coordination has got to come from somewhere.
Bottom line: It's a sight to behold, so don't miss Dark Skies-jeff earl, livepdx
DArkSKIES Tonic 08
Portland, Ore., has a tradition of no-bullshit rock bands: Wipers, Dead Moon, and now Dark Skies. Fronted by ex–Vegas Thunder member Joe Machamer, Dark Skies add a heavy dose of British art blues (Groundhogs, Cream) to the stripped-down Portland garage-punk formula. Machamer puts on a ridiculously energetic, good-natured live show and has been known to clamber up amp stacks and teeter across the stage as if he were on the deck of a listing ship, all without missing a riff.- dave dunlop, washington press
Haha! Come see Almost Dark play LIVE at the old Town Lounge, the new
Ella Street Social Club and MEET THE BAND IN PERSON!!! Two touring
bands are coming all the way up from THE BAY AREA!!! www.myspace.com/spesuschrist www.myspace.com/bloodandsunshine
Live: 25 Sep - Monster Joe - Piazzola sul Brenta (IT) 26 Sep - Arci Valverde - Forlì (IT) 27 Sep - Next Emerson - Firenze (IT) 28 Sep - La Salumeria del Rock - Arceto di Scandiano (IT) 30 Oct - Henriksberg (Club KILL CITY), Gothenburg (S)
The Arcadists on MTV? Free raffle for Snow Patrol concert tickets. Grant and Green in San Francisco this Thursday, July 23! Wharf to Wharf on Sunday in Santa Cruz.
We have a busy week this week, two shows, an MTV contest, a raffle, here's what's going on:
---
The Arcadists is currently #3 in MTV's Best Breakout Bay Area Band ... we need your votes to win this thing!!! If we win, we have a good chance to play on MTV. Please click on the link, register, click "Judge" and vote. You may need to refresh the web browser page to see us as a choice (out of 4 bands). Thanks! http://www.ourstage.com/contests/3176-mtv-vma-best-breakout-bay-area
---
Snow Patrol Concert Raffle and SF Gig!
Thursday, July 23, we are playing a FREE show where we are raffling off two tickets to see Snow Patrol in Concert at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA, Fri, Oct 16, 2009 08:00 PM
We'll also have some teaser CDs of our upcoming album, mixing is almost done, the art is done, jeez: day job anyone?
---
Wharf to Wharf Race in Santa Cruz, 8am Sunday July 26
Sunday, July 26, we play the Santa Cruz Wharf to Wharf Race, so we'll be out on the street at 8am. We learned "Eye of the Tiger" just for this event, haha. Hope to see you there, as a visitor or as a blur running by. We'll be at 26th Avenue and East Cliff Drive.
"The six-mile race route is lined with a virtual gauntlet of entertainment...singers, dancers, clowns and jugglers... bands of every stripe...pep...dance...classical...raging sixties...su
if you guys are'nt sick of us this will be a good one..looking forward to august show 'EAVY PSYCH-'EAVY METAL-'EAVY PROG FROM BROOKLYN,SF,LA,& SEATTLE.ALL UNDERGROUND BANDS.COME OUT AND KEEP 'EM ON THE ROAD. 4 BANDS.$8 BUX.NATUR****ADDED TO BILL
