THIS WEEK AT THE CLUBS:   Disco Biscuits "Some of the Disco Biscuits' music sounds like you're at a rave, some sounds like a Bar Mitzvah on acid, and some sounds like the part in Star Wars when they lower the droids down on the ship," states the promo for the Philly four piece. Summary: Techno jam rock. Monday, Wild Duck.   Thomas Mapfumo This Zimbabwe native has almost single-handedly brought the music of his homeland to international attention. Now a Eugene resident, Mapfumo performs with his band, The Blacks Unlimited, this week. And who says Eugene doesn't have any culture? Wednesday, WOW Hall.   Eric Burdin "There is a house in New Orleans... they call the Rising Sun" If you've always longed to sing along to this song and other classic rock hits by the Animals, you should be at Eric Burdin's show this week. Phamous Phaces opens. Friday, Hollywood Taxi. CLICK HERE FOR CLUBS LISTINGS Bird and Biscuits Plus Jonah and a whole lot more. By Dave Gingold   Jonah -- formerly Dizzyfish -- plays Friday at Sam Bond's. .   Sam Bond's Garage, not particularly known for its rock and roll, brings in two bands full of it on May 4th. Jonah was a band born in Bend that became Portland-based dizzyfish, but has now changed its name and its approach but not its thing for the ocean, with a new release that they'll be celebrating at Sam Bond's, entitled Save The Swimmer. Their anthemic, driving sound is propelled by the emotive singing of Henry Curl, whose vocals sail above "Lunar Song," and power "Found," making for a lovely, melodic experience. May the rock rattle the canning jars of Sam Bond's. The Bella Fayes will also be celebrating the release of a new CD at Sam Bond's on the 4th, the six-song EP So Much More Than Hello. This band should be familiar to people hereabouts, made up as it is of former Eugeneans Lael Alderman and Adam Wayne and Shane Fisher of Drive, along with Architecture's Jason Henry and Thrillbilly's Davey Hall. It's a nicely put together collection, produced by Gregg Williams, who produced the Dandy Warhols' Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia. The 5th brings the crisp jammy rock of Mojo to Taylor's. These five PDX-ers, now attending the UO, just put together a three-song demo that should definitely take them places. Bart Ferguson makes a guest appearance on the disc. The following night at Taylor's, Frank Zappa cover band Project/Object takes the stage, with special guest, Zappa alumnus and Portland resident Ike Willis. Vocalist and guitarist Willis played with Zappa for something like 14 years. This is the band's first cross-country tour, from their base in NJ. They have performed Zappa albums in their entirety. Also on the 7th, the techno jamrock of The Disco Biscuits is at the Wild Duck. The latest from the Biscuits is They Missed the Perfume. According to Biscuit press material, "Obsessive fans & smuggle laptops into venues, plug into dial-up connections & and netcast play-by-play coverage of the shows & "amid the ongoing "rave theater." You crazy kids! Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire will be at John Henry's the 8th in support of the band's latest album, The Swimming Hour. The Bowl of Fire has been heard at London's Royal Festival Hall and on NPR, and Tim Robbins requested Bird's solo violin work on the score of the film The Cradle Will Rock. Matt the Electrician Severs (yes, he is) once lived in Corvallis but has been in Austin for the last couple of years, and it's honed his brilliant singer-songwriter abilities. Matt will be at Sam Bond's the 9th, along with a rocking acoustic-based band. If his latest CD Home is any predictor, it will be a kick-ass show. Home offers gem after gem of Severs' winning, clever work. Take "Weeknights:" "I love you snooze button/Together we could stop time/And sleep forever/Between six and six-o-nine." He doesn't even need the toy piano of "Prom Night," or the cover of "Heat of the Moment," but they work well, too. Fine stuff. Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited play two nights at the WOW Hall, on the 9th with Kudana opening and the 10th with guitarist Paul Prince. Mapfumo's latest album is Chimurenga Explosion, partly recorded right here in town at Bill Barnett's Gung Ho Studios. The Lion of Zimbabwe continues to tell it like it is in his native country. The ZBC has already censored two songs on the CD, earning Mapfumo the distinction of having had his music banned by both the Rhodesian government and Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwean government. Massive Music Cool punk and hapless hip-hop around town. By Chris Wriston   2 Bucks Short performs with other local bands Friday at WOW Hall. .   Three lyricists from Eugene, Epic, Mist, and Big Balou, have organized the third Northwest Lyrical Fest, a big phat hip-hop show May 3 at WOW Hall. This night of massive music will consist of 14 groups performing in four hours, meaning no breaks between sets, just live music straight from start to finish. The performers are: Epic, Mist, Big Balou, Strange Folks, 10.000 Fold Form, Balou and Todd-G, The Phranchise, Triple Threat, LOGIC, The Collective, T.J. Hooker & HTK, Bullet and Shaolin, Zeromega, The Young Poets, and Order & Fury. All the acts are from Oregon. I asked Epic what motivated him, Mist and Big Balou to set up this show. "Because local groups don't get to play," he says. "Everyone's waiting for something to happen." But these three guys are taking it into their own hands to build a hip-hop scene in Eugene. (Even though I'm not into hip-hop, I respect them for taking responsibility for the situation.) Big Balou gave me a compilation CD called Northwest Game with some groups on it that will be playing the Northwest Lyrical Fest. I didn't like the majority of it. (But that doesn't mean you won't like it.) I listened to more than half of the CD and I think every song I listened to mentioned at least one of the following words: "nigaz," "pimp," and of course there's the "fudge" word in every other sentence. I just can't relate to that. I take it all in good humor, though, and I'm telling you about the CD because I don't want you to think it's going to be an Arrested Development style of hip-hop. I can't find anything positive in these lyrics like I can in Arrested Development, but like I said, I don't know a whole lot about hip-hop. I probably just don't understand it. Epic and Mist's demo, on the other hand, isn't too bad. Then again, they didn't sing about murder, pimps, or how they're better gangstas than you are. Doors open at 8:30 pm. A good thing about this show is it's all ages -- and that's good, because a good chunk of hip-hop fans are under 21. Friday, the 4th, also at WOW Hall, Shortround, 2 Bucks Short, Point Blank Rangers, and Dirty Sanchez will be tearing it up. It's great that WOW Hall tries to have an all-local show once a month. I'm curious to see Dirty Sanchez. The band broke up a while ago and now it's back with a new drummer. 2 Bucks Short plays poppy/punky stuff and Point Blank Rangers is a live hip-hop band that'll be a nice break between Dirty Sanchez's skate punk style and Shortround's melodic Iron Maiden-like punk style. Show starts at 9:30 pm. The only bummer about Friday night in my opinion is there's going to be two great shows in one night -- and I'm throwing one of them. The second show is Friday night at John Henry's. Compact 56, The Wristrockets, Hot For Chocolate, and Mr. Sparkle will be rockin' it for the Unscene's six-month anniversary benefit show. Special guest Honey Vizer will be entertaining us between the other bands' sets. A compilation of silent movies will be projected while the bands play. Show starts at 9 pm sharp.  