Thursday, December 17, 2009
i want a dj for christmas
The Eggnog Experience Compilation will be up for download anytime now. So, do yourself a favour and grab it at MentalBeast.com.
Edit: it's up now!
Do yourself another favour and get down to the Biltmore on Friday for the Mental Beast/Eggnog Extravaganza Party.
Daniel from Discorder was kind enough to include me in a round up of local music blogs.
Speaking of Discorder, they also ran a poll to find the Best Vancouver Bands of the Decade. As always when these things happen, there were some notable exclusions... although I guess I can't complain too much, since they asked me for my two cents.
Phonecalls, Cat Attack, and Pompoir play the Balmoral on January 16th.
Kool Keith is at the Biltmore on January 31st.
Nu Sensae and White Lung are having a tour fundraiser at the Eldorado on February 5th. Black Wizard supports.
Do Make Say Think is at the Biltmore on February 6th.
Muse plays the Pacific Coliseum on April 1st. Didn't they play the Commodore when they were here last? Did they score some giant hit I don't know about?
now playing: Fine Mist - Out of Sync
Monday, December 14, 2009
this time every year
I was actually supposed to book bands for Damaged Goods this week, but there's this sort of okay show planned for Friday and it's for charity and we really didn't want to compete with a charity event (translation: the Mental Beast/Eggnog Extravaganza is going to he amazing and most of the bands I thought about booking are playing it).
Also, on an entirely unrelated note, Fine Mist are opening for Sloan tomorrow night at the Commodore. If you're checking out the Money City Maniacs, go early and give Jay and Megan some love.
Regulars: December 14th-20th
Monday
Tuesday
Shindig @ the Railway: back next year!
Sailing @ the Astoria: unknown
Wednesday
The Beehive @ Honey: back on January 13th.
Rock N Roll Pizza Party @ the Biltmore: the Tranzmitors, the Manic Attracts, and Student Teacher
Discorder Presents... @ the Astoria: back in January
Thursday
Honey Lung Thursday @ Honey: unknown
Blastramp @ the Bourbon: Tight Solid
Friday
Damaged Goods @ the Astoria: back on January 8th
Good Burger @ Goody: Myths
First Friday @ the Eldorado: back in January
Saturday
Glory Days @ the Biltmore: 1 year anniversary show with White Lung
Night Shift @ the Astoria: back in January
No More Strangers @ Goody: Hermetic, Eeek, and Woolworm
now playing: Best Coast - When I'm With You
Friday, December 11, 2009
all my friends have just quit trying
Since it's Friday, why don't I start with last Friday (because that is super timely), when I caught Califone at the Rickshaw. While they did play a regular set of music (which was great), the show was a bit different, as it featured the band performing a live score to All My Friends Are Funeral Singers (also the title of their rad latest LP), a film written and directed by singer Tim Rutili.
I'm not much of a film critic (or a music critic, for that matter), but I will say that while the film wasn't mind blowing, it was certainly entertaining in and of itself; if you rented it on DVD, you wouldn't be disappointed. And, combined with the bands live performance it was truly something special.
It was one of the best things I've seen all year, and despite the fact that I'm usually too lazy to write about them, I still see a lot of shows.
Speaking of shows, congratulations to Hidden Towers, who took home top prize at Shindig on Tuesday. I was pulling for Pro Nails in the finals, but they were my second choice.
And before we get to show announcement stuff, make sure you're keeping up with Mental Beast, so you're all up to date for the finale and, of course, the accompanying show on the 18th.
It's not Vancouver without some bad news, so let's go with that to start. Unfortunately, No More Strangers is once again homeless and this week's show, originally scheduled at the Balmoral is off. The guys are going to take some time off, but look for them to be back soon.
On the bright side, Good Burger, which goes down at the Lion's Den tonight, now hosts Sex Negatives.
Jody Glenham, Aidan Knight, and Small Fame play the Lab Magazine Xmas party at the Media Club on December 12th.
