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!
The Scene With Lauren Hedges
Playlist for August 3rd, 2011;
Weirdonia – How ‘Bout I Slap Your Shit
Gypsy Chief Goliath – Elephant in the Room (The Windsor Zene December Sampler – 2010)
Devilz by Definition – A Gram Short 20 (The Windsor Zene February Sampler – 2011)
Pigeon Park – Messin’ Round (2011)
NeanderTHRALL – Thrall State (The Windsor Zene January Sampler – 2011)
Weirdonia – Crazy Germans (Live in Studio)
All Time Low – Umbrella (Punk Goes Crunk – 2008)
Thieves in Remand – Trace of Truth (Single – 2010)
Weirdonia – I AN CAN (Live – 2010)
Lucas Silveira – Mockingbird (Mockingbird – 2011)
The Cliks – Haunted (Dirty King – 2009)
Weirdonia – 1960′s Antique Clock (Live in Studio)
Weirdonia – Mask Boy’s Chair (Live in Studio)
Slyde – Prophecy of Misery (Slyde – 2010)
Having Weirdonia in the studio with me today made for one of my favourite shows ever. Not only did they play some awesome jams, but they made for great conversation. Together Alex, Preston, and I discussed the upcoming Pride festivities, the nature of shows in Windsor, and Weirdonia as a band. (Apparently they are the sound of your cracked out dad in the 60′s) With their outrageous impersonations and constant goofing around they made for an entertaining, if slighty hectic, show, and I can’t wait for them to come back.
Last week I caught a terrific show at The Blind Dog, video-game rockers Slyde from Ottawa came for a visit, and were joined on stage by Final Stage, Diesel Junkies, Aeron’s Wake, and Omnisyn. All bands were pretty fantastic, with major props going out to Slyde and Windsor’s Celtic metallers Aeron’s Wake. For a full review on the shows, as well as some photos, here’s a link to the WindsoriteDOTca Article.
There are some great shows coming up this week, with All Time Low playing the Blind Dog on Friday and Gypsy Chief Goliath kicking off their tour with Pigeon Park at The Coach on Thursday. That is a show not to be missed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Scene with Lauren Hedges
Playlist for June 22nd, 2011;
Gentlemen’s Gun Club – Southern Comfort and Bad Decisions (It’s All Calypso EP – 2009)
StateSideSin – River (The Windsor Zene December Sampler – 2010)
Tragedy of Mariam – So Much for 110% (Tragedy of Mariam – 2009)
Sewing With Nancie – Downsview (Take A Look at Yourself – 2002)
The Expansion Family – All The Way (The Abstract Expansion – 2011)
Spliff the General – Crack and Yayo (Feat. Hughes) (The Archetype EP – 2011)
Laughing Casket – Waiting (Dark Hallways – 2011)
Weapon of Choice – Difference of Eyes (The Rebellion EP – 2011)
The Posers – Function (Anti-Christain Animosity – 2000)
EVL – Solitaire (I’ll Keep Mine EP – 2010)
The Wrestlers – Taste This (Plantasia – 2009)
Tim McDonald – Does Your Heart Hurt Like Mine? (Live at CJAM – 2011)
Anonymous Bosch – Funk Metal Madness (Anonymous Bosch – 2010)
Can – Sound Like You (Last Man Alive – 2011)
Weirdonia – Crazy Germans (Sounds from Weirdonia – 2011)
The Nefidovs – Mind of the Mob (Set Faces to Stunned – 2011)
Lot 9 Brawl – Thuganomics (Pick Your Posion – 2009)
D12 with EMPD, WC, Trick Trick, Academy, The Expansion Family, and DNizzy at The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave.) this weekend. How awesome is that? Tickets for this show are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door. It starts at 9 pm and is 19+. Sorry to the underagers. Everyone else; let’s party.
There are of course other shows worth seeing this weekend, for more information on those, try The Weekly Roundup and Live Calendar.
And be sure to tune in next week when I have local pop-punk darlings Shortcut to Last in the studio with me, we’ll be discussing their upcoming EP (which is being released just a few days later), their participation in The Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands where they’re attempting to play The Vans Warped Tour, and then whatever random stuff comes up. It will be a party, so tune in and take part.
The Windsor Scene withh Lauren Hedges
Playlist for June 1st, 2011;
Weapon of Choice – Descent (The Rebellion EP – 2011)
Danko Jones – Never Again (Danko Jones EP – 1998)
The Trews – You’re So Sober (House of Ill Fame – 2003)
The Classix – Young and Reckless (Live What You Love EP – 2011)
Mic Lords – Miscommunication (Family Tree – 2005)
Weapon of Choice – Difference of Eyes (Rebellion EP – 2011)
Desertion – Falling From The Sky (Welcome to Nothing EP – 2009)
Vaudevillianaires – The Devil’s Finger (The Windsor Zene December Sampler – 2010)
The Locusts Have No King – On My Way (Come One, Come All – 2010)
Vultures! – Bad Hammer (The Windsor Zene January Sampler – 2011)
The Nefidovs – Electrolytes (Set Faces To Stunned – 2011)
Weapon of Choice – Aggression Palette (The Rebellion EP – 2011)
Weapon of Choice – Torrid (The Rebellion EP – 2011)
This week’s playlist is a bit shorter than usual, for a few reasons.
- I had more technical troubles during this show than my first three months at CJAM combined. Apologies for the bits where there are long gaps between songs and such.
- A couple of the dudes from Weapon of Choice were hanging out with me in the studio, and the three of us really like to talk.
Having those two in was pretty awesome though, I’ve got to say. WoC is a thrash band from Windsor who play The Coach on a semi-frequent basis (Friday, June 3rd, for instance), and I had their drummer, Forest, and one of the guitarists, Tye, helping me to host the show. We spoke of all things metal, music, and just life in general, like usual. We mostly tried to stay on topic, getting the history of the band, the influences of these two guys, and the details on their recently released recordings, The Rebellion EP, done with Glenn Fricker at Spectre Sound Studios, right here in Windsor. (The EP, by the way, is available on CD Baby, iTunes, Rhapsody, and of course in physical format when you go see them live) We got rowdy, my bosses weren’t always happy, but such is life and we had fun. If you missed this show it is certainly one to check out in the archives, and to make it extra-easy for you, I’ll link it here.
