The 5-piece band is touring after the release of In Glorious Times, their third studio album, which expands on the theme of death and rebirth after the tragic passing of Frykdahl's brother. For this album, each member contributed to the writing process, and the entire work is interpreted as a continuous symphony with each track representing a different movement.

Utilizing standard, odd, primitive and home-made instruments (like the Viking Rowboat, Sledgehammer Dulcimer, Pedal-action Wiggler and Electric Pancreas), SGM experiments with shifting time signatures and intricate song structures that keep audiences slightly unsettled, but wildly entertained. Bassist Rathbun built many of these customized creations, while Mellender bashes away on shattered drum pieces, industrial metal pans, trash can lids and other found objects. Kilhstedt adds violin and voice, providing a contrast to Frykdahl's growl and guitar shreds.

Musically, this collaboration creates beautiful and disturbing soundscapes layered with expressive and haunting lyrics. The dynamics range from heavy and raw to melodic and delicate, and each song has an epic quality, creating a sense of urgency and unpredictability.

Accompanying SGM on their West Coast tour is the band's original drummer/ percussionist Moe! Staiano, who broke away from the group to mold his own project. Staiano ultimately joined forces with guitarist Ava Mendoza, bassist Alee Karim, drummer Sahyna Dunkelman and trumpeter/electronicist Liz Allbee to form Mute Socialite in 2006. They describe their sound as, “a convergence of Moe!'s driving post-punk drumming and percussion guitar, Ava's free jazz sensibility and mangled country and black metal riffage, Alee's sub-bass, grinding harmonic interplay, Shayna's prismatic sense of percussive dynamics and Liz's warped melodicism and seasick textures.”

The band's first full-length album, More Popular Than Presidents and Generals, was recently released on Moe!'s micro-label Dephine Knormal Musik.

Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 pm and showtime is 8:00.   SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $13 Advance, $15 Door. BUY TICKETS NOW

http://www.sleepytimegorillamuseum.com    http://www.myspace.com/sleepytimegorillamuseum  

7/11 : Oregon Country Fair

The 2008 Oregon Country Fair will be held Friday through Sunday, July 11-13, in the woods near Veneta, OR.

Come visit the WOW Hall/KLCC booth at the Main Stage meadow, it's just across the path from The Great Falafel.

The CCPA operates a storage service during public hours (11:00 am - 7:00 pm). You can check in your backpack, ice chest or what have you and we'll watch it for the cost of $1. You can access your items during the day at no charge. Plus you can find the WOW Hall Notes and hear more about upcoming shows, order WOW Hall t-shirts and hoodies (for delivery after the Fair), and sign up to become a WOW Hall member or volunteer.

Every boy or girl scout knows that you should be prepared. Weather during the Fair hours can vary, so bring your duds for hot and cool. It’s been suggested that on very hot days you can bring a bathing suit, leave your street clothes at the WOW Hall booth and stroll the Fair in comfort. Be sure to bring sandals, sun screen and mosquito repellant. Costumes are encouraged!

And with the Fair Family itself camped at times great walking distances from Main Stage, it might be worth a dollar (to a good cause) not to have to travel back to the campsite several times a day. Bring in a day pack and we’ll keep it handy.

WOW Hall staff, volunteers and alumni are scattered throughout the Fair (many now travel a great distance to stay involved). There’s an informal gathering Sunday after closing behind the aforementioned food booth.

The WOW Hall will be closed from Wednesday, July 9, through Sunday. Our normally scheduled West African dancers will be found performing at the Fair! Be sure to catch one of their performances -- they are truly spectacular!!

KLCC will Broadcast the Oregon Country Fair July 11, 12, 13

Can't come to the Fair? Let KLCC take you there! KLCC 89.7 FM will bring musical highlights and ambience of the Oregon Country Fair to anyone with a radio or internet connection. Mainstage performances will blend with regular favorite KLCC programming for a weekend of solid entertainment.

On Friday KLCC will broadcast OCF Mainstage performances by EOTO, (former WOW Hall staffer) Ashleigh Flynn & The Killdeer Orchestra, Aphrodesia, The Essentials, and Cast of Clowns. KLCC's Northwest Passage will air at 4-4:15 and NPR's All Things Considered will air from 5-6 p.m.

