w/ Heart Shaped Rock, The Hot Tarts, Lead Stiletto

Since our last show was such a disappointment – we walked out on it without playing – the band was in a bit of a down mood about this show. Fools that we were for thinking that, because it turned out great! Great as in the best show we ever played (at least in my opinion.) The problem was that we knew our regular crowd would not be there, instead attending the final Covered in Bees show. (They’re going on a year-long hiatus). So, as the club filled up with people we didn’t know (and didn’t look like “our type”), Cruella and I made jokes: “We’re definitely going to clear the room” I said, to which she replied “No way – they’ll be gone before we even start!” You get the idea.

Still, after getting chinese at the best chinese restaurant in Portland, The Oriental Table, we mosied back to the club to watch the openers. Led Stilletto is an all girl band, playing sort of bluesy garage metal with lyrics about boozing women. They were there to rock, but other than that it’s hard to say how good they were, since they are so obviously new to playing in a band. The only one I know is drummer Brandye, who used to be in Sinferno and her drumming is coming along nicely. As for the whole band, I’m looking forward to seeing how they have progressed a year from now. The Hot Tarts were their usual charming selves, though I can’t completely get behind the guitar/drums duo thing. To me, they need a bass player, but I do understand how that can throw a major monkey wrench into the band dynamic. One cool part was that Cruella got up and sang with them, and I really liked how she harmonized with Lana. She should sing with them more often.

Heart Shaped Rock were the “headliners” (it was their cd release show), and previously I have not had an opportunity to listen to them. We played with them about a year and a half ago, but we had to load out during their set. Well, they were fucking awesome! Sheridan had a great voice and stage presence, her husband Pete (of Twisted Roots) was quite the monster on guitar (in Roots he doesn’t do any flashy guitar displays, I would assume because he is busy singing.) Sonny (also of TR) was amazing on the drums (I’m surprised his kit survived the set). There songs were great too – very well written.

So, we set up and started after midnight. Surprisingly, most of the crowd stayed for us! We saw some folks head out the door (we assumed heading home), but in actuality they just went on a smoke break and came back in a few songs into the set. Of course, the people up front were all core fans of ours and we knew them, but behind them were a whole bunch of people we didn’t know, and they were really into it! On top of this, we played great. Maybe our low expectations of the show and not really caring how well we did had a positive effect, maybe it kept us calm and gave us the ability to focus, but Runtt really got swinging on the kit and Cruella’s voice resonated through the club with a passion I didn’t think she had. She really went to a new level. And that thing of people being churchmouse quiet during each song? Not so with the crowd – they cheered at all the dramatic parts.

So, a great show, and as I’m writing this a few days later, I’m still pumped about it. Having played in bands for 20-plus years, I don’t get this excited very often anymore.