Show Reviews
Toothgrinder – Code Orange – Meshuggah – January 25, 2018 – Portland, Oregon – Crystal Ballroom
To say I was excited for this show is a gross understatement. I had been unaware of Meshuggah until 2004, and only discovered them after Dick Lovgren joined. I’d met Dick back in 2000 when he subbed in for Peter of In Flames at Portland’s other historic venue, The Satyricon (RIP), and I’d always followed his career. From 2004 when I first heard [...]
Gwar, Ghoul, He Is Legend, U.S. Bastards – November, 1, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Roseland Theater
An hour and a half waiting in line in the freezing cold is how it started. Just before doors, which were a bit later than listed, they separated us into “those with tickets,” and “those with will call” - I was will call. I was about the 20th person in line and bolted up to the over 21 section [...]
Demon Hunter – November 4, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
I got to the venue right at 7:00 PM, when the doors opened. It was a cold, dark, and rainy night, and to my surprise (and then horror) the line was two blocks long. Behind me in line were three twenty-something, clean cut guys, who seemed to come from some distance. The really talkative one was giving the other [...]
Hollywood Undead, Butcher Babies, & Demrick – October 30, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Roseland Theater
Confusion plagued me when I got to the venue. Did I want to stand up front? Did I want to sit upstairs? The delay in decision-making cost me a great seat, but I did end up sitting in the balcony for the show. I was unfamiliar with Hollywood Undead, but had seen Butcher Babies several times. My photographer just kept grinning [...]
In This Moment – October 28, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Roseland Theater
In This Moment Show Review – Sunday, October 28, 2017 – Portland, Oregon It was drama at its finest at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon on October 28th, 2017. Opening the show for In This Moment were Metal Hammer Golden Gods 2017’s Breakthrough Band Award winners, Avatar. I was somewhat unfamiliar with their live show, and upon [...]
Dope/(HED) pe – October 5, 2017 – Hawthorne Theater – Portland, Oregon
(HED) pe and Dope Show Review - October 5, 2017 - Portland, Oregon Local favorites Toxic Zombie opened the show, however I unfortunately missed it due to a client call. I walked in as rap/rock locals DS8 started their first song. With some needed lineup changes, the actual band of DS8 was more of a [...]
Coldplay, Tove Lo, Alina Baraz – October 2, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Moda Center
Alina Baraz serenaded the crowd with her pretty voice and jazzy band. By the sound of her music, you’d assume she would fit right in at a small smoky jazz club, but on this night, she had the attention of Coldplay fans. She was a tiny girl on a monstrous stage, but her voice was anything [...]
Dark Tranquillity – September 30, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
Dark Tranquillity by: Susan Dusse September 30, 2017 was a night that I had been looking forward to for a long time…about a year actually. Dark Tranquillity is one of my favorite bands, and I was fortunate to have been granted an interview. I didn’t know with whom the interview would be, but I was ready for [...]
Summer Slaughter 2017 – September 30, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Bossanova Ballroom
Advertised as the most extreme tour of the year, Summer Slaughter 2017 definitely lived up to the name. Portland, Oregon, a typically mild weathered place, was hot. Really hot! The line to get in was long, but the venue was efficient. I was very far back in the line before the doors opened, worried that I’d miss Boudica. But the [...]
Nickleback / Daughtry – August 30, 2017 – Vancouver, Washington – Sunlight Amphitheater
I arrived just in time for Daughtry, unfortunately missing shaman’s Harvest. Live Nation produced, “Feed the Machine Tour” stopped in Washington/Oregon as part of their 44 date North American Tour. I wasn’t an American Idol fan and didn’t see Daughtry perform, rather, I found him after he was on his own. I looked him up after [...]
Devil Driver, 36 Crazyfists, Tetrarch – August 19, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
It was an early show on this hot August night, and I missed the first opener, Portland’s beloved Separation of Sanity. I heard there were sound check or set up issues, and SOS’s set was cut to a mere three songs. I arrived just in time to see another Portland favorite, Von Doom. Always a pleasure [...]
Incubus – August 18, 2017 – Vancouver, Washington – White River Amphitheater
Incubus, one of very few bands that can comfort you in times of sorrow, celebrate with you in times of triumph, and help you explain emotion in audible form. You can put on a particular Incubus song, and play it to someone who is asking how you are, and three to four minutes later, they will have a pretty good [...]
