Though Thanksgiving has traditionally stood a holiday where we give thanks to the harvest, for many its original meaning is lost. Anyone with a smart phone or an internet connection has been privy to what mass media is attempting to mask so greatly - the tragedy of the North Dakota Access Pipeline at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

Without getting into tearful details of this travesty (and appreciating the veterans who are stepping up to serve as a human shield to the protestors), the Deli Portland is fully endorsing attending a benefit show for the Standing Rock Medic and Healer Council, happening this Friday at the Haight House. 

Half the halcyon calmness of folk and half the excitable nature of garage rock, Friday's bill, booked in conjunction with local volunteer collective Portland Artist Coalition for Progressive Acts and Causes, will have the droney folk of Cave Cricket and the soothing acoustics of Galen Ballinger with two of Portland's most favorite rockin' af bands Dim Wit and Ah God bringing it home.

A donation of $5 is asked, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All that's asked is the audience respect the house, respect each other, and respect the cause.

Melt has got a grip of good shit in the works, including an upcoming EP and a near 20 day West Coast tour, starting with their tour kick off next week on the 30th at the Liquor Store. Seeing them off properly will be Ah God, VCR and, with one of the greatest band names probably ever, EBT BBQ. 

To even more delight, we're sharing a fresh new track off Melt's upcoming release. "Black Gold" is a quick diddy that rides on a more mellow, almost 60's era melody with an incredibly catchy hook. With a run time of just about 2 minutes, it'll leave you wishing it was twice that long for sure.

If you got any plans to travel before summer is officially over, glance over Melt's tour dates while you check out "Black Gold" below. [House show info can likely be found by asking-a-punk or a social media search]

8/30 Portland, OR at The Liquor Store

9/1 Tacoma, WA at The New Frontier Lounge

9/2 Seattle, WA at a house show

9/3 Portland, OR at a house show

9/4 Eugene, OR at a house show

9/5 Chico, CA at a house show

9/6 San Fransisco at venue TBA

9/7 Santa Cruz CA at Crepe Place

9/8 San Luis Obispo, CA at venue TBA

9/9 Highland Park, CA at GnarBurger (matinee set)

9/9 Los Angeles, CA at Church of Fun

9/10 Tucson, AZ at La Cocina

9/11 Phoenix, AZ at Lost Leaf

9/12 Las Vegas, NV venue TBA 

9/13 San Diego, CA 

9/14 Los Angeles, CA at The Hi Hat

9/15 San Fransisco, CA at venue TBA

9/18 Portland, OR at Angelo's

Rigsketball is notorious out here for a reason. Starting back in 2011 by everyone's favorite mohawked musician and talented And And And drummer Bim Ditson, Rigsketball pins 32 local bands against each other in numerous rounds of basketball narrowing each down until an obvious winner prevails. 

The last rounds of the Rigsketball tournament are tomorrow starting at 2pm with a world record setting (Guiness Book of World Records officials will be there to prove this) game of H-O-R-S-E and the final game round starts at 7pm. Accompanying the heated game rounds will be performances by nine Portland artists.

Music begins at 4:20pm (hah!) with two different stages. The Rigsketball Musicfest 2016 is free, all-ages and sure to be a damn good time. Peep the lineup times below and be sure to come on down and chill outside of Water Ave. Bunk Bar to watch all the action.

4:20pm - Ali Muhareb's Mujahedeen

5:00pm - Laura Palmer's DEATH PARADE

5:40pm - FOG FATHER

6:20pm - Ah God

7:00pm - Rigsketball 2016 FINALS

8:20pm - The Lower 48

9:00pm - Chugger

9:40pm - Mic Capes

10:20pm - Aan

11:00pm - Magic Sword

There's been quite the buzz flying around the Mt. Portland compilation, and that buzz could not be more warranted. An idea turned reality, solo musician Joel Magid saw how transmuted Portland and its music scene have become, and decided to capture it one track at a time. Featuring 13 of PDX's most beloved and brightest, like the Century, Talkative and what very well may be the last recording from Grandparents to name a few, the Mt. Portland compilation doesn't even come off as such thanks to its production. Each original, previously unreleased track was recorded at Buzz or Howl Studios by owner Stan Wright. Though the bands on the comp aren't bred of the same genre, Wright's analog recording technique melded each contributed track seamlessly, resulting in a collection that's more cohesive than just compiled. Both Wright and Magid fronted recording time, pressings and all other costs themselves, keeping the compilation not for profit and free for us to consume.

Stream the compilation below and check out the Mt. Portland release show tomorrow at Rontoms, for free. Performing will be Boone Howard and Michael Finn (the Domestics), Candace, Joel Magid himself and headlined by And And And. 

-Cervante Pope

Amid the terrorizing tragedies that have been involving ISIS recently, the lovely ladies of Is/Is have decided to change their name. In a statement (both emailed to me and now found on their Bandcamp page) the ladies give a little detail about the decision:

In light of realities far beyond our control, Is/Is will thus forward be known as “Candace.”

“Is/Is” (/iz-iz/) has metamorphosed from an intentional non-signifier to an unintentional reminder of what can be horrible in this world.

We hope that the new name will make room for us to be more of what we’ve always meant to be—a reflection of the good and small mysteries that make living worthwhile.

It's a respectful and understandable move for the band, and hopefully won't interfere with their future successess. All former Is/Is related pages and correspondance have been switched in observance of the new name. Their first show under the new moniker will be at the Know on January 16th with Ah God and Seattle's Dræmhouse. 

-Cervante Pope