TWZ Musician Of The Month: Andrew Jordan
Name: Andrew Jordan
Age: 17
Instrument: Guitar
Band: Seven Thrones
Featured musician for the month of September is up and coming metal guitarist Andrew Jordan. Andrew is a young, amazing talent and shreds like no one his age should. He has just finalized the line up for his band Seven Thrones after a few line up changes and it is going to be very exciting to see where this band goes from here. This is the future of the Windsor metal scene. Please take the time to support Andrew and Seven Thrones by clicking on the link below.
Thank you for supporting local music and local musicians. This is the fourth installment of TWZ Musician Of The Month and we will feature a different musician each month. If you would like to nominate anyone for this honor please contact us with all the necessary information. Above all the candidate must contribute to the originality of the music scene and promote and support others in the scene. Let’s give credit to the people who make our scene stronger!
CD Review: This Is War “Hate Letter”
This Is War, Hate Letter (Rockerie Records)
Jamie Greer
In every music scene, there are a least a handful of hidden gems. By that I mean that there are folks whose contribution to this scene are quite often overlooked – or at least minimalized – when in fact, they’ve provided more sustenance and backbone than many of the “bigger” known acts. One of these gems is multi-instrumentalist Scott Warren.
Scott runs one of the city’s biggest sounding studios, Rockerie Records, and records many projects, both local and out of town, as well as his own projects. But that doesn’t define who Scott is. He is much more than a producer. He’s had tenures drumming for such local acts as Johnny El Camino, Somatose, Bombast and Vultures? But a drummer simply doesn’t define who Scott is. As a vocalist, he proved his chops as a more than capable backing vocalist in Vultures? and as a more than impressive front man for short lived hard rock collective Lone Locust. But a vocalist doesn’t define what Scott is.
This Is War, the one man project that has been Warren’s labour of love (or hate?) for over a year, however, does. Showcasing not only his production skills (he recorded, engineered, mixed, mastered and produced the entire project at his aforementioned Rockerie Records), his musical prowess (he played a majority of the lead vocals, drums, guitars, bass and synth tracks himself), or his songwriting (written almost entirely solo), he showcases himself. Hate Letter – his debut release under the moniker This Is War – is an emotionally revelatory concept album that strips Scott Warren to his absolute barest soul and unleashes a verbal and musical diatribe, emoting every feeling he endured throughout a failed relationship that he turned into his greatest masterpiece. Bon Iver may have written For Emma… under similar circumstances, but while Bon Iver’s “letter” sounds more like he got over it by drinking Chartreuse in a Minnesota mountain cabin, crying over Jeff Buckley bootlegs, Warren’s Hate Letter sounds more like he drowned his sorrows on a case of Jack Daniels and at least four street fights in downtown Detroit. He came out swinging and he wasn’t going to coddle the fact that this woman broke his heart. He was licking his wounds, he was tearing them off his body, one by one.
The album sounds like a mix tape you’d make in high school when a girl broke up with you. And I mean that in a good way. That sharp attack of the brain where you release that the only way to pull your sorry ass out of the gutter was to channel it all in music. Didn’t have to be your music, it just had to match up with how fucking crushed and emotionally jarbled your brain was, and pull you away and let you rage within the confines of the song. Well not only did Warren accomplish this on Hate Letter, he did it by writing all said music himself. He’s created the ultimate break up mix tape.
Once the spiraling groove of small intro opener “All By Your Loathesome (The Squatter)” ends quickly setting up the scene of the crime, the album launches into a powerhouse anthem that would have been a sure fire #1 single in the late ’90′s, “Fuck Today”. But what it commands in powerful ’90′s hooks and delivery – think a less Chris Cornell sounding Ian Thornley of Big Wreck – it manages to not sound as dated as many of those songs have ended up. The music is emotionally charged in a way that many of the 90′s alt. rock’s vapidly ignored and it carries a heavier Helmet-doing-the-Smashing-Pumpkins thing under these immense vocals and lyrics by Scott Warren. I’m not sure how a radio edit would work on a song that is so profane (“Forget Today” would only cut the nuts of the power), but this still today has the makings of a monstrous radio single.
“Great Minds and All That” – which like many of the album tracks features Vultures?, Bombast and Lone Locust co-hort Andy Langmuir on guitars – continues the vibe of the Smashing Helmet sound. And by this I mean, it sounds like the guys from Helmet trying to replicate that Billy Corgan tone and resulting in something that is hauntingly beautiful.
The first new vocalist appears on the head bobbing Soundgarden-esque “Easy Off” in the form of Grand Maris bassist/vocalist Meg Farron (although her vocals and melody are far from Soundgarden and fully compliments the words with the groove going on behind her) and also guests another Vultures? (and Somatose bandmate) Jeff Riley on guitars.
Just as Meg’s vocals lull you into a state that perhaps Warren is getting over the emotional let down, it launches into the next big hit off the record, “Mistake From The Lake”. This thunderous assault is a no-holds barred attack as the brain launches another Jack Daniels in-fueled rager at Pogo’s. With a slight hint of Moistboyz or latter day era Faith No More or KMFDM, Warren proves on this song that he has an incredible knack for taking elements from somewhat generic or cheesy acts (such as he did in “Fuck Today”) and streamlining the best parts of them and showing them a cooler way to do it. This song would be another huge hit on modern rock or hard rock radio because, although it shares some of the appeal of bands like Disturbed or their ilk, This Is War shows that you can convey melody, hook and emotion in an industrial-hard rock anthem without sounding like you’ve spent far too much time in Hot Topic and reading your own press in Revolver Magazine.
Two alumni from Windsor’s musical terrorists Poughboy invade the next two tracks. Drummer Dave Allan (who also plays drums for Cellos and Explode When They Bloom) creates a percussive jungle of rhythm behind Warren’s Dave Mustaine-esque vocals on “The Pride of No One”, followed by Poughboy frontman Adam Craig assaulting the ears with the expectantly crude and aggressive “September’s Whore”. As the protagonist of Hate Letter continues his decent into the rage of his experience, Craig’s twisted mind and vocal attack perfectly expresses that seemingly impossible task of replicating intelligibly. Easily the least commercially accessible track on the album, but perhaps the albums most emotionally intense: this is the sonic and lyrical version of a man’s complete emotional breakdown from a breakup.
Coming out of the chaos, “Buy Gold” is lead in by beautiful guitar work from another of Warren’s longtime running partners, Anderson Lunau (Vultures?, Somatose, The Golden Hands Before God) into a somewhat mellow although upbeat number that seems to be the awakening of the broken man from his moment in the darkness, which explodes into a tale that seems to encapsulate the man’s coming to terms with his own situation. “All I’ve got is some time with a mind that’s gone wrong, am I in love with you?” Warren belows in song that brings back the sound of late 90′s industrial alt. rock like Stabbing Westward. Another song with huge anthemic potential, despite it’s short running time.
By the time “The Dead Princess Stunt Spectacular” hits you in the face, this man is clearly out for some sort of revenge. To help in this street fight, Warren brings in a couple of veterans from Windsor’s metal scene to bring some thunder. David Creed, lead vocalist for powerhouse legends Grand Maris, bassist Kyle Warren (Scott’s brother and member of Under Ruins and Lost Souls Division) and guitarist Randy Barth (Under Ruins, Black Kreek) join Scott Warren in a full on assault that sees the author release the last of his anger.
Which sets up the beauty of the melancholy found within “The Pinkest Slip”, a short heroin river ride complete with sitar, as he finally hands the emotional baggage it’s grand goodbye, it’s “pinkest slip”. The album closes with the uplifting and inspiring instrumental outro, “Know You Know Nothing” – you can practically see the smile on the man’s face as the album quietens down and finishes. A happy ending.
