The Blitzen Trapper show at the Belly Up was amazing. The sextet originally from Portland, OR consists of Eric Earley (guitar/vocals), Erik Menteer (guitar/keyboard), Brian Adrian Koch (drums/vocals), Michael VanPelt, (bass), Drew Laughery (keyboards), and Marty Marquis (guitar, keyboards, vocals). However, the band used a lot of other percussion instruments and switched instruments amongst themselves during the show. They also employed different guitar techniques to create a mandolin type sound. Blitzen Trapper self released their first three albums, and received positive critical acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone magazine. The release of their latest album, “Furr” on SubPop records has brought them the most attention yet, with two different songs featured on primetime TV shows.  Lead singer Erik Earley played acoustic guitar, electric guitar and even the keyboard while delivering a strong vocal performance. In fact the whole show had a lot of delightful harmonies. The effect was a very full, rich musical sound that was part classic rock, part psychedelic rock, part folk, and part indie. All these parts combined to produce a somewhat 70’s rock sound that was refreshing and unique. Despite Early’s powerful vocals, and incredible vocal range, his onstage persona was quite shy and meek. He played a few ballads by himself too which were soothing without being boring. During the song “Not Your Lover,” Marquis the guitar player and Koch the drummer abandoned their instruments and helped with the back-up vocals, and harmonies. As usual with the Belly Up, at least in my limited experience, the crowd was pretty obnoxious. Even if they were all Blitzen Trapper fans, they still kept screaming out requests in between songs. Drummer Brian Koch was really funny and kept responding “Ok! Fine! We’ll do it! Jesus! ” in mock exasperation, which helped make the environment casual and light hearted. During another break he said it was time to whip out the air guitars, “fuck” anyone who says that air guitars aren’t cool.  They played such songs as “Love U,” “Woman on the Water,” Furr,” and “Gold for Bread.” They are one of those bands that sounds much much better live, and are definitely worth seeing.