I suck and other things...

Okay so I have not nearly kept up with my shows for 2007. At some point I'm going to try to at least list them here.

#11 and #12

I'm counting the Dudes twice I saw 2 shows and both were good. They're a pop/ Rock band from Calgary. They are a really tight band and play fun music. Always get the crowd going. I see big things for them if they change their name because that's the only complaint or downside to these dudes.

Lots o' shows

okay, I'm not the best at keeping up...

8.Arcade Fire - Feb 9th - Ukranian Federation- Montreal
What can I say? the best for 2007.. Makes a tiny bit sad that i will be in Europe when they return to TO in May. Fucking Great!

9. TV On The Radio - Kool Haus - Toronto March 4th?
Love Return To cCookie Mountain so I was so excited for this one. I stood right by sound guy. The sound seemed off the mix was off. And it was kind of boring * note do not bring someone who is not a really big fan to the show. It was kind of boring.

10. DOUBLE DIGITS!!
CMW Indie Music Awards - Docks
I'm couting the whole night as one becuse everyone played 2 songs... wait Wolfmother may have pplayed more than 2.

LIne UP
Cadence Weapon
Stills
Hellogoodbye
Carol Pope
Priestess
Wolfmother

Shit was there more? There may have been more.

Weird to see everyone do 2 songs. Felt kind of like an audition. Cadence weapon never diassapoints when there are no technical problems.

Carol Pope did a great job... Yep.I spoke to her later at the Gladstone.

I was actaully really impressed by Priestess and Wolfmother

The sound is actually really good at the Docks as long as the mix is good. It was different for each performer.

Shows in 2007 #7

Had a chance to go see Pony Up! at the Horseshoe last Thursday (I know, a week late on my review but blow me I'm my own boss). For those of you who don't know them, Pony Up is a pop-punk all girls band from Montreal that I believe is set to catch a big indie wave into bigger venues sometime in the next album or two. Sort of the cooler Tegan & Sara of pop girl bands (after all, it took Tegan & Sara three albums before I really started paying attention).

It was nice to see them in the smaller, and I dare say more authentic, gloom that is the Horseshoe. Any smaller and their sound would have been crunched, any bigger and there wouldn't have been enough people there. As for the band, the songs were tight, and the crowd was lifted, which is all I ever ask for at a good pop show.

The singles, from both the last album and their current fair ("Shut up and Kiss Me", "The Truth About Cats and Dogs") stood out, with catchier hooks than the rest, but the girls kept the energy up and I was never found standing too still.

All in all, the short set was enjoyable, I'd go see them again, but I wouldn't buy the album.

As for the two openers, well I missed one (I think...a band came on After the headliners and I heard some mention of snow stalling travel but I honestly thought it was the band I Did see going on again...shows you how distiguishable they were if I couldn't tell they were different). Either way, sorry, but any none Pony Up band I saw that night was pretty forgettable...enough that I didn't even remember their names.

Shows in 2007 #6

#6 I'm going to count this one. Eventhough the band is technically a cover band, they played live and really well. RAIN The Beatles experience played hit songs from the Beatles collection from the 60's 70's. Dressed as John, Paul, George and Ringo. I took my mom and her friend. It was weird to see a show where everyone sat pretty much the entire time. The band had to actually tell people to stand and dance. My mom and stange lady danced to "Twist and shout" when no one else would. That was pretty fun to watch.She's sixty ( sorry mom but now I get to out you) and still knows how to have a better time than most 25 year olds and as she will regularly point out; without the use of drugs or alcohol...Go mom!

Just Because I Can...

Not that this matters in any way at all, but since it's there, in my head, rumbling around, making me insane, driving me to grab the nearest pick-axe and attack some teenagers with bad taste in music...let it be known that I feel (with great vehemence) that the single worst lyric ever used in a song (even more so than the much over-used and highly annoying "wave your hands in the air" bullshit), is the nauseating two words "Chill Infinity" repeated at the end of "Hey Mama". I shouldn't have to explain why. Does anyone remember way back when the Black Eyed Peas were underground and didn't make me want to jab screwdrivers in my ears? Anyone?