This Is War – Scott Warren – manage to capture something that so many bands today seem to miss the point on. An album should be an album. If you’ve got singles, put out singles. Or EP’s. But when I buy your full length album, I want every song to matter. I’ll take it that some songs may come across stronger than others, some may strike a chord more with you than others, but I don’t want any filler. I want to experience the whole album as a whole, not a series of songs you spent 10 months writing sprinkled with a couple more you wrote in 2 days to spread out the record. Hate Letter does that. Despite it having a number of ready-for-mainstream radio singles already on board, the album is a complete collection and is definitely better listened to in order – at least once. Do yourself that favour.
Last year, my favourite song of the year from a local band was “Knuckle Down” by one of Scott Warren’s projects, Vultures? And this year – after the first third of 2012 anyway – my favourite release so far is Hate Letter. Which goes to show you that sometimes even though gems may be hard to find, once you do, they shine for a very long time.
Windsor Rock Wall: A Tribute To Our City’s Musical History
For the last four days Tom Lucier, the proprietor of Phog Lounge, has been working tirelessly at SB Contemporary Art (1017 Church St.) completing a project started months ago in the front entrance of his bar.
The idea is to show how interconnected the music community in the city is, by connecting musicians to every band they’ve ever played a live show with. The project outgrew it’s space at Phog, which is why it moved to the gallery this week, where it could be expanded further as people brought in their lists to add.
Tracing the actual lines proves difficult at times, the interconnectivity so dense that it might as well just be scribbles. But that just helps to reflect even more what this project
is all about; the music scene in our city is a huge entity, made up of all these bands, not
commanded by one or two. Take a step back and everything blurs together, it becomes difficult to discern one form the next, because in essence, it is all the same. Just people playing music for the love of it. It seems like lately there are those forgetting what the underlying purpose is behind the bands, but hopefully projects like this help them to remember.
Tom Lucier of Phog Lounge
CJAM Jammy Voting Has Begun!
Every year about this time, Windsor-Detroit’s campus-community radio station, CJAM 99.1 FM honours it’s most popular shows and hosts, by holding a voting session where listeners are invited to show some love for their favourites. The annual Jammies.
This year’s wards ceremony will be happening in early April, and in preparation the voting has already begun. Shows are broken down into categories like best ethno-cultural, electronic/urban, talk, roots/blues/country, music variety, special interest,indie/alternative/rock/punk/hard rock, spoken word, and the best new show that has started since last year’s awards. There is also the place to vote for your favourite on-air personality, local live venue, and local act.
When voting, remember that in order for it to count, you must enter your name, email address, and vote in at least three categories.
Results will be tabulated and announced at a ceremony in April, from which point on winners will have gloating rights for the next year.
So follow this link for the chance to show your local radio programmers how much you care.
CD Review: Frontiers “Illusions”
Frontiers, Illusions
Produced by Erik Gurney, XII-22 Productions
By design and default, any and all music scenes develop pecking orders. There are some bands who are doing it simply for fun. There are bands who are doing it more out of love than talent and there are talented bands who just don’t seem to get it. There are bands who become headliners out of the gate and bands that toil for years never escaping the catacombs of being an opening act. And then there are some that seem to climb through each rank, sometimes unexpectedly, and through hard work and tenacity, start to turn heads.
Frontiers are one of those bands. A few years back, these guys were another generic indie punk rock band in a scene that was getting flooded. They played a series of opening slots (and a few perhaps ill-timed headliners), but no one seemed to be jumping on any Frontiers bandwagon. They were simply just there. All that changed about a year ago. A series of line-up shuffling and a re-commitment from those who remained seemed to light a new fire within the Frontiers camp and by their next show, something happened.
People noticed Frontiers. And not only did they notice, people were talking about Frontiers. The buzz was on.
Their new found passion and drive is nowhere more apparent that on their debut disc, Illusions, released this Friday January 20th at The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West, beside Pogo’s). And as a sign of how far Frontiers has come from the days of being an unknown opener, they’re being joined for their CD release with two very special guests – Windsor’s own national touring punk rock icons Orphan Choir (whose frontman Jim Meloche lent his vocals to the track “Bones” on the album) and the blues-rock duo, The Blue Stones (who are headed to Canadian Music Week this year).
As I prepare to write this review, part of me wonders if anyone in Frontiers age bracket will get the musical references being compared, as the first thing I was struck with upon listening was how much of a throw back this record was. Not in the sense that it sounds dated – it’s remarkably fresh and completely relevant – but in that a lot of the influences seem to be from the late 80′s or early 90′s. In fact, if I hadn’t known what this record was, I could probably have been convinced it was a long lost Replacements record from 1989. And I mean that in the best of terms.
“My Oh My” is a great album opener and reveals the energy and swagger that ultimately shape the Frontiers sound. Again, there’s a retro sound – if you were to dig into the Goo Goo Dolls past (yes, they are a horrible mish mash of corporate rock now), they were actually a great melodic punk band from Buffalo before Big Money came knocking and “Name” transformed them into a pathetically safe band. Well Frontiers captures that same original energy, that same free attitude that still manages to maintain a sense of respect for melody within its angst. This song is one of the most mature punk songs since, well, Orphan Choir.
“Only With Fire” is another great track that bounces the listener along in a virtual dancing pit. Not a mosh pit by any means, but bobbing along to the song you can almost imagine a sea of sweaty fans bobbing along in unison to the revelatory sounds Frontier was broadcasting from the stage. Smarty constructed (it almost feels like a little cousin to the Replacements’ “Bastards of Young”) this could easily be a single and summer anthem.
By the third track, they slow the tempo and seemingly raise the lighters, for “Bones”. Initially starting like a mid-90′s power ballad, it’s guttural honesty redeems it early and veers it from falling into a potentially cheesy territory. It’s whisky soaked reflection becomes painfully endearing and by the time explodes a few minutes in, you feel like you’re part of a angry punk choir, as singer Richard Kasoian is joined by Orphan Choir’s Jim Meloche to bring the choir home.
“Mechanics” shows a little more diversity to both the bands sound and Kasoian’s vocals (though he sounds eerily like Spirit of the West‘s John Mann here). There are some great changes here and once again, by songs end, it felt like another summer anthem.
“Anu Beginning” is perhaps the best pop song disguised as a thinking man’s punk song to come out of Windsor (Canada?) in the past decade. Killer hooks, great guitar work and superb production by Erik Gurney, pushes this song into a great realm. It’s almost reminiscent of another great punk band from Windsor, Death or Comber. Those guys had the same knack for disguising things that the punk community often rejects and wrapping it in a casing that is easier for them to digest.
The 6-song album closes out with “The Talk”, that begins with a mournful meandering that feels like the beginning of a break up conversation. Again, Kasoian shows a maturity in his voice. He’s finally learned to properly use his voice as an instrument, not just a purveyor of words. He is using it to push through emotion and emphasize lyrical content and is doing it incredibly well. A somber closing track that manages to incorporate powerfully simple melodies and instrumentation to leave you wanting more from this refreshing young band.
Frontiers are going to be a front runner in leading the Windsor music scene’s “next generation” – they’ve already made their commitment on record, that’s obvious. This CD is a great collection of stories and letters that encapsulates a band that has found it’s musical footing and in doing so, gained the confidence to grip their battle flag just a little bit tighter as they dig into the mud of the battlefield they are about to embark upon. If you haven’t discovered Frontiers yet, make this Friday your personal initiation.
Jamie Greer
Frontiers: “Illusions” CD Release Party, Friday January 20 at The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West, beside Pogo’s), with special guests Orphan Choir and The Blue Stones. 19+
This Week @ (Dec. 5-11)
Milk Coffee Bar (68 University Ave. W.)
Monday, December 5th: The Monday Milkmen
Tuesday, December 6th: Open Mic with Mary Allan
Wednesday, December 7th: Open Mic with Shrimp Yogurt
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. W.)
Monday, December 5th: Open Mic Surgery with James O-L
Friday, December 9th: The Tyres and Eric Welton
http://www.myspace.com/thetyres , http://www.myspace.com/ericwelton
Villains Beastro (256 Pelissier St.)
