Stand-up comedian Andrea Menchaca is a newly minted member of Portland's Funniest Five and has been building momentum since she began at open mics almost six years ago. We talk about her trajectory, her upcoming comedy special at Milagro and the grant that made it possible, finding the joke with TikTok feedback, butter surcharges for bulk popcorn receptacles, separating your Avatar sex from your Avatar gardening, the bloodsport of comedy competition, and the unanswerable "why???" of still doing d*ck jokes.

Music this week:

• "Bakar" by Nusantara Beat (26:52)
• "Ain't Nice" by Cassie Watson Francillon ft. Aquiles Navarro (47:51)
• "Bootlicker" by Pegzilla (1:12:32)
• "Freak Out" by Wife Support (1:34:14)

Perfect Buzz is rock 'n roll that looks good in a leather jacket: brash enough to don one in the first place, yet self-possessed and comfortable-in-their-own-skin enough to pull it off without seeming ridiculous. It's that precise balance (along with a finely calibrated combo of riffage, sneer, and melody) that shines through on their brand-new EP "Happy Trails". This week, Patrick Buzz joins the fellas to discuss that new collection of tunes; the art of dank ranking; how to balance a brain full of songs with the finite dosage of a record; the day-to-day joys of zoo-based misinformation; and the haunting power of stage face.

Music This Week:

• "Gonna Make U Sweat" by Perfect Buzz (17:02)
• "MB" by Dry Socket (29:59)
• "Here Come the Cowgirls" by Perfect Buzz (50:41)
• "Melissa V" by Megaphonies (67:04)
• "Melt Cops" by Carney Cumm (82:48)

Dadweed is an acoustic amalgam; built around the bluegrass staples of stand-up bass, beautiful harmonies, and ample grinning, they also mix in a zesty swirl of pop, country, rock, and even jazz. The trio joined the show this week and graced us with a LIVE, IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE. We also chat about the kismet of "School of Rock" and the Pokemon theme; the art (and science) of kicking sh*t; the universality of melancholy; the guiding light of melody; and Bigfoot encounters with cryptid cuties.

Music this week:

• "Better" by Dadweed (22:09)
• "Some Time to Be Alone" by Dadweed (43:49)
• "Nothing in This World Could Make Me Crazier" by Dadweed (65:59)
• "Awful Mangulation" by Depravity (101:39)