Saturday Afternoon Record Shopping in Portland.

My wife went out of town this weekend, so after I woke up at 3:30PM from my standard Saturday afternoon nap, I thought I'd go check out the new Green Noise on Gladstone, because I didn't have much else I had to do, and I'd been meaning to go take in their new digs.

When I moved to Portland in 1998, I lived about two blocks from where Green Noise is now. Of course, at the time, I think they were still based in Eugene, which is where I was moving from. I still remember buying my grey-marbled vinyl copy of Fugazi's End Hits from Green Noise in Eugene. Neat story, I know. They were over on Clinton St. for a long time before they recently moved, and they were somewhere else before that (here in Portland), but now I can't recall where. Anyway, they're over on 38th and Gladstone now, and along with a few other shops, they seem to be cleaning up that little area quite nicely. When I lived over there it was just boarded-up shops and an alterations store that looked like a great place to get gutted.

So, yeah, I went over there. It seems like there's less square footage than there was at the Clinton St. location, and it doesn't have that lived-in feel to it yet, but I'm sure they'll get there. There's no upstairs bargain area anymore, which I will miss. But, you know, it's still the same ol' Green Noise. Sometimes there's a ton of shit there that I want, and sometimes I can't find much at all. Today was one of those days. I poked around for an hour and ended up getting one thing:

Royal Trux - Cats and Dogs (1993)

This is the 2010 reissue, and I'd prefer to have the 1993 original, but this was used for eight bucks so I picked it up. If I ever see an original copy I'll probably get it and get rid of this, but I haven't felt the need to actively pursue this one too bad. Though I do love this record. The repress looks exactly like the original (aside from a "0" missing from the catalog number on the spine), so it's not like I'm missing out on anything.

There were a few other things at Green Noise that I had my eye on, but nothing I couldn't live without. But, of course, I wasn't satisfied, so I decided to head over to Crossroads because I hadn't been there in months.

As usual, I found way too much stuff there and had to actually put some stuff back, which sucked, but it wasn't anything I'm kicking myself for now. There were also a few things that I wanted but couldn't pull the trigger on because of the price, most notably this:

12" single from Naughty by Nature when they were still known as The New Style. 30 bucks. Ugh. Almost worth it for Kay Gee's incredible hi-top fade, but not quite.

I ended up spending about an hour and a half there, and aside from some dude who kept trying to talk to me about every song that the guy working there was playing ("Stevie Wonder! That's my man right there! I haven't heard this song in forever!"), it was the usual pleasant experience. I walked out with a nice little stack. Here's what I got:

Penis Surprise - The Automatic Table 7" (1992)

When you come across a record from a Finnish band called Penis Surprise from 1992, you pretty much have to buy it, right? The fact that it's a limited edition of 500, has nine songs on the first side and one on the second, and features song titles like "Homo Helpers" sealed the deal. Oh, and it was a buck. This is some really bizarre shit. It's Finnish dudes trying to sound like Dead Kennedys and not quite getting there. They also don't speak English too well. Sample lyric from "Thank You," which is 16 seconds long: "I just wanted to stare but then I had to fuck the ass/ But I don't mind 'cause anything goes/ Thank you, ten grand is here." Good stuff.

Time Killing Isabel - "Paint My Eyes" 7" (1993)

These guys were one of the more successful local Salem grunge-type bands when I was growing up there, and though I don't think I ever saw them, I definitely remember their name, even though it might just be because they appeared on one of the I-5 Killers comps. Regardless, this was a dollar, and it's on the Schizophonic label, which was based out of Salem and I think had something to do with the Dandy Warhols at some point. The record is pressed on half-black/half-green vinyl, is a limited-edition of 1000, and features "Back Against" on the B-side. And it sounds like a young Salem band from the 90's.

Gas Huffer/Red Aunts - "Teach Me to Kill"/"Cupcakes" 7" (1994)

The Gas Huffer singles just keep coming. This one is a split with the Red Aunts and features each of the bands doing a cover of a song by the other one. The Red Aunts do "Cupcakes," which is actually "Hotcakes" with the lyrics changed in some spots. It's pretty sweet. Picture disc, with the Gas Huffer dudes in lady clothing and the Red Aunts ladies in dude suits. Sympathy label.