Adam's Place 30 E. Broadway * 344-6948 Thu: Gus Russell--5:15, Jazz Fri: Devon Sanders Duo-8:30, Jazz Sat: Tim McLaughlin Trio--8:30, Jazz Mo: Debra Mathis--5:15, Jazz We: Barbara Dzuro--5:15, Jazz Ambrosia 174 E. Broadway. * 342-4141 Fri: Barbara Dzuro--9, Solo Piano Barnes & Noble 1163 Valley River Dr. * 687-0356 Bacari Restaurant 1210 Willamette * 343-8404 Thu: Barbara Dzuro--5:30, Jazz Piano Beanery 152 W. 5th * 342-3378 Beanery 2465 Hilyard * 344-0221 Black Forest Thu: Skip Jones--9:30, Keyboard Boogie Fri: Roy G. Biv--9:30, Psychedelic Experience Sat: The U-Gene Band, John Barley & Pete Wienberger--9:30, Rock Su: Open Mic--9 sign-up Mo: Jam Session--9:30 Tu: Patty McCulla--9:30, Blues We: RMS McConnell--9:30, Jam Bliss Steak Ranch 2891 W. 11th * 484-6657 Tu & We: Easy Money--7, Variety Borders 5 Oakway Center * 345-6072 The Brickhouse 4136 4th St. Spfd. * 988-1612 Buzz Coffeehouse EMU, UO * 346-3725 Thu: Nicole Barrett--9, Acoustic Sat: Ethan Daniel Davidson--9, Acoustic Folk & Rock Cafe Paradiso AA NS 115 W. Broadway * 484-9933 Thu: Mare Wakefield w/ Brent Floren & Nann Alleman from Spigot--8:30, Songwriters-in-the-round Fri: Vishravas--8:30, Progressive Instrumental Rock Sat: Broken Homestead--7:45, Folk & Flatpicking; Basic Assumption--9, Acoustic Alternative Mo: Ethan Daniel Davidson--8:30, Acoustic Folk & Rock Tu: Open MIc--8:30, Acoustic We: Roto Squirrel--8:30, Power Acoustic Rock Chantrelle's 5th & Pearl * 484-4065 Thu: Dave OÕToole--9:30, Jamorama Fri: Jazz Jam Cooperative w/ Gus, Mike & Dennis--9:30, Jazz Sat: Justin King--9:30, Original Acoustic Tu: Blues Jam w/ Byron Case--9:30 Chez Ray 44 W. 10th * 344-1530 Fri: Cynthia Rae & Simply Jazz--7:30, Jazz; Ritmo de la Noche--6, Latin Jazz; Out of Order--9:30, Rock/Reggae Sat: The Vipers featuring Eagle Park Slim--9:30, Blues Mo: Poetry Open Mic--9 Tu: Grateful Dead Taper Nite--9 We: Shane Bartell--9, Americana Diablo's 959 Pearl * 683-3855 Doc's Pad 165 W. 11th * 683-8101 Fri: DJ Party, 1up2down--9, 80s, New-School Metal Double Tree Hotel I-5 & Beltline * 726-8181 Downtown Lounge 959 Pearl * 683-3855 Duck Inn 1795 W. 6th * 342-5729 Fathoms 790 East 14th * 344-4471 Fri: Twine--10 Fifth St. Public Mkt. 5th & High * no phone Fool's Paradise 460 Willamette * 338-9733 Foolscap 780 Blair Blvd. * 681-9212 Foxfire 4740 Main, Spfd * 747-7900 Thu: LD-50--9, Alt & Classic Rock Fri: Ozone Baby--9, Rock Sat: Jet Harris & His Hotrod Hellcats, Forrest T. Black--9, Rock Su: Karaoke--7:30 Mo: Liquid Genie--9, American Tu: Open jam with Anton--8:45 We: J.C. Rico--9, Rock GilliganÕs 990 Oak St. * 342-2659 Fri: DJ Syntax--9, House Hip-hop Groucho's 100 E. Broadway * 484-1747 Thu: Out of Order--9, Eclectic Fri: Comedy--7; DJ Mario Mora--10, Salsa & Merengue We: DJ Mario Mora--7, Salsa & Cumbia Hagen's 50 E. 11th * 343-8108 Hilton Lobby 66 E. 6th * 342-2000 Sat: Mike Denny/Greg Nathan--9, Jazz Hollywood Taxi 535 Main, Spfd * 747-0307 Thu: Leon Russell-9, Rock Fri: Eric Burdon & the New Animals, Phamous Phaces--9, Classic Rock Sat: Phamous Phaces--9, Classic Rock Su: Healing Sixes--9, Rock Tu: PELT--9 Hungry Duck 30 Country Club Rd * 484-6963 Jakes Restaurant 605 W. 19th * 431-0513 Jim's Landing 303 Main St. Spfd * 726-7570 Fri: The Electric Flies--9, 60s Rock Jo Federigo's 259 E 11th * 343-8488 Thu: Jo FedÕs Jazz Jam--9:30 Fri: Chris Conrad Trio--9:30, Jazz Sat: Flying Stickly Bros.