Showdate: May 27th
I was driving in the trendy-third area and saw a woman walking two dogs. The breed was strange to me and I didn’t recognize it. I looked up and her T shirt said I LOVE DINGOS. Easy shit. Not like why The John Butler Trio isn’t more popular. Judging from the crowd here and in DC, he must still be under the college/frat party radar. And, really, I should have rolled down the window and talked to dingo lady. She was probably pretty rad.
New show friends tonight! Way fun. Prefunc at Kenny and Zuke’s was awesome, deli and beer. Random meet up with my friend’s ex brother-in-law. And a panhandle attempt by a girl claiming to be Satan and wanting to borrow my soul for a quarter. Oh, crazy Portland.
Beer at Lola’s room.
So good.
State Radio opened and was good. Mostly. Their recorded stuff was a mind-bending array of genres that made me wonder if the whole thing was a joke. But, it was solid enough. Inspiring enough to return to Lola’s for more happy beer drinking. Speaking pure truth, their set was about 3 songs too long. Or, I was thirsty.
John Bulter Trio. This is their second consecutive night at the Crystal. Walking to the show, the streets were scrambling for tickets, so the show must have gone clean for walk up business. Place was packed. Smoky. We are hanging in the Over-21 section by the bar.
I have to say, It has been awhile since I’ve seen this quantity and quality of herb being smoked out in the open at a concert venue in Portland. About half way through the show they turned on fans behind me. Felt like a marijuana wind tunnel. Groovy.
Seems like everyone I play John Butler Trio for likes them. Maybe people are humoring me?
The John Butler Trio is a three piece. Go figure. Drums/percuss, bass, and guitar/vox. The rhythm section is different than my last go around. I appreciated the band incorporating Portland into their stage banter. They genuinely seem to like this city. During the drummers solo he started a Voo-doo Do-nuts chant. And John said he liked Portland because we had “style”. Awwwwwwwww.
I didn’t write a set list because I wanted to enjoy the show. So I guess here is when I start my mash note to the JBT. This band is really good live. Way above average. Go. Get a minor buzz from whatever floats your boat and have a good time. It really is impossible not to. If you don’t, I’m sorry, but you probably suck.
