Polst, The Gout, Jonny X and the Groadies, Gaytheist, Rabbits, Slabtown

Now that I have kids, going out a show isn't as simple an ordeal as it used to be.

Recessions, Piss Piss Piss, Healers, Mercenaries, The High Water Mark

So this is my friend Mikey-Mikey's band, Piss Piss Piss, which is sort of a (always much needed) humorous take on hardcore. How many silly funny bands are there and where do you draw the line? Rice? Good Clean Fun? Spazz? Bloodhag? Anyway, Healers were great too. Heather Hopeless of Dreaming of Donuts zine has reviewed them as well. Mercenaries were a total surprise. XSKATEPITX

Pleasure Cross, The Drip, Transient, Hummingbird of Death, Slabtown

The Slabtown venue is now closed. Pleasure Cross has the singer from Walls and the guitarist from Engorged (who I've never seen), so they are actually an "old pro" band playing first. It's a shame Slabtown is no longer around. The fact that they no longer exist at the time of this post goes to show how things change if you wait around too long. Nothing lasts forever! Which of these bands has since broken up? I know Pleasure Cross has an LP out (for sale at ebullition) and The Drip has a one-sided 12" on Relapse. Transient also has an LP out on Six Weeks but I can't find anywhere to order it but Ebay.

Black Pussy, Norska, Lord Dying, Floor, Mississippi Studios, Stumpfest 2013

I have always thought "Black Pussy" was kind of a weird band name for a bunch of white dudes. I had this comic languishing penciled in my sketchbook, but didn't get around to inking and uploading it until a few internet posts went around raising controversy about the name. If anything, a healthy debate came of it. Also, Stumpfest is a wonderful festival, featuring most of my favorite bands from the area, as well as a few others. This was the FIRST time I heard FLOOR!!! So glad they got back together. Now they are one of my favorite bands, not from Portland.

Dead Cult, Vivid Sekt, Fugitive Spot, The New Flesh, Backwater Records

Sometimes you get so tired of going to shows. I don't want to be one of those people who only goes to see their friend's band and then leaves. I like to hang out. But sometimes you're just hanging out with yourself. And then you're like, "Why am I at this show? I should be at home taking care of my pregnant wife."

Loma Prieta, The Sky Above and Earth Below, Hemingway, Sloths, Food For Thought Cafe, PSU

Thank God I finally saw Loma Prieta! Chaotic hardcore is alive! In a vegan co-op no less. I missed Raein at Laughing Horse, I missed Comadre's last show at Laughing Horse, but at least I saw this! I was in the right place at the right time and this one moment will never come again. Is time linear or is it cyclical?