Tuesday, September 30, 2008
let's all be ian curtis
Photo by Lindsay Elliott
On Saturday, I made my way down to the Sweatshop to check out Taxes. The sound wasn't stellar, but the band was in their usual fine form.
We Are Wolves dropped in after their show for a DJ set, which wasn't like A-Trak dropping in for a DJ set or anything, but I've heard much worse from bands behind turntables.
Fake Shark-Real Zombie are at the Biltmore on October 16th with the Green Hour and Sports.
The Doers and gr8-2000 play at Budgie's on October 17th. The evening also features a burrito eating contest.
The Emergency Room hosts a Black Sabbath tribute night on Halloween. Speaking of, if you're having trouble finding it, you can email me for directions.
AIDS Wolf is at the Biltmore with Shearing Pinx on November 24th.
And, Twin Crystals are at Geronimo Wednesday at Pub 340 tomorrow to kick of their tour. You may or may not have noticed that I haven't been posting any shows at 340, despite the fact that some good people are still doing good things there. A few friends of mine got fired, with zero notice, for essentially no reason, when the bar cleaned house, so while I've got nothing against anyone who finds themselves patronizing the place or playing, especially when you think of the lack of venues in the city, barring a change of management, you're still not going to read a lot about the place here. But, Jesse went out of his way to ask me to post about their show tomorrow. And hey, if you're going to go there, tomorrow is a good night to do it.
Before anyone brings it up, I'm aware that there are plenty of good reasons to boycott other venues around town, but this one hit a bit closer to home.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
til i felt the floor
Here is a quick and dirty weekend update in two parts:
1) You know how you can get Unibroue products in six packs at private liquor stores now? Well, you can. You know how they're all at least 8% (except for Ephemere, which is sort of gross anyhow)? Well, they are.
Well don't drink most of one of those and then a bunch of other beer when you get to the Cobalt, or you will find yourself leaving before Taxes plays. Japandroids, Basketball, and Baby Control were all pretty awesome though. It was my first time seeing the latter, despite many half-hearted attempts. Worth the wait.
2) On Saturday, I missed Edgefest at Hoko's, the Vancouver Festival of Noise at Video In... I mean "VIVO"... and Modern Creatures w/Culte du Cargo because I had Black Mountain tickets.
It was my grandmother's birthday, so I didn't make it into the Commodore until Ladyhawk had already started. I want to say it's the first time that I've seen them since I got my hands on Shots, but that might be a lie. Regardless, while I'll take Ladyhawk on a bad day over most anybody, they really were something else on the big stage in the Ballroom.
The headliners weren't to be outdone though. Last time I saw Black Mountain, it got a little too drawn out at times for my taste. And while the band stretched things out here and there, the jammy bits were mostly a chance for McBean to demonstrate some killer riffage. Plus, the one time that the proceedings started to border on meandering (a organ playing chords while Amber sort of wailed over top for about 15 minutes), it was a good chance to head to the washroom (they don't fuck around with lengthy encore breaks, that's for sure). Oh, and "Don't Run Our Hearts Around" cemented itself as one of my favourite live songs ever.
The Cons are at Richard's on June 26th. Their newie hits stores next week, and while my jury is still deliberating their final verdict, stylistically it's a pretty good mix of all three of their previous albums and that ain't bad at all. I'd be bummed that I'll in Calgary when they're here... except I'll be in Calgary to see Wire.
And you can break the bank for Feist at Deer Lake on August 5th. You can buy an iPod (shuffle) for the price of a pair of tix... although the Shuffle will probably last the same length as the show. (thanks to Chris for the last two)
Dead Meadow are at Richard's on May 18th.
Oasis and Ryan Adams headline the "50% Chance of Unexplained Cancellation Tour 2008" at the Garage on August 27th. (thanks Matt)
Oh, and I'll do hyperlinks when I'm not in a rush and/or procrastinating from writing other stuff, like now.