With KLCC streaming live on the web, the Oregon Country Fair can be enjoyed throughout the world. Visit www.klcc.org (linked below) and click on "Listen Live."

The broadcast is entirely funded by generous sponsors from the KLCC business community. Keep the magic of the Oregon Country Fair with you, courtesy of KLCC 89.7 FM Eugene.   SHOWTIME: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, PRICE: Baggage Check $1.

http://www.oregoncountryfair.org  http://www.klcc.org  

7/12 : Oregon Country Fair

Visit the WOW Hall/KLCC Booth at the Main Stage meadow.

KLCC will Broadcast the Oregon Country Fair July 12 & 13

Can't come to the Fair? Let KLCC take you there! KLCC 89.7 FM will bring musical highlights and ambience of the Oregon Country Fair to anyone with a radio or internet connection. Mainstage performances will blend with regular favorite KLCC programming for a weekend of solid entertainment.

On Saturday KLCC will broadcast OCF Mainstage performances by Visiting Cast Members of Live Wire! Radio, Naomi & the Courteous Rudeboys, Papa Mali, BOBS, Laura Love & Harpers Ferry, and It's A Beautiful Day. KLCC's Saturday Café will air from 11-11:25 a.m., NPR's All Things Considered will air from 5-5:40, and a special Dead Air from The Fair airs at 7 p.m.

With KLCC streaming live on the web, the Oregon Country Fair can be enjoyed throughout the world. Visit www.klcc.org (linked below) and click on "Listen Live."

The broadcast is entirely funded by generous sponsors from the KLCC business community. Keep the magic of the Oregon Country Fair with you, courtesy of KLCC 89.7 FM Eugene.   SHOWTIME: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, PRICE: Baggage check $1.

http://www.oregoncountryfair.org  http://www.klcc.org  

7/13 : Oregon Country Fair

Visit the WOW Hall/KLCC Booth at the Main Stage meadow.

KLCC will Broadcast the Oregon Country Fair July 13

Can't come to the Fair? Let KLCC take you there! KLCC 89.7 FM will bring musical highlights and ambience of the Oregon Country Fair to anyone with a radio or internet connection. Mainstage performances will blend with regular favorite KLCC programming for a weekend of solid entertainment.

On Sunday KLCC will broadcast OCF Mainstage performances by Vagabond Opera, Trillian Green, Mother Hips, and MoonAlice. KLCC's Front Porch will air from 2-3:30 p.m.

With KLCC streaming live on the web, the Oregon Country Fair can be enjoyed throughout the world. Visit www.klcc.org (linked below) and click on "Listen Live."

The broadcast is entirely funded by generous sponsors from the KLCC business community. Keep the magic of the Oregon Country Fair with you, courtesy of KLCC 89.7 FM Eugene.   SHOWTIME: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, PRICE: Baggage check $1.

http://www.www.oregoncountryfair.org  http://www.klcc.org  

7/17 : Board of Directors Meeting

  SHOWTIME: 6:00 PM, PRICE: Free and open to the public..

    

7/18 : Northwest Royale, Subject 2 Change, Bluntpoint, We Have Guns

On Friday, July 18, the CCPA and KFLY proudly welcome the return of Northwest Royale along with special guests Subject 2 Change, Blunt Point and We Have Guns.

Conceived in the year 2000, Eugene’s Northwest Royale started out as a garage band that quickly turned into local favorites. After two years honing their skills, and a few lineup changes, they recorded their first album, Respect What Could Be A Problem, that put Royale at the top of the heap in the Northwest metal scene... but Northwest Royale had their sights set a bit higher than that.

A few more lineup changes ensued in 2004 and NWR hit the road for over two years to support their second CD, The Nosebleed Section (2004) and their first nationally distributed album, the critically acclaimed Home Is Where The Hate Is (Rock Ridge Music, 2006). KNAC.com hailed Home Is Where The Hate Is as “The Real Deal... (4 stars)", Metal Edge Magazine called it, “a well-rounded record that will surely be blasting in a Camaro near you soon”, and the Eugene Weekly branded the album as, “Metal straight up your ass.”

