MUSIC
CD stew
A ll H ands on the B ad O ne
Sleater-Kinney • Kill Rock Stars
hese days, any article you see about the trio
Sleater-Kinney will undoubtedly say two
things: Everyone in the press has already
written about them, and everyone in the press
has already asked them every question ever
imagined so I have nothing to write about.
How postmodern can you get? After
Sleater-Kinney released The Hot Rock last year,
journalists decided it was OK to write more
about the band’s media attention than about
the music itself.
In the meantime, Sleater-Kinney wrote
another powerful batch of tunes and titled it
All Hands on the Bad One. Not-so-ironically,
the albums lyrics reflect a life that has been
thrown to the lions—or to the rock journalists.
Musically, All Hands on the Bad One is a
reply to one of the groups earliest records, Call
the Doctor. The guitar lines are raw and rugged,
despite the overall hi-fi production. However, a
surge of pop consciousness flows though some
the songs like a live wire.
Based on its sheer eneigy alone, “You’re No
Rock ’n’ Roll Fun" is the best written, per
formed and recorded song on the album. Over
a driving drum beat and quirky guitar, singer
Corin Tucker belts: “You’re no rock ’n’ roll fun/
Like a party that’s over before it’s begun.”
The opener, “Ballad of a Ladyman,” and
Carrie Brownstein’s lament of displacement,
“Leave You Behind,” are other album stand
outs. “The Professional" sounds like the theme
song to a late ’70s television show about cops.
The album is solid, save for a few duds.
Every line of lyrics seems awash in symbolism.
However, it may get a little tiresome hearing
the trio sing about their rock star woes, espe
cially since these talented women perpetuate
the idea by loading the CD liner notes with
glossy photos of themselves.
T
PRIDE WEEKEND
JUNE 17 & 18,2000
GRAND MARSHALS: PORTLAND GAY MEN'S CHORUS
------------ ► SAVE THE DATE!
------------
UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENTS TO BENEFIT PRIDE NORTHWEST
At Fox & Hound, join your hostess
IQ
mureinursTTorTriae^raoKe^at
9pm all night long with proceeds
benefiting Pride NW. You to can be a glamourpuss on Laurelhurst's
Main stage during this spectacularly fun night of Friday Frolic! Fox &
Hound 217 N.W. 2d 243-5530
killikkMAMwi I ill At the Brigg - the Return of "Drag WhipCream Wres
tling 2000!" The horror of it all. Come and see your favorite drag queen
step into the ring and open a can of whip ass on her opponent. You
can even buy a can to whip up your favorite queen! Only $7 cover
charge with doors opening at 6pm. Get there early because you know
it will be packed again!!! Also enjoy the Mr. and Miss Gay Pride Pre
liminaries hosted by the reigning Princess XXX Veronica Devore and
Rose Empress XXXVIII Misha. The Brigg 1035 S.W. Stark 226-4171
At the Edge Rosebud 24 Abby presents "Toga Party
2000!". Join Abby for a decadent night set in ancient Greece. Doors
open at 10pm. Support our GLBT youth in what will be a feast fit for the
Gods!! Proceeds from the raffle and auction to benefit PNW. Call the
Edge to volunteer for the auction or to donate raffle prizes. The Edge
242-2899
HESEJ At the Embers Nightclub is the first "Annual Gay Day at the
Zoo" hosted by Buttercup and Misha 38. Starting at Noon till 2pm with
a Picnic basket auction. Buy a basket with a secret celebrity attached.
