BEACH CONNECTION'S MUSIC CENTER
Covering NW music in Portland, Oregon and the I-5 Corridor, as well as 160 miles of Oregon coast: Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.

Secret Reunion of Renegade Saints in Portland

(Portland, Oregon) - Oregon’s seminal rocker John Shipe is pulling a spectacular musical rabbit out of his hat on Friday, May 12, with a secret reunion of his former band, Renegade Saints, happening at his show at the Bitter End in Portland.

Shipe, with his arty form of psychedelic Americana, will be playing a part of his acoustic set with former Renegade Saints Al Toribio (guitar & vocals), Dave Coey (bass & vocals) and Mike Walker (keyboards). Some of the tunes will come from the famed Oregon band’s 1994 release “Fear of the Sky.”

Along with this show, he’s making stop in Corvallis on June 2, opening for musical cohort Laura Kemp, and showcasing a couple of firsts in Shipe’s long and distinguished career.

He plays with Kemp at Corvallis’ Bombs Away Café on Friday, June 2. This largely acoustic show will debut his playing a Fender Rhodes piano on a couple tunes, and it’s in support of his latest album, “John Shipe & The Blue Rebekahs,” – ironically, in support of an album from a band that no longer exists.

The arty, Americana artist from Eugene is doing something a little unusual these days. Immediately after The Blue Rebekahs released the new album, Shipe and the band did a handful of CD release shows and then called it quits. Shipe, in turn, has embarked on a solo career, and is touring extensively in support of the album, which features the full electric band.

There is more logic to this than meets the eye. And, in a further twist of irony, the album features the song “Coffee House Gig,” a sort of ode to Shipe’s new musical direction. People buy the albums more at coffee house/solo gigs, he says, because they are more of an audience than a group of partiers at a bar. “It’s easier to keep their attention at the quiet gigs,” Shipe says. “They hear the words better, connect with the music and they purchase the CD’s to actually own the art. And while I love this job of rocking the house at bars, and wouldn’t give that up, that crowd is real rowdy, dancing on the dance floor and drinking beer and busy having a good time.”

Yet again, ironically: it’s easier to sell CD’s of the electric band at acoustic shows.

Shipe’s music is a pastiche and cross section of American styles: a broad palette of ideas wandering various genres, and sneakily grabbing from a few others while no one’s looking. Each song on “John Shipe & The Blue Rebekahs” reflects that. Each one has its own distinct style, yet always boasting Shipe’s poignant vocal delivery, smart songwriting and clever, punching lyrics. It’s a little like Americana with psychedelia and bits of art rock. On the album, Shipe is akin to Neil Young or John Mayor with an arty side, mixed with faint touches of King Crimson, Pink Floyd and the occasional nod to Cake or Semisonic. He always manages to walk a fine line between the folky popsters with a hippy or collegiate following and the math rockers whose legions eat up things like Brian Eno or Radiohead.

At the Corvallis show with Kemp, Shipe will perform some tunes on the Fender Rhodes – his first time doing so live. And some songs will be done with some electronic effects, while the bulk of his set will be acoustic.

In the meantime, Shipe still gigs with some members of the Blue Rebekahs. But managing a full time band, especially one with members who have other big commitments, simply became too much. Shipe plans to start another band sometime next year, after writing at least 90 minutes of new material.

Songs can be heard at www.johnshipe.com.

John Shipe acoustic solo, with Renegade Saints reunion
Friday, May 12, 9:30 p.m. Cover charge
The Bitter End
1981 W Burnside St.
Portland (971) 222-2000

Laura Kemp
John Shipe opens
Friday, June 2, 9 p.m. $7
Bombs Away Café
2527 NW Monroe Ave
Corvallis 541-757-7221

BREATHTAKING CLIFFTOP IN NEWPORT

STARFISH POINT is located on the Central Oregon Coast - in Newport - and offers only the finest in luxury condominium lodging. At Starfish Point, every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.
All of the units boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens, wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private decks - surrounding you in soothing relaxation. We have a friendly staff dedicated to high quality and superb customer service. 140 NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. www.starfishpoint.com