The Constantines (photo: Jeremy R. Jansen)
Project Pabst in Portland, Oregon is the epically stacked musical brainchild of Superfly presents and Pabst Brewing Company debuting this weekend. The event impresses with its long list of notable bands, including Modest Mouse, Tears for Fears, Rocket from the Crypt, Lord Huron, Phosphorescent, Red Fang and Built to Spill. Project Pabst combines expansive outdoor festival vibes with intimate night shows at five uniquely different, genre-focused Portland venues. The festival should be nothing short of dynamic and promises the “blue-ribbon” standard that Pabst claims to offer, and the city of Portland is known for.
Here are four of our must-see bands for the festival:
Tears for Fears
Initially beginning as one of the new-wave synthesizer bands of the early 1980s, English-born Tears for Fears later branched out into the mainstream rock and pop genres that led to their international success. Their first three albums The Hurting, Songs from the Big Chair, and The Seeds of Love, gave the duo of Ronald Orzabal and Curt Smith platinum sales. After splitting up for nearly a decade, they have returned with an album of new material titled Everybody Loves a Happy Ending. To date, Tears for Fears have sold over 30 million albums worldwide, and are working on their seventh album. Their ’80s style pop tunes will be heard Saturday night on the Captains Pabst Stage.
Rocket from the Crypt
Hailing from San Diego, California, the six-piece punk rock and roll band Rocket from the Crypt gained massive critical praise from 1989 to 1999 with the release of their first four albums Paint as a Fragrance, Circa: Now!, Scream, Dracula, Scream!, and RFTC. After a period of inactivity where band members explored other projects, they decided to disband in 2005 after a sold-out Halloween farewell show in their hometown of San Diego. Dubbed as one of the best touring bands in the world, they reunited in 2014, hence their much-anticipated appearance at Project Pabst.
Modest Mouse
Formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington, Modest Mouse has spent the last two decades evolving into an indie rock classic that consistently impresses fans with their energetic stage presence, top-notch songwriting skills and extensive discography. The band’s first full-length album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, was released in 1996. Five other albums followed, including the most recent We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank in 2007 and their 2009 EP, No One’s First and You’re Next. Project Pabst will undoubtedly be turned up to high volume when Modest Mouse hit the stage this weekend, with longtime fans hoping to see a set sprinkled with tracks from every stage of the band’s history.
The Constantines
Canadian classics The Constantines released their first self-titled album in 2001 and followed it up with three more full-lengths and two EPs. Throughout the band’s career they have built a committed fan base that eats up The Constantines’ hardcore indie-rock vibes and charged performances. The band is playing an evening show at Dante’s, one of Pabst’s downtown Portland venues, after recently reforming, and are sure to deliver a highlight show.
Project Pabst runs September 26 to 28 in Portland, Oregon.
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