Tuesday, December 6th: VOMIT (Villians’ Open Musical Instrument Talent) Show with the Eric Welton Band
Wednesday, December 7th: PUKE (People Using Karaoke Equipment)
Thursday, December 8th: Night of a Billion Laughs (Featuring the brilliant slap happy comedy of Jonny Peladeau & Rob Kemeny. Hosted by Heather Zaleski)
Friday, December 9th: Christmas in Hawaii! (Hawaiian shirts or grass skirts gets you a prize!
Music Authentico!)
The Manchester Pub (546 Ouellette Ave.)
Monday, December 5th: Open Mic with Clinton Hammond
Tuesday, December 6th: Tuesday Night Music Club with Jamie Reaume
Thursday, December 8th: Vice Aerial
The Honest Lawyer (300 Ouellette Ave.)
Monday, December 5th: Open Mic with Dave Russell
The Dominion House Tavern (3140 Sandwich St.)
Tuesday, December 6th: Open Mic with Alec Lauziere
Thursday, December 8th: Celtic Music with Clinton Hammond
FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. W. Main Level)
Wednesday, December 7th: Long & McQuade’s Jam Night
Saturday, December 10th: The Only Open Mic on Saturday Night, hosted by Acousticfire
The Coach and Horses (156 Chatham St. W. Lower Level)
Friday, December 9th: EVL, Aurelia ( EVL will be recording a live album, perfect opportunity to shout obscenities into the microphones!!!)
Saturday, December 10th: HIP HOP SPOTLIGHT
Mick’s Irish Pub (28 Chatham St. E.)
Thursday, December 8th: Toast & Jam
The Mill Tavern (3199 Sandwich St.)
Wednesday, December 7th: Open Mic with BJ Laub
Untouchables (138 University Ave. W)
Wednesday, December 7th: Weird Wednesdays: Techno, Minimal, IDM, DubStep w/ DJ Kero, Annie Hall and Sabrinski
The Capitol Theatre (121 University Ave. W.)
Thursday, December 8th: Sunparlour Players, the Sadies, Locusts Have No King, Field Assembly
Interview: The Blue Stones continue to shine
Bill Simmalavong
The Blue Stones are a diamond in the rough found in the city of Windsor. Their garage rock sound provides an entrancing tone that is unique to the music scene. Comprising of guitarist Tarek Jafar and drummer Justin Tessier, the band has come a long way from playing for close friends to packing venues like Villains and Phog Lounge.
When they first got together during their first year of university, their adventure did not start with music. The pair could trace their origins from when they were just 14. A friendship had blossomed from sharing mutual friends and athletic hobbies. “There was instant chemistry, based upon the years of friendship that was non-musical,” says Tarek. “The foundation is almost 100 percent built based on friendship.” Indeed, the ability to read the other persons mind allows the two to form a musical style that blends both of their distinct personalities.
The formation of the Blue Stones in itself was an inevitable one. Originally on guitar, Justin would jam with Tarek. “We would always do originals, no covers,” describes Justin. After deliberating on whether or not to become a four piece, Justin returned back to his native drums, as they began to record and form songs written and inspired by Tarek. “It’s where I’ve always been,” says Justin. The band had been created; however, they still needed a name. Hours were spent with message after message being exchanged between the two. Finally they reached a verdict. A gift, the name The Blue Stones was given and it was official. Tarek says, “We wanted something edgy.” It most certainly was.
Fast forward to October 1st, and they’ll be playing at this year’s installment of Harvesting The FAM Fest, at the Dugout (300 Ouellette Ave.). Fans should be expecting many new features as the Blue Stones anticipate around half their set to be new. “You may see a change in musical style from our old stuff.” says Tarek. “We’ve settled into our sound a little more.” This is exciting as they begin to tighten up and fill out. “With new material, we are starting to take branches on things,” describes Tarek. This is great news for the band, since they have been out of town playing shows and this would be their homecoming. “Our music is still rooted in our genre,” Justin confirms the feel of their new material.
Their travels have given them new insight on diverse audiences. “Every time we play in a new city, it’s back to square one,” Justin explains. “In London, we would be opening for bands; relying on their draw. In Toronto, it was the same thing; in Detroit, same thing. It’s great to be able to relive it.” The experience of playing at different venues has taught them a lot but no more so than being across the border, playing in Detroit. “In Detroit, people worship live music,” Tarek says, recalling the experience. The crowd was a little hostile from the start. “It was like they were undermining us before the set because we’re Canadian,” Justin explained. After the set they shook the foundations and changed many hearts. “Wow these guys are good and they’re Canadian, that’s better,” Justin describes the reaction. Breaking into the States for any Canadian musical group can be difficult, “It’s a huge challenge for any Canadian band, like the Hip playing a sold out show in Toronto but settling for a small venue in Texas,” continues Justin. The show went well accompanied by the Stone Foxes.
After success on the road, they finally make their way back home and into the studio. A special edition of their EP is coming out with logo designed by Zack Berjawi (a local filmmaker and photographer) “It’s a play on being suited up,” Justin explains and it does fit the stylish duo very well. Often clad in button down shirts and neck ties, the two were featured on the website Dappered. “This was huge for us, it’s our morning coffee,” Justin claimed, describing their fondness of the websites content. Indeed, with great style and a mature attitude, the Blue Stones do make an impact on the music scene.
The new special edition EP contains new songs and old songs like ‘I’m a Stereo’. With influences such as Alberta Cross, Black Keys, and Kings of Leon, it’s no wonder that the band has grown to such popularity. The pair plan to go back into the studio later this fall to record covers that are to be made available online for the public. Inspired by John Mayer’s cover of ‘Crossroads’ and Jimi Hendrix’s rendition of ‘All Along the Watchtower’, The Blue Stones plan on covering some big names, including The Black Keys, Sam Roberts and guitar great Jimi Hendrix. Look for new content soon as the band expands their fan base.
What is to come of the band is uncertain, they just want to have fun and as long as they see progress they’ll move forward. “We’d Like to be in a bigger sphere of influence,” Says Justin. “We are playing and trying to do the right things, as long as there is progress and its not stale well keep going.” Tarek says describing the future of the band.
They left me with a couple of tips on bands before doing so. “Don’t force crowd interaction, let them see you’re into your own music,” says Tarek. “When I’m up there if I’m into it, they’ll see it. It’s good to see artists who like their music, feel it out, almost 100 percent of the time people will enjoy it too.” Justin adds, “Don’t feel like your under a microscope, just be yourself. The looser you feel the better you sound. If you stop thinking about how you look like, you’ll focus on your sound a lot more and you’ll sound better. If you think about how you look like your sound suffers, it’s a catch 22.”
The Blue Stones with The Standstills at Harvesting The FAM Festival, Saturday October 1st, The Dugout (300 Ouellette Ave.)
CJAM TOP 30!!! August 15th-21st // 2011!
