THIS WEEK AT THE CLUBS:   Spread Eagle What better way to ring in the New Year than with your ears ringing from the punk rock sounds of Spread Eagle. Former Eugene residents, the band now makes its home in Portland, but they return home to give it up on New Year's Eve. Sunday (12/31), Sam Bond's Garage.   Bindaas Eugene's resident Middle Eastern jam band performs this week. Tabla drums and even less-familiar instruments help to celebrate the new and improved music scene at Chez Ray's. Thursday (12/21), Chez Ray's Restaurant.   Acoustic Etouffee Kelly Thibodeaux and the boys are cooking up a little Cajun treat for your holiday season this week. Care for a little blackened catfish and shrimp jambalaya with your eggnog? Aiieeeeee!! Friday (12/22), Black Forest Tavern. CLICK HERE FOR MORE CLUBS LISTINGS Staying Alive How to be a famous local band. By Dave Gingold   Harpist David Helfand performs at the chanukah festival, Dec. 23 at the WOW Hall .   The days grow shorter, the nights longer and colder and wetter and the places to find live music dwindle unceasingly. If club owners can make more money with a big-screen TV showing sports, then it's not only their right to do so, but they'd be fools to do otherwise, unless they're looking to get something out of all this other than a living. The Vets packed it in for whatever cryptic and convoluted reasons it had, and now there's a big void in where to go at night, and where to dance, and where to hear some good players. I can't imagine economics had anything to do with why they turned the lights out on everyone's favorite spot, but I'm sure it had everything to do with why so many other places (Hagens, Good Times) have been closing their doors or discontinuing live bands. I've never had to run a club, and, god willing, never will have to, so I can't really offer any tips to the brave souls who keep the suds and vittles flowing hereabouts. But, having had a hand in shuttering a number of local venues as a player, and after trying to scare up enthusiasm for the live music scene with this column for the last six years, I think I can safely offer some tips for bands on how to ensure themselves a thriving scene. Here, then, a quick primer: Be as loud as you possibly can. More watts equals more bitchin', no question. If an audience member should affront you by trying to have a conversation, be ready to feed back loud and long. Sometimes great art must be shoved down throats. Start as late as possible. You sleep in 'til late afternoon, therefore everyone else -- with the money to pay cover charges -- probably does, too. Sound as much like the radio as you can. No, not the morning-drive DJs, although an unnatural focus on excretion never hurt an entertainer, but the tired Britpop and grunge retreads that the kids who can't get into your over-21 venues would have eaten up, probably. Be affected. Use an accent. Always sing like you're English. Hell, it worked for the Beatles, didn't it? Assume any voice you can. If you're at all country, twang it up. Go from a normal speaking voice to some kind of Delta field hand schtick the minute you take to singing. Ditto for bluesmen and women. And, above all, jump around. Nothing masks poor playing or writing better than a lot of flailing. Well Chanukah has something to say for itself this year, besides that goofy Adam Sandler song, with the Chanukah Festival the 23rd at the WOW Hall. This evening will feature Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield, who blends songs and Hassidic tales, harpist David Helfand and others. Rock on, and rachmonis. Well, those Merry Poppin' Daddies will be doing their thing Christmas Night, the 25th, at the Wild Duck. Have heard rumors that their record company is cooling on them, pulled tour support and left them somewhat in the lurch, which brings them back to these parts to the fans who knew and loved them first. Welcome home, boys. If you want to take to the road, other holiday doings include The String Cheese Incident playing Dec. 29, 30 and 31 at the Oregon