Wednesday, May 06, 2009
we got an amplifier
On Friday, I was down at the Commodore to cover the Weakerthans/Constantines co-headlining tour for Discorder
The Cons are one of my favourite live acts and they certainly didn't disappoint during their latest visit (although, I was a little bummed that they didn't play "On to You"). I was at Sled Island when they last rolled through town, almost a year ago, so this was the first time I'd heard the Kensington Heights stuff live since that record came out. The new(ish) stuff stands up well to the back catalogue, but "Young Offenders" and "Young Lions" were still the highlights. John K. Samson taking vocals on "Little Instrument" was a nice treat too.
I haven't been terribly excited by the Weakerthans since Left and Leaving, but I do still enjoy their live show, and I was really into the first two records when they came out, so, if nothing else, it's a big nostalgia kick. That's probably selling them a little short, although I've always thought that they were infinitely more enjoyable if you were already familiar with their music, especially since the lyrics are such an important component.
Speaking of lyrics, someone told me the band stopped playing "One Great City," because they didn't like how non-Winnipeg crowds took the song's double sided refrain ("I hate Winnipeg") and turned it on it's head, shouting it back in a sincere way, that sort of misses the point of the song. Well, they played it, and the crowd gleefully shouted, which is ironic, considering it could just as easily be about Vancouver (or Toronto or wherever). But I digress...
Last Thursday, Brasstronaut played their homecoming show after a few months in Banff for an artist's residency. They were joined by a rotating cast of guests that helped fill out their sound, but the thing that really jumped out at me was how tight the band's become since they left. It's not that they were sloppy to begin with, but their playing is extra impressive now.
I got to the Biltmore just as Fine Mist. I know some people aren't into their limited instrumentation live (backing tracks and a synth), but I'm into seeing them whenever I can.
Seven Nines & Tens play with My Mom's a Werewolf on May 14th at Pat's.
The Dreadnoughts are at Pat's the next night with Mexican Drug Patrol.
Hercules & Love Affair are doing a DJ set (do these guys ever actually perform their songs?) at Celebs on May 17th. Locals Jason Lev supports.
Deastro is at the Media Club on June 21st.
The Rural Alberta Advantage, who actually hail from TO, are at the Media Club on July 5th.
Eagles of Death Metal play the Commodore on July 20th and 21st. Flash Lightnin' support.
Maximo Park is at Richard's on September 7th.
now playing: Big Black - the Model
Monday, October 08, 2007
night windows
On the bright side, I didn't find myself being the guy at the show who was yelling "booooooring" every time they played a down tempo number. They're not boring, you're slow, asshole.
Anyhow, more than seeing the Weakerthans again, I was pretty excited to see the Last Town Chorus. Megan Hickey and her slide guitar were backed up by a lone acoustic guitarist for most of the set, although they were joined by Stephen Carroll and Jim Bryson (who was a Weakerthan for the evening) for a couple numbers. Despite the limited instrumentation the country-folk meets shoegaze thing that characterizes the record was still in full effect. She's also got one of those voices that could prop up songs that are far less well composed than the ones she writes. I think the whole set was a bit too low key for most of the Friday night crowd, but I was in a pretty low energy mood, so it was more than fine with me.
On an unrelated note, Ladyhawk has a blog.
now playing: Robert Johnson - Love in Vain
we got an amplifier
On Friday, I was down at the Commodore to cover the Weakerthans/Constantines co-headlining tour for Discorder
The Cons are one of my favourite live acts and they certainly didn't disappoint during their latest visit (although, I was a little bummed that they didn't play "On to You"). I was at Sled Island when they last rolled through town, almost a year ago, so this was the first time I'd heard the Kensington Heights stuff live since that record came out. The new(ish) stuff stands up well to the back catalogue, but "Young Offenders" and "Young Lions" were still the highlights. John K. Samson taking vocals on "Little Instrument" was a nice treat too.
I haven't been terribly excited by the Weakerthans since Left and Leaving, but I do still enjoy their live show, and I was really into the first two records when they came out, so, if nothing else, it's a big nostalgia kick. That's probably selling them a little short, although I've always thought that they were infinitely more enjoyable if you were already familiar with their music, especially since the lyrics are such an important component.
Speaking of lyrics, someone told me the band stopped playing "One Great City," because they didn't like how non-Winnipeg crowds took the song's double sided refrain ("I hate Winnipeg") and turned it on it's head, shouting it back in a sincere way, that sort of misses the point of the song. Well, they played it, and the crowd gleefully shouted, which is ironic, considering it could just as easily be about Vancouver (or Toronto or wherever). But I digress...
Last Thursday, Brasstronaut played their homecoming show after a few months in Banff for an artist's residency. They were joined by a rotating cast of guests that helped fill out their sound, but the thing that really jumped out at me was how tight the band's become since they left. It's not that they were sloppy to begin with, but their playing is extra impressive now.
I got to the Biltmore just as Fine Mist. I know some people aren't into their limited instrumentation live (backing tracks and a synth), but I'm into seeing them whenever I can.
Seven Nines & Tens play with My Mom's a Werewolf on May 14th at Pat's.
The Dreadnoughts are at Pat's the next night with Mexican Drug Patrol.
Hercules & Love Affair are doing a DJ set (do these guys ever actually perform their songs?) at Celebs on May 17th. Locals Jason Lev supports.
Deastro is at the Media Club on June 21st.
The Rural Alberta Advantage, who actually hail from TO, are at the Media Club on July 5th.
Eagles of Death Metal play the Commodore on July 20th and 21st. Flash Lightnin' support.
Maximo Park is at Richard's on September 7th.
now playing: Big Black - the Model
Labels: brasstronaut, constantines, fine mist, show announcements, show recaps, the weakerthans
Monday, October 08, 2007
night windows
I'm not overly fond of the new Weakerthans record. It's not bad per se, but I certainly haven't had it on repeat. I'm sure that's part of the reason that I wasn't overly excited about their performance on Saturday night at the Commodore either. They're still really tight live, and as a group they're probably the most affable musicians in Canada, but a set that leaned so heavily on their last two records left me mostly waiting for them to drop in the occasional "oldie." And I hate being that guy at shows.
On the bright side, I didn't find myself being the guy at the show who was yelling "booooooring" every time they played a down tempo number. They're not boring, you're slow, asshole.
Anyhow, more than seeing the Weakerthans again, I was pretty excited to see the Last Town Chorus. Megan Hickey and her slide guitar were backed up by a lone acoustic guitarist for most of the set, although they were joined by Stephen Carroll and Jim Bryson (who was a Weakerthan for the evening) for a couple numbers. Despite the limited instrumentation the country-folk meets shoegaze thing that characterizes the record was still in full effect. She's also got one of those voices that could prop up songs that are far less well composed than the ones she writes. I think the whole set was a bit too low key for most of the Friday night crowd, but I was in a pretty low energy mood, so it was more than fine with me.
On an unrelated note, Ladyhawk has a blog.
now playing: Robert Johnson - Love in Vain
Labels: show recaps, the last town chorus, the weakerthans
