Friday, October 28, 2011
all this horror business
Tonight:
The Waldorf kicks off an entire weekend of events that culminates with the venue's one year anniversary and Ice Cream Social's sixth birthday soiree.
Beat Connection, Too High Crew, Teen Daze, and Blood Diamonds are at the Electric Owl. Tix are nearly sold out, but there will be handful at the door.
A Hard Days Night of the Living Dead (the SSRIs as the Beatles) play the Rickshaw. With "Ice Cream Social vs. East Van Soul Club" behind the decks.
One Baby (members of Baptists, Congress, and Slow Learners covering Nirvana) play a special Friday night edition of one of my favourite monthlies, Junior High.
And, Mode Moderne, Korean Gut, members of Sutures, the Courtneys, and (again) Mode Moderne, members of Bummer High, High Drops, and Timecopz, and members of Indian Wars, My Friend Wallis, and Student Teacher are rocking another covers show at 360 Glen.
Tomorrow:
The Rickshaw hosts the Defektors as AC/DC, White Lung as the Wipers & Misfits, Peace as the Cramps, and Aquanaut as Sabbath.
Glory Days hosts its annual Halloween dance party.
Man Your Horse, Blake, Tasty Animals, and Whiskey Tooth play Montmartre Cafe.
Square Root of Evil play Zoo Zhop.
Sunday:
Chariots, N213, Lief Hall, and Colby Sparks play the Astoria.
Monday:
Bitch Moves, Night Mirrors, and Zoo play Zoo Zhop.
And the Biltmore hosts the Ramores (Ramones covers) and Teenagers from Mars (Misfits covers).
now playing: Chelsea Wolfe - Demons
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
we could have had it all
Edit: official word from the promoter is that the show is postponed, so hold on to your tickets and keep an eye out for a rescheduled date.
Monday, May 23, 2011
free love is a sales technique
So, I've never heard of This Will Destroy You, but when their show got canceled yesterday (again, refunds available at your point of purchase, if you bought tickets), I did look at the openers and think, "I hope this means Pure X and Sleep Over will reschedule." And they did. For tonight. And fellow Texans, Silent Diane, will join them and Cam "Babe Rainbow" Reed is going to DJ between sets.
If you're not too worn out from Wyrd Fest last night, it's only $5. Plus, if you really want to keep your long weekend party going strong, you can head over to the Tiki Room after the show for Ice Cream Social.
Excuse the crappy picture of Grown Ups. I was too lazy to pack around my actual camera for 7-hours. But, speaking of Wyrd Fest, it was absolutely awesome last night.
With that many bands playing, there were high points and low points, but with 20 acts and non-stop music between the two stages, it would have been exhausting if I'd wanted to watch every minute of every band.
As for the high points, there were a lot, but Famines absolutely slayed. I haven't seen them for a few years and remembered them being great the last time, but they exceeded those expectations. Gobble Gobble turned the Waldorf's Tiki Room into a wall to wall dance party. In fact, it was so crammed in there, it would have been nice if they were on the main room stage, but they definitely more than made due in the smaller space. Somehow, it was my first time seeing Manic Attracts--it won't be the last time.
Thanks again to Paul from Weird Canada for letting me give away a pair of tickets to the show. And, of course, for bringing the show to Vancouver. Don't miss it next year.
now playing: Pure X - Back Where I Began
Friday, March 04, 2011
input select
On March 18th, VIVO hosts the Drop In/Drop Out Video Arts Expo. Animal Bodies, Channels 3+4, Magneticring, Holzkopf, and Crystal Dorval all play live, but the focus is a showcase of interactive audio/visual work. If you've got a talent for the latter, you can apply to be part of the exhibition here.
Oh, and another reminder that tonight there's a whole wack of awesome shows, so go see some live music.
now playing: Adele feat. Childish Gambino - Rolling in the Deep (Jamie xx Remix)
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
friday, i'm in love
So, I don't often talk about out-of-town shows (especially ones that I can't attend), but 1) this poster is awesome and 2) it ties into this Friday
If, by chance, you're not from Vancouver and are going to be in Austin for SXSW, get a great introduction to what's going on here by checking out the Music Waste/Olio Festival joint showcase.