DJ Shadow - Endtroducing... (1996)

I was almost positive the copy I got of this was a repressing, because it's in really good shape, but apparently I lucked into an original. I've been wanting a good copy of this for a while, but didn't want to pay 20 bucks for a reissue. Got this one for 12, and it's a beauty. Thick gatefold cover, inner sleeves with pictures, and two slabs of clean wax. Mo Wax label, original UK pressing. Boom.

DJ Shadow - Preemptive Strike (1998)

When it comes to DJ Shadow, I'm way more in touch with Endtroducing... and his work with UNKLE than anything else he's done, and lately I've been feeling like I need to remedy that. So, when I saw a less-than-mint copy of this 2xLP set for six bucks, I snatched it up. Haven't listened to it yet, but this is a comp of Endtroducing...-era stuff that didn't make it onto that record, so I'm excited to get to know it.

Pavement - Watery, Domestic (1992)

The last time I was at Amoeba in Hollywood there was an original press of this EP in the racks when I walked in, and I took note of it. When I went back to get it 15 minutes later, it was gone. This record's not exactly hard to find, but people try to get 20 bucks for it, and there's only four songs on it. I found this original copy today for half that, and was happy to add it to the collection. Kind of embarrassing that I didn't already own it...

RTX - RaTX (2007)

This is the LP version of RTX's Western Xterminator and features the exact same album, only with a different title for the album and the title track (it's now called "Radtimesexpress"). The Drag City website says something about a cease-and-desist order, but who knows what that's about. Anyway, I've been looking for this used for a long time and never see it, so I was happy to find it today. This is a weird-ass LP, but I like it a lot. Sleeve is plain black, the cover is a sticker, and the LP labels are blank white. Seriously: weird.

Sleigh Bells - Treats (2010)

Another one that I had been waiting to find use, and one of my major guilty pleasures over the past few years. Feel free to clown me for liking this record, but I love it. This is the picture-disc version on thick vinyl that actually sounds good, which is rare. I've been listening to a jacked digital version of this forever, so I'm glad I finally have a legit copy.

And that's pretty much it. I bought a bunch of bargain LPs, too, but they aren't worth mentioning here. Besides, I'm sure they'll pop up somewhere else eventually.

I Went to a Show: The Dwarves at Dante's (October 27, 2011)

I've been annoyingly late to the last few shows I went to - when I thought I was getting there with time to spare - so this time around, I figured I'd show up a little earlier than usual. My pal (who was nice enough to go with me to the show so my wife didn't have to) and I got to Dante's at about 9:30, and the opening band wasn't even setting up yet. I'll get it right one of these times.

Eh, whatever: it gave me time to check out the merch table, which was filled with Dwarves CDs, vinyl, DVDs, buttons, stickers, keychains, belt buckles, girls' undies, at least six different styles of t-shirts, and Blag's out-of-print novel. When it comes to merchandising, the Dwarves are at a Supersuckers level of shamelessness. But, records don't sell like they used to, so I don't fault bands for doing what they can. And the ticket prices for this show were completely reasonable, and so was the cost of the stuff they were selling, so there's nothing wrong with that.

American Friction, the opening band, came on around ten, so we didn't end up milling around for too long. They got right into it, playing a strangely stark kind of post-rock that I really liked. Not sure they were the perfect fit to open for the Dwarves, but I guess it worked to ease the already half-assing-out crowd into the night of speed-rock ahead.

As is the case at every show I go to lately, there was a hammered 55+-year-old lady dancing around by herself. She looked like someone's mom; possibly someone's grandma. My friend said to me, "I have a bad feeling we're going to see that lady's tits before the night is over." And, we did. I'll get to that.

Zeke were up next, which shouldn't be surprising to anyone, because when it comes to bands that I never intend to see but end up seeing all the time, they're at the top of the list. Their bass player couldn't find a cable to plug in with, so there was a short lull while he tried to locate one. A piss-drunk girl near the front of the stage took this as a sign that she should entertain the crowd with edgy comedy, so she hopped up there, grabbed the mic, and started in: "A white guy, an oriental, and a black rapper..." Needless to say, she did not have the audience in the palm of her hand, and her material did not "kill." She would later be ejected for trying to do it again before the Dwarves came out.
I'm not a fan of Zeke, but there is some fun to be found in watching them play ridiculously fast for 45 minutes straight. Their drummer looks like he's in pain during most of it, and during the breaks he just flips off the crowd and insults his fellow band members. So, you know, there's something for everybody.

