Wednesday, September 16, 2009
a minor bone of contention

From the comments on this article in the Straight about Hoko's shutting down on August 22nd:

I was in Hoko's on Saturday, August 21st and the inspectors were in there giving him a hard time on that night too. They've clearly got an agenda to shut Hoko's down. On this night, there was maybe 10 college student's having some drinks and dinner. It was pretty quiet, no band. The place was kind of dead. Everyone had ordered food including myself. Hoko looked like he was going to have a meltdown. The inspectors were going through everyone's reciepts and generally being a nuisance. I was amazed at what I was witnessing so I wrote down the details including the name and email address of one of the inspectors laying down the no-funs.

I should also mention that just getting to Hoko's was a GONG SHOW of crack heads, prostitutes, and people tweeking on meth. We all know this area and what it's like at night. You can do pretty much anything.

This is where your tax dollars are going Vancouver. Paying some twit to go through the bills of a handful of Karaoke singers on a Saturday night while the REAL problems in this city rage out of control.

The guy harassing Hoko that night was named: Edward Osei-Appiah and his email is: edward.oseiappiah@gov.bc.ca

A beer on the stage. puhleezze. Oh and you can't dance at Hoko's either, that's illegal too. Where's Kevin Bacon when you need him.

If you're back at school at UBC (or if you work there like me), you'll be pleased to note that CiTR is presenting bands at noon on various days throughout this month. Gang Violence unfortunately got rained out last week, but Hermetic plays Tuesday and Fine Mist plays Thursday. "Live at Lunch" goes down outside the South end of the SUB.

Rah Rah plays WISE Hall on Thursday with Red Cedar and Yukon Blonde.

Adjective, Peace, and Spectres are at Pat's on Friday.

Empty Love, Holzkopf, the Worker, Frozen Stake, Jarrett Evan Samson, the National Shield, and Dr. Dad's Sound Lab play the Shed on Saturday the 26th.

Octoberman, the Abramson Singers, and Bells Clanging are at the Railway on September 24th.

That reminds me that the Abramson singers have a new album out and as of right now, you can only get it direct from Leah. Details are on her MySpace. I still need to get my copy.

Red Cedar, No Horses, A Pale Blue, Adelaide, and the Shilohs play WISE Hall on October 11th. If a night of great tunes isn't enough for you, you should note that there's also a pig roast before the bands go on.

Former Ghosts are at the Media Club on October 21st.

Alea Diane and Marissa Nadler co-headline the Media Club for an early show on October 23rd.

Regina Spektor is at the Orpheum on November 2nd.

Art Brut is at the Biltmore on November 3rd.

Bishop Allen plays an early show at the Media Club on November 6th.

Shout Out Out Out Out play the Rickshaw on November 13th.

The Fiery Furnaces play the Red Room on November 17th with Cryptacize.

King Khan & the BBQ Show play the Red Room on November 23rd.

And Japandroids play a homecoming show at the Rickshaw on December 2nd.

Oh, and I was under the weather last night, so I wasn't there, but can report that Aunts & Uncles won the first night of Shindig.

Labels: hokos, no fun city, show announcements

posted by Quinn @ 3:25 p.m. Comments:4

Monday, August 31, 2009
diner's only

Why don't we start with bad news... because that doesn't happen enough in Vancouver. From Jarrett from Shipyards/Geographing/Phantom Islands:

I spoke yesterday on the phone with Jian from Hoko's. She informed me that earlier this week they received another visit from city inspectors. It seems that, much like the last time, the inspectors arrived looking to find faults and kept trying different avenues until they could finally pin something on Hoko's, leaving them with nothing to do but wait for a hefty fine in the mail. It has come to the point where Hoko's feels singled out and in light of this and what they feel is a continued unfair treatment by city officials(and I would add that I certainly agree with that sentiment), they have decided to close their restaurant.

Personally, I am devastated; Jian and Hoko found a way to make a business in an area that doesn't attract many casual diners viable, and in doing so made themselves an important part of the music community in this city. Anyone could book a show at Hoko's with just a myspace message, they never asked for any money from the bands/promoters, they took video of performances themselves and posted them online-- they went far and beyond anything that could have been expected of them in supporting the music scene. I've been working closely with Jian & Hoko since they reopened for shows a few months back, trying to help them out both through the Safe Amplification Society and just by doing as many shows there as i possibly could, but it's gotten to the point that they need to look out for their family and they feel continuing on is not a possibility.

I personally want to thank them again for all they have done, and I will be attempting to help them with this latest and last ticket they received by at the very least holding a fundraiser show at another venue in the coming months. Any individuals or bands wishing to contribute in any way are welcome to email me at
geographingrecords [AT] gmail.com.

Also, there are a number of shows booked at Hoko's this month that have been canceled last minute now, notably the Makeout Videotape/Search Parties/Half Chinese show on September 5th. Anyone who might be able to help us out with a new location for these shows would be very, VERY appreciated. On top of that, in my own personal note, I am left without a home to book my monthly Phantom Islands show, and I
would love to continue it on in a new location as well.

One more time, a huge thank you to Jian & Hoko for everything they did to create one of the best venues this town has ever had.

Jarrett Evan Samson

I'd add that I've seen countless great shows there, notably the very first time I saw Japandroids... you might have heard of them.

On to the weekly listings.

Regulars: August 31st-September 6th

Monday

Tuesday
Boosh Tuesdays @ the Cobalt: back on Sept 15th
Sailing @ the Astoria: unknown

Wednesday
Fake Jazz Wednesday @ the Cobalt: "Hearing Pin" (2/3rds of Shearing Pinx), Nu Sensae, Gross Xmas, Terror Bird
The Beehive @ Honey: back on September 30th
Discorder Presents... @ the Astoria: Fanshaw, Kidnap Kids, and Shane Turner Overdrive
Gypsy Fade Wednesday @ the Media Club: back at the end of September

Thursday
Honey Lung Thursday @ Honey: back on September 10th

Friday
Damaged Goods @ the Astoria: Disaster
Far Away @ the Media Club: no live act
Phantom Islands @ Hoko's: RIP

Saturday
Glory Days @ the Biltmore: no live act
Night Shift @ the Astoria: Vapid and Juvenile Hall
No More Strangers @ Funky Winkerbean's: Dreamboat, Stefana Fratila, and Balacade

Labels: hokos, no fun city, show announcements, weekly listings

posted by Quinn @ 11:43 p.m. Comments:1