One of our all-time favorites: Portland’s own, Richmond Fontaine.

Been a fan since that show in the summer of ‘95 opening for Mike Watt at LaLuna. They looked so nervous, hammering through “White Line Fever”…

I bought their little six song demo tape, complete with a hand-drawn photo-copied insert. So good. Still got that.

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Dad and I listened to them a bunch on the way home. A tip for travellers: These guys work very well in the West, especially these states…

01. Northern Nevada: I-80 through the middle of the state, and the northeast corner, coming south on 395.

02. Southern Idaho: Going east on I-84, preferably at night, somewhere around Burley.

03. Eastern/Central Oregon: That quiet run from Ontario on the Oregon/Idaho border, on highway 20 all the way to Bend. High desert, not a soul to be seen for 260 miles.

04. Eastern Montana: There’s a lot of it. Willie helps ya through it.

05. And, finally, when in Reno, in the winter, at night, either leaving the city or heading into it, be sure to listen to The Fitzgerald. Hell, to heighten the effect, punch yerself in the face about 100 miles outside of town, real hard. This way, you got some pain to go along with the hard times in those songs. Damn.

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They got a new one coming out. It’s called, “Thirteen Cities” and, man, I am real excited for it. Here’s a Calexico-flavored cut from it:

Richmond Fontaine: “Moving Back Home #2” [mp3]