Usually I do this write-up directly after the show, but this week I decided to hold off for a day so I could include a little something extra.
A few weeks ago I was approached by those in charge of this year’s Strawberry Fest in LaSalle. Because of my stellar work both in writing show reviews and hosting The Windsor Scene, they were interested in having me help judge the battle of the bands they were holding this year. Sweet!
So that was Thursday night, and it was an interesting experience. Of course I’m opinionated, and of course I’ll share that opinion. But turning it into a number between one and ten? Whack. I made it work though. Sharing the judging panel with me were Randy Grey of the band Ashes of Soma, and Jarrett Warren, formerly of Pirate Casting and Lonesome Pine Studios in Toronto. We were grading each band out of 30, 10 for musicianship, 10 for stage presence, and 10 for creativity. Each band did well, and of the five we saw, State of Us came out the winners, receiving recording time from SLR Studios, and the chance to play again on Saturday, June 4th, opening for Liverpool Echo. Worth going to see, for certain.
So hopefully advantage is being taken of all the lovely shows happening in Windsor this weekend, a lot of them are free, so there really is no excuse. I will be returning on June the 15th, , possibly with some special guests! To keep up-to-date on that, check out The Windsor Scene on Facebook. Until then, go listen to something good, then come back and tell me about it.
The Scene with Lauren Hedges
Playlist for The Windsor Scene on May 25, 2011:
The Dollies – Orangutan (Small Parts – 2005)
Hellraiser – Fearmonger (Single – 2006)
With Glowing Hearts – And Jealousy Rears It’s Ugly Head (Single – 2011)
Frontiers – It’s All An Act (Bee-Sides – 2010)
Living With Lions (Rough Around The Edges – Holy Shit – 2011)
Tyburn Tree – August (Parliament of Trees – 2008)
Graydon James & The Young Novelists – Take Your Time (A Small Town Eulogy – 2011)
Tony Coates – Concrete (Demo Tracks – 2011)
The Nefidovs – Mind of the Mob (Set Faced to Stunned – 2011)
Anonymous Bosch – Pulse of Existence (Anonymous Bosch – 2010)
Gnarlie Murphy – Man Bear Pig (ATM/Gnarlie Murphy Spilt – 2010)
Anvil – New Orleans Voo Doo (Juggernaut of Justice – 2011)
The Nefidovs – Fuck John Hughes (Set Faces to Stunned – 2011)
This Is Me As A Woman – Krill (Extravaganza – 2000)
Firelife – Together Again (Firelife)
The Nefidovs – Lipstick and Shotguns (Set Faces to Stunned – 2011)
For those of you who don’t know, this week’s playlist is a bit The Nefidovs heavy because 3/6ths…1/2…of them hungout in the studio with me. And were very good at math while they did it. We had a fun time discussing their new album, the roots of the band, the rapture, and the sort of folks who go to shows in Windsor. The tracks we played off their new album are pretty indicative of the overall quality, which is to say, it’s a good album, go get your fingers on it. Thanks a bunch to Jon, Adam, and Kirk for coming in, it was a great time, and hopefully we can get everyone in together one day.
Here’s a video of the recording of some group vocals for the album that was mentioned during the show today;
For more awesome interviews, be sure to tune in next week, that’s Wednesday, June 1st, , at 5:30, when I’ll have a few members of one of Windsor’s best thrash groups, Weapon of Choice. We’ll be talking about their new recordings as well as upcoming shows and anything else that comes to mind. It’s gonna be great.
Last week Anvil blew things up at The Blind Dog, along with local acts Perpetuate, Final Stage, and Betrayer. The show was a blast with a great turnout. The highlight of my night was seeing Anvil frontman Lips pull a vibrator out of his back pocket and use it to play his guitar. Sounds less cool when I say it now, but at the time it was terrific and I thought I’d fall over with the hilarity of it. That statement along should be enough to make you want to check out these Canadian metal heads, if you aren’t already familiar.
This video’s not from the show in Windsor, but so you get the idea;
For shows this week that you should try, I suggest Villains Beastro on Friday for Tyburn Tree and The Tyres, it’ll be a night of alliterations and rock tunes definitely worth checking out.
On Saturday visit Milk Coffee Bar for This Man Tells Stories, Tony Coates, Rayven Howard, Acousticfire, and The Birds of Paradise. It’ll be a lovely, chill, and caffeine-driven show of acoustic talent from Windsor and beyond, with the doors open for those of all ages to come out and enjoy the music.
That’s all for this week, and remember to be there next time to hear Weapon of Choice live on-air.
The Scene with Lauren Hedges
Playlist for The Windsor Scene on Wednesday, May 18, 2011;
The Redstripes – Pink Drapes/Wood Panel (The Redstripes EP)
Den-Igan – Baby Birds (The Square Root of Fun)
Lucas Silveira – I’m Your Man (Mockingbird – 2011)
Betrayer – Partaker of Evil (Shadowed Force EP – 2005)
Final Stage – Dreams if Madness (Through the Mirror – 2007)
Children of Laudanum – Dans Etmek (Synesthesia – 2004)
Red Red Run – Baby Tuckoo’s Lemon Platt (Rejoyce – 2011)
Frontiers – Only With Fire (Bee-Sides – 2010)
Anvil – This Ride (Juggernaut of Justice – 2011)
Solidarity – Will to Power (Overcome – 2009)
September Ending – Leave A Mark (September Ending EP – 2007)
Disco Assault – City Street Kids (Disco Assault – 2006
Closed Casket Funeral – A Special Thanks To The Man Who Invented The Wheel (A Special Thanks To The Man Who Invented The Wheel – 2005)
Bloodshoteye – Just Another Casualty (Expect the Unexpected – 2010)
Mister Bones – Solemn State of Doom (Smell The Strap Sampler – 2006)
Ictus – Coming Through Inertia (Vis Inertiae – 2004)
To all those who listened in today, thanks for bearing with me while everything in the studio gave me a hard time. It was a frustrating day for me, but eventually we got it all sorted, and I was able to play for you some lovely tunage.
Last week was one for some pretty great shows, Lucas Silveira, Sick of Sarah, and Hunter Valentine at Phog were a fantastic time, and the crowd that came out to cheer them on were wonderful as well, and only made the experience that much better.
