<p>Lewi Longmire and the Left Coast Roasters will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 23 at the Fort George Brewery.</p>

ASTORIA The Fort George Brewery welcomes Lewi Longmire and the Left Coast Roasters to the stage for the first time at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 23.

A house band at Portlands infamous LaurelThirst Pub, Longmire has built a reputation as Portlands multi-instrumentalist go to guy. In the years since relocating to Portland from Albuquerque, N.M., hes been included in shows and recordings by many of the Northwests finest bands and songwriters. Hes played with national acts Michael Hurley, Victoria Williams, AgesandAges, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside, Blue Giant/Viva Voce/The Robinsons, Dolorean, the Minus 5, Breathe Owl Breathe and Tara Jane ONeill, as well as local luminaries Denver, The Portland Country Underground, Midlo/Pancake Breakfast, Quiet Life, Fernando, James Low, Perhapst, Electric Ill, Little Sue, Casey Neill, Michael Jodell, the Freak Mountain Ramblers, and is an anchor member of Portlands all-star tribute to the Allman Brothers, Brothers and Sister.

Recently, though, Longmire has taken all the things he learned from working with these fine performers and has been spending his time leading a roots rock and Americana band of his own, singing his own original compositions. This group owes much to the American tradition of good songs played with high energy, deep roots, and an unpretentious sense of fun. The bands sound finds the connection between the basement feel of The Band, the raspy blue-eyed soul of Joe Cocker, the desert space of Giant Sand, the without a net deep-space improvisations of the San Francisco ballrooms, the punk abandon of The Stooges and the quiet contemplation of Neil Young playing solo.

Helping to achieve all this is the Left Coast Roasters, a band of stalwart Portland musicians. Bill Rudolph (bass and vocals) played with the Crackpots and Little Sue for years, driving their home crowd into an energetic frenzy with his low tones. Ned Folkerth (drums) has toured the world over with many groups, including the midwests Pinetop Seven and Portlands own Caleb Klauder Band, laying down the perfect groove to cure whatever ails you. Newest addition Dan Eccles (guitar) has most often been seen in the band Richmond Fontaine or backing up local rock legend Fernando.

The Fort George Brewery is located at 1483 Duane St. in Astoria. The performance is open to all ages, and there is no cover fee.