Hey, Summer concert season is getting pretty close, huh. That would explain this barrage of big shows going on sale soon:

Warped Tour 2008 (Aug. 9, Gorge Amphitheatre): This years featuring Paramore, Gym Class Heroes, All-American Rejects, Angels & Airwaves, Say Anything and a gang of other bands. Tickets are $29.05 to $32.60 and go on sale at 4 p.m. Friday.

Steve Miller Band with Joe Cocker (Aug. 2, Gorge Amphitheatre): Tickets are $39.50 to $67.50 and go on sate at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Melissa Etheridge (Aug. 24, Paramount Theatre): Tickets are $38 to $103 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

Click the above links or try Ticketmaster for the relevant details.

I’d only seen Los Angeles punk legends X live once, at the White River Amphitheatre a couple of years ago where they delivered a truncated set at the End’s summer gala, Endfest and have since become a big fan of their eclectic and highly underrated sound. And after seeing them Sunday night at Showbox at the Market (the first of two shows, the second being tonight) I am left with a few questions. First, how did these guys not become household names? Their musical output was consistently brilliant, an eclectic mix of punk, vintage Chuck Berry riffs, rockabilly and other styles, topped off with John Doe and Exene Cervenka's infectious vocal harmonies. And are they America's most underrated and perhaps greatest punk band? Discuss. Fans of the Ramones, Black Flag and other contenders can leave rants, contrary arguments and miscellaneous flames in the comments section.

The veteran outfit -- also guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer DJ Bonebrake -- were in top form, from upbeat "Once Over Twice," to raucous and still venemous set highlight "Los Angeles" and through the final notes of set closer "The World's a Mess, It's In My Kiss." They may have been at it for more than three decades (this tour marks the 31st anniversary), but they all looked like a bunch of bright eyed kids having fun. You know, aside from the way Cervenka's maternal look, complete with apron ensemble, made you think she'd just gotten done with a tray of snickerdoodles before rocking out to "The Unheard Music."

I'm going back tonight. And here's some of what you missed Sunday.

Legendary Los Angeles punk band X includes singer-bassist John Doe (foreground), singer Exene Cervenka and guitarist Billy Zoom. (Not pictured: Drummer DJ Bonebrake.) These shots were taken during the early set, which included “Once Over Twice,” “We’re Having Much More Fun” and “White Girl.”
ERNEST A. JASMIN

Opening acts were the Skybombers (top) and Ellensberg-bred country rocker Mark Pickerel. The latter performed with guests, including Cops bassist Drew Church (in photo) and Visqueen’s Rachel Flotard. I want to kick myself for not getting an in focus shot of how well Flotard cleaned up, looking quite glamorous in a slinky, black dress in contrast to her usual denim look. I’ll make sure I get it tonight if she comes back.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

Update: I need to fill in the gaps in my X collection and wasn't 100 percent sure about a couple of songs on Sunday night's set. But after checking in with the band's publicist, this is the list we came up with.

X 31st anniversary tour set list
Showbox at the Market
Seattle, Washington
March 30, 2008

Once Over Twice
We're Having Much More Fun
White Girl
My Goodness
Riding with Mary
True Love
In This House I Call Home
We're Desperate
Adult Books
Los Angeles
Hungry Wolf
Year 1
New World
Unheard Music
Sugarlight
Breathless
Beyond & Back
Motel Room in My Bed
Johnny Hit & Run Paulene
Soul Kitchen

First encore:
Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not
Blue Spark
Because I Do
Devil Doll

Second encore:
Back 2 the Base
The World's a Mess, It's in My Kiss

Ministry is still a cult phenomenon 27 years after Al Jourgensen founded the group in Chicago. But it’s an important cult, one that's made a deep impression on hard rock as we know it even if Jourgensen and company never quite conquered the Billboard 200.

Consider that with “The Land of Rape and Honey,” Ministry’s creative breakthrough in 1987, the band all but carved the template for industrial metal, thus paving the way for Nine Inch Nails to cross over with a more pop savvy take on that aesthetic a few years later. And even now you can hear Ministry’s sinister stamp on popular acts ranging from Marilyn Manson to Linkin Park. (For starters, compare listen to the lead in to Linkin Park's "Given Up” followed by Ministry’s “N.W.O.”)

So when Jourgensen announced he was breaking up his influential band last fall it was big news. And while some guy named Bruuuuuuuuuce was playing across town at KeyArena last night (read Soren Andersen’s take on that show here), I preferred to swing by Seattle’s Showbox SoDo to check out Ministry’s farewell tour. The band's hits from the late '80s and early '90s (or "fits" the band calls them on its best of collection) are still some of the heaviest and most distinct tracks in the genre. And guitarist Sin Quirin had promised big surprises and special guests during our interview a while back.

But fair warning to fans planning on checking the tour out in other cities: Don’t expect the show to be a big, nostalgiafest. Actually, don’t expect to hear many of your favorite songs from Ministry’s heyday at all. While I kind of like it when a veteran rock band mixes it up with a fair representation of their new material, especially if it's as good as Ministry's last couple of albums, Jourgensen really over did it - especially considering this is being billed as the last tour.

In Seattle, the entire first hour and a quarter of a rockin’ but ultimately disappointing set was dedicated to Jourgensen’s George Dubya Bush-bashing triology, “Houses of the Molé,” “Rio Grande Blood” and “The Last Sucker,” with predictable footage of the president, old propaganda films and miscellaneous mayhem on a projection screen behind the band.

Then the new Ministry lineup - which notably includes Static-X bassist Tony Campos, in for the late Paul Raven - took a bow. But it was still relatively early, and I figured the band would come back with a solid 45 minutes to an hour of the head banging classics that fans had been calling out, even as they seemed to enjoy the new songs. And that seemed to be the plan during a first encore that got Ministry's faithful extra riled up with “N.W.O.,” “Just One Fix” and the choppy aggression of “Thieves.” Hey, wouldn't that first and last one have fit in seamlessly with the political material from earlier? Anyway, during this part of the show Fear Factory’s Burton Bell made an appearance for some of the growliest duets ever.

