The northwest has always been known for music. The entire grunge generation is familiar with the area (which we talk about in fact #3), but there are a ton more facts about the area that you might not have had any idea about (or maybe you did). Check them out below!
1) Home to music legends…
The Kingsmen, best known for the song “Louie Louie”, were not only from Portland, but recorded the song at Northwestern, Inc., Motion Pictures and Recording in Portland. At the time, the entire session only cost them about $50.
2) … and modern music pioneers.
Portland is home of The Slants, a rock group who has garnered international headlines for their public battle with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In an earlier piece, we wrote that their lead singer describes them as the “first all-Asian-American dance-rock band.”
3) Grunge isn’t just for Seattle.
In the early 80’s, Portland had a massive hardcore punk scene and is proud to be one of the larger influences of grunge music. Acts like The Wipers, have been cited as one of the influences of everyone from Dinosaur Jr. to Nirvana.
4) There’s a thriving bluegrass scene too.
Bluegrass and old-time music is thriving throughout Portland. With events like the Old Time Music Gathering, happening in January of every year, it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down either. This past year they had the Foghorn String Band, a hard-hitting old-time American string band. Watch their entire 2017 set, below.
5) But Portland doesn’t get left behind the times.
Electronic music isn’t going to be left out of this music city either. DJs and producers are coming out of Portland and making international names for themselves. Hatiras, Forrest Avery, Roman Zawodny, DJ Deformaty, Ratta Tat Patt, and Abrasion Equation are all from Portland.
What other fun music facts do you have about Portland? Tell us on Twitter!
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