Northwest Royale has left their mark on every stage from Salt Lake City’s Burt’s Tiki Lounge (one of their favorite places) to national venues, sharing the stage with the likes of Slayer, Rob Zombie, Killswitch Engage, Disturbed, Devil Driver, Testament and most recently Hatebreed on the Jagermeister Music Tour.

The year 2007 found Royale taking a long-awaited and well-deserved break from the road where they could get healthy, reacquaint themselves with their families, and more importantly, start work on their fourth disc.

In June of this year, the band headed to Green Dot Studios in Berkeley, CA to begin work on The Bleeding Edge, an EP shaping up to be the heaviest and most varied output NWR has done to date. Production and mixing duties are being handled by Snake (guitarist for Skinlab/bassist for Re:Ignition), with a release date to be determined soon. A pre-production demo of a new song, "Hell Toupee", was posted on myspace.com/northwestroyale that has metalheads of all ages throwing their devil horns in the air with excitement.

The last eight years have seen Northwest Royale go through many changes, but through it all, two things remain true: they are proud to be metal, and they are proud to be from Eugene.

Northwest Royale is Blake Owens (vocals/keyboards), Beef Wellington (drums), Kenny Nestor (bass, backing vocals), and Travis Zering (guitars, backing vocals).

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 pm and showtime is 8:00.   SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $8 Advance, $10 Door. BUY TICKETS NOW

http://www.myspace.com/northwestroyale    

7/20 : Joseph Arthur with Anna Ternheim

by Hiroko Minami

Hey, everybody! KRVM welcomes Joseph Arthur from New York and Anna Ternheim all the way from Stockholm to the WOW Hall on Sunday, July 20.

Let me talk about Anna Ternheim first. Simply put, man, I like her music -- so sad and dark. However, it may not be compatible with the summer sun. Well, if you like the sun, reggae music works perfect. But think of this: Sad and dark music is good for the summer to chill out a little bit. Here we go.

Ternheim's music makes me feel like wanting to be alone and holding my knees to my chest in the corner of a candlelit (maybe air-conditioned) room. I hope you don't think I am a gloomy person. Don't take me wrong. I'm not the type who speaks to the wall in the corner of the room -- not all the time anyway, but sometimes. Kidding.

Happy-go-lucky songs do not resonate with the heart, but songs -- even love songs -- dealing with some sort of darkness do. At least, I believe so. I'm not saying that Ternheim's music is depressing. To the contrary, it is comfortable. I think the major theme of her songs is solitude. “To Be Gone” in her debut album, Somebody Outside, touched me ... a lot. She sings, “Leave the boy, leave the mind ... I just happen to feel so alone ... I just wanna be, wanna be gone,” to a melancholic melody. The lyric is very simple, and the song is almost like a chant. Listening to her breathy voice, you may come to realize that feeling lonely and sad are not always bad. Ternheim is just expressing a dark emotion which everyone, even cheerful persons, has deep in their mind.

“Bridges” from Halfway To Fivepoints is a dark love song that I think is somewhat creepy. In the song, the boyfriend appears to not love his girlfriend anymore. The girlfriend, on the other hand, knows that he is trying to keep away from her, but she can't give up on him, singing, “I won't lose you. No, you're gonna stay with me.” Distorted, strong (one-way) love gives me a chill, but anyone may have this strong feeling toward a loved one when s/he is totally blind with love.

Halfway To Fivepoints (2008) is Ternheim's first U.S. full-length release, but she has already gathered a lot of attention as a rising star in her home country. Somebody Outside (2004) earned her a Swedish Grammy for Best New Artist. Her second album, Separation Road (2006), also garnered Swedish Grammys in the best female artist and best lyricist sections.