* = Canadian Content
1 LIBRARY VOICES* – Summer Of Lust (Nevado)
2 LITTLE GIRLS* – Cults (Hand Drawn Dracula)
3 MALE BONDING – Endless Now (Sub Pop)
4 THE POLYMORPHINES* – The Slip EP (Self-Released)
5 DOG DAY* – Deformer (Fun Dog)
6 CHANG-A-LANG* – No Clean Rock And Roll (Self-Released)
7 MUSKOX* – Invocation / Transformation (Self-Released)
8 KUATO* – Summer EP (Acadian Embassy)
9 JOHN DOE – Keeper (Yep Roc)
10 CENTRO-MATIC – Candidate Waltz (Undertow)
11 MONKEYJUNK* – To Behold (Stony Plain)
12 ORCHESTRE POLY-RHYTHMO – The 1st Album (Analog Africa)
13 BIG SUGAR* – Revolution Per Minute (Bread & Water)
14 DALOT – Minutestatic (N5MD)
15 JOSE SILVA* – Uncorrected EP (Balanced House)
16 SAN CISCO – Golden Revolver (Self-Released)
17 FUSIOON – Absolute Fusioon (B-Music/Finders Keepers)
18 ANCIENT FUTURE – World Without Walls (Capitol)
19 JOEL PLASKETT* – EMERGENCYs, false alarms, shipwrecks, castaways, fragile creatures, special features… (New Scotland)
20 THE CROOKED BROTHERS* – Lawrence, Where’s Your Knife? (Transistor 66)
21 UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Fat Possum)
22 THE THRASHERS* – Make A Splash (Transistor 66)
23 FRUIT BATS – Tripper (Sub Pop)
24 KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD* – A Old Rock On A Roll (Stony Plain)
25 100 MILE HOUSE* – Hollow Ponds (Sidewalk)
26 DEEP DARK WOODS* – The Place I Left Behind (Six Shooter)
27 MOONFACE* – Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped (Jagjaguwar)
28 CHARLES BRADLEY – No Time For Dreaming: Instrumentals (Daptone)
29 THE HOA HOA’S* – The Hoa Hoa’s (Self-Released)
30 WHITEHORSE* – Whitehorse (Six Shooter)
More Info?: www.earshot-online.com
CJAM TOP 30!!! July 25th-31st, 2011!
* = Canadian Content
1 DANIEL ISAIAH* – High Twilight (Secret City)
2 THE WEATHER STATION* – All Of It Was Mine (You’ve Changed)
3 DEEP DARK WOODS* – The Place I Left Behind (Six Shooter)
4 LUST* – Heartbeat (Crush)
5 JOEL PLASKETT* – EMERGENCYs, false alarms, shipwrecks, castaways, fragile creatures, special features… (New Scotland)
6 GRAHAM WRIGHT* – Shirts vs. Skins (File Under: Music)
7 LITTLE DRAGON – Ritual Union (Peacefrog)
8 BRIAN ENO – Drums Between The Bells (Warp)
9 VARIOUS – Playing For Change Vol. 2 (Hear Music)
10 OCOTE SOUL SOUNDS – Taurus (ESL/Eighteenth Street Lounge)
11 ALINE MORALES* – Flores Tambores e Amores (Self-Released)
12 COM TRUISE – Galactic Melt (Ghostly International)
13 HANDSOME FURS* – Sound Kapital (Sub Pop)
14 ANNA ATKINSON* – Mooniture (Self-Released)
15 VETIVER – The Errant Charm (Sub Pop)
16 BOOKER T. JONES – The Road From Memphis (Anti-)
17 BATTLES – Gloss Drop (Warp)
18 MONKEYJUNK* – To Behold (Stony Plain)
19 JUNIOR BOYS* – It’s All True (Domino)
20 THURSTON MOORE – Demolished Thoughts (Matador)
21 HARRY MANX AND KEVIN BREIT* – Strictly Whatever (Stony Plain)
22 WASHED OUT – Within And Without (Sub Pop)
23 DIGITS* – Lost Dream (Self-Released)
24 HOODED FANG* – Tosta Mista (Self-Released)
25 GALACTIC – The Other Side Of Midnight: Live In New Orleans (Anti-)
26 KAE SUN* – Outside The Barcode (Urbnet)
27 CITY AND COLOUR* – Little Hell (Vagrant)
28 BILL BOURNE & THE FREE RADIO BAND* – Bluesland (Self-Released)
29 VARIOUS* – True Blue (Paper Bag)
30 JF ROBITAILLE* – Calendar (Blue Cardinal)
More Info?: www.earshot-online.com
Tues. July 19: 90′s icons Big Daddy A & The Merves reunite for last minute show at Phog
Contrary to what some folks will have you believe, Windsor has always had a strong and creative underground music scene and while the exploration and creativity of today’s bands are mind bogglingly good, the Windsor music scene hit it’s most successful (at least locally) boon during the 1990′s. It was the era when, thanks to the good folks of Seattle, Washington and a little troupe of neo-post-punk rockers called Nirvana exploded on the alternative circuit, pushing underground stations like 89X to the forefront of mainstream radio and CJAM became a nurturing/breeding ground for all things new and unique. Like the national stage that local stages so often mimic, the hair band circuit that had dominated the stages of iconic landmarks like Rum Runners and California’s was now being replaced by cover bands that chose to cover Pearl Jam or Jane’s Addiction rather than Tesla or Motley Crue. The Spotted Dog, The Coach & Horses and The Pterodactyl Lounge showcased some of the downtown core’s most eclectic acts, while Buzz’s Bar & Grill did the same on the West side. The Green Arts Fest (a precursor to Phog Phest and FAM Festival) was a huge local arts festival held at Mic Mac Park that celebrated the city’s vibrant underground arts, crafts and music scene.
The music came from all sides and sources. Leading the charge of the 90′s was the immortal Luxury Christ (which housed former Butthole Surfer and current Citywide Vacuum leader Trevor Malcolm as well as current Citywide Vacuum and ASK vocalist Nancy Drew), whose infectius pop vocals over frantic experimental sounds combined with legendary live shows (it wasn’t unheard of to see members frequently naked on stage) made them the quintessential draw of the decade. Current frontman for Toronto’s Fjord Rowboat, Craig Gloster, was cutting his teeth in Soyl, Ten Indians were beginning to stake their claim as Windsor’s premiere rock and roll band, although that mantle arguable was held by the bad boys of The Scarecrows (whose members include Paul Loncke of The Locusts Have No King and Years of Ernest, and pianist/vocalist George Bozanich). The Lager Lads and The Posers were creating new waters in Windsor’s hardcore punk scene (essentially creating it), while the glam punk theatrics of TOAST (fronted by Jamie Greer of The Vaudevillianaires and featuring Richard Benson from High Mother on guitar) brought rock and roll sensationalism to the punk stage. Toronto’s acclaimed singer/songwriter Dean Drouillard was getting his feet wet in the indie pop band The Skin Thieves (later Racecar), The Waker Glass‘ Robert Earl Stewart was still belting out songs with elephant, Sewing With Nancie had yet to find The Reason to move to Hamilton, Problem To The Solution was owning the metal scene (while future members of fiftywatthead and Lodown were getting their own start in Brown Water), and the rock and roll spectacle that was Jimmy Bronco was packing show after show.
With the rise of the Loop as the premier alternative club in the city in the mid-90′s, no band commandeered the stage with such satirical majesty as when the outfit known as Big Daddy A & The Merves took the stage. These guys were a rag tag troop of seeming rock and roll goofballs, dressed in outlandish costumes, singing about ridiculous themes and engaging in antics that seemed to border on homo erotic. But beneath the drunken buffoonary, these guys could play. They disbanded shortly after their debut release, We Stole Your Wallet, in 1997, but they’d left an indelible stain on Windsor’s crotch, one that no amount of confession or bleach could abolish. Frontman James Brejcha would wind up temporarily replacing Nancy Drew in Luxury Christ by the decade’s end before relocating to the West Coast, while guitarist Ben Brandes would end up traveling the country before settling down in Montreal to create the amazing ensemble The Unsettlers (as well as become the commuting bass player for The Golden Hands Before God). And bassist Ted Dimoglou would trade in his four strings for six and co-found the theatric shock rock metal band The Vaudevillianaires.
While Brandes is unable to make the reunion show (he just left the area after three solid Windsor shows with The Unsettlers), Brejcha and Dimoglou are teaming back up with former Merve Mark Fleming on drums and guitarist Eddie James (who replaced Brandes causing the band to rename themselves The Flying Bears of Vengeance, and later played in Hogfat and briefly played in The Vaudevillianaires as The Milkman) for a special reunion show tonight at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West), playing crowd favourites from both Big Daddy A & The Merves and The Flying Bears of Vengeance. Opening the show is The Prophecy.
