Rees’ Pieces: KEN mode Returns to Windsor!
Del Rees
My first live show in Windsor featuring an out-of-town band was KEN mode (wsg Cellos) at the Coach & Horses, and boy, was I blown away. Almost literally. It was my first time hearing their music and it left me slightly deaf, and wanting more. On Sunday, July 31st, they make their triumphant return to Windsor and the Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, basement level), with confirmed special guests Repetitions. Here is my interview with Jesse Matthewson, guitarist, vocalist, and more for KEN mode: the heaviest sound out of Winnipeg.
Rees: Tell us about the name KEN mode. I heard that KEN stands for “Kill Everyone Now,” but is there a story behind it?
Jesse: The name KEN mode comes from a quote by Henry Rollins in his book ‘Get In The Van: On the road with Black Flag’: “After many practices, we were ready and a tour was booked. 1984 was a great year. We played all over and all the time. We had the fiercest attitude on earth. We had been in the practice place for months. Our first record in a couple years, the My War album was out and we wanted to kill everyone. The shows were great. Kill Everyone Now was the agenda. KEN mode all the time. It was good to be out on the road again with an album out and an excuse to live.”
Rees: What kind of equipment do you use to give you such a heavy quality to your sound as a three-piece band?
Jesse: I have used two amplifiers, sometimes three, for the past seven years, which helps fill out our sound as a three piece. My current rig is a Mesa dual rectifier and Orange rockerverb 100 bi-amp with three 4×12” speaker cabinets, while our bass players use a Marshall VBA400 through an 8×10. It makes for a pretty massive sound that we’re quite happy with. Guitar wise, I use a Gibson Les Paul Custom, plus an American made Fender Telecaster with the original single coil pickups, while our bassist uses a Fender Aerodyne. Since we’ve been changing bassists so much, sometimes we’ve had people use Fender Precision basses and Gibson shortscale SG basses.
Rees: Looking at your tour schedule for the month of July and August, KEN mode has really been getting around! What would be your advice for bands from Windsor who may be thinking of touring?
Jesse: We’ve been on tour for about half of the year so far in support of our new album ‘Venerable’, so yes, we’ve been around! In terms of what kind of advice I can offer, try touring regionally to start: get in touch with bands in the cities near you, make friends, do weekend trips and expand from there. Windsor is in a much better position being so close to cities like Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, even New York City and Boston, which are ALL rather far away from a city like Winnipeg. It’s easy to hit markets like these without having to make a BIG production out of it.
Rees: How has starting out in Winnipeg affected the music you play? What is the local hardcore scene like up there?
Jesse: When we first formed this band back when I was 17, with Shane 15, we were on a mission to make genuinely heavy and noisy music because we felt the noise rock scene in our hometown had died over the past few years. Winnipeg is about seven hours north of Minneapolis, Minnesota which is undoubtedly noise rock city USA thanks to labels like Amphetamine Reptile Records, so I believe it must have had an influence on what was going on up here. We grew up listening to bands like Kittens, Meatrack, and Stagmummer, and we started up right around the time that all of these bands died out…we needed to fill a void. Unfortunately for everyone else, unlike our predecessors, we never threw in the towel. We’ve never particularly felt any kinship with the hardcore scene in Winnipeg because we’ve always been way too left of center for their sensibilities. We came from the same age group as bands like Figure Four and Comeback Kid, which is really the last semblance of a hardcore scene I even knew in Winnipeg. The only band I really am even familiar with anymore from Winnipeg hardcore is Withdrawal.
Rees: If all three of you were trapped on a desert island and could only bring one thing each with you, what would you all bring, and why?
Jesse: A helicopter. So we have something to fly off the island with.
Shane: A helicopter pilot. So we have someone to fly the helicopter off the island.
Andrew: Beer. To celebrate getting off the island.
Rees: Having seen KEN mode live just once, I would describe it as aggressive, loud, and edgy. Would people use different words after seeing you for the second time?
Jesse: Maybe angry, sticky and mucousy. I guess it depends on the songs we’re playing and whether or not they like them!
Rees: In what way has touring changed each of you? Have you formed a lot of great memories on the road?
Jesse: I feel like I’m less tolerant of unprofessionalism, and a little worried that I’m never going to be happy doing anything. Music is one of those things that sort of makes you happy sometimes, yet you just can’t stop…because stopping is even worse. Obviously we make a lot of memories on the road, it would be impossible not to. We get to see and experience things that a lot of people simply won’t get the opportunity to. I’ve slept on floors all over the world and been paid (sometimes) to be there!
Rees: Everyone has a “bad habit”. What are yours?
Jesse: Cynicism and sugar. I like jelly beans too much, and probably hate people more than the average person should. Jelly beans > people.
Rees: KEN mode has gone through a lot of bassists. Are bassists harder to come by, or do they just have a tendency to wander?
Jesse: We end up going through phases where we utilize the help of friends to get us through patches where we have no bassist; and the more obligations we make, the more friends we have to reach out to to accomplish them. We’ve really only had two bassists for any substantial amount of time, but in the past few years, due to our touring schedules we’ve been seen with four different people. 2011 alone will see us playing with at least four different bassists. It’s not easy to deal with, but we get by.
Rees: “Extending Common Courtesy Throughout the Evening” has its own music video. Was that KEN mode’s first music video? Does it take longer to make a video than professionally record audio?
Jesse: Yes, “Extending…” is our first and only video so far. We were supposed to have at least one more by now, but some balls have been dropped, and we’ve been on tour the majority of the time since our latest album, “Venerable”, came out. Videos production schedules are entirely up to the person doing them. They don’t need to take as long as recording a full length, but sometimes they do.
Rees: Looking at all of KEN mode’s accomplishments, all of the great bands you’ve had a chance to play alongside, the traveling, etc., which of these accomplishments stand out the most?
Jesse: Playing Hellfest 2011 in Clisson, France was a pretty unique experience for us, being flown out for one festival and playing alongside bands like Converge, the Melvins, Kyuss, Electric Wizard, and even Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest and Iggy & The Stooges. We were in the middle of a US tour, came up to Windsor in the middle of it, flew to France, then came back and rejoined the US tour. An intense four days that I will undoubtedly never forget.
Rees: What do you do for fun when you are between shows and don’t have to travel, or when you are waiting in an unfamiliar city before playing a show?
Jesse: This year, since we are doing music full time, I’ll sometimes practice Muay Thai kickboxing, or head to the Whiteshell Provincial Park and just chill out in nature. We’ve been on tour so much this year that the bulk of our time is spent in a van rushing to get to a city, then sitting and waiting around for shows to start. We like to find internet cafés as much as we can while on tour so we can attend to our various internet responsibilities like me dealing with booking the next tour, or writing interviews…or reading up on mixed martial arts news!
Rees: What’s the next stop on the KEN mode tour after Windsor?
Jesse: After Windsor we are up to London, ON, then Kitchener, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, then onward to Quebec and the Maritimes!
Rees: Please share with us your website(s), and how people can check out KEN mode’s music.
Jesse: http://www.ken-mode.com
http://www.facebook.com/kenmode
Rees: Are you excited to return to Windsor?
Jesse: Of course! We have family in Windsor, so we always love visiting!
Rees’ Pieces: A Whole Lotta Jam With David Allan
Dave Allan working with students
Del Rees
When I first heard about the existence of Windsor’s very own “School of Rock” (officially named Jam Space Academy), I was very excited to do this interview. Not only is there an extensive, vibrant local music scene, but the talent exists in some of our youngest citizens and is being brought to the surface and unleashed by local drummer and drums teacher, David Allan and his team at Jam Space. He candidly shares his experiences teaching the fundamentals of band-building to local teens. Wherever Dave is, there’s bound to be a “whole lotta jam!”
Rees: Before we get started, tell me a little bit about yourself and some of the musical projects you are a part of in the local scene.
The first class debuted live at the Capitol Theatre, opening for StereoGoesStellar
David Allan: Every Saturday, students are learning cover songs, writing and recording original material, preparing for upcoming shows, and learning about what goes into being in a
David Allan: As I said before, with their involvement in private lessons or school bands, a lot of the students are already well versed as far as theory goes. We definitely try to add to it by making sure they understand the whys and hows of playing music and pay close attention to the details going on underneath the surface. We also talk a lot about songwriting of all genres.For anyone who wants to be a part of the Jam Academy, they can call Jam Space at 519 – 972 – 0008 or drop by for a visit!
For more info, search for the Jam Space fan page on FACEBOOK.
Thurs. July 28: Pitch Union, Vaudevillianaires and The STiG rock the Loop for special fundraiser for victim of ALS
This Thursday night at The Loop (156 Chatham St. West, top level), several area musicians (Pitch Union, The Vaudevillianaires and The STiG) answered the call from friend and music scene supporter Andrew Wong, who was throwing a benefit to help friend Scott Sefton. Sefton was recently diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and Wong wanted to help raise money to make Sefton’s home wheelchair accessible. Guest writer Jeff Stiles contacted Scott to update people on what the future holds in store for him now that his life has been so dramatically altered.
Jeff Stiles
Up until early last year, Scott Sefton was a union plumber and pipe-fitter in his mid thirties. He was a strong, hard-working young man with a wife and a family. In the spring of 2010, he felt a stiffness in his neck and was sure it was a pinched nerve. He was accustomed to heavy lifting in his work and it ‘just made sense’ that this was a work injury. His doctors even felt it was a pinched nerve. But it didnt get better. Tingling in his left hand led to weakness. He went for an MRI to diagnose the problem further. Suspicions grew and Scott was sent to a neurological specialist in London where, test after test, it would reveal the unfortunate scenario. Scott had ALS.
ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease as it has come to be known in North America, is a motro-neuron disease that is caused by the degeneration of nerons in the spinal cortex – the brain center that sends messages to body parts. People afflicted with it lose muscle and speech control, become weak, and develop breathing and respiratory problems. As the muscles begin to atrophy, other problems then set in such as pneumonia. Patients have trouble getting out of bed, walking or swallowing. Physicist Stephen Hawking is a living example of this disease and how it affects the body. Although medications can slow the symptoms, the downward spiral gradually continues and the result is almost always death.