So, how did Swedish Ternheim get to know and work with Joseph Arthur-American? Arthur is a singer-songwriter from Akron, Ohio, but his performance is not limited in the United States. Actually, he is also well-known in Europe since going on a tour throughout Europe and collaborating with European artists such as Peter Gabriel and Coldplay. Well, Peter Gabriel is the person who discovered Arthur's musical talent. At some point, Arthur came to know Ternheim's albums. They have organized a tour and will come to WOW Hall together.

Joseph Arthur is a really productive guy. As soon as Arthur won Gabriel's attention, Arthur's first album, Big City Secrets, was released worldwide in 1997. Since then, he has produced albums, EPs and singles every year. In 2002, for example, one album and four EPs went on sale. And this year, Arthur has already released four EP series -- Could We Survive, Crazy Rain, Vagabond Skies and Foreign Girls -- and furthermore, the full-length, Temporary People, will follow in September. Phew, he is prolific.

Some music critics categorize his music as rock, a genre that I am not so much interested in. But out of curiosity, I went to his official Web site (www.josepharthur.com) and listened to his music. The Web site runs “Joseph Arthur Radio” which plays his songs continuously. Anyway, I realized that his music is not the rock that I expected -- a noisy, electric kind of music. He uses the acoustic guitar, harmonica and other conventional stuff. He does not shout -- that's my arbitrary image of rock. Excuse my bias. The point is, his guitar and voice are music to my ears.

Arthur is not only musically but visually talented. He is an acclaimed painter and Grammy-nominated visual artist, and he paints in his spare moments from his writing and recording work. He is really restless, creative, productive, isn't he? Moreover, Arthur runs his own art gallery called Museum of Modern Arthur (MOMAR) in Brooklyn, NY. As a talented artist, Arthur has also participated in humanitarian work by creating songs to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief and visiting Uganda to teach painting and offer his music to war refugees. Arthur is artistically talented, and charitable. Man, this guy is something.

In any event, these two talented (and different in a good sense) musicians are coming to the WOW Hall on July 20. It's worth experiencing their music collaboration in person.

Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open at 7:00 pm and showtime is 8:00. Partial seating will be available.

Baeble Music just posted an amazing live video of Anna's performance at the Bowery Ballroom when she was on tour back in May with Lykke Li and El Perro del Mar. 

  Here is the link:  http://www.baeblemusic.com/Concerts/TheBoweryBallroom/AnnaTernheim.aspx

  SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $13 advance, $15 Door. BUY TICKETS NOW

http://www.josepharthur.com  http://www.annaternheim.com  

7/23 : Personnel Committee

Meets at Cozmic Pizza. Topic of discussion: employee handbook.   SHOWTIME: 5:30 PM, PRICE: Free and open to the public..

    

7/24 : Facilities Committee

Meets at Cozmic Pizza.   SHOWTIME: 5:30 PM, PRICE: Free and open to the public..

    

7/31 : New Monsoon

“Today, New Monsoon has pared away any sonic fat, digging in harder to its songwriting and increasingly layered three-part harmonies more than ever and finding a unified vision for its diverse musical interests. Driven by a young, nimble rhythm team, New Monsoon is a worthy descendent of Bay Area gems like Sons of Champlin and Legion of Mary, where palpable drive is anchored to great skill in a way that leaves the possibilities wide open anytime they play.” -- Dennis Cook (Relix, June 2008)

On Thursday, July 31, KRVM welcomes back New Monsoon.

Recently named a part of San Francisco’s New Musical Generation in Relix, New Monsoon's acoustic and electric instruments come together in an irresistible blend of songcraft and exploratory jam rock.

“Smoothly mercurial, New Monsoon harnesses nosebleed-level musicianship to a sound that’s seductive but hard to place,” states Relix. “Drawing from road blues, electric jazz, cerebral folk, one-drop reggae, classic Fillmore rock and further out to Indian and Latin traditions, its music snuggles up fast but purrs in a wholly unique way.”

“We were all drawn to this place from various parts because of our different musical interests,” says singer/guitarist/banjoist Bo Carper. “Hopefully our music reflects a modern interpretation of the best parts of Santana, The Grateful Dead and Shakti, and a general Bay Area openness, a place that’s always been a melting pot of all kinds of world music.”

