Hardcore at The DH This Weekend
In the wake of The Blind Dog’s demise earlier this month, a new all-ages venue has cropped up. Well, the establishment itself might not be exactly “new”, but the fact that it is now beginning to book shows regularly is news .
Located at 3140 Sandwich St, The Dominion House Tavern, or The DH, is actually the oldest continuously running tacern in the area, with it’s doors having been open for over 140 years.
Sixty years ago the basement was used for poetry reading and classes held by university professors. These days it is the site of one of Windsor’s very few all ages venues. With people of all ages being welcome down there, the upstairs portion of the tavern is where those of age will still be able to find and consume their adult beverages.
This weekend in particular The DH will be taken over for a two-day punk, hardcore, and metal show.
Starting on Friday, December 2nd, you can catch 4 bands for $5, or pay $7 and have access for both nights.
On evening one Windsor punk outfit Get Bent will be one band taking the stage. Their sound is aggressive and upbeat. A bunch of skateboarders with instruments, these guys are about partying and causing trouble.
Hardcore group Dead Weight, also from Windsor, will be performing this night as well. On the sludgier side of hardcore, these guys have a sound that is deep and thick, characterized by short songs, fuzzy, chugging guitars, and a perpetually trudging beat.
A newer band on the scene, Autumn’s Autopsy has been together less than six months, but their goal in creating music is to preserve the essence of true death metal in a scene whether genres incest. With the goal of their shows being simply to have fun, and taking influence from the likes of Impending Doom and Lamb of God, they’re sure to put on a great set.
The final act of Friday night is Ad Nauseam, a noisecore group who have released at 3.5” floppy split with London genre pioneers Disleksick. Noisecore is definitely a niche market, and requires a bit of effort to acquire a taste for it. But given the chance, it can make for some interesting listening. The tracks are very harsh sounding, and end so quickly you barely have time to register what is going on before it’s over. Incomprehensible vocals, guitars full of feedback and buzz, and spazz-tastic drums help to define Ad Nauseam.
Doors for Saturday, December 3rd open at 7 p.m., and this night features bands on the more metal end of the spectrum.
First up is hardcore group,Seven Out. Featuring member’s of Kill List and Dead’s Elite, these guys take some cues from Cold as Life and First Blood.
Come from a show at The Coach and Horses the night before, Leamington’s metal-headsReason’s Lost will be making an appearance to showcase their brand of chugging, pounding, head-banging inducing heavy stuff.
A name that I keep hearing over and over again, and with good reason, Blackheart will be joining in on Saturday’s fun as well. Heavy with hardcore influences, and a relatively clean sound, there is something epic about their tunes that comes from their use of gang-vocals and effectively placed reverb. Highly recommended you catch this band Saturday night.
The last band on the bill for this two-day event is another metal act from Leamington,Dead Man’s Will. With members from The Strike and Blackthorn City their music is heavy with melodic tendencies.
Get Bent, Dead Weight, Autumn’s Autopsy, and Ad Nauseam on Friday, December 2nd, and seven Out, Reason’s Lost, Blackheart, and Dead Man’s Will on Saturday, December 3rd. Both shows take place at The Dominion House Tavern (3140 Sandwich St.), doors ope nat 7 pm, all ages, licensed upstairs, $5 for one day, $7 for both.
CJAM TOP 30!!! November 21st-27th // 2011!
