Saturday, September 08, 2007
it's getting better all the time
Considering that their show at the Commodore last year sold out in a couple weeks (maybe faster?), it's a bit of a shame that Wolf Parade ended up booked into the significantly smaller confines of Richard's last night. Even with Spoon playing the same evening, there were probably more than a few people who got shut out of this one.
The band were in a pretty good mood for a (sort of) homecoming show, and seemed excited to debut a bunch of new tunes. It was, as expected, the older songs that got the best crowd response, but the new songs bode well for the band's forthcoming sophomore full-length. It's hard to pick out a highlight from the main set, but the one-two closing punch of "Shine a Light" and "I'll Believe in Anything" was a pretty fantastic way to close things out.
I stand by what I said about the venue, because it's unfortunate that everyone who wanted to see the show couldn't get in (I imagine it was scheduling thing), but for anyone who was there, it was nice to catch them in a more "intimate" venue. Especially a more intimate venue that isn't a total sweatbox/fire trap (see: this).
I got there late, so I didn't catch any of Holy Fuck, save for the tail end of their last song.
Side note: it's perfectly understandable that when people are jostling around a bit at a show, you'll sometimes find that you end up in front/behind someone else, but if you actually go out of your way to barge in front of the two very sweet looking (and also very short) girls, turn around and say "sorry," as if that makes up for it, and then continue to carry on like a bit of a jackass after you blocked their view and nudged them out of the way, you're worse than a jackass. When one of you leaves, the one who remains really shouldn't pull up another friend, so he can once again shove said girls and once again block their view. Also, while I've seen my share of washed up/shitty bands, buying and then wearing a Silverchair t-shirt from their 2007 tour is the equivalent of rocking a Weezer shirt from the Make Believe tour. In other words, not the most awesome decision. Although, it is a better decision than feeling up the homely chick that you shoved your way up to the front with. Normally, I wouldn't pick on such things, but if you act like an asshole, you sort of deserve to have the piss taken out of you, no?
exhibit A:
exhibit B:
I was late for Wolf Parade, because I dropped by the Welcome Back BBQ at UBC after work. I've got mad respect for Buck 65 as an artist, but I've never really been that into him personally. I've got to say that he was really impressive live though. Dude knows how to entertain, and while he's not A-trak or anything, he has some decent scratch-dj chops as well.
If you were shut out of Girl Talk the other night, here's what it looked like:
The girl next to Greg Gillis in this photo totally knows the best play that he can make in Scrabulous next... look at the concentration. "I know it shouldn't be a real word but 'qi' totally counts, I swear."
Thunderheist is in there somewhere.
Isis (from TH) pre-stage invasion and pre-extreme intoxication from that bottle of vodka.
Khaela from the Blow... she's laughing at all the suckers who were buying beer instead of paying attention to her.
I forgot to list it, but I suggest heading down to Abbott St. in Gastown tomorrow sometime between 2pm-8pm for the Livestock Block Party. Check the details.
now playing: Spaceman 3 - Che
Friday, September 07, 2007
once again
The Blow, who consist entirely of Khaela Maricich, started off the show with little fanfare. In fact, she was partway into her first chorus before I realized she was playing. Khaela didn't make any attempt to grab the attention of the chattering crowd (the bulk of whom were queuing up for drinks), and instead geared her performance towards the steadily increasing group of people who gathered up close enough to enjoy her set. From further way, you might find her attitude a bit blase or too-cool-for-school, but up close the nonchalance translated into a performance that seemed extremely intimate, and was underscored by her casual charisma. Khaela took a request for the (I think) rarely played "Come On Petunia," and also busted out "The Sky Opens Wide Like the Tide," for "maybe the last time." It was a bit of a shame that so many people were more focused on the decision between Sleeman's and Pilsner, but for those of us that were paying attention, it was a great start to the evening.
I had no idea that people were so into Thunderheist. The affection is definitely warranted, but it was still a bit surprising to see so many people who recognized the duo's songs. They're not exactly breaking new ground musically (Only characteristically described them as "booty bass with repetitive, meaningless lyrics"), but they can sure rock a party. Isis looked like she downed an entire bottle of Grey Goose as she worked the crowd, eventually stealing a bit of Girl Talk's thunder by inviting people to fill the stage. And when they finished their set, DJ Grahmzilla kept spinning tunes as security cleared the kids away.
By now, you've already heard about Greg Gillis' rather spectacular performances, so I won't go into detail. If you were at his show in May, last nigt was more of the same, with the only notable differences being Greg dropping some fresh tracks, and also the fact that he was sporting a beard. If the crowd was still warming up during the first two acts, they were in full-on party mode by the time Girl Talk's set started, and he noted a couple of times that the audience was a pleasant surprise since College crowds can often "suck balls." Apparently, he was going to head to the home of the Student Society's VP Finance, who offered to host the official-unofficial after-party, but I don't know if actually went down or not.
If you're not at Spoon or Wolf Parade (or a million other cool things going on) tonight, you might want to check out Ghost House, Karen Foster, and Winning at Pub 340.
Oh, and if you are at Wolf Parade, you can stick around at 1/2 Alive for free after the show. Alternately, you can leave and come back, and it's only $4 with your ticket stub and stamp.
now playing: actually, I'm not allowed to play music here. It's a bit depressing.
it's getting better all the time
Considering that their show at the Commodore last year sold out in a couple weeks (maybe faster?), it's a bit of a shame that Wolf Parade ended up booked into the significantly smaller confines of Richard's last night. Even with Spoon playing the same evening, there were probably more than a few people who got shut out of this one.