The band’s 2007 album New Monsoon V was produced, mixed and engineered by John Cutler, best known for his production work with The Grateful Dead on the platinum album In the Dark (co-produced with Jerry Garcia) and Without a Net (co-produced with Phil Lesh) and the Jerry Garcia Band’s How Sweet It Is.

Jambase raves that, “New Monsoon V moves with muscular dexterity, avoiding overplaying at every turn, always serving the songs and one another in a way only thousands of shows and countless hours of woodshedding can produce.”

New Monsoon was conceived when Penn State friends Bo Carper and Jeff Miller reconnected in northern California. Phil “The Pianimal” Ferlino joined on keyboards during the recording of the first album, Hydrophonic.

“Lead guitarist Jeff Miller, banjo/acoustic guitarist Bo Carper, and keyboardist Phil Ferlino form the front line of the band, displaying a chemistry cemented by years on the road,” reports reviewer Greg Schwartz (PopMatters.com). All three share vocal duties, offering rich harmonies.”

The new rhythm section of drummer/tabla/djembe player Sean Hutchinson and bassist Marshall Harrell complete the team.

“Having undergone some line-up changes, New Monsoon’s sound is evolving,” says Schwartz, “but throughout the evening, one senses a band ascending with a the-sky-is-the-limit trajectory. While their sound has a foundation in classic rock, the addition of Eastern, Latin, and world-music elements has given the band an increasingly unique flavor — it’s that mix, perhaps, that has attracted a cult of followers known as ‘Storm Chasers’.”

The group has played a laundry list of major music venues, from Bonnaroo to Summerfest to a sold-out Fillmore Auditorium.

“New Monsoon is built on the pillars of the ‘60s SF scene — a healthy dose of improvisation, a psychedelic character and a broad stylistic reach — without expressly emulating anyone,” says Relix.

“You can feel when something sounds good and people will dig it,” says Miller. “We want to invite people into our house with a smile. Once we get you in there, down the road, we’ll play something darker. We’re not above freaking people out,” he says laughing.

Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open at 8:30 pm and showtime is 9:00.   SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $12 Advance, $15 Door. BUY TICKETS NOW

http://www.newmonsoon.com    

8/01 : Athiarchists, Better Left Unsaid, 2 Headed Chang, Only Nightmares, The Procrastinators

On Friday, August 1, the CCPA and KFLY welcome back Athiarchists with special guests Better Left Unsaid, 2 Headed Chang, Only Nightmares and The Procrastinators.

The last time they played here (May 30) Eugene’s Athiarchists celebrated the release of their CD Don’t Be Another Part of the Herd by giving away free copies to everyone who attended the show. This time around, our hardcore homies are giving everyone a copy of the band’s new live DVD (recorded at the aforementioned CD Release Party here) at the door. Plus they promise another spectacular show, with additional lighting installed to enhance the environment. And quite possibly another bring-your-own meat bar-be-que in the back parking lot.

The headline act and playing last are Athiarchists, a fearless duo comprised of Aaron Tunnell on guitar, bass and vocals, and The Myrmidon/Animal on drums. Together they rock heavier and harder than most four piece bands as they deliver a message of resistance to the increasingly heavy-handed forces being used by government and religion to destroy our freedom.

Athiarchists are do-it-yourself in every sense of the phrase: recording and distributing their recorded material all on their own. It’s obvious they aren’t in it for the money -- they give too much stuff away. Athiarchists live for the music. They play for you because they want you to hear them.

The show features four support acts, so get ready for a full night of hard rockin’ hardcore entertainment with Athiarchists and their friends.

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Doors open at 7:00 pm and showtime is 7:30.   SHOWTIME: 7:30 PM, PRICE: $8 Advance, $10 Door.

http://www.myspace.com/theathiarchists  http://www.theathiarchists.com  

8/04 : Music's Edge Summer Rock Camp

Director Tim McLaughlin hosts the Music's Edge 2008 Summer Rock Camp at the WOW Hall August 4-8.  

Designed for ages 10-18, the WOW Hall’s followup camp to last summer’s very successful Music's Edge Rock Camp for budding rock musicians will culminate with a full blown, rockin' show on Friday, August 8.  