Fanshaw, Poema Flamenco, and Analog Bell Service play a fundraiser for Megaphone on December 15th at Cafe Deux Soleils.
The Racoons and the Good News play Fortune Sound Club on December 15th.
Prophecy Sun, Holzkopf, Haunted Beard, Glaciers, and Shipyards play 223 Main St. on December 21st. Bands are on at 8pm.
Novelle Vague are at Venue on February 5th.
Vivian Girls and Best Coast are at the Biltmore on February 12th.
El Perro Del Mar plays the Biltmore on February 27th.
now playing: Best Coast - When I'm With You
Monday, December 07, 2009
in the city
Regulars: December 7th-13th
Monday
Tuesday
Shindig @ the Railway: Kidnap Kids, Half Chinese, Pro Nails, and Hidden Towers
Sailing @ the Astoria: unknown
Wednesday
The Beehive @ Honey: back on December 23rd(?)
Rock N Roll Pizza Party @ the Biltmore: back on December 16th
Discorder Presents... @ the Astoria: back in January
Thursday
Honey Lung Thursday @ Honey: unknown
Blastramp @ the Bourbon: no live act
Friday
Damaged Goods @ the Astoria: the Parallels
Good Burger @ Babar: no live act
First Friday @ the Eldorado: back in January
Saturday
Glory Days @ the Biltmore: Lakefield
Night Shift @ the Astoria: Vapid, Petroleum By-Product, Sick Error
No More Strangers @ the Balmoral: Seven Nines & Tens, Jakartah, and Glorywhore
now playing: the Replacements - If Only You Were Lonely
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
nightclubs
Let's start with some free music.
Jay Arner (from Fine Mist, International Falls, Poison Dart, and probably some other things I'm missing) had a few extra songs that didn't become Fine Mist material that he recorded solo, and he's giving the resulting four song EP away for free. Jay Ferguson from Sloan guests on one track and Dave from Japandroids sort of guests on another (Jay sampled his drumming) and like his last solo EP (that you can still get here), it's pretty great.
Download it in mp3 or Apple Lossless on his tumblr.
Also worth noting, is an unprecedented tie at Shindig yesterday between Hidden Towers (sweet, instrumental metal) and Pro Nails (sweet, spazzy, synth punk), which means there's going to be four bands for the finals on Tuesday... so get their early (or plan to stay late--I'd imagine the former though).
Prairie Cat plays Little Mountain on December tonight.
No LA Kill, Boogie Monster, and Shipyards are at Zoo Shop (223 Main St.) on Friday.
Luke Top plays the Media Club with Sun Wizard and the Shilohs on December 7th.
Parlour Steps and Aidan Knight play the Biltmore on December 14th. It's $10 to get in, but if you bring a donation of new underwear or socks (that the DTES Women's Centre and the Salvation Army will later give out to Vancouver's homeless), you get in for free.
Congress, Bogus Tokus, and Dead Meat play the Biltmore on December 21st.
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone are at the Biltmore on January 8th.
Frog Eyes, Apollo Ghosts, and Tyranahorse are at the Biltmore on January 22nd.
White Denim is at the Media Club on January 23rd.
Bowerbirds and Julie Doiron are at the Biltmore on January 23rd.
St. Vincent and Wildbirds & Peacedrums play Venue on February 4th.
Four Tet is at the Biltmore on February 24th.
now playing: the Abramson Singers - Take a Camera
Monday, November 30, 2009
easy bake oven
Thanks to Manta Ray-Gun for playing Damaged Goods on Friday. These two are becoming one of my favourite local bands (which is why we had them back, of course), so if you couldn't make it down this past weekend and haven't checked them out yet, do yourself a favour and go see them next time they play.
In the meantime, you can check out their set on Thunderbird Radio Hell here.
Thanks also go out to Horsefly, who Manta Ray-Gun brough along with them this time out (not only do they rock, but they consistently bring awesome opening bands with them when they play). It's fitting that Ian's rocking a Dinosaur Jr. tee in that photo, because that influence is easy to hear in the band's music, right down to being epically loud. Keep your eye out for them.
