The Quick & Easy Boys are easily one of the most talented bands around. All of their songs are high energy, hard to label, and hard to put in a neat little box (but hey, that is part of what makes these guys so great to listen to!). The substantial talent of each band member comes together to produce phantasmagoric sound. Each band member brings something unique to the table and what it produces is a sound that will put a smile on your face. I particularly enjoy the funk elements woven into some of the songs which adds an old-school something extra. And live? Well seeing the Quick & Easy Boys live is a must. Their stage presence and energy are hallmarks of a band that is passionate and cares about their music. The good news is you have the chance to see them on December 27th at the Doug Fir. If you haven’t already seen the Quick & Easy Boys get out there and see what it’s all about. If you have seen the Quick & Easy Boys, go again! The show won’t be quick, and the music they play damn sure ain’t easy but you’ll be glad you went. – Cory Heunnekens

Summer Cannibals have just dropped the title track off of their upcoming Make You Better EP, which will be released at the Doug Fir on January 9th. As lead singer, Jessica Boudreaux, said in a recent interview with Impose, this rocking new song describes “ the delusion that it’s possible to really change someone that you’re in a relationship with or that they could change you.” (read the full interview here). Listen to the song below and mark your calendar for the release show with Hurry Up and Spookies. The EP will only be available on a limited 100 cassettes, 50 of which will be given away to the first arrivals at the release show so make sure to get there to get your hands on one; otherwise it will probably be too late. – Benjamin Toledo 

There’s something entrancing about the dream pop sounds that surround the songs of Tender Age. Between the reverb heavy guitar leads, intricate vocal harmonies and steady, near hypnotic drumming it’s easy to get lost in the sounds they create. Their latest single, “Velvet”, balances dynamic structures reminiscent of a post-rock group with an ambience that ties them into the shoegaze genre. Catch them this weekend at Rontoms with Fringe Class as part of the venue’s always-awesome Sunday Sessions. You won’t be sorry. – Benjamin Toledo  

Supporting Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside this Saturday night at the Doug Fir is Wooden Indian Burial Ground. Although a bit more underground than their headliners, they deserve as much hype as humanity is willing to give. Their performances are ruthless, constant streams of mania, aggression and a sense of never giving in. This is psychedelic rock overgrown with heavy experimentation. Whether you decide to appreciate the hysterical fuzz lingering in the background or not, be aware this will make you feel something. Wooden Indian Burial Ground have evolved into a band destined to uproot any emotion you allow and that’s beautiful. – Colette Pomerleau

Christmas will be arriving five days early in North Portland this Friday. Three of Portland’s biggest acts of 2013 will be hosting a yuletide celebration that will make your office Christmas party look like… well, an office Christmas party. Sorry, no time for fancy rhetoric, here’s the skinny: Tango Alpha Tango will go on first. Their guitar-driven rock makes them one of the bluesiest bands this city has in its books and they play in such a raw way that you can’t help but move to the fine-tone rhythms and fuzzy keyboard that gives them a funky edge. And not slacking in the funk category is the soulful six-piece, Minden. Whether you like their melodic keyboards, smooth bass, or harmonizing vocals, you will surely get your fix when Minden takes the stage. Finally, the hosts, The Lower 48 will headline the bill. The vintage-pop sounds laden with folk songwriting has built quite the name for this band in the local scene. The past six months touring all over the west coast, east coast, and the Midwest and finally make it back to Portland just in time for a holiday extravaganza. This Friday, the triumphant bells will ring sounds of joy for one more concert 2013 won’t forget. – Colin Hudson

Three For Silver has the wonderful ability to transport you through time and space to the beautiful warm simplicity of a bygone era, but once you’re there the simplicity stops and the enticing melodies and vocals begin. Three For Silver’s latest EP, “Live in the Map Room” is a hypnotic adventure of rustic storytelling told by a sultry, mysterious voice that quite frankly will leave you wanting, nay needing more. Tension in the songs waxes and wanes under a slew of instruments that take you out of the everyday mundane and into a black and white dream reminiscent of San Francisco in the 1920’s. I was particularly smitten with a track by the name of “Light in the Shade”. The intro is wonderfully serene and unique leading into a song that focuses on melody and elegantly strong vocals. Three For Silver draws on time-honored traditions while turning out a beautifully unique sound. Frills are put to bed and musicianship takes center stage on “Live in the Map Room”. Make sure to check these guys out live and pick up a copy of the new EP. – Cory Huennekens