"It's meant to be life changing to some degree,” reports the Eugene Register Guard.  ”It can take a lifetime to learn some of these skills."  

Music's Edge at the WOW Hall is interested in all skill levels and all instruments. Tim McLaughlin, band leader of the acclaimed group Eleven Eyes, heads up a very pro staff that includes Zak Johnson, Ehren Ebbage and daily special guests.  Music’s Edge will feature different workshops each day with music industry professionals and performers.  

Notes the Register Guard: "In an age when reality TV show contests spotlight the glamour of the music business, the camp participants seem focused on the right things.”  

The camp lasts from Monday through Friday and goes from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. The students will be divided into three different bands based on age and ability.  The week will be spent rehearsing a set of rock, funk, jazz, blues, hip-hop and pop tunes to be performed on the WOW Hall stage on August 8.  

Camp tuition is $249. A $25 nonrefundable application fee will be applied to the tuition. Payment by check is to Community Center for the Performing Arts/WOW Hall.  To pay by Visa, Master or Debit card please call the WOW Hall office at 687-2746 between noon and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

The student performance on Friday, August 8, is free and open to the public. Doors open at 3:00 pm and showtime is 3:30.

Meet The Instructors

Tim McLaughlin

Tim McLaughlin is a freelance trumpet/guitar player, active in recording, teaching, performing and composing.  Since graduating from the U. of O. School of Music in 2002, McLaughlin has appeared on numerous recordings, as well as toured the western U. S. multiple times.  McLaughlin currently performs with Eleven Eyes, Everyone Orchestra, Tim McLaughlin/Sean Peterson Duo, NOW! Trio, Cubist Quartet and Matt Butler's SEE.  As a music educator, McLaughlin hosts a full private teaching studio, co-directs the Willamette H.S. Jazz Program, directs the Marcola School District music program, conducts weekly clinics, workshops and classes, and directs multiple jazz/rock ensembles.  McLaughlin has been a strong advocate for supporting youth in music by helping to develop the Kidz Rock music series as well as  developing and directing the the WOW Hall Music Education program.

Zak Johnson

Zak Johnson has played music professionally for ten years and has taught for five, working with students privately and at such institutions as OFAM/AMI and Lesson Factory.  He is an accomplished songwriter and musician and plays guitar, upright bass and electric bass in various groups, including the U of O Gospel Ensemble, the West Coast Rhythm Kings and his own rock group, The Dead Americans, touring extensively throughout the West Coast.  He’s worked with Tim McLaughlin since the beginning of the Music’s Edge camps, and his emphasis on ear training and improvisation helps students hone their skills as live performers.  

Ehren Ebbage

Ehren Ebbage has been playing and teaching music professionally for more than a decade. A graduate of the University of Oregon School of Music, Ehren has toured the US many times, has written, recorded, and performed with numerous national and international artists, and has released two recordings of his own material.

Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

9:30 - 10:00 am:  Warm-up, tune, get into groups

10:00 - 11:30 am:  Rehearse in ensembles

11:30 am - noon:  Master classes/sectionals

noon -12:20 pm: lunch 

12:20 pm - 1:00 pm:  Guest musician performance

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Rehearse in ensembles

Yes, kids need there own instruments, although Tim is hoping to make drum sets, bass amps, guitar amps and keyboards available. Participants should have some experience.   SHOWTIME: 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM M-F, PRICE: $249 / $25 deposit.

    

8/16 : Joe Strummer Tribute Show

  SHOWTIME: , PRICE: .

http://www.systemyou.org/systemyou/Strummer-Tribute.html   http://www.myspace.com/joestrummertributeshoweugeneoregon    

8/20 : Monsters of Accordions

Meet the Accordion Monsters:

JASON WEBLEY - Seattle, WA

Street performer turned cult musician, Jason Webley is one of the best known songwriters currently squeezing a squeezebox. His relentless touring schedule has built him a cult following all across North America, Europe and Australia, as well as a large and loyal following in Russia. Known for his gravelly voice and energetic foot-stomping, Webley's specialty is involving his audience in his shows. Almost all of his concerts end with the entire crowd locked arm-in-arm, singing his trademark "Drinking Song" at the tops of their lungs. Webley has just released his fifth album, The Cost of Living on Eleven Records.