Saturday’s Gateway Fest was… Interesting. Quality of the bands aside, I’ve developed an issue with all day festivals of local acts like this. Okay, some of them were out of town, to be sure, but how likely are they to return to Windsor when this show got only fourteen people watching them? Show-goers, for the most part, are unable or unwilling to devote 9 hours to a show, and that’s what this was. Those who were willing to pay the admission to see the bands they wanted to did just that – Watched their friends play then left. With smaller shows that last only a few hours, folks are more willing to stick around to see the other bands they aren’t familiar with, therefore getting more exposure for the bands, gaining them new fans, and enticing people to come to future shows of theirs. This helps the bands, the venues, the promoters, and the fans. After this one and Inferno Fest, which went down a couple weeks back, and went just the same way, I’d say we steer away from these massive displays of music for a while, and leave the full-day events to things like Heavy T.O. Or at least let’s not have our shows run 75 minutes behind schedule, because that just makes it entirely too much to handle.
Now that I’ve ranted, let’s look at what’s coming up this weekend.
I know that this, like every other in Windsor, is a busy weekend for music. But if there is one show you make it out to, it better be this one.
Anvil, Betrayer, Perpetuate, and Final Stage. We could not get a better mixture of melodic metal if we tried. A Classic national act mixed with new and lasting local acts, this one is sure to get ridiculous. At this show there will be no cookie monster metal or ridiculous guitar feedback (hopefully), it’ll just be good ol’ fashioned metal to make you throw horns and shake out your luscious locks. This show is 19+, apologies to the underage metal aficionados who wish to attend, tickets are only $15 in advance, get ‘em from local bands or Dr. Disc, and the doors open at 8 pm. Come on out, it’s going to rock hard.
7 Year Riot and Poughboy are releasing albums this weekend as well, for more details on these and other shows, try TWZ’s Weekly Roundup.
Keep an eye on The Windsor Scene Facebook Page, as this week I should be announcing some special guests for next week’s show. This is definitely one you’ll want to tune in for.
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
Lauren Hedges
Playlist for May 11, 2011;
Dylan Punek – Equinox (Dylan Punke – 2009)
Sick of Sarah – Simple Parts (2205 – 2011)
Hunter Valentine – Barbara Jean (Lessons From The Late Night – 2009)
The Cliks – We Are The Wolverines (Dirty King – 2009)
Threat Signal – Revision (Vigilance – 2009)
Goliath – By The Throat (Funweiser EP – 2011)
The Nefidovs – Beg Your Pardon Demo (Set Faced to Stun – 2011)
Shared Arms – Aunt Jemima/Another Sticky Situation (Unreleased Jams – 2009)
The Blue Stones – Vain Vixens (The Blue Stones – 2011)
Gypsy Chief Goliath – Elephant in the Room (The Windsor Zene Sampler – December 2010)
Devilz by Definition – A Gram Short 20 (The Windsor Zene Sampler – February 2011)
The Heat Seeking Moisture Missiles – Hidin’ in the Bushes (The Windsor Zene Sampler – December 2010)
Inoke Errati – Control (The Wink and The Gun – 2006)
Beijing Bike Club – The Past (The Windsor Zene Sampler – January 2011)
Thieves in Remand – Trace of Truth (Single – 2010)
Falling with Glory – Fight with Honour (The Windsor Zene Sampler – January 2011)
What Seas, What Shores – Pave the Oceans (Cordyceps EP – 2010)
Some great shows coming up this week. Like, really great ones. No excuses for being bored over the next few days, as you’ve always got somewhere you could go.
Thursday night at The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave) will be heavy as a really heavy thing (pardon the SYL reference) as Hamilton’s Threat Signal bring to town their monstrous metal, joined by locals Goliath, Blackthorn City, Cyreene, A Dream in the Morning, and what could very well be the final show of Bloodshoteye. Lots of reasons not to miss this one, it starts at 5:30, is all ages, and is only $10 in advance of $12 at the door.
On Friday the 13th, forget superstitions and come to FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. W.) where The Nefidovs will be celebrating the release of their first full-length. Their crazy ska-ish-ness will be joined by skater punks The Rowley Estate, pop-punkers Shared Arms, and the bluesy rockings of The Blue Stones, who have recently released an EP themselves. This show is without cover, which is all the more incentive to go, and to purchase the album, ‘Set Faces to Stunned’ which will be available for purchase at the low-low price of $5!
Get more bang for your buck (I’m a used car salesman today, apparently) on Saturday where you can catch 14 bands for only $10 (if you buy presale from local acts) at The Blind Dog. This all ages Rock/Pop Fest is being put on by Gateway Productions, and features Inoke Errati, The Blue Stones, Beijing Bike Club, and The Tragedy of Mariam, among others. The show starts at 1 pm and lasts all day. A great deal and sure to be a great time.
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges Promotes: Hunter Valentine at Phog
The Twistin’ Tarantulas – Chateau Eau de Gehtto (El Destroyo – 2002)
Justin Faubert – Briolette (Justin Faubert – 2011)
Dave Rusell – Listen to Your Heart (Unnatural Disaster – 2010)
Blasternaut – School Girls (Overload – 2005)
Thieves in Remand – Trace of Truth (Single – 2010)
The Hypnotics – A Modern Romance (Soul at Seven – 2010)
Garler- Dirty Girl (Garler EP – 2002)
The Tea Party – Samsara (Triptych – 1999)
Feal – Ghost in Me (Feal)
Magic Hall of Mirrors – Crystal Ball (David’s Son EP)
Mr. Chill – Do Not Go Quietly Unto Your Grave (Mr. Chill’s Cold Testament – 2005)
Royal Dose – Straight Up (Regeneration – 1999)
One Man’s Opinion – Save The Last Chord (…And The Second Thoughts – 2011)
StereoGeosStellar – Our City Blues (Single – 2010)
Marty Lowman – Cowfirl on Coffee (Dancing with father Time – 2009)
Dave Dubois – New Year’s Eve in a Small Room (Polaroids and Other Little Visions – 2004)
Blurt – Bryce and Kreg (Upside of Effort)
So yes, I’m late getting this posted this week, I know. You’ll have to forgive me.
