Longtime Portland folk troubadours Chris "Zydeco Skeeter" Miskow and Pat Buckley have revived the band they originally founded back in 1993. The Pagan Jug Band's current incarnation features an all-acoustic lineup of banjo, dobro, accordion, blues harmonnica, guitar, upright bass and percussion, deftly mixing straight-ahead bluegrass, folk and country blues, and Louisiana Zydeco. The material is drawn from a variety of classic country, folk and roots sources, along with a large body of original songs.
The Pagan Jug Band plays weekly at the Clinton Corner Cafe (every Tuesday, 6:30pm - 8:30pm - SE 21st & Clinton). Come on down and check it out!
A review from the June 2000 Portland Mercury: PAGAN JUG BAND
(Laurelthirst) For visitors to the Rose City, no doubt eagerly awaiting the opportunity to watch goat-head-costumed heretics lead the jamboree, the Pagan Jug Band is not noticeably connected to pre-Christian ritual. Their songs are packed with drunkenness and sex and the wages of sin, the musicians have the look of men once involved in bloodsport, but they have rather little to do with any organized religion. Organization itself, they have something of a problem with. As long as anyone can remember--okay, at least a decade--the boys have met up a few times a month for a remarkably eclectic set of acoustic free-for-alls. With members on bass, drums, washboard, banjo, and guitar (and whatever else someone happened to bring) supporting the enormously charismatic frontman Pat Buckley, they perform most every type of music, from bluegrass to Celtic to old-time funk and beyond, with an infectious vigor and memorable form. (Well, to be fair, they play every type of music that fits comfortably with a man playing the washboard. Speed garage, say, rarely gets a chance.) The banjo player is alternately known as Skeeter for the hillbilly numbers and Jean-Claude for the Cajun songs, when he plays an accordion. More bands should be like this. JAY HORTON
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Hey there Pagan Jug Band Bridgetown Comedy Festival is finally here!!! Starts this Thursday so get your tickets by visiting www.bridgetowncomedyfestival.com
Watch this interview and tell Andy that you support Portland Comedy!
Ken Germana in Vay, Bonner County, Idaho, has a sign in his yard that says; "Hang Obama", and displays a "NOOSE" on the sign as an "Educational PROP". Go here to voice you outrage to the local paper, no registration required; http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/articles/2008/11/14/news/doc491bc5ab04e78208338058.txt#blogcomments