"One of Seattle’s most talented musicians, a singer-songwriter with a rare gift for crafting timeless songs that approach Waits and Leonard Cohen territory." -The Seattle Times

www.jasonwebley.com

www.myspace.com/jasonwebley

MARK GROWDEN - San Francisco, CA

After a three year hiatus, the Bay Area's accordion sex symbol- Mark Growden- makes his return to the touring circuit. Best known for his dark, passionate accordion driven compositions, Growden is something of a Renaissance man. He also plays saxophone, banjo and guitar, and is an accomplished visual artist and composer for theater and film, as well as a teacher, an athlete and a father. Growden has released several critically acclaimed albums and was the recipient of the Isadora Duncan Award for his score for the Alonzo King Lines Conteporary Ballet.

"Endlessly, deliriously creative" –San Francisco Weekly

'Theatrical, dark and sexy.' -West Coast Performer

www.myspace.com/markgrowden

AMY DENIO - Seattle, WA

Amy Denio is a Seattle-based composer and multi-instrumentalist known world-wide for her unconventional songwriting, and incredible musicianship. She has worked with countless artists, including Bill Frisell, Danny Barnes, Kultur Shock, the Pat Graney Dance Company and even Chuck D. With more than 35 CDs recorded and released, Denio has performed all over the world, from Carnegie Hall to Taiwan to the Metro buses in downtown Seattle. In addition to her solo work, she currently plays with the Tipton Saxaphone Quartet, Quintetto alla Busara and her accordion-only ensemble, Hell's Bellows.

"Her one-woman shows are replete with linguistic gymnastics, instrumental improvisations, and more mood elevators than a year's worth of your favorite pharmaceutical." -East Bay Express

www.amydenio.com

www.myspace.com/amydenio

DUCKMANDU - Oakland, CA

Duckmandu is the stage name of Oakland performer, Aaron Seeman. A player with virtuosic technical skill, his repertoire includes, but is not limited to, 70's rock, Broadway, klezmer, classical, country, Sousa marches and even a polka or two. However, Duckmandu's specialty is alarmingly accurate accordion recreations of classic punk songs. His 2005 release, Fresh Duck for Rotting Accordionists is a note-for-note re-make of the entire first Dead Kennedys album. Seeman also plays with the Romanian folk group Fishtank Ensemble, composes for San Francisco's Punk Rock Orchestra and has recorded with Mr. Bunngle.

"A virtuoso player" -SF Bay Guardian

www.duckmandu.com

www.myspace.com/duckmandu

Special Guests:

BAD MITTEN ORCHESTRE - Eugene, OR Six gals who share a deep appreciation for belly laughs, goofiness, romance, adventure,whiskey and beer. Featuring Naima on the squeezebox. The Mittens recently released their new CD, Garden of Eve.

www.myspace.com/badmittenmusic

OFFICIAL SPONSOR:

Smythe's Accordion Center

Kimric Smythe is a bona-fide mad scientist, one of the original pyrotechicians for Burning Man and a member of Survival Research Laboratories, the robotic performance art group known for producing "the most dangerous shows on earth." He is also an accordion repairman and the owner and operator of Smythe's Accordion Center in Oakland, birthplace of the Monsters of Accordion.

www.smythe'saccordioncenter.com     SHOWTIME: 8:30 PM, PRICE: $10 Advance, $12 Door.

http://www.elevenrecords.com/monsters/  http://www.myspace.com/badmittenmusic  

9/02 : Old 97's

  SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $18 Advance, $20 Door. BUY TICKETS NOW

http://www.old97s.com    

9/11 : Willy Porter & Raining Jane

  SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $15 Advance, $17 Door.

    

9/22 : Dr. Dog

  SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $12 Advance, $14 Door.

    

9/23 : The Wedding Present

  SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $10 Advance, $12 Door.