Torched Live Review – Pete International Airport Brings It Home

It was the perfect evening in Portland for a night out on the town with great live music going on all over. Playing at Mississippi Studios on April 29th was Pete International Airport, a neo psyche rock side project of The Dandy Warhols’ guitarist, Pete Holmström. They are currently touring and opening for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in support of their latest album ‘Safer With The Wolves’ which was released late last year on Anton Newcombe’s label ‘A Recordings’. The first single ‘Flowers Of Evil’ features the dark and dreamy vocals of BRMC singer Robert Levon Been.

The rain had cleared and the air was warm as I arrived at the venue on this fine Spring evening. I love the bustling nightlife that you find in all the nooks and crannies of the city, especially this time of year. Earlier in the day, I packed a couple of snacks for the road that I had completely forgotten about until the door guard had me open my camera bag. A banana rolled out onto the sidewalk and we both started laughing..it was not scripted but very well could have been.

Mississippi Studios was the perfect location for Pete’s new project to play live as it felt like he was going back to his hometown roots and starting over again with something fresh and new. The rustic feel of the venue along with the dark and moody lighting dialed in the atmosphere for the music to flow. I left all expectations at the door but quickly found myself immersed in this carefully crafted sonic space that was like an extension of what was already so great about The Dandy Warhols. Fans from the Portland and surrounding areas enthusiastically packed the house to rave reviews.

It was a real pleasure having had the opportunity to chat with Pete before the show where he mentioned how much he enjoys playing in smaller venues with PIA. Along with Pete, the live band consists of long-time collaborator Daniel Sparks, plus Tara Autovino and Jason Russo of Guiding Light. Opening for PIA this evening were Brooklyn-based psych-rock band, Heaven and Portland’s own Daydream Machine.

The 11 track album ‘Safer With The Wolves’ features a host of talented guest singers and collaborators including Robert Levon Been (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club), Alex Maas (Black Angels), Lisa Elle (Dark Horses), Jason Sebastian Russo (Hopewell, Mercury Rev), Jsun Atoms (The Upside Down, Daydream Machine), Emil Nikolaisen (Sereena-Maneesh) and Jeremy Sherrer (The Dandy Warhols, Modest Mouse, The Shins).