Music and Rumors of Music

By the time you read this, MusicFest NorthWest may have already been well underway. I know, I know, this comes as no surprise or, by no means, a rumor. This shit, as they say, is fact.

Since taking over the cosmic jest that was North by Northwest, the Willy Week’s MFNW has proven itself to be a weekend loaded with bar hoppin’, band watchin’, and fun havin’. In most venues downtown, music spills forth and the local population meanders and gallantly stumbles from bar to bar in search of some good and (mostly) local rock and roll that they will ultimately stand around and shuffle aimlessly to. I have attended this event before and I assure you, it is a great fucking time and I highly suggest you check it out. What better way to see many of the bands that you want to see in one weekend for only twenty something dollars.

And besides, the Decemberists are going to be there. I just hope they don’t play in the same time slot as my band because it would be a shame if I had to miss the show I was invited to play at. They will keep you updated at www.wweek.com if you so choose to go there.

But, if the labyrinth that is downtown is not your thing, Sabala’s at Mt. Tabor, in conjuction with Conan’s Pub and Nightpiper Productions, are holding METALFEST!!! I know they have Debris, Children Of Tragedy from Canada, and Stabitha in it for Sept 11th, but the 10th they’re still waiting to hear back from The Accused and NevermoreNot. So there’s some serious RAWK that’s going on as a bit of a “Fuck you” to WWeek and its corporate sponsors. No word yet, on what’s happening at Sabala’s. Maybe some punk, maybe some rock, but you’ll be able to hit up both bars after paying only one cover. Cheaper drinks, too. We’ll try to keep you posted, once we learn more, via our website, www.musicliberationproject.com.

Of course, there is always Fuck by Fuck Off, the most bestest name for a festival in town, ever, and it’s sponsered by the Barfly Magazine. This, as well, offers an alternative to the madness that will be MFNW. Good bands and strange goings on are sure to take place. Naked Jello wrestling? Probably. Inebriation? For sure. All provided by Jen Lane, editor of Barfly Magazine. Check out www.barflymag.com to keep yourself posted.

The Portland Mercury usually hosts something that weekend, as well. I’m sure whatever they do will be highly entertaining and vomitously drunken, which always makes for a good time in the book that I call mine. Maybe it will involve Mini Kiss. Whatever it is, you can be sure W. Stephen HumpMe will get laid. And you probably will too. Keep your uninformed ass informed at www.portlandmercury.com.

Whatever you do, make sure you pick only one thing that sounds fun that weekend and lay allegiance to a single event. We are taking notes and marking tallies. You want to go to indie heaven don’t you? Of course you do. The last thing you want is to be caught with your Carharts down. -mlp