When James Squeaky and Alex Merrill, the two young Portland men who make up the band Sex with Girls, scream those lines, you can't help but grin and giggle at both their boyish charm and somewhat pathetic honesty. Because when it comes to Sex with Girls and their lo-fi pop punk act, the world revolves around nothing but the girls they're in love with--which is to say just about every girl.
So excuse, for a moment, the slightly controversial band name and concentrate on the product of their project. They have a rotating cast of drummers (who really just bang on a snare somewhat in time), and then there's the guitar playing only a few chords (it's all about simplicity). Their short songs are funny and strangely charming in their purposely disorganized structure. And if you jump the pond to Bremerton you'll be able to see how it all comes together for yourself because SWG is just one of the many fantastic acts lined up to play the Homage to Catatonia release party at Rush's (312 N Callow Ave) on June 5.
Homage to Catatonia is a new zine written and released by one Mcrae Freeman (Mac for short). Mac is a troublemaker with a knack for causing commotion wherever he goes, and I mean that in a good way. The Capitol Hill resident (by way of Bremerton, by way of Alaska) is a 24-year-old chef, writer, and chain smoker. His hilarious, true stories are nothing short of unbelievable, and in between bands, he'll be reading excerpts from Homage (which will also be for sale--for cheap) and you'll be laughing while you listen. I guarantee it.
The night also hosts a rare performance by David Nichols. Nichols, who once was in Time to Fly, currently makes music under the name Tex. While I could say Tex has obvious comparisons to Bright Eyes--since Nichols is also young and has a knack for creating heartbreakingly beautiful songs delicately layered with various instruments--I won't. Because Nichols assured me that he'd kill me if I were to do that. And frankly I don't want to die. Hear Tex for yourself at www.soundclick.com/tex (and whatever you do, don't tell him that it sounds like Bright Eyes).
The Rescue Party and the Wild Hairs are also on the bill, and show time is 6:00 p.m. It's $6, and worth every penny.
Need more? You can hear my personal picks for the week on 107.7 The End every Monday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. during DJ No Name's The Morning Alternative.
