Family Worship Center is a rock-and-soul commune born in Nashville, Tennessee and reborn in Portland, Oregon. Fronted by visionary songwriter and keyboardist Andy Krissberg, the group draws its name from a strange, cult-leaning text unearthed during a cross-country field recording journey. An omen they’ve since transformed into a full-blown, groove-powered spiritual revival.
Their debut EP Sunday A.M. (produced by Grammy-winner Eddie Spear) introduced a lineup of heavy hitters with ties to The Band, Ringo Starr, and Deer Tick. Their 2023 full-length Kicked Out of the Garden, recorded across Portland, Philly, and Ukraine with producer Cameron Spies, spent eight weeks on the NACC 200 and landed the band on NPR’s Live Wire Radio and multiple year-end best-of lists. With a sound rooted in 1970s swagger, Leon Russell-style piano gospel, Southern rock, and communal soul, Family Worship Center brings their own throwback gospel to the people – complete with horns, harmonies, and secular salvation. Troy Nelson of KEXP called them “truly the best live band I have seen in years,” while The Portland Mercury described their show as “taking your ass to church” -and that’s exactly what they intend to do.
Smoker Dad
Rock ‘n’ roll, smoke a bowl.” That’s the motto of Seattle-based 6-piece Smoker Dad, which gives you an idea of what to expect (if the band name didn’t already). The cover photo of their self-titled debut album shows that they also have a tasteful sense of humor. More importantly though: Trevor Conway (vocals, guitar), Chris King (vocals, keys), Teagen Conway (guitar, vocals), Chris Costalupes (pedal steels, guitar, tambourine), Derek Luther (bass, vocals), and Adam Knowles (drums) know how to play Southern fried rock music. The ten songs here – nine originals, one cover (Ron Pederson’s Puget Sound) – are loud, fast, raucous and dirty, as it should be. Smoker Dad rocks hard, but always with a sense of melody – swinging guitar riffs and powerful vocals – that will make you dance like crazy. – Dennis
Plum Vision
Plum Vision is an all girl punk/alternative rock trio from Boise, ID, composed of Kiyah Amanie, Ella Thurston, and Megan Miller.
With aggressive yet playful energy that harkens back to groups from The Runaways to Hole, Plum Vision’s sound is the best of ‘90s Seattle riot grrrl punk with a heavy dose of late ‘70s psych rock.
Seamlessly balancing between sweet-voiced melodies and hard-hitting power cords, Plum Vision does not shy away from big feelings and sucker punch lyrics that cut to the bone.
