This weekend’s edition of Portland, Oregon’s newly rehabilitated Project Pabst music festival has all the bases covered when it comes to its alt-rock lineup. Punk and new wave icons Iggy Pop and Devo are headlining the first evening of the event on Saturday, while Sunday night will see performances from two generations of monumental indie rock acts in Death Cab for Cutie and Japanese Breakfast. Throughout both days, an equally diverse roster of punk and indie acts old and new will keep things exciting, with Built to Spill, Wednesday, Mannequin Pussy, Cap’n Jazz, Say She She, and more filling out the bill.
Yet one of the most exciting names of the lineup this year is the local cult garage-punk outfit The Exploding Hearts, whose initial early-aughts run only lasted two years and one LP before a tragically fatal car accident the band sustained on the way home from a 2003 gig led to an indefinite hiatus. But two decades after Guitar Romantic’s release, guitarist Terry Six revived the project, which made their debut in their new configuration over the weekend at John Waters’ Mosswood Meltdown festival in Oakland, soon to be followed with an appearance next week up the coast at Project Pabst.
Before then, the band shared a handful of songs that they’ve been relying on to get them hyped for these sets, which range from the heavy, Detroit-centric garage-rock sounds of MC5, the smooth Motown movement that defined the same city’s music scene a few years prior, and just a splash of reggae to calm the nerves. Find their full playlist below, and find more info about Project Pabst 2025 here.
The Preachers, “Who Do You Love”
Savage Bo Diddley cover from this LA garage band in the late ’60s.
Dead Moon, “Walking on My Grave”
Portland, Oregon's finest, and usually on every playlist I make.
MC5, “The American Ruse”
Always relevant. Especially now.
The Small Faces, “I Feel Much Better”
This song always blows my mind. Perfect performances and recording techniques.
Nick Lowe, “I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass”
Best bass line of all time, not to mention flawless songwriting from the greatest to ever do it.
King Tubby, “Take Five”
We always have reggae playing backstage—calms the nerves.
Nelson Sanders, “This Love Is Here to Stay”
Nasty and funky Northern soul. Vibes like early James Brown, but hits way harder.
The Velvelettes, “Needle in a Haystack”
Our biggest songwriting and recording inspiration will always be Motown Records and girl groups from 1960s Detroit. Velvelettes deliver on this one.
Frances Nero, “Keep on Lovin’ Me”
Deepcut from Motown. The 7-inch goes for $300. This was her only single recorded on Motown, which was her reward after winning a radio contest.
Howlin’ Wolf, “Commit a Crime”
Genius blues from the king. I always associate this song with going through a breakup even though it’s clearly not about that.
The Standells, “Riot on Sunset Strip”
Taken from the ’60s exploitation film of the same name. The Sex Pistols credit them for being the first “punks.”
Ivy Green, “I’m Sure We’re Gonna Make It”
Two chords and that’s all you get and all you need. This album still follows me around wherever I go.
