pictured are band members Vocalist Raycen Raines, Regatta Square Chair Joni Marcks, and Guitarist Lawrence Anthony
Broken Soviet Proclaimed Champions!
Broken Soviet won the $500 prize and a plaque proclaiming them winner of Astoria Regatta’s Battle of the Bands 2008!
While Broken Soviet is a modern, American Rock & Roll band from Portland, Oregon that doesn’t mean they don’t have ties to Astoria. The band’s guitarist, Lawrence Anthony, has family living locally. His grandfather was Captain Reino Mattila, a bar pilot on the Salvage Chief for over fifty years. The band also consists of vocalist Raycen Raines (who also lived in Astoria briefly in grade school), bassist Erik Martin, and drummer Evan Rose.
Formed in the fall of 2007, the members of Broken Soviet are dedicated to expressing their classic rock roots as well as exploring divergent genre’s in their overall sound. Quickly becoming a local favorite, the band has also attracted an enthusiastic following from Seattle to Hollywood.
Subscribing to the concept that less is more, Broken Soviet writes music that is accessible to a wide audience that crosses generational boundaries. Broken Soviet’s following is rooted in more than the music. The band gives back to their audience in sweat and emotion with high energy live performances. Audiences can download their music from their My Space account. Their music will soon be available for downloading via Itunes, featuring original songs and music as well as cover music.
Broken Soviet has played live at the Labor Temple and if you have missed those performances make sure you catch them when they play at the September 27, Pacific Northwest Brew Cup Beer & Oyster Festival- hosted by Baked Alaska -in the Astoria Public Square, where original songs from their first CD will debut.
“We love Astoria,” Anthony said, “We had a great welcome here and its been nothing but a great experience.” Raines said that the local bands were very supportive and everyone gets along real well with everyone else. “It’s just great to come down here to play. Everyone is real friendly and supportive of the music.” Anthony said his parents talk about the Pippo Club, down in Seaside, and wish that the local young people had something similar now. “That kind of place would be a great venue, especially for the crowd that isn’t old enough to go to bars and the one’s with families and don’t want to go to bars to hear the music.” They enjoyed playing in Regatta Square because so many people got to hear them. “It was cool to look out and see people with their families outside of the area that was designated for the bar, dancing with their kids. It really made it fun,” commented Lawrence.
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