Rock Band is the most awesome combination of music and gaming since...well, since we built a rock stage and became the only arcade-slash-live music venue on the planet. What better place to play the most anticipated music videogame of the year?

We're hosting a Rock Band release party Tuesday, Nov. 20th and YOU are invited. We'll set up the game's drums, guitars, and mic on stage in front of a projection screen, with show lighting, real vocal and instrument monitors, and mic and guitar stands for the ultimate performance experience.

Form a band with your friends, or jump into a pickup group on the spot, just be ready to ROCK!

-Anthony R.

At our Guitar Hero parties, YOU play on stage, under the lights, through a real rock PA. Usually held on the third Tuesday of each month, this month's gig will be on the 30th to debut the long-awaited Guitar Hero III!

Slay your opponents with killer riffs, earn ”rock move“ power-ups, then battle Slash and Lou The Devil himself to claim the title of Guitar God. Includes Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” “Raining Blood” by Slayer, Heart’s ”Barracuda,” and The Rolling Stones’ original master recording of ”Paint It Black.”

We'll unlock all of GH3’s features in advance so you can play any song right away! That goes for I, II, and Rocks The ‘80s, too. Cooperative multiplayer is the rule, but showing off your chops with a killer solo turn from time to time is all right. Stage time is 9PM, or maybe 10PM. Hey, we‘re on ”rock-n-roll time.“

-Dan G. & Anthony R.

Hip enough for hipsters but nerdy enough for nerds, Freezepop are here to rokk you with infectious electropop songs that you won't be able to get out of your head. You've jammed to their songs "Less Talk More Rokk" and "Get Ready 2 Rokk" in Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero II; now see and hear them live!

Freezepop will play an afternoon all-ages matinee perfect for Guitar Hero-loving kids of all ages, and an evening show supported by an array of Portland's best synthpop talent. Occupancy is limited to 180 rokkers per show. Get your tickets now!

• All-ages show with Benco: 4PM, $7 cover.
  Advance tickets available at Ground Kontrol, Jackpot Records, and brownpapertickets.com. Children 12 and under get in for $4!
• 21+ show with Michele Wylen, PGE, and Operation Mission: 9PM, $10 cover.

  Advance tickets available at Ground Kontrol, Jackpot Records, and brownpapertickets.com.

Summer's a great time to clear out all that extra stuff. On July 7th, all of GK's old, odd gaming goodies will come out of storage and go on sale at clearance prices!

Just a few of the goodies you can look forward to trying and buying:

• 8-bit microcomputers, peripherals and games
• Early '80s handheld electronic toys (think Simon and Merlin)
• Pong clones with extra features like color graphics and light guns. Most include packaging!
• Furnishings: patio furniture, wooden platforms and panels, much more!
• One or two full-sized arcade games, priced to move! Could one of them be your favorite?

Ground Kontrol's annual New Year's Free Play Party! Play all of your favourite games for free while listening to the best dance hits from the extensive record collections of DJs Maxx Bass & Moonchild! Don't forget that the bubbly is included (at midnite) in the admission price. We toast to your game playing future for the next year and more! Come celebrate with your pals at the best (only) Barcade/Venue in town!

Supported By Local Sleeper Cells
capitalSTEPS * Air Fortress * Operation Mission * SER1AL KRUSHER

June 03 2006 10PM 21+ $8

TICKETS ON SALE NOW * 120 MAX CAPACITY * RESIST OR DIE

Ground Kontrol is proud to present the only Pacific Northwest stop of the INTERNATIONAL CHIPTUNE RESISTANCE, an unprecedented global tour featuring low-bit tactical specialists Bit Shifter and Nullsleep.

Equipped solely with Nintendo Game Boys and NES consoles, this two-man cell operates as a highly dangerous mobile chiptune assault unit. Deployment date: May 2006; mission objective: total chiptune conquest; and a mission trajectory encircling the entire world, with more than 20 strike points throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. More >>

Operation Mission lays down the 8bit sound using LSDj on his Game Boy . Ray Rude fronts this chiptunes spinoff of Konami Defense System.

