THE MINUS 5 with Casey Neill and the Norway Rats
Date and Time
Fri, Dec 19, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Location
Star Theater
13 NW Sixth Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
Artists / Performers
Casey Neill and the Norway Rats
Event Details
In early 2017, Scott McCaughey was asked to write some holiday songs for a Monkees holiday album. He became so inspired by the task that he wrote more than an albums worth of material and decided to record that album with his group, The Minus 5.The resulting album, Dear December, brings yearly holiday cheer and a batch of original songs meant for singing, drinking, parties, and of course a few dismal sad songs too. The band has only gotten together to play these a few times before, so this is a rare opportunity to see them (and other appropriate or inappropriate Xmas tunes) performed LIVE. This time around the band will be Scott, Casey Neill, Jenny Conlee, Jim Talstra, Paulie Pulvirenti, and possibly a few other punchbowl refugees.New Christmas Hymn video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yuqiZygJD8+++Sending Up Flares, the fourth record from Casey Neill s most cohesive, cathartic album yet. Created amidst chaos and uncertainty, these songs offer a lifeline to a world in need of balance, shot through with stories about resolve, resilience, wonder, and positive human interaction.Those themes come together in the albums cinematic title track, where Neill sings about a stranded motorist whose car breaks down in the middle of the night, seemingly far away from civilization. The flares are shot off in hopes someone will come to help, explains the frontman, who co-wrote the albums songs with guitarist/producer Chet Lyster. Upon climbing a hill to get some perspective, the lights of a massive metropolis unfold with countless flares being launched by other people who also need relief. Its the same realization of the castaway in Message in a Bottle Im not alone in being alone. It can work as a metaphor for mental health, addiction, alienation, or simply trying to be seen.With Sending Up Flares, Casey Neill t just make themselves seen; they make themselves heard, too. Each of the bands previous albums explored the evolving range of Neills musical interests, from the dreamy Americana songs that filled 2010s Goodbye to the Rank and File to the electronic textures that peppered 2018s Subterrene (whose critically-acclaimed songs received praise from Rolling Stone and No Depression). Here, the Portland-based supergroup finds room for everything, turning a wealth of musical influences including folk, punk, art-rock, atmospheric soundscapes, guitar freak-outs, and string arrangements into something singular. I love exploring all of the music I love, says Neill, who even nods to artistic role models like David Bowie, author Ursula K. Le Guin, and filmmaker Wim Wenders in the song Meteor Shower. Sending Up Flares feels like weve reached a point where the band has settled into a natural, nuanced place, he adds. This is who we are. Its what we do.
Important Event Information
This event is 21 and over. Any ticket holder unable to present valid identification indicating that they are at least 21 years of age will not be admitted to this event, and will not be eligible for a refund.
Pricing
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