--9:30, Jazz Su: Mark Alan--9, Acoustic Mo: Freedom Funk-open mic--6:30 Tu: Barbara Dzuro--8:30, Jazz We: Paul Paydos Revue--9:30 John Henry's 136 E. 11th * 342-3358 Thu: Ô80s Vinyl--10, DJ Dance Fri: Compact 56, Hot for CHocolate, Wristrockets, Honey Vizer--10, Rock Sat: Madgesdig, DJ Evil One, Funkanomics--10, Hip-hop Su: Local Songwriter Showcase w/ members of Courtesy Clerks, Fells Acers, Marigold, more--9 Mo: Murmur, 1up2down--10 Tu: Andrew BirdÕs Bowl of Fire, Kelly Hogan & the Pine Valley Cosmonauts--10, Country We: Iron Fist Crew--10, Reggae Kokomo's 44 E. 7th * 683-5160 The Keg Tavern 4711 W. 11th * 345-5563 Lavelle Wine Bar 5th St. Mkt * 338-9875 Fri: Gus Russell--5:30, Jazz Sat: John Crider--5:30, Jazz The Love Cafe 145 Pioneer Pkwy Spfd * 763-5710 Lucky's Pool Hall 10th & Olive * no phone Meridian Building 18th & Willamette * no phone Moretti's 730 E. Broadway * 344-6673 Fri: DJ--10, Hip-hop Sat: DJ--10, Retro MulliganÕs Pub 2841 Willamette * no phone Neighbors 1417 Villard * 338-0334 Thu: DJ Dance--9 Fri: DJ Dance--10 Sat: DJ Dance--9 Su: DJ Mr. Right--10, 80s Mo: Karaoke--9 We: MisstyqueÕs Game Show Night--10 Nite Owl (Ramada Inn) 225 Coburg * 342-5181 Fri: Valley Boys--9:15, Rock Sat: Valley Boys--9:15, Rock The Old Pad 3355 E. Amazon * 686-5022 Oregon Electric Station 27 E. 5th * 485-4444 Fri: Don Latarski Trio--8, Jazz Out of the Fog 839 Lincoln * 302-8194 Overtime Tavern 770 S. Bertelsen * 342-5028 Fri: Mickey & the Mojo Hitmen--7, Soul Piccolo 999 Willamette * 484-4011 Sat: Mike Denny--8, Jazz Quacker's 2105 W. 7th * 345-2617 Rascals 211 Washington * 345-2617 Fri: Groove Merchants--9:30, Funkified Grooveaboogie Sat: Groove Merchants--9:30, Funkified Grooveaboogie We: Westside Blues Jam--9:30 Rick's Pub 20 Hwy 99 N. * 344-3074 River Rd. Grill & Bar 645 River Rd. * 463-8375 Rock 'n' Rodeo 44 E. 7th * 683-5160 Safari Room 3280 Gateway * 726-8181 Sakura 844 E. 13th * 343-6817 Sam Bond's Garage 407 Blair Blvd * 343-2635 Thu: The People--9, Jam Rock Fri: Chip Cohen--5:30; Lael Alderman & the Bella Fayes w/ Jonah--9:30, CD Release Sat: Old Time Jam--5; Twine--9:30, Bluegrass Su: Irish Jam--4; Laura Kemp--9, Solo Mo: Metal Detector & the Naysayers--9, Parents who rock Tu: Bluegrass Jam--9 We: Matt the Electrician--9, Acoustic Sam's Place 825 Wilson * 484-4455 Senor Frog's 444 E. 3rd * 484-2927 Thu: DJ Karaoke--6:30 Fri: DJ Dancing--10, Ranchero, Banda, Cumbia Sat: DJ Jose Cruz--10, Salsa & Merengue Shakers 1195 Main, Spfd. * 736-5177 Starbuck's 205 E.18th * 465-9813 Stepina's 1475 Mohawk, Spfd * 744-0811 Taylor's 894 E. 13th * 344-6174 Sat: Mojo--10, Rock Su: Project/Object w/ Ike Willis--9, Frank Zappa Tribute Theo's Jazz Club 126 W. Broadway * 344-6491 Fri: Jazz Menagerie w/ Bruce Cole-8:30, Jazz Sat: The Jim Olsen Quartet--8:30, Jazz Tu: Ed Orgill Project--8, ÒMusical History of the SaxophoneÓ Tiny Tavern 894 E. 13th * 344-6174 Fri: The U-Gene Band--9, Old Skool Street Soul Sat: Non-Dairy Larry--9:30, Milk Rock Fiasco TJ'S Lounge 365 E. Oregon * 895-3109 ToshiÕs Ramen 1520 Pearl * 683-7833 Tsunami Books 2585 Willamette * 345-8986 23:6 23 West 6th * 484-9669 Valley River Inn 1000 Valley R. Way * 687-0123 Waterfront Bar & Grill 2210 Centennial * 465-4506 Wild Duck Hall NS 169 W. 6th * 485-3825 Sat: Shelley James Music Box--8:30, Variety Su: Benefit for Friends of Buford Park w/ Norma Fraser, Rhythm Culture & Justin King--7:30 Mo: The Disco Biscuits--9 We: Dr. Didj, Nimbus--9 WOW Hall AA NS 291 W. 8th * 687-2646 Thu: Northwest Lyric Fest 3--9, Hip-hop Fri: Shortround, 2 Bucks Short, Point Blank Rangers--9:30, Punk We: Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited, Kudana--8:30 Back to Top Table of Contents | News & Views | Arts & Entertainment Classifieds | Personals | EW Archive