Due to one of January’s storms, The Portland Playlist had to reschedule Maurice and The Stiff Sisters and are so happy it worked out for we would have missed meeting this fantastic local band. Fronted by Maurice Spencer, “The Stiff Sisters” name appeared in his fiance’s dream. Thinking it was a catchy hook for a band name, they claimed it and have never looked back. Their sound is “jovial, psych-tinged, heart pop” or better yet, “pure pop for now people” . Don’t let the word “pop” fool you, however, their lyrics touch not only on matters of the heart, but also serious world affairs, masked by upbeat music as backdrop.
Maurice & The Stiff Sisters, photo by Teri Briggs
Maurice Spencer, photo by Teri Briggs
Dave Shur, photo by Teri Briggs
Their influences range from Daniel Johnston, True Love Will Find You in the End, Monty Python’s, The Galaxy Song, and Nick Lowe’s, So It Goes.
Aaron Mattison, photo by Teri Briggs
We played a couple of their original recorded tracks, Heart Beats Faster, Unlucky in Love, and Every Day Every Hour (recorded live at Fremont Recording). We then listened to Bus, a track from”Future Historians,” another local band that Mike and Dave are in. Following that was a live performance, (minus bassist, Mike Doherty), of Never Olympia, which you might say is their message to Olympia, WA. Oh Utopia, addresses the fears one might have for the future but we are not to worry. Our Old Haunts speaks to barroom romances.
If you are looking for a post-Valentine’s Day activity, they have a show on February 15th at Alberta Street Pub. With clever storytelling, and instrumentation that at times hearkens back to another era, Maurice and The Stiff Sisters is a band to follow.
Maurice & The Stiff Sisters, photo by Teri Briggs
Maurice & The Stiff Sisters, photo by Teri Briggs
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