Scott talked to me by phone in a voice that sounds like an old sailor who has seen everything and drank from every bottle in his travels, but it’s the disease talking. In his voice, it’s clear the disease has a grip on him. Tragedy, itself, begets emotion but its hard not to be emotional when you see someone trying to rise above their own suffering. It is quite sobering. It’s a story of love. A one-day-at-a-time committment to get the most out of each day.
Here is my interview:
Jeff Stiles: How did you react to the news?
Scott Sefton: It was pretty shitty at first. I was in a funk for about month or so but one day i woke up and said “If you have 5 days to live, how would you live it? Do you want to cry on the couch or do you want to enjoy every minute that you have?” I’ve got two little kids – a 4 year-old and a 2 year-old. So I stopped feeling sorry for myself and started enjoying every minute. I felt I was allowing the disease to take over quicker if I was depressed.
Jeff: What does a bad day involve?
Scott: I don’t wake up feeling bad, neccessarily. I have a hard time walking, so i fall quite a bit. And little things like holding a bottle of water – I get down a bit if I drop it. Or if I trip and smack my head off the tile. It’s frustrating. I used to be a pretty strong guy. People take things for granted – like I have hard time holding a fork in my right hand. My left hand is pretty much shot. I get frustrated as the day goes on but I sit down. Relax. Get my bearings.
Jeff: Do you have days where you feel great?
Scott: I do. When you talk about the disease they call those plateaus. Where everything levels off. I’ve had a couple of those days but not many. You just pray that they come.
Jeff: Has this made you religious?
Scott: My wife was brought up Catholic but I didnt really have a background as a kid. I believe in God but i just think there something out there that can help me, I guess. I pray for a cure and to be normal again.
Jeff: What kind of adjustments have you had to make around the house?
Scott: We’re putting an addition on the house for me that’s wheelchair accessible. The wheelchair is a definite possiblity in the future and we’ll need a speacial tub or shower ’cause today it took me 20 minutes to get in the shower ’cause I couldn’t get my leg over the ledge. That was frustrating. Pissed me off quite a bit. But we’ve been making the house more wide open for the day when that (wheelchair) comes. My outlook is to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Jeff: Those sound like words for everyone to live by.
Scott: When you see the shit on the ALS website, its pretty grim but I’m not gonna read up on the disease and base my life on what its done to others. I don’t really want to know what its done to other people and other families. I just want to live my live and deal with each day as it comes. The shit on the website is depressing and I dont want that in my head.
Jeff: What do you feel you’ve gained from this struggle so far?
Scott: I was the guy who would hold a door for someone in a wheelchair or someone in need. But now I just feel so much more for them because I’m in the same spot. Y’know?
Jeff: Has this opened your eyes?
Scott: One minute you’re fine. The next you’re not. Enjoy what you’ve got today ’cause you never know.
Jeff: Is there physical pain?
Scott: My back and legs have a lot of pain. The doctors say its because the disease is attacking part of my body and the pain comes from the fight that results from my body trying to ward it off. the disease is trying to get at it.
Jeff: How invloved are you with doctors?
Scott: I am part of a study that tries to answer a lot of questions about environmental factors, like exposure to stuff like asbestos. There is also something else called familial ALS that tries to see if it is in a gene but that’s not what happened to me. I’m just an unlucky guy who happened to develop it somehow.
Jeff: How has your family adjusted to the disease?
Scott: My kids don’t really know. They just see that dad needs a cane. My wife has been fantastic. Right from the beginning, she took the positive role. Even when I got down, she was positive right from the beginning. She has been my rock. She has her bad days but we keep our appearances up, put on a good face. We take a step back when things dont go well but we try to stay positive. Like i said, “we hope for the best but expect the worst.”
you can read more about the disease here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis
A benefit for Scott will be held at The Loop on Thursday July 28th. Door open at 9:30pm. a donation of $5 will go towards the renovation of Scott’s home in order to make it wheelchair accessible.
The Scene With Lauren Hedges
Matthew James Rideout – Do Not Change, Please!! (Single – 2011)
Big Daddy ‘A’ & The Merves – I’m The Rug (We Stole Your Wallet – 1997)
Buckcherry – Broken Glass (15 – 2006)
Explode When They Bloom – Smoke Across the Dawn (The Ugly – 2010)
Tony Coates – The Truth (Demo Tracks – 2011)
I Am 3rd – Where Are You Now? (Live – 2010)
Orphan Choir – Broken Strings (Everything in Past Tense – 2011)
The Nefidovs – Mind of the Mob (Set Faces to Stunned – 2011)
The Vaudevillianaires – Rock’N’Roll Bitch (MagBasts Demo – 2011)
The Locusts Have No King – Anna’s Smoke (The Locusts Have No King – 2007)
Richy Nix – Moving On (Light Years – 2011)
D12 – How Come (D12 World – 2004)
The Expansion Family – E’ry Body Knows (Abstract Expansion – 2011)
Academy – Perfection (Loyalty is Limited – 2007)
Faithful Unto Death – Calling the Nations to Account (Coming Home – 2011)
Betrayer – Partaker of Evil (Shadowed Force EP – 2005)
TON – The Rest (Going Places – 2011)
Shortcut to Last – Bubbles Galore (Two Minutes in Heaven – 2011)
Algernon Blackwood Sabbath – Vespers (Forest Hall – 2011)
This week is an insane one for last minute shows.
First, Big Daddy ‘A’ & The Merves decide on a rather impromptu reunion at Phog on Tuesday, and then on Friday, fate gets The Brains stuck in town while waiting for some bureaucracy to finish up. But hey, that’s cool! The last psychobilly show in Windsor was The Creepshow at The Blind Dog back in April, which was pretty awesome. This time Villains gets to host, and as it happens to coincide with a costume party, even better!
A two-day stag and doe for Nicole and Jarrod, the Coach’s bartender and sound guy, respectively, happens over Friday and Saturday, and includes some wicked sweet bands like Fiftywatthead, Poughboy, and Gypsy Chief Goliath. All monies go towards Nicole and Jarrod’s wedding, so it’s nice to be able to help out with that while enjoying some fine tunage.
It’s also a great weekend for the more hip hop inclined, with shows by Richy Nix (at Untouchables on Saturday) and D12 with The Expansion Family and Academy at The Blind Dog that night as well.
For more shows, or more details on shows, there’s always TWZ’s Live Calendar and Weekly Roundup.
I am very excited for next week’s show, as the boys from Weirdonia will be joining me in the studio to hangout, play tunes, and just be generally strange. Tuning in is strongly advised.
CJAM TOP 30!!! JULY 18TH-24TH / 2011!
* – Indicates Canadian Content
1 TY SEGALL – Goodbye Bread (Drag City)
2 THE HORRORS – Skying (XL Recordings)
3 BLACK LIPS – Arabia Mountain (Vice)
4 WHISKEY FACE* – Soothing Absence Of Light (Clamour)
5 FAITHFULL UNTO DEATH* – Coming Home (Self-Released)
6 HANDSOME FURS* – Sound Kapital (Sub Pop)
7 EXTRA HAPPY GHOST !!!* – Modern Horses (Saved By Radio)
8 THEE OH SEES – Castlemania (In The Red)
9 THE COMPUTERS – This Is The Computers (One Little Indian)
10 VARIOUS – Red Hot Rio 2 (eOne)
11 LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO – Tales From A Zulu Farm (Listen 2)
12 BRIAN ENO – Drums Between The Bells (Warp)
13 SAN CISCO – Golden Revolver (Self-Released)
14 BOMB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY – Vacation (Ernest Jenning Record Co.)
15 CHEIKH LO – Jamm (Nonesuch)
16 JUNIOR BOYS* – It’s All True (Domino)
17 SLOAN* – The Double Cross (Outside)
18 THE WARPED 45S* – Matador Sunset (Pheromone)
19 DECLAIME – Self Study (Epis Peach Sound)
20 MARIE-JO THERIO* – Chasing Lydie (Dare To Care)
21 BILL BOURNE & THE FREE RADIO BAND* – Bluesland (Self-Released)
22 THE MALLOYS* – The Malloys (Self-Released)
23 KAE SUN* – Outside The Barcode (Urbnet)
24 AMBITION* – Just For Kicks (Backburner)
25 FUCKED UP* – David Comes to Life (Matador)
26 CHAD VANGAALEN* – Diaper Island (Flemish Eye)
27 TON* – Going Places (Self-Released)
28 OPOPO* – Light Work (Urbnet)
29 MONKEYJUNK* – To Behold (Stony Plain)
30 DEEP DARK WOODS* – The Place I Left Behind (Six Shooter)
More Info?–> www.earshot-online.com
Weekend Round-Up: Fri. July 22 – Sun. July 24
Big weekend of music and I must say, that Saturday July 23 is PACKED with a lot of amazing shows – if you only pick ONE day to go out and see some music, go out on Saturday – every venue has an amazing show and it would be a great night to bounce around and catch a great cross section of the scene’s musical offerings. Friday has some great shows as well. So what’s up and what’s going down? Let’s find out…
FRIDAY JULY 22
Nicole Wood, long time bartender at The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, basement level) and die hard supporter of our local music scene, is throwing her stag and doe at her place of business with a two-day music festival that rivals just about any local festival we’ve seen. Night one is a fire-cracker of a line-up, headlined by the return of the almighty Poughboy. These controversial scallywags of heaviness lead a roster that also includes Fiftywatthead, Pitch Union, TON, Explode When They Bloom, Blackbarn and Acousticfire. There probably won’t be any strippers (unless Poughboy’s Uncle Piss decides to show everyone his rock and roll wang) but this might be the coolest stag and doe of the year.
Oshawa’s The BoneDevil ride into Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) as part of their pre-CD release promo tour (their new album drops in August). This indie blues rock outfit is being joined by new Windsor outfit The Hoop.