And if you want to familiarize yourself with their ridiculousness and awesomeness, you can download for FREE their 1997 album over at WindsorDIY, then come tonight for this FREE reunion featuring some real classic musicians from Windsor’s 90′s heyday.
CJAM TOP 30!!! July 4th – 10th 2011!
* = Can-Con
1 JUNIOR BOYS* – It’s All True (Domino)
2 JOHNNY WEST* – Gift For A Spider (Tosteestostas)
3 CHAD VANGAALEN* – Diaper Island (Flemish Eye)
4 THE NEFIDOVS* – Set Faces To Stunned (Self-Released)
5 BOOKER T. JONES – The Road From Memphis (Anti-)
6 VIEUX FARKA TOURE – The Secret (Six Degrees)
7 TON* – Going Places (Self-Released)
8 VARIOUS* – The All-Skanadian Club Vol.5 (Stomp)
9 THE SURE THINGS* – Second Gear (Self-Released)
10 ARCTIC MONKEYS – Suck It And See (Domino)
11 ANNA ATKINSON* – Mooniture (Self-Released)
12 DECLAIME – Self Study (Epis Peach Sound)
13 MYELIN SHEATHS* – Get on Your Nerves (South Paw)
14 FUCKED UP* – David Comes to Life (Matador)
15 FLEET FOXES – Helplessness Blues (Sub Pop)
16 HANDSOME FURS* – Sound Kapital (Sub Pop)
17 HARRY MANX AND KEVIN BREIT* – Strictly Whatever (Stony Plain)
18 SLOAN* – The Double Cross (Outside)
19 THE ROSEBUDS – Loud Planes Fly Low (Merge)
20 BLACKIE AND THE RODEO KINGS* – Kings and Queens (File Under: Music)
21 FM BELFAST – Don’t Want To Sleep (Morr Music)
22 LINDI ORTEGA* – Little Red Boots (Last Gang)
23 LIVING WITH LIONS* – Holy Shit (Adeline)
24 JOEL PLASKETT* – EMERGENCYs, false alarms, shipwrecks, castaways, fragile creatures, special features… (New Scotland)
25 DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP – The Logic of Chance (Urbnet)
26 BRAZILIAN MONEY* – This Is Not A Dream (Totally Disconnected)
27 DARK MEAN – Dark Mean (Self-Released)
28 THE BLUE STONES* – The Blue Stones (Self-Released)
29 HARRIS EISENSTADT* – Canada Day II (Songlines)
30 GRAHAM WRIGHT* – Shirts vs. Skins (File Under: Music)
More Info: www.earshot-online.com
HELP WANTED: MicLordz & Sauce Funky put out the call for a new drummer
There’s no denying that Windsor is a hot bed for diversity and talent when it comes to talent and lately more and more acts are starting to tour and test the waters outside of Windsor-Essex county. Some bands, like Michou, Orphan Choir and MicLordz & Sauce Funky, have turned their hometown shows into more sporadic big events while concentrating more on touring and hitting the road to expose their sounds to more ears across Canada (and the US). And while a tight knit group bound by the camaraderie of the road and song is essential to a band’s chemistry and longevity, inevitably some bands are hit with the dissolution of ideals or the withdrawal of core members.
Unfortunately for MicLordz & Sauce Funky, they have been hit with the later, as drummer Charlie McKittrick has decided to leave the band. If this were any of the hundred or so bands in Windsor who were still simply playing Windsor, it would be a simple fix. Regroup for a few months, find a new skinsman and carry on. But MicLordz & Sauce Funky are one of the few Windsor bands who are genuinely in the midst of some major momentum. In the past year, they have headlined their own successful West Coast Canadian tour, played shows with Classified, completed a 48-day trek across the U.S. opening for Psychopathic Records’ stars Twiztid, followed that up with a spring 2011 tour with legendary Cypress Hill MC Sen Dog and returned home as one of the acts at the inaugural BeaverFest. These guys have been rising the ranks of the indie music world of North America, not just Windsor-Essex county.
But now their momentum has hit a snag. They need a new drummer and they need one pronto A press release sent out from the group indicated their requirements:
Candidates for the position must be very skilled drummers and SERIOUSLY committed to the project. It must be their PASSION and their LIFE. They must live in, be willing to move to, or are able to travel to Windsor, ON Monday-Friday on a weekly basis.
It is safe to say that for the serious drummer, who wants to live a life of music in a rock band, they would be extremely fortunate to walk into this position, surrounded by 4 other musicians who have given their lives to their craft. If you’re not willing to make it the point of axis that your life surrounds do not waste your time or ours.
IF YOU ARE A DRUMMER, HAVE A DRUMMER FRIEND, OR KNOW A DRUMMER THAT FITS THIS DESCRIPTION, CONTACT MATTE@MICLORDZ.COM
If interested, contact M.L.S.F. and you will be sent 2 audition pieces. An audition date will be arrange for a week following which will include the performance of both pieces, and an improv. jam. You will be judge accordingly and contacted for further information.
If you’ve seen these guys in action, you know they take their music and performances seriously and this dedication and musical work ethic has paid off handsomely of late. If you’ve got what it takes to join this hip-hop/rock/funk congregation, drop Matte a line at Matte@MicLordz.com and set up an audition.
CJAM TOP 30!!! May 9th-15th / 2011!
* – Denotes Canadian Content
1 CHAD VANGAALEN* – Diaper Island (Flemish Eye)
2 SLOAN* – The Double Cross (Outside)
3 AUSTRA* – Feel It Break (Paper Bag)
4 DIGITS* – Lost Dream (Self-Released)
5 FLEET FOXES – Helplessness Blues (Sub Pop)
6 GHOSTFACE KILLAH – Apollo Kids (Def Jam)
7 NORTHCOTE* – Gather No Dust (Self-Released)
8 BANJO OR FREAKOUT – Banjo Or Freakout (Rare Book Room)
9 DENGUE FEVER – Cannibal Courtship (Concord)
10 OKKERVIL RIVER – I Am Very Far (Jagjaguwar)
11 THE KILLS – Blood Pressures (Domino)
12 MONOGRENADE* – Tantale (Bonsound)
13 KELLARISSA* – Moon of Neptune (Mint)
14 FEDERICO AUBELE – Berlin 13 (ESL/Eighteenth Street Lounge)
15 THE STROKES – Angles (RCA)
16 AFRICAN HEAD CHARGE – Voodoo Of The Godesent (On-U Sound)
17 BEN WATERS – Boogie 4 Stu (Eagle)
18 LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO – Tales From A Zulu Farm (Listen 2)
19 BILL CALLAHAN – Apocalypse (Drag City)
20 WILDLIFE* – Strike Hard, Young Diamond (Easy Tiger)
21 THIS CITY DEFECTS* – Patterns (Self-Released)
22 DUB SPENCER & TRANCE HILL – The Clashification Of Dub (Echo Beach)
23 FLYING FOX AND THE HUNTER/GATHERERS* – Hans My Lion (Self-Released)
24 PAPERMAPS* – Papermaps (Sparks)
25 THE AGGROLITES – Rugged Road (Stomp)
26 BEASTIE BOYS – Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (Capitol)
27 THE POLKADELLICS* – One Step Over (Reverb)
28 BROWN RECLUSE – Evening Tapestry (Slumberland)
29 MAGIC SHOPPE* – Reverberation (Optical Sounds)
30 DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – Go-Go Boots (ATO)
More Info?: www.cjam.ca
CJAM TOP 30!!! April 25th-May 1st, 2011!