Double-oh, if you're willing to stay up until obscenely late, apparently Radiohead tix for the entire second leg go on-sale via WASTE at sometime around 3am tonight. fun. If I stay up all night, they better be doing that "headzone" thing again.
now playing: Constantines - Time Can Be Overcome
Monday, February 25, 2008
damaged enough
I was going to take it sort of easy this weekend, but there was a ton of stuff going on, so that resolution became one those "who am I kidding?" statements.
On Friday, I headed down to the Astoria to catch Twin Crystals. They weren't as intense and loud as last time I've seen them, but that wasn't worse per se, just different. Jesse only rocked a guitar on the first song, with the rest of the set being characterized by he and Jeremiah's dueling synths. Oh, and just because it was less loud, doesn't mean it wasn't loud enough.
They've got a super-limited (50 copies) lathe cut 10" up for sale at Summer Lovers Unlimited that I should order soon.
I'm pretty into Taxes at the worst of times, but they were on fire on Friday. Best performance of their's that I've seen for sure. When Twin Crystals took the stage, Jesse quipped that he "(didn't) know how (they) could follow Taxes." Usually such statements - even when the opening band really delivers - are a polite way to give a nod to whomever went on before you, but as good as Twin Crystals consistently are, he may have had a legitimate point that night. That's not taking anything away from Twin Crystals, Taxes were just really on point.
I bailed during Owl Drugs first song. That's not a reflection on them, since I wasn't even there long enough to form a proper opinion, but I was still under the false impression that I was going to have a relaxed (and sleep filled) Friday/Saturday.
On Saturday, I started things off at Hoko's, getting there in time for Nihilist Party. I was down with the beats, but less down with the rhymes (well, vocals, not necessarily "rhymes"). But there are worse side dishes for your sushi, I suppose.
Terrorbird were up next, and were playing as a two-piece. Good stuff as usual, though when they had the extra keys, they definitely added something to the overall product.
Nu Sensae were their usual wonderful selves: loud and fast. So fast, in fact, that I stepped out for a moment and missed most of their set. My loss.
gr8-2000 finished things off with his frenetic brand of electro. Tom, as always, was full of boundless energy, and was also having fun throwing thinly veiled barbs at the people chatting in the back.
And also worth a mention (and some praise): Ben from Crystal Beard was there with the lovely ladies who do videos at BtL to provide some added visual flavour to the evening.
I was going to head to the Biltmore after that, but apparently they've been rezoned and can only stay open until 1am now, so it was off to the Emergency Room.
I got there in time for Mutators, whom I have nothing new to say about... favourite live act in Vancouver... slayed... etc. etc. etc.
Actually, on that note, Shearing Pinx were up next, and my sentiments are similar: quality as usual.
The main event of the evening was Monotonix, who were here all the way from Tel Aviv. To put it succinctly, they were mind blowing.
I was standing around wondering when they were going to start when my question was answered by a drum cymbal that was thrust in the air... on fire. From there it was about an hour of absolute madness. Throw their name into google, and you'll note that Vancouver isn't the only place that's been totally destroyed by these guys.
The recorded material just isn't the same, but if they ever come back, definitely go see them.
And if you were there, no, that wasn't Frank Zappa.
Speaking of Twin Crystals, they're kicking off their tour (which takes them down to SXSW and back) on Friday at the ER. Nu Sensae, Basketball, and Adjective are going to help give them a proper send off. Justin, Jesse, and Benjamin spin records after the bands.
Attack in Black and Smoosh open up the Tokyo Police Club show on May 16th at the Plaza.
Atmosphere is at the Commodore on May 14th with Abstract Rude
Mutators and Modern Creatures are having a fundraiser for the epic (seriously, check the dates) tour that they're set to embark on this Spring/Summer on April 26th at the ER.
The SSRIs are giving away their music. I haven't listened yet, but if you like it, make sure you toss them some money by paying to see them play... but that goes without saying.