* Indicates Canadian Content
1 TOM WAITS – Bad As Me (Anti-)
2 SUNPARLOUR PLAYERS* – Us Little Devils (Outside)
3 ARMY GIRLS* – Close to the Bone (Blocks)
4 JON MCKIEL* – Tonka War Cloud (Saved By Vinyl/Youth Club)
5 KATHRYN CALDER* – Bright and Vivid (File Under: Music)
6 FEIST* – Metals (Arts & Crafts)
7 CHRIS JOSS – No Play No Work (ESL/Eighteenth Street Lounge)
8 MARINE DREAMS* – Marine Dreams (You’ve Changed)
9 DUB TRIO – IV (Roir)
10 LIJADU SISTERS – Danger (KF)
11 SPECTRALS – Bad Penny (Slumberland)
12 ROCKADROME* – Royal American Twentieth Century Blues (Pacemaker)
13 ECCODEK* – Remixtasy (Big Mind)
14 ARKELLS* – Michigan Left (Universal)
15 VARIOUS* – Tunes for Baboons: Live Sessions From CJSW 90.9 FM (CJSW)
16 KIDSTREET* – Fuh Yeah (Nettwerk)
17 ASA – Beautiful Imperfection (Justin Time)
18 COUNTERPARTS* – The Current Will Carry Us (Victory)
19 D-SISIVE* – Run With The Creeps (Urbnet)
20 SLIM MOORE & THE MAR-KAYS* – Introducing (Marlow)
21 THE CAMBODIAN SPACE PROJECT – 2011: A Space Odyseey (Metal Postcard)
22 THE CONSUMER GOODS* – But Don’t We Shoot Pistols? (Grumpy Cloud)
23 BACKBURNER* – Heatwave (Hand Solo)
24 COREY ISENOR* – The Hunting Party (Self-Released)
25 THE DEVIL MAKES THREE – Stomp And Smash (Milan)
26 ICEBIRD – The Abandoned Lullaby (RJ’s Electrical Connection)
27 CRISSI COCHRANE* – Pretty Alright (Self-Released)
28 FLYING DOWN THUNDER & RISE ASHEN* – One Nation (Balanced)
29 DEER TICK – Divine Providence (Partisan)
30 VARIOUS* – Folk Songs Of Canada Now (LF!)
More Info?: www.earshot-online.com
CD Review: Gypsy Chief Goliath – It’s A Walk In The Mist
5/5 Ninja Stars
Gypsy Chief Goliath
It’s A Walk In The Mist
Black Vulture Records Sweden
Essential Stats
Official Release: December 2011
Produced By: Alex Petrovich
Recorded At: A Muskoka cottage.
2011 has been the best year for many local bands, and Gypsy Chief Goliath is no exception. Technically, the only member who calls Windsor home is lead vocalist/producer Al ‘Yeti Bones’ Petrovich but I know all of the band’s members hold this town close to their hearts, and they probably play live here more than any other city. This band never ceases to amaze me, whether it be their alcohol-fuelled, rowdy live shows or this one-of-a-kind debut album. “It’s A Walk In The Mist” was definitely one of the most anticipated albums of the year, as the band was waiting for a few things to fall into place to make sure the release was a great success. Rest assured, it has been well worth the wait and I honestly can’t think of a local band more deserving of recognition. Now let’s get right into the album itself.
“It’s A Walk In The Mist” starts off with the band’s first single “Black Samurai”, a definite crowd favourite. A slow, heavy, grooving track that never fails to induce head banging. Great guitar solo from lead guitarist Dave Ljubanovich with lots of wah, accompanied by the subtle but essential harmonica, courtesy of Brodie Stevenson.
The second track on the album is “The Return”, which in my opinion features some of Al Petrovich’s best vocals on the disc, which is saying a lot. He does a great job of taking his vocal influences and putting his own unique spin on it. Reminiscent of old school blues and jazz singers such as Howlin’ Wolf and Louis Armstrong.
“Cold Hand Of Death” is next in line, and features deep, groovy bass by John Kendrick. This song is about the inevitability of dying, or so I gather from the lyrics: “When you’ve reached the decision to where you want to live / You know the reaper will follow with the cold hand of death.”
One of the newer tracks on the album, “We Are The Devil’s Thieves”, is a straight-up hard rock track which features banjo? I know it doesn’t make sense to read that, but it really does work in moderation, and they did a great job incorporating a bluegrass instrument into such a rockin’ tune.
“Dreaming In Color” features more of Brodie’s “harmonica harmonies” which is really a staple in G.C.G.’s overall sound. I find Al’s vocals on this track to be a hybrid of Neil Fallon (Clutch) and Brent Hinds (Mastodon), whether it was intentional or not. It really is a great asset to have multiple vocal styles, and this is what sets him apart from most.
“Elephant In The Room” is another classic G.C.G. track, which they have been playing live for as long as I can remember. It is such a heavy hitting song that you can’t help but move to the beat. It’s also worth mentioning that the idea for the album title “It’s A Walk In The Mist” came from lyrics in this song.
“Intermission” is just what it sounds like, and I can only assume they put it on the disc to separate it into two halves. A fun, quirky, mash of organ and Celtic-style wizardry.
The one song that you wouldn’t expect to be on this album is “Chapter Fire”, throwing listeners a fantastic curveball. It is a little outside the box for this band, but a great song nonetheless. It actually shows that Gypsy Chief Goliath can’t and shouldn’t be put in a box, and that’s ultimately what a great band should be all about.