But to make up for it, I’ve got a pretty awesome show to promote. This Wenesday, May 11th come to Phog at 9:30 for an early show featuring Toronto’s Hunter Valentine. I saw these girls play in Windsor at last year’s Pride Fest, and I fell completely in love. Their music rocks with feminine grace that is in no way soft. The vocals aren’t quite rough, but get jagged in a way that never feels dissonant. The instrumentals feel a bit like pop-punk, but as a whole their sound is straight rock’n’roll.
Joining them is Sick of Sarah from Minnesota. They remind me of 90’s ska-punk, they type of thing you’d hear on an Asian Man Records comp. Another girl-group, this band is not so much a wall of sound, more like fog of music that you’ll get lost in.
Finishing off the lineup is Lucas Silveira from Toronto, guitarist for the group The Cliks. He has a new album, “Mockingbird” available now, and will be gracing the floor of Phog with his mellow and heartfelt instrumental songs.
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
Lauren Hedges
The playlist for Wednesday, April 27, 2011;
Trish Wales – Holding You (Single – 2010)
Shared Arms – Zavits (Unreleased Jams – 2009)
Wayfarer – Arts and Warcrafts (Our Fathers – 2010)
The Decay – That Street (This Month’s Rent – 2009)
Devilz By Defintion – A Gram Short 20 (Windsor Zene February Sampler – 2011)
The Heatseeking Moisture Missiles – Hidin’ in the Bushes (Windsor Zene December Sampler – 2010)
Gypsy Chief Goliath – Elephant in the Room (Windsor Zene December Sampler – 2010)
Pitch Union – Yeah (Windsor Zene January Sampler – 2011)
Surdaster – The Truth (Acoustic) (Surdaster Live – 2006)
Anonymous Bosch – Offspring Back in the Race (Anonymous Bosch – 2010)
The Vaudevillanaires – Your Filthy Swagger (Race Hell) (From The Tank – 2011)
Weirdonia – 1960′s Antique Clock (Jarritolum – 2010)
Awake to a Dream – Tainted (EP – 2011)
High Mother – Not For Another Day (Gotta Get Love – 2011)
Dave Russell – Rocking Chair (Unnatural Disaster – 2010)
Hammerdown – Burn it Down (EP – 2011)
Desertion – Love, Hate, Homicide (Welcome to Nothing – 2009)
The song that opened today’s show, “Holding You” by Trish Wales is a cover of a song originally written by Tim McDonald, who was last week’s guest on the show. A big thanks to both Tim and Trish for providing that some for me to spin today. Here’s another of Trish’s songs for you to check out;
Last Friday’s The Creepshow concert at The Blind Dog was everything that I could have hoped for. EVL, The Fourjury, and The Locusts Have No King all did a fabulous job opening the show and showing our guests just what Windsor has to offer musically. Punk, alt-country, and roots-rock bands that got the crowd warmed up for some wild psychobilly. To get all the details, and see some pretty rad shots, read the article.
On Saturday Inferno Fest went down on both stages of The Blind Dog. I hungout for a little while, liked some of what I saw, didn’t like some of it. Things were running behind, as would be expected – but by about an hour and a half? (I personally found this to be a bit excessive). There were also perhaps some organizational matters I might have handled differently, but I host a radio show, not concerts, so what do I know? All of those in attendance seemed to be enjoying themselves, and the bands as well, and that’s really what matters.
Coming up this Friday at FM Lounge is the High Mother CD release show with Curbside Sofa. These guys released a demo last year, which I was definitely impressed by, and the quick listen that I gave to their full-length leaves me with the same impression. This show is probably one to check out, and the band one to follow.
In another massive event of Windsor talent, this Saturday sees downtown taken over by the Songs for Sangha event, where bands are donating their performances to help raise money for Sangha Human Services Inc, a charity looking to help battle poverty in Windsor-Essex. There will be performances from fourteen local groups at three venues, starting around 10pm. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door, and raffles at each venue with tickets going for $5 each or 3 for $10. There will be a more in depth look at the event posted soon, so keep an eye out for that.
Tune in next week to The Windsor Scene on CJAM 99.1 FM between 5 and 6:30 for more on the city’s musical culture.
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
Lauren Hedges
This week’s playlist, excluding live performances;
Brenda Eyler – Dream with Me (Dream with Me – 2008)
Crissi Cochrane – Coming Home (Darling, Darling – 2010)
Luna Borealis – Bed Bugs Inn (The Windsor Zene January Sampler – 2011)
Goliath – What Happened Last Night (Funweiser EP – 2011)
Assassinate the Following… – Death Row (Massacre of the North – 2009)
Desertion – From here to Oblivion ( Welcome to Nothing – 2009)
Tyburn Tree – Arch Stanron (Parliament of Trees – 2008)
Tim McDonald – Stand Tall (Somehow, Somewhere – 2007)
The Creepshow – Demon Lover (Run For Your Life – 2008)
The Locusts Have No King – Last Night In My Favourite Bar and The Repurcussions Thereof (Come One, Come All – 2010)
EVL – Out of Reach (I’ll Keep Mine EP – 2009)
Monique Belanger – Through Yellow Fields (The W Music Compilation – 2008)
This week I was joined in the studio by local songwriter, performer, and paramedic, Timmy McDonald. Tim’s songs have been covered by other artists, and the song that opened the show, “Dream with Me” performed by Brenda Eyler, is a cover of one of Tim’s songs from his 2007 release, “Somehow, Somewhere”. Tim also is set to play at numerous Relay for Life Cancer Fundraising events across Ontario, and is recording a song just for others that he cannot make it out to. He will shortly be travelling to Nashville where he will play various songwriter shows at popular venues including The Commodore Lounge. A name that you might not have heard before, Tim McDonald is nonetheless a figure in our local music scene, and someone I am happy to have had on my show. Keep an eye out for a new release from Tim in the coming months.
Here is a video of Tim playing at Rymer Hall in Nashville. For the anecdote behind the video, listen to today’s archive.
