Two weeks from now, coming to the Whiteside Theatre, is a show not to be missed! Floater, Portland’s two-time preliminary Grammy-nominated band that unabashedly defies definition and commands a significant following throughout the Northwest, has prepared extensively for its upcoming show at the newly renovated Whiteside. In Floater’s Robert Wynia’s own words, the band has poured its heart into this show and grown it “into a monster.”
Stylistically, this band cannot be pinned down to a particular sound, often to the chagrin of reviewers. Likely, this partially explains why Floater has remained one of the Northwest’s best-kept secrets. Known throughout Oregon, Washington, and northern California for its dramatic stage presence, story-telling lyrics, and devoted fan base, the band is somehow virtually unknown to mainstream rock fans. Birthed in Eugene and voted “Best Band” in Willamette Week‘s “Best of Portland” reader’s poll in 2009 and 2010, perhaps one day Floater will enjoy much-deserved success and attention by the mainstream music industry at large. Until then, we can feel a sense of pride in being specially privileged to experience such amazing sound smiths.
The opening band, recent winner of the Warped Tour Battle of the Bands, is 30 Pound Test. One might know the members of this band from various other local bands, including Lost Tortoise, Forrestal’s Fall, Strange Dichotomy, and Even in Death. 30 Pound Test has performed at shows featuring well-known acts such as Anti-flag, Born of Osiris, Lost Prophets, Hed PE, Yellowcard, and Impending Doom, and it has even opened for Serj Tankian from System of a Down. Similar to Floater in terms of impressive genre-bending talent, 30 Pound Test, when asked how it would describe its sound, answered, “ADD core.” While citing more recent influences from Pantera and Pink Floyd to Satriani, this band constitutes a combined 70 years of music styles, contributing to fresh, mosh-worthy eclectic jam metal.
Whether you’re still psyched about Floater’s last stop at Whiteside or have yet to hear it rock the awesome acoustics in this newly renovated theater, the show will be an exciting way to spend your Friday night. Don’t miss this great event hosted by 2 Towns Ciderhouse and enjoy some “damn fine cider” as you support the Whiteside Theatre.
Floater and 30 Pound Test perform on Friday, Dec. 14 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. at the Whiteside Theatre, 321 SW Madison Avenue. Cost: $20 advance, $24 door.
by Joel Southall
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