After what felt like a little too long of a break, the Dwarves finally emerged, walking out to the "Mighty Mouse" theme and all wearing masks because, you know, it's getting close to Halloween. One thing became very clear once they had taken their places on stage: guitarist Hewhocannotbenamed was not with them. It never even occurred to me that he wouldn't be touring with them, but I've since looked it up and apparently he hasn't been playing live with them for a while now. So, that was a bummer, and instantly made me feel like I wasn't getting the true Dwarves experience. But, they tore into "Dominator," and it was pretty sweet, so I chose to enjoy it and not dwell on the conspicuous lack of spazzy dong-flappery taking place on stage.

Speaking of flappy appendages, about five songs into the Dwarves' set, Blag announced that there was a topless girl near the front of the stage, and when we looked toward where he was pointing, there she was: the grandma lady, pressed against the front of the stage, completely shirtless, with her purse still strung over her shoulder. It was initially hilarious, then unfortunate, and ultimately depressing.

The members of the band all eventually lost their masks and tore through a ton of songs from all over their catalog, during what was probably a 45-minute set. Then they left the stage and didn't play an encore. To be fair to them, I'm not sure if it was their call or the decision of the sound guy, because he was pretty quick to jump up on stage and start shutting off amps right before he turned the house music back on.

But either way: kind of lame. So, between that and the lack of Hewho, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. I did get an import 10" of theirs on red vinyl that I had been looking for, though, so that was cool. Still, it wasn't quite the show I had hoped for. There was only one small scuffle, Blag's stage-diving seemed perfunctory, and there was no male nudity. This was not the Dwarves I had been promised.

In protest, I did not buy a Dwarves belt buckle. That'll show 'em!

Friday Night Record Shopping.

It was payday for me today, and since I look for any excuse to go record shopping, that seemed like not only a good one, but one that I hadn't used in a while. After braving downtown Portland to go to the Apple Store and handle some business, I decided I better stop at Music Millennium on the way home. And after that I decided I better stop at Everyday Music, because MM didn't have 12" protective sleeves and, you know, I really needed some. The things I tell myself.

Anyway, I didn't go nuts, but I found more cool shit than I figured I might. Here's what I picked up, and I'm not going to divide it by store, because I don't feel like it. But I will divide it up by record size, starting with 10", then going to 7", and finishing with 12". Just to keep you on your toes.

Dwarves - "Fake ID" 10" (2011)

I'd been putting off mail-ordering this record for almost six months, and I'm glad I did, because I got it for the mail-order price, but didn't have to pay the shipping. I'm a bit surprised that Music Millennium had this, but there it was. I also saw that they had a copy of the new Dwarves LP, too. Maybe my special order from last month inspired them. And yes, it was a proud moment walking up to the counter with this one.

Thick-ass 10" on pink marbled vinyl, double-sided cover, and three songs from the new record, and two that are exclusive to this release. They are "Fruit Boots" and "I'm Not Dead," and they are pretty sweet. Apparently there's also another 2011 German import 10" floating around that has another unreleased track on it, and I saw rumblings online that someone bought it at a recent show. I'm going to see the Dwarves on Thursday, so maybe I'll be able to pick it up. Looking forward to that, by the way.

Gas Huffer - "Firebug" 7" (1989)

The Huff! If I'm not mistaken, this is Gas Huffer's debut release. They were one of the first bands that I saw at a "real" rock show when I was a teen (the same show at which I first saw the Supersuckers), and I bought a Gas Huffer shirt there that used this same lettering but had a different design. (It's this one, though I don't know how long that link will last.) The shirt even glowed in the dark. I still have it somewhere. Anyway, this single was two bucks, it's on black vinyl, and it's pretty sweet.

Shellac - The Rude Gesture a pictorial history 7" (1993)

One of two Shellac purchases I made tonight, which is sort of out of the blue, I guess. But, I don't often come across their stuff used, and so I figured I'd give it a go. This is actually their first release ever, a hand-stamped (and smeared) single that comes in an envelope-type sleeve with an insert that has, not shockingly, overly extensive liner notes. Black vinyl on the Touch & Go label.