* – Denotes Canadian Content
1 MOGWAI – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (Sub Pop)
2 GRIMES/D’EON* – Darkbloom (Arbutus)
3 NICK LOWE – Labour Of Lust (re-issue) (Yep Roc)
4 YOUNG GALAXY* – Shapeshifting (Paper Bag)
5 SWEATSHOP UNION* – The Bill Murray EP (Urbnet)
6 CRYSTAL STILTS – In Love With Oblivion (Slumberland)
7 LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO – Tales From A Zulu Farm (Listen 2)
8 VIVIAN GIRLS – Share The Joy (Polyvinyl)
9 AMBISONIC* – Arp (Self-Released)
10 AFRICAN HEAD CHARGE – Voodoo Of The Godesent (On-U Sound)
11 D-SISIVE* – Jonestown 2: Jimmy Go Bye Bye (Urbnet)
12 MY SON THE HURRICANE* – You Can’t Do This (Self-Released)
13 MOTHER MOTHER* – Eureka (Last Gang)
14 C’MON* – Beyond The Pale Horse (Self-Released)
15 WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS – Here We Go Again (Blue Note)
16 THE RIDERLESS* – Atelier Gild (Kinghaxi)
17 DJ BRACE* – The Electric Nosehair Orchestra Presents Synesthasia (Nostomania)
18 SHANNON AND THE CLAMS – Sleep Talk (1234 GO!)
19 BROWN RECLUSE – Evening Tapestry (Slumberland)
20 OBITS – Moody, Standard and Poor (Sub Pop)
21 SLIM CESSNA’S AUTO CLUB – Unentitled (Alternative Tentacles)
22 SERENA RYDER* – Live (EMI)
23 WYE OAK – Civilian (Merge)
24 DAEDELUS – Bespoke (Ninja Tune)
25 VARIOUS – Bossa Nova From Around The World (Putumayo)
26 CONCERNS OF ROYALTY* – Concerns of Royalty (Self-Released)
27 DUB SPENCER & TRANCE HILL – The Clashification Of Dub (Echo Beach)
28 HEY ROSETTA!* – Seeds (Sonic)
29 PAPERMAPS* – Papermaps (Sparks)
30 ROXANNE POTVIN* – Play (Black Hen)
More Info?: www.cjam.ca
CD REVIEW: The Blue Stones
The Blue Stones – s/t
Jon Liedtke
The Blue Stones, Windsor’s own guitar/drum duo, featuring Tarek Jafar and Justin Tessier, have recently released their debut self titled EP, and are garnering a lot of attention because of it! The six-track album features all of their own tracks and has a great sound. The two employ a sound that is reminiscent of ’90s rock, mixed with that of some of the better known rock groups of today, for example, The Black Keys or The White Stripes. Their strong guitar riffs, combined with an impressive drum backing, help to create an enveloping sound that draws you in and refuses to let you go.
“Tire Tracks” sets the album off in the way that you would expect from these two guys: classy and tasteful. It is filled with vocal harmonies that the two have clearly spent a fair amount of time working out. “Vain Vixens”, the second track, raises the level a bit, with loud drums and guitar off the bat. Again, the two vocal tracks compliment each other wonderfully. Their syncopated riffs and strong drum backing ensures that every track keeps your foot tapping, or at least that internal beat meter going steady. This song pulls you into a feeling of ’90s nostalgia, but then comes the middle of the song, a breakdown that fits perfectly into the styles of today. At times you wonder just what band you’re listening to, or rather, what decade you’re in.
“Star Killer”, their next song, tones things down to allow the lead guitar player, Tarek, to start things off with a harmonic guitar riff. This song definitely gets across to the listener the idea that these guys are a modern day blues band, just doing things their own way. With a heavy foot on distortion, these guys are able to bring the grunge, but in a style that sounds oh so good. “What She Don’t Know (Won’t Hurt Her)”, is one of my favourite songs on the album. The lyrics, harmonies, and instrumentals, all come together in what can be described as the ‘Blue Stones’ way, for lack of a better word. It’s impressive that a duo like this can fill up a live venue with sound the way they do AND pack a CD with an impressive range of sound – these two know what they’re doing.
Arguably their most known song, “I’m a Stereo”, was just made into a music video directed by local filmmaker Gavin Michael Booth, which features two iPhone 4’s, and the Facetime technology. Making the rounds across internet tech blogs, their YouTube video is spreading virally in all the right places. The song, if you haven’t heard it, starts with a strong guitar riff that you can’t seem to shake during the day. The final track on the album, “More to Life”, slows things down, and sets the mood right off the bat. The vocal range of the two, harmonies displayed, and sheer ability to produce this breadth of music sets the duo apart. They’re able to slow things down when necessary, and bring it back up when needed.
It’s the stage presence of the duo which really ensures that the audience is in for a treat. Playing off of each other’s musical creativity, the two employ enough energy to turn heads and stay memorable. Their CD is captivating and enthralling, demanding an entire listen the first run through. A thoroughly enjoyable album which will continue to please the next time it’s listened to. Be sure to keep up with what these two are up to, because at the rate they are going, you’re most likely going to be hearing about them more and more.
The Blue Stones are playing on Friday April 22 at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) with Alex Carruthers & The Rhythm Brothers and Cellos.
Thurs. April 21: Attack In Black’s Spencer Burton reveals the intimacy of his Grey Kingdom at Phog
Welland’s Attack in Black have come a long way since they first played Windsor many years ago. They’ve emerged from the mean streets of Welland, Ontario as a punk explosion but, like a similar pathed The Reason, they’ve mellowed a bit in their “old age” to create some powerful indie rock more akin to Constantines or Arkells than their punk roots.
Guitarist Spencer Burton has also decided to show of his more sensitive side, with a new project entitled The Grey Kingdom. Perhaps its coming from an area of Ontario that birthed Ron Sexsmith, but The Grey Kingdom is to Attack in Black what City and Colour is to Alexisonfire (who also, incidentally, come from the Niagara region) – embracing a warmer more introspective side of one’s self by removing themselves from a larger collective. By while City and Colour is a little more Sexsmith via Jeff Buckley sounding, Burton’s Grey Kingdom is like a warmer Bon Iver or a more Band-esque performance of Great Lake Swimmers - the songwriting is as lush, just not as orchestral. It’s got more Canadiana roots feel. The song-writing is fantastic, the performance impeccable and the words ring true.
Currently on the road in support of his full length debut, Eulogy of Her and Her and Her (a self-titled EP was released last year to introduce the music world to Burton’s solo material), The Grey Kingdom is stopping by Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) this Thursday for what promises to be an intimate and beautiful showcase of some of Ontario’s finest songwriting.
Supporting the show is Windsor’s own (via Halifax, Nova Scotia) Crissi Cochrane, a songstress whose voice and music has emerged recently as one of the local scene’s most poignant and relevant songwriters (as evidenced by her recent 2011 Jammy Award for Best Local Musician from CJAM 99.1 FM). Always a treat to catch live (and not just because she brings cupcakes for the audience), Cochrane is still playing in support of her fantastic album, Darling Darling from last year.
Opening up the show is another Windsor songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Kevin Echlin. Perhaps not as well known as some of the city’s other songwriters, Echlin is a hidden gem in this scene. This young man has shown a maturity and wisdom beyond his years and it’s only a matter of time before he’s packing places with his voice and storytelling.
If you’re looking to go out for some great songs, a warm vibe (and $10 for Pint and Poutine? Mmmmm), and away from the usual delicious chaos of downtown, this might be the best ticket in town.
The Grey Kingdom with special guests Crissi Cochrane and Kevin Echlin, Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West), Thursday April 21, 9pm, 19+/$5
CD Review: TimeGiant ‘Grow’
TimeGiant: Grow (2011)
Craig McKenzie
TimeGiant, Grow
Grow like a giant sprout .. or ( little sunshine/summer groove, how do we know the slacker generation)
We grow like a weed and die like one too. From the opening riff of TimeGiant‘s Grow, we fall into a hippy ice cream parfait of technical deserts. The band rocks, in that they move and lift a wrestling crowd off their feet. They move, in a way that creates anxious Tragically Hip fans to slow the puff-puff-pass, and see, what is music. The music that Canadians work themselves to strive to .. a blue-collar, pub-esque genre, only created in Southern Ontario.