The crowd was just getting warmed up. So it would have been the perfect time for those Ministry lads to pull something extra special from their sleeves to push things over the top. A little “Stigmata” or "Jesus Built My Hotrod," maybe? Perhaps a couple of synth-pop surprises from back in the “Twitch” days, when Jourgensen's aesthetic was a little closer to New Order/Depeche Mode end of the spectrum?

Well, no. Try a bunch of covers - yes, covers - from the forthcoming “Cover Up” disc. They turned into a bar band with thrashy send-ups of the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues,” ZZ Top’s “Just Got Paid” and the Rolling Stones' “Under My Thumb,” if you care to know, with Jourgensen cracking a big grin and shedding his surly, chain smoking demeanor for a bit some goofy gyrating towards the end.

The set wasn't a total flop. As mentioned, I like the new songs. But how disappointing was the overall set on a scale of one to 10? I’d give it about an eight. Assuming you're not a Ministry fan, here's a bit of context. Imagine going to see the Rolling Stones, hearing 10 straight songs from “A Bigger Bang” (a decent album, but not what you came for) and seeing the World's Greatest Rock Band walk off after just a handful of its hits. Buh-bye. You ain't gotta go home, but ...

Here’s hoping that Jourgensen and company reconsider that whole “final tour” thing, or at least milk it for a while, a la Kiss. (Well, don't suppose they'd keep it going that long.) Then the industrial metal heroes could come back and say good-bye properly, with a more well thought out set.

Metal upstarts Hemlock opened with an energetic if not altogether memorable set. They were followed the band that made the whole experience worth the price of admission as far as I'm concerned – the mighty, mighty Meshuggah, one of the best metal bands on the planet at the moment. I can’t wait for the Swedish prog-metal band’s newest “Obzen” based on what I heard. They played “Electric Red” and “Pravus,” according to the set list. (I'm a latecomer to this band, and didn't have those songs sorted out as I watched. But expect more of what you love from those guys; freaky signatures; dark, choppy riffs; cavernous ambiance.) But the sonic maelstrom of “Rational Gaze” served as the set’s high point; a nuclear blast of Swedish metal fury that makes other new school metal acts sound like lightweight in comparison.

Band leader Al Jourgensen (top) and company performed behind a chain-linked barrier. And here’s the surprisingly hit-deficient set list.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

The latest (and presumably final) version of Ministry is a super-group of sorts with Prong’s Tommy Victor (at fence, rousing up crowd), Static-X’s Tony Campos filling in for the late Paul Raven, who died last fall, and guitarist Sin Quirin (also of Revolting Cocks). At bottom is Ministry’s surprisingly hit-deficient set list.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

Swedish prog-metal band Meshuggah pretty amazing as it delivered its mathy brand of menace; jazzy signatures, warped tempo changes, affected tempos and all that good stuff. Singer Jens Kidman reminded me of Tool’s Maynard James Keenan in that his stage antics were pretty melodramatic and bizarre (in a good way.) To picture his affected head banging technique, imagine the bald guy in the photo also simultaneously trying to do crunches and flex like Hans & Franz. Gotta love the deranged facial expression, too. Nice. It's my first time seeing the guy live, and he's already one of my favorite front men. Also pictured: Band mate Fredrik Thordendal, the fans and the set list.
ERNEST A. JASMIN

I was anxious to check out Ministry and Meshuggah last night. (More on that in my next post.) So we sent film critic Soren Andersen to check out last night's biggest ticket, Bruce Springsteen, last night at KeyArena. And apparently he liked what he saw and heard. Here is part of his take:

No opening act. No introduction. No nonsense.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band got right down to business after a late start Saturday night at Seattle’s KeyArena. Taking the stage at 8:35, an hour later than the concert’s scheduled start time, they tore through five songs before the Boss paused and shouted “Good evening!” to the ecstatic capacity crowd.

The band jumped straight into “Trapped” and followed up with “Radio Nowhere,” “No Surrender,” “Lonesome Day” and Gypsy Biker,” with Springsteen racing to the back of the stage to grab a new guitar at the end of each number and then rushing back to the front to launch into the next song.

The musical mix of the opening set the agenda for the evening, in which the group performed more than two dozen songs, almost half from the band’s latest album, “Magic.” There would be new anthems from “Magic.” The driving “Radio Nowhere,” with its lyrics “I want a thousand guitars, I want pounding drums, I want a million different voices speaking in tongues,” set the table for the much darker, despairing but still pulsing “Living in the Future” an hour later.

Read the rest here.

Influential Los Angeles punk outfit X is the main attraction at Showbox at the Market Sunday and Monday nights. And recently I caught up with singer-bassist John Doe to talk about his band's legacy. Here's some of what he had to say.

Clip 1: Not ready for prime time

Clip 2: Meeting singer Exene Cervenka

Clip 3: Splitting and later reuniting with guitarist Billy Zoom

Clip 4: Recording a new X album?

Clip 5: Recalling "Los Angeles," "Adult Book" and "Beyond and Back"

Clip 6: Ties to Seattle and Pearl Jam (for those of you who have seen X open for Pearl Jam, or John Doe's surprise cameo at the Showbox a few years back)

And for those who missed it, I also posted an item Monday about Doe and Cervenka working on new material for side project, the Knitters. (Then again, maybe X is the side project at this point.)

Taalib Johnson, aka Musiq Soulchild, will play two big shows tonight and Saturday at the Emerald Queen Casino. And I caught up with him for an interview earlier this month. Click here to listen to some of what he had to say. Then you can check my story in today's GO section for more.

George Michael still sells out arenas abroad. But 18 years removed from his heyday and by now equally known for tabloid fodder as for his hits, will he still be able to sell out KeyArena?

We'll find out well before July 2 when the British pop star's first U.S. tour in 17 years is scheduled to bring him to Seattle. Will fans flock to hear "Faith," "Freedom" and "Father Figure"? Or should the guy have tested the waters at the Paramount first? You be the judge.

Live Nation announced ticket details today. Prices are set at $49.50 to $250, and they go on sale at 9 a.m. on April 5. You'll be able to find more info here.

Broadway Center has released more details regarding the hip-hop community forum it is organizing in the aftermath of the cancellation of an E-40 concert earlier this month.

The event is all set for 3 p.m. April 27 at Theatre on the Square and is free and open to the public. University of Puget Sound professor, Dexter Gordon will facilitate discussion “with intentions of maintaining an environment where all voices and opinions will be spoken and heard,” according to a release issued by Broadway Center this afternoon.