Us locals can get a preview on Friday at the Cobalt at the MW/Olio joint fundraiser... and, hey, if that's not up your alley (or even if it is), your choices on the 4th sort of border on overwhelming. My current plans are to be at the Biltmore for B-Lines/White Lung/Nu Sensae, but I reserve the right to change my mind and head over to the Lion's Den for Koban... or the CBC for Owen Pallett or... you get the point.
now playing - Muscles - Brilliance
Thursday, February 17, 2011
idle tomorrows
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
we'll talk about the weather or how the weather used to be
First, is Thor Fest, a February 27th fundraiser so this fuzzy little dude can get a tooth extracted and avoid serious medical complications. Half Chinese, We Make Earthquakes, Katie Caron et al., Amor de Cosmos, Fine Mist, Jenny Ritter, Nihilist Party, Aunts & Uncles, Haiku Charlie, Unreliable Narrator, Garland & Yarn, and Elliot & Jo (from SSRIs) all lend their talents. It's a house show at Sophia & 13th and everything gets rolling at 3pm.
Scratch/Interurban Gallery hosts the release party of the Mint/CiTR Pop Alliance Compilation LP on February 24th. The show (thus far) features Slam Dunk, Role Mach, Shane Turner Overdrive, and Fanshaw, with more to be announced. You can check the compilation details here.
now playing: Cut Copy Take Me Over
Thursday, January 20, 2011
take me away to nowhere plains
The first time I saw the Pixies on their initial reunion tour, I didn't think I could pick a better setlist--they played pretty much everything I could have dreamed of hearing. But now that this reunion seems to have become pretty permanent, I can't think of a better tour to see them on than this one.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
out of the darkness and into the fire
The Biltmore hosts the 4th(?) edition of the Winter Social, Ice Cream Social's annual December 31st bash. Tix are available at Scratch, Red Cat, Zulu, and the Biltmore off-sales counter.
Unfamiliar, eatArt, Love Dancing, and Arbutus records are throwing a pretty great looking party at the eatArt labs. Paula from Silly Kissers, Blue Hawaii, Grimes, Resorts, Makeout Videotape, and Sean Nicholas Savage all play live and Cadence Weapon and No Gold both take turns behind the decks. Tix are... sold out. Sorry.
NYE at the Waldorf features John Maus, Geneva Jaccuzi, and TRS-80 live, along with a whole wack of DJs in the various rooms. Tix are available here.
Goody and the Winnie Cooper gang host Blood Diamonds, Oh No! Yoko, and Autacoid. Tix are available here.
The Railway hosts Fuzzcat, Go Ghetto Tiger, and Strange Magic. Tix are available at the Railway or by phone at (604) 681-1625.
And, the Astoria welcomes 2011 with Rad Times New Year's. Tix are at the door.
now playing: the Walkmen - "In the New Year"
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
unhappy birthday
Speaking of free, Zulu hosts a free show with the Salteens on Sunday. Show starts at 6pm.
Oh, and it wouldn't be right for me to neglect mentioning Chris-a-riffic's set at Ben Lai's birthday soiree at the Railway last night. The music, which was, as per usual, pretty great, wasn't the story, but Chris had some comedy gold going with his stage banter. Here's hoping the wisecracks sneak their way into all of his sets from here on out.
now playing: Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
fire up the blades
On December 12th, the Biltmore hosts a vintage good fair and also music by Juvenile Hall, the Burnettes, and Eating Out. It goes from 10am-5pm, presumably with the music spread out over the afternoon.
And, last but not least, extend the season in which you got to work all bleary eyed and hungover every Wednesday by celebrating Ben Lai's birthday with Safety Show, Fine Mist, WZERDZ, and Chris-a-riffic at the Railway on December 14th, which also happens to be the Tuesday after the Shindig finale.
now playing: the Canucks vs Avs
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
waterworks
Here's Leah Abramson performing a song from my favourite Copperspine release.
If you enjoyed XO Fridays at the Waldorf the last two weekends, you're about to be disappointed, because it's been canceled due to "not fitting with (the Waldorf's) 'cultural programming.'" On the bright side, the Maluca/DJ Eleven show that was supposed to go down at the Waldorf is now free at Fortune on the same night.