Speaking of free music, if you haven't already checked out the latest Radio Zero podcast, you should get on that. All of them are quality, but #47 features one of my favourite tracks from the (sadly) now-defunct local unit, Fuck Me USA, "Infinite Slope."
now playing: Radio Zero Podcast (December 9th, 2005)
Friday, February 22, 2008
pythagorian love triangle
Promo Pile: Vol. 8
Taxes - Crystal Gravy
There are only two problems with Taxes' self-released EP. One is that the rather lo-fi sounding recording betrays how much bang and clatter they produce live. And the second is that it's so short.
Crystal Gravy finds four familiar Vancouver faces combing their past and present affiliations (Go Go Stop, Ghosthouse, WPP, Plus Perfect, Safety Show, Weather Pines, and a million other projects), taking all the loudest bits, and throwing them together into a neat little package.
I'm going to leave it at that, because you know what is better than my crappy review? Checking them out for yourself tonight at the Astoria. Taxes are on at 10:30pm and Owl Drugs and Twin Crystals follow.
You can still grab an mp3 of "The Suburbs Are Killing Us" here
Sunday, February 03, 2008
death letter
If you're going to go out, you might as well go out with a bang, and that is just what the now defunct Tooth & Dagger did on Friday. I also snuck off early and caught the last half of Basketball at the Astoria.
I'm kind of tired, so I'll just leave you with (poorly composed) photos (due to alcohol consumption)... plus, I've talked about all of these bands before. All that past praise still holds true.
Sex Attack are totally facebooking you while they play tunes.
No Gold, pre-set
No Gold in action
Last time I saw the By-Products, their drummer complained that I didn't get any photos of him. So here is one.
They should've renamed themselves "football" just for this weekend.
now playing: Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You
let's all be ian curtis
Photo by Lindsay Elliott
On Saturday, I made my way down to the Sweatshop to check out Taxes. The sound wasn't stellar, but the band was in their usual fine form.
We Are Wolves dropped in after their show for a DJ set, which wasn't like A-Trak dropping in for a DJ set or anything, but I've heard much worse from bands behind turntables.
Fake Shark-Real Zombie are at the Biltmore on October 16th with the Green Hour and Sports.
The Doers and gr8-2000 play at Budgie's on October 17th. The evening also features a burrito eating contest.
The Emergency Room hosts a Black Sabbath tribute night on Halloween. Speaking of, if you're having trouble finding it, you can email me for directions.
AIDS Wolf is at the Biltmore with Shearing Pinx on November 24th.
And, Twin Crystals are at Geronimo Wednesday at Pub 340 tomorrow to kick of their tour. You may or may not have noticed that I haven't been posting any shows at 340, despite the fact that some good people are still doing good things there. A few friends of mine got fired, with zero notice, for essentially no reason, when the bar cleaned house, so while I've got nothing against anyone who finds themselves patronizing the place or playing, especially when you think of the lack of venues in the city, barring a change of management, you're still not going to read a lot about the place here. But, Jesse went out of his way to ask me to post about their show tomorrow. And hey, if you're going to go there, tomorrow is a good night to do it.
Before anyone brings it up, I'm aware that there are plenty of good reasons to boycott other venues around town, but this one hit a bit closer to home.
Labels: pub 340, show announcements, show recaps, taxes
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
til i felt the floor
By "real post later," I meant way later, obviously.
Here is a quick and dirty weekend update in two parts:
1) You know how you can get Unibroue products in six packs at private liquor stores now? Well, you can. You know how they're all at least 8% (except for Ephemere, which is sort of gross anyhow)? Well, they are.
Well don't drink most of one of those and then a bunch of other beer when you get to the Cobalt, or you will find yourself leaving before Taxes plays. Japandroids, Basketball, and Baby Control were all pretty awesome though. It was my first time seeing the latter, despite many half-hearted attempts. Worth the wait.
