Radgirl's Portland Playground

Being a music blogger means you must listen to a lot of music and sift through all of it looking for something that stands out.  Being a huge pop punk addict means that I am constantly listening to bands that sound just like every other pop punk band out there.  Not this time. Air Combat jumped onto my radar out of the blue, but they are not new to the music scene.  As a matter of fact, they are on tour in Canada right now after releasing their second album The Story Of The Boy With The Stolen Name . What set them apart was their sound.  It’s a mixture of post-hardcore, old school punk, pop punk, and angst filled emotional lyrics, which you feel in every song.  In the era of pop punk sound-a-likes, the raw sound of Air Combat is like that ragged first breath of cold fresh air after a set spent in the mosh pit: coarse and jagged yet fulfilling and necessary.    If you haven’t heart Air Combat, it’s time to put them in your playlist. ...

Just over ten years ago, there was this band at the Warped Tour.  They weren't even playing, but they were walking around introducing themselves to everyone and selling their CD.  They were the happiest, sweetest, most positive guys, and you couldn't help but fall in love with them and hand over your money. When their debut album 'A Lesson in Romantics' hit the airwaves, it was literally like magic.  Every person who heard them couldn't stop listening.  Their gut-wrenching lyrics and intensely beautiful sound worked its way right into you, took hold, and ten years later still won't let go. Last night, Mayday Parade hit the Portland stop of the ten year anniversary tour along with Knuckle Puck, a pop punk band from Chicago, and Milestones, a pop-punk band who joined the tour all the way from England, and not one of them disappointed. Lead singer of Milestones. Photo by Sunshine O'Connor Milestones walked out on that stage and warmed up the crowd ...

Yesterday I got the notification that one of my favorite bands is coming to Portland, and they have been pouring from my speakers today every chance I got. I fell in love with Mayday Parade about a billion years ago (or somewhere in 2006-7 ish) at a Warped Tour concert.  They weren't well known yet, and they walked up to me with a very simple sign that I'm pretty sure was made from a sheet and some sharpies, and one of them said, "We're Mayday Parade.  We love you and we would love it if you would come see us and bring your friends." They told me what time and which stage, and I made a point to be there.   It was trance-like.  Every single song echoed deep in my soul and I was an instant addict.  Every time they came to town, I made it a point to see them.  My daughter, who was in middle school at the time, made Mayday Parade mixed CD's and they have remained in heavy rotation in my life since then.   Mayday Parade has just the right ...