Music-loving University students enjoying the end of August in Eugene are fortunate, because the next week and a half bring a number of exciting concerts to the UO area.
This Friday, Aug. 25, Portland band the Thermals will headline at the WOW Hall; paying a visit to Eugene in between tour dates across California, Oregon and Washington. Although the Thermals have only been making music as a band since 2002, the group was signed by Sub Pop Records (a Seattle company that has worked with artists such as the Shins and the Postal Service) in 2003, and is now celebrating the release of its third album. Referring to its music as oft-politically charged “post-pop-punk,” the Thermals produce a sound that is loud and intense, yet held together by genuinely interesting lyrics, melodic vocals and a lively attitude.
Playing with the Thermals Aug. 25 is native Eugene/Creswell band Kenzie; a rock and roll group that names the Pixies, the Flaming Lips and the Violent Femmes as a few of its musical influences, and is no stranger to WOW Hall performances. With throaty vocals and energetic instrumentals, Kenzie just might gain itself some new fans while warming up the WOW Hall crowd in August.
One concert for which University students are surely excited is the Atmosphere show, happening Wednesday Aug. 30 at the McDonald Theatre. Atmosphere is a popular Minneapolis hip-hop group with a good beat, and clear vocals that make its music easy to groove along to. The group also has the experience to put on a fabulous show: Atmosphere has been together for eight years, with more than 10 albums to its name, and Eugeneans are lucky to have the opportunity to see a musical group that is quickly becoming a classic.
Particle is one band that does not hesitate to play small venues in spite of its fame, and this trend continues with a Particle concert scheduled Thursday, Aug. 31 at the WOW Hall. Although this Los Angeles-based quintet has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and the New York Times, and performed earlier this month at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago, Particle has visited Humbolt State University, and will soon travel to the Armory in Ashland, Ore. Eugene
residents unable to make it to The String Cheese Incident earlier this month ought to check out the jam band stylings of Particle; in the true nature of jam, this live performance is sure to showcase the musical abilities of the band.
Other upcoming shows, all at the WOW Hall, include Phix, a Phish tribute band, on Aug. 30; Every Move a Picture, a dance-punk band in the tradition of Green Day, on Aug. 26; and Pojama People, a Frank Zappa tribute band, on Aug. 24. For more information on any of these shows, visit www.wowhall.org, or www.mcdonaldtheatre.com.