On November 16th, CiTR starts their annual "fundrive," which culminates with one hell of a show on the 25th. Check out the expanding list of bands on Facebook and get prepared to hear them all covering hits (and probably some not so popular songs) of the 90s.
now playing: Guided by Voices - 14 Cheerleader Coldfront
Saturday, October 30, 2010
untogether
Exclaim! is reporting that the band had a blowout last night on stage in Vic and may now be broken up.
Unfortunately, since they sold so many tix for Glory Days, the Biltmore won't be able to honour both Women and Glory Days tickets, so if you had tickets to the show, you'll have to grab a refund at your point of purchase.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
die, die my darling
Friday:
A new My!Gay!Husband! weekly XO christens the brand new Waldorf one day ahead of the official grand opening. Black Wizard, Heavy Chains, and War Baby play live early (8pm-midnight) and there's DJs in all three rooms until 2am. Check the Facebook event page (which, appropriately, currently boasts 666 "attending") for all the details.
Mode Moderne, Dead Ghosts, Cowards, Modern Creatures, Manic Atracts play an all covers show at the Astoria.
Fortune hosts the Team Canada DJ's Happy Ending Halloween. No live acts, but you can get the whole DJ line up here.
The Commercial Drive legion hosts the Witches and Warlocks Ball with BlackBerry Wood, Creaking Planks, and Timothy Wisdom.
Saturday:
The big one is the Waldorf's official grand opening. It's free, Rodney Graham, Animal Bodies, and Joyce Collingwood all play live, and you can expect that it'll be packed... so get their early if you want to get in.
Glory Days celebrates All Hallows Eve with Neverland, a Michael Jackson cover band, and Bogus Tokus performing all punk covers as Harsh Tokes.
The Chapel hosts the Heebeegeebees Finale Party with Love & Electrik and Peter Breeze.
And, Head Hits Concrete, State of Minefield, Sick, and Hand of the Horsewitch play Funky Winkerbean's.
Let Me Buy U, Anne Drank Vol. 2 (Halloween Edition) by Babe Rainbow
If you need a Halloween soundtrack, and aren't using this weekend as an excuse to play the Misfits for 48-hours straight, Babe Rainbow has 45-minutes of spooky chopped and screwed goodness via the second installment of the Let Me Buy U, Anne Drank mixtape series. Click the link above to download it.
now playing: Misfits - Skulls
Friday, October 22, 2010
o wake
There are a lot of things I could say about a given band, but one of the strongest statements you can make about anything is to put your money where your mouth is. So, while I've sung the praises of Fine Mist on many occasions, this time my opinion comes backed by sizable chunk of my expendable income. Quite a few months ago now, I was drunkenly (the state when all of my best/worst music related ideas are formed) chatting with Megan about the album that she and Jay were putting the finishing touches on. As my state of mind at the time was fairly one track, namely, "when in the Hell can I get this record," when she told me they were having trouble finding a label, I immediately slurred, "I want to put it out."
There's two things to note here. One, thankfully, she didn't hold me exactly to my word, because putting out an LP (on 180g vinyl, no less) is way more expensive than I naively thought, so there's no way I could afford the entire thing. And two, while that story makes it sound like a combination of my big mouth and a few too many roped me into this, I couldn't be prouder to be a part of Public Domain.
I could go on about the music, but I'm obviously biased, so I'll leave you with the Straight, who called the record "ludicrously fun" and Exclaim! who deemed it "one of the best records to come out of the West Coast this year". Honestly though, what do critics know? So, head over to the CBC Radio 3 website, where you can stream the whole thing.
You can order Public Domain online by following the directions here, pick it up at one of the bands shows (their next one is this Saturday at the China Cloud), or buy it from Red Cat, Scratch, Zoo Zhop, or Zulu. Or, if you really want, and you live in Mt. Pleasant/Fairview or are at UBC during the day, I'll bring one to you for $12 (how's that for service?).
Megan and Jay play tomorrow night at the China Cloud with Lakefield and PaperSailBoat and they'll be having an official-a-few-months-late release party on November 27th at Glory Days with No Gold.
now playing: Fine Mist - Palm Trees
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
metal detector
The Duffy & the Doubters show scheduled for this Saturday is now at Anti-Social and they're looking for venues for the rest.