The title “Out Of Control” says it all about the next track. By far the fastest and most aggressive song on the album. Absolutely stellar performance from drummer Adam Saiti. It’s the kind of song that if you listen to it while driving you might get pulled over for speeding.
“Course Of Time” is one of the few tracks I hadn’t heard until I obtained a copy of the album, and it quickly became my favorite song of the lot. It’s a mellow, beautiful masterpiece that was put together perfectly. The song musicians work their whole career to create.
“Listen To Static” has always been at the top of my list for overall well-rounded songs from the group. It takes you in many directions, from “hard as fuck,” to “groove” to “bluesy rock.”
Last but definitely not least, what album would be complete without a sing-a-long! Perfectly placed within the album as the grand finale, Saint Covens Tavern always gets the crowd going with its Irish feel. Whether you find yourself at one of their live performances, or listening to the album in your car on the way to work at 6:15 in the morning, you can’t help but raise your beer (or coffee) and yell “Hey!” in time with the song. It’s the most appropriate way to end this absolutely brilliant album. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Whoa oh oh oh !!!”
It has been my pleasure to review, in my opinion, not only the best local album of 2011, but the best album of any band this year. If you don’t already own this work of art, please buy it and support this band. Also, a new DVD is to be released in the near future. The rumour is that they are already starting to write the follow-up to “It’s A Walk In The Mist,” so stay tuned for more details on their facebook.com page or http://www.yetiagency.com. You can catch them live (I strongly recommend doing so) at Villains Beastro on Saturday, December 3rd, for the CD release party of legendary local rockers Grand Marais.
Ash Richtig
Friday Nov. 25th @ The Loop: Betrayer, Pitch Union & Awake to a Dream
Visit The Loop (156 Chatham St. W. Upper Level) this Friday, November 25th for a look at some of Windsor’s finest alterative bands.
Betrayer has been part of the scene for years, is in fact one of the city’s longest-running acts. After winning a number of battle of the band competitions and doing a fair amount of touring in Ontario, they took the better part of 2010 off, but returned earlier this year with a new member and new material. Since then, they have tirelessly played shows across Southern Ontario.
With the sound of a classic metal band, Betrayer is a throwback to the traditional sounds of Iron Maiden and Megadeth, while still keeping their own sound and style of song writing. A far cry from the guttural vocals of many meta acts happening today, frontman Jeff Klingbeil’s style of singing is smooth and rich, operatic, and clearly practiced.
Joining them onstage is another long-standing local group, Pitch Union. Also with vocals that stand out, this band has a lot more to offer, too. Their live performance commands attention as the room is filled by kaleidoscopic music with a distinct edge. The vertex between 70‘s psychedelic and modern alternative metal, Pitch Union has been playing shows since 2004, and there is definitely a reason they’re still drawing crowds seven years later.
The third and final band on Friday night’s bill is a newer one, post-grunge progressive outfit Awake to a Dream. And, despite the name, their music has nothing to do with the film Inception. Instead, they’re blending sounds from the early 90s with modern progressive rock. The outcome is an eclectic styling of music that takes unexpected turns in genre and structure. Live performance by Awake to a Dream is generally amusing with it’s between-song banter, group members “quitting” mid show, and the possibility of a ukulele solo. Also keep in mind that these guys will be releasing their first album on New Year’s Eve at The Coach and Horses.
Betrayer, Pitch Union, and Awake to a Dream will be playing at The Loop (156 Chatham St. W, Upper Level) this Friday, November 25th. Admission is free, doors open at 9 pm, and you must be at least 19 to attend.
CJAM TOP 30!!! November 14th-20th // 2011!