3,4,5: Belly, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg in Ottawa.

Belly is a Canadian hip hop artist I help get radio airplay. He's great and also lucky enough to score an opening slot for two legends of hip hop before dropping his debut album. Belly even when sick gets the crowd warmed up for Ice Cube...Who dropped some NWA tracks in the middle of the set and Snoop who had his 70 year old uncle dance to "Tighten Up" for way too long then had his security card girls backstage to make sure they were 18 before being allowed into his dressing room.

more shows in 2007

2. Saturday night at the Dakota. I don't know the name of the band. I know, kind of embarrassing. karhooters do you know? I think they may just be members of other bands. A real good time though. Special guest appearances by Serena Ryder and memebers of Cuff The Duke. I'll only give myself one point for this night...because I had way too much fun and don't even know if the main band has a name. Special mention also to the Dj who kept the dancefloor packed with booty shaking soul till closing time. "One more from James Brown because he was so damn good". RIP

News...and Reviews

Okay so maybe not a full review. More like the chance to review. Had the pleasure of hearing some of Joanna Newsom's new album YS. Nicely done. Rated a commendable 89 on Metacritic (my fave spot for compounded reviews), she's eerie and touching and you'll either love her or hate her. Granted I haven't heard the entire album, thus my admission of "not a full" review. However, what I heard haunted me enough that I will most likely get my hands on a copy. Check it out if you get a chance.

As for News, well, one of my fave Electronic bands is giving us a new album. Air has a new release coming this March (6th? I think?) and my salivory glands have already started working. Glad to see the Darkel solo project wasn't a forever thing. Thank you Astralwerks for the heads up. Now I have two things to look forward to: the removal of my cast (and triumphant return of my right arm) and (hopefully) some excellent electronic music to listen to during physio. Word!

Wavelength January14th Sneaky Dee's Tonight

I'm going to check out a couple of bands at Sneaky Dees tonight for Wavelength. They do it every Sunday and it PWYC. Shows usually start about 1030 pm

The pop noir @ Lot 16

This saturday let's check this out. http://www.thepopnoir.com/themusic.htm

bragging rights

I may get in shit by even mentioning this but I have a watermarked copy of Neon Bible. Besides the fact that No Cars Go makes a second appearance it's sounding pretty fucking great. For those who are interested and actually read this I'm having a listening session this weekend at my place(that means you karhooters)

LIVE SHOWS IN 2007

I want to keep track of all the shows I attend in 2007.I'm kind of hoping to hit that 100 mark but let's see what happens. I'll write a little review of each one and keep count at the end.

Emily Haines - Danforth Music Hall January 6th, 2007

Okay so Kelly and I were at the bar for the entire opening act so I can't count them. What were there names? Something to do with trees. Anyway:

I really like Metric. So I'm coming at this as a Metric fan who has not even bought Emily's solo album Knives Don't Have your Back. The first time I saw Metric at Mod Club I was so close I'm pretty sure Emily spit on me a few times. Okay back to this show: Great venue for it. Great sound. Good sight Lines. It was really interesting to see her awkward but comfortable and definetly not playing the "ice queen" role she does in Metric. It was kind of like seeing your really shy high school friend finally play a show. The string section and Jimmy on horns for a few songs really made for a grandiose dramatic feel but I was hoping for more of that. Most of the ladies around me were mouthing all the words (including Kelly) and I kind of felt I missed out on that personal exprience in the music. Although I'm happy that Emily will have a sucessful solo career.Seeing her on stage gave me a feeling of impending doom that I will never hear a new Metric song again. 2007 SHOW #1

Free Stuff

Broken arm or not, I'm still willing (ans somewhat able...albeit slowly) to share info on free stuff. Go here:

The Bastard Fairies

...and download their album Memento Mori, For Free! Some have heard it and not liked it. I, myself, thought it was worth the trouble, so give it a shot and judge for yourself. And that's all I've got for ya right now. Peace.

alright let's get it started

this is an open call for anything music realted...except new country.. I hate new country.