Tuesday, May 26, 2009
smiling off
Last night, I made it down to the Biltmore to catch Black Dice, Wolf Eyes, and Sade Sade. Wolf Eyes were their usually great selves. I was really into Black Dice, but they sort of edge close to dance music like HEALTH, which I'm all for, I just wish people would move a little more when they're playing (although, I was pretty bagged by the time they came on, so I probably shouldn't talk). It was my first time seeing Gabriel Saloman's (aka Sade Sade) post-Yellow Swans output and I was pretty stoked on it. He did a half hour droney, experimental piece that drew all of it's source noise from a blank tape played through a cheap, old walkmen. The result sounded like the audio equivalent of a Rorschach test. As my friend quipped, "you'd have to have been in the right mood," which I was. Interesting stuff, either way.
Saturday, I was at the Astoria for Night Shift. My friend Todd plays in Timecopz, so I was simultaneously excited and a bit nervous to see them play. I have trouble lying about music (and in general, when it comes to personal opinions), so friends in bands can always lead to potentially awkward situations, but I'm happy to report that I thought they slayed. They don't do anything terribly original, but they play loud, no frills, punk rock really well. Looking forward to seeing them at Music Waste again. Also, not terribly original (not that much is), were Mode Moderne, who headlined. I'm really not a fan of dudes who sing like Ian Curtis, save for Ian Curtis (and sometimes the guy from Interpol), so I wasn't really feeling it. Although, if he just sounds like that, I suppose there's not much he can do about it. At any rate, sounding like Ian Curtis is better than naturally sounding like the guy from Creed or something.
And Friday, I helped put on a show. Thanks to Fine Mist and Candles for playing.
On June 7th, Savannah Leigh plays the Railway with Dustin Bentall and Kent McAlister & the Iron Choir.
June 13th marks the last ever at Seylynn Hall. Ghost House, Circles, Healthy Students, Woolworm, and Set to Go all play.
Ladyhawk and Lightning Dust are playing at Lifetime (Manitoba & 5th) on June 16th. (via Vancouver is Awesome)
The Evaporators and Andrew WK have teamed up for a split 7" and are also teaming up for a pair of shows on June 23rd. They'll play a free all-ages instore at Neptoon at 4pm and play the Biltmore with the Vicious Cycles later that night.
Gift of Gab is at the Biltmore on June 24th.
Cage plays the Biltmore on July 14th with Yak Ballz.
Elvis Costello is at Malkin Bowl on August 24th.
And, way in advance, Mono plays the Biltmore on October 5th with Maserati.
now playing: Godspeed You Black Emperor! - Moya
Friday, June 13, 2008
fuck vancouver
Lately, when the term "noise" has been thrown around by music websites/mags it's usually paired with names like HEALTH or No Age, which sort of makes you forget that while bands like that do like to bang and clatter, they're pretty tuneful for something called "noise." And while I like a little melody amidst the mayhem, I also love the fact that Wolf Eyes forgoes the former completely for the latter. It's the kind of sound that makes nagging parents exclaim, "that's not even music." And they're right, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
The Rita was the first act that I caught (missed Sick Buildings). He created these heavy drones at a volume that made your chest shake and also kept it short and sweet... probably too short.
That was Wednesday. Last night I attempted to catch the Jealous Girlfriends.
I got to the Media Club at 10pm, since I can't remember when I two-band bill has started there before then, and since the rep from Last Gang said, "I can't seem them playing before 10pm."
But I only caught two songs. The first one was okay, though to be fair, I was under them impression that I'd walked in during the beginning of their set, and was in line for beer. The second song was about twice as intense (which was to be expected, since it was their last), noisy, and shoegazey at times. Good stuff.
Sea Wolf headlined. At their best, they sort of sounded like the Shins, but without any harmonies. No offense Sea Wolf fans, but I bailed after about five songs.
Black Kids are back at Richard's on October 11th. Hopefully the mix sounds a bit nicer, since they'll be headlining this time around.
And a bit of a correction via Dustin:
There will still be live music at the Astoria. John Cougar is now booking live acts on Fridays and while Dustin is in charge of getting DJs for Saturdays, he's aiming to have at least one live band play as well. Still shitty about MJ no longer working out of the room. And hopefully there's no hard feelings between these three, because they're all doing a ton for music in this city (and are all pretty great people as well).
I'm psyched for the ER tomorrow. Hopefully, you are too.
now playing: Women - Sag Harbor Bridge
smiling off
Here's a really quick recap of the weekend (and then some)...