*Indicates Canadian Content
1 CRISSI COCHRANE* – Pretty Alright (Self-Released)
2 SUNPARLOUR PLAYERS* – Us Little Devils (Outside)
3 DUB VULTURE* – Snarl! (Self-Released)
4 THE SPADES* – Let It Burn (Pirate Radio)
5 CHARLOTTE CORNFIELD* – Two Horses (Self-Released)
6 M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
7 KIDSTREET* – Fuh Yeah (Nettwerk)
8 JEFF ANDREW* – Hobo Postcards (Shade Tree)
9 THE MAGNETIC NORTH* – Constellations (VK)
10 ARCHERS OF LOAF – Icky Mettle (Re-Issue) (Merge)
11 ADALINE* – Modern Romantics (Light Organ)
12 OX* – Tuco (Cosmic Dave’s Record Factory)
13 RUSSIAN CIRCLES – Empros (Sargent House)
14 1977* – So Is The Sea (Self-Released)
15 SOMETHING GOOD* – Business As Usual (Self-Released)
16 VARIOUS* – Tunes for Baboons: Live Sessions From CJSW 90.9 FM (CJSW)
17 JON MCKIEL* – Tonka War Cloud (Saved By Vinyl/Youth Club)
18 ROCKADROME* – Royal American Twentieth Century Blues (Pacemaker)
19 SKINNY PUPPY* – Handover (SPV)
20 SAN SEBASTIAN* – Relations (Self-Released)
21 RICH AUCOIN* – We’re All Dying To Live (Sonic)
22 TURTLEBOY – Smart Matter (Songlines)
23 OH MY DARLING* – Sweet Nostalgia (Self-Released)
24 THE PAUPERS* – Ellis Island (Pacemaker)
25 ALANNA GURR* – Oh, Horsefeathers (Self-Released)
26 TOM WAITS – Bad As Me (Anti-)
27 SIGUR ROS – Inni (XL Recordings)
28 CLASS ACTRESS – Rapprocher (CarPark)
29 ATLAS SOUND – Parallax (4AD)
30 ROOTS MANUVA – 4everevolution (Big Dada)
More Info?: www.earshot-online.com
Rees’ Pieces: A Devil Defined
I first met Bruce Munro, one of two fabulous guitarists in the local metal band Devilz By Definition, not at a live show, but when he gave me my very first tattoo in January of this year. Since then, in just under a year’s span, I’ve probably seen DBD perform live over twenty times and am proud to call these guys friends of mine. It sure was nice, having just moved to Windsor, to discover a group of talented musicians who had formed a new band, bringing a unique sound within the heavy metal genre, and an energy that is off the charts at each and every live show. Here is my one-on-one with Bruce.
Rees: Devilz By Definition! That is a name that sort of floats around the local scene a lot. Who came up with the name Devilz By Definition, and how have you “branded” that name as you have gained popularity?
Bruce: Noob, our singer, and myself came up with the name to describe who we are in this society. We’ve made homemade stickers, t-shirts, hats, and wrist bands. We also have a nine-song demo we distribute to our fans.
Rees: Tell us how and when DBD was formed and some of the musical tastes coming from each member that make the music what it is.
Bruce: Devilz formed officially last August as a full-force band and started writing material and playing shows immediately. As far as musical tastes, I’m big into metal of all genres from Black Sabbath to Lamb of God and back, as well as old rock n’ roll. Noob is definitely more into punk/hardcore like Anthrax, NOFX, Choking Victim, Leftover Crack, and Slayer. Good shit. Markuz (our bassist) is into a wide variety of music from Red Hot Chili Peppers all the way to Dying Fetus and Belphegor. “The Alien” (our guitarist, Mat) is an 80’s hair metal kind of guy and definitely death/speed metal as you can clearly tell in his style. And Mailbox (DBD’s drummer) is odd-ball. He has a hip hop/ jazz background and has been integrating metal into his style just since we formed.
Rees: How often does the band jam? Do you think having your very own jam space contributed to your success in the first year?
Bruce: We jam twice a week every week no exceptions. Having our own jam space definitely helped not only our success but keeping band camaraderie up, which keeps that energy pounding through our sound.
Rees: At the Venue Rock Parlor Battle of the Bands this year Devilz made it to the final round. Was it business as usual, or did you put on a special game face for this show? Tell us some of the judges’ comments that really stuck with you.
Bruce: We for sure brought it a little harder at the BotB than usual. Not that we’re ever tame, but we were all amped to a new level. Things we heard from the judges that really stuck include being told by Mark McKenzie (a.k.a. The Baconator) that we were like the spawn of Pantera and Cannibal Corpse, as well as being told that if we aim our aggression towards Europe, we could make it. That’s always awesome to hear.
Rees: If you took a random member out of the band, would Devilz By Definition be the same? Explain.
"We're a brotherhood that lives for our music. Irreplaceable."
Bruce: I truly believe that if we replaced or removed any of our members we wouldn’t be the same Devilz that you hear now. We’re not just a band. We’re a brotherhood that lives for our music. Irreplaceable.
Rees: Your first year together must have been a huge blur of live shows, both in Windsor and out of town. Which show was the most fun for you personally, and what are you looking forward to doing as a band in 2012?