Ontario Plates, an amazing new instrumental band following in the footsteps of such great Windsor bands like The Bulletproof Tiger, What Seas What Shores and the legendary Bloemfontein, are at Milk Coffee Bar (68 University Ave. West), with special guests Cody Howard, Colton Young and Emerging Artist Zarasutra. Milk is the perfect venue to experience such intimate songwriters.
Guitar Army, led by former Spy‘s guitarist Dale “Elad” D’Amore, returns for a two night stand at The Lion’s Head Tavern (7880 Wyandotte St. East). Guitar Army is chock full of some of Windsor’s 70′s and 80′s punk rock pioneers and amongst their own originals and Spy’s tunes, they cover classic tracks from Iggy & The Stooges, MC5, Ramones and more.
Tony Coates is playing an early evening show at Taloola Cafe (396 Devonshire Rd.), with this acousti-soul, and he’s joined by Rayven Howard. Shows at Taloola start at 8pm and are over by 10pm, so it’s always a great option to start the night for a pre-drink, great grub and some fine music before heading out.
SATURDAY JULY 23
The shock rock theatrics of the demented and painted zombies that are The Vaudevillianaires return from a hiatus with a free show at The Dugout (300 Ouellette Ave.). Still playing in support of last year’s (sold out) EP Satan’s Thundering Hooves, they’re being joined by the monster sludge rock of Voodoo Mafia.
Nicole Wood’s two day stag and doe festival continues at The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West) with another all-star line-up. Headlined by the fabulous Orphan Choir, Nicole also snagged Gypsy Chief Goliath, The Nefidovs, The Rowley Estate, Devilz By Definition and Seven Out for the second night. Again, all money collected goes towards Nicole and fiance Jarrod Feetham’s wedding.
Windsor’s kings of alt. country, The Locusts Have No King, return for a special showcase at Villains Beastro (256 Pelissier St.) in the heart of the arts core. Although various members of the band have been seen gigging around town solo or in other projects, this is the first Locusts Have No King show in awhile, as they’ve been writing new material for the next album. Shall we get a preview?
It’s double the Robitaille experience at The Gourmet Emporium (1799 Wyandotte St. East) in Walkerville on Saturday. The beautiful voice of songstress Jackie Robitaille kicks off the show at 9:30pm, followed by three solo sets by her brother, the amazing Pat Robitaille.
Windsor’s rap-rock sensational Richy Nix returns home for a special show at the new Untouchables Lounge (128 University Ave. West, above California Sushi).
SUNDAY JULY 24
The D12 show (that was supposed to feature EPMD and more) from back in June that was postponed is happening on Sunday, although a lot of the special headliners won’t be back for the make-up show unfortunately. It’s still going down at The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave.) and The Expansion Family and Windsor’s own Academy are still on the bill alongside D12.
Faithful Unto Death once again headlines New Song Church (999 Drouillard Rd.)’s monthly hardcore/metal showcase, alongside Waterloo’s Blind The Carrier. They’re joined by local metal legends Betrayer as well as Kitchener’s Three Crowns, and Windsor’s Protect Ya Neck and We Remain. Doors are at 5pm for this All-Ages event.
The Holden House is a secret location destination (those who know know) for a series of great cheap shows in a safe and drama-free environment and their shows have only built momentum since its inception. This Sunday they’re having an all-day BBQ music day, starting at 2pm (bring your own grillables), with music starting at 4pm. Music is being provided by such local favourites as Repetitions, Get Rad, Devilz By Definition, Ad Nauseam, Valerie Page, Goat Law, and Suppressulant. For certain reasons, we will not reveal the location of this house (it is someone’s house after all), but you can find out through various means on Facebook or contacting one of the acts.
Rees’ Pieces: One-On-One With Bootlace
Del Rees
I recently had the privilege of attending Ontario’s oldest punk festival in Campbellford, Ontario. Known as Spiderfest, it is named after a great man that everyone knew as “Spider,” an animal-rescuing lover of all things music who sported chains on his pants and a green mohawk until the day he died, in his 80s. Over 25 bands filled the roster for the weekend, including a local crust/hardcore band from Windsor known as Repetitions. Some of their upcoming shows in Windsor include opening for Jucifer, KENmode, and the highly anticipated Napalm Death. This is my interview with their guitarist, Stef Paulton, who many people know as “Bootlace.”
Rees: Tell us a bit about the name Bootlace. Where did it originate?
Bootlace: Well, it all started when I decided to change my facebook name. I was sort of weary that anyone who searched for my name could add me to Facebook, so I changed it. My Doc Marten boots gave me the idea, because my laces were always coming undone and people were always telling me to do them up, so I called myself Bootlace. I know it’s kind of lame to come up with your own nickname, but I wasn’t intending that to be the case. Most people still call me Stef, but I do occasionally get called Boot or Bootlace.
Rees: Repetitions could be described to some as crusty, hardcore punk. But if you had to describe it using three other words, which would you choose and why?
Bootlace: Hmmm. I would have to say fast, short and angry. We like really fast & short songs, and Jay adds the aggression with the vocals. It’s a perfect marriage.
Rees: On a scale of 1-10, how easily did Repetitions come together?
Bootlace: I would say it would be about a three or four. We had some issues in the beginning finding a full band. In fact, we had to cancel our first two or three shows because we couldn’t find a bass player, or a singer. We had a few people try out, but alas it wasn’t to be. However, the first time Ash heard us playing in the basement at my Christmas party, he knew he wanted to join us. He went out and got himself a bass and showed up to practice one day, having only played some twelve years before. I was kind of hesitant, I’m not going to lie, but after the first song we played together, the sparks were flying. We were almost complete. After a while of Sean saying over and over, “I want my friend Jay to sing with us!” I said, “Get him to come to practice” and then he came. Jay has so much energy and spirit, that I think it takes our sound to a whole new level of awesomeness! Jay was our biggest fan from the beginning. Playing with him at Spiderfest really was powerful. I think our family is complete now.
Rees: Every band has their mishaps when they first start out. Describe some of the mishaps that the band has gone through during live shows.
Bootlace: Well, for starters, I keep breaking shit. Usually my guitar, or a string that I don’t have a replacement for. We have had a few minor other mishaps, like Ash’s patch chord not wanting to stay in the jack, or losing drumsticks, but mostly it’s all good. Except for the Holden House show. It turns out drinking Menoshewitz on stage is not a good idea.
Rees: Out of the 5 live shows you’ve played, which was the most fun? Which would you say the band played the tightest? Which would you say was the biggest disaster?
Bootlace: Well, for me the most fun show was the London show. It was my first out of town show, and we got to play with Go Die Scum! and Gatgas. I really liked the crowd, I was happy with how we played, and the other bands were really good too! It was just a great vibe, and we all got super drunk after, which always makes for a great time as well. The tightest show we played would probably be the London show as well. I know everyone else in the band is a veteran, but this is my first band, and I know that we are still in our infancy. We’ve been improving more and more with every show though, and so I can’t wait to see what the next show will be like!
The worst show we played was definitely the Holden House show. I have nothing against the place, in fact, I rather enjoy going there to see other bands and to party with my friends. However, the looseness of it was kind of unreal. We got way too drunk too fast, especially considering we were expecting to be one of the first bands playing, and they decided to put us second last instead. Oops. I could barely stand, let alone play, and Sean was so drunk he was trying to play with the snare on his lap because he could not comprehend how to set up the snare stand. I think everyone left and went upstairs right around the middle of the first song. Ah well. Lesson learned. I think it will be a while before we play there again.
Rees: In one sentence describe the other band members. What do you think drives them forward with Repetitions?
Bootlace: One sentence huh? Well, they are the best brothers and friends I have ever had. I believe that your band is the family you get to choose, and I would go out on a limb for any one of them at any time. I think the thing that drives us all forward in our band has everything to do with the fact that we love the noise we are making. I think that’s important. I mean, if you don’t like what you are putting out, how can you expect other people to enjoy it? All our energy gets put out to the crowd, and they give us just as much back. This band is not a job. If it is, it’s the best job I ever had. Also the least paying job I’ve ever had. hahaha.
Rees: Most bands have that “one summer show” they are really looking forward to. Can you tell me about yours?
Bootlace: Spiderfest. Hands down. I went to my first one last summer, and it was the greatest thing that ever happened to me! The fact that I got to play it this year still blows my freaking mind! Basically it is a huge punkfest in Eastern Ontario. For those of you who haven’t heard of it, you need to go at least once. It will change you forever! There’s camping, bands, booze, and whatever else stimulates you. The people there are super friendly, the atmosphere is awesome, and best of all, no noise complaints! Pretty much the greatest thing on earth as far as I’m concerned.
Rees: What defines your own sense of style/fashion? Do you like to change it up, or keep it consistent?
Bootlace: Fashion? Style? I dunno. I try to wear clean clothes to shows, and whatever is comfortable, like my overalls. It just so happens that most of my shirts are band shirts, or Superman shirts, and I usually wear the same three or four pairs of pants or shorts all the time. I guess you could call that consistent.
Rees: I’ve heard that you are the only female punk guitarist playing live shows in Windsor right now. Does that put any amount of pressure on you?
Bootlace: I try not to look at it that way. I mean, really, there’s no one doing anything even close to what we are doing, so it’s not like I have to compete with anyone. Not that that’s what playing in a band is about anyways. To me it’s all about empowerment. Really, would it be more satisfying to me if I was playing a drumkit, or a bass guitar; or singing rather than playing a guitar? It doesn’t matter. Kind of like writing. Whether it’s in ball point, or typed on a computer, the words are just as powerful. It’s about being there, not what you’re doing.
Rees: Will Repetitions be releasing any professionally recorded music in the near future? What can the masses expect?
Bootlace: We hope to start recording soon. We haven’t decided what we’re going to be putting out yet, perhaps a seven inch.
Rees: What do you think about girls/women in punk who gain popularity by being more of a sex-object than someone with actual talent?
Bootlace: To be quite honest, I don’t really think about it. When I’m on stage, or getting ready to go on stage, the last thing I’m thinking about is what people think I look like, or how many people want to fuck me. Really, playing on stage is so empowering, it’s an experience that nothing else can compare to. I think that may be attractive to people, but who cares? I mean, if someone wants to be a sex symbol, and dress all sexy and dance all seductively, I have no issue with it. I can’t tell anyone how to do their thing. It’s not how I roll.
