A lo-fi trip down memory line

Indie pop quartet Nucular Aminals has created a buzz not only from its independent style, but its extensive 2010 tour, which has the group playing a large number of shows in Portland and the Northwest, as well as destinations like Kansas City, Mo.

Nucular Aminals is made up of Erin Schmith, Wiley Hickson, Jheremy Grigsby and Robert Comitz III. The group, who came up from California after struggling to find show opportunities and lacking a vehicle, has fit in perfectly in the Portland scene and plans on taking advantage of that fit in the coming months.

“Jheremy, Erin and Robert started playing music together in San Francisco in 2007,” Comitz said. “We played some shows there but it is hard to play shows in the city sometimes. We moved up to Portland in 2008 and met Wiley here. We have been playing together for a year and a half now and are starting to get each other’s chemistry for writing now.”

The band has released multiple recordings, including a seven-inch and a cassette tape. Currently, the group is planning for a release of a full-length album this summer. When it comes to writing, the band has many influences including friends and situations particular to its environment.

Nucular Aminals is not easily narrowed down to a particular genre or style. Each track mixes pop, rock and possibly the hint of folk, which has made its style unidentifiable yet still consistent.

Tonight Nucular Aminals will play at East End, a venue the band has performed at before and looks forward to visiting again. Though Portland is known for great indie venues, Comitz and the band feel that East End is one of the best performing spaces around.

“…the staff there are nothing but nice…one of our three favorite places to play. The others are Duckett’s and The Know,” Comitz said.

Nucular Aminals has a lot to look forward to with a June tour coming up and a possible release this summer. The band hopes that the diversity of cities and venues on its upcoming tour will increase its fan base and help to sell the group’s latest releases in preparation for new material.

“We are looking forward to our tour in June…to all of the shows on the tour,” Comitz said. “We will be traveling to many places that we have never been so it will be an adventure. Just hope the van is nice to us, as we are nice to the van.”

With the support of the band’s tour vehicle, Nucular Aminals hopes to move to the next level after its extensive tour with new venues and audiences.

Nucular Aminals will perform tonight with Jacuzzi Boys, Total Bros and Orca Team—a lineup of four bands that will be sure to draw excitement and a solid turnout at the southeast Portland venue. With diverse styles from each band and a venue that is an enjoyable viewing and performing experience, tonight’s show with Nucular Aminals is not one to miss.