Bruce: I’d have to say the Battle of the Bands, and playing for Emancipation Fest at the new Amphitheatre by the river were the most fun thus far. Granted, we love the Coach and Horses like our home, but those shows were epic to me. So much fun. I’m looking forward to recording a full length CD this coming year and getting out there on a tour and meeting more awesome friends, fans, and of course, other kick-ass bands.
Rees: In your interactions with other bands in Windsor, have you found that bands here support each other and come out to shows even when they aren’t playing? What are your biggest “likes” and “dislikes” about local musicians’ attitudes?
Bruce: You know as far as the “scene” goes it has seemingly gone downhill from when we first started. Bands don’t even stick around for their owns shows half the time, let alone come out to shows they’re not playing. There’s a few that do but out of all the bands in the city and county it’s rare to receive support from most. We receive the most support from our building fan base. I think the problem with most of the bands here is that everyone thinks they’re the best. Too many Chiefs, not enough Injuns, you know? On the other hand they are great bands and regardless of attitude it’s still always good shows and good times. We just need to rebuild the scene the way it should be.
Rees: On a personal note, how did you become a tattoo artist? Has any of your own art been used to “brand the band?”
Bruce: I became a tattooist about four years ago when I decided it was something I wanted to accomplish. I’ve always had a love for art of all kinds and especially for tattoos so it only seemed natural. And yes, I’ve definitely branded it into Devilz By Definition. Noobie’s left upper sleeve is all my work and The Alien is wearing a couple of my favourite pieces.
Rees: When your vocalist Noobie broke his foot this summer, how did this affect the live shows you had booked already?
Bruce: When Noob broke his foot we kept our momentum for the summer shows we had booked but unfortunately we had to take September and October off. We used it to create some new dynamics and wrote some killer new material, though.
Rees: As for the music itself, how does one of your songs get created? Do the songs come together easily or is the process of perfecting it long and complicated?
Bruce: Well it’s safe to say that we have a unique style to writing our songs. I can’t really explain it but for the most part they come together almost unnaturally. We have a powerful chemistry that kind of just pulls our music together.
Rees: We want an album! Tell us what songs you picked for the new recording and when we can expect a copy in our hands.
Bruce: I can’t drop an entire track list but I will say that our new tracks that some of you may have heard at our Devilz Nite show will be hitting the album as well as a couple that we’ve been honing over the last year. It’ll be worth the wait, rest assured. As far as a release date, that’s still unknown to us, but we’re hoping by spring at the latest.
Rees: What are your goals for the future? Is this something you can see the band making money with one day? Would you ever go on tour as an opener to a big band, or are you hoping to be the big band one day?
Bruce: Our goals are simple: to make distinct sounding, hard hitting music and bring it to as many fans, both new and old, as possible. Money … That’s not an issue. Sure, making money to do what we love would be awesome, but it’s not necessarily a goal, not a driving force. We just love what we do. Touring with big bands would be fuckin’ ultimate and the thought of being that big band is intense altogether. Were just a home-town band doing our thing, and that stuff seems out of our world right now, if you know what I mean.
Rees: Tell us about the support DBD gets from family and friends. Do you find that many of your fans have become your friends throughout this process?
Bruce: Our support systems runs deep from both friends, family, and fans. I mean, we’ve had help funding our demo and merchandise from my family, as well as a tattoo fundraiser. Every show we play there are lots of heads banging and that’s why we do it. For sure a lot of fans we’ve met have become friends, and in some cases family. We all love and appreciate everyone involved with Devilz in any way.
Rees: What has been the biggest obstacle Devilz has faced this year? Do you see obstacles themselves as a thing to be overcome and conquered, or do they tend to go unresolved and cause bigger issues later, as they do with many other bands?
Bruce: Since forming as a band I’d say our biggest obstacle has been figuring out how to communicate musical ideas and song structure based on five very different mindsets and backgrounds. But once that was overcome the rest is history. We’ve only gained more speed. Obstacles are definitely something to be overcome. Dominated. It’s human nature. We try to solve all issues no matter how small immediately. Sometimes we’re successful, but sometimes not so much. The point is it always gets taken care of so that it doesn’t become a band-ending problem. It’s like any other relationship, but amplified by five.
Rees: What words would you have for a band just starting out that wants instant fame and glory?
Bruce: For a band with stars in their eyes, I would say that nothing in music comes instantly, regardless of talent. It takes hard work, dedication, and climbing a long ladder over time to gain respect and recognition before record labels will even look at you. If every kick- ass band could make it based solely on talent, Windsor alone would be full of famous people.