Harefest 6 – July 7-9, 2017 – Canby, Oregon Pat’s Acres
Harefest 6 Review - Canby Rock Festival Suzi9mm In a year pretty much void of summer rock festivals, Jason Fellman (J-Fell Presents) and Joan Monen (The Wild Hare Saloon) gave us what we needed; An outside, two-day rock festival. Publicly referred to as the “Cochella of the Pacific Northwest,” Harefest 6 was a huge success [...]
Lita Ford – June 9, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Dantes
I’d never seen Lita Ford before. I have always been jealous of her. You see, when I married at 20, I was told by my husband and his friends (ex-husband now) that during his stint in Los Angeles, in the early 80s, his hair band’s practice place was in the same building as Lita’s. Word [...]
Lamb of God, Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity – May 31, 2016 – Seattle, Washington – WaMu Theater
Today there were many 'firsts' for me. First time seeing the troll underneath the bridge in Seattle, first time seeing a show at the WaMu theater and first time seeing Clutch live. From the outside looking at the entrance to this venue, I didn't know what to expect. I could not imagine a big enough stage to fit three headline worthy [...]
Kiefer Sutherland – Not Enough Whiskey Tour – May 6th, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Mississippi Studios
It was the perfect day for a great live show in Portland. The rain had stopped, and the sun was out just long enough for everyone to go outside, feel the sun, and get happy. Mississippi Studios is located in Northeast Portland, and is exactly what you would expect. Quaint on the outside, surrounded [...]
Superjoint – May 3, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
Superjoint When Phil Ansemo comes to town, people take notice. I’ve been a Pantera fan since 1990. I know a lot about Phil…maybe more than I should as just a fan. Superjoint played the Hawthorne Theater on May 3, 2017 to a full crowd in Portland, Oregon. So, I mentioned that I am a big Phil [...]
Mayhem, Black Anvil, Inquisition – February 4, 2017 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
It was a rainy Saturday night in Portland when the “True Mayhem” descended on our fair city. I arrived at the venue alone, as none of my friends like black metal. I had seen them before and even had the opportunity to interview Necrobutcher a few years back. I have to say, it was one of the best interviews I’d [...]
Dorothy, The Georgia Flood – Portland, Oregon – January 21, 2017 – Doug Fir Lounge
First, let me say, the Doug Fir Lounge is a beautiful venue. Touted as a “hipster bar,” this modern, very Oregon venue is stunning. The woodwork, the up to date sound, and the friendly bar make the experience a very relaxing and elegant one, even void of live music. Timely, and energetically, The Georgia Flood [...]
Return of the Dreads (Korn/Zombie) – July 27, 2016 – Auburn, Washington – White River Amphitheater
Metal heads from all over the Pacific Northwest gathered in Auburn, Washington, on July 27. It was a very hot day, but no one minded as we were about to see In This Moment, KoRn, and Rob Zombie for the “Return of the Dreads Tour.” I personally have not ever seen this place so packed. In [...]
Boston and Dennis DeYoung – Saturday, July 2, 2016 – Portland, Oregon – Theater in the Clouds at Moda Center
Waiting for my ticket, I overheard the lady at the customer service booth at Moda Center say that only 3,500 tickets were pre sold for these very popular 70s-80s mega stars. Our seats were fantastic, slightly stage right, just a level or two off of the floor. The floor seating consisted of about 200 collapsible floor [...]
Ill Nino/Bobaflex – June 20, 2016 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
Rushing to the theater from work, I make it in time to see local band Simon Says Die set up, but I missed the first local band who started the show,The Intercedent from Bend, Oregon, who kicked off the night. From what I heard from other audience members, I missed a great performance so hopefully I get the chance to see [...]
KoRn/Rob Zombie/Scar The Martyr – November 5, 2015 – Yakima, Washington – Sundome
Never have I had to drive to Yakima, Washington for a show, although I would do it again for the right show. There was no way I was missing this one with Scar the Martyr, Rob motherfucking Zombie and KoRn! Taking the day off from work, we drove approximately 3 hours to reach our destination at [...]
P.O.D. – September 10, 2015 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater | MIRP
Any show during the middle of the week is always a tough gig to sell. Tonight was no exception. As a lover of music, I want to say that if you were not at this show, you missed out. Unfortunately, I can't say that. I'll start from the beginning. When I get to a venue early, I look [...]
10 Years, Islander, Starset, A Taste of Daylight W16, Skytown Riot – June 7, 2015 – Seattle, Washington – Studio 7
We made our trek to Seattle in good time. Last time we were at Studio 7 in the industrial area of Seattle was to see 10 Years a couple of years ago. Then it was a cold and rainy week day, this time it was a hot sunny day on a weekend. If you're ever in the [...]