Eugene looks a lot like Oregon. We found the venue – Sam Bonds Garage – and settled in for half-priced food and a couple free drinks. If you’re reading this and are in any way responsible for giving bands free food and drinks at any time in your life – thank you so very much. We all ate and drank like little kings for about $18.
We played a solid set to a receptive crowd that we later found out was something akin to a high school reunion. Does everybody in Eugene know everybody? A band called Cat Like Reflexes headlined and really put on a great show. The lead singer, Matt, sang a remarkably accurate Shakira cover and seduced me with his hips more than she ever could. They might play a show with us in Vancouver soon, so keep your eyes peeled for them. My favourite part: “When I say Cat Like Reflexes, you say ‘Meow’ or hiss!”
“CAT LIKE REFLEXES!”
“CAT LIKE REFLEXES!”
After our set, we packed up the van and remarked on how often Charley was sneezing. Ever since we had arrived in Eugene, he had been debilitated with allergic reactions. As if we had spoken her name three times, a woman appeared from the shadows. “You know, they call this place the Valley of Sickness and Death. You know why? The natives wouldn’t come here. They would avoid this place. Maybe it’s the high pollen count attributed to his area, or maybe something else…” She wasn’t nearly as creepy or shamanistic as I described her. She was actually quite friendly and told me that she used to travel with Deerhoof back before they were more popular, as the ex of one of he guitarists. She was cool, but said something about always wanting to leave Eugene herself, just like the story she told me of the native people. Maybe something sinister is holding her captive, or maybe I’ll find myself in a city like Eugene one day wanting to leave but without the courage to take a risk doing something more uncomfortable than business-as-usual.
Next, the band nearly destroys each other’s instruments as low morale strickens the weary travelers in Chapter 5 – Something Something Flowers in Your Hair.
- Andrew
- Andrew