TimeGiant, formerly Time, are a Windsor-born, Toronto-based band that exemplify what (and where), Windsor music is moving. In an ‘indie’ fashion, we see what talented musicians can pull off when having a good time, and hoping to move forward. With Windsor being a new stomping ground for the ”indie” scene, a band like TimeGiant are showecasing their territory like the father of the city brood. A stronghold is the cohesive sound they play with.
“Zenith” opens the album with a strong guitar riff, a reminisce of those ’80s guitars (featuring guest work by Mikey Heppner, from Montreal’s rock heroes Priestess).. bang it, bang it! It leads into a stellar vocal performance by Tyrone Buccione who wails like a fighting viking in his promised battle. It can easily bring upon a vibe of slackerism via the movie Almost Famous. “Buyer’s Remorse” follows and it make us realize the band can have fun with the talent of those jam bands that could go wild on our ears with 6 minute guitar solos. Tyrone Buccione showcases his skills and proves he can do both.
The acoustics from “Let it Grow” in to “Temple in the Sky” prove that Time Giant are ready to enlarge. The lyrics give us a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ approach of what we are headed for: they are going for the sunshine of California. Songs groove into song, something Windsor bands are hard on.
When the track “After the Battle at Mt. Megiddo” hits your ears, you realize that are we entering a beast-play of the band. The 7:30 minute track treats us to a phenomenal spectre of what a local band can perform. A progressive, sexy piece of art that can speak to Springsteen and Seger. Love it and move on.
The last track teaches us and, well themselves, that art can never be taken too seriously. Are 7:30 minute songs real? Are people like Daniel Victor the future of Windsor sound? Is money gonna show Windsor another Hamilton coastline of shit? I don’t believe it. The last song, “Lobotomy”, plays as a loose-fitting track after a ‘magnum opus’. But, yes, it moves in a serious way that shows Windsor can produce artists that not only bleed talent but breed skill.
CJAM TOP 30 – March 28th – April 3rd / 2011
* – Indicates Canadian Content
1 MEMPHIS* – Here Comes A City (Arts & Crafts)
2 WYE OAK- Civilian (Merge)
3 GEOFF BERNER* – Victory Party (Mint)
4 THE RIDERLESS*- Atelier Gild (Kinghaxi)
5 THE MOUNTAIN GOATS – All eternals deck (Merge)
6 BIBIO – Mind Bokeh (Warp)
7 JESSICA HERNANDEZ AND THE DELTAS – Weird Looking Women In Too Many Clothes (Self-Released)
8 GIL SCOTT-HERON – I’m New Here (XL Recordings)
9 MOGWAI – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (Sub Pop)
10 J. MASCIS – Several Shades of Why (Sub Pop)
11 LES BREASTFEEDERS* – Dans la gueule des jours (Blow The Fuse)
12 STNNNG – The Smoke Of My Will (Modern Radio)
13 FALL CITY FALL* – 1629 (Self-Released)
14 C’MON* – Beyond The Pale Horse (Self-Released)
15 PJ HARVEY – Let England Shake (Island)
16 QUEEN LICORICE* – Queen Licorice (Self-Released)
17 RON SEXSMITH* – Long Player Late Bloomer (Warner (WEA))
18 THE RAVEONETTES – Raven In The Grave (Vice)
19 R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now (Warner (WEA))
20 VARIOUS* – Garth Hudson Presents: A Canadian Celebration Of The Band (Curve Music)
21 LUPE FIASCO – Lasers (Atlantic)
22 THE BUILDERS AND THE BUTCHERS – Dead Reckoning (Badman)
23 ANONYMOUS BOSCH – Anonymous Bosch (Self-Released)
24 CURRO FUENTES & THE BIG BAND – Cartagena! (Soundway)
25 MIDDLE BROTHER – Middle Brother (Partisan)
26 PARTS AND LABOR – Constant Future (Jagjaguwar)
27 THE ASTEROID NO.4 – Hail To The Clear Figurines (Keep Music Evil)
28 BEAUTIFUL NUBIA AND THE ROOTS RENAISSANCE BAND* – Sun No Dey Sleep (Eniobanke)
29 KURT VILE – Smoke Ring For My Halo (Matador)
30 DINOSAUR BONES* – My Divider (4AD)
Find More Info At: www.cjam.ca
Fri. April 1st: Windsor Zene Friday Night Round Up!
A lot going on in the Windsor music scene tonight. Here’s the score on what’s in store…
We start things off with a huge metal show at the Blind Dog with a visit from Roadrunner recording artists and London, Ontario natives Baptized In Blood. This act has been playing some great shows in support of their recently released self-titled album (that’s also been tearing up the Loud Rock charts at CJAM and Nationally with Earshot) and head out to Europe in June. Also on the bill are Windsor’s progressive metal five-piece Perpetuate who release a brand new album tonight, a return performance from Desertion who have been off the radar for quite some time and even more heavy sounds from Betrayer. All in all, one of best metal shows a fan could ask for.
Another album release show tonight at The Coach and Horses with the debut of Ton‘s ‘Going Places’. Ton is a longtime Windsor act who have made their name in the scene by being a straight up rock and roll band that is relatable yet unique (for a much more intriguing analysis of the band refer to our recently published article: Ton… you should probably hear this band). More rock from the Voodoo Mafia and the return of Scott Funnel are the icing on the cake of this show and between this and the aforementioned show fans of the loud have got it good in the city tonight and here’s the best part: you could easily catch both of these shows.
Two great free shows going on downtown tonight to! At Phog Lounge see a performance from Windsor’s ASK who have been making some great moves since the release of their latest album ‘Future Communication’ back in January. The act has signed with the newly formed Yeti Agency and been playing some gigs at some of Toronto’s most respected venues. Joining ASK is the fantastic Hardsell. Hardsell harkens back the the days of early american hardcore punk with a raw sound unlike any act in the city and if you’re a fan of the genre it will be hard to not enjoy the band live; they don’t play often so don’t miss this special performance!
Finally we have the always fun Annual Jammy Awards at the FM Lounge. Every year CJAM 99.1 FM put out the call to their listeners to vote for their favourite programs on an online internet poll and works the to celebrate the efforts of everyday people who have a genuine love of independent music and thought as well as a penchant for quality work and sharing. The ceremony starts at 9pm and wraps up with the announcement of the coveted ‘Best Local Venue’ and ‘Best Local Music Act’ awards. After the ceremony catch a very special performance from CJAM’s ‘Best Local Music Act’ of 2010, Kenneth Macleod & The Windsor Salt Band, whose astounding win last year proved that you don’t have to be online or even on-air (the band had neither a web page or album at the time of the win) to win an online radio poll. But that’s all going to change because CJAM has set up for tonight’s shows to be recorded for future radio use by Mark Plancke of Sharktank Productions. Come be a part of the crowd noise! This show is free with donations to the band at the door.
Sat. March 26th: The Windsor Zene Saturday Night Round-Up!
A great weekend of live music in the city continues tonight with some wide variety genres for your musical palette. Here’s the score on the night’s performances with some samples for you previewing convenience.
Our recent article ‘BC’s Beekeeper swings through The Dugout‘:
“What if They Might Be Giants grew up listening to Nomeansno and Fugazi?
What if comedian Andy Kaufman was the wizard behind The Arcade Fire’s curtain?
What if Cardiacs and At The Drive-In overhauled Jimmy Eat World’s back catalogue?You might get beekeeper.
That’s how the bio from Vancouver’s beekeeper starts out. And listening to their stuff, that’s somewhat accurate. They draw a lot of influences and I’m sure the Arcade Fire reference is due to them having a violinist as well. But I also hear similarities to Rah Rahor, closer, to Guillemots.Accessible pop music textured and arranged with a deeper hue, beekeeper are coming off a strong showcase at Canadian Music Week in the midst of a cross Canada tour that brings them toThe Dugout (formerly The Whiskey, 300 Ouellette Ave.) on Saturday March 26.” Also on the bill are Dave Russell and Leighton Bain which should make for a great evening of music through and through.