Broadway Center director David Fischer is also quoted in the press release: “I believe there is a fantastic history of artistry in hip-hop; and I also believe there are artists who aren’t brandishing guns and celebrating the abuse of women. The Broadway Center is committed to diverse access, but also in making sure our venues are safe and welcoming for the entire community. The upcoming community dialogue is designed to empower our community to better serve the Hip Hop audience.”

Tacoma city officials and members of local hip-hop group 2012 will also participate in the event.

Here are the answers to Tuesday's Bruce Springsteen quiz. As always, avoid spoilers by clicking here.

1. Which New Jersey town does the Boss hail from?

A. Asbury Park
B. Newark
C. East Orange
D. Freehold

2. Which of Springsteen’s albums was the first to go gold, serving as his commercial breakthrough in 1975?

A. “Born in the U.S.A.”
B. “Born to Run”
C. “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.”
D. “Nebraska”

3. Which song – actually a cynical anthem about a frustrated Vietnam veteran – was co-opted against the singer's will by Ronald Reagan during his 1984 presidential run?

A. “Thunder Road”
B. “Dead Man Walkin’”
C. “Born in the U.S.A.”
D. “Glory Days”

4. Which E Street Band member is also known for playing Silvio on “The Sopranos”?

A. Clarence Clemons
B. Steven Van Zandt
C. Danny Federici
D. Max Weinberg

5. Which E Street Band member is Conan O’Brien’s musical director?

A. Clarence Clemons
B. Steven Van Zandt
C. Danny Federici
D. Max Weinberg

6. The video for what Springsteen song features a then unknown Courtney Cox being pulled from the audience?

A. Born in the USA
B. I’m on Fire
C. Glory Days
D. Dancing in the Dark

7. What critic penned one of the most heavily quoted lines in rock journalism history, “I saw rock & roll’s future and its name is Bruce Springsteen”?

A. Jon Landau
B. Simon Frith
C. Robert Christgau
D. Chuck Klosterman

8. Which E Street Band member recently had to take time off to receive treatment for melanoma?

A. Clarence Clemons
B. Steven Van Zandt
C. Danny Federici
D. Max Weinberg

9. Which of the following is not a band the Boss played in before he became a superstar?

A. The 13th Floor Elevators
B. The Castiles
C. Earth
D. Steel Mill

10. Which of Springsteen’s recent albums explored the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11?

A. “Devils & Dust”
B. “The Rising”
C. “Magic”
D. “We Shall Overcome”

11. Which folk icon did Springsteen pay homage to on his 2006 album (which shall remain nameless for obvious reasons?)

A. Bob Dylan
B. Leadbelly
C. Woody Guthrie
D. Pete Seeger

12. Which alt-rocker recently appeared on a magazine cover with Sprinsteen and sounds eerily like the Boss on his songs "Keep the Car Running" and “Antichrist Television Blues”?

A. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder
B. The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn
C. Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam
D. The Arcade Fire’s Winn Butler

Hey, you know how everyone and their grandma has been singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” at karaoke for the past year? You know, a lot more than they did five years ago? And remember how the song served as bombastic background music during that last @#%@%#@ scene of “The Sopranos,” thus prompting debates on how awesome and/or cheesy it is? (It is a officially both awesome and cheesy, for the record.) Well, looks like those Journey boys are looking to parlay after the boost in interest. They're on the comeback trail with a just announced headlining amphitheater tour that will bring them to White River Amphitheatre on Sept. 19.

Opening for Journey will be Seattle’s own badass rock mamas, Heart, and confectionary pop-rockers Cheap Trick.

And if I'm guessing correctly, this is now running through your head like some sort of irresistible power ballads mantra:

Just a small town girl, livin' in a looonely woooorld
She took the midnight train goin anywheeeeeeeeere

A British fan of our very own Sonics, a guy who goes by the You Tube handle PGregoire, alerted me of some footage he posted of a recent gig at London's Forum. Now if only we can get the Sonics to play on their home turf. Hmmmm.

On his self-titled sophomore album – due from Barsuk on April 8 – the British artist bridges the gap between ‘60s psych-pop and loungey electronica. His style and quirky sense of humor would make Noir a great opening act for Beck.

This husband and wife duo is one of the most criminally underrated bands of the last decade. For the new album, “L' Autrichienne,” the duo turned to the French Revolution for inspiration. (Don’t worry, headbangers. They haven’t turned into the Decemberists.) And they expand their sludgy aesthetic with a nice mix of doom metal, thrashy punk, indie rock and pretty ballads like this one.

Radiohead guitarist and resident genius Jonny Greenwood is no stranger to scoring films. If you like this, from "There Will Be Blood," check out the soundtrack to 2003 documentary “Bodysong.”

And just to give you something a little heavier … I’ve been listening to Ministry’s final studio album, “The Last Sucker,” in the weeks leading up to this weekend’s show in Seattle. And while they don’t exactly break new ground, Al Jourgensen and company prove they can still kick your @#$%@.

Bruce Springsteen is coming to Seattle’s KeyArena on Saturday. So let’s see who the real die hard fans are?

1. Which New Jersey town does the Boss hail from?

A. Asbury Park
B. Newark
C. East Orange
D. Freehold

2. Which of Springsteen’s albums was the first to go gold, serving as his commercial breakthrough in 1975?

A. “Born in the U.S.A.”
B. “Born to Run”
C. “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.”
D. “Nebraska”

3. Which song – actually a cynical anthem about a frustrated Vietnam veteran – was co-opted against the singer's will by Ronald Reagan during his 1984 presidential run?

A. “Thunder Road”
B. “Dead Man Walkin’”
C. “Born in the U.S.A.”
D. “Glory Days”

4. Which E Street Band member is also known for playing Silvio on “The Sopranos”?

A. Clarence Clemons
B. Steven Van Zandt
C. Danny Federici
D. Max Weinberg

5. Which E Street Band member is Conan O’Brien’s musical director?

A. Clarence Clemons
B. Steven Van Zandt
C. Danny Federici
D. Max Weinberg

6. The video for what Springsteen song features a then unknown Courtney Cox being pulled from the audience?

A. Born in the USA
B. I’m on Fire
C. Glory Days
D. Dancing in the Dark

7. What critic penned one of the most heavily quoted lines in rock journalism history, “I saw rock & roll’s future and its name is Bruce Springsteen”?

