Portland is a city of protesting. Our propensity to come together in revolt against major issues afflcting society is one of the greater characteristics of the city, as is what is offered locally in music. Today, most of the country has been participating in the General Strike against President fuck up Donald Trump prior to Monday's President's Day. Those striking haven't been partaking in any activities, especially ones that benefit the country's capatlistic benefit. 

For the most part, everyone wants to aid in spreading this message of strong displeasure, which obviously leaves venues with things scheduled today at a bit of an impasse. Northeast all ages venue Turn! Turn! Turn! was presented with this same problem, and has decided to move forward with the great show they have scheduled for tonight, where Blesst Chest, Sad Horse and Lithics are set to play.

On the decision, Turn! Turn! Turn! said:

After much deliberation between Turn! Turn! Turn!, its employees, the bands and others willing to share their input, we have decided to be open and have our show as scheduled February 17, the day of the general strike. This was a difficult decision, as everyone involved with this show sympathizes with the aims of the strike. Ultimately, we had the opportunity to do more good by having the show than not. To that end, we are making the show free so you don’t have to open your wallet. However, we will be accepting donations at the door for IRCO (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization) and Portland Homeless Family Solutions. In addition, Turn! will be offering an all-Portland tap list and spirits by Portland distilleries. Those willing and able to spend a few bucks at the bar will also be supporting IRCO and PHFS, as we’ll donate between 25% (for non-donated kegs) and 50% for donated kegs to these organizations. 

End your day of striking the right way by heading up to Northeast Killingsworth with some cash in hand.

It's been a wet holiday so far, so if you weren't able to make it out to that free Sad Horse show with Haunted Head and Warm Trash a couple nights ago, you're actually in luck. New Years night, they'll be playing their latest album, start to finish, at Mississippi Records. Their Greatest Hits LP is comprised of just that, a grandiose collection of singles from the last almost eight years of their existence. The 26 track long LP of pleasant familiarity is also now available on vinyl. If you're just now getting into Sad Horse (or SH, as they now like to be referred to as), then check out their Greatest Hits record release set for a crash course in the delight that is SH.

-Cervante Pope

With the whirlwind of amazing shows and festivals that have swept over Portland in the past couple weeks, we've got a buttload of photos to share from some of the great sets we've caught recently. Check out photos of: AAN and Illmaculate at the St Johns Bizarre; Grandparents and Spookies at Rontoms, and Summer Cannibals, Sad Horse and Charts at the Firkin Tavern for the release parties of New Moss Records compilation tape HITS Vol. 1. Photos by Todd Walberg and Linneas Boland-Godbey. 

AAN at St. John's Bizzare

Illmaculate at the St. Johns Bizarre. 

Grandparents and Spookies at Rontoms

Summer Cannibals, Sad Horse and Charts at the Firkin Tavern

- Travis Leipzig

Portland's infamous New Moss Records are rolling out a new compilation cassette series titled "HITS." Featuring songs the label's favorite bands from Portland and beyond, the first installment of the series, "HITS Volume 1," features thirteen tracks including six unreleased tracks by Grandparents, Wimps, Old Light, Spookies, Summer Cannibals and Natural Blonde. Also featured on the compilation are tracks by Charts, The We Shared Milk, XDS, Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Still Caves, And And And, and Sad Horse. The cassettes are priced at $6, but only 300 copies will be made so don't be a slow-poke in picking one up. You can pre-order HITS Vol. 1 here, or, if you're the smart type you can go to one, two or all three of New Moss Records' masterfully curated compilation release parties this weekend to pick up a cassette in person. 

Release Parties:

Friday, May 9th at the Firkin Tavern (no cover): Summer Canniblas, Sad Horse, Charts

Saturday, May 10th at the Know ($5 cover): And And And, Old Light, XDS

Sunday, May 11th at Rontoms (no cover): Grandparents, Spookies

Official Todd Walberg photos from the release parties to come! 

- Travis Leipzig

When I moved to Portland in 2007, I was eager to find a band that I could impress my visiting friends with. I needed a band that played regularly enough, and that kept some sort of steady, experimental edge over their bill-sharers. It took about a year after Sad Horse formed, but I eventually caught one of their performances in the summer of 2008. They blew through their set, which consisted of about 10 songs, all lasting a minute and a half at the very most. With warped time signatures, simple driving drumbeats, and manic guitar lines to match the yelping of this insane duo, I knew I had found my impressive band. My friends never did visit me, but I didn't care. I would still go out and see Sad Horse every chance I got. With that said, I think we should all welcome Sad Horse back home from their tour in Japan on Friday, November 16 at the World Famous Kenton Club. It's free. – Edgar Paleo