by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Guantanamo Baywatch - Boomerenga (MP3)

Portland, OR does not have a beach but that hasn't stopped trio Guantanamo Baywatch from kicking out vintage-sounding twangy surf rock infused with a twisted sense of glee. And when it comes to a genre like this, enthusiasm counts for a lot. They are also not afraid to give a song a "cha cha cha" ending, something I secretly wish bands would do more. Their new album, Chest Crawl, out now via Dirtnap, is a good time tiki party with extra-spiked punch. You can download "Boomeranga" at the top of this post.

Guantanamo Baywatch are currently on tour and hit NYC on Wednesday, July 11 for a show at Cake Shop with local punks The Numerators. All tour dates are listed at below.

Continue reading "Guantanamo Baywatch released 'Chest Crawl' (MP3), on tour, playing Cake Shop"

The 2012 edition of MusicFestNW takes place in September 5 - 9 at 18 venues in Portland, OR and will feature performances from over 150 bands, including Passion Pit, Hot Snakes, Girl Talk, Danny Brown, Beirut Silversun Pickups, Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh, many more.

In addition to those previously announced artists, MFNW has just added The Hives, Flying Lotus, Wild Nothing, DIIV, Quasi, Moon Duo, My Goodness, DZ Deathrays, and Strand Of Oaks to the already impressive line-up. Wristbands, available various levels and packages, and tickets to individual shows are on sale now. Check out the complete MFNW lineup below.

Continue reading "MusicFestNW 2012 lineup expands (The Hives, Flying Lotus, Quasi, DIIV, Passion Pit, Hot Snakes, Beirut, Swans & many more)"