Rees: Tell me about the band’s “jam space.” Does it fit the “crust” persona you guys are going for?
Bootlace: My basement? Ha! I guess it’s pretty crusty. And kind of leaky, and smelly, so yeah. I guess it’s pretty crusty. I don’t know if we were ever trying to make it that way, but it sure fits the bill.
Rees: You recently invested in a sweet Crate half-stack. How long did it take you to figure it out and do you like the new “Stef-sound”?
Bootlace: How long? I’m still working on figuring it out. I’ve never been that technologically savvy. Give me some time. That’s what Ash is for anyways! (Love ya buddy) As for the new “Stef-sound,” I love it. It’s more grinding, much louder, and I’m definitely the loudest thing at practice now. Except for Sean. And Jay, boy’s got some pipes! Actually, Ash is pretty comparable. I guess it’s just loud enough.
Rees: What is your favorite Repetitions tune to jam, play live, or show off to your friends? Which one is your least favorite and why?
Bootlace: I love playing “No Escape”. I may be slightly biased, as I wrote it, but man does it roar. My least favorite song to play? I don’t know. I’m really into all of them actually. That’s what makes playing shows fun!
Rees: Do you find that you have a different personality on stage, or are you always the same ol’ Stef?
Bootlace: Sometimes I think when I’m on stage, I’m almost on my best behavior. Kind of weird for a punk, I know, but the face I put out to the world on stage says, “Yo.” The face I put out the rest of the time usually says, “AHHHHH!”
Rees: Where do you see yourself next summer with Repetitions?
Bootlace: Europe. I’m hoping to get to see some of the rest of the world. Traveling is cool.
Rees: Stefstock (your outdoor birthday bash) was quite the success. Tell us how that idea was started and how you feel about it now that it’s over? Is this something you’d like to do every year?
Bootlace: Actually, I got the idea from Spiderfest. It was originally started as Spider’s birthday, and he just kept getting more and more kickass bands every year, and more and more people started coming. When Sean told me the story, a light bulb kind of went off in my head, and I knew how I wanted to celebrate my next birthday. Turns out I can throw a pretty damn good party! Not to brag or anything. I’m already starting plans for next years Stefstock. My dad has been gracious enough to offer me his property again next year for the bash. Hope to see some of you out there!
Due to popular demand, whenever I interview someone from a band I will include a link to a place where interested readers can check out their music. You can partake of some Repetitions by clicking this link.
CJAM TOP 30!!! July 11-17/2011!
* = Canadian Content
1 HANDSOME FURS* – Sound Kapital (Sub Pop)
2 HOODED FANG* – Tosta Mista (Self-Released)
3 VARIOUS – Daydream Nation Soundtrack (Last Gang)
4 BATTLES – Gloss Drop (Warp)
5 AMON TOBIN* – Isam (Ninja Tune)
6 NATIONAL PARKS PROJECT* – National Parks Project (Last Gang)
7 AUDREY & THE AGENTS* – The Diane Sessions (Self-Released)
8 BRAVOFUNKEN – Coeur Rubik (Self-Released)
9 SLOAN* – The Double Cross (Outside)
10 ARCTIC MONKEYS – Suck It And See (Domino)
11 GRAHAM WRIGHT* – Shirts vs. Skins (File Under: Music)
12 VARIOUS – Original Jazz Classic: Remastered (Concord)
13 FUCKED UP* – David Comes to Life (Matador)
14 THIEVERY CORPORATION – Culture of Fear (ESL/Eighteenth Street Lounge)
15 JOHNNY WEST* – Gift For A Spider (Tosteestostas)
16 ORCHESTRE POLY-RHYTHMO – The 1st Album (Analog Africa)
17 MIRACLE FORTRESS* – Was I The Wave? (Secret City)
18 JOEL PLASKETT* – EMERGENCYs, false alarms, shipwrecks, castaways, fragile creatures, special features… (New Scotland)
19 BILL BOURNE & THE FREE RADIO BAND* – Bluesland (Self-Released)
20 SHABAZZ PALACES – Black Up (Sub Pop)
21 TY SEGALL – Goodbye Bread (Drag City)
22 AFRICAN HEAD CHARGE – Voodoo Of The Godesent (On-U Sound)
23 CHAD VANGAALEN* – Diaper Island (Flemish Eye)
24 ALINE MORALES* – Flores Tambores e Amores (Self-Released)
25 SALLIE FORD AND THE SOUND OUTSIDE – Dirty Radio (Partisan)
26 JUNIOR BOYS* – It’s All True (Domino)
27 KNOCK KNOCK GINGER* – We’re Headed For A Fall (Dadmobile)
28 JANE BUNNETT AND HILARIO DURAN* – Cuban Rhapsody (Alma)
29 ESMERINE* – La Leucheza (Constellation)
30 WASHED OUT – Within And Without (Sub Pop)
More Info?: www.earshot-online.com
Tues. July 19: 90′s icons Big Daddy A & The Merves reunite for last minute show at Phog
Contrary to what some folks will have you believe, Windsor has always had a strong and creative underground music scene and while the exploration and creativity of today’s bands are mind bogglingly good, the Windsor music scene hit it’s most successful (at least locally) boon during the 1990′s. It was the era when, thanks to the good folks of Seattle, Washington and a little troupe of neo-post-punk rockers called Nirvana exploded on the alternative circuit, pushing underground stations like 89X to the forefront of mainstream radio and CJAM became a nurturing/breeding ground for all things new and unique. Like the national stage that local stages so often mimic, the hair band circuit that had dominated the stages of iconic landmarks like Rum Runners and California’s was now being replaced by cover bands that chose to cover Pearl Jam or Jane’s Addiction rather than Tesla or Motley Crue. The Spotted Dog, The Coach & Horses and The Pterodactyl Lounge showcased some of the downtown core’s most eclectic acts, while Buzz’s Bar & Grill did the same on the West side. The Green Arts Fest (a precursor to Phog Phest and FAM Festival) was a huge local arts festival held at Mic Mac Park that celebrated the city’s vibrant underground arts, crafts and music scene.
The music came from all sides and sources. Leading the charge of the 90′s was the immortal Luxury Christ (which housed former Butthole Surfer and current Citywide Vacuum leader Trevor Malcolm as well as current Citywide Vacuum and ASK vocalist Nancy Drew), whose infectius pop vocals over frantic experimental sounds combined with legendary live shows (it wasn’t unheard of to see members frequently naked on stage) made them the quintessential draw of the decade. Current frontman for Toronto’s Fjord Rowboat, Craig Gloster, was cutting his teeth in Soyl, Ten Indians were beginning to stake their claim as Windsor’s premiere rock and roll band, although that mantle arguable was held by the bad boys of The Scarecrows (whose members include Paul Loncke of The Locusts Have No King and Years of Ernest, and pianist/vocalist George Bozanich). The Lager Lads and The Posers were creating new waters in Windsor’s hardcore punk scene (essentially creating it), while the glam punk theatrics of TOAST (fronted by Jamie Greer of The Vaudevillianaires and featuring Richard Benson from High Mother on guitar) brought rock and roll sensationalism to the punk stage. Toronto’s acclaimed singer/songwriter Dean Drouillard was getting his feet wet in the indie pop band The Skin Thieves (later Racecar), The Waker Glass‘ Robert Earl Stewart was still belting out songs with elephant, Sewing With Nancie had yet to find The Reason to move to Hamilton, Problem To The Solution was owning the metal scene (while future members of fiftywatthead and Lodown were getting their own start in Brown Water), and the rock and roll spectacle that was Jimmy Bronco was packing show after show.
With the rise of the Loop as the premier alternative club in the city in the mid-90′s, no band commandeered the stage with such satirical majesty as when the outfit known as Big Daddy A & The Merves took the stage. These guys were a rag tag troop of seeming rock and roll goofballs, dressed in outlandish costumes, singing about ridiculous themes and engaging in antics that seemed to border on homo erotic. But beneath the drunken buffoonary, these guys could play. They disbanded shortly after their debut release, We Stole Your Wallet, in 1997, but they’d left an indelible stain on Windsor’s crotch, one that no amount of confession or bleach could abolish. Frontman James Brejcha would wind up temporarily replacing Nancy Drew in Luxury Christ by the decade’s end before relocating to the West Coast, while guitarist Ben Brandes would end up traveling the country before settling down in Montreal to create the amazing ensemble The Unsettlers (as well as become the commuting bass player for The Golden Hands Before God). And bassist Ted Dimoglou would trade in his four strings for six and co-found the theatric shock rock metal band The Vaudevillianaires.
While Brandes is unable to make the reunion show (he just left the area after three solid Windsor shows with The Unsettlers), Brejcha and Dimoglou are teaming back up with former Merve Mark Fleming on drums and guitarist Eddie James (who replaced Brandes causing the band to rename themselves The Flying Bears of Vengeance, and later played in Hogfat and briefly played in The Vaudevillianaires as The Milkman) for a special reunion show tonight at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West), playing crowd favourites from both Big Daddy A & The Merves and The Flying Bears of Vengeance. Opening the show is The Prophecy.
And if you want to familiarize yourself with their ridiculousness and awesomeness, you can download for FREE their 1997 album over at WindsorDIY, then come tonight for this FREE reunion featuring some real classic musicians from Windsor’s 90′s heyday.