Air Fortress continues the gaming goodness by playing selections from his Super Jamicom and Vector Fox chiptunes projects.

If we're lucky, the two will end the evening w/ an 8bit jam session!

21+, no cover.

Vintage synthesizers, overdriven electric pianos, fuzzed-out Moog bass and drums form the core of the Umber Sleeping sound, a sound influenced by early New Wave, Prog, cinematic Dream-pop, and classic videogame soundtracks.

With a spontaneous live act that guarantees you won't hear the same song played the same way twice, Umber Sleeping casts a spell that's trippy enough to mesmerize the club-minded, and cinematic enough for the art crowd.

$3 cover, 21+ only.

More info: Umber Sleeping at MySpace

Let's Go Outside - Stephen Schieberl has produced electronic music for over a decade, taking the mantra "Let's go outside" as his moniker. His discography includes everything from nearly silent ambient to the most destructive of techno, and all which lies between. Let's Go Outside's performances borrow from this immense palette to create a form of techno that often defies genre. His range of venues is as varied as his tastes; opening for Psychic TV, DJing at raves up and down the West coast, and even creating the soundtrack to a sensory depravation art installation in Phoenix, AZ. His collaborators include Senor Frio of Ainu, Tuvan throat singer Soriah, sonic innovator Fognode, West coast techno-legend Freaky Chakra and more. Let's Go Outside brings the listener a unique experience as only an insomniac-parachutist-geek can.

Solenoid - David Chandler needs no introduction to Portland's electronic music fans. A fixture on the local scene since the early '90s, he has recorded for a number of record labels including Community Library and Orac. As the curator of the monthly Memory Leak Fiasco event, David spins records as DJ Brokenwindow, plays his own music as Solenoid, and usually winds up jamming with the guest artist. Whatever happens, it will sound good while you play your favorite video game or pinball machine.

Dark Skies is a no bulls** three piece rock and roll band from Portland, Oregon. Fast, loud, and dirty, they drop their brand of garage heavy psych-blues with the weight of an anvil through your speakers.

Joe Machamer (Vegas Thunder, Tough Love, Sharks Kill), Charlie Gotgart (bass), and Rob McConlouge (drums) stomp and twist their throttling, heavy soul stylings through channels of Groundhogs and the MC5 – but burgeon in the hydroponic northwest heat of Dead Moon and the Wipers.

This is a FREE, 21+ only show. Set List:

• 9:30PM-10:15PM - Moonchild (DJ)
• 10:15PM-11:00PM - Dark Skies live PA
• 11:00PM-11:30PM - Moonchild (DJ)
• 11:30PM-12:15PM - Dark Skies live PA
• 12:30PM- 1:00PM - Moonchild (DJ)

"Danava is the type of weird rock hybrid that has been absent for years: one part David Bowie's '70s glam, one part Black Sabbath's thunder-throb and one part Captain Beefheart's acid-damaged art-rock...

"Its songs share similar bong-blasting heft and melodic lilt as Dead Meadow, but are far more prog-damaged, with hints of Hawkwind and early Queen. Analog synthesizer arpeggios collide with wiry guitar solos, rhythms shift from terse to swinging, and Sparkles' wailing of fantasy worlds creates a spectacular mire."-- Dave Clifford, Willamette Week

Thursday, Feb. 2, 9:00PM

This week's TRONix show features Mantis, a master of layering samples with ranging tempos and changing moods. He's sure to keep you moving with his uptempo songs, and captivate you with his entrancing mid and down tempo works! This giant insect towers at 6 foot 9, and boasts of assistance from 3 separate interdimensional entities! People, Get Ready!