Over at Phog Lounge check out a couple of visiting bands from Chatham, Ontario. The first of the two acts is The Long Lots which actually draws members from Windsor, Chatham and London to form an indie rock four piece that draws influence from the likes of Silkworm, Band of Horses, Wintersleep and North of America. Playing in support of their debut EP ‘In The Valleys of Our Hearts’ look for this band to make an impression with their first Windsor performance. Next up is the experimental acoustic punk of solo performer Prophet Limbo. Also known as Rob Johnston, the act often plays with a backing band, no word on if that will be the case tonight, but either way Prophet Limbo brings a diverse array of songwriting efforts to the table.
In the basement of the Loop Building at the Coach & Horses more heaviness for your ears as Peterborough’s hardcore and metal aficionados As It Stands makes their way to the city. Joining the bill are Devilz By Definition (recently signed to the Yeti Agency), Shortcut To Last (who continue to play in support of their recently released full-length) and progressive thrash band Blackthorn City from Essex (who have posted a brand new Ep to their Myspace page). If your ears have mad it past or missed out on Ken Mode and Fuck The Facts they will surely appreciate this evening’s performances.
Finally we have the second night of live acoustics at The Mill’s 1st Annual Windsor Songwriters Festival. Tonight will see performances from Cotton Rayne, Brett Service, Marty Lowman and Alec Lauziere for the 8pm showcase & Ron Beer, BJ Laub, Deni-gan and Jeremy Coulter (StereoGoesStellar) starting at 10pm. Both showcase should be a lot of fun so get out there and support this burgeoning young festival. Donations at the door.
Fri.March 25th: The Windsor Zene Friday Round-Up!
No shortage on live music in the city this weekend! Here’s a quick rundown of Friday’s events with some video sample to help you navigate your way to the best show for you!
Arguably the biggest show of the evening, check out Ottawa grind-core heavyweights Fuck The Facts at the legendary Coach & Horses. With solid opening acts like Assassinate The Following, Shinje and Goliath and the recently added Our Own Demise this show promises to bring the walls down and the Coach is the only place it could, nay, SHOULD happen. This is quite a week for the coach following the epic Ken Mode/Cellos show this past Tuesday. Check out our interview with Fuck The Fact’s Topon Das about tonight’s show.
Lots going tonight for fans of acoustic singer-song writers. First there is the massive 1st Annual Songwriters Festival happening at The Mill. Tons of great talent involved in this event which also runs on Saturday, March 26th. Tonight see performances from: Peter Boyer (Same Latitude As Rome), Glen MacNeil (ReGael, Celtic Cross), Linda Girard and Adam Gilchrist (Cloverjoy, Caught In The Moss, The Butterfield Gateway) among others. For more info see our related article on the event HERE. Catch Tony Coates plays as he plays a solo gig at the Taloola Cafe this evening continuing his push to become one of the best known acts in the city. Over at The Phog Lounge see and hear acoustic performances from Sophist, Acousticfire and Daniyal Malik. Finally at Milk Coffee Bar check out another showcase featuring the songwriter stylings of Monique Belanger with special guest Silly Karli’s.
Lauren Hedges of The Windsor Zene/Scene: “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.”
Finally, at The FM Lounge, Windsor gets treated by a visit from the always enjoyable Ron Leary. Tonight Ron will be performing with a 5 piece band behind him featuring Mr.Chill and Scotty Hughes. He’s also brought along the fantastic Pilgrims Of Brock from Toronto for their Windsor Scene debut. Make sure you catch this performance because Leary has been making mention on his Facebook page about trying to book some upcoming shows in non-traditional venues and he may be a little harder to find the next time he comes through town.
Rebecca Black is so last Friday. Windsor’s Jarrett Sorko goes viral
By now many of you have seen this video – it got a whopping 4000 hits on its first day on YouTube. It’s by a local Windsorite named Jarrett Sorko and it’s for a hip-pop song called “Yo, I’m From Windsor (Dude)”, a tongue-in-cheek rap seemingly directed to our American neighbours about what it’s like being from Windsor.
It’s not as annoying as Rebecca Black’s days of the week atrocity, but I do think his dreams of getting this song on a major radio station may be a bit grandiose. The production is unfortunately lacking the proper “smoothness” for major radio play (although I think CJAM could play it). And I must say, considering that it’s the Windsor Zene’s mandate to promote all the great musical happenings throughout the city, we have to take some offence to the lines regarding “nothing to do” if you under or over 19.
But in all fairness, it’s fun to see people having fun with music and not taking it – or themselves – too seriously and simply making something to entertain. And if you’ve been on Facebook at all the past few days, you’ve probably seen one of your friends post this (perhaps even yourself), making this one of Windsor’s first viral YouTube stars. And while the future of his musical career is certainly not guaranteed, I’m sure he’s already got enough notoriety to get a gig at one of the venues in town.
In case you haven’t seen it, here it is, in all its glory.
King Misfit brings Prog back to Windsor
Craig McKenzie
Since the 1970′s, Progressive Rock has seemed to be that of a staple within the Heavy Metal Genre. Long, drawn-out songs containing extended, glittery guitar solos, heart pounding bass lines and rhythmic percussion sequences that can range from earthy timpani beats to machine gun speed in a matter of seconds. And whether your first inclination of Prog-rock was with the power trio Rush, the over-the-top art rock of Dream Theater, or the local Anonymous Bosch, King Misfit should fit easily into your genre-specific music library.
I first heard of the band via word of mouth; a few co-workers mentioned a contest run by Road Runner records where bands can win a chance to get signed to the label. So I thought I’d check out the website. What was offered was 3 crisply produced songs and 2 behind-the-scenes videos during their recording sessions. As of 23 March, they currently held the top stop in the daily metal category.
King Misfit is comprised of 6 seasoned musicians all residing locally to Windsor. In some hard rocks circuits through the city, the word is that the guitar playing of Todd Kidd and Richard Miles is nothing short of ‘virtuoso’. When ‘Under Ancient Ground’ blasted threw my speakers I was shocked. Pulled right in by Charles Arsenault’s keyboard riff, and held tight by the Geoff Tate-esque wails of singer William Hawksworth. The 7 and 1/2 minute song doesn’t bore or stale, instead intrigues .. leaving the listener wanting to explore through the mysteries and puzzlement that classic progressive acts bleed as a muse.
‘Under Ancient Ground’ was the ‘shortest’ of the 3 tracks available. Both ‘Anguish’ and ‘Five Dollar Soldier’ clock in at 8+ minutes, the latter closer to the 9 minute mark. Both tunes follow the same progressive suit in that they devise a linchpin method of shredding guitars over a symphonic rhythm section. And singer, Hawksworth doesn’t disappoint as he thoroughly delivers the goods as a Queensrÿche crooner. As ‘Five Dollar Soldier’ concludes, we hear an isolated mariachi-style guitar play a fitting finale. Like watching a spaghetti western on the big screen, the hero here is the listener. Maybe not for everyone, but for fans of muscled prog-rock and symphonic metal, King Misfit are an accomplished fit and a great local talent.
MicLordz & Sauce Funky + Cypress Hill’s Sen Dog = Awesome
Last month we told you about MicLordz & Sauce Funky‘s DVD filming show that was going to be a launching pad for them going on tour with a hip hop legend. Well, the filming party was a huge success and they’re now on the road with Sen Dog, one of the MC’s for the legendary hip hop outfit, Cypress Hill.
Sen Dog himself has recently released a video showing that MLSF are doing more than just opening up the shows, they’re now joining Sen Dog as part of it. This clip shows Sen Dog introducing the clip from a recent show in Sandusky, Ohio, where he performed “How I Could Just Kill A Man” with the entire MLSF crew. The song was Cypress Hill’s debut single from 1991 and was also covered by Rage Against The Machine on their covers album, Renegades, and performed live alongside Cypress Hill.
