Album Notes

As the name suggests, Chores is a rock band without pretension. Formed in a cramped, dank, Portland basement in fall of 2005, the four-piece began communicating their frustrations with the monotony of working life through wildly diverse, yet harmonious arrangements.

Chores layer noisy guitar riffs with straightforward rock sensibilities, under witty lyrics that engage the paradoxes of modern American life. The group’s communal song-writing is born of good, old-fashioned chemistry and compromise. Their music hints at the skewed sense of humor that keeps them rising for the daily grind. Founding members Lou Thomas (git/vox), Jada Pierce (git/vox), and Eric Mellor (bass), along with Matthew White (drums), create a sonic wallop reminiscent of Oneida and The Velvet Underground, coupled with lyrical sensibilities like those of Jonathan Richman and Kristin Hersh.

Chores made its live debut on October 2006 and has been playing the Portland bar, club, and house scene ever since. They’ve shared the stage with a variety of bands including Mike Coykendall, Jeffery Lewis, The Builders and the Butchers, Autopilot, Swallows, and Tractor Operator. They headlined the Portland Pop Tomorrow compilation release show and were featured in the Portland Women Who Rock series.

Thomas moved to Portland from Baltimore via Brooklyn. He currently plays bass for A Weather and has worked with members of Arbouretum, Ratatat, and A Silver Mt. Zion. Pierce and Mellor landed in the Pacific Northwest from Indiana via Baltimore and White hails from Texas via NYC.

“Life is Hard,” is their debut EP. Sam Schauer of Modernstate recorded the five songs in Portland, early February, 2007. The band will tour throughout 2008. In the meantime, Chores can be found in the basement writing songs for a full-length and, most likely, bitching about work.

“Brash, effusive and entertaining.” – The Oregonian

“The five tracks off Life Is Hard sound terrific, fueled by slashing guitar solos, and fierce, committed vocals.” – Portland Mercury

“Chores’ instrumentation sounds great and their complete lack of pretension is downright charming.” – Willamette Week