Larry and His Flask’s transformation from a gruff and reckless punk band to a sharp, highly listenable hillbilly whirlwind continues unabated.
Three years ago, the Flask’s sound was pure, crusty punk, fronted by the shredded throat of Jamin Marshall. Today, the band has expanded to a six-piece, gone acoustic (including banjo and mandolin), and incorporated vocals that actually carry tunes and harmonies. (No offense, Jamin!)
If you haven’t heard the band in a while, you really should go visit www.myspace.com/larryandhisflask and listen to “Ready Your Roommates,” which will be on Flask’s new album, due out early next year. It’s a heck of a string-band hoedown. Even more impressive is the song “Slow It Down,” a gorgeous, whiskey-soaked country lament, and one of the best tracks by a local band I’ve heard this year.
What hasn’t changed is the guys’ infectious charm and love for playing music whenever and wherever they can. They’re just back from a three-month tour that covered 37 states, “from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine,” says Jesse Marshall, and they’ll play a couple homecoming shows this weekend with some of their friends from the road. Go catch ’em before they head out on tour again on Tuesday.
Larry and His Flask, with Ether Circus and Tater Famine ; 8 tonight; $6; Domino Room, 51 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend; www.myspace.com/larryandhisflask.
Larry and His Flask, with Tuck And Roll ; 9 p.m. Saturday; $3; Silver Moon Brewing & Taproom, 24 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend; www.myspace .com/larryandhisflask.
— Ben Salmon