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
Playlist for the July 13, 2011 show;
The Unsettlers – Tie a Rope (Blood and Oil – 2010)
ASK- Safety Zone (Future Communication – 2011)
Sirens and Serenades – 10 Steps (From the Edge) (The Unspoken Art of Lying – 2011)
Star Trek: The Band – Red Shirt’s Fall of Doom (What Little Girls Are Made Of? – 2011)
Fresh Breath – Precious Time (The Speed of Sound – 2010)
Five Alarm Funk – Cave of the Gypsy Troll (Live at Phog – 2011)
Anonymous Bosch – Explode, Reload (Anonymous Bosch – 2010)
The Nefidovs – Beg Your pardon (Set Faces to Stunned – 2011)
With Glowing Hearts – Long Necks Don’t Play With Three Horns (The Riley EP – 2011)
Bombs – Patch on My Parka (The Windsor Zene January Sampler – 2011)
Valerie Page – Great Divide (Landscape in Decay – 2011)
Richie Nix – Empty Heart (Light Years – 2011)
Victory, Sweet Victory – Under Fire
StereoGoesStellar – Hit Me With Your Best Shot (StereoGoesStellar – 2009)
The Square Root of Margaret – Revisit the Cosmos: With Your Hosr, Gelatinous “Space” Mendoza!
This week I was really excited to play my interview with Five Alarm Funk‘s Dameian Walsh, and the bootleg recording I had of last week’s show. Talking with Dameian outside of Phog last Friday night was an interesting experience, my first on site interview, as opposed to in the studio. We had an amusing time talking about playing at Phog, playing at the Olympics, and how he saw the Vancouver Hockey Riots first hand. He had some interesting opinions on those, refreshing to hear someone’s take on the whole thing without the media’s overdramatic spin on it.
The entire show that night was a great time, with Windsor’s The Bad Mothers putting on a great opening set; smooth and groovy funk covers. F.A.F. Were loads of fun as well, getting the entire place dancing. The only complaint I heard about the night was that it took too long for the show to start, and far too long for the headliner to take the stage. But that seemed a small matter when held up agianst what a great time the entire show was. To read more about it, check out the WindsoriteDOTca article.
This Saturday local skate punkers The Rowley Estate are putting on a house show and BBQ to heko raise funds for the release of their first album. The recordings have been finished since February, now the boys just need a little help raising the cash to get the albums pressed. To do this, they have enlisted the help of The Nefidovs, Ape Cassette, With Glowing Hearts, and Kiriyama. The show is set to take place on July 16 at 1339 Hall Ave. in Windsor. Admission is $5, the show is all ages, and BBQ’d goods will be for sale throughout the show. House shows are certainly the bets thing ever, and since this one is being held to help with an album release, it really is a great cause. Go out, enjoy the tunes, support the band, and have some fun.
Victory, Sweet Victory! Returns to Windsor this Sunday, bringing their energetic pop-punk show back to The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave.) where they’ll be playing along with Pulp City Inn, The Beijing Bike Club, Empty Spaces, No Dice, and Montreal’s Third Place. A night of some of the finest pop-punk from Windsor and beyond, with advance tickets going for only $7, this all ages show might be worth stopping by.
If you’re looking for some great CJAM programming outside the hours of The Windsor Scene, might I recommend Sugar For Your Ears, an all electronica show that airs every monday from 10:30 pm until midnight. The Host Bill is a very nice character who will charm you as he spins some of the best electronica on the airwaves.
CJAM TOP 30!!! July 4th – 10th 2011!
* = Can-Con
1 JUNIOR BOYS* – It’s All True (Domino)
2 JOHNNY WEST* – Gift For A Spider (Tosteestostas)
3 CHAD VANGAALEN* – Diaper Island (Flemish Eye)
4 THE NEFIDOVS* – Set Faces To Stunned (Self-Released)
5 BOOKER T. JONES – The Road From Memphis (Anti-)
6 VIEUX FARKA TOURE – The Secret (Six Degrees)
7 TON* – Going Places (Self-Released)
8 VARIOUS* – The All-Skanadian Club Vol.5 (Stomp)
9 THE SURE THINGS* – Second Gear (Self-Released)
10 ARCTIC MONKEYS – Suck It And See (Domino)
11 ANNA ATKINSON* – Mooniture (Self-Released)
12 DECLAIME – Self Study (Epis Peach Sound)
13 MYELIN SHEATHS* – Get on Your Nerves (South Paw)
14 FUCKED UP* – David Comes to Life (Matador)
15 FLEET FOXES – Helplessness Blues (Sub Pop)
16 HANDSOME FURS* – Sound Kapital (Sub Pop)
17 HARRY MANX AND KEVIN BREIT* – Strictly Whatever (Stony Plain)
18 SLOAN* – The Double Cross (Outside)
19 THE ROSEBUDS – Loud Planes Fly Low (Merge)
20 BLACKIE AND THE RODEO KINGS* – Kings and Queens (File Under: Music)
21 FM BELFAST – Don’t Want To Sleep (Morr Music)
22 LINDI ORTEGA* – Little Red Boots (Last Gang)
23 LIVING WITH LIONS* – Holy Shit (Adeline)
24 JOEL PLASKETT* – EMERGENCYs, false alarms, shipwrecks, castaways, fragile creatures, special features… (New Scotland)
25 DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP – The Logic of Chance (Urbnet)
26 BRAZILIAN MONEY* – This Is Not A Dream (Totally Disconnected)
27 DARK MEAN – Dark Mean (Self-Released)
28 THE BLUE STONES* – The Blue Stones (Self-Released)
29 HARRIS EISENSTADT* – Canada Day II (Songlines)
30 GRAHAM WRIGHT* – Shirts vs. Skins (File Under: Music)
More Info: www.earshot-online.com
Star Trek: The Band unleashes debut recordings to the universe
It’s become a cult tradition, seemingly as much about the members own musical fancies and ambitions than the audience’s approval. Every few months, since the end of summer in 2010, a group of musicians (most of whom play in various other successful local projects) – under the collective guise of Star Trek: The Band – announce a show with little fan fare and little promotion, taking the stage together to create a live musical moment. But not just any musical moment. They’ve united to create a completely unique, completely unrehearsed, completely improvisational score to episodes of the original Star Trek series (the one that birthed Captain Kirk and Spock, amongst others).
Led by “Captain” James Oltean-Lepp (of James O-L & The Villains and The Sean Connery Supergroup), the massive sonic orchestra weaves and mingles amongst each others sounds, creating soundscapes that travel from the simple groove to cacaphonist aural orgies, while episodes of the Star Trek series is shown on the back drop behind them. Rob Williams (Lastertears) manipulates the show’s audio through effects, keying in signature sounds and important dialogue, while guitarists Bohdan Pidskalny (Orphan Choir, James O-L & The Villains and The Sean Connery Supergroup), Colin Wysman (What Seas, What Shores and Space Vampire) and Oltean-Lepp himself dance around each other in love and war. Joe Rabie (Surdaster, Cellos and Red Rows) holds down the spider web bass lines, occasionally twining with fellow bassist Kyle Lefaive (James O-L & The Villains and The Sean Connery Supergroup), who also tackles additional guitars and percussion. Multi-instrumentalists abound throughout the line-up, like the variety of aliens who inhabit the Star Trek Universe: Martin Schiller (87 Things For The Future, Whats Seas, What Shores and Space Vampire) tackles percussion, drums, bass guitar and multiple electronics (he assumed Rob Williams’ post on audio for the last performance), Murad Erzinclioglu (Surdaster and (wh)y.m.e(??)) manipulates the MC-303, percussion and other electronic audibles, Muzzin‘s Tim Nantais manipulates electronics as well as playing the trumpet, Dave Odette returned to the stage with his didgeridoo and Jamie Greer (The Vaudevillianaires, The Golden Hands Before God, The FourJury) returned to his Golden Hands roots with an assortment of percussive toys (tambourines, maracas, triangles, and…sandpaper??). An army of some of the city’s most reliable back beat soldiers fill the multiple drum kits, including Caleb Farrugia (James O-L & The Villains, What Seas, What Shores and Space Vampire), Alex Carruthers (Alex Carruthers & The Rhythm Brothers and Red Rows), Damien Zakoor (The Vaudevillianaires, The Golden Hands Before God, The Swillingtones, The Tyres), Adam Bombardier (Surdaster and Alex Carruthers & The Rhythm Brothers) and Bradford Helner (The FourJury, Twistin’ Tarantulas, Huladog, NOT_Digital). Guest players have included Kyle Marchand (Orphan Choir, What Seas, What Shores and Cellos) on guitar, Two For The Cascade‘s Holly Brush on theramin, Hardcore Al on keyboards and Sean Connery Supergroup frontman James Steinhoff.
And now finally, after four missions (including a complete scoring for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan), Star Trek: The Band has released it’s first recording, a live album of the complete recording of their score from their June 24th sountrack for the classic episode “What Are Little Girls Made Of?”. You can download the psychedelic journey FREE at the group’s bandcamp website and find out about upcoming “missions” at their Facebook page.
Weekly Round-Up (July 11-17)
Windsor has never failed to impress that a city with this size can continue to deliver a solid mix of touring national acts (and interesting ones at that) with a diversely rich cross-section of musical genres. It’s not often in city’s our size to be able to see such amazing talent from folk to heavy metal and with the degree of regularity that it occurs. This is something very distinct to the Windsor-Detroit region and is something we should all be proud of, supportive of and respective of. And this week has more of them as well!
MONDAY JULY 11
Christian metal has always seemed like a bit of an oxymoron to me (but perhaps it’s because I remember the atrocity that was Stryper), but the heavier side of Christian metal and hardcore has done surprisingly well over the past years. California’s Impending Doom headlines a huge bill at The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave.), an all-ages affair that kicks off at 6pm. Also on the bill are Alabama’s mychildren mybride, Texas outfit A Bullet for Pretty Boy, Ohio’s The Crimson Armada and Windsor’s own Faithful Unto Death (coming off a solid CD release at New Song Church) and newcomers Legions.
WEDNESDAY JULY 13
The Montreal whisky swill orchestra known as The Unsettlers hit Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) for what will surely be a packed house. Check out the recent preview of the show for more details.
THURSDAY JULY 14
In anticipation of the weekend’s BluesFest, The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave.) and the Windsor Bluesfest are uniting to showcase a free jam night starting at 8pm. Rumour has it some of the artists at this year’s Blues fest will be jamming as an early warm-up for the weekend’s festivities, and may be joined by some of the area’s top musicians.
