Online Feature: Local band VCR releases debut album on cassette. See our audio slideshow at Dailyemerald.com.
On a cool April night, the band members of VCR — Chase Clark, Emma Hurt and Tyler Howard — climb into Clark’s 1994 Buick Regal Sport. This ride has a purpose. The Eugene group has just finished recording its first album, Season One! and wants to experience it on the open road. As the first track, “Feelin Alright” buzzes warmly through the speakers, the album’s summer inspiration is already clear. Despite the chilly Oregon breeze and the dark, maroon interior of the car, it’s easy to be quickly transported to a sunnier time, one defined by Clark’s crunchy guitar, Hurt’s melodic bass and Howard’s aggressive drums.
VCR isn’t a group prone to honing in on a singular sound; Clark admits they never play a song the same way twice. The band’s flexibility holds true on “Season One!” which ranges in sound from ‘60s sunshine pop to punky low-fi. But overall,
VCR says they wanted to create an album that simply “feels good.” “Everyone goes through summer,” said Howard. “Everyone has thoughts they associate, emotions they associate with summer. It’s just a good common place to make noise and sing about.”
Ever fixated on the antiquated technology, VCR’s new album was released as a cassette last Friday, Aug. 12 through Eugene’s House of Records, Skip’s Records, CD World and on VCR’s Bandcamp. As for VCR’s future plans, the band is already working on its next studio album, Season Two! which will explore the season of fall and embrace darker themes.
Written by Franziska Monahan and Hannah Steinkopf-Frank. Go online to dailyemerald.com see our video about VCR.
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Tuesday, August 16
Howling Mad: A forum on wolves, politics and restoring Oregon’s environmental leadership — University of Oregon School of Law (1515 Agate St.) — 4-6 p.m. — Free.
Don’t call it a comeback: Wolves still have a problematic relationship with Oregonians. Wolves might not have yet forgiven us for the wolf bounty, which lasted from 1843 to 1947 and decimated the state’s wolf population. It wasn’t until 2008 that the state’s first wolf pack since the bounty’s end was discovered. This Tuesday, conservation experts and congressman Peter DeFazio are hosting a panel discussion on wolves and their role in Oregon territory. According to Oregon Wild’s website, the discussion will cover “the political mayhem surrounding wolves’ ongoing comeback story, the hopeful progress being made, and how Oregonians can contribute to the return of this keystone species to our wild places.” Visit http://www.oregonwild.org for more information.
Wednesday, August 17
People Under the Stairs plays at HiFi Music Hall (44 East 7th Ave.) — Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. — Tickets are $21 in advance; $25 on day of show. — 21+.
L.A.-based hip-hop duo People Under the Stairs sidestep some of the typical styles of modern rap where other rappers succeed; Christopher Portugal (Thes One) and Michael Turner (Double K) don’t use their music as a political soapbox, boast about material wealth or dial up the braggadocio to insufferable levels. Rather, PUTS keeps it simple, rapping about day-to-day pleasures and pursuits, often layered over funk and jazz samples. Doors open at 8. Show starts at 9. DJ Crown opens.
Thursday, August 18
Full Tree Moon Climbing at Mount Pisgah Arboretum (34901 Frank Parrish Rd.) — Admission is $45 (registration required) — 7-9 p.m.
See the full moon in its proud, robust form from the comfort of an Oregon white oak tree. Mount Pisgah Arboretum is hosting this special tree-climbing event in conjunction with Eugene Parks and Recreation. Climbing instructions and safety equipment provided. Visit http://bit.ly/1Kt6Fvr to register or check out http://www.mountpisgaharboretum.com/festivals-events/ for more information.
Friday, August 19
Little Women presented by the Eugene Roving Park Players at the Petersen Barn Park (870 Berntzen Rd.) — 6-8:30 p.m. — Free.
This Friday, director Victoria Harkovitch’s adaptation of the 1868 Louisa May Alcott novel Little Women is coming to the Petersen Barn Park. This story is the epic account of the four March sisters who live with their mother in New England as their father serves as a chaplain in the Civil War. The show is presented by the Eugene Roving Park Players, a non-profit community theater company that adapted Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor earlier this summer season. Visit www.rovingparkplayers.org/ or call (541) 914-2374 for more details and dates.
Saturday, August 20
Eugene Emeralds vs. Everett Aquasox — (2760 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.) — 7:05 p.m. — Tickets are $8-$14.
Everett, Washington’s Aquasox (27-24) face off the Emeralds (36-15) this Saturday in game one of the series. This game at PK Park will also feature Daniel Browning Smith, deemed The World’s Most Flexible Man. The 37-year-old contortionist’s stunt and acting IMDb credits include Minority Report (2002), Men in Black II (2002), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) and Paranormal Activity 3 (2011). Due to medical condition Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Smith’s flexible body allows him to dislocate his limbs and twist his head 180 degrees. Visit the Emeralds’ MILB website for more info: http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t461
Sunday, August 21
Love’s Labor’s Lost at Amazon Community Center (2700 Hilyard St.) — Every Saturday and Sunday of August — 6-8 p.m. — Free.
One of the immortal Bard’s first comedies and most obscure works is coming to Amazon Community Center this weekend, directed by Sarah Cassidy, with performances on both Saturday and Sunday as part of Free Shakespeare in the Park’s 18th season. The play centers on the King of Navarre and three of his men who take an oath to not get romantically involved with any women — which doesn’t quite work. This play also features the longest word in any Shakespeare work —“honorificabilitudinitatibus” (meaning “the state of being able to achieve honors.”) This play is presented by City of Eugene Recreation and Free Shakespeare in the Park. Call the Amazon Community Center (541) 682-5373 for more information.