The band were in a pretty good mood for a (sort of) homecoming show, and seemed excited to debut a bunch of new tunes. It was, as expected, the older songs that got the best crowd response, but the new songs bode well for the band's forthcoming sophomore full-length. It's hard to pick out a highlight from the main set, but the one-two closing punch of "Shine a Light" and "I'll Believe in Anything" was a pretty fantastic way to close things out.
I stand by what I said about the venue, because it's unfortunate that everyone who wanted to see the show couldn't get in (I imagine it was scheduling thing), but for anyone who was there, it was nice to catch them in a more "intimate" venue. Especially a more intimate venue that isn't a total sweatbox/fire trap (see: this).
I got there late, so I didn't catch any of Holy Fuck, save for the tail end of their last song.
Side note: it's perfectly understandable that when people are jostling around a bit at a show, you'll sometimes find that you end up in front/behind someone else, but if you actually go out of your way to barge in front of the two very sweet looking (and also very short) girls, turn around and say "sorry," as if that makes up for it, and then continue to carry on like a bit of a jackass after you blocked their view and nudged them out of the way, you're worse than a jackass. When one of you leaves, the one who remains really shouldn't pull up another friend, so he can once again shove said girls and once again block their view. Also, while I've seen my share of washed up/shitty bands, buying and then wearing a Silverchair t-shirt from their 2007 tour is the equivalent of rocking a Weezer shirt from the Make Believe tour. In other words, not the most awesome decision. Although, it is a better decision than feeling up the homely chick that you shoved your way up to the front with. Normally, I wouldn't pick on such things, but if you act like an asshole, you sort of deserve to have the piss taken out of you, no?
exhibit A:
exhibit B:
I was late for Wolf Parade, because I dropped by the Welcome Back BBQ at UBC after work. I've got mad respect for Buck 65 as an artist, but I've never really been that into him personally. I've got to say that he was really impressive live though. Dude knows how to entertain, and while he's not A-trak or anything, he has some decent scratch-dj chops as well.
If you were shut out of Girl Talk the other night, here's what it looked like:
The girl next to Greg Gillis in this photo totally knows the best play that he can make in Scrabulous next... look at the concentration. "I know it shouldn't be a real word but 'qi' totally counts, I swear."
Thunderheist is in there somewhere.
Isis (from TH) pre-stage invasion and pre-extreme intoxication from that bottle of vodka.
Khaela from the Blow... she's laughing at all the suckers who were buying beer instead of paying attention to her.
I forgot to list it, but I suggest heading down to Abbott St. in Gastown tomorrow sometime between 2pm-8pm for the Livestock Block Party. Check the details.
now playing: Spaceman 3 - Che
Labels: girlk talk, show recaps, the blow, thunderheist, wolf parade
Friday, September 07, 2007
once again
I actually got some decent photos of Girl Talk et al last night at the Pit, but I'm at work, so you'll have to let my words guide your imagination until tonight or tomorrow... everyone's waiting with baited breath, I'm sure.
The Blow, who consist entirely of Khaela Maricich, started off the show with little fanfare. In fact, she was partway into her first chorus before I realized she was playing. Khaela didn't make any attempt to grab the attention of the chattering crowd (the bulk of whom were queuing up for drinks), and instead geared her performance towards the steadily increasing group of people who gathered up close enough to enjoy her set. From further way, you might find her attitude a bit blase or too-cool-for-school, but up close the nonchalance translated into a performance that seemed extremely intimate, and was underscored by her casual charisma. Khaela took a request for the (I think) rarely played "Come On Petunia," and also busted out "The Sky Opens Wide Like the Tide," for "maybe the last time." It was a bit of a shame that so many people were more focused on the decision between Sleeman's and Pilsner, but for those of us that were paying attention, it was a great start to the evening.
I had no idea that people were so into Thunderheist. The affection is definitely warranted, but it was still a bit surprising to see so many people who recognized the duo's songs. They're not exactly breaking new ground musically (Only characteristically described them as "booty bass with repetitive, meaningless lyrics"), but they can sure rock a party. Isis looked like she downed an entire bottle of Grey Goose as she worked the crowd, eventually stealing a bit of Girl Talk's thunder by inviting people to fill the stage. And when they finished their set, DJ Grahmzilla kept spinning tunes as security cleared the kids away.
By now, you've already heard about Greg Gillis' rather spectacular performances, so I won't go into detail. If you were at his show in May, last nigt was more of the same, with the only notable differences being Greg dropping some fresh tracks, and also the fact that he was sporting a beard. If the crowd was still warming up during the first two acts, they were in full-on party mode by the time Girl Talk's set started, and he noted a couple of times that the audience was a pleasant surprise since College crowds can often "suck balls." Apparently, he was going to head to the home of the Student Society's VP Finance, who offered to host the official-unofficial after-party, but I don't know if actually went down or not.
If you're not at Spoon or Wolf Parade (or a million other cool things going on) tonight, you might want to check out Ghost House, Karen Foster, and Winning at Pub 340.
Oh, and if you are at Wolf Parade, you can stick around at 1/2 Alive for free after the show. Alternately, you can leave and come back, and it's only $4 with your ticket stub and stamp.
now playing: actually, I'm not allowed to play music here. It's a bit depressing.
Labels: girl talk, show announcements, show recaps, the blow, thunderheist