FRIDAY JULY 15
Ottawa’s progcore metal kings Today I Caught The Plague hit The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave.) headlining a great showcase of local metal including perhaps Windsor’s current kings of the Iron Throne, Assassinate The Following, the impressive young upstarts of Perpetuate, as well as the reliably strong Cyreene, Sirens & Serenades and Blackthorn City. Opening the show are newcomers Dead Mans Will.
If you’re into the slow groove swagger of bands like Sublime or Jack Johnson, you’ll dig Toronto’s The Unknown Culprits who swing through the city with a show at the legendary Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, basement level), where they’re joined by George Xenophon and Mad Dog Tanner.
ASK makes their Windsor homecoming at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West). With mainman Chad Howson relocated to Toronto, Windsor doesn’t get ASK as much as we used to (although the members all continue in other successful projects around town). Hard Sell opens the show.
SATURDAY JULY 16
Windsor’s cigarettes and alcohol swagger answer to BritPop bands like Oasis, The Verve or The Jam, the four piece called Bombs (which also calls Toronto home), return to Windsor for their only show of the year (following a sell out show at Lee’s Palace for this year’s NXNE) at The Dugout (300 Ouellette Ave.). There are few acts in town that live the rock and roll lifestyle as much as they do bring it to their live performances, but Bombs is definitely one of them.
Toronto’s The Womb hits the Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, basement level) with a brand of 90′s inspired metal, alongside locals No Subject.
Detroit’s Car Parts are a quirky indie pop band who are self-described “Detroit Northern Soul” – which as strange as that sounds, makes perfect sense, as they sound like Motown’s answer to late 80′s Mod bands with just enough Detroit bravado. They’ll be playing at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave.).
SUNDAY JULY 17
Seems to be a week dedicated to out of town acts and the trend continues on Sunday with Toronto’s Victory, Sweet Victory hitting The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave.) for an all-ages show at 5pm that also features Montreal’s Third Place, as well as stong local acts in Pulp City Inn, Beijing Bike Club and newcomers Empty Spaces and No Dice.
Wed. July 13: An Unsettling night at Phog
The Montreal collective known nationwide as The Unsettlers will be playing an intimate showcase this Wednesday night at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) and if you don’t get your tickets soon, you may be on the outside looking through foggy Phog windows. This 10-piece gypsy symphony is coming in hot off the heels of critically acclaimed performances at the Montreal Jazz Festival as well as two solid performances at this year’s Festival Epicure into a venue that holds but 65 people. On past visits to Windsor, they’ve played far bigger rooms, but this time, things are going to get sweaty.
The Unsettlers are a hard band to categorize musically. With ten members adding their sounds (and with ten unique personalities attached), the band is like a jamboree of emotions, ranging from the whisky melancholy to the excitably gypsy. Somewhere between Tom Waits and Gogo Bordello, you’ll find The Unsettlers and even that description is pushing it. When the ashes settle, when you’ve run out of record store/radio created sub-genres of music (East Euro indie gypsy-folk swing?), all you’re truly left with is a sound that is 100% Unsettlers.
Two of the principle music writers have close ties to Windsor-Essex. Pianist Dustyn Lucas (who resembles a five and dime Schroeder from the Peanuts comics on his little piano) is from Kingsville and frontman B.W. Brandes is a long time veteran of Windsor’s music scene, toiling in the popular ’90′s band Big Daddy A & The Merves as well as serving as the bassist in the psychedelic rock supergroup The Golden Hands Before God… during their last year of playing and touring. But whatever their Windsor roots planted, it was their almost Muppet Movie travels that created the entity that is now the Unsettlers.
Gestated on the West Coast, where Brandes and Lucas teamed up with the lovely Genevieve Schreier and Brie Nelson as well as Sudbury native Santosh Lalonde, they relocated to Montreal where they picked up more members, swelling to the ten piece congregation of impressive musicians and even more impressive drinkers, creating a groundswell of music that is as undeniably infectious as the band is talented. They’re still touring promoting last fall’s ambitious and epic double CD Oil & Blood, a Coen Brothers-esque carnival ride of death, love and graveyards that served as a monstrously fun follow-up to the haunting self titled debut from a few years previous. In that the past few years, they’ve played countless shows and festivals (including this year’s Montreal Jazz Festival, several Montreal Fringe festival appearances, shows at the prestigious Montreal concert Osheaga, and a run playing at an actual carnival Quebec), recorded a live EP for CBC Radio (which essentially previewed some tracks for Oil & Blood mixed with some favourites off the debut), and played more shows in a year than some bands play in their career. And in between breaths, members of the band have created side projects (using principally each other) such as Brie Nelson and Her Other Men, Bad Uncle and Deer Ashes, Dear. This is a family who lives together and plays together. They know each other’s intricacies and delicacies so well, that they’ve created the perfect commune of music and social interaction.
And all of that is evident when you watch one of their shows. This isn’t just a group of ten musicians playing to check each other’s ego. Each note is carefully inserted, each line spit with the ferocity it deserves, each moment is fully and absolutely realized – this is a show. This is the way music was designed to be presented by people who enjoy each others’ musical company equally as much as they enjoy yours.
In anticipation of the rush of people expected, Phog is preselling tickets for this show, so one would advise you get there soon. Tickets are $10 each for an evening with The Unsettlers (no opening act, three straight hours of show) and it’ll be worth all the oil and blood in the country.
An Evening with The Unsettlers, Wednesday July 13, Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West), 9pm, $10 in advance and door, 19+
Rees’ Pieces: Interview With a Yeti
Del Rees
One of the first people in the local music scene I have had the privilege of being introduced to since moving to Windsor was none other than Alex Petrovich (a.k.a Al the Yeti Bones). Known around town as the vocalist for Gypsy Chief Goliath and a talented “mixer/masterer” for many other recording bands, he is also the brains behind The Yeti Agency. What follows is my very own “Interview With a Yeti.”
Rees: First let’s talk about Gypsy Chief Goliath. Tell me a bit about the music. What can first-time listeners expect?
The Yeti: GCG came about after all our previous bands came crashing down. The way things fizzle out sometimes leaves with an “unfinished business” type mentality. A band can take years to fully “hit their stride” and I feel that I haven’t hit mine yet. I write songs every day, of all genres. Some get tossed into the “band mix” and some never make it off my Pro Tools. Gypsy Chief Goliath came about as a concept where I wanted to hand pick the members of other bands that happened to have fizzled out the same way Georgian Skull did. So I asked Dave Ljubanovich from Blood Runs Cold, and Adam Saitti from Georgian Skull to join, alongside John Kendrick from Keef, and a schoolmate of mine who played the harmonica named Brodie Stevenson also got brought in. We’re from all parts of the province and being so far apart I think keeps us united and focused on the main goal. Music is an evil quality in my life, it tends to take over when I’m in that mode, so to have everyone live down the street from each other, would probably (and has at times) ruin my life. It’s like having to be Batman all the time. Although it would be cool, a real life has to be lived as well. So when the “Bat Signal” is in the air, that is when we all unite and do Gypsy Chief Goliath. It’s a band, but more importantly it’s turning into a monster. When we hit the road this summer for the Band of Gypsies Tour 2011, we’ll show you exactly what I mean.
Rees: What unique perspectives are brought to the band by each of the other members?
The Yeti: I think we will be jamming a lot more, and the clean and “separation of the parts” that we write after recording the album, all became a lot tighter. The elements each guy brings to the table is unique from the other. We all have an understanding for what to play in a song to help that song be the best it can be. No one shines over the other, cause we’re playing to the song and not for the parts we play to shine. We’d like to think that the song is shining on its own.
Rees: As vocalist, what do you find is the hardest part of a live show?
The Yeti: Personally, I have a real love/hate relationship with music, but do agree that performance is a different beast entirely. If you successfully integrate the two into one show, it is quite amazing. Alice Cooper does it to the extreme, and guys like Neil Fallon do it more to a raw, stripped-back, barely-speak-between-songs approach. Whereas Cooper’s performance is almost a broadway musical. I’d like to think that I give it 1000% all the time on stage, but I know there is always something more I can do. It comes with being comfortable, and you have to possess a certain type of arrogance (which I don’t believe I have) to try and not come off pretentious when you are up there acting like something bigger than you really are. That is my problem sometimes with performing. I often feel like I’m out of my head and think “How do I appear to others?” It’s a lack of connection that I feel on some nights. And on other nights, its a total connection. I think the honest approach is best. I’ve had my best performances on nights where I was really sober and able to hear and separate all the parts going on when played, and understand a more technical view of things. It makes you connect more. You are inside the moment, and feel that moment almost fuses with what’s happening outside the body. With what’s actually coming out of the amps. With what’s honestly being heard. I’ve had nights where I was too hammered to be up there, or on something else, and I’m not listening. At all. I’m up there spewing out the lyrics but I’m slightly off time, I’m screaming more then I usually do, and not watching how the band is playing with each other. I lose my voice and I lost the connection with the audience. Because I simply wasn’t there… the hardest part of a live show is delivering the goods every fuckin night and still being able to connect.
Rees: How much time does the band spend writing original material? How much original material has never been played live?
The Yeti: We spend a lot of time writing original material. Dave and I are always sending each other demos back and forth through email, and adding to them, then sending them back to each other. Once we get something viable and ready to be brought into the mix, we’ll bring it up with the band, then the parts start getting arranged, and hooks start coming into their own. I think the next album is going to be half written in the cottage studio next time. We’ll have tapes upon tapes and cell phone recordings, and Pro Tool demos, MP3s and CD-Rs filled with riffs, vocals, drum beats, and tons of melodies that we’ll already have halfway put together, but come time to record, we’ll be approaching those ideas with fresh intentions, and new found arrangements. There is a lot of songs we haven’t played live yet, that we’re currently working on in rehearsals for the tour. About a week or two before the tour begins, I’ll be in Toronto with the guys rehearsing every single day for tour, then meeting up with Pigeon Park in Windsor on August 4th which is a Thursday night that will kick off the tour this summer. It’ll be down at the Coach.
Rees: Where did the name Gypsy Chief Goliath come from? Does it have a specific meaning to the band?
