By Greg Homolka
In the few short years since singer/guitarist Katy Black willed Spoon Benders into existence, the band has combined garage-psych musical sensibilities with a punk rock DIY ethos, and turned it into a tangible success. Over the past several months, Spoon Benders has been invited to join one tour after another, and filled the time in between with appearances at rock festivals around the western U.S. On April 1st, Spoon Benders returned to Portland, Oregon, and, along with fellow Portland bands Kill Michael and Help, hosted a sold-out, all-ages show at the Mission Theater.
Hard and heavy rockers Kill Michael opened the show. Their sludge sounds and growling vocals were embellished with intermittent congas and an enthusiastic, maraca-wielding, slam-dancing hype man. Their set culminated with Kill Michael’s lead singer getting the best of the maraca shaker in a staged boxing match on the dance floor.
Portland noise punk favorites Help then offered up a set of no-holds-barred thrash-and-burn ragers that channeled angst and energy in true punk fashion. The members of Help spent time in popular indie rock bands before getting together and finding cathartic release in laying down raucous rockers that speak to trying times, and literally screaming for help in the fight for freedom and equality. Black, along with fellow Spoon Benders Leo Pastor and Velvet, all made it on stage to participate in the musical mayhem.
It wasn’t long before Spoon Benders took the stage and got down to business. They played a majority of the songs on their first release, 2020’s Dura Mater, as well as some more recent singles, including 2021’s “Cut Behind” and latest release “Rm. 157,” which features Pastor on lead vocals rather than Black. The crowd was an active participant, head banging, moshing, and literally supporting the band when one of the members decided to play horizontally, riding atop the outstretched arms of fans. Help’s Ryan Neighbors joined the fray toward the end of the set, coming onstage to play some guitar and get in on the crowd surfing action.
It’s been a little over a year since I first saw Spoon Benders at Treefort Music Fest in Boise, Idaho. In that year, they’ve gained confidence and cohesion as a band, driving forward and crowd surfing the ensuing wave to more shows and a devoted fanbase. It will be fun to see where their youthful exuberance and dedication to their craft takes them next.
Catch Spoon Benders at Portland’s Doug Fir Lounge on May 12 for the celebration of the release of sophomore album, How Things Repeat.