Now, good news: the Waldorf celebrates its reopening (though they'll be officially be open for business the night before) with a massive free Halloween party on October 30th. Rodney Graham, Animal Bodies, and Joyce Collingwood perform live, but there's a lot of other stuff going on. Check out the full itinerary on Facebook.
And, as a reminder to myself, because I always find a way to miss it, on November 13th, SK Robot put on their annual, "Guided by Robots" show at the ANZA, featuring a set of GbV covers by the band and the GbV karaoke following. As always, all proceed go towards the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
string lake
Babe Rainbow and Tassels are up tonight, White Lung and Koban (that's enough to get me out on a weekday) follow on the 14th, Myths and Haunted Beard play the 21st, and Raccoons and DBL Dragon play the 28th. The whole thing concludes on the 30th for a Halloween party featuring Love & Electrik and Peter Breeze.
Ache records is turning 10 years old this year! To celebrate, they're having a massive sale on all their releases from October 15th-November 26th. In addition to some shows (Oct 15th/16th - check the sidebar), there will be an Ache night at Zulu on October 21st from 7-9pm and also an Ache pop-up shop at Toast Collective on Oct 20th and 27th and Nov 3rd and 10th.
now playing: Needles//Pins - Rabies Jump
Thursday, September 30, 2010
but i'm not working for you
Also at Zulu, on Sunday at 4pm, they help celebrate the release of the book, The Top 100 Canadian Singles. No offense to the Guess Who, but the Band got robbed on that one.
And while we're talking Zulu, it's worth mentioning that Superchunk is doing an in-store on the 13th before their show at the Biltmore. They're on at 3pm, so you'll need to duck out of work/school early for that one.
now playing: Guided by Voices - Tractor Rape Chain (live last night[!] in Dallas)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
the cars on fire and there's no driver at the wheel
It's been almost 10-years since Godspeed You! Black Emperor played Vancouver (back before they misplaced the exclamation mark), and while it'll be a few months more before you can actually see them again, you can buy tickets for the February show at Zulu, Red Cat, Scratch, and from the Vogue box office on Saturday at 10am. (thanks Sean)
now playing: Idlewild - Actually, It's Darkness
Friday, September 10, 2010
in the moonlight, in the moonlight we can get it right
1) A gentle reminder that Fine Mist plays the Agro Cafe on Granville Island (re-named the Fringe Bar for Fringe Fest) tonight! Show starts at 10:30pm.
2) My review of the Block Party is up on Exclaim.ca
now playing: Fine Mist - Because It's the Ocean
all this horror business
A quick rundown of what's up this Halloweekend:
Tonight:
The Waldorf kicks off an entire weekend of events that culminates with the venue's one year anniversary and Ice Cream Social's sixth birthday soiree.
Beat Connection, Too High Crew, Teen Daze, and Blood Diamonds are at the Electric Owl. Tix are nearly sold out, but there will be handful at the door.
A Hard Days Night of the Living Dead (the SSRIs as the Beatles) play the Rickshaw. With "Ice Cream Social vs. East Van Soul Club" behind the decks.
One Baby (members of Baptists, Congress, and Slow Learners covering Nirvana) play a special Friday night edition of one of my favourite monthlies, Junior High.
And, Mode Moderne, Korean Gut, members of Sutures, the Courtneys, and (again) Mode Moderne, members of Bummer High, High Drops, and Timecopz, and members of Indian Wars, My Friend Wallis, and Student Teacher are rocking another covers show at 360 Glen.
Tomorrow:
The Rickshaw hosts the Defektors as AC/DC, White Lung as the Wipers & Misfits, Peace as the Cramps, and Aquanaut as Sabbath.
Glory Days hosts its annual Halloween dance party.
Man Your Horse, Blake, Tasty Animals, and Whiskey Tooth play Montmartre Cafe.
Square Root of Evil play Zoo Zhop.
Sunday:
Chariots, N213, Lief Hall, and Colby Sparks play the Astoria.
Monday:
Bitch Moves, Night Mirrors, and Zoo play Zoo Zhop.
And the Biltmore hosts the Ramores (Ramones covers) and Teenagers from Mars (Misfits covers).
now playing: Chelsea Wolfe - Demons
Labels: halloween, show announcements
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
we could have had it all
Adele's show tonight at the Orpheum is canceled (as per Exclaim!). Official word is that laryngitis is keeping the British crooner from performing.
