Like so many promising solo careers, Mr. Lang’s has been cut
short by extenuating circumstances. In this case, the promise of a
political journalism internship in Washington, D.C., has pulled him
away, which means giving up the opining hat for another stint as a
legitimate reporter. The job also means Mr. Lang is missing a
truckload of jaw-droppingly luscious shows stopping in the
Northwest this September and October, and he’s plum stompin’
mad about it. So here’s Mr. Lang’s “I can’t make it, drop me a
postcard” fall must-see concert guide. Clip and save.
In Eugene, the big concert of the fall will be They Might Be
Giants at the Eugene Celebration on Sept. 14. Or catch their
show at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland two days later.
On Oct. 26, The Breeders will finally return to glory and
rock the W.O.W. Hall for an all-ages show.
Amid the usual plate of pop-rock, Portland will host a hip-hop
nostalgia trip on Sept. 2 when Sir Mix-A-Lot, Tone
Loc and Young MC all stop by Tom McCall Waterfront
Park. Smokey Robinson will slide smoothly into town on
Sept. 6. And indie fans can enjoy Modest Mouse, Belle
and Sebastian, Mike Watt and Nick Cave and the
Bad Seeds throughout the month as well.
Then, the magic of Bumbershoot and a special benefit concert will
hit Seattle. Bumbershoot will feature Damien Jurado,
Built to Spill, MxPx, The Red Elvises and
so many others worth seeing that they just can’t all cram into this
single column.
Oct. 14-22, Seattle will again stake its claim as a rock capital when
the impressive lineup of Pearl Jam, R.E.M.,
The Wallflowers, the sisters Heart, Alanis
Morissette and the Dave Matthews Band performs for
Groundwork 2001, a benefit concert to combat hunger. Although
Madonna is the honorary chair for the group’s Advisory
Committee, she is not making a tour detour to perform.
Suffice to say, this fall again fails to let down the concert enthusiast
looking to make the most of the summer nights before the rains
come calling again.
From the news side of things, a scant week ago Mr. Lang dubbed
this summer “The Summer of Rehab.” It appears summer isn’t
over yet. Reports are coming out of the U.K. that Foo
Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has been
hospitalized for “an overindulgence.” The incident has forced the
once-cool band to cancel some European dates.
The national and independent rock communities will bow down to
Sir Paul McCartney in the form of tribute CDs due in
stores Oct. 9 and Oct. 23. Each CD will chronicle McCartney’s
volumes of work as a solo artist, with Owsley doing “Band
on the Run,” They Might Be Giants performing “Ram On”
and Virgos crooning “Maybe I’m Amazed.” Gadget
White Band will do “Maybe I’m Amazed” for the indie
compilation, with Jellybricks adding “Take It Away.”