Where were you? My experiences on election night/

Where were you?

We all love to ask ourselves that question when a seminal moment comes to mind. However, it seems to always represent some moment of great tragedy; that is until Nov. 4th 2008.

The Doug Fir lounge was packed by sardines by the time Ohio was announced and the election began quickly to resemble a forgone conclusion. All packed together to witness the high water mark we’ve been waiting for. Equal parts pep rally and prom, with concentrated anticipation spread on top.

As 8pm struck the gathered mass counted down the closing of the west coast polls and as the clock struck: 00 so did the election, the long awaited words were on the screen in front of us: “BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES”.

What followed next was quite possibly the most remarkable moment of the evening, silence.
It only lasted a millisecond but it was there. A millisecond where everyone realized the ultimate goal had been achieved, a millisecond where all the sadness of the last 8 years and the potential of the last two collided in our minds like when you combined vinegar and baking soda in science class to create…an eruption.

And that eruption was like few things anyone in that room had experienced before. This gathered mass was resplendent with unmistakable joy. Tears were shed by Man and Woman alike, embraces shared by people who had never met before. It was hard not to imagine some anthemic fanfare in your head, as if you were in the final scene of the feel-good movie of the fall.

The house DJ cranked up “America, F&@K Yeah” from the Team America movie, and while the song is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, it was oddly fitting. Fitting because many of those in attendance were consumed by feelings they hadn’t yet felt in their lifetimes: Pride and Patriotism. Now that’s not to say, regardless of what some may say, that those in that crowed concert hall weren’t patriots before, or didn’t love their country prior to this evening, but finally these long suffering patriots could feel that their country got something right.

No one in that room was making the mistake that everything would be OK when they woke up the next morning, but at least we all could embrace the potential that possibly the most dismal decade in our country’s history could end on an definitive up note.

As the new President-Elect delivered his acceptance speech you could hear a pin drop. And as one of the most significant speeches this country has ever seen reached its close, it was met by yet more tears and again more embracing.

“Fight the Power” the next song in the rotation, seemed to take on a whole new meaning. Public Enemy’s anthem of the plight of African-Americans in this country seemed to change and represent all of us, who stood arm in arm over the last eight years, together in disagreement of the travesties put upon us by this administration. We had fought, and seemingly, we had won.

Not unexpectedly, the party poured into the streets of Portland well into the night, and this united mass was a shining beacon of that one word that had been bandied about so much the last 2 years that it almost became a cliché: Hope.

No one will ever forget where they were that evening, and just over seven years after “Where were you” took on the most negative connotation possible, if for one night only, everything had seemingly come full circle.

MusicFestNW Day3- Discovery and Dissapointment

Day 3 started well enough. Trucked over to the VERY humid Wonder Ballroom for a great set from Boise-born Indie Legends Built To Spill. They were playing thier album Perfect From Now On in it's entirety and it was fantastic.

From there it was up to Towne Lounge where I discovered what could be one of my new favorite bands. Andy Combs and the Moth. A fantastic Tom Waits-esque band with the interesting musical line-up of Guitar, Bass, Drums, Accordian, Trumpet, Xylophone and numerous other Percussion instruments including a JAWBONE OF AN ASS! Seriously, it really is a Jawbone of an Ass, it makes a great crashing sound.

From there came the dissapointing part of the evening. First, we missed out on TV on the Radio due to The Roseland being well past full capacity.

From there we decided to hit up Jimmy Mak's for Velella Velella. Now I had never heard the band but was intrigued because a) they are originally Spokanites like myself and b) Recently scored a record deal with the HUSH label.

What ensued was a horribly jumbled and discombobulated Hipster/Frat Boy attempt and "Indie" dance music that made me sick. And the worst was everyone in the bar seemed to buy into their bullshit. Frustrating.

Today should prove to be more fulfilling. First it's a VIP party at The Fez with my good pals Lincoln's Beard among others. Followed by an Ass Ton of Rockabilly goodness at Slabtown.

MusicFestNW Day2-Free Booze and Fresh Beats

So I marched into Day 2 of fest 2008 by meeting up with pals Rachel, Drew and Brandon at a VIP party outside the Wonder Ballroom.

Nothing like free booze and snacks to properly begin a night. We also took great delight at the R&B hits of the 90's being spun by the House DJ.

From there it was inside the Wonder for Battles, a noiserock band out of New York that I was less than impressed with.

After that we quickly realized we had run into a situation of all the shows we wanted to see overlapping.

First was Singer-Songwriter M. Ward at the Crystal, Ward sounded great but I must admit I was a tad dissapointed it was him by himself and not his fantastic side project with actress Zooey Deschanel.

After a few tunes it was off to The Roseland for the tale end of a set by an up-and-coming Hip-Hop artist BuKu One, followed by a great set by Del The Funky Homosapien.

Tongiht brings many a highlight. Built To Spill and TV on the Radio among others.

Back on the gird- Show Recap and MusicFestNW is underway.

Ok, sorry again about the absence.

Big night last night in ole Stavy land.

First it was the bands big show at Ash Street Saloon.

Dare I say, Troubadour Deluxe was playin thier balls off last night. We had a great set and a good turnout as well.

After that, we moved on to Bebati's Pan where Old 97's were finishing up the first night of MusicFestNW.

Great set from the 97's including a dynamite cover of Mama Tried. Now tonight is out and about again including Love as Laughter, Cool Kids and a late night set by Del The Funky Homosapien.

Full report tomorrow.

OK So I lied

Been real busy this week gettin busy for my Band's show tonight at Ash Street Saloon.

So to tide you over here is the REDBAND TRAILER for the new Kevin Smith flick "Zack and Miri Make a Porno"

Hey Ya'll

So havent posted in a bit. But I promise a full post on Monday. In the meantime. I have started up my Cougar Blog again in time for opening day.

So check in over there and I'll be back in a couple days.

Wow, now I feel much better

So I got canned today, which sucks real bad. But the sting of my newfound unemployment has been salved.

The above video shows Alicia Sacramone (who's two falls last night cost the U.S. Women a gymnastics gold) straight knockin some dude the fuck out!

She does share a last name with the great Johnny Sack, so perhaps it's understandable.