A. Jon Landau
B. Simon Frith
C. Robert Christgau
D. Chuck Klosterman

8. Which E Street Band member recently had to take time off to receive treatment for melanoma?

A. Clarence Clemons
B. Steven Van Zandt
C. Danny Federici
D. Max Weinberg

9. Which of the following is not a band the Boss played in before he became a superstar?

A. The 13th Floor Elevators
B. The Castiles
C. Earth
D. Steel Mill

10. Which of Springsteen’s recent albums explored the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11?

A. “Devils & Dust”
B. “The Rising”
C. “Magic”
D. “We Shall Overcome”

11. Which folk icon did Springsteen pay homage to on his 2006 album (which shall remain nameless for obvious reasons?)

A. Bob Dylan
B. Leadbelly
C. Woody Guthrie
D. Pete Seeger

12. Which alt-rocker recently appeared on a magazine cover with Sprinsteen and sounds eerily like the Boss on his songs "Keep the Car Running" and “Antichrist Television Blues”?

A. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder
B. The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn
C. Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam
D. The Arcade Fire’s Winn Butler

John Doe has already starred in at least one excellent rock doc, "The Unheard Music," which chronicles influential Los Angeles punk band X's brush with mainstream fame in the '80s. And recently, during an interview about X's 31st anniversary shows Sunday and Monday in Seattle, Doe told me his country-rock outfit the Knitters -- which also includes X band mates Exene Cervenka and DJ Bonebrake -- will star in their own documentary.

Click the link below to hear what he had to say. And check back later this week to hear Doe discuss X's legacy, new material he's written with Cervenka and the odds we might hear a new X album. Cheers, mates.

Country superstar and "American Idol" alumnus Carrie Underwood will return to the Puyallup Fair & Exhibition Center where she will headline the grandstand on Sept. 17, organizers announced today. Underwood -- known for hits "Jesus Take the Wheel," "Don't Forget to Remember Me" and "Before He Cheats" -- last played there in 2006.

The fair will run from Sept. 5 to 21 this year, and you can find the full grandstand schedule by clicking here.

I spoke too soon before I posted that last "video of the week." Nearly forgot about these clips a buddy of mine told me about, with Nirvana performing at Tacoma's Legends back in 1990. (They were more of a Tacoma and Olympia band than a Seattle band on the way up, in case you didn't know.) This is good stuff.

That last one actually shows them playing Tacoma's Community World Theatre on Jan. 23, 1988. Click here to go to a cool site that has that day's set list and other details.

This performance of Portishead performing a new song called "Wicca" was shot at England's All Tomorrow's Parties festival in England in December. Can't wait for their new album "Third" to come out.

Al Jourgensen is breaking up Ministry, in case you haven't heard. The influential industrial metal band will kick off its final tour next week, and the March 29 stop at Showbox SoDo represents the last time Seattle fans will get to hear eardrum busting favorites "Stigmata," "N.W.O." and "Thieves" live.

Recently, I caught up with guitarist Sin Quirin who mapped out the band's near future, which involves Louis Armstrong and witches gone wild, apparently. Weird.

Clip 1: Tour surprises

Clip 2: Guitarist Paul Raven's death, recruiting Static-X's Tony Campos

Clip 3: The new "Cover Up" album

Clip 4: The soundtrack to "Wicked Lake"

I’ll give all you the good news first. Pearl Jam just announced a bunch of spring and summer tour dates. The bad new: You’ll need air fare to get to them. But since I know a lot of your Pearl Jam fanatics like to travel, here they are:

Pearl Jam 2008 tour dates

June 11: West Palm, Florida (Cruzan Amphitheatre)
June 12: Tampa, Florida (St Pete Times Forum)
June 13 to 15: Manchester, Tennessee (Bonnaroo Music Festival)
June 16: Columbia, South Carolina (Colonial Center)
June 17: Virginia Beach, Virginia (Verizon Wireless Amphitheater)
June 19: Camden, New Jersey (Susquehanna Bank Center)
June 22: Washington, D.C. (Verizon Center)
June 24, 25: New York City ( Madison Square Garden)
June 27: Hartford, Connecticut (Dodge Amphitheater)
June 30: Mansfield, Massachusetts (Tweeter Center)

“4 Ghosts I” Nine Inch Nails

Did the new Nine Inch Nails album creep up on anyone else or just me? It’s Nails’ first instrumental album since that creepy soundtrack Reznor did for the first Quake game. And with nine tracks available for free, 36 digital tracks for five bones and a full CD, with pretty art and everything, for 10, it’s yet another encouraging reminder of where the industry is headed.

“Oxford Comma” Vampire Weekend

I was resistant to these guys at first. I ‘em pegged as the new Arctic Monkeys or Franz Ferdinand. That is, an overly hyped young band that maybe half as many people will care about in a year. But I must admit, I love this song. Clever lyrics, sunny Calypso vibe that makes you feel like sipping a margaritas while tubin’ down the river. Nice. But good luck getting into their show next week at Neumo’s.

“Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” Leadbelly

Nirvana popularized this song – aka “In the Pines” aka “Black Girl” -- among Gen-Xers. And Leadbelly brought it to the masses half a century earlier. But did you know that it dates back to the 1870s and that it’s actually a combination of two old standards? The guy with his head cut off in the second verse is, apparently, a railroad worker killed by a train in the original version. When put together, Leadbelly’s rendition is one of the most haunting songs of the 20th century.

Mad Professor (Friday, Nectar): Dubstep acts like Kode 9 and Burial are all the rage in England. And you can trace them back to the Professor, among the most influential pioneers of dub reggae.

Citizen Cope (Friday, Saturday, Moore Theatre): This genre-bending singer-songwriter counts Seattle as one of his strongest markets.

Henry Rollins (Saturday, Capitol Theater): The former Black Flag/Rollins Band leader hits Oly with his latest comedy/spoken word routine, dubbed “Provoked.” It’s his only Washington stop this time around.