The Yeti: Long story short, I wanted this name to be something bigger than the last. Georgian Skull was a great name because of the meaning behind it. It had a historic meaning that was very fitting and no one had taken it yet. Which was really quite shocking under the circumstances of the meaning. So I wanted this one to be more mythological sounding and more of everything that we wanted to do musically. Each word can speak for itself and each word could be a band on its own. But we felt that one name could not pin point us as well as three could. Gypsy Chief Goliath. Its perfect for who we are.
Rees: Describe your vocal “style”… do you have anyone else you like to compare yourself to, or do you prefer to be classified as incomparable?
The Yeti: My vocal style comes from a few places that I had worked on for years. It comes from the blues, specifically, and guys like Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, and Jim Morrison of course, but the heavier aspect of me comes from guys like Neil from Clutch, Alice Cooper and Phil Anselmo. But I definitely try to NOT do what they do, and have tried to find my own way through. I haven’t listened to my influences in a very very long time, I refuse to nowadays simply because my own style is what I’m developing, and I develop each day by listening to other things now. I’ve honed my skills to the point where I feel comfortable to not play guitar and sing at the same time, and just focus on being a vocalist. As of late, people I’m in awe with are guys like: Mike Patton, Miles Kennedy, and even the guy from the band Graveyard. I’m definitely in a stage where I am listening to different things. All the time. Instrumental music as well. But I don’t compare myself to anyone else, I compare me, to me. The Yeti. That’s the only person I compare myself to, everyday.
Rees: Now let’s discuss The Yeti Agency. Describe the kinds of services you provide and what a band can expect when they deal with The Yeti.
The Yeti: Well we are a full-on management agency for bands across Canada. The more communication you have with us, the more we can do with you. If you don’t keep the lines open for communication it becomes very difficult to help build you. We all have to start somewhere, and our job is to take you from that place and bring you to somewhere else. Hopefully higher. Benefits from dealing with us are that you have a site that attracts a lot of viewers from sponsorships, and movie and television companies coming to our site on a daily basis, as we also license out music for television, commercial, and film. Now while I can’t say we’ve placed anything in the past, we are currently in the process of placing some music as we speak. Very exciting things are happening in our first year of business. We’ve lost a few bands along the way; it is only normal at this stage. To make sure our priorities continue in the right direction, some ties have to be cut. Like I said, its only natural these things are definitely expected. We book tours, we book out of town shows, we push your music to labels and A&R reps, we are also working on sponsorships and endorsements for tour packages ie.. strings, sticks, picks, and chicks. Haha… Like I said, we’re also placing music into film, and T.V. The next step in the agency will be to form a Publishing Company/Record Label. Everything is pointing to that direction. The Yeti Agency is also advised through the experience of Mia Tyler (Steven Tyler’s daughter, ONR Management Co-Founder) and Morgan Lander from the band Kittie. We are focused on developing a community of bands that are all trying to climb this ladder together.
Rees: Tell us about your education background and how it affects the music you record for others, and the music you make with Gypsy Chief.
The Yeti: Well, I have a diploma in Music Industry & Arts. It’s an audio engineering program that also specializes in Music Business. The president of Sony was a grad, Survivorman was a grad, and the producer who did the Ozzy and Rob Zombie records as of late was also a grad. And plenty of other ties to the music industry through this program. It’s pretty badass, when it comes to our professors too, cause they were all guys out in the industry kickin’ ass for years before they got jobs with the college. Plus, a lot of them are still working in the industry. Our production teacher just won another Juno this last year. I came from a heavy touring background and played in bands on a national level before I got into school so that helped me progress along quickly, because I had already had my name on 4-5 records and ended up recording my own album for Georgian Skull deep into my 1st year of school, and it was being sent out to Scarlet Records/SPV label. So there were things I had been busy with all throughout school. I didn’t have much time to spend worrying about projects for school, as a lot of things were on my plate in those years. But I finished, and when I did, it took about a year or two to really let the pieces fall where they did. I had a job in New York at a studio there, and a publishing job as well in New Jersey. The internship at Indie Pool, that pretty much saved my life, solidifying a great friendship with Mia Tyler, and even made it through several hundred writing auditions for an interview with the show “Out There: w/ Melissa DiMarco.” All these things played a HUGE roll in the business that I eventually went on to start. My goal is to keep as busy as possible, I’d say I’ve managed to do that quite well. In Sept. after the summer tour, I fly to British Columbia with our harmonica player Brodie to produce the next Pigeon Park album, which is going to be so heavy. Compared to the last one which ultimately came out like a Black Crows or Chilli Peppers sounding record, this next one is going to be much more Graveyard, Witchcraft, meets Big Business.
Rees: You recently moved back to Windsor. What do you hope to do for the local scene? What do you hope to see change?
The Yeti: Well I just want to get re-familiarized within the scene and go out to as many shows as possible. Get talking to everyone and push some business, but also spread some advice too. Windsor always had the best scene in Canada, and it goes unnoticed a lot of the time, because other town are just so much bigger. I’d like to see Windsor change in the regard that big promoters and big festival people should have more faith in their locals and give the opportunities that are deserved by our locals to play these big shows that come to town. There are a lot more acts in Windsor that are doing things on a national, and global level that are basically being shoved under the radar, and dismissed. I think Windsor could use a festival where all the big bands and bars take part in it, and everyone comes out to play including the majors of Windsor. But the locals will be what steal the show.
Rees: What is your overall opinion of “friendly competition” amongst bands?
The Yeti: I’m into it. I like it. You hear legendary stuff about the L.A Strip because the bands all hated each other, but still did shows together. The fans not knowing what would happen was what made it exciting. I think here, we tend to try and be too nice to one another, I like the mutual respect factor and I like everyone getting along to a point, but I also like knowing there are bands here that are united and are against other bands here. Shit-talking helps sell things. If we had a bigger scene, where you didn’t have to see everyone each night if you chose to go out, I’d say it would be even worse. I remember years ago I started a lot of shit with bands, and to a point I still don’t regret it, but on certain aspects I can see now, that I was just being young and stupid. But if to be young and stupid isn’t rock and roll, then I don’t know what is.
Rees: Would you say that you are proud of what Windsor has accomplished with music?
The Yeti: Yes. Very proud. I just wish that it wasn’t always the same people you keep hearing about, as they are not the only ones making waves. I feel sometimes I live and breath in the underground and no one else knows about anything I’m doing.
Rees: Say a new band wants some advice from you on how to be “successful.” Define success and tell me what you would say to them.
The Yeti: I’d say if you can make money playing music, you are successful. Have dreams that are realistic, and go for them. Be an opportunist, and never let one slip you by. Also understand that music costs money and making music costs money, so don’t spend all your money on drugs and alcohol. And save a little bit more each week to buy a van.
Rees: What can we expect musically from Gypsy Chief Goliath over the next while? Do you guys plan on changing it up a bit, or sticking to that same style everyone’s come to love?
The Yeti: New album: “It’s A Walk In The Mist” on Black Vulture Records Sweden, coming out this year. Summer tour from Aug. 4th-28th from Windsor to Prince Edward Island and back. You can expect the next record to be much more soulful, integrated with more jazz and more blues. But its going to definitely be heavier. Heavier on the soul, that is. Musically it will delve into many different styles, but the one thing will remain… Our input will still be channeled through what it is we do. And that’s just rock and roll. We’re just going to get better. That’s our goal.
Rees: If you could pick any other city in the world to live in with the purpose of enjoying the local music, what city would it be?
The Yeti: Stockholm, Sweden. I think that Sweden has been consistently the greatest music scene. All genres of music have been coming out of there, forever, and they go on to be some of the coolest bands on the planet. From Death Metal to Rock n’ Roll, they’ve been proving that a lot of different kinds of genres can survive in one scene, it doesn’t all just have to be from one style.
Rees: Any final thoughts?
The Yeti: We’re playing Coach N’ Horses with Pigeon Park and a few more bands for our tour kickoff party Thurs. Aug. 4th 2011. Please come on out, we will have merchandise FINALLY!
We need your money to help us go on tour!
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
Playlist for July 6, 2011;
Dstruct.O – Nuclear War (Drumstep EP 02 – 2011)
The Unsettlers – Dead and Gone (Oil and Blood – 2010)
Justin Faubert – Mother Nature (Justin Faubert – 2011)
The Blue Stones – More to Life (The Blue Stones – 2011)
StateSideSin – River (The Windsor Zene December Sampler – 2010)
MicLordz and Sauce Funky – Why U So? (Funk You Up EP – 2007)
The Classix – Girl Like You (Live What You Love EP – 2011)
Blurt – Can You Feel It? (The Love) (The Upsides of Effort – 2007)
Falling with Glory – Fight with Honour (The Windsor Zene January Sampler – 2011)
Beijing Bike Club – The Past (The Windsor Zene January Sampler – 2011)
Radio Adelaide – Sex on the Side of the Road (…And On The Brighter Side of Things)
Weirdonia – Green Tables (Single – 2011)
TON – Gutting (Going Places – 2011)
The Nefidovs – Animal Love (Set Faces to Stunned – 2011)
Impending Doom – Aeon of Dreams (Cadeus Sacrilegae)
Faithful Unto Death – All Talk (Coming Home – 2011)
High Mother – Zombie Star (Gotta Get Love – 2011)
As far as exciting shows this week go, there are a couple, but only one has me crazy pumped.
Five Alarm Funk! This ten-piece funkily eclectic group hails from Vancouver, and will be taking over the stage (and then some) at Phog Lounge on Friday, July 8th. They’re playing Burlington on the 7th and London on the 9th, but are nice enough to be taking a detour to Windsor for your entertainment. This show will probably sell out, so advance tickets might be a good idea. You can get them at the venue for $12, or try the night of the show and pay $15. But whatever you decide, remember to bring your dancing shoes, as this is not a show that will have you leaning against walls with your arms crossed.
On Saturday Villains Beastro is hosting a free show with StateSideSin and Diesel Junkies, which is recommended because not only is the price right, the venue is stellar (I’m actually enjoying their atmosphere and Chicken Parmageddon Panini as I write this…) but the bands are good too! Groovy rock ‘n’ roll sure to entertain as the evil eyes of the cinema scoundrels that adorn the walls look on.
