A graduation of sorts, after spending a fair amount of time playing Portland’s smaller venues, Starfucker packed the house twice Thursday night at the Doug Fir Lounge for their double header CD release show, first playing for an eager all ages audience, and then again, later that evening to a just-as-eager-to-dance 21 and over group. The age of the audience seemed of no consequence as the boys tore through two sets for both crowds, with equal amounts energy and vigor. While the fans maintained their usual level of energetic frenzy, the band responded with a generous helping of cleverly crafted and beautifully arranged songs from their self titled debut release on Badman Records. Having made a name for themselves with their personal brand of catchy, sun-drenched, dance-friendly pop music, the atmosphere for the release party was a perfect blend of eager anticipation and undisputed fulfillment. If you were there, you witnessed a group on the cusp of something.
After some adequate warm up tunes from Portland’s DJ Beyonda, the eight members of Dykeritz hit the stage to warm the crown with a short set of handsome pop tunes, heavy on vocal harmonies and choruses. The audience, though receptive, was obviously anxious for what was to come. When Starfucker eventually took stage, it was clear that there would be dancing. And dancing there was. I soon found myself squashed against the tidal waves of enthusiastic sweat dampened strangers on the overcrowded dance floor. During local favorite “Rawnald Gregory Erickson,” the crowd's frenzy reached a peak, with massive surges and even a few brave crowd-surfers.
The band’s infectious-live shows and catchy sound has garnered attention outside Portland of late, creating the obvious and natural fear that we may soon have to share (another) one of the Northwest’s hidden gems with the rest of the world. But for now the feeling of being “privileged” remains. Josh, Ryan and Shawn have a knack for creating inspiring and uplifting music, that, for the moment, hasn’t been swallowed by the giant indie-rock beast of corporate exploitation. Starfucker should keep things just as they are: not too-serious, audience-incorporated, and quite simply, fun.