Besides the loads of raw musical talent, there’s nothing ultra-fancy about this event; which is exactly how an event celebrating the art of two-piece rock and roll should be. Duofest brings together some of the best power duos that Portland has to offer. Headlined by the root driven and blues heavy Hopeless Jack & the Handsome Devil, Kelly’s Olympian will be packed with the kind of heavy rock you need to hear to cure the bitterness of this winter weather. Starting the show is the guitar thriving soulful blend known as the Yes-And Band who will be followed by the acoustic and folk rock melodies of Bevelers. After that Machine will take the stage and showcase lead vocalist Madeline’s blissful, harmonizing singing behind beautiful songwriting. And before HJ & HD the Deli Portland’s October artist of the month winners, Bear & Moose will bring their alternative rock to the right place. Come to Kelly’s on Saturday to find out just how much sound two people can make. – Colin Hudson

Whiskey twang at it’s finest! This Friday night; put on your cowboy boots, stash a flask in your pants and direct your trusty steed on over to the Doug Fir Lounge to catch Denver, The Moondoggies and The Maldives. Following the release of Adios I’m a Ghost, and rounding out nearly four months on tour with well known regional acts Pickwick (Seattle) and The Maldives (Seattle), The Moondoggies are sure to help get you through those drunken holiday blues with their tasty vocal harmonies and country-grunge sounds. Special guests and local drunken-country legends Denver make this a show not to miss. Tickets are $12, doors open at 8 and show starts at 9. -Travis Leipzig

This Saturday night your favorite local podcasters, Party Boyz (also known as Elizabeth Elder and Rachel Milbauer), are living up to their name by throwing a warehouse party with a music lineup that will make your head spin. Old Light will be bringing their vivid brand of garage-infused psychedelia, Hustle and Drone will throw down their addictive beats and The We Shared Milk will bring the hazy indie-rock energy that’s garnered them some well-deserved attention in 2013. But wait, there’s more! Super secret guests, late night DJs, delicious food carts and to top it all off this party’s for charity. Bring a food or toy donation for a few dollars off admission and live it up knowing you gave a little bit back to your community. The festivities are being held at Manifest Station (2020 SE Bush ) and doors open at 8pm. Also, wear a Christmas sweater. – Benjamin Toledo

On December 11th Kellys Olympian will be hosting the latest band to set the interwebs abuzz, The Weather Machine. The sudden wash of attention is a result of front man Slater Smiths brilliant idea to visit all 185 Oregon National Parks in the name of creating an epic music video for his poetic tribute to leaving so you can come back again, "Back Or’e Oregon".  Everyone from Portland Monthly Magazine to NPR to Buzzfeed (where you can now find good music in addition to cats that are too proud to admit they hate the snow- who knew?!) has taken note of Smiths video and not just because everyone who isn’t from Oregon was surprised to hear it pronounced correctly. Smiths journey took him 4 months, to what are arguably some of the most beautiful places in America, and garnered the attention and support of Breedlove guitars, Oregon State Parks, and Tender Loving Empire to name just a few. New fans who are lucky enough to stumble onto this video would do their ears well to go beyond "Back Or’e Oregon" and check out the newest single "Slow Dance Slow", available through Tender Loving Empire. – Joy Pearson 

Developing an appetite for darker, "nocturnal pop" is easy when it comes to Genders. After having recently returned from a nationwide tour with Built to Spill, the city is ready to engulf their sounds once again. In fact, we experienced a hole in the live music scene while they were gone. Things were interrupted. Things got weird. "Something To Get You By", the first track featured off of their full-length album, erupts with building tension. Broken by the soft crooning of lead vocalist Maggie Morris, it presents itself with the most enchanting introduction. The collaboration of all of the members’ instruments present a perfect example of how well they work together. Their sound is a revolution of introspection, a vortex of audible pleasure, the bittersweet ending to an intense experience. – Colette Pomerleau