Last Thursday I attended a punkrock show at The Coach and Horses, featuring local and out of town bands. It was certainly something. After hearing and enjoying Suppressulant recordings, it was great to finally hear them play. There’s just something about oldschool, dirty, DIY punk that gets me every time. The Rowley Estate performed as well as always, with great stage antics and catchy songs that stray near to the realm of pop-punk. Playing their second show ever, Repetitions are only getting better. All the way from Boston, Pious Dogs had a bumpy start, dealing with a damaged snare stand, but they overcame that and got things moving with some rough and traditional punk that was nothing overly remarkable, but with guitars that were far too loud. I don’t even want to talk about The Swabs! If you’re looking for further explanation on any of this, there’s always the WindsoriteDOTca article.
I’m so excited for Friday that I can hardly contain myself. Psychobilly/Horrorpunk quartet The Creepshow return to Windsor for the first time since I was in like, grade ten. So it’s been a while. This is going to kick copious amounts of ass. Joining them will be new collaborative act The Fourjury, local indie-roots outfit The Locusts Have No King, and EVL, who need no further introduction. The best place to pick up tickets for this one is from Mr. Jamie Greer over at The Manchester Pub, who will supply them to you for only ten dollars. No joke. Go get one.
Saturday is an intense day for metal, with both Inferno Fest at The Blind Dog and The Heavy Diversity Show at The Coach and Horses. Inferno boasts 19 bands on two stages, raging for eleven and a half hours, all for only $10 if you go out and get yourself an advance ticket. The Heavy Diversity show features local favourites Weapon of Choice, blues-metallers Tyburn Tree, prog-rockers Perpetuate (coming from their gig at Inferno) and a band you should know, After Ashes. This one starts at 9, is 19+, and costs $5 at the door.
A great big thanks for Timmy McDonald for coming in today, he was a pleasure to have and I can’t wait to have him back.
Which local band or artist would you like to hear next on The Windsor Scene?
The Windsor Scene With Lauren Hedges
Let’s kick it off with the setlist from this week’s edition of The Windsor Scene;
Shortcut to Last – This Isn’t Over (I Know You’re Not One for Serious Situations – 2010)
Stereos – Attitude (Uncontrollable – 2010)
The Classix – Nothin’ to Lose (Live What You Love EP – 2011)
The Tragedy of Mariam – C;imb Up On The Kiosk (The W Music Compliation – 2008)
Suppressulant – People Like You (Powercore – 2010)
The Snips – Tired Tires (Do You Remember When Punk Rock Was For Fun? – 2010)
Orphan Choir – Burning Ash Again (Everything in Past Tense – 2010)
Odium – It Gets Cold (At The Bottom – 2009)
Dreams Destruction – Blighted (Dream Destruction EP)
Dismata – March of the Ignorant/Deadhorse (Understand – 2008)
Allison Brown – Magpie (Everything That Shined – 2005)
Erin Gignac – Not Tonight (Erin Gignac – 2002)
Julie Kryk – Fate’s Hands (Beyond the Moon, Beyond the Rain – 1999)
George Manury – MilesDavidKindaBlueSundayMorningRain (From The Tank – 2010)
Leighton Bain – Saint Vincent (Oh Alaska – 2010)
Ron Leary – Miles (Dependent Arising – 2010)
Gobble Gobble – Skin of Prohpets (Neon Graveyard – 2009)
Dstruct.O – Death Machine (Drumstep EP02 – 2011)
I certainly had fun with this week’s playlist, as might have been evidenced by my inane chattering. (Some people apparently were wondering what I was on when doing this show. I assure you, it was nothing but sunshine) The set list was also apparently helpful to Maggie, a listener who hadn’t been enjoying her day too much until she tuned in. Glad to have been able to help her out there.
I’d also like to say “Thanks!” to the guys from Odium. At their show on the weekend, (which was stellar by the way, you should be sad if you missed it) they provided me with a copy of their album, which I played a song off of today and have been jamming to all week. It’s great stuff, if you like metal, check these guys out for sure, and if you don’t like metal, check them out anyhow. You’ll still probably like it.
The rest of that show, Goliath, Reasons Lost, Deathpoint, and Weapon of Choice, was all awesome as well, my favourite show at The Coach, recently. Good vibes and good times all around.
Upstairs that night, FM Lounge hosted Weirdonia, Silver Glory, SixtyFirstSecond, and Awake to a Dream. Everyone there did a great job as well, things were a bit more laid back but just as fun. I had a blast listening to Weirdonia, (and they were just cool guys) Silver Glory was impressive yet again, Awake to a Dream sounded the best I’ve heard them, and SixtyFirstSecond were better live than even their recordings had me prepared for. An all around good time.
Although trying to bounce back and forth between the two shows was too much like work; I might not try that again soon.
This week, go to The Coach on Thursday night for punk rock in the form of Suppressulant, The Rowley Estate, Repetitions, Pious Dogs, and The Swabs! It’ll get rowdy, I’m sure, but what better things do you have to do on a Thursday night?
Be sure to tune in next week between 5 and 6:30, I’ll have local musician Tim McDonald in the studio with me answering questions and playing live. Who is this guy, do you ask? Someone you should be familiar with. A paramedic for Windsor and Essex County, Tim also plays at multiple Relay for Life events all over the place, travels to Tennessee to perform and help with song writing panels and workshops, and has his music covered by numerous artists, some of whom you’ve probably even heard of. So listen in next week to learn more about Tim, and hear some live performances.
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
Lauren Hedges
The Playlist for The Windsor Scene, March 30, 2011;
Dstruct.O – Soul Seeker (Drumstep EP01 – 2011)
Lot 9 Brawl – Punk Flair (Doesn’t Make You Punk) (Pick Your Poison – 2009)
Crash Kondition – Terilynn’s Heart (Pretty Little Chemical – 2009)
Missiles – Burning Water (Missiles – 2009)
Betrayer – Shadowed Force (Shadowed Force EP – 2005)
Baptized in Blood – Mental (Baptized in Blood – 2010)
ASK – Stuff! (The Slacker Song) – (Future Communication -2011)
EVL – I’ll Keep Mine (I’ll Keep Mine EP – 2010)
Jonas & The Massive Attraction – Additcion (Big Slice – 2010)
Jarrett Sorko – Yo, I’m From Windsor, Dude (Single – 2011)
The Blue Stones – What She Don’t Know (Won’t Hurt Her) (The Blue Stones EP – 2011)
Tim Davidson – Polaroids (Single – 2010)
The Heat Seeking Moisture Missiles – Hidin’ in the Bushes (The Windsor Zene December Sampler – 2010)
Hammerdown – Born To Kill (The Windsor Zene February Sampler – 2011)
Crissi Cochrane – Mexico (Darling, Darling – 2010)
Mike Hargreaves – Drive & Drive (Live in Layers – 2009)
Brighton – Go Back (August Demo – 2009)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Believe (Night Castle – 2009)
I was super excited when I got to the studio today and was handed a CD of Windsor-based dubstep as well as a flyer advertising a dubstep show happening Thursday night. A few weeks back I mentioned on-air how I wanted to see some local dubstep, my Program Director heard, and tipped me off when the news came his way. Yay Vern! The quick browse I put into Dstruct.O’s “Drumstep EP02” makes me very excited to go to Panache Ultra Lounge (53 Pitt St. E) tonight (Thursday), where he will be performing alongside DJ Josh Bryant. That show starts at 10 pm, is 19+ and has $3 cover.