Scrawl - "Your Mother Wants to Know" 7" (1993)

I bought Scrawl's He's Drunk LP a few months ago at Music Millennium (I thought I wrote about it here but I can't find it), and actually enjoyed it quite a bit. It's lady-rock from the 90's, and it's rough but fun. Came across this 7" for two bucks at MM tonight, and thought I'd add to my collection. The fact that it has this weird fold-y cover sealed the deal. Couple of cool songs on black vinyl, and a fellow beardo who was up in the record room with me complimented me on the choice, so I knew I had struck two-buck gold.

Eddy & The Back Nine - Improving Our Lie 7" (1993)

Ed Fotheringham, backed by Flop. When it comes to records that I have known about and wanted to hear for almost 20 years but never made it a real priority to actually do that, this would be on that list. Fotheringham is Australian (I always forget that), and his accent comes in and out on these punky songs about golf and washing dishes. Four tracks, black vinyl, fold-open cover with full lyrics and a little bit of Fotheringham art, on Steve Turner's Super Electro label. I'm actually really excited about this one.

The Spinanes - "Madding" 7" (1996)

Another Spinanes single to add to my slowly growing collection. This one has the "single version" of "Madding," which is the first track from their Strand LP. I think it just cuts out some of the noise at the beginning of the album version. The B-side is "10 Metre Platform," which appears to be a non-album track. These are both slow, really textural songs, and I may have to wait until it's dark and raining before I really embrace them. But when the time comes, I will know. And I will weep solemnly. Black vinyl, Sub Pop black late-90's label.

Jonestown/J Church - J Town Revisited 7" (1992)

I had no idea this record even existed. Not that I should have, but it's a combo of two groups who are somewhat on my radar, so you think I might have seen it at some point in the last 20 years. Nope. Found it tonight, told my brother about it, and he told me he just bought it, too. Cosmic. So, yet another Jonestown 7" to add to my collection, and another song of theirs that sounds like they were really stoned when they recorded it. They're hard to nail down, and I simultaneously love them and hate them. It's a pleasure. Black vinyl on the Allied label. Boom.

Shellac - Terraform (1998)

I bought this LP from Jackpot Records sometime around 1999, on a whim, because I thought the cover was badass and it felt like it was time for me to get into Shellac. In a rare move, I sold it back to Jackpot within the year. I just didn't have the patience for it. Turns out Shellac - and particularly this record - doesn't go good with tons of beer. Anyway, I always regretted getting rid of it and told myself I'd buy it again if I found it used. Finally did. Still remains one of the most beautiful LP packages I've ever seen. Thick black vinyl; Touch & Go.

Okkervil River - I Am Very Far (2011)

Speaking of beautiful packaging, this thing is gorgeous as well. I've been wanting to hear this LP, but brand-new it's been in the $22 price range, and I guess I haven't wanted it that bad. I like the River, but it comes and goes. I found this set used tonight for 12 bucks, and that seemed reasonable. I think I got dicked out of the CD booklet that's supposed to be included, but whatever. Three sides of black vinyl with an intricate etching on the fourth side. Plus, the cover is, what do you call that? You know, raised like a relief map. Hoping the music is equally detailed.

ZZZZ - Palm Reader (2005)

After Sweep the Leg Johnny broke up, main-dude Steve Sostak formed another band with Sweep's guitar player called Check Engine. That album is sweet. This is the project he did after that one, and it features Sweep's bass player. I have been looking for this for like a year now, and when I got to the Z's at MM and it was there, I was excited. I heard the album once online a long time ago, and I remember it being weird and gypsy-y. Can't wait to get to know it better. Sostak is a stallion of the saxophone variety, and that's rare. Really glad I got this.

And, that's it. Not a bad way to spend some money on a Friday night.

I Went to a Show: Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks at the Crystal Ballroom (October 13, 2011)

I haven't gone to a show by myself in a long time, but apparently Malkmus on a Thursday night is a tough sell. So, I rolled solo to the Crystal Ballroom, and after waiting in line for a half hour to get my will call tickets (?) I climbed the stairs and found a nice spot in the all-ages section, right next to a couple that looked roughly my age and their son who looked to be about nine. Yes, us Gen-Xer's are getting old. But we're still out on the town, making it happen!

