Neutral Uke Hotel Covers a Classic at Sam Bonds Garage in Eugene

With my 2012 concert tour hellride in full swing, my latest adventure took place at Sam Bonds Garage in Eugene, OR on 2/20/12. I had a friend inform me about Neutral Uke Hotel playing at one of my favorite Eugene bars, Sam Bonds Garage. How could I say no to great drinks, friendly bar employees, and excellent food? Plus I got to check out a band that I have never seen, actually 3 bands to be exact. I knew that the headliner was a cover band of Neutral Milk Hotel, but that was about all I knew before I hit the show. There were also 2 openers that night, which were The Michael J. Epstein MiXXXtape and Golden Bloom, both bands were other projects that the headliners played in.

When I got to the bar, there was plenty of good filming spots available. I snagged a table up front and got myself a greyhound and waited for the show to start. The Michael J. Epstein MiXXXtape from Massachusetts started the night. These guys played songs from a variety of projects that Michael J. Epstein is part of. The band’s upbeat tunes were quite rockin’ and Epstein‘s moustache easily could have stood alone as a band member. Songs like X-Ray Specs and Winged Bicycle were great! The band had such versatility, actually all 3 bands did. Band members were changing instruments before songs and just the large variety of things they played was sweet. All these guys are talented musicians in my opinion.

After The Michael J. Epstein MiXXXtape’s 8 song set, Golden Bloom from New Jersey took the stage. Golden Bloom consisted of same band members playing different instruments and Epstein took a seat for the set. Golden Bloom delivered great music as well, but was a bit more poppy at times. Some of the songs that I enjoyed were Fan the Flames, E.H.M. and Without the Money. I really dug their electric guitarist Jeff Patlinggrao, that guy can tear it up. I liked his solos in Fight at the End of the Tunnel and Mob Song. He used a butter knife for a slide… pretty awesome.

Neutral Uke Motel took the stage next. This again was pretty much the same band members, except Epstein came back up and Patlingrao took a seat. This Neutral Milk Hotel tribute band covered the album In the Areoplane Over the Sea. These guys did the album justice and the ukulele based compositions of the music was superb! Some of the songs that really kicked ass in that set were Two-Headed Boy and Communist Daughter. I also enjoyed Ghost and the bitchin‘ instrumental untitled album track. They finished the night off by playing songs from one of Michael J. Epstein’s projects and one from a Shawn Fogel project. The final song was another Neutral Milk Hotel cover called Song Against Sex, to send the bar patrons home too.

Overall, I was very impressed. The band members had a drawing for a free ukulele and their merchandise for sale was very reasonably priced. The members from all 3 bands were very nice and they also helped me name the videos I took that night. All I know is that I will definitely see any type of band formed by these guys and that I need to make it down to Sam Bonds Garage on a Monday night to participate in the rumored pornographic bingo!