Pheasant is friendly, just five guys making music in Portland. They impress rock that is down-home, with the lamentations in the breadth of Matt Jenkins's voice narrated by the compelling trumpet of Matt Mooney (two Matts are best!). What opens up are enduring jam sessions that could be a soundtrack down a long highway with your windows down, past mountains down the coast. The band's second release, Gravel Beach, has prevalent bass and speedy drums that are more spy getaway than neighborhood indie. The title track is a story of escaping the the "po-lice", multiple tracks breakout into classic guitar solos and back-up vocals overlap in harmonies. Celebrate the release of Gravel Beach with Pheasant, with Fanno Creek and Summer Cannibals at Doug Fir Lounge on 3/28. Pheasant will also be playing a free, all ages in-store performance at 7pm at Music Millenium same day. - Brandy Crowe