Much like my recent expedition to see the Supersuckers, I somehow managed to completely miss the opening act, so when I got there, the crew was setting up for The Jicks. They came out about 20 minutes later, said some quick hellos (this was Malkmus' return to Portland after having moved to Berlin a little over a month ago), and then launched into "Jenny and the Ess-Dog." Boom.

After that it was pretty much wall-to-wall Mirror Traffic jams for the majority of the show, but I was fine with that. Malkmus is one of those dudes who always seems to be most interested in the stuff he recently wrote and recorded (one more reason the Pavement reunion was a big surprise), which makes sense, so it's nice to see he and the band do the new shit that they're still excited about. Plus, the songs on the new record are fantastic, so I was more than happy to see them play that stuff.

In true Malkmus fashion, "Senator," the band's most recent single - the video for which was released the morning after the show - didn't make the setlist cut, because, you know, that would make too much sense. I thought that was pretty funny.

So, yeah, they played a lot of the new songs, and at least two new songs that are so new they aren't even out yet: one of 'em was "Surreal Teenagers," which they played as a web exclusive for Jimmy Fallon recently. They also played Neil Young's "Mr. Soul" (I did not recognize that one, but have since figured out what it was), and a raaaaandom cover of the Sweet's "Love is Like Oxygen," which Malkmus was snickering through, but you could tell he secretly enjoyed the shit out of it.

The weirdest moment of the night was their performance of "Real Emotional Trash," which started out fairly standard, and then spiraled into an all-over-the-place jam that found the band looking at Malkmus, trying to figure out what the hell he was doing, and attempting to follow. If you know the song, you know it's long to begin with, and has a bunch of different parts. This time they just did the first few verses, went into the jam part, and never came back out. They rattled around for what felt like 15 minutes, and eventually it sputtered out. I really like the mid-section vamp in that song, so I was a bit bummed to have that excised, but whatever.

They also did "Baby C'mon," either as the last song or part of the encore. A random smattering of songs as always, but a strong bunch. Malkmus was freewheelin' on the guitar all night, and it was damn fun to watch. Dude's got some fancy fingerwork.

Not a bad way to spend an evening out on the town by yourself.

I Went to a Show: Supersuckers at the Hawthorne Theatre (October 2, 2011)

Sunday night with the Supersuckers. I'm sure I've spent a Sunday with the 'Suckers before, but I can't remember when.

Because I don't go to many Sunday night shows, I failed to take into account that the gig would be starting early, so my friend and I arrived at 10, which meant we missed both opening bands and got there about five minutes before Eddie and the boys took the stage. That was fine, but it was $15 to get in, and I kind of wished we would have caught one more of the acts to get our money's worth. But, whatever. At least we didn't miss any of the band we were there to see.

My pal hadn't seen the Supersuckers in years, so he was a great candidate for seeing their show. He knows most of their catalog, doesn't know what to expect, and is happy that the band is still doing it at all. Me? I'm happy they're still doing it, but their shows have been semi-predictable for years, so I don't go into 'em anymore expecting to be surprised by any of the material they whip out. There's always that random show where they play that random song, but for the most part, they stick to the tried-and-true numbers that the fans expect. I could complain about that forever, but I've made my peace with it: I know what I'm going to get when I go to a Supersuckers show, and I just sit back and enjoy it. If they play something that I didn't think I'd hear that night, it's a treat. If not, I at least get to watch Dan Bolton be awesome.

They didn't wow us with any deep cuts on Sunday night, but they did play three or four new songs, so that was something. I'm not going to pass judgment on them until I hear the album versions, but my initial take is that they sound a lot like the stuff from the last record, so you can take that as you like. Speaking of their new stuff, Eddie said they're finishing up their new record, and it should be out next year. We shall see.

This show was the third or fourth in what is to be a massive tour, and maybe they were just getting warmed up, but they didn't seem crazy-excited to be there. It wasn't the most packed gig, so maybe that was part of it. I don't know. It wasn't a bad show; just a standard one, I guess.

