Before indie-rock veterans Deerhoof stopped by the Hi-Fi Lounge in Eugene on Tuesday night, the band kicked off its tour in Portland with two shows at Mississippi Studios on Friday, Sept. 15 and Monday, Sept. 18. Deerhoof is touring in support of its 14th studio album “Mountain Moves,” which is largely about the current political climate.
Deerhoof comprises Satomi Matsuzaki on bass and vocals, John Dieterich and Portland’s Ed Rodriguez on guitar, and Greg Saunier on drums. The band’s first album was released in 1997, and the current lineup has remained since Rodriguez joined in 2008.
Saunier is an aggressive drummer, and he brought a tote bag full of drumsticks onstage. He admitted that no amount of sticks is enough to last a whole tour. “I tried to teach myself to play a little quieter or to hit the cymbal at a different angle so it doesn’t chew into the stick so much, or to buy better sticks in the first place that seem to break less,” he told the Emerald. “Really no strategy works.”
Pitchfork.com once called Deerhoof the greatest band in the world, and during its performance, the band all but affirmed that title.
Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier anchored his drum set with a cinder block. Despite his minimal setup, Saunier proved he is one of the finest drummers in the business during a performance at Mississippi Studios in Portland, Oregon, on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
Ed Rodriguez’ guitar and clothing matched, but it was his guitar playing that attracted all eyes in the crowd. Deerhoof performed at Portland’s Mississippi Studios on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
Deerhoof singer and bassist Satomi Matsuzaki reaches for the sky as she sings. Deerhoof performed at Portland’s Mississippi Studios on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
Ed Rodriguez fires off a blistering guitar solo during Deerhoof’s performance at Portland’s Mississippi Studios on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
In one of his dry, extended monologues, Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier took Matsuzaki’s microphone and described the lower back pain involved in bending down so far to address the crowd. Deerhoof performed at Portland’s Mississippi Studios on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
John Dieterich alternated between bass and guitar during Deerhoof’s performance at Portland’s Mississippi Studios on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
Although he uses a minimal drum setup, Saunier has no shortage of sonic options behind the kit. Deerhoof performed at Portland’s Mississippi Studios on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
Satomi Matsuzaki leads the crowd in an interactive dance to 2008’s “Basket Ball Get Your Groove Back.” Deerhoof performed at Portland’s Mississippi Studios on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
Greg Saunier screams into a drum microphone during a performance at Portland’s Mississppi Studios on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
Sometimes it takes two to solo. John Dieterich assists Ed Rodriguez’ solo by flipping switches on his guitar while Rodriguez solos. Deerhoof performed at Portland’s Mississippi Studios on Monday, Sept. 18. (Craig Wright/Emerald)
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