SweetJuice - Portland, OR
By Kelley Guiney

The first time I saw SweetJuice was a lucky accident – during a business trip to Portland, Oregon, I stumbled into The Green Room after a 12-hour day and caught their last two sets.  What I remember from that performance is their superb songwriting and musicianship; I distinctly recall the powerful guitar riffs of both Kris (Kristine Deelane) and Adam Gailiunas, as well as Kris’ charismatic and passionate stage presence (like most women, I have a real weakness for female guitar players).  I also remember that they did a great cover of Bob Dylan’s “Isis,” which I thought was a rather ambitious choice. 

SweetJuice began as an acoustic duo when Kris and Adam met twelve years ago, and recently evolved into a three-piece band, adding drums and featuring Tim Herms on electric bass. The band's songwriting is well-served by this seemingly effortless switch. They have played with Violent Femmes, Mojo Nixon, Mother Hips, Caroline Aiken and Bob Wiseman.

The Portland-based band played at Seattle’s Owl & Thistle on Wednesday night, and both lived up to and surpassed the skill level I remember from that evening in Portland.  I walked in during the beginning of the first set and was surprised to see Kris behind the drums (I found out later that each band member can play all instruments, and in their new configuration it is not unusual for band members to musically 'pinch hit' for each other).    If there’s anything sexier than Kris on guitar, it’s Kris on drums.  Her performance was fierce, and she kept the beat while belting out both lead and backup vocals (she and Adam are both songwriters and switch off as lead and backup vocalists).  The intimacy of an initially small crowd inspired a sort of ongoing dialogue between the audience and the band during the first set. By the second set, they had hit their stride with one full-on rocking, tight tune right after another, with Adam switching from acoustic to electric guitar.  Sometimes guitar solos bore me and I just want them to be over, but Adam’s were smooth, interesting and gorgeous.

Kris’ songwriting features angry/hopeful, highly intelligent insight laced with biting humor and a very well-integrated but unmistakable punk influence.  She and Adam both write politically and socially conscious, riveting, powerful lyrics backed by catchy, complicated, rocking arrangements.

Another element of the performance that impressed me was their diverse and excellent choice of covers and the skill with which they pulled them off.  Included in the sets were Lou Reed’s “Take a Walk on the Wild Side” (during which the “birthday girl” from a table in the front got the chance to play percussion and sing backup vocals – “doo, doo doo, doo doo” – she did a great job); Bob Dylan's “Tangled Up in Blue;” David Gray’s “Babylon;” a couple of Bob Wiseman tunes; and a cover of a Joe Henry song (“Like She Was a Hammer”) that was so awesome I went out the next day and bought the CD.

If you’re ever lucky enough to catch this band in your city, be sure and talk to them between sets – they are very down to earth, friendly and interesting people who are always happy to chat with fans. 

For more info on SweetJuice, CLICK HERE

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