A song that I thought a lot about before playing this week was Jarrett Sorko’s “Yo, I’m From Windsor Dude”. Not that I hate the song, it just annoys me slightly. But it’s been a huge thing this week, and I figured since I’m showcasing Windsor music, it should be included. Also, he has aspirations of mainstream radio airplay, and we might not be 89x, but that’s only because we at CJAM are better. And I liked his dig at Harrow, especially as I myself rep the 738. (That’s Harrow phone numbers, for those who don’t know)
I spent last Friday night at The Blind Dog in the company of some pretty good bands, and some that had me less than impressed. Anonymous Bosch and Awake to a Dream are a couple that I was already fond of, and not disappointed by. Nuclear Sunrise was a new one for me, and I’ve got to say I liked what they did. Bleach and Silver Glory were not bad by any means, I just wasn’t blown away. And then there was Jonas & The Massive Attraction. Great musicians, but their sound was something I just couldn’t get into. Jonas’ Theory of a Massive Nickel Creed. For further explanation, try the WindsoriteDOTca article I wrote on it.
This weekend is set to host some serious shows. Starting off on Friday at The Blind Dog, you can catch Baptized in Blood, Betrayer, Desertion, and Perpetuate, who are releasing their first CD. Metal heads of the city rejoice, this is not one to miss. Baptized in Blood have recently been revealed to be on the lineup for the 2011 “Heavy T.O.” festival alongside Megadeth, Children of Bodom, and Rob Zombie. Tickets for that show run at about $135, and here you can see BIB for only $10. Steal! Betrayer has only recently returned to gigging, and after the major success of their show at The Coach last month, things can only get better. Desertion will be making their comeback that night, so I’m quite sure they’ll be tearing things up as well. And being as Perpetuate is releasing their album, it goes without saying that they’ll be great, and they usually are anyhow, so there ya go. This show is $10 ADV/$12 Door, all ages, and doors open at 6 pm.
Saturday at The Coach The Heat Seeking Moisture Missiles are playing their first show of the year, Hammerdown are playing their first show of the month, and Repetitions are playing their first show ever! Check out our feature from earlier this week to get the full rundown on this new crustpunk supergroup that is sure to make noise in Windsor’s music scene. Hammerdown’s brand of fast and heavy metal is sure to get your hair whipping and keep the beer flowing (you’ll have plenty of cash for that too, as there’s no cover), and THSMM will be their typical selves, bringing in the sounds of oldschool punk and 80’s metal. This show is free, 19+, and the first band is set to start at 11ish sharp.
And congratulations to Tim Kennedy of Harrow who called in to the show today to win himself tickets to Friday’s show at The Blind Dog. There will be more ticket giveaways soon, so be ready.
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
Lauren Hedges
First things first, the playlist from this week’s installment of The Windsor Scene, also available as a download.
Dave Russell – Toys (Unnatural Disaster – 2010)
Fresh Breath – Speed of Sound (The Speed of Sound – 2010)
Jordan Dollar – Flight (Move Forward II – 2010)
Acousticfire – Sorry Old Man (The Windsor Zene Sampler February – 2011)
Goliath – Facebreaker (Funweiser EP – 2011)
Assassinate the Following… – Sinful Beginnings (Assasinate the Following…)
Fuck The Facts – Fingers with Candy Tips (Collection of Splits 2000-2004 – 2005)
Tony Coates – Beautiful (2010)
Anonymous Bosch – Death, Metal, and Blues (Anonymous Bosch)
Awake to a Dream – Tainted (2011)
ATM – Crusty Barnacle (ATM/Gnarlie Murphy Split – 2010)
Shortcut to Last – It’s Not Enough (I Know You’re Not One For Serious Situations – 2010)
Riverside – The Best is Yet To Come (Newspeak)
Time Giant – Lobotomy (Grow – 2011)
Sewing with Nancie – Naïve (The Same Three Chords – 2000)
The Rural Alberta Advantage – Muscle Relaxants (Departing – 2011)
Lonesome Lefty & The Cryin’ Shames – Back to the Sugar Camp (Souvenir Album – 2011)
Yellow Wood – Be A Little Braver (Son of the Oppressor – 2009)
Yellow Wood – Picture (Son of the Oppressor – 2009)
And a few notes on the show;
Thanks to Dave Russell for the nudge towards his tunes! Anonymous Bosch did a similar thing this week as well, informing me of their newly-submitted album. There are a lot of CDs in our library, and I have yet to find the time to become familiar with all of them. Requests for music, whether they’re coming from artists or fans, are always welcome and appreciated. So what do you want to hear?
Awake to a Dream, Tony Coates, and Shortcut to Last are rad for supplying their music after I asked for it. Thanks for helping to build the show, and CJAM’s local library!
Anyone else interested in having their albums added to our selection of local artists can feel free to drop CD’s (or vinyl!) off at the station in the basement of the CAW Student Centre at The University of Windsor.
This past week I was in attendance at a number of sweet shows.
Last Thursday, which also happened to be St. Patty’s Day, I spent my evening at The Coach, and as my alcohol consumption went up, I remembered more. Yes, I know this makes no sense, but there it is. What this translates into is this; of The Kettle Black I remember a dude with a guitar, some black curtains, and weirdness. So, that is to say, not very much. On to Devilz by Definition, then. Metal. Lots of mids, high-pitched screaming. We’re getting better. So next came Awake to a Dream. A ukulele cover of The “Last Saskatchewan Pirate” by The Arrogant Worms, and I geeked out. Music from Sonic 2. I geeked more. It was awesome!
