25 of the Most Famous Bands and Musicians from Oregon
Saturday, November 28, 2015
It’s no secret that Portland is home to an incredible music scene. Perhaps it’s the gloomy, rainy weather, or maybe it's the delicious coffee that keeps everyone creative and energized, but artists seem to flourish here in the Rose City.
The Decemberists' The King is Dead; via wikimedia commons
The city may have a well-earned reputation as a hotbed for indie artists, producing groups like the Decembrists and Blind Pilots, but don’t let that reputation fool you. This city has a long history of great musicians spanning all genres.
From hip-hop pioneers like the U-Krew to punk rockers like Poison Idea and world music greats like Obo Addy, Portland has a long history of producing and welcoming great musicians.
For your listening and viewing pleasure, GoLocal has compiled 25 of the best and best-known musicians and bands from around the entire state of Oregon. Check out the slides below to find your new favorite song, band or album.
SEE SLIDES BELOW: 25 of the Most Famous Bands and Musicians from Oregon
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The Decemberists
Formed in Portland in 2000, the Decemberists have become famous for their gloomy, folk-tinged melodies and stimulating live performances, which feature heavy doses of audience participation.
The band's 2011 record The King Is Dead propelled them widespread critical acclaim and earned them a Grammy nomination. "Down by the Water" was on the shortlist for the Grammy for Best Rock Song.
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Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza Spalding is known for her sultry voice and eclectic style, which earned her the Grammy award for Best New Artist in 2011.
The Portland-born performer was the first jazz artists to win that award.
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Stephen Malkmus
Malkmus is an indie rock icon, starting off his career with Pavement before breaking out with his own outfit Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.
Originally from California, he, along with his family, now call Portland home.
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Sleater-Kinney
This pioneering all-girl group is forever linked with the Rose City. The girls of Sleater-Kinney were trailblazers in the Portland music scene during their hay day.
The group recorded their latest album in Carrie Brownstein's (of Portlandia fame) Portland home.
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Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse's lead singer is a Portland resident and has an extra-special tie to the city. A portrait of him wearing lederhosen and standing next to a giant boar hung in Mayor Sam Adams' office. (We promise we aren't making this up.)
The group is known for their aggressive and sometimes take on indie rock styles.
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Untouchable Krew
The Untouchable Krew, later known as the U-Krew, put Portland's hip-hop on the map with their 1993 record The U-Krew.
The record cracked the Billboard top 100 and included a pair of singles that would rise up near the top of the charts in "If U Were Mine" and "Let Me Be Your Lover."
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The Kingsmen
Even if you think you don't know these Portland natives, we can almost guarantee you've heard at least one of their songs.
The Kingsmen are famous for the rock standard (and a staple of middle school jazz band repertoires) "Louie Louie."
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Everclear
These guys rock. Originally formed in 1990, they were part of the alternative rock and grunge takeover of the 90's.
Everclear is best known for their hit single "Santa Monica" from their platinum-certified album Sparkle and Fade.
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Elliot Smith
Who hasn't listened to an Elliot Smith song while feeling low? It's the perfect soundtrack for when the rain just won't seem to stop falling on you.
Tragically, Smith's career was cut short when he was found dead in 2003, at the age of 34.
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She and Him
Talk about an all-star duo. She and Him is the name for the pairing of Portland native M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel.
Next time you're in the mood for some yuletide carols, check out their Christmas album, A Very She & Him Christmas.
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Obo Addy
Obo Addy was born in Ghana before emigrating to the United States in the 70s, bringing the sounds of traditional folk music and melding them with western styles to create a new sound that was all his own.
Addy taught music at Lewis and Clark University for many years before his death in 2012.
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The Shins
Where would indie rock music be without The Shins? The Portland-based group has had a major influence on dozens of underground rockers that followed, including Modest Mouse and Broken Bells.
Their 2003 sophomore effort Chutes Too Narrow put them on the map with their alternative hit "New Slang."
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The Dandy Warhols
More than just a clever name, this indie rock group had a big impact on the indie rock scene in the early 2000's.
Their song "Bohemian Like You" from the album Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia carried a heavy cultural weight, appearing on television shows and in commercials.
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Pink Martini
Formed in 1994, Pink Martini are an eclectic group that perform songs in many styles, ranging from latin jazz to classic pop.
Best known here in their hometown but famous the world over for their energized live performances,
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Paul Revere & the Raiders
An oldie, but definitely a goodie. Paul Revere and the Raiders were part of the first wave of rock'n'roll to sweep the country, reaching the height of their popularity in the 60s.
Their song "Kicks" was even ranked on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
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Brad Wilk
Wilk made his name as the drummer for the explosive protest-rock group Rage Against the Machine.
His driving and steady rhythms were a key part of the band's hip-hop influenced punk rock sound.
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Floater
Founded in 1993 and still going strong, these Eugene rockers are some of Oregon's favorite sons.
They still sell out venues in Portland and all around the Beaver State and have played all over the country, including at New York's famous CBGB and the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles.
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Cherry Poppin Daddies
Remember when swing music took over the airwaves in the 90's? These guys sure do.
The Portland-based Cherry Poppin Daddies' hit "Zoot Suit Riot" was almost inescapable when it premiered in 1997.
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The Thermals
No frills here. Just straight forward, lo-fi rock and roll. The Thermals were known for their political and religious imagery, which was featured heavily in many of their tracks.
The Body, The Blood, The Machine, the group's third record, was good enough to earn a spot on many "best of the year" lists in 2006.
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Poison Idea
Formed in 1980, Poison Idea was a key fixture in the west coast punk rock and hardcore scene during the early 80s.
The band's legacy is the indelible mark they left on perhaps the most popular and important alternative band of all time, Nirvana.
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Blind Pilot
Blind Pilot made an impact right off the bat. Their debut album 3 Rounds and a Sound featured the surprise hit "Go On and Say It," which propelled the album to number 13 on the Billboard Top Digital Albums chart.
The Portland natives completed perhaps the ultimate tribute to their hometown with their bicycle tour in 2008. The group traveled from Washington to California on bikes, playing concerts and carrying their instruments on their back.
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Tommy Thayer
Portland hard-rocker Tommy Thayer joined Kiss in 1989 as the group's guitarist and primary songwriter.
He penned Kiss songs such as "Betrayed" and "The Street Giveth, The Street Taketh Away."
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Blitzen Trapper
The Portland natives Blitzen Trapper are known for their experimental slant on country-tinged melodies.
Their record Wild Nation Mountain received high critical acclaim, but they were only just getting started. After signing to legendary label Sub Pop, they released Furr, which was ranked by Rolling Stone as the number 13 best album of 2008.
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Hazel
Straightforward rock'n'roll. That's what Hazel is known for. Their music may not have been complex, but it was passionate and energized.
Vocalists Jody Bleyle and Pete Krebs intense and earnest vocals are the groups signature.
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M. Ward
A raspy voice, an acoustic guitar and a classic folk sound. If you hear those elements, there's a good chance you're listening to an M. Ward tune.
Ward is a legendary collaborator, working with everyone from Connor Oberst's Bright Eyes to Neko Case and many, many more.
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