Heads up: No More Strangers is at the Balmoral this week.
Regulars: November 30th-December 6th
Monday
Tuesday
Shindig @ the Railway: Bleating Hearts, Pro Nails, and Hidden Towers
Sailing @ the Astoria: unknown
Wednesday
The Beehive @ Honey: back on December 23rd(?)
Rock N Roll Pizza Party @ the Biltmore: back on December 16th
Discorder Presents... @ the Astoria: Makeout Videotape and Machu Picchu
Thursday
Honey Lung Thursday @ Honey: Modern Creatures, Twin Crystals, Pompoir, Tight Solid
Blastramp @ the Bourbon: Born Lovers
Friday
Damaged Goods @ the Astoria: the Good News and the WZRDZ
Good Burger @ Babar: unknown
First Friday @ the Eldorado: Black Wizard, Stryker, Merciless Onslaught, and Slaughter Hollow
Saturday
Glory Days @ the Biltmore: Blue Violets
Night Shift @ the Astoria: ?
No More Strangers @ the Balmoral: Little Girls, Walter TV, and Cat Attack
now playing: Jim James & Calexico - Goin' to Acapulco (Bob Dylan Cover)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
city lights
Bend Sinister, who in addition to being great guys, are a great band who penned one of my favourite local tunes ever (see above), and they're up for $150k in a contest put on by the Peak.
Why not help them out by voting here. It's really quick and there's no arduous form to fill out or personal information to give or any crap like that, so if you've got a second, help them get some money so they can afford to put out more records and concentrate even more time on putting out great music.
i want a dj for christmas
Mental Beast Prologue from the shots on Vimeo.
The Eggnog Experience Compilation will be up for download anytime now. So, do yourself a favour and grab it at MentalBeast.com.
Edit: it's up now!
Do yourself another favour and get down to the Biltmore on Friday for the Mental Beast/Eggnog Extravaganza Party.
Daniel from Discorder was kind enough to include me in a round up of local music blogs.
Speaking of Discorder, they also ran a poll to find the Best Vancouver Bands of the Decade. As always when these things happen, there were some notable exclusions... although I guess I can't complain too much, since they asked me for my two cents.
Phonecalls, Cat Attack, and Pompoir play the Balmoral on January 16th.
Kool Keith is at the Biltmore on January 31st.
Nu Sensae and White Lung are having a tour fundraiser at the Eldorado on February 5th. Black Wizard supports.
Do Make Say Think is at the Biltmore on February 6th.
Muse plays the Pacific Coliseum on April 1st. Didn't they play the Commodore when they were here last? Did they score some giant hit I don't know about?
now playing: Fine Mist - Out of Sync
Labels: discorder, mental beast, show announcements
Monday, December 14, 2009
this time every year
As the holiday season gets into full swing, the amount of weeklies (and monthlies) taking a break increases, so it's sort of slim pickings on that front this week.
I was actually supposed to book bands for Damaged Goods this week, but there's this sort of okay show planned for Friday and it's for charity and we really didn't want to compete with a charity event (translation: the Mental Beast/Eggnog Extravaganza is going to he amazing and most of the bands I thought about booking are playing it).
Also, on an entirely unrelated note, Fine Mist are opening for Sloan tomorrow night at the Commodore. If you're checking out the Money City Maniacs, go early and give Jay and Megan some love.
Regulars: December 14th-20th
Monday
Tuesday
Shindig @ the Railway: back next year!
Sailing @ the Astoria: unknown
Wednesday
The Beehive @ Honey: back on January 13th.
