I met up Sean Woods of The Spits at Grey Gallery after he had spent three days partying in Portland before, during and after the Scion Garage Festival. Somewhere in between him spinning me a yarn about having met the Queen of England in ’95 and a glass of wine we got down to talking about the intense rock his band delivers, their new album, out after a long period silence from this very loud and outspoken band, and how the festival delivered what has come to be considered garage music - something he doesn’t feel The Spits fit under the heading of.

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This Saturday, the 17th, in Portland is going to rock more than most. Garage bands from all over the country will infiltrate four bars around downtown. There’s a healthy smattering of international acts as well, such as Thee Vicars from the UK and Mojomatics, all the way from Venice, Italy. This free one-day festival is put on by Vice Records and includes a line-up of over 30 bands all falling somewhere between death metal and rockabilly. this is sure to be a raucous good time.

Some of the bigger names on the roster feature The Black Lips, Jay Retard, and King Khan and the BBQ Show. But I’m most excited for Tennessee’s Those Darlins, Portland’s The Fresh and Onlys, Austin’s Strangeboys, and Atlanta’s Coathangers, to name a few. Some Seattle bands making the short trip South are The Spits, and The Dutchess and The Duke. Look for a few interviews with some of the kick ass acts and hopefully we’ll have some sweet images. If you haven’t gotten your wristband yet or won one from us, it may be too late. But for those of you who have, remember, no chain wallets allowed, and the bars are listed below. See you Southward!

Satyricon
125 NW 6th Ave
ALL AGES

Berbati’s Pan
231 SW Ankeny
ALL AGES

Someday Lounge
125 NW 5TH Ave
21 +

Dante’s
1 SW 3rd Ave
21 +

You've seen William Hung sing 'She Bangs' and George W. Bush sing 'Gay Bar.' But have you seen Sean Nelson sing 'Like a Virgin?'

You could.

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