This week's TRONix show features David Chandler's monthly Fiasco - where as DJ Brokenwindow he mixes vinyl records with music he performs on synths and drum machines, and jams with a guest artist. This month's very special guest is Ignatius (Rocket Racer Records, Out Records). Ken Hollings wrote the following in The Wire magazine:

"Operating under the saintly name of Ignatius, Steve Westbrook knows how to break a drum machine's back on the holy wheel of experimental dance beats. His rhythms echo the paradoxical busyness of early industrial workouts such as Cabaret Voltaire's "Sluggin' for Jesus" or "Throbbing Gristle's "Ice Cool Down". The same restless sense that nothing else is really going on out there applies here. Consequently, Westbrook likes to start with a moment of uneasy stillness and build from there. "Ambition" stretches lazily then heaves itself into action, pitching tight loops and random intrusions against each other, while "Death Truck" twists Acid rhythms and compacted funk basslines around each other - a complex arrangement that labelmate Galena unpicks on the ghostly remix that closes the album."

Playing as Solenoid, David will also perform some music from his forthcoming records on Community Library (Feb '06) and ORAC (Apr '06). Support your local electronic music scene by attending this free show.

At this week's TRONix show, The Brink will blend their diverse musical talents into a tasty concoction of pocket grooves, ambient loops, sonic textures, and subtle melodies. This band's unique jam dynamics will keep you curious as to what sound each player will tweak from their instrument next.

Next Thursday, December 1st at 9:30PM, Portland's Dweller At The Threshold, used to playing sold out shows from Amsterdam to Philadelphia, make a rare appearance in their hometown. And it's a free show!

Be there to take an electronic voyage through inner space. Open the pod bay doors, Hal...

A TRONix Electronic Music Thursdays event.

Konami Defense System's moniker pays homage to vintage gaming, but instead of covering comforting old-school bleep-and-bloop Nintendo scores, it assaults audiences with aggressive jungle beats. (Portland Mercury)

Presented by TRONix Electronic Music Thursdays.

This Saturday, fabulous diva DJ Paula B. takes a break from her Monday night residency at XV to rock a solid set of tough-girl dance pop to get you lookin' for a real love and meeting in the ladies' room. Don't forget, the name is Paula...Miss B. if you're nasty.

This week, TRONix presents the long-awaited debut of Discs of Jammotron.

Electro and techno authority Joe Ward, AKA DJ Jammotron, has selected only the best codes from his extensive library of audio program discs. Join him as he creates the ultimate soundtrack for blasting grid bugs and defeating the MCP (Mediocre Composition Producers!)

Discs of Jammotron is a TRONix Electronic Music Thursdays event.

This Saturday, Ground Kontrol co-owner and ele mental alumni Anthony Ramos transforms into DJ Afrobot, stepping behind the decks to play a wicked set of vintage electro funk.

Join us every Saturday night for "Reaganomix!" Each week, a different DJ plays "The Rest of the '80s": stuff that missed the Top 40, remixes you haven't heard in years, whole styles of music you forgot about. More >>

Robotspeak store, San Francisco, CA

A staple of San Francisco's vibrant electronic music community, for over three years the Robotspeak store has acted as music gear purveyor, concert venue and production school for the city's computer musician contingent.

On Thursday, October 20th, the masterminds behind the Robotspeak phenomena will shut down their shop and fly out to perform at Ground Kontrol. Known individually for their work as Chachi Jones (Lunaticworks/BMG), Circuit 73 (Quake Trap/Siladi), Schrödinger's Mac (Siladi), and The Feature (Siladi), Robotspeak's crew of electronic musicians literally live and breathe their craft every day and put their hearts into their performances. More >>

This is a TRONix Electronic Music Thursdays event.

Dave Fulton, Hypnos recording artist and founding member of Dweller At The Threshold, performs a live set of "Electro Ambience," primarily using a modular synthesizer.

The vintage style of electronic instrument sports a wall of audio synthesis and control modules, with a patchwork of cables routing signals between them, making building sounds as much a performance element as the sounds themselves.

This FREE performance is part of Ground Kontrol's TRONix live electronic music series.

View Full Flyer >>

This week, TRONix Thursdays presents a double bill of thoughtful laptop hip-hop: COPY and BROKAW.

Fresh off his inclusion on the PDX Pop Now! CD compilation, COPY's thoughtful, engrossing production is sure to get you nodding, grooving...and, maybe, reminiscing.

Filling out the bill: BROKAW, a collaboration between MC Colin Jones and producer Casiocity.