Rees: Finally, throw us a plug for your next show! When and where can Windsor Zene readers who have never heard of DBD come check out the band?
Bruce: Our next out of town show is the 26th of this month in London at the Richmond Tavern. But locally, we’re booked at the Coach and Horses with other awesome local talent such as Slaughterhouse on the Prairie (of which Bruce is also a member), NeanderTHRALL, and Repetitions on December 23rd. Please come out and enjoy some of the heaviest metal in Ontario. See you there!
CD Review: Crissi Cochrane “Pretty Alright”
Crissi Cochrane, Pretty Alright (2011)
When Halifax indie pop songstress Crissi Cochrane left Halifax, Nova Scotia – an internationally recognized port of music and song – for little ol’ Windsor – an internationally ignored city of unrecognized talent – there were many in the city and scene who collectively scratched their heads and wondered if perhaps she had been grossly misinformed on Windsor or perhaps was on some sort of narcotic that perhaps we should all be trying.
But as it turns out, her move was a labour of love, as she was the significant other to Michael Hargreaves, the singer/guitarist from Windsor’s kings of Pop, Michou (and Canada’s according to a recent XM Radio awards ceremony). She switched the countless bars and unheard voices of the Maritimes for the countless bars and unheard voices of Windsor, easily fitting in with her honest story telling and hard work. Shortly after her arrival, she co-founded an open mic/arts & crafts bazaar at The FM Lounge, and immediately won over an often fickle music scene with some fantastic pop folk songs that showed a story telling beyond her years.
This Friday, Crissi Cochrane returns to the FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West, main level) to release her latest EP, Pretty Alright, a six-song tale of the the many faces of love produced by Michael Hargreaves and Crissi herself and mastered by another Michou members, Stefan Cvetkovic
The beauty of Crissi’s songs – shown in glorious brilliance on these songs – is that she is the person that many past singers almost became. She has the grit we’d hoped Lisa Loeb would eventually develop, the complexity that we’d hoped Holly McNarland might garner, or the true love that Cat Power may one day find. Now I’m not suggesting she’s writing songs better than any of these, it’s just that this feels like what many of them may have missed.
The lead chapter – as this almost feels like a love story being sung rather than read – is entitled “I Won’t Try To Break Your Heart” and swings in right away and warms you up. It introduces you the smiling cheerful girl who is in the middle of a conversation with a lover who is obviously not making the same efforts as she is. She’s offering up her heart to her would-be suitor, proclaiming her hopes, wants and desires and her promise that she “won’t try to break your heart” but that she “didn’t come here to play games”. There’s still a hint of Halifax in her voic and style, a faint ghost of the Maritime “sound”, that makes her story telling all the more believable. This is the only track not produced by the Hargreaves/Cochrane tandem, instead handled by former Yellow Wood songwriter Adam Rideout-Arkell. Cvetkovic guests on the drums and Curtis Perrin and Stefan Seslija add some deliciously tasteful horns.
“Oh, how badly I need an anchor,” the second chapter – “Go” – begins, “the shorelines fading fast.” The girl in the story displays immense strength in a slower song that seems to deal with the companion’s contemplation with leaving the relationship. The protagonist cements her convictions and tells the other one that quite simply, if they can’t take the person she is, then perhaps he should just go.
The third chapter – “Drive All Night” – falls out of the story and seems to be an open love letter from Crissi to Michael. It’s the lovelorn tale of a girl missing her boy as he’s out on the road away from home for stretches at a time – something Crissi endured many times the past year or so with Hargreaves’ Michou touring the country for long stretches of sometimes weeks at a time (Crissi would get somewhat of her own back with her own East Coast tour a few months back). A tender song about how sometimes the longing can be as sweet as the moments together. Local songbird Jackie Robitaille guests on backing vocals for this one.
“Never Will” catches us up with the protagonist from the first two chapters. But picture that while he left the apartment, she’s decided to move to another city. Time passes by and over time the fights seem overblown, the wounds perhaps exaggerated and the good times reflecting even more. But now, every now and then, she thinks of him. “I know, we never really talk, and probably never will,” she muses aloud. “I hope it’s all for the distance…” A gorgeous song.
