BARREIRO ROCKS 2007 LUCKs AND REDUXE -- DAY 1 - NOVEMBER 9 2007

Gonna kick off a spate of (probably short-lived) energy on this blog with my annual review of my annual trip to the (surprise!) annual garage rock festival of the majestic kingdom (actually republic) of portugal: BARREIRO ROCKS! This year was subtitled "The Year of Dementia" and I think it pretty much lived up to that.

Day 1, November 9th, saw a steady but somewhat subdued start (why so alliterative on a sunday?) to the festival... Portugal's Born a Lion threatened to impress but never quite did, bringing flashy 70's/Who-ish powerchords and a singing drummer... comparisons to Johnny Cash were quickly snuffed out-- this was major label 70's rock for longhairs. Not terrible, but in the end, not particularly interesting. One exception was when the guitarist laid his instrument flat for what seemed to be sound pretty hot slide play but unfortunately sound/technical issues defeated their moment.

Next were UK's Hipshakes, who I had seen before in Brooklyn (at Don Pedro!)... again a good set, although the distance from the audience was a bit of a drag... still, many Barreiro regulars claimed this as their first or second favorite band this year.

After that we had Samesugas, who wowed us last year in the after party with their very tight Social Distortion/70's pub punk sound... this year not quite as good but it was down to two simple reasons: 1. proximity -- this is the kind of band you need to see in a club, up front, in your face. 2. set length -- 40-45 minutes was a bit too long for this sound... 30 minutes would have been great. That said, I do still like these guys. And they brought some crazy absinthe that turned out was (not) a good mix with the Polish vodka we were rolling with... parking lot drinking party. i know i worsened my cold at this point in the night, but. worth it.

Headliners of the night, the Maharajas (Sweden), were a soberer (?) bunch, but were 100% pro. Melodies, playing, and I have to emphasize here, the SINGING, were fantastic. Classic 60's pop made to sound modern/timeless... very gifted, very watchable. My only complaint being that there's not much of a show going on here visually, but you can't fault anything else about this band...

I should mention that throughout, the master of ceremonies, host, clown, etc. of the festival, Crooner Vieira, brought his whimsical takes on everything from Sinatra to Tom Jones. It's hard to explain what Vieira is all about, so take a look at this youtube clip of the man doing a Nelson Ned tribute of sorts (right before the Maharajas' encore).

Crooner sang on as gears were switched and a second 'stage' was set up on the floor of Ferroviarios hall for the much-anticipated afterparty. First up was one of my favorite bands this year, Tracy Lee Summer. A new (and YOUNG) band from Barreiro, with some members from a pop/punk group of yesteryear called A New Hope, at this, their fourth (?) show ever, they seemed to find their voice & sound. This is down'n'dirty punk screaming, but you gotta love it. Check out my short video of the boys here. All I can say is, WHERE'S MY 7" at?!

The last band of the night was Rob K & Uncle Butcher, a US/Brazilian two piece who played one hell of a show. Ex-Workdog Rob has the charlatan/preacher/soulman thing down and Marco's punchy drumming and screams recall the best of other two-pieces (insert inevitable King Khan/BBQ reference here). But why should I say more? Yet another youtube clip.

So... 'round about 5 in the A M, we shuffled out to collapse in various flop houses. Naturally I did no such healthy/normal/smart thing and was up 'til 7 filming the historic meeting of Senator Jimmi Smith & Fast Eddie Nelson. That can wait for another blog post.

BORN A LION

HIPSHAKES
SAMESUGAS
MAHARAJASTRACY LEE SUMMERROB K & UNCLE BUTCHER