Rock N Roll Pizza Party @ the Biltmore: the Tranzmitors, the Manic Attracts, and Student Teacher
Discorder Presents... @ the Astoria: back in January
Thursday
Honey Lung Thursday @ Honey: unknown
Blastramp @ the Bourbon: Tight Solid
Friday
Damaged Goods @ the Astoria: back on January 8th
Good Burger @ Goody: Myths
First Friday @ the Eldorado: back in January
Saturday
Glory Days @ the Biltmore: 1 year anniversary show with White Lung
Night Shift @ the Astoria: back in January
No More Strangers @ Goody: Hermetic, Eeek, and Woolworm
now playing: Best Coast - When I'm With You
Labels: show announcements, weekly listings
Friday, December 11, 2009
all my friends have just quit trying
Since it's Friday, why don't I start with last Friday (because that is super timely), when I caught Califone at the Rickshaw. While they did play a regular set of music (which was great), the show was a bit different, as it featured the band performing a live score to All My Friends Are Funeral Singers (also the title of their rad latest LP), a film written and directed by singer Tim Rutili.
I'm not much of a film critic (or a music critic, for that matter), but I will say that while the film wasn't mind blowing, it was certainly entertaining in and of itself; if you rented it on DVD, you wouldn't be disappointed. And, combined with the bands live performance it was truly something special.
It was one of the best things I've seen all year, and despite the fact that I'm usually too lazy to write about them, I still see a lot of shows.
Speaking of shows, congratulations to Hidden Towers, who took home top prize at Shindig on Tuesday. I was pulling for Pro Nails in the finals, but they were my second choice.
And before we get to show announcement stuff, make sure you're keeping up with Mental Beast, so you're all up to date for the finale and, of course, the accompanying show on the 18th.
It's not Vancouver without some bad news, so let's go with that to start. Unfortunately, No More Strangers is once again homeless and this week's show, originally scheduled at the Balmoral is off. The guys are going to take some time off, but look for them to be back soon.
On the bright side, Good Burger, which goes down at the Lion's Den tonight, now hosts Sex Negatives.
Jody Glenham, Aidan Knight, and Small Fame play the Lab Magazine Xmas party at the Media Club on December 12th.
Fanshaw, Poema Flamenco, and Analog Bell Service play a fundraiser for Megaphone on December 15th at Cafe Deux Soleils.
The Racoons and the Good News play Fortune Sound Club on December 15th.
Prophecy Sun, Holzkopf, Haunted Beard, Glaciers, and Shipyards play 223 Main St. on December 21st. Bands are on at 8pm.
Novelle Vague are at Venue on February 5th.
Vivian Girls and Best Coast are at the Biltmore on February 12th.
El Perro Del Mar plays the Biltmore on February 27th.
now playing: Best Coast - When I'm With You
Labels: califone, show announcements, show recaps
Monday, December 07, 2009
in the city
Slow(er) on the regular show front this week, but there's a bonus band in the Shindig finals tomorrow since there was a tie last week. That also means things are going to get stared a little bit earlier at the Rail this week (translation: Ben will actually stick to the planned 9:30pm start time).
Regulars: December 7th-13th
Monday
Tuesday
Shindig @ the Railway: Kidnap Kids, Half Chinese, Pro Nails, and Hidden Towers
Sailing @ the Astoria: unknown
Wednesday
The Beehive @ Honey: back on December 23rd(?)
Rock N Roll Pizza Party @ the Biltmore: back on December 16th
Discorder Presents... @ the Astoria: back in January
Thursday
Honey Lung Thursday @ Honey: unknown
Blastramp @ the Bourbon: no live act
Friday
Damaged Goods @ the Astoria: the Parallels
Good Burger @ Babar: no live act
First Friday @ the Eldorado: back in January
Saturday
Glory Days @ the Biltmore: Lakefield
Night Shift @ the Astoria: Vapid, Petroleum By-Product, Sick Error
No More Strangers @ the Balmoral: Seven Nines & Tens, Jakartah, and Glorywhore
now playing: the Replacements - If Only You Were Lonely
Labels: show announcements, weekly listings
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
nightclubs
Let's start with some free music.
Jay Arner (from Fine Mist, International Falls, Poison Dart, and probably some other things I'm missing) had a few extra songs that didn't become Fine Mist material that he recorded solo, and he's giving the resulting four song EP away for free. Jay Ferguson from Sloan guests on one track and Dave from Japandroids sort of guests on another (Jay sampled his drumming) and like his last solo EP (that you can still get here), it's pretty great.
