CLUB SCENE

You’re nice, but you’re no Stone Coast

By Amanda Gonzales

Some hip-hop fans may have been surprised to discover Friday, February 23, that the State Theater was no longer host to kNOw Complex. The local hip-hop collective started their Friday night gigs back in January, following the overhaul of the Stone Coast upstairs room, and, despite solid media support, have struggled with filling the State’s vast interior that can handle up to 1700 people. So, they’re hanging it up for a while.

Despite the lack of crowd that showed up on Fridays to the State, DJ Moshe says “the hip-hop scene in Portland is getting stronger” and noticed more younger kids coming out to support the show, as it was open to those 18 and older. He says the crowd also consisted of older fans who frequented the Stone Coast’s open mic before it decided to focus more in other directions.

Moshe also notes that choosing a Friday night for a weekly gig made things tough from the beginning, as that night is already jam packed with other events. The Stone Coast never seemed to have a problem filling up the upstairs floor with people waiting to hear the sounds of kNOw Complex and Eggbot, but they took place every Monday and Tuesday. And it seems clear now that the atmosphere of the Stone Coast was integral to its success.

Like kNOw Complex, Eggbot has found himself somewhat homeless in the Portland music scene, as well, after his Mondays at the Better End didn’t draw the support he was hoping for. He does report being near to solidifying a weekly slot at a club that may be opening soon, but more than that he can’t say.

Neither musical talent is ready to disappear, however, as kNOw Complex will return to the State Theatre in the spring, and for now can be found at the Big Easy once a month on Wednesday nights. Meanwhile, Eggbot can be experienced during two upcoming gigs at the State Theatre; opening for Babaloo on March 17, and as part of a big local show with Colostomy, the Horror, Twitchboy, and Swampwitch Revival April 13.