Edit: official word from the promoter is that the show is postponed, so hold on to your tickets and keep an eye out for a rescheduled date.
Labels: show announcements
Monday, May 23, 2011
free love is a sales technique
So, I've never heard of This Will Destroy You, but when their show got canceled yesterday (again, refunds available at your point of purchase, if you bought tickets), I did look at the openers and think, "I hope this means Pure X and Sleep Over will reschedule." And they did. For tonight. And fellow Texans, Silent Diane, will join them and Cam "Babe Rainbow" Reed is going to DJ between sets.
If you're not too worn out from Wyrd Fest last night, it's only $5. Plus, if you really want to keep your long weekend party going strong, you can head over to the Tiki Room after the show for Ice Cream Social.
Excuse the crappy picture of Grown Ups. I was too lazy to pack around my actual camera for 7-hours. But, speaking of Wyrd Fest, it was absolutely awesome last night.
With that many bands playing, there were high points and low points, but with 20 acts and non-stop music between the two stages, it would have been exhausting if I'd wanted to watch every minute of every band.
As for the high points, there were a lot, but Famines absolutely slayed. I haven't seen them for a few years and remembered them being great the last time, but they exceeded those expectations. Gobble Gobble turned the Waldorf's Tiki Room into a wall to wall dance party. In fact, it was so crammed in there, it would have been nice if they were on the main room stage, but they definitely more than made due in the smaller space. Somehow, it was my first time seeing Manic Attracts--it won't be the last time.
Thanks again to Paul from Weird Canada for letting me give away a pair of tickets to the show. And, of course, for bringing the show to Vancouver. Don't miss it next year.
now playing: Pure X - Back Where I Began
Labels: famines, gobble gobble, manic attracts, show announcements, show recaps, weird canada
Friday, March 04, 2011
input select
On Saturday, W2 hosts Utopia Festival: Women in Digital Culture. The festival features live performances, DJ and VJ sets, a conference, and a mobile dance party. Check out all the details here.
On March 18th, VIVO hosts the Drop In/Drop Out Video Arts Expo. Animal Bodies, Channels 3+4, Magneticring, Holzkopf, and Crystal Dorval all play live, but the focus is a showcase of interactive audio/visual work. If you've got a talent for the latter, you can apply to be part of the exhibition here.
Oh, and another reminder that tonight there's a whole wack of awesome shows, so go see some live music.
now playing: Adele feat. Childish Gambino - Rolling in the Deep (Jamie xx Remix)
Labels: show announcements
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
friday, i'm in love
So, I don't often talk about out-of-town shows (especially ones that I can't attend), but 1) this poster is awesome and 2) it ties into this Friday
If, by chance, you're not from Vancouver and are going to be in Austin for SXSW, get a great introduction to what's going on here by checking out the Music Waste/Olio Festival joint showcase.
Us locals can get a preview on Friday at the Cobalt at the MW/Olio joint fundraiser... and, hey, if that's not up your alley (or even if it is), your choices on the 4th sort of border on overwhelming. My current plans are to be at the Biltmore for B-Lines/White Lung/Nu Sensae, but I reserve the right to change my mind and head over to the Lion's Den for Koban... or the CBC for Owen Pallett or... you get the point.
now playing - Muscles - Brilliance
Labels: show announcements, sxsw
Thursday, February 17, 2011
idle tomorrows
Just a heads up that the Sadies had to cancel all of their forthcoming Western Canadian dates after Dallas Good broke his leg. Refunds at point of purchase. Look for a new date in June.
Labels: show announcements
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
we'll talk about the weather or how the weather used to be
A few shows of note:
First, is Thor Fest, a February 27th fundraiser so this fuzzy little dude can get a tooth extracted and avoid serious medical complications. Half Chinese, We Make Earthquakes, Katie Caron et al., Amor de Cosmos, Fine Mist, Jenny Ritter, Nihilist Party, Aunts & Uncles, Haiku Charlie, Unreliable Narrator, Garland & Yarn, and Elliot & Jo (from SSRIs) all lend their talents. It's a house show at Sophia & 13th and everything gets rolling at 3pm.