2) On Saturday, I missed Edgefest at Hoko's, the Vancouver Festival of Noise at Video In... I mean "VIVO"... and Modern Creatures w/Culte du Cargo because I had Black Mountain tickets.
It was my grandmother's birthday, so I didn't make it into the Commodore until Ladyhawk had already started. I want to say it's the first time that I've seen them since I got my hands on Shots, but that might be a lie. Regardless, while I'll take Ladyhawk on a bad day over most anybody, they really were something else on the big stage in the Ballroom.
The headliners weren't to be outdone though. Last time I saw Black Mountain, it got a little too drawn out at times for my taste. And while the band stretched things out here and there, the jammy bits were mostly a chance for McBean to demonstrate some killer riffage. Plus, the one time that the proceedings started to border on meandering (a organ playing chords while Amber sort of wailed over top for about 15 minutes), it was a good chance to head to the washroom (they don't fuck around with lengthy encore breaks, that's for sure). Oh, and "Don't Run Our Hearts Around" cemented itself as one of my favourite live songs ever.
The Cons are at Richard's on June 26th. Their newie hits stores next week, and while my jury is still deliberating their final verdict, stylistically it's a pretty good mix of all three of their previous albums and that ain't bad at all. I'd be bummed that I'll in Calgary when they're here... except I'll be in Calgary to see Wire.
And you can break the bank for Feist at Deer Lake on August 5th. You can buy an iPod (shuffle) for the price of a pair of tix... although the Shuffle will probably last the same length as the show. (thanks to Chris for the last two)
Dead Meadow are at Richard's on May 18th.
Oasis and Ryan Adams headline the "50% Chance of Unexplained Cancellation Tour 2008" at the Garage on August 27th. (thanks Matt)
Oh, and I'll do hyperlinks when I'm not in a rush and/or procrastinating from writing other stuff, like now.
Double-oh, if you're willing to stay up until obscenely late, apparently Radiohead tix for the entire second leg go on-sale via WASTE at sometime around 3am tonight. fun. If I stay up all night, they better be doing that "headzone" thing again.
now playing: Constantines - Time Can Be Overcome
Labels: baby control, basketball, black mountain, japandroids, ladyhawk, taxes
Monday, February 25, 2008
damaged enough
I was going to take it sort of easy this weekend, but there was a ton of stuff going on, so that resolution became one those "who am I kidding?" statements.
On Friday, I headed down to the Astoria to catch Twin Crystals. They weren't as intense and loud as last time I've seen them, but that wasn't worse per se, just different. Jesse only rocked a guitar on the first song, with the rest of the set being characterized by he and Jeremiah's dueling synths. Oh, and just because it was less loud, doesn't mean it wasn't loud enough.
They've got a super-limited (50 copies) lathe cut 10" up for sale at Summer Lovers Unlimited that I should order soon.
I'm pretty into Taxes at the worst of times, but they were on fire on Friday. Best performance of their's that I've seen for sure. When Twin Crystals took the stage, Jesse quipped that he "(didn't) know how (they) could follow Taxes." Usually such statements - even when the opening band really delivers - are a polite way to give a nod to whomever went on before you, but as good as Twin Crystals consistently are, he may have had a legitimate point that night. That's not taking anything away from Twin Crystals, Taxes were just really on point.
I bailed during Owl Drugs first song. That's not a reflection on them, since I wasn't even there long enough to form a proper opinion, but I was still under the false impression that I was going to have a relaxed (and sleep filled) Friday/Saturday.
On Saturday, I started things off at Hoko's, getting there in time for Nihilist Party. I was down with the beats, but less down with the rhymes (well, vocals, not necessarily "rhymes"). But there are worse side dishes for your sushi, I suppose.
Terrorbird were up next, and were playing as a two-piece. Good stuff as usual, though when they had the extra keys, they definitely added something to the overall product.