John Walker & the Hitchhikers (Wednesday, Jazzbones early show): Just recently got hip to this Tacoma band after seeing it at the Swiss. J-Dub is Tom Waitsey and existential, but kinda funny, too. You know, when he’s not reminding you that you’re gonna die and nobody loves you.

Vampire Weekend (Wednesday, Neumos): They’re this year’s Arctic Monkeys and then some; that is, a group of fresh-faced kids that came out of nowhere to generate a reeeeeediculous amount of buzz. Perhaps a little overhyped, but I kind of like their calypso-inflected debut. And does singer Ezra Koenig sound like a young Sting on some songs or what?

Ezra Koenig -- shown here at last week's SXSW festival in Austin -- will appear at Neumo's with the trendiest band in America, Vampire Weekend.
E. JASMIN

The answers to Tuesday's lyric game are below. As always, you can take the quiz and avoid spoilers by clicking here.

1. “A mulattao, and albino, a mosquito, my libido, yay.” (Nirvana’s “Smell’s Like Teen Spirit”)

2. “Rollin’ down the street, smokin’ endo, sippin’ on gin and juice …” (Snoop Dogg’s “Gin & Juice”)

3. “Make my funk the p-funk, I want my funk uncut / Make my funk the p-funk, I wants to get funked up.” (Parliament’s “P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)”)

4. “Generals gathered in their masses, just like witches at black masses” (Black Sababath’s “War Pigs” …”

5. “Mike D. grabbed the money M.C.A. snatched the gold, I grabbed two girlies and a beer that’s cold” (Beastie Boys “Paul Revere”)

6. “Just a small town girl, livin in a lonely world, she took the midnight train goin anywhere” (Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”)

7. “Well I'm not the world's most physical guy, but when she squeezed me tight, she nearly broke my spine.” (The Kinks “Lola”)

8. “You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, “… know when to walk away and know when to run.” (Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler”)

9. “All right stop collaborate and listen Ice is back with my brand new invention” (Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” … don’t act like you didn’t know that one)

10. “AK-47 is the tool, don't make me act the @#%@% fool” (NWA “Straight Outta Compton” … you have some of the street cred you lost by listening to Vanilla Ice back if you knew that one.)

11. “Billie Jean is not my lover, she's just a girl who claims that I am the one” (Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” … not that I gave you the title or anything.)

12. “But what can a poor boy do, except to sing for a rock n roll band” (Rolling Stones “Street Fighting Man”)

13. “If we don’t find our way to the next whiskey bar, I tell you we must die, I tell you we must die” (The Doors “Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)”)

14. ”You got mud on yo’ face, you big disgrace, kickin’ your can all over the place” (Queen’s “We Will Rock You”)

15. “You must not know about me, I could have another you in a minute, matter fact he’ll be here in a minute” (Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable”)

16. “Twenty, twenty, twenty-four hours to gooooooo, I wanna be sedated.” (The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated”)

Complete the lyric and name the song.

1. “A mulattao, an albino, a mosquito …”

2. “Rollin’ down the street, smokin’ endo …”

3. “Make my funk the p-funk, I want my funk uncut, make my funk the p-funk …”

4. “Generals gathered in their masses …”

5. “Mike D. grabbed the money M.C.A. snatched the gold …”

6. "Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world ..."

7. “Well I'm not the world's most physical guy, but when she squeezed me tight ..."

8. “You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em …”

9. ”All right stop collaborate and listen …”

10. “AK-47 is the tool …”

11. “Billie Jean is not my lover …”

12. “But what can a poor boy do …”

13. “If we don’t find our way to the next whiskey bar …”

14. ”You got mud on yo’ face, you big disgrace …”

15. “You must not know about me, I could have another you in a minute …”

16. “Twenty, twenty, twenty-four hours to gooooooo …”

Well, something weird that’s beyond my level of technological comprehension happened to our blog server last week. And that's why it’s taken me a few days longer than expected to upload those Girl Trouble interview clips promised in last Friday’s paper. But after a quick meeting with one of our web gurus, here they are.

My interview with Girl Trouble singer-saxophonist Kurt “K.P.” Kendall, drummer Bon Von Wheelie and guitarist Bill “Kahuna” Henderson was to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the Ft. Steilacoom College battle of the bands competition that they count as their first official show. Bon is the gal you hear talking. K.P. has the deeper voice. And Kahuna is the guy who comes in with the Johnny Thunders comment in the first clip. Got it? Got it. Anyway, here’s some of what those guys remembered.

Clip 1: Starting the band

Clip 2: Rejected band names

Clip 3: The birth of a gimmick

Clip 4: How they met Sylvia Eads, aka Granny Go-GO (above)

Broadway Center will host a community forum on how to safely present hip-hop concerts at 3 p.m. on April 27, center director David Fischer just told me. This comes in the aftermath of Broadway Center pulling the plug on an E40 concert scheduled for tonight on the advice of the Tacoma Police Department.

Fischer said he expected the concert would go on as planned until police expressed concerns about opening acts being involved in gang activity, and presented show advertisements and images on performers' My Space pages depicting gun play and lewd imagery. I’m working on a related story, so I’ll have more later.

The plug has been pulled on the E-40 performance scheduled for tonight at the Pantages Theater. And a related protest will take place at 4:30 p.m. today at Broadway Center, located at Ninth and Broadway downtown.

I'm still awaiting official word from the Broadway Center on why the show was nixed. Meanwhile, the show's sponsor, Rottweiler Records, the shows sponsor, and Coalition of Citizens for Justice have issued a press release claiming the show was canceled because it has unfairly been connected with gang activity. Excerpts are below:

When the Tacoma police and city officials were unable to associate E40 with a gang, they unsuccessfully attempted to find a gang affiliation with the other artists scheduled to perform. They cancelled the show because they want to prove WA State has a serious gang problem and to pass the Anti Gang Bill 2712. ...

When the police became involved they claimed "that we needed extra security and a exurban amount money to pay for security, we came up with the money and they still cancelled the show" Tracy Miller Rottweiler Records

It's hard to believe that Tacoma garage-punk institution Girl Trouble has been bringing the garage-punk goodness and hurling toy prizes into audience worldwide for 24 years. But, indeed, the quartet has. Sunday marked the 24th anniversary of the band's first official gig, which took place at Ft. Steilacoom Community College for the record. And I wrote a related story for Friday's SoundLife section. Working on editing some audio of my band interview, too. But meanwhile, as I was looking for some performance clips I came across these.

