Kula’s korner

It’s tough to build up star power in Portland. Unless your jeans are painted on or you happen to know all the right people, most would-be fans don’t give much of a rip, even if you have semi-obscure unsung rock heroes in your band.

Dangerous Boys Club features members of bands who were making aggressive emo back before emo meant peacock hair and angled washed-out photographs.

Rounding up the best weekend shows so you don’t have to!
Nasum dares you to know them.
COURTESY OF TerÉse Andersson/Nasum
Nasum dares you to know them.
Friday, May 25
Dangerous Boys Club, Bestial Mouths, Hot Victory

It’s tough to build up star power in Portland. Unless your jeans are painted on or you happen to know all the right people, most would-be fans don’t give much of a rip, even if you have semi-obscure unsung rock heroes in your band.

Dangerous Boys Club features members of bands who were making aggressive emo back before emo meant peacock hair and angled washed-out photographs.

Vocalist Aaron Montaigne and bassist Mac Mann composed half of emo legends Antioch Arrow, while Montaigne spent time in the traps for equally awesome band Heroin. Drummer Mark Burden played for Get Hustle and one of this writer’s favorite local bands ever, Silentist.

Finally, guitarist Sam Ott spent time in the Fucking Angels. Because every single band member did time working in a band on now-legendary Gravity Records, you can bet this show will be smashing, even if it is in the pint glass-sized Ella St. Social Club.

Ella St. Social Club
714 SW 20th Pl.
9 p.m.
$5
Ages 21+

Saturday, May 26
Blow Pony, feat. DJs Airick, Just Dave and Linoleum

Let me put it bluntly because nothing at Blow Pony is subtle: Blow Pony is a sexy, filthy, teetering-on-the-edge-of-madness queer dance party. And if you can’t jive with all of those words, then Blow Pony isn’t for you. Trust me.

Because they feature such an excellent array of DJs, you will not leave Blow Pony dry. You see, Blow Pony is so good they often travel, taking their cabaret on the road to play in other cities. They recently made a stop in Vancouver, British Columbia, to a huge crowd.

One of Blow Pony’s resident dancers, Charley, was recently the subject of several elaborate guerilla graffiti pieces all the way over in Rome, Italy. With plans to tour in Europe, it is needless to say that Blow Pony will only be ours for so long. Get in while you can!

Rotture
315 SE Third Ave.
9 p.m.
$5
21+

Sunday, May 27
Nasum, From Ashes Rise, Massgrave, Night Nurse

If you listen to aggressive music and you don’t know who Nasum is, your credibility is in serious jeopardy. In fact, if you don’t already have tickets to this show, we owe you a headshake. Put the paper down and go buy them. We’ll wait.

Along with Napalm Death, Nasum are often credited as the godfathers of the grindcore scene. Because they’re from Sweden, we must also concede that Scandinavia is responsible for every genre of heavy music ever.

Unfortunately, the huge tsunami of 2004 killed the band’s iconic singer, Mieszko Talarczyk. Keijo Niinimaa of Rotten Sound will be taking his place, but just for this one tour.

Oh yeah, about this tour: It will be the last time you see Nasum in any form, ever. That said, the word is out. Don’t let your friend that works at Sizzle Pie be the only one bragging about getting to see Nasum.

Branx
320 SE Second Ave.
8 p.m.
$12 advance;
$15 day of
All ages

Sunday, May 27
Kurt Vile and the Violators, Black Bananas, Cyclotron

Kurt Vile is known affectionately as the “hipster Bruce Springsteen.” In fact, the mere mention of this comparison is often enough to draw an unfathomable amount of ire from some of Vile’s most dedicated followers.

If Vile truly is this generation’s Springsteen, then the Violators are his E Street Band. The Violators are somewhat of a rare touring accessory; the last time Vile appeared here with his band of merry men, the date was 2009 and Eat Skull opened. Tonight, you can relive the glory of 2009.

Did I mention Black Bananas is opening? It’s a new band fronted by Jennifer Herrema, formerly of the band Royal Trux. Should be a good’er!