Sunday night was Shared Arms, Everyone Everywhere, and The All Night in an all-ages show at Phog. Pop-punk at it’s finest. The moshing had to be continually squashed, and the crowd sang as loud as the bands, even when they weren’t hijacking microphones. It made me really appreciate and wonder at the dedication of music fans in Windsor, that they learn the words to every single song of the local bands they love. It’s great to see, you won’t find it quite the same anywhere else.
Tuesday night was the debut of Cellos in the opening slot for KEN Mode. I unfortunately had to miss the first band thanks to work, but folks tell me it was quite the experience. My first encounter with KEN Mode was pretty damn awesome, but I don’t know how to describe it. They can’t be defined by a single (or even 3) genre. It was for sure heavy, and the mixing of an Orange stack with a Mesa head almost made me cry I loved it so much. Instead of trying and failing to describe this music, how about you just listen to it.
Friday the 25th is a very busy night in the Windsor music scene, but I’ll give you the rundown on my show of choice (and believe me; it wasn’t an easy one). At The Blind Dog you can see Silver Glory, Awake to a Dream, Nuclear Sunrise, Bleach, Jonas & the Massive Attraction, and Anonymous Bosch for only $10 (with the purchase of an advance ticket). A night of rock’n’roll at it’s finest. Pretty stoked for this one.
But any show you choose in Windsor this weekend, whether it’s Tony Coates at Taloola, Fuck the Facts at The Coach, or Freedom Within at Trees, it’s gonna be great, because Windsor fans are half the fun of these shows, and they’re sure to be packing each one of them.
And as an extra special tip, if you tune in to the show next Wednesday between 5 and 630 you’ll have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the upcoming Perpetuate CD Release Show with Baptized in Blood and Betrayer. That’s right, free tickets to a sweet metal show. What more can you ask for?
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
Lauren Hedges
This past week was fun for shows, and there are some awesome ones coming up this week. But first, The Windsor Scene playlist for March 16, 2011;
Tartan Army – Granny’s Favourites (Capitol Sessions – 2001)
What Seas, What Shores – Twice, Twice, Twice (Threnodies – 2008)
Awake to a Dream – The Importance of the Bass Guitar (The Windsor Zene Sampler – January 2011)
Sum 41 – Hell Song (Live)
The Classix – Be Somebody (Live What You Love EP – 2011)
The Locusts Have No King – Goodman on a Strange Horse (The Locusts Have No King – 2007)
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Clap Your Hands (The Wages – 2010)
The Nefidovs – Absent Jackets Demo (Set Faces to Stun – 2011)
Elad’s Guitar Army – The Freaks Are Out Tonight (Rattlesnake Tongue – 2000)
Doperobot – Daily Cheez Decompile (Opium Wars Beta – 1998)
Gypsy Chief Goliath – Elephant in the Room (The Windsor Zene Sampler – December 2010)
Assassinate the Following – The Sweet Taste of Nothing (Massacre of the North – 2009)
The Jetttison Commitment – Bloodsport (Demo – 2010)
Ten Indians – Angelique (The Severed Head of Something Beautiful – 2000)
Shared Arms – Zavits (Unreleased Jams – 2009)
The Polkadelics – Quit Your Bitchin’ (One Step Over the Line – 2002)
Contradance – Trouble In The Darkness (Black Preppies – 1981)
Kildare Trio – Words Tell Me Why (Seraphim – 1996)
If you missed the show, you can still always download it.
Last Friday I found out last minute about a show that I geeked out for – The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. I couldn’t believe these guys were coming to Windsor and I hadn’t heard about it, but late is better than after. The show was put on by the Canada South Blues Society, and took place at The Oasis Lounge at The Place Concorde on Forest Glade Drive. The show was opened by Big B and the Magic Bullets, who were great traditional blues. The Rev and his band consisting of steel guitar, a wasboard, and an eight-gallon bucket floor tom were as entertaining as I remember from previous shows, where they opened for Flogging Molly, and then Reel Big Fish on The Vans Warped Tour last year. These guys are a riot, and will be back in town for The International Blues Fest 2011. Be sure to check them out. And the show’s review.
Saturday I visited The Blind Dog for The Classix EP release show. The Greatest Invention and We Can be Heroes played as well, and it was quite a party. After the pop and pop-punk openers, The Classix took the stage and things really got going. A great stage presence and tunes with a heavy party-vibe made for one hell of a good time. I like the direction these guys are headed in. If you’re curious about the full EP, try the review that was posted earlier this week, and maybe the show wrap-up.
The upcoming show that I’m most psyched for is the “Turn That Shit Up Tour” featuring Assassinate the Following, The Jettison Commitment, Goliath, Hellraiser, and We Remain. The show is happening Saturday, March 19th at The Blind Dog. It’s all ages, $10 advance/$12 at the door, doors open at 5:30, show at 6:30. The night will be thrashy, heavy, and I anticipate hair and horns everywhere. In other words – magical.
If you’re of the sort who likes The Vans Warped Tour, or just to support local musicians, there’s an opportunity to indulge your fancies. The 15th annual Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands competition is in full swing, and a number of Windsor bands are looking to play shows in Detroit, Montreal, and Mississauga. All the information and necessary links to start you on your quest have been compiled here, so get steppin’.
The Windsor Scene with Lauren Hedges
Lauren Hedges
So this is my first submission to The Windsor Zene, and as such I’ll start off with an introduction. Sure, I have a bio on the staff page, but in case you haven’t read that, I’ll give you a quick run-though here.
I grew up in Amherstburg and attended college at The Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology in London, then moved back here. I go to a lot of shows, and while I’m there I take pictures, which are later posted, along with a few words, on WindsoriteDOTca (a great place for local news, by the way). I also run the soundboards at The Loop and FM Lounge, on occasion. Oh, and I host The Windsor Scene on CJAM 99.1 FM every Wednesday from 5 til 6:30 pm. Maybe that explains what I’m doing here.