In the fifth chapter, “Fine”, she’s returned to her hometown to confront him and is immediately torn by the obvious chemistry she has with him but by the sudden rush of the inadequacies that the relationship had at the end. “I have no doubt, it’s just you and the rest I could do without,” she tells him one night in a darkened park. “Now it’s only time, before I’m yours and you’re mine, and everything will work out…fine.” Another tear jerker that shows what the power of a complete story can do. It will entice you more to keep listening to a complete record rather than skipping to the next “hit” single.
The final chapter is a gorgeous outro highlighted by some delicately powerful musical nuances, from sweet sounds to rhythmically entrancing guitar, building a mesmerizing bed of sound for Crissi to tell the final tale over. Entitled “The Needle”, it tells the tale of our heroine finally realizing her own strength and her conviction in herself. She recognizes things can she cannot fix (“Nothing lost and found is ever new again”) to enjoying the simple things in life to perhaps even falling in love again (“I got some errands that I’d better do, see you tomorrow, yeah, sure, I’ll call you…”). A beautiful closer to a great wave of storytelling.
Now, I’m pretty sure this album wasn’t actually supposed to pan out like a connected love story and it probably isn’t. But hey – I just a found a stash of those crazy narcotics that brought her to Windsor and that’s what it felt like to me. But regardless of the connection, this is one heck of a collection. If you’re already a fan of Crissi Cochrane, then this recording will not surprise you. You knew she had this in her. You knew it was coming. If you’ve never experienced her, this is a great starting point. She’s only going to get better.
Crissi Cochrane, Pretty Alright EP Release Party with special guests Michael Hargreaves and Mary Stewart, Friday November 18, The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West, main level)
CJAM TOP 30!!! November 7th-13th // 2011!
* – Indicates Canadian Content
1 SULTANS OF STRING* – Move (Self-Released)
2 THE MIGHTY POPO* – Gakondo (Borealis)
3 MALAJUBE* – La Caverne (Dare To Care)
4 DEER TICK – Divine Providence (Partisan)
5 VARIOUS – Putumayo Presents: African Beat (Putumayo)
6 TINARIWEN – Tassili (Anti-)
7 HORRIBLE CROWES – Elsie (SideOneDummy)
8 GROWN-UPS* – Stopped Caring (Self-Released)
9 ASA – Beautiful Imperfection (Justin Time)
10 FEIST* – Metals (Arts & Crafts)
11 POLAR BEAR CLUB – Clash Battle Guilt Pride (Bridge 9)
12 LEE PERRY – Nu Sound & Version (On-U)
13 VARIOUS – Putumayo Presents: Latin Beat (Putumayo)
14 VARIOUS* – Folk Songs Of Canada Now (LF!)
15 ROOTS MANUVA – 4everevolution (Big Dada)
16 MAYER HAWTHORNE – How Do You Do? (Universal)
17 FLIGHT DISTANCE* – Bad Information (Self-Released)
18 TEENBURGER* – Burgertime (Droppin’ Science)
19 MOCEAN WORKER – Candygram For Mowo! (Mowo! Inc.)
20 ADALINE* – Modern Romantics (Light Organ)
21 TESSA KAUTZMAN* – Shredded Eagle, Sad Tambourine (Self-Released)
22 COBRA & VULTURE* – Seer (Self-Released)
23 KIDSTREET* – Fuh Yeah (Nettwerk)
24 BORN GOLD* – Bodysongs (Hovercraft)
25 ANVIL* – Monument Of Metal (The End)
26 MAD ONES* – Behaviour (Self-Released)
27 DUB TRIO – IV (Roir)
28 ITSNOTYOUITSME – Everybody’s Pain Is Magnificent (New Amsterdam)
29 ADAM & THE AMETHYSTS* – Flickering Flashlight (Kelp)
30 BEN CAPLAN & THE CASUAL SMOKERS* – In The Time Of The Great Remembering (Self-Released)
More Info?: www.earshot-online.com
CJAM TOP 30!!! October 31 – November 6 // 2011!