Scratch/Interurban Gallery hosts the release party of the Mint/CiTR Pop Alliance Compilation LP on February 24th. The show (thus far) features Slam Dunk, Role Mach, Shane Turner Overdrive, and Fanshaw, with more to be announced. You can check the compilation details here.
now playing: Cut Copy Take Me Over
Labels: show announcements
Thursday, January 20, 2011
take me away to nowhere plains
So, I rarely point out new shows, just because pointing out every new show takes a ridiculous amount of time, but it's worth noting that the Pixies are at the Orpheum on May 3rd, where they'll play Doolittle front-to-back. Presale tix are on tomorrow at the ungodly hour of 9am EST (yeah, you read that right) at their official website and the regular on-sale is a week later (though at 9am local time).
The first time I saw the Pixies on their initial reunion tour, I didn't think I could pick a better setlist--they played pretty much everything I could have dreamed of hearing. But now that this reunion seems to have become pretty permanent, I can't think of a better tour to see them on than this one.
Labels: pixies, show announcements
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
out of the darkness and into the fire
Since it's almost that time, here's a quick recap of what's going down on New Year's Eve:
The Biltmore hosts the 4th(?) edition of the Winter Social, Ice Cream Social's annual December 31st bash. Tix are available at Scratch, Red Cat, Zulu, and the Biltmore off-sales counter.
Unfamiliar, eatArt, Love Dancing, and Arbutus records are throwing a pretty great looking party at the eatArt labs. Paula from Silly Kissers, Blue Hawaii, Grimes, Resorts, Makeout Videotape, and Sean Nicholas Savage all play live and Cadence Weapon and No Gold both take turns behind the decks. Tix are... sold out. Sorry.
NYE at the Waldorf features John Maus, Geneva Jaccuzi, and TRS-80 live, along with a whole wack of DJs in the various rooms. Tix are available here.
Goody and the Winnie Cooper gang host Blood Diamonds, Oh No! Yoko, and Autacoid. Tix are available here.
The Railway hosts Fuzzcat, Go Ghetto Tiger, and Strange Magic. Tix are available at the Railway or by phone at (604) 681-1625.
And, the Astoria welcomes 2011 with Rad Times New Year's. Tix are at the door.
now playing: the Walkmen - "In the New Year"
Labels: nye 2011, show announcements
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
unhappy birthday
This isn't a live show, but Saturday, if love all things Morrissey, or alternately, like me, think he's a bit of a dick, but love his music, head down the the Astoria on Satruday for Merry Smithsmas: the Smiths Xmas Party. It's $6 to get in, but if you wear a Moz style shirt or come clutching a bouquet, you'll get a break on cover. It's free if you have a Smiths or Morrissey tattoo.
Speaking of free, Zulu hosts a free show with the Salteens on Sunday. Show starts at 6pm.
Oh, and it wouldn't be right for me to neglect mentioning Chris-a-riffic's set at Ben Lai's birthday soiree at the Railway last night. The music, which was, as per usual, pretty great, wasn't the story, but Chris had some comedy gold going with his stage banter. Here's hoping the wisecracks sneak their way into all of his sets from here on out.
now playing: Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend
Labels: free shows, lazy show recaps, show announcements
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
fire up the blades
On Saturday at the Astoria, there's a show that some of you might be interested in. "North American Spearhead" and "Wolvozomberine" headline a show with Gloryhole and Broken Hands. Advance tix are at Bonerattle Music on the Drive.
On December 12th, the Biltmore hosts a vintage good fair and also music by Juvenile Hall, the Burnettes, and Eating Out. It goes from 10am-5pm, presumably with the music spread out over the afternoon.
And, last but not least, extend the season in which you got to work all bleary eyed and hungover every Wednesday by celebrating Ben Lai's birthday with Safety Show, Fine Mist, WZERDZ, and Chris-a-riffic at the Railway on December 14th, which also happens to be the Tuesday after the Shindig finale.
now playing: the Canucks vs Avs
Labels: show announcements
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
waterworks
Starting things off on a sombre note, with the news that the "force behind the scenes" at Copperspine Records, Tony Luscombe, passed away suddenly last week. Some of his friends are getting together to remember Tony at a show on November 14th at the Railway, where you can come down to celebrate his life and enjoy some of the great music he helped put out. I hope you'll join me in sending sincere condolences to his friends and family.
