The Boreal may be Eugene’s number one spot for all-ages shows featuring local bands right now, but as of late, they’ve set their sights on more ambitious prospects. On Nov. 11, the Whiteaker venue will host United Nations, a post-hardcore supergroup featuring members of esteemed bands such as Thursday and Converge. It’s United Nations’ only all-ages show between Seattle and the Bay Area; according to Boreal volunteer Alex Acuna, “People are driving from Boise to this thing.” It’s sure to be packed, so best get there a bit early if you want to see some of the most legendary musicians in the post-hardcore genre play together.
Non-screamo fans, local music supporters and those without the $12 needed for the United Nations door need not worry. Leading up to the United Nations show is an impressive run of concerts featuring both touring and local bands, many of them very aggressive. Here are a few of them with everything you need to know, if you’re looking for a local show in the coming two weeks:
11/1: Valley Maker, Woke Up New, Bending ($5 adv, $7 day of show). Valley Maker has never toured south of Portland, so the Boreal will serve as the inaugural venue for the Seattle emo-folk band. Opening the show are Woke Up New and Bending, both similarly morose acoustic acts. (The latter is formerly known as Plath, which should give you a pretty good idea.) If you’ve had a disappointing Halloween, this show should be a good place to get covertly drunk and reflect.
11/5: Greg Gorlen, Don Haugen, JUICE MACHINE & Andrew Quitter, Nick Hoffman, Fashion Beards, Entrail. This lineup focuses primarily on noise and avant-garde music, featuring a headlining set from San Francisco-based tape-loop prankster Greg Gorlen. Don Haugen makes “metal machine music” (you can probably guess), while Eugene experimental scene majordomo Andrew Quitter plays tough, texturally-focused drone music. Nick Hoffman and Fashion Beards play abstract electronic noise and Entrail plays apocalyptic folk. Bring earplugs and an open mind.
11/9: Unrestrained, Losing Skin, Funeral, Chaos Order. If you’ve got earplugs and an open mind but are also super down to move around, the venue will be throbbing with hardcore music on this night. The headliner is Portland’s Unrestrained. Metalcore band Funeral will be releasing an EP entitled Human Ruin at this show. Spokane’s prolific Losing Skin also plays, as does Chaos Order all the way from Nashville, Tennessee.