Burger Records is more than just the SoCal-based label dominated by scruffy ruffians shotgunning beers all the time. A first glance at not only their extensive roster but the typical scene flooding their festivals and gatherings would appear to make that the truest statement about the label. But it isn't. For the last four years the label has specifically curated an event catering to the promotion of bands, groups and solo artists where one or all of the members are non-male identifying. That event is called Burger-A-Go-Go, and it's awesome.

Now, using "female-fronted" or any iteration of the sort as a selling point for anything is pretty played out and low-key offensive, but in this case, it works within the context. Femmes haven't been well celebrated in the realm of music or anything else throughout history nearly enough as they should, but for the next two nights, Burger is doing a little bit to quell that in Portland.

Sentimental garage-pop act Patsy's Rats will be holding it down on the local front and sharing the stage with a grip of punk, garage and dream pop acts, like The Coathangers, Death Valley Girls, Summer Twins, and much delight from Dengue Fever, who dish out psych-pop with a Cambodian Rock flair, among others. 

Tickets for Burger-A-Go-Go will run you anywhere from $20-$35, but it's well worth it to see a bunch of acts that aren't what the music industry considers the "standard."

 The next few days will be marked by Portland punx Piss Test, who are playing two shows within the next three days. Tomorrow they'll be hitting up High Water Mark for a Mississippi Studios and Do503 curated show with Memphis riot grrrl revivalists Nots and locals Patsy's Rats. On Saturday, they'll be taking the stage again with garage post-punk acts Lunch, Petite and the Bellicose Minds as part of celebrating the latter's Incision EP release.

Pumping us up for all the upcoming Piss Test punkness, we've been repeatedly playing their boisterous love song "Vegan Coffee," coming off their third self titled EP. It's got an addicting rhythm and enough energy to serve as sonic caffeine itself, making it hard to not want more and more of.

The 10th annual St. Johns Bizarre is coming up with a pretty stacked lineup of varied Portland acts. The nine hour neighborhood festival will be headlined by old school Portlanders Quasi, on their only West Coast appearance for their upcoming tour in support of the repressing of three of their classic LPs. Best new artist Chanti Darling will also soulfully take the stage, along with pop rockers Minden, a nice bit of indie-folk with the Domestics, and the lighthearted garage pop of Patsy's Rats.

The St. Johns Bizarre will also feature over 100 local vendors for their expanded craft fair, the first appearance of Circus Cascadia teaching circus skills like tightrope walking, stilting and clowning, and of course, their locally sponsored beer (and cider!) garden.

Downtown St. Johns will be blocked off from 10am-7pm on May 14th for the free event, in conjuncture with the St. Johns Parade.