Acerb Verb, The Entertainer

Last-minute jam session promises to deliver variety

Some of life's greatest accomplishments come together at the last second. Think about it: we put a man on the moon JUST before the end of the decade, as Kennedy had hoped. A year later, Willis Reed limped onto the court with a torn muscle in his thigh for the last game of the NBA finals - nobody thought he'd play, but he decided in the moment to go for it, and his Knicks, inspired by his grit, took the championship. Even this article was hastily typed into a laptop at the 11th hour for an article that deserved much better, but we're rockin' it anyway.

All of this flows perfectly to compliment the first-ever BS Fest that starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Central Park in Corvallis.

It's a music festival with 13 bands that first-time organizer Brian Smith figured really come together when he started making calls in late June. "It's a month and a half before the festival," said Smith, "and I'm just starting to book bands, so it's probably just going to be total BS." Hence the name.

But the acts he wrangled up are no small cheese. Not that this is any scientific measurement, but the average number of page views tops 40,000 for the 12 performers who have MySpace pages. They're coming from under the shadow of Mt. Shasta in Olympia and from the rafters of barns in Canby to bend people's idea of just how many bands can play in one day on such short notice.

Here's quick rundown of some (not all) of the groups playing:

1 p.m. - Space Travelers Band

One of a number of groups from Canby, Space Travelers Band will be kicking off the BS Fest with its own brand of high-frequency punk rock. It's loud, fast, and it's pretty obvious that they're having fun when they play. It's a good bet the audience will, too.

2:10 p.m. - Cars and Trains

The popular Portland band, which, like Nine Inch Nails, is actually just one guy, uses whatever is within arms' reach to make music, including various synthesizers, pots and pans. Most of its stuff is fairly mellow and refined, but none of it is stale.

4:05 p.m. - Brian Smith

Yeah, that's right: Brian Smith as in the BS Fest coordinator. Not sure how he's going to have time to be orchestrating everything so it doesn't fall apart and still pop on stage for 40 minutes, but he's going for it. His fluent acoustic music and sorrow-tinged vocals are honest, and will act as a great binder for all of the different acts sharing the stage.

6:15 p.m. - The Rainy States

Their understated indie rock is full of energy without slapping you in the face. With a talented group of musicians, including Betsy Johnson on the lead vox, you get what you pay for. With the vocals being a tick more subtle and calm than the instruments, the listener is left with a balanced taste of pure Oregonian music.

8:30 p.m. - Wampire

Another group of Portlanders that has Entertainer legend Jake TenPas all hot and bothered. It's easy to see (and hear) why: their music enmeshes the best of "Pet Sounds"-era Beach Boys layering with modern recording techniques that creates a low-tar blend of music that goes down easy and finishes smooth. The duo will no doubt leave the audience saying "Ahh … "

Maybe you've heard of some of the groups, but maybe you haven't. And Smith said that's the point. He wants you to get out of your comfort zone and check out a few groups you haven't seen before.

It's gonna be worth the five dollar suggested donation to see who's playing, especially when the venue is outdoors on what promises to be a nice day. So grab your guy, your gal, or just a pal and hoof it over to the BS Fest. And if you make it there just in the nick of time? Don't worry about it so long as you're not scheduled to play. Because there's no good way to smooth over a last-second letdown.

CHECK IT OUT

Time: 1 to 10 p.m

Date: Saturday, Aug. 29

Where: Central Park, Corvallis

Who: 1 p.m., Space Travelers Band; 1:30 p.m., Christopher McFetridge; 2:10 p.m., Cars and Trains; 3:00 p.m., Sea Bell; 3:40 p.m., Drew Endres; 4:05 p.m., Brian Smith; 4:45 p.m., Angelo Spencer; 5:30 p.m., Nathaniel Talbot; 6:15 p.m., The Rainy States; 7:00 p.m., Sundance Kids; 7:45 Hatless Atlas; 8:30 p.m., Wampire; 9:10 p.m., Rip City.

Suggested Donation: $5

Information: Search "BS Fest Corvallis," or brian_eric_smith@hotmail.com