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
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
Dark Skies, we are having a surprise party for you with all your favorites.......a gothic puppet show with bloody hobo puppet sex and drunk bird juggling and homemade explosives and a mime that shouts at people for being not cute and a tragic magic show and a wet pants contest and a battle off between a robot hooker and an out of work wizard who got busted for selling beer to minors and some really kick ass music. So act really surprised when the homeless magician/male erotic dancer jumps out of the cake and dirty dances with you!
