Checked out the Squirrel Nut Zippers at the Wonder Ballroom on Friday night.

One of my favorite songs was when they played a black and white cartoon on the back screen and played the music for it.  At the time I thought, “That is soo cool, he’s singing exactly the words that the characters are experiencing.”  Later I would find out that it was a video they had specially made.  Still cool though.

Afterwards it was my first stop at Montage.  A late night Portland eatery that has surprisingly really good food – seemed it had a slant towards the New Orleans cuisine.  The spicy chili mac would be my recommendation if you can handle heat.  Check out all the bikes parked out front at midnight.

I like new shit.  But I like the old shit too.  It’s cool when old shit makes new shit.

Here’s a band that never got the recognition they deserve.

I’ve seen Tesla quite a few times over the past years and I still say they are one of the best bands live you can see.  My number one pick for real bands playing real music to come out of what you might want to toss in the bucket of 80’s bands.  What you hear on the mp3/CD/record/8-track is what you hear live.  He’s got an incredible voice.  The guitarists are awesome as well and way underrated.  Many bands will tone down the guitar solo because they can’t play it live like they can in the studio when they get umpteen tries to get it right.  These guys play every lick right in front of you.

Seeing them at the Roseland in Portland reminded me of all times Ray and I would drive to Milwaukee instead of Chicago so we could see them in a small venue.

Only this time, because it’s a school night and I’m not a young buck anymore, I didn’t chain drink beers and took a nap before I went.  I must admit part of the fun was watching all the drunks around us.

Checked out DeVotchka (wikipedia|band) live last night at the Wonder Ballroom.  Good music.  Kind of a gypsy, Mexican, weird vibe.  Not your typical guitar/bass/drums/vocals.  The bass player, a woman, alternated between playing a standup bass and tuba.  A little accordion, violins (sometimes 3 playing at once), and a trumpet now and then.

The opener was Basia Bulat (wikipedia|band).  Kind of a Tracy Chapman voice.  Only the drummer was male which was a nice change-up.  I don't know if it was the beer or what but they sounded great at the show so we picked up their CD.  While listening to it today I really only liked 3-4 of the 13 songs.   The drums don't seem as kickin as they did live.

Also, good Thai food at Monsoon Thai (gmaps).  Unassuming.  Served up by Thai ladies that really don't know how good their food is.  Don't let the fact that it shares a building with the laundry.  It's good.

Later