Fanno Creek, Scrimshander, Pheasant @ Ella Street Social Club 12.15.11
- Stuart Wainstock for Rose City Live
Written by Cassandra Mill
The line up featuring Fanno Creek at the Ella Street Social Club drew an impressive crowd Thursday. The show was kicked off by five-piece band Pheasant led by front man Matt Jenkins, whose energetic vocals were complemented by Eric Byrant on guitar and Mat Lewis on bass. Andy Brouillette’s frenetic drumming provided a solid foundation for Pheasant’s robust sound, while Matt Mooney on trumpet and keys rounded out the band with his New Orleans speak easy style showmanship. Pheasant’s set reflected an eclectic conglomeration of musical influences ranging from Modest Mouse style chaotic noise explosions to toe tapping rockabilly tunes.
Plaid clad duo Scrimshander performed second, filling the small Social Club with their experimental, artsy indie rock. Andy Furgeson and Peter Valois displayed impressive rhythmic synchronicity and musical dexterity on stage, with both members playing a variety of strings, drums, and keys. Scrimshander is a novel project hatched from the dissolution of Furgeson and Valois’ former band Bark Hide & Horn. Though their instrumental and electronic explorations are admirable, Scrimshander’s jumbled layers were at times overwhelming, creating a “deafness chamber” to quote the band. Scrimshander’s best tracks are folk influenced tunes that keep it simple, like stand out “Heartwood.”
Three piece folk-rock group Fanno Creek headlined the evening with their unique brand of heartwarming lyricism and hard-hitting beats. Quinn Mulligan and Evan Hailstone’s vocal harmonies reflect their life long friendship and years of musical collaboration, while Dane Brist supplies the perfect rhythmic equation to produce tune after tune that you can’t help but dance to. Fanno Creek is of the rare breed of bands that can play a set that fools you into thinking every song they play is your favorite song- until you hear the next one. Their music translates the struggles of young adulthood into folk rock gold, reminding you that you’re not the only one with a shitty job, or lost in unrequited love, or searching for meaning in the modern dystopia; rather you’re surrounded by friends who fundamentally get it, and can channel the angst into a musical style at once reminiscent of Fleet Foxes, the Avett Brothers, and Paul Simon.
Highlights of Fanno Creek’s set included “I Am Learning” from their EP “Green Houses” and the unrecorded “In the Sun.” Be sure to check out their upcoming music video for “I Am Learning” filmed by Mulligan’s twin Finn. Also be sure to harass the band about laying down more tracks, like the magnificent “In the Sun,” which builds from a slow, quiet ballad to a raucous motherfolkin’ rocker. In fact, the trio plans to hit the studio in February, though they are debating whether to attempt a full album or stick to the five track EP; I say give us as much Fanno Creek as possible, please.
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