just a little bit more
I wrote a Chart story on Lions in the Street, where Chris gave me the lowdown about, among other things, how 604/Universal is finally releasing the album that the band recorded (mostly - they never finished it) when they were known as the Years. The thing is, they're going to put it out under the name "Lions in the Street," even though the guys haven't played those songs live since they regrouped, which was after they were forced into major label limbo.
The interesting and also somewhat appalling thing is that there's absolutely no logical reason to release this record now (especially under the band's new name). There will be no tour support. And while Chris said that they're still very proud of the record, the label certainly isn't going to get any cooperation from the band they dropped and are currently holding in a legal stalemate when it comes to promotion. It's also not as though Lions in the Street have somehow positioned themselves as the next Arctic Monkeys or anything either, so it's not as though the label is going to cash in on the endeavor. In fact, based on the circumstances, I fail to see how they'll make any money off of it at all.
It's easy to look at the music industry and blame everything on the quest for the almighty dollar, but it's things like this that make me think that it's more about ego than anything else... which goes a long way to explain why the industry is tanking.
Consequently, someone has posted the lost record on the Pirate Bay under "Lions in the Street - the Years." It's not incredibly far removed from what the guys are doing now, but the new stuff is certainly an improvement, if you ask me. If you want some actual new LitS material, they've got a demo and a cover of "Everyone Knows This is Nowhere" up on their official site.
Speaking of Pirate Bay, TMT reports that they're suing some (divisions of) major labels over leaked emails that suggest the labels in question are paying hackers to screw up their servers.
The Vancouver Sun asks, "can there be too many concerts?" and finds out that it all comes down to demand. More hard hitting investigative journalism from the folks at CanWest.
Meanwhile, Tooth and Dagger reports on some of the "less conventional" show venues that are popping up around the city and Streethawk has a more in-depth discussion with Hoko.
Speaking of Hoko's, Dustin from (Adjective and Sex Attack) is celebrating his birthday with a free dance party there this Saturday. His Sex Attack mates will provide the tunes.
Scratch announced their third (chronologically the second) 20th Anniversary Party. On November 9th at Pat's, the Tranzmitors, Thor, Vancougar, French Paddleboat, and Weathered Pines will help the store celebrate two decades in business.
Patrick Watson is at St. James Hall on December 7th with Plants and Animals. How's that for a timely announcement? (thanks Shea)
Jon Rae (and also the River?) are at Gaff Gallery on November 2nd with Adelaide and Chad from My Project Blue. It's an early show - doors at 8pm, over by 11pm - so you could hit this up and still go somewhere else afterward. (thanks Ben)
Someone died watching the Smashing Pumpkins last night.
Those guys from Bison were cordial enough to sit down with me for ChalkedUp. If you haven't picked up Earthbound yet, you should go do that now, while you can still find a copy.
And last, but not least, congrats go out to Jade, who wins the Hylozoists prize pack (two discs and two tickets to tomorrow night's show) and to Ryan, who wins the Klaxons tickets. You can still try to cop freebies for the latter over at ChalkedUp.
Jade and Ryan can both thank my friend Spencer, who was the key to their victory, due to my highly advanced drawing method of, "Spencer pick a number between 1 and _."
Labels: contest winners, lions in the street, self-aggrandizing
6 Comments:
WRT to the Lions in the Street album, Universal is probably just putting it out as a write-off. It would actually cost them more money to not put it out.
By 
α₫άΜ ςΪΜφЌЇИς, at
2:55 p.m.
Yes, these articles are fantastic and I agree that this information sure is interesting, but you know what isn't fantastic and interesting, Kelly? Your grammar. It's well written, not good written. Oh, and fuck you and your condos. Who are you, frickin' Brad J. Lamb? Don't you listen to the Evaporators? Social housing, not more lofts!
By 
, at
8:46 p.m.
Too many concerts?? Pfftt!!! There can never be enough!!!
By , at
9:41 p.m.
Quinn, I tried to e-mail you back with my info, but there was a delay, and I'm wondering if you've received it yet??
--Jade
By , at
7:56 a.m.
nice bison piece! you're really working hard these days.
By Unknown, at
10:24 a.m.
as usual, a pretty silly article in the vancouver sun - lots of bands i'd like to see skip vancouver or cancel (long blondes, et tu brute), but i'd imagine i'm in the minority since i don't think most vancouverites get to 20+ gigs per year
By , at
3:46 p.m.
