Out of the park

You may know the Popular Music Board as the purveyors of Portland State’s “Noon Gigs,” the twice-weekly midday shows in the Park Blocks and Parkway North. But the show put on by the PMB this weekend is a long way from just giving students something to do while they wolf down some falafel.

An offshoot of the Elephant Six collective, neo-psychedelic rockers Of Montreal are a nationally-renowned act, on a national tour promoting their latest disc, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destoyer? They’ll take the stage Tuesday night at the Wonder Ballroom courtesy of the PMB.

“I met Matt Dawson [Of Montreal’s bassist] last fall and we chatted about the possibility of a Popular Music Board-produced Of Montreal show,” said Monica Garcia, the PMB’s program coordinator. “I’d already been talking to Justin [Bernstine, SALP adviser] about how the university he attended did really big shows in the football stadium, and I wanted to do something big for PSU.”

The PMB has been a fixture of PSU culture for years. The noon gigs attract solid local bands like Swallows and Pocket Parade, and give up-and-comers a chance to get some exposure. They’re also behind the scenes of pretty much any student event that requires a microphone and speakers, offering equipment and sound techs for events on campus. Last year, PMB even ventured off campus a bit, booking some after-hours shows at Holocene with the likes of DJ Shortcut, RJD2 and Chicks on Speed. But a show with a major indie band at a nearly 800-capacity venue is serious increase in the board’s scope and scale.

“Typically the PMB puts on three or four smaller after-hours shows throughout the year, but Of Montreal was too good of an opportunity to pass up,” Garcia said.

Because the PMB is producing the show, it sets the ticket price and takes all the proceeds from sales, Garcia explained. General admission for the show is $14, but PSU students with ID can pick up tickets for just $7. Because the Wonder Ballroom is a Ticketmaster outlet, the student discount tickets can be offered through the box office on campus. So far, ticket sales for the show have been good, Garcia said, and the PMB expects to recoup most of the expenses for putting on the show.

“If it’s successful, it may start a new era for the PMB,” Garcia said. “I hope that other promoters see this and say, ‘Hey yeah, that’s a good promotion. Let’s give discounts for PSU students.'”

Opening the PMB to off-campus shows has the added advantage of picking up some publicity for the board and PSU in general, fostering a connection with Portland as a whole.

“I’d like the PMB to do something every year that will compete with other shows, something that will draw a large number of music aficionados both from campus and the rest of the community,” Garcia said.

What: Of Montreal with Mattress and special guest

When: Tuesday, Feb. 6, 9 p.m.

Where: The Wonder Ballroom, 128 N.E. Russell St.

How much: $14, $7 for PSU students (with ID at PSU box office)

All ages