Macho Boy - Black Water Bar, Portland OR - January 6, 2017



[Portland OR] Wow – this show was a balm for my weary weary soul. First you’re entranced by the short thick-ish female shouting out the vocals in truly unique gear: white mom jeans, weird white t-shirt tucked into jeans (kind of a neo nazi look), yellow-white buzzcut but extending down into a v around her head, but best of all little black dashes on her upper cheek that somehow make her look like an artsy sailor. Oh I had definitely noticed her in the audience beforehand. So she planted herself in front of the stage in the thick of people, who all politely stepped back to give her space – and dedicated herself to shouting fiercely for the next half hour (another great thing about this otherwise lackluster venue, very short sets). Ultimately, though, I decided she was mostly punk-eye-candy – her ambiance was terrific. Her vocals were ok – tiresome – maybe the sound. But this band’s sound was FANTASTIC – super fast, super tight, and interesting. First, there was a mid-aged man, not a scenester, playing guitar with an I’m-doing-my-taxes sort of expression, which I respected. Then there there was a thinner guy in a Dropdead (?) t-shirt playing drums, making O-grimaces – exciting. But my favorite – be still my heart favorite – was the badass glorious bassist – a semi-Latina with long dark hair and thick bangs, all-seeing eyes and pursed lips all the while pumping hard on the guitar. Not to mention her Dead Moon t-shirt – she knows music and she’s loyal to Portland. Just so modestly glamorous and restrained with the the soul of a rocker and effortless glamour. The highlight was when she spoke between sets to say maybe some of us know where she works? Anyway her coworker/boss, a Portland senator (all senatored out), was in the audience and it’s his last day as a senator, and he fights the good fight, if we could give him a clap. What a heartbreaker (the Latina bassist of course!)

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