PARISH GAP

Eclectic art rock from Fleetwood Mac to the Dixie Chicks

Tom Wright on guitar, harmonica, and vocals, and Bob Rause on keyboards, bass, and vocals are the heart of this band. They have been an inseparable musical duo since they met in high school in the Chicago area. The "Art Rock" style developed as a reaction to the simple bleats of punk. Jefferson Airplane and the Dead both had their "art rock" phases of soaring song development and the jam bands have the current hold on the style. Tom and Bob are joined by Catherine Wright, a former member of choirs and acapella groups who is the lead singer. and emerging presence on stage. Joe Montgomery on drums rounds out the group.

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NORMAL BEAN MERRY PRANKSTER PARTY

Calling all Pranksters real and unreal - the spirit of Kesey lives

With Normal you never know what direction things will take. Rolling Stones? Byrds? Muddy Waters? or... "in the moment add-lib songs....everything is played in the NOW"... Normal sez: "In Kesey's day, it was 'Get On The Bus'; Now it's 'Get On The Stage.'"

And check out the Normal Beam Show on cable access and the Internet - now viewed by over 100,000 people.

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SPEED LIMIT
& THE VIOLATIONS

From Austin, Texas, high octane folk rock from a veteran songwriter

Here we have Marvin Gershowitz, a 20-year veteran of the Austin, Texas, music scene, and his new Portland band, another transplant hopping aboard the Northwest musical bandwagon. Marvin played the major venues in Austin, grabbing his share of the alt country spotlight in one of the nation's hottest scenes. He brought the act to Portland in 2004 and has continued his 200 gigs a year pace, playing solo and with his band.

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Friday,
Oct. 10,
9 p.m.

SOULICIOUS

Funk and rock: Janis Joplin meets Mavis Staples

Led by Paula Vaden on vocals, rhythm guitar and percussion, the band includes Gerry Rempel on lead guitar, Sharon Greve on drums, Cheryl Camelio on vocals and percussion, JoAnne Lutz on keyboard and Jamie Porter on bass. They call their sound "Mo-funkin' Motown" but to some people it's good old R&B from a bunch of experienced musicians who know how to get the club rockin'.

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BOLT UPRIGHT

Three-piece blues band brings in the R&B and funk from Portland

This group is the child of Ashbolt Stewart, a 35-year veteran drummer. Born in Detroit, Ash grew up in Milwaukee and in 1972 moved to California in a purple school bus, where he spent about 20 years gigging. Since leaving Sonoma County for Portland in the 90s, he worked with several local bands, coming to be the driving force behind the Norman Sylvester Band for 10 years. His wife, Susie, plays electric bass and has been writing some tunes, like "Hot Shot Blues." They are joined by guitarist Ken Brewer, fresh from a stint in the Robbie Laws band, Hoodoo Nation.

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THE SUMMIT UNDERGROUND

Mike Riley brings in the blues from up the mountains

Riley is a consistent and generous blues player who has lived the life all his life. This band is 15 years old, a testament to the mellow style and the depth of appreciation its members have for the music. The blues lives because musicians live the blues. Mike is backed by Vegas and LA session harp player Kooch Kucera and Bongo Bob Pettit on drums.

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RICHWOOD

An acoustic duo doing all original music

Two guitars and two voices influenced by the Eagles, Peter Gabriel, Jackson Browne, U2 and Hall & Oates. Bobby Wood is the lead singer and songwriter and the rhythm guitar player. He's been writing songs since he was 13. Richard Parris, the lead guitar, has a background that includes a cover band on the Gulf Coast and a recording studio in Tulsa. The two have played a couple of delicious acoustic shows then amped things up a bit last time out. Look for more with extra lights and more new songs.

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THE MISERY SCIENCE

Rock out in the style of old Smashing Pumpkins, Coldplay

The Misery Science was formed in 2006 by Christian Dyer (lead vocals, guitar) and Andy Attebery (bassist, backup vocals). The twosome got off to a fast start and quickly added Eric Olson (drums, backup vocals), Sean-Michael Riley (keyboards, samples), and Erich Goebel (lead guitar); each bringing a wide variety of musical influences, including The Killers, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, and Cracker. The band released its first album in 2008 and was featured on PDX49 and has been touring the West coast this summer.

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JACKSTRAW

Bluegrass from a veteran band - quick and craggy

After 10 years and five albums, Jackstraw has become a Northwest institution. Bluegrass is the main deal here, but a Stanley Brothers nugget is often followed by something from band's deep collection of originals or some honky-tonk or a rock ‘n roll classic. Throughout the band’s history, critics have been quick to praise its energy and speed, often drawing comparisons to punk music. The band’s devoted following includes bluegrass purists, alt-country fans, kids who want to dance, and people who know a good tune when they hear one. Jackstraw was born when rhythm guitarist Darrin Craig and lead player Jon Neufeld met mandolin picker David Pugh and bassist Jesse Withers in 1997 at Artichoke Music, a Portland guitar store and acoustic music institution. Since, they have shared bills with bluegrass greats such as Del McCoury and Tim O’Brien and included legends like Danny Barnes (Bill Frissell, Robert Earl Keen, Bad Livers) and Tony Furtado (Earl Scruggs, Alison Krauss) as temporary band mates.

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Rock and blues for another scary night of Coast

T. Ray, the lead singer, and Matt Murray, the drummer, are South County locals who moved to Portland, started a band, got a lot of gigs and keep the vibe going with each show at the Landmark. The others in the group bring musical influences from around the country -- New York, San Francisco and Portland -- that make a funkified rock style that rips through the covers and originals alike. T. Ray's style has evolved over the years and she's in the best voice of her career.