Replace your Nintendo Entertainment System's plonky sound chip with an ace instrumental rock band and you have the Minibosses. These guys learned their instruments by playing, note for note, the soundtracks to NES titles like Castlevania, Metroid, Ghosts 'n Goblins, and more.

Ground Kontrol is proud to welcome the Minibosses back to Portland, on Friday, August 26th. Relive the wasted hours of your youth as they rock out a glorious tribute to one of the greatest home videogame systems of all time.

NOTE: Capacity is limited and tickets are going fast. Call or stop by Ground Kontrol and get yours NOW!

What: The Minibosses w/special guests The Necronauts
When: Friday, August 26th @ 9PM
Where: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, 511 NW Couch St., Portland, OR
Price: $7 in advance, 21+ only

UNDER 21? We originally planned to make this an All Ages show, but the OLCC turned down our request. :( We know that a lot of Minibosses fans in the Pacific NW are considerably bummed about this, so we are thinking about adding a second show. It would feature just the Minibosses, would start at either 5PM or 6PM, with tickets costing $6. If you are under 21, and would be interested in purchasing tickets to this show, then please telling us your name, phone #, and how many tickets you'd buy. If there's a big enough response, then we'll do our best to make it happen!

From deep in the heart of Portland's electronic music scene, six artists comprising four groups will join forces for a very special First Thursday event at Ground Kontrol.

First up, we have two residents from the ever-popular Laptop Lounge: Gasp and Let's Go Outside!

Gasp will bring his unique blend of beautiful, glitchy stylings to warm your ears, Lets Go Outside will provide his unique blend of deep bass, funky beats and lush pads to turn up your groove control, and the electro-punk stylings of Hott Pink will follow with their bouncy beats and lyrical treats to get your legs hopping. Finally, Ainu will close out the night with some booty bass electro funk to shake your whole body, too!

This show is not one to miss! These forces have never before been seen or heard together in one place! Only Ground Kontrol can contain its raw power!

Ground Kontrol celebrates First Thursday in June with the electronic pop of General Studies and electro goodness of DJ 31 Avas. (9PM, $3 cover, 21+)

About the band: [general studies] is the new wave of electronic pop. Blending IDM influences with mellow pop, the music inspires one to dance or sometimes just chill.

More >> www.gstud.com

Empty Room plays shamelessly fun pop music. By blending influences that range from David Bowie and Gary Numan to King Missile, this Portland 5-piece is quickly gaining an audience of adventuresome barflies.

The band took shape in late 2003 when Guitarist kiisu d'salyss recruited vocalist Troy Mercy from the top ranks of a local hotspot which had become a magnet for anyone with "rock star" tattooed on their shoulder. This also proved the perfect place to find bassist Michelle Pecchia and keyboardist Maile Arruda.

Empty Room's upcoming EP "Silence" reveals finely crafted songs only hinted at before adding drummer Kelly Raine, whose hard-hitting influence makes the dance floor look very attractive. For more info on the band, visit emptyroommusic.com.

9PM: DJ Sigil
11PM: Empty Room
$5 Cover

GROUND KONTROL, spandecks, decibel & fourthcity present

THE OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY for the PDX LAPTOP BATTLE

with

KRIS MOON [dj set - robotrash, laptopbattle.org, em411.com]
JERRY ABSTRACT [dj set - Shitkatapult, Robotrash, Decibel]
and
THE PDX LAPTOP BATTLE CHAMP!

*18+*, $2 cover, Midnight until ??

More >>

Ground Kontrol is pleased to present a live DJ set by Jeff Samuel, one of the Pacific Northwest's most respected DJs and producers, with support from local DJ Suppoz. Expect a night of sexy, smooth, atmospheric techno and tech-house. Admission is FREE, and the doors will be open to all ages.

