I am, so far, the only constant wanker. However, as of late I've been wanking with Jesse Johnson (Evolutionary Jass Band, Owl Dudes, Gulls) on trumpet/guitar/noise, Davis Hooker (A John Henry Memorial, ...Worms, Watery graves, Thanksgiving) on bass, David Fimbres (Paper/Upper/cuts) on drums and in the past have had Jason Begin (Brown, Christie Front Drive), also on drums.
Influences
american imperialism, it's critics, effects, and how to end it. parents. lovers. friends. and every band i've ever been in (in chronological order, no less): crimebucks, vic-20, not the pilot, ubik, the 47, the city and the stars, grandrapids, the monitors/violence, dutchflat, blackeyesmotherfuckers, half man half woman, burnt plosives, ...worms, something fierce, plants, o bruxo.
Sounds Like
"At what point does one become recognized as a pillar of Portland's music community? I'm not talking about some kind of lifetime achievement award, just an understanding—that guy, he's got his head and heart in the right place, you know? How one gets there, I suppose, varies. But I know Sam Schauer is part of the discussion. As Modernstate—his one-man, guitar-looping, drum-mashing solo project—Sam has been thrilling us for years now. And there is his work with ...worms, plus numerous others as well. Not to mention he's a soundman here, a recording engineer there, and probably a whole truckload of other shit I'm not hip to. So yeah, Sam's kept it near and dear, close to the heart. But after all the pointless fluff and who's who discussion, it all comes back to Modernstate, which at this point, Sam just totally owns. He flicks the whole thing between sweet 'n' soulful to screaming beautifully, and with ease—a call and response to mood and surrounding." - ANDREW R TONRY, The Portland Mercury
"If Modernstate (the twisting, lilting, gorgeous head-trip of Sam Schauer) isn't already among your favorite Portland artists, just start by thinking of him as Portland's own Caribou—a rare performer that somehow makes his incredibly dense, arresting, beautiful songs seem airy, almost effortless; easy, but never simple." - Hannah Carlen, The Portland Mercury
"Sam Humans is Modernstate and Modernstate is avant-folk and avant-folk is played by Sam Humans' two human hands and a buncha loops and stacks of instruments. It's a one-man band with zero cheese, zero shtick, and more emotion, heart, and soul than whole states full of emo bands. This bill is top-notch fun." - The Portland Mercury
"It is sure, rudder-like, balanced, and moves forward with honest human emotion. It's folk, but it's also punk, experimental, lo-fi rock, and blends all of this into some sort of mutant confessional pop." - Adam Gnade, The Portland Mercury
"Modernstate is at the forefront of a burgeoning movement of one-man bands in the Pacific Northwest. With a little luck, perhaps it all will be known one day as the “Modernstate sound.”" - Christian Kiefer, Sacramento News & Review
New record, "The Burning Beard" out now on Lucky Madison
The Oregonian just did a piece
Recent Portland Mercury review
Recent Willamette Week article
no laptops here
bands i've shared bills with: viva voce, decemberists, talkdemonic, mt eerie, castanets, crooked fingers (eric bachman), mice parade, jel, thanksgiving.
venues i've shredded in: crocodile cafe (seattle), hemlock tavern (san francisco), the casbah (san diego), doug fir (pdx), berbati's pan (pdx), the sunset (seattle), knitting factory (nyc), the daac (grand rapids), goodbye blue monday (nyc) and many more.
I founded the Portland Radio Authority in 2003 with Kevin (talkdemonic) and Gus (Wilding, Pants Machine). It is perhaps the thing about which I have the most pride
Modernstate has been around since 1999
First album, Highwater Moonboot, released in 2003 on Lucky Madison
You can find my songs on both the 2005 and 2007 PDX-POP comps
I play drums in ...worms [myspace.com/pdxworms or marriagerecs.com] We have a 7" and a 12" available for yr pleasure
I've got tracks on the new Bridgetown Breaks record. All portland drummers, out on both vinyl and cd. Bridgetownbreaks.com
"Modernstate is beautifully delicate and at the same time, strong with lyrical invention. Schauer's dramatic ability to tell an honest story is what carries through and keeps you." Salina Nunez, The Portland Mercury
Hi, My name is Patrick Callan, I just put out my first full length record-"Tales of a Folk Punk Nothing" on Blanket Statement Records.
It was recorded in the dead of winter 2009 and was released May 8th. I put a lot of heart into it.
Please listen to the songs I have up on my page, if you like what you hear, you can buy the record through snocap( The itunes competitor that screws over artists less).
As my label is small, at the moment all profits from the record go towards funding future projects,tours, etc. like the new record from my friends Turn Back Now! out June 25th.
Hank Williams Patsy Cline Johnny Cash Wanda Jackson Gene Autry Bob Gibson Eddy Arnold The Statler Brothers Dolly Parton Lee Hazelwood Slim Whitman Tammy Wynette Bonnie Prince Billy Leslie Gore Smog Neil Young Fleetwood Mac PLUS MORE!!!
Hey Sam- I've posted some fresh tunes I recently tracked with the otari. I used it on Intifada, nylon string, and hurricane (rock you like a). Maelstrom was digital all the way, but the other two weird ones were on the 1" 8 track I had back in the diggita-day. Peace be up on you.
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