But I had a good time, as I always do. Bolton looks like he's trimmed up a little bit, and his guitar work was on point. And like I said earlier, I'm always down to watch The Steak wreak havoc on his Gold Top.

They're coming back to Portland for New Year's Eve, so it looks like I'll once again be ringing in the new year with the Supersuckers. And Reverend Horton Heat, apparently. My wife couldn't be happier.

I'm going to at least two more shows this month, so I'll be reporting on those soon. Stay tuned.

Guest Post: Record Shopping at Toxic Ranch in Tucson.

(Ed. note: This is another guest post from my brother Pocaroba, who is angry at my lack of entries and apparently taking matters into his own hands. Enjoy!)

I moved to Tucson, AZ almost five years ago after spending my entire life in Salem/Portland, OR. People from back home are always telling me that Tucson is a super hip, musical town. Either that is true and I am too old to know it or they are sadly misinformed; because I have learned over these past five years that record shopping in Tucson is a rather lame affair.

We have a few Zia Records shops, which are basically less cool Music Millenniums with a good DVD selection. As for records, they basically have overpriced new vinyl and the standard used classic rock stuff. There is also a chain of stores called Bookman's that only sell used items and their vinyl selection is small and mostly 70s and 80s stuff. You know, Billy Joel records for five bucks, that kind of thing. Twist & Shout Records is a cool place but, once again, I am not a classic rock guy, and that is their bread and butter. Our best record shop, PDQ Records, closed months ago and to be honest, they were way too overpriced for me to be a regular there anyway. So what is an aging NW indie rock hipster to do? Go to Tucson's best and only cool record store Toxic Ranch, of course.

Toxic Ranch is my kind of place. It is located off of Tucson's only hip street, 4th Ave. It is surrounded by disgusting houses, a sketchy tattoo shop and ample amounts of broken glass. The house two doors down has a sign above the door that reads, "This Is Not A Crash Pad." No joke. When you enter Toxic Ranch, two things hit you: they have no A/C and it smells 30 years old. Both of these are good signs when you're searching for sweet records. With no A/C, shopping there is somewhat of an endurance test. I spent roughly an hour there today and was drenched with sweat by the end.

Toxic Ranch's specialty is punk. They carry no hip-hop, jazz, blues, rock or anything else. They have about 80% punk and 20% indie rock. It's heaven. Their vinyl selection is pretty small but solid with the only complaint being that they have very little used vinyl. The average LP price is 13 bucks, so it's easy to pull the trigger. They also have a nice 45 selection which I usually gravitate towards first. Their CD selection is amazing as far as punk goes but the 15-20 dollar prices make it more of a museum type feel for me. Look but don't touch. Aside from the music, they have shirts, buttons, patches, comics, and zines that look like they have been there since 1993. Speaking of, I'm pretty sure that they were a record label in the '90s and have some kind of Jack Endino connection.

Whatever, here is what I picked up today.

One Last Wish - 1986 (2008)

They had a healthy supply of Dischord releases and I decided to go for this one over the 3 "Dark Days Coming" LP that I was coveting. There's always next time. One Last Wish were a band for 5 minutes in 1986 (clever title, huh?). Basically, after Rites of Spring broke up, Guy Picciotto, Brendan Canty and Edward Janney, all of Rites of Spring, decided to form a new band with the guitarist from Embrace. Kind of makes you think that there were only like 15 actual musicians in Washington DC at the time. Anyway, I've had their song from the "State of the Union Compilation" for years and, even though this full-length was recorded way back in 1986, Dischord didn't release it until 3 years ago. The sweet cover art and the promise of a digital download sealed the deal. Pretty excited to get into this as it is Guy and Canty's last stuff before Fugazi. The 15-year-old Me would have killed for this thing back in the day.

Crackerbash - Crackerbash (1992)

My brother, you know, the Stallion Alert guy, had this CD back in the day and I used to sneak into his room and listen to it when he wasn't home. I was spoiled with incredible NW music in my youth. I mean, there is even a song on here called "Gresham." Anyway, Crackerbash are a great example of a band that were huge in their area and probably nowhere else. I've always thought that this album was way too front-loaded and kind of drops off towards the end but still, the first six songs are unstoppable. Later people would try to act like frontman Sean Croghan was some kind of emo-guy but I never bought that, as none of his songs seem to be about chicks. I think dude is just kind of a spaz live. Still can't believe I found this LP used for five bucks in Tucson. The sleeve has some pretty heavy wear but I am more than glad to see it in my collection.