Here's Leah Abramson performing a song from my favourite Copperspine release.
If you enjoyed XO Fridays at the Waldorf the last two weekends, you're about to be disappointed, because it's been canceled due to "not fitting with (the Waldorf's) 'cultural programming.'" On the bright side, the Maluca/DJ Eleven show that was supposed to go down at the Waldorf is now free at Fortune on the same night.
On November 16th, CiTR starts their annual "fundrive," which culminates with one hell of a show on the 25th. Check out the expanding list of bands on Facebook and get prepared to hear them all covering hits (and probably some not so popular songs) of the 90s.
now playing: Guided by Voices - 14 Cheerleader Coldfront
Labels: leah abramson, show announcements
Saturday, October 30, 2010
untogether
Just a heads up that Women have canceled their early show at the Biltmore. Nu Sensae and Makeout Videotape have now been added to Glory Days, which opens at 9pm instead of midnight.
Exclaim! is reporting that the band had a blowout last night on stage in Vic and may now be broken up.
Unfortunately, since they sold so many tix for Glory Days, the Biltmore won't be able to honour both Women and Glory Days tickets, so if you had tickets to the show, you'll have to grab a refund at your point of purchase.
Labels: show announcements, women
Thursday, October 28, 2010
die, die my darling
In case you forgot, Halloween's right around the corner. Here's (most) of what's going down...
Friday:
A new My!Gay!Husband! weekly XO christens the brand new Waldorf one day ahead of the official grand opening. Black Wizard, Heavy Chains, and War Baby play live early (8pm-midnight) and there's DJs in all three rooms until 2am. Check the Facebook event page (which, appropriately, currently boasts 666 "attending") for all the details.
Mode Moderne, Dead Ghosts, Cowards, Modern Creatures, Manic Atracts play an all covers show at the Astoria.
Fortune hosts the Team Canada DJ's Happy Ending Halloween. No live acts, but you can get the whole DJ line up here.
The Commercial Drive legion hosts the Witches and Warlocks Ball with BlackBerry Wood, Creaking Planks, and Timothy Wisdom.
Saturday:
The big one is the Waldorf's official grand opening. It's free, Rodney Graham, Animal Bodies, and Joyce Collingwood all play live, and you can expect that it'll be packed... so get their early if you want to get in.
Glory Days celebrates All Hallows Eve with Neverland, a Michael Jackson cover band, and Bogus Tokus performing all punk covers as Harsh Tokes.
The Chapel hosts the Heebeegeebees Finale Party with Love & Electrik and Peter Breeze.
And, Head Hits Concrete, State of Minefield, Sick, and Hand of the Horsewitch play Funky Winkerbean's.
Let Me Buy U, Anne Drank Vol. 2 (Halloween Edition) by Babe Rainbow
If you need a Halloween soundtrack, and aren't using this weekend as an excuse to play the Misfits for 48-hours straight, Babe Rainbow has 45-minutes of spooky chopped and screwed goodness via the second installment of the Let Me Buy U, Anne Drank mixtape series. Click the link above to download it.
now playing: Misfits - Skulls
Labels: mp3, show announcements
Friday, October 22, 2010
o wake
There are a lot of things I could say about a given band, but one of the strongest statements you can make about anything is to put your money where your mouth is. So, while I've sung the praises of Fine Mist on many occasions, this time my opinion comes backed by sizable chunk of my expendable income. Quite a few months ago now, I was drunkenly (the state when all of my best/worst music related ideas are formed) chatting with Megan about the album that she and Jay were putting the finishing touches on. As my state of mind at the time was fairly one track, namely, "when in the Hell can I get this record," when she told me they were having trouble finding a label, I immediately slurred, "I want to put it out."
There's two things to note here. One, thankfully, she didn't hold me exactly to my word, because putting out an LP (on 180g vinyl, no less) is way more expensive than I naively thought, so there's no way I could afford the entire thing. And two, while that story makes it sound like a combination of my big mouth and a few too many roped me into this, I couldn't be prouder to be a part of Public Domain.
