With the whirlwind of amazing shows and festivals that have swept over Portland in the past couple weeks, we've got a buttload of photos to share from some of the great sets we've caught recently. Check out photos of: AAN and Illmaculate at the St Johns Bizarre; Grandparents and Spookies at Rontoms, and Summer Cannibals, Sad Horse and Charts at the Firkin Tavern for the release parties of New Moss Records compilation tape HITS Vol. 1. Photos by Todd Walberg and Linneas Boland-Godbey. 

AAN at St. John's Bizzare

Illmaculate at the St. Johns Bizarre. 

Grandparents and Spookies at Rontoms

Summer Cannibals, Sad Horse and Charts at the Firkin Tavern

- Travis Leipzig

Portland's infamous New Moss Records are rolling out a new compilation cassette series titled "HITS." Featuring songs the label's favorite bands from Portland and beyond, the first installment of the series, "HITS Volume 1," features thirteen tracks including six unreleased tracks by Grandparents, Wimps, Old Light, Spookies, Summer Cannibals and Natural Blonde. Also featured on the compilation are tracks by Charts, The We Shared Milk, XDS, Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Still Caves, And And And, and Sad Horse. The cassettes are priced at $6, but only 300 copies will be made so don't be a slow-poke in picking one up. You can pre-order HITS Vol. 1 here, or, if you're the smart type you can go to one, two or all three of New Moss Records' masterfully curated compilation release parties this weekend to pick up a cassette in person. 

Release Parties:

Friday, May 9th at the Firkin Tavern (no cover): Summer Canniblas, Sad Horse, Charts

Saturday, May 10th at the Know ($5 cover): And And And, Old Light, XDS

Sunday, May 11th at Rontoms (no cover): Grandparents, Spookies

Official Todd Walberg photos from the release parties to come! 

- Travis Leipzig

It should not come as much surprise that momentous things are afoot for Portland's The Woolen Men. 2013 saw the band put out 3 different releases and sign with Woodsist Records. By just March of 2014 The Woolen Men have already released a split 7" vinyl with Spookies, and a four track Quick Trips EP. 

Currently on tour in promotion for their freshly released Quick Trips EP, Tuesday night The Woolen Men will play at Baby's Allright as main support for Brooklyn based Woods, along with Weyes Blood and Cassie Ramone. Currated by Brooklyn Vegan, this show is a part of the Red Bull concert series, Sound Select Presents: New York. 

Only a week following the Sound Select show, The Woolen Men will be packing up and flying over the Atlantic for a 20 show, month long tour though Europe. Have fun and good luck boys, here's wishing you well from back home in Portland. - Travis Leipzig