The first is a video for “Cold Shoulder,” which singer Kurt Kendall tells me was shot on 16 mm film at the Seattle Art Institute in 1994. And in a great “before they were famous” moment, alt-country star Neko Case appears as one of the go-go dancers.

Here the band is performing “Simulator” on the Seattle cable access show “29 Live” Circa 1999. Gotta love the kitschy “American Bandstand” vibe they create in this clip.

And, of course, I had to repost the video for “My Hometown,” a song that will make your Tacoma lungs swell with gritty pride. Enjoy.

Sigh! Just when I thought I'd have a year's reprieve from having to care about "American Idol," with no South Sound contestants on this season, this item shows up on TMZ.

It's about how Tacoma's Doxology is accusing "Idol" contestant David Cook of ripping off their arrangement of Beatles' classic "Eleanor Rigby." And the band posted the following response to Cook's performance of the song on its My Space page:

We’re not trying to be negative about all this. We have nothing against David Cook, or American idol. We actually thought he did a really good job with it. but I mean, come on...well you be the judge. I mean look, we worked pretty hard on that arrangement. Its the only cover that we do, and thats our twist to one of our favorite songs. So we’re not mad, we just think that credit should be given where credit is due. that’s all.

Now, really. What did we do before You Tube? I can't recall.

While I'm on a Presidents of the USA kick, you can click here to jump back to an interview I did with singer/guitbassist Chris Ballew before the band's performance at Pacific Lutheran University last year.

Here are the answers to yesterday Presidents of the United States of America quiz. Avoid spoilers by clicking here.

1. Which of the following adorable critters have the Presidents not sung about?

A. A ladybug
B. A kitty
C. A raccoon
D. A scrappy puppy

2. Which original band member is no longer with the Presidents?

A. Dave Dederer
B. Kim Thayil
C. Chris Ballew
D. Jason Finn

3. Who replaced him?

A. Soundgarden’s Ben Shepherd
B. Shuggie’s Andrew McKaeg
C. Girl Trouble’s Dale Phillips
D. Seaweed’s Wade Neal

4. What other funny rock guy directed the video for the band’s current single “Mixed Up S.O.B.”

A. Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass
B. Weird Al Yankovic
C. Jemaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords
D. Ed Robertson from Barenaked Ladies

5. What is the name of the band’s side project with Sir Mix-A-Lot a few years back

A. The Kremlins of the Soviet Union
B. Big Butt & the Cannot Lies
C. Love Battery
D. Subset

6. What’s the name of singer Chris Ballew’s side project with South Sound rapper, Outtasite?

A. Takin’ Candy From Babies
B. The Feelings Hijackers
C. Insane-O-Flex
D. The Moldy Donuts

7. Which of the following is not the name of a modified instrument the Presidents play?

A. The guitbass
B. The basitar
C. The druminator

8. The band broke up in what year, only to reform a few years later?

A. 1997
B. 1998
C. 1999
D. 2000

9. Complete the lyrics: “Some postman is grooving to all our love letters, some postman …”

A. “… is a big ol’ jerk.”
B. “… is gonna cry.”
C. “… is a sappy schlub.”
D. “… will fall in love.”

10. Which song was the President’s breakthrough hit back in ’95?

A. “Kitty”
B. “Lump”
C. “Peaches”
D. “Dream All Day”

The Presidents of the United States' infectiously goofy new album "These Are the Good Times People" is in stores today. And the Seattle trio will play those new tunes Saturday night at the Paramount Theatre. Hence today's topic ...

1. Which of the following adorable critters have the Presidents not sung about?

A. A ladybug
B. A kitty
C. A raccoon
D. A scrappy puppy

2. Which original band member is no longer with the Presidents?

A. Dave Dederer
B. Kim Thayil
C. Chris Ballew
D. Jason Finn

3. Who replaced him?

A. Soundgarden’s Ben Shepherd
B. Shuggie’s Andrew McKaeg
C. Girl Trouble’s Dale Phillips
D. Seaweed’s Wade Neal

4. What other funny rock guy directed the video for the band’s current single “Mixed Up S.O.B.”

A. Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass
B. Weird Al Yankovic
C. Jemaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords
D. Ed Robertson from Barenaked Ladies

5. What is the name of the band’s side project with Sir Mix-A-Lot a few years back

A. The Kremlins of the Soviet Union
B. Big Butt & the Cannot Lies
C. Love Battery
D. Subset

6. What’s the name of singer Chris Ballew’s side project with South Sound rapper, Outtasite?

A. Takin’ Candy From Babies
B. The Feelings Hijackers
C. Insane-O-Flex
D. The Moldy Donuts

7. Which of the following is not the name of a modified instrument that the Presidents play?

A. The guitbass
B. The basitar
C. The druminator

8. The band broke up in what year, only to reform a few years later?

A. 1997
B. 1998
C. 1999
D. 2000

9. Complete the lyrics: “Some postman is grooving to all our love letters, some postman …”

A. “… is a big ol’ jerk.”
B. “… is gonna cry.”
C. “… is a sappy schlub.”
D. “… will fall in love.”

10. Which song was the President’s breakthrough hit back in ’95?

A. “Kitty”
B. “Lump”
C. “Peaches”
D. “Dream All Day”

Bay Area rapper E40 will be the main attraction Friday night at the Pantages when he performs at the Rottweiler Records CD release party. And while I didn't interview the guy this time around, I did post a clip before his last Tacoma visit that you might want to revisit just to brush up on your "Yay Area" slang.

It's almost time for The Ventures' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You'll be able to see the ceremony tonight on VH1 Classic. Meanwhile, here are a couple more clips from my interview with guitarist and band co-founder Don Wilson.

Clip 3: Early days at Bob's Java Jive, Blue Moon and the Brittania

Clip 4: Where "Walk, Don't Run" came from

The first installment of Don Wilson interview clips is below. And if you missed it, you can also hear Seattle radio legend Pat O'Day's take by clicking here.

Monday is a huge day for Tacoma rock as the Ventures will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Madonna, John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen and the Dave Clark Five will join our hometown heroes in the Rock Hall's class of 2008.

