Pierced Arrows w/ Lost Acolytes July 10

Pierced Arrows, The Family Gun, Lost Acolytes
[LIVING HISTORY] If Portland had a punk-rock museum with some sort of animatronic Country Bear Jamboree-style band that wrote original songs, it would probably sound something like Lost Acolytes. These aren’t the Greg Sages of the local ’80s scene, the (relatively) big names recognizable to people outside the city, but the four members—which include former contributors to Pacific Northwest legends Napalm Beach, the Divining Rods and, yes, the Wipers—were vital cogs nonetheless. This new group reflects the old-school aesthetic, drawing on ’60s garage blues, vintage punk and the ’90s grunge these guys played a part in helping birth. MATTHEW SINGER. 8 pm. Tonic Lounge, 3100 NE Sandy Blvd., 238-0543. Cover. 21+.

(from this Willamette Week music listings., July 8-14 2009).

Rocket review of “Curiosities” (1993)

Review of Napalm Beach "Curiosities" by Wilum Pugmire. The Rocket. Seattle, 1993.

Dedicated to Katherine Dunn, whose ‘Geek Love’ served as inspiration, ‘Curiosities’ tells a curious tale with compelling words and soaring music. From the moment the music began to spill into the air, I was caught within Chris Newman’s web. His clear earthy voice, full of passion, brings these emotional songs to vibrant life. Jan Celt’s gorgeous violin playing especially adds to the opening track, ‘As I Am.’ The rich combination of musical styles, from haunting ballads to thrashing punk, perfectly reflects Newman’s stunning lyrics. I sensed the sawdust, drank the sorrow. My freakish heart throbbed with nameless fever. ‘Curiosities’ is rich human experience raised to degrees of fucking art!

— Wilum Pugmire, The Rocket, June 1993. Seattle.

Sound Choice Review of “Liquid Love” (1989)

Liquid Love is available through Flying Heart Records

Tired of rock stars high on eyeliner? Wondering what Faustian deal was cut with promising artists such as Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger and Robert Plant? Who castrated the Who? Where did the quick in Quicksilver go? Unfortunately most early hard rock bands died an early living death, many whom are still among us as somnambulists walking up and down the charts. Hard Rock is a valid genre. Too bad the field got littered with a Las Vegas idea of heaven. Yet in all our home towns someone has given this fallen angel of music some redemption. Over the last few years it’s been the punks mostly who have rung it home. Just when you thought hard rock was ready for another Liberace (or Wayne Newton) a Power Duo comes along like Napalm Beach. They take their inspiration from the peak hard core moments of bands like Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly, Doors and the Stooges. They can play at my party anytime.

— Darrell Jonsson, Sound Choice Magazine, 1989. Los Angeles.