Show Reviews
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 [...]
Spades & Blades/Better Left Unsaid – March 5, 2015 – Portland, Oregon – Tonic Lounge
Spades & Blades/Better Left Unsaid I arrived at the Tonic to see the parking lot full of Vans and the bands setting up, the crowd beginning to trickle through the door as the night began. Opening act Spades and Blades are a self-proclaimed progressive metalcore band and they threw down like they were playing in [...]
Hed PE/Powerman 5000 – January 23, 2015 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
Hed PE/Powerman 5000 Hawthorne Friday, January 23, 2015 As I come rushing in from work, and after confusion at the ticket stand, I finally make it inside when local band Amerakin Overdose takes the stage. I was glad to make it in time for their set because I haven't seen them perform for a year. You [...]
Clean Bandit/Little Daylight – September 26, 2014 – Portland, Oregon – Doug Fir
Clean Bandit/Little Daylight On this warm Friday night, I headed to the Doug Fir Lounge to see the sold out show of Little Daylight and the headlining band Clean Bandit. If you haven't been to the Doug Fir, let me set the scene for you. It’s located on East Burnside in beautiful Portland, Oregon and the venue [...]
Andrew WK, Sons of Huns, Black Snake – September 10, 2013 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
Last time I personally saw Andrew W.K was at Warped Tour a couple years ago. I remember that set because it was so much fun! I wasn't sure how the rest of the day could compete with his early show so you can imagine how excited I was for this. Unsure of what kind of opening [...]
The Acacia Strain, Within The Ruins, Fit for an Autopsy, American Me, Assyria – September 2, 2013 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
Most of the crowd heading in tonight was young. It wasn't a sold out show, but that may have been because of the Labor Day weekend and with everyone getting ready for school. So to kick off the show was Assyria. This local 5 piece band set the tone for the evening and that tone was [...]
Chimaira, The Browning – August 10, 2013 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theater
Adulteress (aka the new Ion Storm, equipped with new bassist Ben) started off the night. I hate to be the one to say it but they didn't set the bar high for the evening. Just too much seemed to be going on with their new look/image and the sound seemed off. I did enjoy the [...]