I could go on about the music, but I'm obviously biased, so I'll leave you with the Straight, who called the record "ludicrously fun" and Exclaim! who deemed it "one of the best records to come out of the West Coast this year". Honestly though, what do critics know? So, head over to the CBC Radio 3 website, where you can stream the whole thing.
You can order Public Domain online by following the directions here, pick it up at one of the bands shows (their next one is this Saturday at the China Cloud), or buy it from Red Cat, Scratch, Zoo Zhop, or Zulu. Or, if you really want, and you live in Mt. Pleasant/Fairview or are at UBC during the day, I'll bring one to you for $12 (how's that for service?).
Megan and Jay play tomorrow night at the China Cloud with Lakefield and PaperSailBoat and they'll be having an official-a-few-months-late release party on November 27th at Glory Days with No Gold.
now playing: Fine Mist - Palm Trees
Labels: fine mist, show announcements
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
metal detector
First, bad news: the old Scratch space (christened, appropriately, Scratch on Dick's after the retail space moved to Gastown and it started hosting shows), is no more.
The Duffy & the Doubters show scheduled for this Saturday is now at Anti-Social and they're looking for venues for the rest.
Now, good news: the Waldorf celebrates its reopening (though they'll be officially be open for business the night before) with a massive free Halloween party on October 30th. Rodney Graham, Animal Bodies, and Joyce Collingwood perform live, but there's a lot of other stuff going on. Check out the full itinerary on Facebook.
And, as a reminder to myself, because I always find a way to miss it, on November 13th, SK Robot put on their annual, "Guided by Robots" show at the ANZA, featuring a set of GbV covers by the band and the GbV karaoke following. As always, all proceed go towards the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter.
Labels: no fun city, show announcements, waldorf
Thursday, October 07, 2010
string lake
Tonight the Chapel kicks of a month's worth of Thursday (art and music) shows called Heebeegeebees.
Babe Rainbow and Tassels are up tonight, White Lung and Koban (that's enough to get me out on a weekday) follow on the 14th, Myths and Haunted Beard play the 21st, and Raccoons and DBL Dragon play the 28th. The whole thing concludes on the 30th for a Halloween party featuring Love & Electrik and Peter Breeze.
Ache records is turning 10 years old this year! To celebrate, they're having a massive sale on all their releases from October 15th-November 26th. In addition to some shows (Oct 15th/16th - check the sidebar), there will be an Ache night at Zulu on October 21st from 7-9pm and also an Ache pop-up shop at Toast Collective on Oct 20th and 27th and Nov 3rd and 10th.
now playing: Needles//Pins - Rabies Jump
Labels: ache, show announcements
Thursday, September 30, 2010
but i'm not working for you
It's sort of unfortunately timed with this extra dose of summer that we're getting today, but tonight Zulu hosts a "vinyl appreciation night," featuring free drinks and discounts on wax from 7pm-9pm.
Also at Zulu, on Sunday at 4pm, they help celebrate the release of the book, The Top 100 Canadian Singles. No offense to the Guess Who, but the Band got robbed on that one.
And while we're talking Zulu, it's worth mentioning that Superchunk is doing an in-store on the 13th before their show at the Biltmore. They're on at 3pm, so you'll need to duck out of work/school early for that one.
now playing: Guided by Voices - Tractor Rape Chain (live last night[!] in Dallas)
Labels: show announcements, zulu
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
the cars on fire and there's no driver at the wheel
It's been almost 10-years since Godspeed You! Black Emperor played Vancouver (back before they misplaced the exclamation mark), and while it'll be a few months more before you can actually see them again, you can buy tickets for the February show at Zulu, Red Cat, Scratch, and from the Vogue box office on Saturday at 10am. (thanks Sean)
now playing: Idlewild - Actually, It's Darkness
Labels: gybe, show announcements
Friday, September 10, 2010
in the moonlight, in the moonlight we can get it right
Two quick things:
1) A gentle reminder that Fine Mist plays the Agro Cafe on Granville Island (re-named the Fringe Bar for Fringe Fest) tonight! Show starts at 10:30pm.
2) My review of the Block Party is up on Exclaim.ca
now playing: Fine Mist - Because It's the Ocean
Labels: exclaim, self-aggrandizing, show announcements, victory square block party