So every Thursday you can check me out on here, see what songs I played the night before, hear about what shows were cool, what shows are going to be cool, and anything else I think you might like.
Let us begin then, with what you heard if you tuned in to this week’s edition of The Windsor Scene;
The Vaudevillainaires – Snake Righteous (Unreleased Demo – 2010)
Shortcut to Last – To Me This Is Love ( I Know You’re Not One For Serious Situations – 2010)
The Hunters – Sing Out! (Dissent Lasts – 2007)
Old School Politics – Going Down (Sampler – 2011)
Five Alarm Funk – Pay Day (Anything is Possible – 2010)
The Nefidovs – Canadian Paradise (Set Faces to stun – 2011)
StereoGoesStellar – Our City Blues (2010)
Den-igan – Scout’s Honour (The Square Root of Fun)
Falling With Glory – Fight With Honour (2011)
The Prehistoric Cavestrokers – Ketchup Meets Napkin (Let’s Id – 1986)
Devilz By Definition – A Gram Short Twenty (2010)
The Posers – Less Fashion More Thrashin (Anti-Christian Animosity – 2000)
The Raynes – Sandy (Silver Baby, Golden Dream – 2007)
Yukon Blonde – Brides Song (Yukon Blonde – 2010)
The Afterparty – Dizzy
Feal – Save My Soul (Feal)
What Seas What Shores – Pave The Oceans (Cordyceps EP – 2010)
The tracks by The Hunters and Old School Politics were ones I was quite excited to play. Not only are they great songs, but the band members were super cool guys who did a great job with their tour. Throughout the show I spoke to many different members, and at the end OSP gave me the sampler of their new album, all never-before-heard tracks and encouraged me to play something. With the offer to premier music, how could I resist, especially when it’s that good? The Hunter‘s album Dissent Lasts has been kin my car CD player all week, and I’m still not ready to take it out. Ska-punk where you can hear the accent?! I can’t get enough. Check these guys out on MySpace, or download the archive of today’s show to see what I mean.
Last weekend was, like many weekends in Windsor, a great one for shows. No matter what you’re into, without trying very hard you would have been able to find something you like. Fortunately, my tastes are diverse, so I can give you an idea of how things were across an array of acts.
Thursday night Phog hosted Pop-Punk, Pints, and Poutine, a show of, go figure, pop-punk bands. This was for sure my favourite show of the weekend, and probably one of the better ones I’ve been to in quite some time. Windsor’s The Rowley Estate was a solid opening act, blending street punk and pop in a way that is very raw and real, and a hell of a great time to watch. Two bands on tour from Montreal came up next, The Hunters and Old School Politics. It was my first encounter with The Hunters, and I was very much impressed – And I think everyone else was too. An instrumental intro caught attention, and after that their music and showmanship was enough to keep everyone enthralled. With a very ska flavour to it, these guys were like The Clash meets Reel Big Fish…But French. It was fantastic. Old School Politics made their second appearance at Phog, and it was just as good, if not better, than last time. A bit of a cleaner sound that the previous acts, they were just as much fun with their catchy Blink-182-esque songs. The Nefidovs, a local group, tore it up at the end of the night, getting the entire crowd skanking away to a sound completely unique to Windsor. I have trouble describing exactly what these guys are, and I think the best description of them I’ve heard is “Ska on Blues Steroids”. Awesome. Read more on this show here.
Friday I visited The New Seminole Bar and Grill where Thieves in Remand had the place to themselves. An all night set consisting of covers and originals left these guys exhausted by the end, but they pulled through and did a great job. A bit more advertisement to help bring in the crowds would have been beneficial, but the way they performed, the house might as well have been packed – Which was great to see. An alt-rock group with a great sound, I’m hoping they’ll soon get on bills with other bands as opposed to playing lone shows (they’ve in the past taken the stage at Leopard’s), to help spread their name and give everyone a chance to hear some more of their originals. A longer review and some photos here.
The Coach and Horses held a metal show on Saturday, (I know, metal at The Coach; who would’ve thought?) and it was a fun night full of horns and hair. A band comprised of mostly underagers, After Ashes did a great job opening and getting the audience warmed up with their brand of thrashy metal. Down from London, Heaven Ablaze played next, to great response. A sound reminiscent of Sacrament-era Lamb of God, they knew how to play and entertain. A cordless mic kept the vocalist wandering through the crowd as he screamed his way through song after heavy song. Weapon of Choice from Windsor was up next, and these guys with their “Aggressive Fucking Thrash Metal” really got the horns up and hair flying on a crowd that appeared seemingly out of no where in five minutes’ time. Xempt has finally replaced their drum machine with a real person, Ken Amlin, formerly of Black Kreek, and their performance closed off the night. Riffs both heavy and catchy and vocals both scream-y and sing-y made for a sound that stood out amongst the performers that night, and reminded me why I used to go see these guys play when I was still in high school. Further details here.
For shows this weekend, start yourself off at The Blind Dog on Friday for the Anu Beginning CD release show, where they’ll be playing with Falling with Glory, The Jettison Commitment, Frontiers, With Glowing Hearts, and A Dream In The Morning. Tickets $7 in advance $10 at the door, the show is all ages, and doors open at 5.
Saturday night is the EP release for for The Classix, (formerly The Afterparty) with The Greatest Invention and We Can Be Heroes, also at The Blind Dog. A night of pop-punk where a ticket purchase also gets you a copy of the EP, what more could you ask for? Doors open at 7, first band at 8, all ages, and tickets are $10.
I also might suggest visiting Phog for Yukon Blonde, a superb indie act sure to please. Presale tickets are available for $12, and as this show is expected to sell out, go get those ASAP. The Paint Movement from Toronto and Windsor’s Alex Carruthers and the Rhythm Brothers are also playing. 19+, show starts at 10.
On Sunday, support the Drouillard Place Community Service Centre [http://drplace.mnsi.net/] by visiting Hardcore Church (999 Drouillard Rd.) where $2 will get you in to see The Rowley Estate, Ape Cassette, With Glowing Hearts, and Jerry at Risk. This show is all ages, and doors open at 6 pm.
Lauren Hedges also contributes to Windsorite.ca and hosts “The Windsor Scene” on CJAM 99.1 FM Wednesday nights from 5-6:30 pm