* – Indicates Canadian Content
1 ARKELLS* – Michigan Left (Universal)
2 THE GERTRUDES* – Till the Morning Shows Her Face To Me (Apple Crisp)
3 WHITEHORSE* – Whitehorse (Six Shooter)
4 RICH AUCOIN* – We’re All Dying To Live (Sonic)
5 MIESHA & THE SPANKS / THE SPHINXS* – Miesha & The Spanks / The Sphinxs Split (Self-Released)
6 TWIN SISTER – In Heaven (Domino)
7 LEE PERRY – Nu Sound & Version (On-U)
8 VARIOUS* – Out of Ottawa (613 Records)
9 K-OS* – Live (Crown Loyalist)
10 WILD FLAG – Wild Flag (Merge)
11 CROOKED FINGERS – Breaks in the Armor (Merge)
12 BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB – A Different Kind of Fix (Island)
13 LITTLE AXE – If You Want Loyalty Buy A Dog (On-U)
14 BLITZEN TRAPPER – American Goldwing (Sub Pop)
15 STANLEY JORDAN – Friends (Mack Avenue)
16 FEIST* – Metals (Arts & Crafts)
17 CASIOKIDS – Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen (Polyvinyl)
18 THE MAGNETIC NORTH* – Constellations (VK)
19 BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY – Wolfroy Goes To Town (Drag City)
20 ECCODEK* – Remixtasy (Big Mind)
21 THE PACK A.D.* – Unpersons (Mint)
22 MAYER HAWTHORNE – How Do You Do? (Universal)
23 THE CROOKED BROTHERS* – Lawrence, Where’s Your Knife? (Transistor 66)
24 BACKBURNER* – Heatwave (Hand Solo)
25 OHBIJOU* – Metal Meets (Last Gang)
26 THE PAINT MOVEMENT* – The Paint Movement (Nevado)
27 DANIELLE DUVALL – Of The Valley (People Play)
28 VARIOUS* – Everybody Dance Now: Songs From Hamilton Vol. 6 (C+C Music Festival)
29 SISKIYOU* – Keep Away The Dead (Constellation)
30 PHIL DWYER* – Changing Seasons (Alma)
More Info?: www.earshot-online.com
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
The Windsor Scene is heard live on CJAM 99.1 FM, weekly on Wednesday afternoons 5pm to 6:30pm, hosted by Windsor Zene’s Lauren Hedges. Here’s her weekly run-down of the latest show and her own thoughts on the coming week in local music.
Playlist for November 2nd, 2011
Daniyal Malik – Perfection (Demo – 2010)
Explode When They Bloom – In The Arms of Trees (As The Animals Make Their Way Through The Crowds – )
Citywide Vacuum – Much Too Jung (Pact – 2007)
Daniyal Malik – Ain’t No Sunshine (Live in Studio)
Silent Movie Type – Mansions (Last Supper Fit For A King – 2010)
Daniyal Malik – Pain and Memory (Demo – 2011)
KO – Kurt Kobain (Let’s Blaze – 2011)
Daniyal Malik – Eleanor Rigby (Live in Studio)
Weirdonia – Green Tables (Sounds From Weirdonia – 20110
Betrayer – Partaker of Evil (Shadowed Force EP – 2005)
Dokkalfar – He Did This (Thought Crime – 2011)
Daniyal Malik – Perfection (Demo – 2011)
Daniyal Malik – Someone Like You (Demo – 2011)
On the show with me today I had local singer-songwriter Daniyal Malik. He might be recognized as the front-man from last year’s short lived rock band Allusion, and he has also played a number of acoustic shows in the area. Daniyal’s style of music is quite different from what you’ll find from the other acoustic acts in the city in that he infuses contemporary western style tracks with traditional eastern influences. Utilizing mainly piano and acoustic guitar as instrumentals, the focus on Malik’s music is always the vocals. As well as writing original, heartfelt tunes, Daniyal covers a lot of popular music, always putting his own spin on the tracks, changing them in some integral way to make them his own.
The live performances he put on during the show today were fantastic, and the chats between were a good time as well (from my end at least; hopefully he, as well as the listeners, felt the same way) as we covered topics from cover bands to Windsor venues to Dan’s musical experiences.
Check him out when he plays Milk Coffee Bar on November 26th.
I was also pretty excited to have some Dokkalfar to play today. This is Windsor’s only black metal band, and I was provided with some of their tunes by James Steinhoff when he, along with Kris and James Steingart, joined me on air for a Halloween special. Once Dokkalfar gets to playing some shows at local venues, be sure I’ll let you know before hand, and will give you the skinny afterwards. No way to be missing that.
Next week will be pretty fantastic. Not only is it CJAM’s annual pledge drive, but I will have the one, the only, the ever-changing lineup…EVL. The conversations will likely be random, the performances rocking, and the entire show a ton of fun. Be sure to tune in.
And in the mean time, although pledge drive doesn’t officially start until Friday, November 4th, pre-pledges can still be made online, and the swag is still available. T-shirts and beer steins and tote bags, oh my!