8PM-10PM: JEFF SAMUEL
Jeff is a sought-after remixer with a heavy DJ and production schedule who still finds the time to make SFX for videogames. His records are played by a diverse range of the world's most talented DJs including: Richie Hawtin, Sven Vath, Ricardo Villalobos, Francois K, Steve Bug, Akufen, Craig Richards, Mazi, Claude Young, Timo Maas, Josh Wink, Electric Indigo, Michael Mayer, and John Tejada. He is also currently the only American DJ represented by the elusive Kompakt organization. Plans for the future include a mix CD and debut LP.

MORE >> jeffsamuel.com

6PM-8PM: SUPPOZ
Steven Pozgay, AKA Suppoz, is best known for Techno Sol, a night of sexy tech-house held every Thursday night at Saucebox. Catch him there again, later in the evening!

MORE >> suppoz.com

What better way to cap off an exciting year of gaming at Ground Kontrol than a round of unlimited arcade play? KPSU DJs provide the soundtrack as you advance to the next level of Gauntlet and ring in the new year while you're at it!

$5 admission; party begins at 8PM. Free champagne at Midnight! 21+ only, please.

Starting this month, Ground Kontrol celebrates First Thursdays with live DJ performances and hours extended until midnight! If you're near Art A La Carte or the new gallery at 12th & Alder this Thursday, stop in and make Ground Kontrol a part of your night.

What: Thump, Thump: Extended hours and a DJ doubleheader
When: First Thursday, August 5th, 8pm - Midnight
Where: Ground Kontrol

About The DJs

8:00pm-10:00pm : "The Shoeless DJ" -- style: old and new electro
He might not have shoes, but he's got beats...Jason, AKA The Shoeless DJ, mixes fast and funky, getting the energy level up and heads nodding, as 808s and vocoders square off under the control of funk masters past and present.

10:00pm - Midnight: DJ Variance -- style: atmospheric drum 'n bass
Deep, cool and complex are the themes that come to mind during DJ Variance's sets. It's the familiar clatter of syncopated drums and deep basslines, but something else is brewing out there: ominous overtones and dramatic sweeping sounds. Together, they'll move both your heart and your body.

On Saturday, June 26, Ground Kontrol hosts a benefit and launch party for the Two Gyrlz Quarterly limited edition print zine and new website.

Festivities include DJs, free food, and a portion of the Ground Kontrol stage converted into a 21+ "beer garden."

When: Saturday, June 26th 6pm-10pm
Admission: $2-$6 donation requested

More >>

Classic arcade gaming gets a big boost in Oregon the weekend of June 4-6, 2004 as regional video game champs gather at the Ground Kontrol classic arcade to try for record-breaking scores and win listings in Twin Galaxies' forthcoming Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records.

UPDATE: Three of Ground Kontrol's competitors achieved scores in the top five worldwide! Bill Carlton, Alan Johnson, and Ryan Coulter will enter the record book this year. Congratulations!

Fox 12 News coverage:Video Game Championships

Small (440KB) | Medium (1.7MB) | Large (4.7MB)

Full Story >>

The MiniBosses, with supporting acts Vinfiz and I Hate You When You're Pregnant, played live at Ground Kontrol on April 30th.

Flyer >>

Witness the Pacific Northwest's first ever showcase of "chip music", the big new sound made using old microcomputers, as five artists armed with Commodore 64s, hacked toys and Game Boys take the stage this Tuesday:

• Seth Sternberger as 8-Bit Weapon
• Lodus
• MOS-8
• gotoXY
• Waxin' Wary

Commodore user groups from across the state will also be on hand to hold a "super summit", filling Ground Kontrol's lounge with the sights and sounds of gaming and computing circa 1983. Luminaries in attendance will include Dave Moorman, editor of LoadSTAR Magazine, and Jeri Ellsworth, creator of the CommodoreOne.

The fest runs from 1pm until 10pm. Admission is free before 4pm, $4 afterwards (reentry with stamp.) Commodore club members receive a $1 discount.

microPALOOZA Home Page >>

Here it is, the sequel to our most popular night ever: Live electro madness and free arcade play all night long, all for only $6!

It all happens this Saturday, Sept. 20th. Doors open at 9PM.

Live PAs: Roshi, Señor Frio
DJs: Mira, Matt B.

Full Flyer >>