I wrote a story about it that'll run on induction day. Meanwhile, I thought I'd post a few audio clips from my interview with Don Wilson, who founded the influential surf-rock band in Tacoma with Bob Bogle nearly 50 years ago. I had fun listening to his stories, so hope you like 'em.

Clip 1: The Rodney Dangerfields of rock

Clip 2: They were the Beatles before the Beatles ... in Japan

You can also scroll down and hear what Seattle radio legend Pat O'Day had to say about the Ventures' honor. I'll post more audio between now and Monday's broadcast.

The main draw at the Tacoma Dome tomorrow (March 9) is Festival Musical, a Mexican pop concert featuring Los Acosta, los Alegres de la Sierra, Banda Jerez, Los Telez and Brazeros Musical de Durango.

Scratching your head? Don't know you're ranchero from your cumbia? You can read more in Sunday's SoundLife section. Meanwhile, I thought I'd post a few clips from the featured acts as a preview.

"Deja Una Rosa En Tu Balcon" Los Acosta

"Amor Imposible" Los Acosta

"Lagrimas" Alegres de la Sierra

This arrived in my inbox the other day.

I was talking to Seattle radio legend Pat O'Day earlier today for my story related to the Ventures being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday. (O'Day and Jimi Hendrix are the only other Washingtonians inducted, by the way.) And the interview was such a cool history lesson that I thought I'd post a few clips.

Clip 1: Breaking "Walk, Don't Run" at KJR-AM

Clip 2: Putting the Northwest on the map during the golden age of rock radio

Clip 3: Early Ventures memories, and Rock Hall politics

Former disc jockey Pat O'Day at the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Street Parade in 2004.
BRUCE KELLMAN

The other day, The Ventures' Don Wilson mentioned tentative plans to perform at a KBSG-affiliated showcase of classic Tacoma rock bands. And now C.R. Roberts over on our business desk just posted an item about a Ventures party scheduled for Monday that also mentions rumors that said concert will take place at Cheney Stadium.

Cool! Expect more Ventures posts between now and Monday when the band is scheduled to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Previously, I posted that Tim McGraw was returning to Western Washington, but that the location had yet to be pinned down. Well, Live Nation has just announced that the country superstar will headline the White River Amphitheatre on June 24.

They also provided ticket details. They'll go for $34.25 and $64.25 and go on sale beginning 10 a.m. March 15. You'll be able to find more ticket info here.

Matchbox Twenty took a few years off before returning with hits collections "Exile on Mainstream," a two CD set that also includes a new six-song EP. And Saturday, the band's comeback tour will bring MB20 to KeyArena.

Earlier this week, I caught up with drummer turned guitarist Paul Doucette, and he gave me the skinny on where the band is at this stage of its run.

Part One: "Hey! Don't bring me into this!"

Part Two: "We changed everything about how we do things ..."

Matchbox Twenty, featuring singer Rob Thomas (above) will headline KeyArena Saturday night. The bill also includes Mute Math and Alanis Morissette. And we hear a certain somebody had been a hit with her "lovely lady lumps."
FREDERICK M. BROWN/GETTY IMAGES

Flash over at Hell's Kitchen has just informed me that Nick Oliveri has already canceled his show at Hell's Kitchen. So much for that.

The publicist for Seattle rock heavyweight Dave Matthews released his band's summer tour dates which -- surprise, surprise -- features a big, multi-night stand at Grant County's Gorge Amphitheatre. This year the DMB will perform there on Aug. 29, 30 and 31 with jam heroes O.A.R. opening.

Other dates are posted on the band Web site.

Flash over at Hell's Kitchen tells me Mr. Oliveri will headline with an acoustic set on March 23. If it's like the show I saw a couple of years ago at the Showbox, that may include unplugged versions of such screamy Queens numbers as "Quick and to the Pointless" and "Six Shooter."

Hmmm. And that reminds me. I never did get a straight answer from former band mate Josh Homme on why Oliveri got the boot from Queens. Wonder if Oliveri would have anything to say about that.

Whoops! Got so busy I almost forgot the answers to the Mark Lanegan quiz. 'Course, you already got an answer or two from my previous post on last night's Gutter Twins show. The rest are highlighted below. Or avoid spoilers and skip down to the original quiz by clicking here.

1. Who is the other Gutter Twin?

A. Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell
B. Mudhoney’s Mark Arm
C. Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli
D. Queens of the Stone Age’s Nick Oliveri

2. Which of the following weren’t in Screaming Trees, the project that made Lanegan famous?

A. Matt Cameron
B. Van Conner
C. Gary Lee Conner
D. Mark Pickerel

3. What is Lanegan’s home town?

A. Seattle
B. Tacoma
C. Ellensburg
D. Spokane

4. What was Lanegan’s last solo album called?

A. Field Songs
B. I’ll Take Care of You
C. Whiskey for the Holy Ghost
D. Bubblegum (and if you don't own it, close this browser and go to the iTunes store right now.)

5. Which of the following acts has Lanegan not collaborated or toured with?

A. Queens of the Stone Age
B. Nirvana
C. Duff McKagan
D. Patti Smith

6. What standard, first popularized by Leadbelly, are both Lanegan and Kurt Cobain known for recording?

A. Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy”
B. Leadbelly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?”
C. Ray Charles’ “Blackjack”
D. The Vaselines’ “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For a Sunbeam”

7. What year was Lanegan born?

A. 1972
B. 1964
C. 1970
D. 1958

8. What’s the new Gutter Twins album called

A. Straight out the Gutter
B. Rehab
C. Morning Glory Wine
D. Saturnalia

9. What Screaming Trees song was a hit from the “Singles” soundtrack?

A. State of Love and Trust
B. Seasons
C. Nearly Lost You
D. Drown

10. What year did Screaming Trees break up?

A. 1999
B. 2004
C. 2001
D. 1997

The Gutter Twins – lead by Seattle rock recluse Mark Lanegan (right in top photo) and ex-Afghan Whigs singer Greg Dulli -- headlined a CD release party for their new disc, “Saturnalia,” last night at the Showbox at the Market. It was a big event for sure, and I had my eye peeled for local rock royalty. Sound was not ideal from any of my vantage points, and I have yet to get my grubby little hands on a copy of said album, so I only recognized “Live With Me,” a song by Dulli’s band, the Twilight Singers, that features Lanegan singing, and a few of Lanegan’s solo numbers, “River Rise,” “No Easy Action,” “Methamphetamine Blues.” But as you can see from the set list, most of the new album was represented. Plagued by squealy mikes earlier, opening act Great Northern (second pic) showed played atmospheric pop tunes from last year’s “Trading Twilight for Daylight” album.
E. JASMIN

Live Nation just announced The Mars Volta as the latest addition to Sasquatch, the festival that will kick of the Gorge's summer season on May 24 to 26. Hope they don't freak out like they did a year and a half ago at Endfest.

