Melody Butchers
June 30, 2008
The Melody Butchers are anything but melody butchers. This group of guys plays rock with style, yet with a fire like they are boys fresh out of the Oregon woods.
They played recently at Out of the Blues in Tualatin. The band is based on friendships formed in boyhood, bringing a comfortable unbeatable stage presence and well-suited instrumentation. It's like you might expect them to come out of a time-out huddle before each song with a "lets go!"
Really, this town is lucky to have musicians like this that refuse to hang up their axe for any reason, including the Portland music market. The fact is, you can get great entertainment that's close to home and unlike concert venues, you get refreshments affordably cheap. It’s also nice to be up close and personal so you can meet the band with no stage pass required.
The leader of the pack and business manager is Mike Taylor who knew hanging around a bunch of musicians was cool in high school but never thought at age 34 he would become one. He was content to excel at basketball with guitar player Brian Renstch, winning a state championship for Sheridan High back in the '80s.
In later years, Renstch insisted he needed a bass player for a gig coming up and Taylor was it. So instead of letting his good buddy down, he learned one rock tune at a time until the two could easily cover each other's back. What must have happened then, Taylor called on a couple friends he had met at Tigard High to reinforce the troop. Taylor has kept the current band together since 2000 and shows no signs of retreat.
The line-up can change from time to time because of other life commitments, but it's always the same guys subbing in for one another with a high five! The Melody Butchers roster was as follows last Saturday night; Mike Taylor on bass and vocals, wearing the biggest smile and sunglasses, he holds down the beat while keeping spirits light. Brian Renstch, on rhythm guitar and most lead vocals, is a rocker with his long blond hair and baseball cap and behind that shy guy image is a die-hard showman.
Ronn Chick, lead guitar and vocals, definitely knows his way around guitar licks, showing off his bold-faced boyish charm. Todd Mahan, on drums, is completely solid, the only way to drive a great band and to rock a crowd.
The missing players were Derek Doggett and Mike Ternyik and are always in fond memory until next time on stage with The Melody Butchers. The common thread these players share is the passion for power-rock, guitar-band music they have trained their whole lives for and they are all lean, mean rock-star material. You are only as good as your last show and The Melody Butchers have a show-packed summer with a long standing engagement at the CaboWabo/Harveys in Lake Tahoe Casino.
For all the details on performance dates and times go to www.melodybutchers.com . Also, see Bandstand this issue.
Out of the Blues, located right off of I-5 in Tualatin, features live music six nights a week; and food, fun, billiards with a complete banquet facility for larger parties. The club opened back in 2006 and was custom-designed by owners Tom and Francine Marcotte, complete with full bar, cozy seating and a non-smoking environment. The patio was recently added to the side of the club with a smoking area around a fire pit that looks right through the main window to the entertainment.
Some of the favorite dishes to order are of course prime rib or coconut macadamia-nut-crusted prawns offered anytime. Get the buzz on their website at www.ootblues.com . See you there!