Author: Natania Reed, Senior Writer
Portland-based pop-rock aficionados Starfucker took the stage along with the multifarious group Prescription Pills and the kaleidoscopic ensemble White Fence at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock this past Friday night.
During the day, the Center functions as a family-oriented art collective, with workshops and programs geared towards all ages; at night, however, the Center takes a slightly different turn. The Center sets up the makeshift stage, dims the lights and brings in an expansive group of musicians, from hardcore band Ceremony to indie singer-songwriter Mirah.
Prescription Pills took the stage first with a unique twist on dance-punk with some grunge influence. White Fence followed soon after – a newer project from Tim Presley, the artistic mastermind behind sixties-inspired psychedelic garage rock collectives Darker My Love and the Strange Boys.
White Fence powered through their set with both older and newer tracks, often including drawn-out instrumental and experimental breakdowns every few songs, which captured the spirit of Presley’s previous psychedelic projects. Fans of more rowdy rock ‘n’ roll and of a more lo-fi sound could both find enjoyment in the group’s music. Overall, White Fence’s set was sure to have pleased old fans of Presley’s work and converted new ones with their unique brand of distorted garage-rock. White Fence plans to release part one of “Family Perfume,” their newest EP, on April 3.
What White Fence lacked in liveliness, Starfucker more than made up for in their energetic, high-powered set. As soon as the headliner stepped on stage, they commanded attention. The group, known almost equally for their perfectly crafted pop songs and their penchant for cross-dressing on stage, rocked through fan favorites, both old and new from their most recent EP, “Reptilian,” released last year.
Inspiring a small mosh pit and several excited crowd surfers, “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second” was clearly a crowd favorite. “Isabella of Castile,” from Starfucker’s self-titled album from 2008, bred shouts of joy and furious dancing in the audience. A standout track on “Reptilian,” “Bury Us Alive,” similarly caused an explosion of dancing and had fans singing out the chorus with mass enthusiasm, as did the group’s cover of Cyndi Lauper’s 80’s hit “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.”
At last Friday night’s show, Starfucker left the crowd desperate for more, confirming their headliner status. If anyone in the audience wasn’t a fan before, the show and the band’s distinct style of electronic pop rock certainly inspired a slew of new converts.
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