Convention Center, along with Steel Pulse (the 29th) and Ozomatli (the 30th). I was talking to a local merchant recently, who told me that a promotion going on with prizes of String Cheese tickets and backstage passes was receiving a shockingly strong response. Fish gotta swim, folks gotta twirl. Continuing on the New Year's front, at the Hilton Grand Ballroom, Swing Shift will be doing the big band thing, complete with midnight balloon drop. Also among the locally beloved, The Sugar Beets will be doing the New Year's Eve honors at the WOW Hall, along with turntablist DJ Lazer. Aboard will be a psychedelic light show, jugglers and a midnight balloon drop (am I repeating myself myself?). Be safe, especially on "Amateur Night," and I'll see you in the new millennium. Adam's Place 30 E. Broadway * 344-6948 Thursday: Gus Russell--5:30, Jazz (12/28) Gus Russell--5:30, Jazz Friday: Barbara Dzuro, Mike Hanns--7:30 (12/29) Tim McLaughlin--7:30 Saturday: Mike Denny, Greg Nathan--7:30 (12/30) Devon Sanders--7:30 Monday: Barbara Dzuro--5:30, Jazz (12/31) Su: Debra Mathes--7:30 Wednesday: Barbara Dzuro--5:30, Jazz Barnes & Noble 1163 Valley River Dr. * 687-0356 Bacari Restaurant 1210 Willamette * 343-8404 Beanery 152 W. 5th * 342-3378 Friday: Edson Oliveira--12, Brazilian Saturday: Laurna Miller--12, Folk Sunday: The Retired Cowboy--2, Folk & Cowboy Music Beanery 2465 Hilyard * 344-0221 Black Forest Thursday: The Tony Rae Group--9:30, Power Blues Trio (12/28) The Tony Rae Group--9:30, Power Blues Trio Friday: Acoustic Etouffee w/ Kelly Thibedeaux & Maurice McConnell (12/29) Liquid Genie--9:30, Rock Saturday: The Hep Cats--9:30, Rockin' Blues (12/30) Roy G Biv--9:30, Psychedelic Experience Sunday: Open Mic--9 sign-up Monday: Emerald City Open Jam--9:30 (12/31) Su: Liquid Genie--9:30, Imrpov Rock Tuesday: Steve McCallum--9:30, Keyboard Wednesday: Patty McCulla--9:30, Blues Bliss Steak Ranch 2891 W. 11th * 484-6657 Borders 5 Oakway Center * 345-6072 Friday: Mary Kadderly--8, Acoustic (12/29) Animated Furniture--8, Variety The Brickhouse 4136 4th St. Spfd. * 988-1612 Buzz Coffeehouse EMU, UO * 346-3725 Cafe Paradiso AA NS 115 W. Broadway * 484-9933 Thursday: Mike Roe of the 77s--8:30, Rock (12/28) Jessica Plotkin--8:30, Acoustic Friday: David Rogers, Russ Wilbanks--8:30, Acoustic (12/29) TR Kelley--8:30, Power Acoustic Saturday: Jim Hershey--8:30, Acoustic Folk (12/30) The Boxers, WAIT--8:30, Rock Tuesday: Open MIc--8:30, Acoustic Wednesday: Robert Bander--8:30, Jazz (1/2) Tu: Open Mic--8:30, Acoustic (1/3) Robert Bander--8:30, Jazz Chantrelle's 5th & Pearl * 484-4065 Friday: Larry Ward--10, Jazz Chez Ray 44 W. 10th * 344-1530 Thursday: Bindaas & Serpentina Ala Nar--9, Middle Eastern Dance Performance (12/29) Friday: Tamaras--9:30 (12/30) Saturday: Lost Creek--9:30, Rock (12/31) Sunday: Roy G Biv--9:30, Psychedelic Experience Diablo's 959 Pearl * 683-3855 Thursday: Dance Classics w/ D-Rock & DJ Jon--9, DJ Dancing Friday: Body Rock w/ D-Rock & Tremor--9, DJ Dancing Saturday: Retro & Deephouse 2/DJ RNA & Now--9, DJ Dancing Tuesday: SIN DJ Tremor--9, DJs Wednesday: 80s w/ DJ Jon--9, DJs Doc's Pad 165 W. 11th * 683-8101 Friday: (12/29) Vipers w Eagle Park Slim--9:30, Blues Saturday: DJ Dancing--9:30 (12/30) DJ Dancing--9:30 Monday: Rooster's Blues Jam---9 sign-up Tuesday: Karaoke--9:30 Wednesday: DJ Dancing--9:30 Duck Inn 1795 W. 6th * 342-5729 Thursday: Karaoke--8 Saturday: Karaoke--8 Fool's Paradise 460 Willamette * 338-9733 Foxfire 4740 Main, Spfd * 747-7900 Thursday: Ozone Baby--9:30, Rock (12/28) Forrest T. Black--9:30, Rock Friday: Ozone Baby-9:30, Rock (12/29) Phamous Phaces--9:30, Rock Saturday: Karaoke--7:30 (12/30) Phamous Phaces--9:30, Rock Sunday: Karaoke--7:30 Monday: Forrest T. Black--9, Rock (12/31) Su: Phamous Phaces--9:30, Rock Tuesday: Open Jam--8:15 sign-up Wednesday: JC Rico--9:30, Blues Groucho's 100 E. Broadway * 484-1747 Friday: DJ Mario Mora--10, Salsa & Merengue Hagen's 50 E. 11th * 343-8108 Hilton Lobby 66 E. 6th * 342-2000 Saturday: Forrest/Moulton Duo--9, Jazz (12/30) Mike