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photo by Deb Penk

08/22/2024

Music Millenium Celebrates 31 Years of Musical Joy

By BOB HOWARD// Music Millenium’s 31^st Annual Customer Appreciation BBQ brought a steady stream of appreciative customers

Over 1500 neighbors, fans and customers enjoyed the sunshine and clear blue skies for free music, food, prizes and a whacky wheel of fortune. Terry’s lineup, as every year, was inspired, with amazing artists new and old that remind us that Portland’s music world is vibrant.

It is evident how much Terry Currier, owner of Music Millenium, loves his customers. He has the gift to promote the best local vintage and new artists to eager audiences. Terry says, “musically it was a very great day.”

Starting out with Milo Binder was a treat, Terry says. “He moved to the Portland at some point, and he just put out his second record--after 33 years. Milo tells us, “It was never anybody’s plan to take decades to release a second record, The Unspeakable Milo Binder, but life just happens. Then all the sudden it’s as if I am Rip Van Songwriter…grey beard and all. New songs just throwing themselves at me. How does a rested well-rested old bastard say no?”

His first record, self-titled Milo Binder was released in 1991. Terry told us, “He recorded second album back then, and then his label dropped him, his manager died in a car accident, and his newborn daughter was born with life altering problems and has not been able move…” He came through it and we’re lucky to have him in Portland. He played with Victor Krummenacher (Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker, Third Mind), who moved to Portland during the pandemic. Terry says, “Milo gave us a very cool performance.”

Drew Martin, originally from Hawaii, now in Seattle, was next. Terry said, “He’s played the store a couple times before and we invited him to do this after his last performance first of the year. Elements of traditional Hawaiian music permeate his songs.”

Lincoln’s Beard are from across the river in Vancouver. Terry knew one of the members who use to serve me breakfast on Sunday then they opened a coffee shop in Vancouver. “We have used their music in commercials and in a kick starter we did to put on a new roof eight years back. A really great band.”

Moon and Bike is an instrumental guitar duo meshing acoustic and electric guitars to create lush, melodic soundscapes. Terry said, “they are a band that has played here a several times.” Initially an instrumental duo, now a full band, with two guitars, bass and drums. Terry added, “Some people say they heard some Pink Floyd in there, but good experimental and accessible music.”

They released their first record, One, in 2020 played live at Artichoke Music. Boone Johnson and Michael Swanson have known each other for 30 years. They played in a band together, Turning 11 when they started playing together. After the band broke up, they kept playing together. Boone told us that he and Mike had had been playing the song “Moon and Bike” for 23 years until they said at each other, “I guess we should record this.” They recorded their second album as a trio with drummer John Gannon. It was released this year. Alan Stewart joined them on bass for the BBQ.

“Only Us” recorded live at Music Millenium. Their second record Brave State was released this year. They performed with a full band.

Dischords carry on as a three piece power band with former Sequel members and 2011 Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductees Greg Georgeson (guitar, vocals) and Grant Roholt (drums) with Kevin Venables (bass, vocals) . They played a mix of original songs, covers of classic rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop songs.

Mike Skill from Detroit, Michigan was a founding member of The Romantics. He has been living in Portland, Oregon for many years. His lyrics and hooks have become icons of popular culture and have transcended generations of listeners. His new music digs into his Detroit roots and adds the experience from a lifetime of performing. He recorded a cover in of Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” in 2022. It rocks. His latest release, “67 Riot,” only available for purchase on vinyl, was available at the BBQ. It is streaming on Spotify.

“What I Like About You” recorded live at Music Millenium.

M69s are a Power Pop Rock trio from Salem, Oregon. They wear their British Rock influences openly and proudly. Todd McPherson plays guitars and shares both lead and harmony vocals and songwriting with bass guitarist Casey Nova. Drummer Cowboy Wade Daughtry is the band’s Keith Moon. Terry says, “They perform and record extraordinarily well-crafted and thoughtful songs, employing the traditional guitar-bass-drums and harmony vocals thing with delightful expertise. There is something terrifically familiar about their sound.” McPherson is an inductee to the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, as singing bass player for 60's legends "The Kingsmen" since 1992. Casey says “I started writing songs at age 13. Hundreds of them.” In 2014, “I was playing my songs alone on open mic nights then I was lucky to find two very good musical comrades in Todd McPherson and Wade Daughtry. We formed the M69's.” M69’s are releasing their third album of original songs at Music Millenium on August 10, 2024.

Hippie Death Cult closed the day with an electrifying performance. There was still a sizable crowd of all ages ready to listen and dance to their fiery brand of riff-laden rock n’ roll. They are a hard working forceful, underground power trio that includes guitarist and founder Eddie Brnabic, vocalist and bassist Laura Phillips, and drummer Harry Silvers. Mike Penk said, "Phillips and Silvers set the tone of the set with pounding rhythms and strong vocals while leaving enough space for Brnabic’s electrifying guitar to move through the heavy groove." Terry Currier says, They are a vibrant force in the realms of psychedelia and riff-heavy rock and roll."

In a recent interview on the Interceptor Beyond Podcast, lead guitarist and vocalist Eddie Brnabic said, “We are going for it. We’re willing to be broke and go for it. We believe in what we do. We love it.” Their passion powers their performances. With a brief stop in Portland they are headed out on an extensive North American tour in support of their new album, “Helichrysum”. Check out the official video for the song "Toxic Annihilator" from their new record.

Thank you, Terry Currier and Music Millenium, for an amazing day! See you next year!

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