Ben Allen, music editor

This Saturday Eureka's Shanty will host a rock extravaganza of epic proportions.

Headlining the event is Johnny Render supporting their recently released record "Rendervoux." The album combines the simplicity of songwriting found in bands like the Ramones with the vocal harmonies and the subtlety of The Carpenters. Render's songs have an easy listening feel, like a stoned version of Guided By Voices.

I spoke with ex-Humboldt resident and Render bandleader Jensen Rufe about what attendees can expect at the show. "It'll be an old school Humboldt-type show with three bands that sound nothing like each other," he said. "I expect it to be very fun and full of familiar faces." Rufe and his band will be playing a majority of the new record with a few covers thrown in for good measure.

Also performing is Portland’s Suicide Notes. The Notes feature another former Humboldt resident in Patrick Foss. Foss played in local favorites "Scopac" and "Petey and the Associates." The Suicide Notes have a new wave feel with three female vocalists, somewhat reminiscent of the old Humboldt area band "The Cutters."

Rounding out the lineup is JPG, that quirky one man hip hop artist. Although he hasn't performed much lately, JPG was highly admired for his fun, silly approach to rap music with somewhat absurdist lyrical content.

When I asked Rufe to describe the sound of his record and what attendees can expect he replied, "the album has a good variety from song to song. Someone else said Rendervoux is adult-like and childlike simultaneously and I think that's pretty accurate."

Johnny Render, The Suicide Notes and JPG
Saturday, May 26th.
The Shanty, Eureka
$5 at the door
www.JohnnyRender.com