Then again, alleged urine chucking? Singer Cedric Bixler Zavala challenging hecklers to knuckle up and meet him outside? Before offering a cash bounty for said hecklers' heads? How do you beat that meltdown for entertainment value? Agro Mars Volta rules!

Anyway, read more about this year's Sasquatch ...

... here.

I’m pretty stoked to see Mark Lanegan’s new project, the Gutter Twins, tonight at the Showbox. So I thought for today’s quiz I'd focus on Seattle’s resident rock genius. Let's see how much you know about the guy:

1. Who is the other Gutter Twin?

A. Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell
B. Mudhoney’s Mark Arm
C. Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli
D. Queens of the Stone Age’s Nick Oliveri

2. Which of the following weren’t in Screaming Trees, the project that made Lanegan famous?

A. Matt Cameron
B. Van Conner
C. Gary Lee Conner
D. Mark Pickerel

3. What is Lanegan’s home town?

A. Seattle
B. Tacoma
C. Ellensburg
D. Spokane

4. What was Lanegan’s last solo album called?

A. Field Songs
B. I’ll Take Care of You
C. Whiskey for the Holy Ghost
D. Bubblegum

5. Which of the following acts has Lanegan not collaborated or toured with?

A. Queens of the Stone Age
B. Nirvana
C. Duff McKagan
D. Patti Smith

6. What standard, first popularized by Leadbelly, are both Lanegan and Kurt Cobain known for recording?

A. Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy”
B. Leadbelly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?”
C. Ray Charles’ “Blackjack”
D. The Vaselines’ “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For a Sunbeam”

7. What year was Lanegan born?

A. 1972
B. 1964
C. 1970
D. 1958

8. What’s the new Gutter Twins album called

A. Straight out the Gutter
B. Rehab
C. Morning Glory Wine
D. Saturnalia

9. What Screaming Trees song was a hit from the “Singles” soundtrack?

A. State of Love and Trust
B. Seasons
C. Nearly Lost You
D. Drown

10. What year did Screaming Trees break up?

A. 1999
B. 2004
C. 2001
D. 1997

A couple of weeks ago I posted an item about a Foo Fighters concert announcement that said the award winning rock band would headline KeyArena on July 11.

Well, a new announcement went out today indicating the show has been moved to July 9. Below are the updated tour dates just released by the band's publicity firm, Nasty Little Man:

Updated Foo Fighters summer tour dates

July 9: Seattle (KeyArena)
July 10: Portland OR (Rose Garden)
July 14 & 15: Morrison, Colorado (Red Rocks Amphitheatre)
July 17: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Ford Center)
July 20: St. Louis, Missouri (Scottrade Center)

Jack Johnson is the hottest rocker in the country at the moment, with his new album "Sleep Through the Static" topping the album charts. And he'll ride that wave of popularity all the way to Grant County's Gorge Amphitheatre where he'll headline Aug. 22, Live Nation announced this morning.

Tickets are set at $39 and will go on sale at 9 .m. on March 15. You'll be able to find more info here or here.

Johnson is also working with hand-chosen community groups on this tour, including Climate Counts, Surfrider's Rise Above Plastics and Vote for the Environment. Read more about that here.

Portland rules! That’s why video game guy Bill Hutchens and I decided to Amtrak our way down here for birthday weekend. And last night, we discovered the trendy Nob Hill neighborhood (think Seattle’s Queen Anne) where we got started at a frou-frou French joint called Meriwether’s (rotisserie chicken in the fireplace, bottles of wine that cost more than your iPod.) Trust me. Go with the roast duck or goat cheese ravioli. Oh, and go with a sport coat instead of a bright green and yellow Adidas track jacket or uptight yuppie diners will look at you sideways.

On the advice of our server, we made our way down the NW 21st street corridor where we stuck our heads into a neighborhood joint called the Nob Hill Tavern (think Hank’s in Tacoma) and a couple of dark, hipstery lounge scenes, Jo-Bar and at Muu Muu’s. The last spot is where we hooked up with an amiable group of Portland State co-eds who invited us to join them for ‘80s night at Lola’s Room (that lounge downstairs from the Crystal Ballroom if you've been there.)

Eighties nights often disappoint since they don't cover all my fondest memories. (Where’s the Time and Run DMC, yo?) But this one was a blast with an unpretentious and enthusiastic crowd (new wave haircuts, leg warmers, people doing the “Thriller” dance) and a projections screen with clips of “Jesse’s Girl,” “Love Shack” and “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

Things get a little sketchy after that (and some things shall be omitted to protect the not so innocent, anyway.) But our most important find in the wee hours was Roxy’s, a 24-hour downtown diner that’s kind of like Seattle's Five Points but kitschier. Do I spy a mint condition New Kids on the Block and Fran Descher dolls in that display case? And good gawd! There's a life-sized Jesus mounted on the wall staring at you as go to the bathroom. I wasn't feeling suicidal, so I went with the corned beef hash in lieu of the Heart Attack special.

Then this morning we cabbed it on over to the Jupiter Hotel. And what do we see as we cross the Burnside Bridge? A parade of screaming nuns, superheroes, piggies and other assorted crazies heading toward downtown, some of them tethered to grocery carts for some reason. I described this scene to the desk guy at the front desk who seemed to ponder whether beer o’ clock had come early for his latest guest. Then it dawned on him. “Oh! That’s the Portland Urban Iditarod.”

Apparently, said costumed crazies are invading downtown watering holes all day. A hashing event maybe? And those piglets I mentioend are staying here at the Jupiter. Could be an interesting night. And now Bill and I have to figure out where to find a mask and a shopping cart. More later.