Carpool from the Embers parking lot to Washington park for a day of
picnic and Gay Zoo frolic. This is sure to become one of the most fabu
lous events during the year. If you would like to volunteer to create a
picnic basket, call Misha at 295-9788 or Buttercup at the Embers at
222-3082. The Embers 110 N.W Broadway
At CC Slaughters is 'The Luscious Luau". Hosted by
Craig and Misha fit with a real beach, roasted pig feast, and of course
a wet shorts and shirt contest. Hawaii is coming to Portland so bring
your beach wear and be at the door at 7pm for a Party you will never
forget. C.C. Slaughters 219 N.W. Davis 248-9135
Sunday June 4
At Scandals beginning at Noon is the "Herbie the
Lovebug Mania" hosted by Monroe and Jimmy, the bartenders. Num
ber Nine all day all night with all the Disney Herbie classics. Buy a square
on Jimmy's Lovebug for $20 and paint what you wish to debut in this
years' Pride 2000 Parade "A Celebration of Queer Art and Culture".
Join in ail the Lovebug madness with a beer bust tea party blowout all
daylong!!!! Scandals 1038 S.W. Stark 227-5887
Saturday,
June 10,
2000: B DANCE with the 16 piece band, ROSE CITY
________
______
SWING @ PPAA 618 S.E. ALDER. For more information, call 790-2170.
PRIDE NORTHWEST P.O. BOX 6611 PORTLAND, OREGON 97228
VOICEMAIL 503.295.9788 • E-MAIL pridenorthwest@usa.net
WWW.PRIDENW.COM
Spnsored By:
justrrm
T he N eed is D ead
The Need • Chainsaw
gave this album to my girlfriend for Valen
tine’s Day. All boasting aside, it may be the
sexiest present I could ever have thought to
give. For many dykes, the Need embodies sex.
The two women who run the show, Radio and
Rachel, rock out with a force that’s unmatch-
able. Their guitar lines are haunting and
raunchy, the drumming is intricate, powerful
and precise.
The band is known for playing in strange
time signatures—you won’t find yourself think
ing any sort of “acceptable” thoughts while lis
tening to the Need. You’ll more likely find
yourself on a strange planet, walking dazed and
I
Musical queers stir up
a mostly fresh mix of
punk, R&B, blues and rock
by
K aty D avidson
confused through the remains of a surreal cir
cus. That’s how extreme the Need is.
The Need is Dead is a little more metal
based than the band’s debut full-length record,
but it’s just as quality. “Vaselina” is thunderous
and bizarre. “Dear Diary” is composed around a
cool riff in a dark, minor key.
Toward the end of the album, the Need
solidifies an obsession with a fictional character
named Sally on “O Sally How’s It Feel with a
Fake Hand?” and “Dark Sally,” a monster rock
song with three parts.
Embarrassingly, I’ve only seen the Need
play live once. This is an album and a band
that should be explored with multiple listens.
T he U nion T hemes
Lois Maffeo & Brendan Canty • Kill Rock Stars
or being such an indie darling, Lois Maffeo
sure sings like an R&B diva. She recently
contributed a song called “Hope” to the
new collaborative album from Intemal/Exter-
nal, and her vocals sound so smooth they could
be featured on MTV Jams.
On her own new release, The Union
Themes, Maffeo continues a soft assault by
vocal seduction, but the most noticeable aspect
of the record is her handling of various musical
genres. Save for a few tracks, this album could
be downright bluesy. Her decision to venture
into new sonic territory could easily have been
influenced by her latest partner in crime,
Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty.
Before recording The Union Themes, Maffeo
says, she set out to write fictionally instead of
autobiographically, and this desire may have
manifested itself in her chord changes, not just
her lyrics. The first song, “These Parts,” com
bines guitar, piano and vocals to create an
almost Celtic-sounding collage.
After exploring a bit of the blues realm with
“Being Blind,” she slinks into the third song,
“How I Came to Know," with lounge-pop pos
ture. This track is the most accessible on the
album; it swirls together different textures and
feelings and, at the end, Maffeo trips into her
trademark falsetto to bring the song home.
As much as this album seems like a new
step for Maffeo, there still are classic moments
F
E rotic A dventures for the 5 oul
“Celebrating the Body Erotic”
Come alive to the power of your erotic energy.
Open your body mind and spirit to a world of
ecstasy. Discover deeper levels of communication
with yourself and others. Honor yourself with
the gift of touch.
WJ Bodq Electric School