Last night, I made it down to the Biltmore to catch Black Dice, Wolf Eyes, and Sade Sade. Wolf Eyes were their usually great selves. I was really into Black Dice, but they sort of edge close to dance music like HEALTH, which I'm all for, I just wish people would move a little more when they're playing (although, I was pretty bagged by the time they came on, so I probably shouldn't talk). It was my first time seeing Gabriel Saloman's (aka Sade Sade) post-Yellow Swans output and I was pretty stoked on it. He did a half hour droney, experimental piece that drew all of it's source noise from a blank tape played through a cheap, old walkmen. The result sounded like the audio equivalent of a Rorschach test. As my friend quipped, "you'd have to have been in the right mood," which I was. Interesting stuff, either way.
Saturday, I was at the Astoria for Night Shift. My friend Todd plays in Timecopz, so I was simultaneously excited and a bit nervous to see them play. I have trouble lying about music (and in general, when it comes to personal opinions), so friends in bands can always lead to potentially awkward situations, but I'm happy to report that I thought they slayed. They don't do anything terribly original, but they play loud, no frills, punk rock really well. Looking forward to seeing them at Music Waste again. Also, not terribly original (not that much is), were Mode Moderne, who headlined. I'm really not a fan of dudes who sing like Ian Curtis, save for Ian Curtis (and sometimes the guy from Interpol), so I wasn't really feeling it. Although, if he just sounds like that, I suppose there's not much he can do about it. At any rate, sounding like Ian Curtis is better than naturally sounding like the guy from Creed or something.
And Friday, I helped put on a show. Thanks to Fine Mist and Candles for playing.
On June 7th, Savannah Leigh plays the Railway with Dustin Bentall and Kent McAlister & the Iron Choir.
June 13th marks the last ever at Seylynn Hall. Ghost House, Circles, Healthy Students, Woolworm, and Set to Go all play.
Ladyhawk and Lightning Dust are playing at Lifetime (Manitoba & 5th) on June 16th. (via Vancouver is Awesome)
The Evaporators and Andrew WK have teamed up for a split 7" and are also teaming up for a pair of shows on June 23rd. They'll play a free all-ages instore at Neptoon at 4pm and play the Biltmore with the Vicious Cycles later that night.
Gift of Gab is at the Biltmore on June 24th.
Cage plays the Biltmore on July 14th with Yak Ballz.
Elvis Costello is at Malkin Bowl on August 24th.
And, way in advance, Mono plays the Biltmore on October 5th with Maserati.
now playing: Godspeed You Black Emperor! - Moya
Labels: black dice, mode moderne, sade sade, show announcements, show recaps, time copz, wolf eyes
Friday, June 13, 2008
fuck vancouver
Lately, when the term "noise" has been thrown around by music websites/mags it's usually paired with names like HEALTH or No Age, which sort of makes you forget that while bands like that do like to bang and clatter, they're pretty tuneful for something called "noise." And while I like a little melody amidst the mayhem, I also love the fact that Wolf Eyes forgoes the former completely for the latter. It's the kind of sound that makes nagging parents exclaim, "that's not even music." And they're right, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
The Rita was the first act that I caught (missed Sick Buildings). He created these heavy drones at a volume that made your chest shake and also kept it short and sweet... probably too short.
That was Wednesday. Last night I attempted to catch the Jealous Girlfriends.
I got to the Media Club at 10pm, since I can't remember when I two-band bill has started there before then, and since the rep from Last Gang said, "I can't seem them playing before 10pm."
But I only caught two songs. The first one was okay, though to be fair, I was under them impression that I'd walked in during the beginning of their set, and was in line for beer. The second song was about twice as intense (which was to be expected, since it was their last), noisy, and shoegazey at times. Good stuff.
Sea Wolf headlined. At their best, they sort of sounded like the Shins, but without any harmonies. No offense Sea Wolf fans, but I bailed after about five songs.
Black Kids are back at Richard's on October 11th. Hopefully the mix sounds a bit nicer, since they'll be headlining this time around.
And a bit of a correction via Dustin:
There will still be live music at the Astoria. John Cougar is now booking live acts on Fridays and while Dustin is in charge of getting DJs for Saturdays, he's aiming to have at least one live band play as well. Still shitty about MJ no longer working out of the room. And hopefully there's no hard feelings between these three, because they're all doing a ton for music in this city (and are all pretty great people as well).
I'm psyched for the ER tomorrow. Hopefully, you are too.
now playing: Women - Sag Harbor Bridge
Labels: astoria, lazy show recaps, sea wolf, show announcements, the jealous girlfriends, the rita, wolf eyes
