Local musician keeps the music alive
Published 10:42 am Thursday, February 19, 2026
“Keep the music alive.”
It’s a saying local musician Chris McNeary shares fondly with his father whenever they talk with each other.
McNeary is an Astoria-based musician and retired member of the Astoria Police Department. He makes frequent appearances at fundraisers, assisted living and retirement communities and local coffee shops and bars.
“I do it because I love to play music,” McNeary said. “If you’re playing a guitar, playing a harmonica at the same time and singing, it makes it hard to think about your problems. It makes it seem like everything is right in the world.”
McNeary puts on solo shows, but he’s also a member of The Villainous Things, along with his bandmates Holly Jeffrey and Andrew Randall.
They cover classic Americana artists like The Eagles and Neil Young, even throwing in covers from modern artists like Shaboozey, who blends hip-hop and country in popular tracks like “A Bar Song.”
“People love Shaboozey,” McNeary laughed. “But we do anything from the 60s up to today.”
He writes original songs, too.
He estimates he has about four hours worth of original music, with crowd favorite songs called “Shoot Down the Moon,” “Howlin’ at the Moon with Your Dog,” and “Running with the Devil,” all inspired by McNeary’s lived experience as a police officer and avid dog lover.
McNeary started at the Astoria Police Department in 1999, where he moved up the ranks and was eventually promoted to sergeant in 2015. He retired from the department in 2023, but still works as a dive team leader at the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office.
Retiring let McNeary shift his focus to music, which has allowed him to stay connected to his community here on the North Coast.
He plays weekly shows at the Suzane Elise Assisted Living Community in Seaside, and monthly shows at the Clatsop Retirement Village, along with other performances at different memory care units.
“We play a lot of fundraisers, people are always asking us to donate music and we’re more than happy to do it,” he said.
In addition to The Villainous Things, McNeary pops up alongside other North Coast musicians and bands whenever possible.
“I love playing with people,” he said. “I’ll play at a bar or a place for less money just so I have the opportunity to play with a new band or group.”
His family has a deep-rooted love for music– his parents and uncles all have bands and careers in music that’s infused McNeary with a love of sharing music.
McNeary originally ended up in Astoria in 1998 when he moved from Germany during his time serving in the U.S. Army.
He took a hiatus from music during his time as a police officer because of a demanding work schedule, but said he started drifting back to playing at coffee shops when he had more time.
Right before the pandemic, McNeary formed an all-cop band to pay homage to fallen officers, known as “Public Nuisance.”
“We had a sergeant with the Seaside Police Department who was murdered by a probationer several years back,” McNeary said, referring to Seaside Police Sgt. Jason Goodding in 2016. “And we were doing fundraisers for the fallen badge which basically pays for funerals for fallen police officers.”
That band has since disbanded, but McNeary has forged a name for himself with Villainous Things and as a solo act.
Keep an eye out for McNeary playing both solo and band shows at the Astoria Sunday Market this season, along with the Thursday market in Seaside and Friday market in Long Beach, he said.
He hopes to expand shows into the I-5 corridor in the new year.
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McNeary’s spring music lineup
Check websites and socials for times details
Feb. 19 at Vineside Wine Bar, Pier 39, Astoria
Feb. 20 North Beach Tavern, Long Beach
Feb. 21 North Jetty Brewing, Seaview
Feb. 27 Shoalwater Bay Yacht Club, Ocean Park
Mar. 28 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at North Jetty Brewing in Seaview
Mar. 16 Irish Music at North Beach Tavern, Long Beach
Mar. 20 Peninsula Moose Lodge, Ocean Park
Mar. 21 Ilwaco Cider Company, Ilwaco
Mar. 23 Public Coast Brewing, Cannon Beach
Mar. 27 North Beach Tavern, Long Beach
Mar. 28 North Jetty Brewing, Seaview
Apr. 3 WineKraft Wine Bar, Astoria
Apr. 4 North Beach Tavern, Long Beach
Apr. 5 Castaways Seafood Grille, Long Beach