Download it in mp3 or Apple Lossless on his tumblr.
Also worth noting, is an unprecedented tie at Shindig yesterday between Hidden Towers (sweet, instrumental metal) and Pro Nails (sweet, spazzy, synth punk), which means there's going to be four bands for the finals on Tuesday... so get their early (or plan to stay late--I'd imagine the former though).
Prairie Cat plays Little Mountain on December tonight.
No LA Kill, Boogie Monster, and Shipyards are at Zoo Shop (223 Main St.) on Friday.
Luke Top plays the Media Club with Sun Wizard and the Shilohs on December 7th.
Parlour Steps and Aidan Knight play the Biltmore on December 14th. It's $10 to get in, but if you bring a donation of new underwear or socks (that the DTES Women's Centre and the Salvation Army will later give out to Vancouver's homeless), you get in for free.
Congress, Bogus Tokus, and Dead Meat play the Biltmore on December 21st.
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone are at the Biltmore on January 8th.
Frog Eyes, Apollo Ghosts, and Tyranahorse are at the Biltmore on January 22nd.
White Denim is at the Media Club on January 23rd.
Bowerbirds and Julie Doiron are at the Biltmore on January 23rd.
St. Vincent and Wildbirds & Peacedrums play Venue on February 4th.
Four Tet is at the Biltmore on February 24th.
now playing: the Abramson Singers - Take a Camera
Labels: jay arner, mp3, shindig, show announcements
Monday, November 30, 2009
easy bake oven
Thanks to Manta Ray-Gun for playing Damaged Goods on Friday. These two are becoming one of my favourite local bands (which is why we had them back, of course), so if you couldn't make it down this past weekend and haven't checked them out yet, do yourself a favour and go see them next time they play.
In the meantime, you can check out their set on Thunderbird Radio Hell here.
Thanks also go out to Horsefly, who Manta Ray-Gun brough along with them this time out (not only do they rock, but they consistently bring awesome opening bands with them when they play). It's fitting that Ian's rocking a Dinosaur Jr. tee in that photo, because that influence is easy to hear in the band's music, right down to being epically loud. Keep your eye out for them.
Heads up: No More Strangers is at the Balmoral this week.
Regulars: November 30th-December 6th
Monday
Tuesday
Shindig @ the Railway: Bleating Hearts, Pro Nails, and Hidden Towers
Sailing @ the Astoria: unknown
Wednesday
The Beehive @ Honey: back on December 23rd(?)
Rock N Roll Pizza Party @ the Biltmore: back on December 16th
Discorder Presents... @ the Astoria: Makeout Videotape and Machu Picchu
Thursday
Honey Lung Thursday @ Honey: Modern Creatures, Twin Crystals, Pompoir, Tight Solid
Blastramp @ the Bourbon: Born Lovers
Friday
Damaged Goods @ the Astoria: the Good News and the WZRDZ
Good Burger @ Babar: unknown
First Friday @ the Eldorado: Black Wizard, Stryker, Merciless Onslaught, and Slaughter Hollow
Saturday
Glory Days @ the Biltmore: Blue Violets
Night Shift @ the Astoria: ?
No More Strangers @ the Balmoral: Little Girls, Walter TV, and Cat Attack
now playing: Jim James & Calexico - Goin' to Acapulco (Bob Dylan Cover)
Labels: damaged goods, horsefly, manta ray-gun, show announcements, weekly listings
Thursday, November 26, 2009
city lights
Bend Sinister, who in addition to being great guys, are a great band who penned one of my favourite local tunes ever (see above), and they're up for $150k in a contest put on by the Peak.
Why not help them out by voting here. It's really quick and there's no arduous form to fill out or personal information to give or any crap like that, so if you've got a second, help them get some money so they can afford to put out more records and concentrate even more time on putting out great music.
Labels: bend sinister