Tune in next Wednesday between 5 and 6:30 for more of what is happening in your local music scene.
CJAM TOP 30!!! June 27th – July 3rd 2011!
* – Canadian Content
1 NEIL YOUNG* – International Harvesters: A Treasure (Reprise)
2 JOEL PLASKETT* – EMERGENCYs, false alarms, shipwrecks, castaways, fragile creatures, special features… (New Scotland)
3 VIEUX FARKA TOURE – The Secret (Six Degrees)
4 JOHNNY WEST* – Gift For A Spider (Tosteestostas)
5 ANNA ATKINSON* – Mooniture (Self-Released)
6 LIGHT BULB ALLEY* – The Sound Of Things (Ricochet Sound)
7 CIGARETTES* – Will To War & Wreck It (Self-Released)
8 THE HOOK UP* – Tomorrow and Today (Ricochet Sound)
9 SLOAN* – The Double Cross (Outside)
10 GRAHAM WRIGHT* – Shirts vs. Skins (File Under: Music)
11 CHAD VANGAALEN* – Diaper Island (Flemish Eye)
12 COREA, CLARK & WHITE – Forever (Concord)
13 LINDI ORTEGA* – Little Red Boots (Last Gang)
14 CORNERSHOP – Cornershop And The Double ‘O’ Groove Of… (Ample Play)
15 BLACKIE AND THE RODEO KINGS* – Kings and Queens (File Under: Music)
16 MATTHEW BARBER* – Matthew Barber (Outside)
17 THE BLIND WILLIES – Needle, Feather & A Rope (Self-Released)
18 SEUN KUTI AND FELA’S EGYPT 80 – From Africa with Fury: Rise (Knitting Factory)
19 VARIOUS* – The All-Skanadian Club Vol.5 (Stomp)
20 BRAZILIAN MONEY* – This Is Not A Dream (Totally Disconnected)
21 THE FELICE BROTHERS – Celebration, Florida (Fat Possum)
22 THE LADYBUG TRANSISTOR – Clutching Stems (Merge)
23 ALEX PANGMAN AND HER ALLEY CATS* – 33 (Justin Time)
24 THE BLUE STONES* – The Blue Stones (Self-Released)
25 VARIOUS* – True Blue (Paper Bag)
26 CAT’S EYES – Cat’s Eyes (Polydor)
27 NATHANIEL SUTTON* – Nathaniel Sutton (Oak Apple)
28 THURSTON MOORE – Demolished Thoughts (Matador)
29 DALE EARNHARDT JR. JR. – It’s A Corporate World (Quite Scientific)
30 ANDREW VIVONA* – Slow Down For Me (Self-Released)
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
In case you missed the show on June 29th, or would just like to relive the magic, access the archive here. Or, if you’re only looking to find out what a certain song was, see the playlist here;
Shortcut to Last – Two Minutes in Heaven (Two Minutes in Heaven EP – 2011)
HONHEEHONHEE – A. is for Animal
These Kids Wear Crowns – All The Way Home (These Kids Wear Crowns EP – 2009)
We Can Be Heroes – With Hopes Held High (Single – 2011)
StereoGoesStellar – Far Too Gone (Post Traumatic Head – 2009)
Shortcut to Last – I Wish (Live On Air)
The Classix – Peace of Mind (Live What You Love EP – 2011)
Inoke Errati – Trying (The Wink and the Gun – 2008)
Shortcut to Last – Up All Night (2 Minutes in Heaven EP – 2011)
Monique Belanger – Through Yellow Fields (The W Music Compliation – 2008)
Erin Gignac – You! (Erin Gignac – 2002)
Shortcut to Last – Friend Fatale (Live On Air)
Shortcut to Last – Bubbles Galore (Two Minutes in Heaven EP – 2011)
This week was a lot of fun, having three-quarters of local pop-punkers Shortcut to Last join me in the studio. We learned about the new band members, the recording process of their new EP, the upcoming slip-n-slide music video shoot, and their EP release show, which happened on Friday and I hear went very well. They also were nice enough to play a couple songs live for us, and that was pretty awesome. They marked the first band to use percussion when playing live on air, and I think it turned out quite well. They also had friends filming the entire show, and will likely post those videos at some point in the near future. Keep an eye out for those, and maybe you’ll get a look at what goes on in the studio when the mics are off. Good job boys, thanks for coming in, and feel free to come back any time!
Here’s a video of this enterprising group from when they set themselves up in front of the entrance to Beaverfest and handed out free CD’s to passerby
Also this week I had a special interview/live recording submission from Sarah Morris, the host of CJAM’s Pardon My French which airs every Thursday from 2:30 to 4 pm. She attended the Johnny West show at Mackenzie Hall a couple of weeks back, and did some great recordings of Johnny playing and answering some of her questions. The show was in support of his newest release, “Gift From a Spider”, an album full of emotion and the classic sound that Windsor expects from Mr. West. Try hitting up Dr. Disc for a copy, they usually have them available at no charge.
And a video from that show…
I was also informed at the end of my show that Willy Wilson of The Motorcity is Burning is moving to a new timeslot to host a new show where he can showcase his love and knowledge of music outside the Michigan borders. So be sure to watch out for his new show, as it’s sure to be a blast. Good luck, Willy!
Tune in next Wednesday from 5 until 6:30 for more of your local music scene.
Weekly Round-Up (July 5-10)
Sorry for the lack of a round-up last week – been a busy week! Here’s a look at what’s going on musically around the Rose City this coming week. And it all begins tonight!
TUESDAY JULY 5
Pat Robitaille, one of Windsor’s finest songwriters, returns home for a full band show at The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West, main level). While Pat no longer resides in Windsor, he still proudly calls Windsor home and always returns with an emotionally driven show for his hometown audience. To add even more punch to the show, he has the stellar (no pun intended) powerpop of StereoGoesStellar sharing the stage, with an opening slot by Frank Deresti, a Sault Ste. Marie musician who has worked alongside Coco Love Alcorn amongst many others.
WEDNESDAY JULY 6
Red Wood Rising, an indie roots-rock outfit from Tulsa, Oklahoma, rides through Windsor on tour with a stop at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West).
The Holden House is becoming a well-known underground scene for some notorious hardcore/punk/metal house shows and they come through again with two Maryland area hardcore bands, Vestiges (from Washington, DC) and Full of Hell (Ocean City, MD). Local openers Hellraiser, Suppressulent and Valerie Page begin the show, which starts at 8pm. We are withholding the address for the house to avoid anyone crashing this house party with bad intentions – if you know of the house, you know where it is…
FRIDAY JULY 8
One of the big shows this night was to be the Windsor debut of Indiana’s punk rock cult heroes Waxeater. But last month, singer/bassist Elliott Turton suffered severe electric shock while performing in Austin, Texas and had to be revived. They’ve canceled several shows in the incident’s wake and Windsor’s show is unfortunately canceled as well, but expect to see the band make up the date in the coming months. The show which is still on features great local punk from Hellraiser as well as the debut of new metal project Blackheart (featuring members from some prominent other local metal acts including Shinje and Tyburn Tree).
The Windsor Feminist Theatre is throwing a fundraiser at The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West, main level), with some great local music supplying the soundtrack. Rock and roll veterans Ten Indians headline a night of music that also includes Meters To Miles and Tara Watts.
Montreal’s spectacular gypsy folk ensemble The Unsettlers invade Windsor with the first of three shows in a week with a free daytime performance at this year’s Festival Epicure. The band may call Montreal home but this rag-tag band of musical vagabonds all individually come from various cities from across Canada. Main man Ben Brandes is actually from Windsor (he was part of popular 90′s outfit Big Daddy A & The Merves) as is pianist Dustyn Lucas. They hit the stage at the Riverfront Plaza Amphitheatre at 7pm sharp.
A great compliment to seeing the Unsettlers would be Vancouver’s Five Alarm Funk at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West), another massive musical ensemble that has simply crushed with each and every visit to Windsor. This funky monstrosity of awesomeness sold out quickly last time. Local funksters The Bad Mothers open up.
SATURDAY JULY 9
Opening night of the Shell Agency Windsor Showcase at the Blind Dog, this all ages event starts at 4pm. The opening night line-up features Devilz By Definition, After Ashes, Falling With Glory, Beijing Bike Club, Acousticfire, Burn This River, State of Us, Mother May I, White Fire Reed, Aeron’s Wake, Dead Mans Will, Aurelia, Sophist, Mjr. Problem, With A Smile, and Overdrive 145.
If quirky indie pop is more your bag, Toronto’s Papermaps return to Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) for what is sure to be another full house this weekend for CBC Radio 3′s Best Live Music Venue in Canada.
Villains Beastro (256 Pelissier St.) continues to showcase local music with a show featuring the dirty grunge sounds of relative newcomers Diesel Junkies, who are joined by the 90′s tinged rock sounds of StateSideSin for a free show.
The beautiful jazzy stylings of Montreal’s Amanda Mabro graces the Riverfront Plaza Amphitheatre for the second day of Festival Epicure, with a free set at 5pm.
The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, basement level) throws a hardcore show featuring local heavyweights ADHD, 100 Proof, Closing The Distance and Follow The Leader.
SUNDAY JULY 10
Day two of the Shell Agency Windsor Showcase continues at The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave.) with another 4pm start (all-ages). Day two features Reasons Lost, Weirdonia, Olympia, Silver Glory, A Dream In The Morning, Jeffrey David’s Blues Connection, His Demons Her Words, Jerry At Risk, Emperors Among Kings, Overcome Your Kingdom, Look to the North, Obscure, Conscripted Youth, Virulent Friend, and Letterbomb.
The Unsettlers play their second show of the weekend with an earlier 5pm slot, again at the Riverside Plaza Amphitheatre as part of the closing festivities for Festival Epicure.
Pulp City Inn are the special live musical guests when local podcast/radio show 7 Out of 10 holds a live taping at The Manchester (546 Ouellette Ave.). The band should be on around 10pm.
