OUTscene: (RE-view) Portland's Reed and Schneiderman ROCK Seattle!

By MK Scott
OUTscene Editor

Last night, I didn't just see one old friend perform, but two on the same ticket! As I have mentioned before, my old High School pal is Portland Based/Lilith Fair Star, Stephanie Schneiderman. (Stephanie and I were both in drama and she came in the year after I got to perform with Future Broadway star, Brooks Ashmanskas of Promises, Promises). Well, Schneiderman was the opening act last night at the Triple Door for another Old friend, Rock Legend, Dan Reed. (More on Reed later).

Schneiderman (Nominated for Best Female artist at the upcoming Portland Music Awards) performed sultry rock ballads including my personal favorite, "Oxygen", made famous during a hot tub scene on the 'Bad Girls Club" and others from her Dangerous Fruit CD plus a few from her next CD coming out in April. Her occasional collaborator, Tony Furtado performed a few with her. (OUTscene will have an exclusive interview with Schneiderman coming soon)!

Where do I begin with Dan Reed? The Dan Reed Network was Portland's own Bon Jovi and INXS combined and was all the Rage in the late 80's with Hits like "Ritual" and "Get to you". Dan Reed and I met in March 1992 when he made his theater acting debut in  "Beirut" an early AIDS-era drama by the late Alan Bowne, of a Man and woman trapped in their lower east side quarantined until their final days. Reed was in Boxer shorts throughout the production and even had a nude scene.The production was produced by Portland gay pioneer, Don Horn and Triangle productions. Reed was gorgeous (with long black hair) and took me to lunch the next day at the famed Portland establishment, Key largo. This platonic love affair lasted for a few years with great conversation and mutual respect. After I moved to Seattle in 1996, Reed soon moved away to pursue acting travel through Europe and we lost touch. Fast forward 15 years later and the connection was still there. At first he didn't recognize me, but as soon as I said my name we hugged for about a minute. It was so worth 15 years of separation.

Back to Reed's performance, his music today is more mature, spiritual and "Futurist folk". His voice and endurance is quite strong. His flirtatious smile really brings out love and devotion to and from his fans. Towards the end of the set he performed some songs from the network, including my Favorite, "Ritual". During the encore he ROCKED the house with "Get to you".

Dan Reed, who is also nominated for a Portland Music award for the Legend award, has a new album coming out in Fall 2011. (Look for an interview by mid-fall). The night was magic and it got me to reunite with 2 powerhouse performers that have rocked my world for nearly 20 years and still do.