Denny & Greg Nathan--9, Jazz Hollywood Taxi 535 Main, Spfd * 747-0307 (12/31) Su: Moth, Ozone Baby--9, Rock Tu: PELT--9, Rock (1/2) Tu: PELT--9, Rock Jakes Restaurant 605 W. 19th * 431-0513 (12/28) David Rogers--6, Classical Guitar Saturday: David Rogers--6, Classical Guitar Jim's Landing 303 Main St. Spfd * 726-7570 Friday: The Electric Flies--9, 60s Rock JoFederigo's 259 E 11th * 343-8488 Thursday: Jo Fed's Jazz Jam--9:30 (12/28) Jo Fed's Jazz Jam--9:30 Friday: Frank Griffith Quartet--9:30, Jazz (12/29) Jeff Lapalme Quartet--9:30, Jazz Saturday: Olem Alves Quartet--9:30, Jazz (12/30) Gus Russell--9:30, Jazz (12/31) Su: Mark Alan--9, Acoustic Monday: Open mic--6:30 sign-up Tuesday: Barbara Dzuro--8:30, Jazz Wednesday: Paul Paydos Jam--9:30, Var. (1/2)Tu: Barbara Dzuro--8:30 (1/3) We: Paul Paydos Jam--9:30 John Henry's 136 E. 11th * 342-3358 Thursday: 80's Dance Night--10, DJ Dance (12/28) 80's Dance Night--10, DJ Dance Friday: Riggin' Warriors--10, Boogie Blues (12/29) Wrist Rockets, Catholic School Girls--10, Alt. Rock Saturday: Danny Dollinger--10, Rock (12/30) DJ Sleeve--10, DJ Dance Tu: CD's--9:30, Tom Waits's Music We: Justice League of America--10, DJ Lavelle Wine Bar 5th St. Mkt * 338-9875 Friday: Gus Russell--5:30, Jazz Saturday: John Crider--5:30 The Love Cafe 145 Pioneer Pkwy Spfd * 763-5710 Meridian Building 18th & Willamette * no phone Moretti's 730 E. Broadway * 344-6673 Mystique Restaurant 959 Pearl St. * 343-4361 Thursday: Michael Kelley--10:30, Acoustic Rock & Modern Soul (12/28) Michael Kelley--10:30, Acoustic Rock & Modern Soul Nite Owl (Ramada Inn) 225 Coburg * 342-5181 Friday: Coupe de Ville--9:15 (12/29) Wild Rose--9:15 Saturday: Coupe de Ville--9:15 (12/30) Wild Rose--9:15 The Old Pad 3355 E. Amazon * 686-5022 Oregon Electric Station 27 E. 5th * 485-4444 Out of the Fog 839 Lincoln * 302-8194 Tu: Sunshine Daydream--6:30, Folkadelic (1/2) Tu: Sunshine Daydream--6:30, Folkadelic Overtime Tavern 770 S. Bertelsen * 342-5028 Piccolo 999 Willamette * 484-4011 Quacker's 2105 W. 7th * 345-2617 Rascals 211 Washington * 345-2617 Friday: (12/29) Roy G Biv--9:30, Psychedelic Experience (12/31) Su: Body Heat--9:30, Rock We: Westside Blues Jam--9:30, Blues (1/3) We: Westside Blues Jam--9:30, Blues Rick's Pub 20 Hwy 99 N. * 344-3074 Rock 'n' Rodeo 44 E. 7th * 683-5160 Sam Bond's Garage 407 Blair Blvd * 343-2635 Thursday: Birthday Celebration for Debbie Diedrich--8, Debbie and special guests Friday: Chip Cohen--5:30; Leftovers--9:30, Country-Swing (12/29) Chip Cohen--5:30; Bella Fayes--9:30, Saturday: Old Time Jam--5; Whiteaker Locals--9:30, Party (12/30) Old Time Jam--5; Abakadubi--9:30 (12/31) Su: Spread Eagle, Jackass Willie, Space Odyssey 2001--9 Tu: Bluegrass Jam--9 We: Bingo Night--9 Sam's Place 825 Wilson * 484-4455 Senor Frog's 444 E. 3rd * 484-2927 Thursday: DJ Dancing--10 Friday: DJ Señor Mix--10, Salsa & Merengue Saturday: DJ Señor Mix--10, Salsa & Merengue Stepina's 1475 Mohawk, Spfd * 744-0811 Taylor's 894 E. 13th * 344-6174 Theo's Jazz Club 126 W. Broadway * 344-6491 Friday: (12/29) Jake Svendsen Quartet--8:30, Jazz (12/30) John Crider Quartet--8:30, Jazz (12/31) Su: Mike Denny--7:30, Jazz Tu: Jazz Jam hosted by Matt Shevitz Quartet--8:30 Tiny Tavern 894 E. 13th * 344-6174 Tsunami Books 2585 Willamette * 345-8986 Valley River Inn 1000 Valley R. Way * 687-0123 Thursday: Inoke--8, Variety Friday: Inoke--8:30, Variety Saturday: Inoke--8:30, Variety Sunday: Barbara Dzuro--9am, Jazz Tu & We: Inoke--8, Variety Waterfront Bar & Grill 2210 Centennial * 465-4506 Wild Duck Hall NS 169 W. 6th * 485-3825 Saturday: Disco 2000--10, DJ Dance Mo: Merry Poppin' Daddies--9:30, Ska/Swing WOW Hall AA NS 291 W. 8th * 687-2646 Thursday: Goddess 2001--7, Winter Solstice Celebration Saturday: Hannukah Festival w/ Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield, David Helfand & Friends--8, Spiritual Celebration (12/31) Su: The Sugar Beets & DJ Lazer--9:30, Psychedelic Bluegrass Back to Top Table of Contents | News & Views | Arts & Entertainment Classifieds | Personals | EW Archive