Porn Orchard - "Chain Delivery" 7" (1988)

So yeah, I am a closet Porn Orchard fan. They have a sweet song on the Teriyaki Asthma compilation and I have been fascinated by them ever since. I have their two C/Z records full-lengths and was excited to find this single, which seems to have been released three years before their albums. Porn Orchard are from Athens, GA and play a weird math rock-metal-grunge-hardcore style of rock that fascinates me to no end. I'm especially interested in side two of this thing as they include two one-minute songs, which is weird since most of their songs are in the four minute range. The sleeve is noteworthy in that it is upside down. The fold is at the top of the artwork. I have never seen this done on a 45 before. You have to hope that it was a printing mistake and not just stupidity.

godheadSilo - "Elephentitus of the Night" 7" (1994)

My main complaint about shopping for records in Arizona is that I rarely come across stuff from the NW. So when I was flipping through 45s today and came across this my heart jumped a beat. The five dollar price tag felt fantastic and I couldn't pull it off the shelf fast enough. If you don't know godheadSilo then you are missing out. At a time when it seemed like no Olympia band had a bass player this two man outfit decided to have no guitar player and released some of the heaviest odes to BMXing ever committed to wax. Speaking of wax, from the looks of this 45, I don't think this thing has ever been played. Outstanding.

Chicken - "TV Telefiend" 7" (1992)

As I was still reveling in my NW rock score, imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this 45 by 90s Seattle punk band Chicken. Chicken are interesting for a few reasons. One is that they have five members. You just don't see that all that much in the punk world. Two guitar players seems to be quite decadent for a genre that looks down upon guitar soloing but what are you going to do? Two is that Chicken has to be one of the worst band names for a band that is actually good. Out of all the band names that you kicked around at band practice, Chicken is the best one that the five of you could come up with? Hmm. This 45 has totally different artwork than the one on discogs but seems to be the same release. Those wacky punks! Did I mention that it's on clear yellow vinyl? No? Because it is.

Jonestown - "You Can't Swim With Handcuffs On..." 7" (1991)

I have been somewhat fascinated by Jonestown ever since hearing their incredible song on the Teriyaki Asthma compilation. Judging by their "Twenty Five Years" 7" and this 7", that incredible song was the fluke in their catalog. However, I will continue to amass their releases in order to prove this claim untrue. I refuse to believe it. By the by, I really like the artwork and title on this thing. Well done.

Asspiss - "Fuck Off And Die" 7" (2009)

Aside from the Crackerbash LP, this was really the crown jewel of my purchases today. First of all, the band is called Asspiss. Genius. The punk world hasn't produced a band name this brilliant since the angels delivered Anal Cunt on a flaming pie. As if the name wasn't enough they went ahead and named their release "Fuck Off And Die." You don't give a shit. Message received. The kicker to this thing was that it is on white marble vinyl. According to one of the seemingly endless inserts this is the rarest of the colors that the record was released in. Excellent. As for the inserts, there is a page about the band from the label, a page about the band from the band, three label stickers, two "Asspiss" stencils for your graffiti pleasure and an "Asspiss" sticker. You have to love the dedication of these crusty punk bands. They certainly give you a lot of bang for your three bucks.

In addition to these records I also bought issue 13 of "Short, Fast and Loud" magazine, which makes "Maximum Rock N Roll" look like "Rolling Stone." The promise of an interview with the drummer of one my favorite crusty punk bands, Despise You, is what sucked me in. After perusing it for a while I realized that the issue is from 2005. That thing sat on a shelf for six years waiting for me to pick it up. And I did.

Recent Purchases/Doing My Part to Support Music Millennium.

Yep, just doing my part. This is the rationale I'm using for the amount of time and money I've been spending there lately.

While I've been known to scour the bargain bins at Everyday Music, I realized I really only go there because they're open late. I much prefer Music Millennium. Not only is it a Portland institution, but the people there are always really nice, they do a great job with special orders, and they keep their stock well-organized and easy to look through. Their prices are reasonable (especially for used stuff), and I always feel good about spending my money there.

