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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2003)
BY VANESSA SALVIA They Might Be Giants performs Friday at the McDonald. With the release of No!, TMBG has produced a record the whole family will love. (Trust me — my 5 year old LOVES it, and it’s infinitely better than listening to “The Teddy Bear’s Picnic” for the millionth time.) releases, which are planned for mid-May. Co-founder Jevon (no last name given), who plays in Eugene’s Chevron, says “We’re going to do a compilation and a 7- inch, too” (featuring two Chevron songs on colored vinyl). Performing at the benefit will be Chevron and Murder of Crows, which features ex-members of Mine 37, a local band that has also recorded a CD for Schapendoes Records. Portland’s Wet Confetti (“kind of like a dark disco band,” says Jevon), WW IV (formerly called The Little Twos) and Iodil, an elec- TMBG, local label bennie, and of course, Fiesta Latina. tronic side-project of another Chevron member, will also perform. never changed. He fell asleep and awoke to a o one makes music like They Might All of the bands performing at the benefit strange futuristic world, but still no girl. “I Am Be Giants and in the words of will be on the CD, along with many others, Not Your Broom” and “I Am A Grocery Bag” Martha Stewart, it’s a good thing. such as Colorado’s Ken and Tracer and are sure to be hits in your house. The duo of John Flansburgh and John Linnell Blake Brown. “Most of the bands were cho- Of course, there’s the title track, which has 20 years behind them, 10 albums, 13 sen by submission and we asked some of the tells it like it is about that bane of childhood, music videos and six TV theme songs and bigger names to be on the CD and kind of got the word “No.” “If they say ‘no’ it means a shows no sign of stopping. The two recently the name out,” says Jevon. “It’s cool because thousand times no. No plus no equals no. All won a Grammy for the theme song to the hit we got some rare stuff, like this band The roads lead to no no no.” There’s only one song TV show “Malcolm in the Middle,” which Intima is giving us an improv track, and we’re blatantly childlike, and that’s “In The Middle they wrote and performed. So what to do next? putting on an improv track as well.” In The Middle In The Middle,” about safely A children’s record, of course. Schapendoes has been a label for two crossing the street. Luckily, the lyrics are in- With the release of No!, TMBG has pro- years, and specializes in music that often flies cluded in the CD booklet. duced a record the whole family will love. under the radar of mainstream music mags, John Linnell has also completed the CD (Trust me — my 5 year old LOVES it, and it’s from math rock to guitar-driven ambient post- State Songs. The pair has plans to release infinitely better than listening to “The Teddy punk to electronic excursions. The label Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns, which is an in- Bear’s Picnic” for the millionth time.) The 17 started up with a business loan, which the ben- dependently filmed (by award winning video songs on No! are rhythmic and catchy, with efit will help pay back. producer A.J. Schnack) documentary captur- engaging lyrics and topics interesting enough The label is focusing on this project for ing the band on stage, on the road and in the to keep everyone happy. “Fibber Island” is a now and will likely take a break after the May studio. TMBG will appear May 2 at the place you get to just by closing your eyes, releases. Meanwhile, Jevon says Chevron McDonald Theatre. where some very wacky things happen. “Our members still have the desire to find a quiet, You’ll laugh. You’ll dance. You’ll scratch dog is two miles wide and all he talks about is small-town hideaway and do nothing but your head in wonderment. You’ll be hooked. pie” and “We swim on the ground, wheels are record music: “We’re definitely going to be On Saturday May 3, local start-up record label square not round. We eat chocolate by the out of here by fall, we just still haven’t decided Schapendoes Records will have a benefit pound.” where. We’re looking for no distractions. We show at Samurai Duck. Proceeds from the “Four of Two” tells the story of a man who just want to live together in a low-stress place event will go toward two of the label’s future went to meet a date but the time on the clock Giant Show N and record music for a year and hopefully come up with something cool.” Catch them while you can. Make sure you save some time this week- end for the 12th annual Fiesta Latina, held at Washington-Jefferson Park. Celebrations begin Friday at 6 pm with a performance by Raw Action Breakdance Crew, followed by local favs Los Mex Pistols del Norte. The Pistols, Eugene’s own kings of Mariachi, never fail to satisfy the audience with their electric approach to traditional Mexican bull- ring and Mariachi music. The always-popular Salsa Dance Contest semi-finals will also be held Friday. Headlining the Friday night bill is Seattle’s Yerbabuena. This 11-piece band, based in Seattle, is making their Eugene debut this year. The group presents fantastic dance music from Cuba: son, danzón, chachachá and salsa. The party begins anew Saturday at noon with dancers from local schools, followed by the tropical rhythms of Son Melao. Trío Ritmo y Romance will perform romantic ballads. Traditional Mexican dance in authentic cos- tumes will follow. Don’t miss Mexican group Banda Vagos or the Salsa Dance Contest Finals. Eugene’s Caliente will close the festival Saturday night. Come back Sunday at noon for Lo Nuestro and an encore performance by Bando Vagos. Orme Iré, an ensemble of Cuban percussionists, singers and dancers, will rumba the festival to a close. Many Spanish-speaking cultures will be represented at the wonderful food booths. Jewelry, cloth- ing and arts and crafts will draw your eye. Children’s events include pottery demonstra- tions, piñata making and breaking, clowns, magicians and more. This is an alcohol-free event designed to bring a sense of the excite- ment of a Latino street fair to the entire com- munity. The sights, sounds and tastes of the festival will delight all ages from 1 to 101! Children 12 and under are free, while adults pay a suggested donation of only $3. LTD is offering free shuttle bus rides every 20 minutes to the festival from downtown. ew Chao Pra Ya The Best Thai Cuisine • 26 Lunch Specials Only $5.95 • Huge Vegetarian Selections • Lunch & Dinner • Family Owned Dine In or & Operated. Take Out 580 Adams St., Eugene (across from Red Apple) • 344-1706 MON-FRI Lunch: 11am-3pm, Dinner: 4:30-9pm • SAT-SUN 12-9pm MAY 1, 2003 29
