There normally isn’t much to be said about a group that essentially created its own genre, but perhaps it’s the ultimate testament to iconoclasts like Portishead that not only were they able to do just that but they did so in just three albums. The lasting impact of Dummy and Portishead still resonate today, and has inspired countless artists across several different genres. Their last project Third took trip-hop, which at the time had already seen its best days, and extracted an even more engaging and haunting element; dabbling in the familiar down-tempo rhythms but with enough fuzz and exhaust to give it an air of psychedelic rock. Since the album, Portishead has dropped hints at a new project and this tour, which will be their first North American tour in over a decade, will more than likely explore those efforts. Tickets are going to be hard to come by, so if you happen to run across some don’t sleep. (J. Min)
Dam-Funk’s style is rooted almost exclusively in 80’s funk and boogie, yet there’s something incredibly fresh about the way he manages to flip, mold and reinterpret it into his own indefinable mood. It’s like he took a page right out of Roger Troutman’s book, but at the same time he pushes his listeners further than just straight boogie, and well into uncharted territories. Dam’s performances border insanity, and it’s not unheard of for him to leap off stage and unleash an impromptu set for his audience to bug out over and in many ways be a part of. It’s a non-stop rush when Dam hits the stage, and a place like the Empty Bottle will be a perfect place for him to let loose. Tickets are priced fairly at $15 a head, but if a DJ set is all your looking for you can catch him at the Beauty Bar for the official after party. (J. Min)
Thursday, October 13 at 9:30pm Venue: Empty Bottle Tickets: $15