And I've been doing a lot of that lately. But it's all for the good of supporting not only a record store, but my favorite record store, and a treasured local business. I'd really be a dick if I wasn't spending all the money I can there. Right?

Oh, the things I tell myself. Anyway, I just got back from picking up some stuff I special ordered from there, so I figured I'd blog it out. Extra bonus from tonight's excursion: they're having a 20% off all vinyl sale this week. Again: I'd be crazy not to take advantage of a deal like that, right? Right?

Here's what I picked up.

Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (2011)

I may never love the music on this record as much as everyone else seems to, but man, the Beasties never disappoint when it comes to putting out vinyl versions of their releases. This thing is amazing: A bulky gatefold cover that houses two 180 gram slabs of white vinyl, a bonus 7" (also on white vinyl, with a vintage-looking Capitol sleeve and label), a t-shirt iron-on, thick inner sleeves with complete lyrics, and a code for a high-quality digital download of the entire thing. I guess this is the reason thing only came out on LP a few days ago. It's pretty. And the price wasn't outrageous.

Other nerdy things worth mentioning about it: It came in one of those plastic sleeves with a perforation along the top, so you just tear that part off, and you've already got a protective sleeve for it. Also, the inner sleeves have the opening on the side (instead of the top), which is the way all LPs should be if you ask me. And, the lyrics are color-coded, with a key indicating which color text goes with which member of the group. Seriously: well done.

Joe Lally - Why Should I Get Used to It (2011)

This came out in April, and since I'm apparently really clueless, I didn't find out about it until a few weeks ago. I've been listening to it on Spotify, but I was jonesing to purchase it so I could really dive into it. This is the third solo LP Lally's put out since Fugazi went on hiatus, and he's done a great job of advancing his sound on each one. I can't say too much about this one because I've only heard it a few times, but it seems more revved up than his previous work, which is cool. If you're looking for something different than anything else you're listening to, give ol' Joe a shot. Also came with a free download of the album.

Dwarves - The Dwarves are Born Again (2011)

I thought the doo-ragged woman behind the counter at MM might look down her nose at me for this one, but instead she said something like "How great is it that the Dwarves are still putting out records?" I agreed with her. A guilty pleasure of mine, but a pleasure nonetheless. This came with an insert with a collage and full lyrics, a digital download, and a DVD that, in girly writing on it, says "Dear Blag, your balls are huge!" Yes, it's all very mature.

Raekwon - Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (2011)

I've been listening to this album for months, so I figured I should probably pony up the dough for the vinyl version. Never saw it in any stores, but MM was able to order it for me. Double LP, clear red vinyl, no credits to be found on it, and no download included. Fairly bare bones, but I'm glad I got it. Good album, but not as good as his last one, which is why people are probably treating it like a slight disappointment. But they shouldn't. It's solid.

Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat (2006)

Wow, has it really been five years since this came out? I think I bought this for my wife-back-when-she-was-my-girlfriend when it came out, because we have the CD. Found it on LP tonight used, and the price was already right, but with the additional 20% it was very right, so went for it. One more CD replaced with an LP, and one more CD I can trade in for a DVD or something. It's the circle of life.

The Gories - I Know You Fine, But How You Doin' (1994)

When it comes to bands that make me look cool for being into them, The Gories are right up there with Royal Trux. Truth be told, I only got into The Gories because the Supersuckers covered two of their songs: "Nitrogycerine" and "The View from Here" (that one's on the Junkyard Dogs album). I'm not a big garage rock guy, but I do dig this record. I've never seen it priced as low as it was tonight (six bucks...?), so I grabbed it.

Quasi - American Gong (2010)

I keep a list in my phone of LPs I need to buy, and this one has been #2 on the list, right under Surfer Blood, for about a year. Can't really remember why. You know those records where you'd gladly pay eight bucks for it used, but there's no way in hell you're paying 12 for it new? This was one of those. (I think the Surfer Blood one might be, too.) I've been keeping my eye open for a used copy for a while, and I finally found one tonight. Includes a big fold-out poster printed on newspaper stock with scrawled lyrics. No track listing on the cover, and the name of the band and album only appear on the spine. Bold move.

All right. I've purchased other records from the Millennium lately, and I'll talk about that stuff in another post soon.