NMH Showcase w/ Minus the Bear-

The line was halfway up the block by 4:30pm when I showed up at The Woods. Then again, it isn’t every day we are treated with a free performance from Seattle’s Minus the Bear. After listening to their sound check, I was pretty well convinced there wouldn’t be a 94/7 Nation member leaving disappointed. Judging by the level of elation leaving the venue, my prediction was correct however, I think I probably owe that one to the $300 I spent on Dionne Warwick’s Psychic Hotline. MtB hit the stage promptly at 6pm and from the opening loop sequence of “Knights” they had the full house in the palm of their hands. They maximized their abbreviated set with a well picked variety from their latest release “OMNI”, and filled in the gaps with crowd favorites “Throwing Shapes” and “Pachuca Sunrise”. For the second time in as many weeks, MtB proved to their fans of Portland why they deserve a little time in the spotlight. The set was tight, the sound quality was incredible, and thanks to it being 137.2 degrees in my little wedge of real estate I managed to sweat out all 32oz’s of my Iron City tall boys. My only complaint, I wish it didn’t end so soon. 94/7 delivered another great New Music Heaven Showcase and with each passing show The Woods is becoming my favorite room in Portland. If you missed it, unfortunately you missed a doosie. But, there is sure to be another NMH Showcase on the horizon. With that being said, I wouldn’t pass on seeing Minus the Bear next time they roll through PDX. Well worth the price of admission. You can check out the full set list below, and we’ll catch you at the next one.

Knights* Into the Mirror* My Time* Summer Angel* Throwing Shapes* Pachuca Sunrise* encore  Hold Me Down* Dayglow Vista Rd.*