In my three years at the University, I’ve only been to the McDonald Theatre once — and that was back when it was still a movie theater. But I’m making up for lost time by catching two great shows this week.
First up, Floater on Friday ($10 in advance, doors open at 7 p.m.). If you don’t know Floater, trust me and go to this show. The Portland band got its start in Eugene playing its brand of mystic hard rock at garage parties and the much-missed University beer garden.
Though the band doesn’t fit into any one category (but who does these days?), the quick explanation of its music includes comparison with Tool. Floater’s lead singer and bass player Rob Wynia has the same capacity for passionate lyrics and sustained high notes as Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, and both bands are highly melodic despite their loud, pounding sounds.
But Floater isn’t just a Tool clone (not that being another musically and intellectually intelligent rock band is a bad thing). In increasingly frequent acoustic performances, Floater shows its softer side and exposes its real talent when stripped of the distortion pedal. At their first such show in Eugene last year, they covered U2 and Neil Young, giving insight into what music the band enjoys.
Regardless of what Floater is doing, it is supported by some of the most loyal fans I have ever seen. I have friends who have seen the band more than 20 times and keep going back for more. Floater gives off some magnetic force when performing. It pulls people deeper into the show and always brings them back.
Floater connects so well with fans because the band is so accessible. They don’t have international renown and primarily tour between Seattle and San Francisco. I mean, Wynia’s mom can frequently be found at Eugene performances. I’ve had the good fortune of talking with the band over a couple beers, and it’s plain to see that in their off-time, they’re just normal guys who do stuff like play video games and watch “Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy.” How cool is that?
A mere four days after this sure-to-be phenomenal show, the same stage will be graced by another charismatic bassist frontman who is anything but normal: Les Claypool. The former Primus visionary continues to be one of the most creative (read “weirdest”) forces in popular music, if it is all that popular anymore. He constantly resists confinement by forming new bands and trading musicians to create new environments to play in — for music and amusement.
Claypool comes to us this time with The Les Claypool Frog Brigade on a tour promoting their first studio album, “Purple Onion.” I must clarify “studio album” because the Frog Brigade released two live albums in 2001 (Live Frogs Sets 1 and 2) containing song covers from previous Claypool bands as well as the entire Pink Floyd album “Animals.”
“Onion” contains 12 new tracks from Claypool and his cohorts, of which I have heard none. But where Claypool is concerned, one can be certain the songs will touch on most genres of music while filling the gaps with out-there improvisations.
I saw Claypool almost a year ago when he came to the Salem Armory with super-band Oysterhead. Though fellow bandmates Trey Anastasio and Stewart Copeland are icons in their own right, Claypool ran the show, chatting up the audience and telling stories in his trademark nasal voice. The same is true on the Frog Brigade’s live recordings where Claypool can be heard rambling and chiding his bandmates for extending their allotted solo periods.
Basically, if you know and enjoy Claypool’s music, any band he forms will be up your alley. If you don’t know him from Adam, it’d be wise to listen to a CD before fronting the $17 for advance tickets, even though that’s pretty cheap for a Claypool show.
“Ask Nat” may handle the relationship advice, but it’s my sincere culture advice that you suck up any reservations about cash flow or early Wednesday classes and attend at least one of these shows. You’ll be better for it.
Related Stories:
Pulse Entertainment Calendar (10/17/02)
Contact the Pulse columnist at [email protected].
His views do not necessarily represent those of the Emerald.