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LIVE REVIEW Pinback & Pleaseeasaur Pinback Arriving at the ëConey Island of the Mind,í which is the Aladdin Theater, I took my seat mere minutes before the opening act, Pleaseeasaur, took stage. Given what I had experienced seeing Pinback throughout the years, Pleaseeasaur provided genre-bending comic relief for the often somber yet articulate set that Pinback provides. Pleaseeasaur utilized costumes, props, two screens with projected material and thespian hand puppetry to deliver a satire on a variety of subjects, from taking candy from strangers to a fictional narration of triplets owning a pizza parlor. With mediums mimicking advisory jingles and campy radio commercials, Pleaseeasaur, a Seattle-based act, flavored the concert palate for those arriving to see Pinback. If nothing else, Pleaseeasaur added a ëfueledí theme music to pre-show drinking. Iíve always thought that a variety of different sounds does more to enhance a headliner than it does to hinder it. Such was the case here. The Aladdin Theater offers a spacious view of the stage, coupled with balcony seats, so that the panoramic sight is not deterred. The last time I saw Pinback was in Phoenix, Arizona, late last year, in a venue that was long and slim, making stage visibility next to nothing. Given my disappointment with the most recent venue, The Aladdin was more suited for a band of Pinbackís caliber. But seeing Pinback in Portland had greater significance. Having seen the band since their very inception, and following them as they moved from smaller to larger venues in Phoenix, I had a chance to view the band without the distraction of friends or acquaintances interfering with my absorption of the show. Also, Pinback tends to begin or end their tours in Phoenix, giving me the opportunity to see them in this particular context. Portland, being towards the end of the tour but far from the bandís home, caught them amidst their prime. And like so many other groups I've followed throughout their careers LOOSE RECORD (NEW YORK. NY) |
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