Nu Sensae were their usual wonderful selves: loud and fast. So fast, in fact, that I stepped out for a moment and missed most of their set. My loss.
gr8-2000 finished things off with his frenetic brand of electro. Tom, as always, was full of boundless energy, and was also having fun throwing thinly veiled barbs at the people chatting in the back.
And also worth a mention (and some praise): Ben from Crystal Beard was there with the lovely ladies who do videos at BtL to provide some added visual flavour to the evening.
I was going to head to the Biltmore after that, but apparently they've been rezoned and can only stay open until 1am now, so it was off to the Emergency Room.
I got there in time for Mutators, whom I have nothing new to say about... favourite live act in Vancouver... slayed... etc. etc. etc.
Actually, on that note, Shearing Pinx were up next, and my sentiments are similar: quality as usual.
The main event of the evening was Monotonix, who were here all the way from Tel Aviv. To put it succinctly, they were mind blowing.
I was standing around wondering when they were going to start when my question was answered by a drum cymbal that was thrust in the air... on fire. From there it was about an hour of absolute madness. Throw their name into google, and you'll note that Vancouver isn't the only place that's been totally destroyed by these guys.
The recorded material just isn't the same, but if they ever come back, definitely go see them.
And if you were there, no, that wasn't Frank Zappa.
Speaking of Twin Crystals, they're kicking off their tour (which takes them down to SXSW and back) on Friday at the ER. Nu Sensae, Basketball, and Adjective are going to help give them a proper send off. Justin, Jesse, and Benjamin spin records after the bands.
Attack in Black and Smoosh open up the Tokyo Police Club show on May 16th at the Plaza.
Atmosphere is at the Commodore on May 14th with Abstract Rude
Mutators and Modern Creatures are having a fundraiser for the epic (seriously, check the dates) tour that they're set to embark on this Spring/Summer on April 26th at the ER.
The SSRIs are giving away their music. I haven't listened yet, but if you like it, make sure you toss them some money by paying to see them play... but that goes without saying.
Speaking of free music, if you haven't already checked out the latest Radio Zero podcast, you should get on that. All of them are quality, but #47 features one of my favourite tracks from the (sadly) now-defunct local unit, Fuck Me USA, "Infinite Slope."
now playing: Radio Zero Podcast (December 9th, 2005)
Labels: gr8-2000, monotonix, mutators, nihilist party, nu sensae, shearing pinx, show announcements, show recaps, ssris, taxes, terrorbird, twin crystals
Friday, February 22, 2008
pythagorian love triangle
Promo Pile: Vol. 8
Taxes - Crystal Gravy
There are only two problems with Taxes' self-released EP. One is that the rather lo-fi sounding recording betrays how much bang and clatter they produce live. And the second is that it's so short.
Crystal Gravy finds four familiar Vancouver faces combing their past and present affiliations (Go Go Stop, Ghosthouse, WPP, Plus Perfect, Safety Show, Weather Pines, and a million other projects), taking all the loudest bits, and throwing them together into a neat little package.
I'm going to leave it at that, because you know what is better than my crappy review? Checking them out for yourself tonight at the Astoria. Taxes are on at 10:30pm and Owl Drugs and Twin Crystals follow.
You can still grab an mp3 of "The Suburbs Are Killing Us" here
Labels: promo pile, taxes
Sunday, February 03, 2008
death letter
If you're going to go out, you might as well go out with a bang, and that is just what the now defunct Tooth & Dagger did on Friday. I also snuck off early and caught the last half of Basketball at the Astoria.
I'm kind of tired, so I'll just leave you with (poorly composed) photos (due to alcohol consumption)... plus, I've talked about all of these bands before. All that past praise still holds true.
Sex Attack are totally facebooking you while they play tunes.
No Gold, pre-set
No Gold in action
Last time I saw the By-Products, their drummer complained that I didn't get any photos of him. So here is one.
They should've renamed themselves "football" just for this weekend.
now playing: Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You
Labels: basketball, lazy show recaps, no gold, petroleum by-products, sex attack, taxes
