CD Review: Repetitions – Watch The World Burn

About a year ago, a new band came out in the local music scene, one that was somewhere between the DIY punk groups and hardcore outfits. Dirty, crusty, raw; scab punk, if you will. Almost a year later there have been a lot of shows, some lineup changes, a lot of work writing and recording, and now Repetitions have released their first album, Watch The World Burn.

When talking to people who just don’t seem to “get” this style of music, their number one complaint is always the same;

“I’ve got no idea what they’re saying!”

Because clarity of vocals and the ability for everyone to sing along is paramount, yes? But, to these people, I say give it a chance. Actually try to listen and understand. With Jay Buston‘s (formerly of The Clusterfuxx) vocals on this album, he is not trying to recreate Carcass frontman Jeff Walker’s sound, and all the lyrics are actually quite clear. Yes, he screams, shrieks, and strains his way through each and every song, but not everyone can be a Backstreet Boy, and really, would you even want that? While sounding great both on the record and live, Buston’s vocals help to make the music more accessible to those who might not otherwise give it a chance, all while accompanying some great instrumentals.

Watch the Wolrd Burn was recorded by Al “Yeti” Bones, and he did a fantastic job of capturing the sound and energy of the band.

Played by Sean Boone (formerly of The Posers) the drums take up their own space without being huge, beefy, arena-rock style. The snare is more of a whack than a crack or a pop, but you definitely hear it. The toms, particularly on the second track Warpath are simply disgusting. In an awesome way. The entire kit is not mixed in an overly loud fashion, but pulls through by squeezing in right in a frequency range left open by the low, chugging, crunchy guitars and bass.

Guitars by newbie Stef Paulton range from plodding hardcore to a groovy, almost bouncy, tone like you’ll find on the third track No Escape (one of my favourite tunes on here).

Songs like The House of Ribs and Chinese Food (another favourite) really showcase the guitar and bass sounds, with their low, doomy, qualities, but played in a way that I don’t feel right calling “upbeat”, but is faster and more buoyant than might be expected, based simply on the tones. Ash Richtig (of The Heatseeking Moisture Missiles) on bass was surprising to many at first, who were used to him as a drummer, but he more than shows off his skills as the other half of the rhythm section on this album.

Overall, as a debut release, and album in general, Repetitions did a fantastic job on the writing and playing of this record. Let’s give it four dirty bandaids and a mickey of gin.

Be sure to catch Repetitions on March 31^st when they play with a reunion, one-off show by the legendary Disco Assault, Chatham’s Hundred Proof, Detriot’s Bas Assets, Toronto’s The Sofistifucks and Windsor’s DIY extraordinaires Suppressulant. This show will be happening at The Dominion House Tavern (3140 Sandwich St.), with doors at 7 pm, admission $7, and all ages welcome.

You can also take a listen to the whole album on the band’s ReverbNation Page.

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.

Emerging Artist: Repetitions bringing the hardcore supergroup back

One thing about having such a close knit community of musicians who experience a widespread spectrum of genres, is that over the years, members from several successful local acts will start to jam out of mutual respect and create something that sounds huge. Bands like The Locusts Have No King, Vultures!, James OL & The Villains, The Magic Hall of Mirrors and Orphan Choir are (or were) all bands comprised of members who were previously (or still are) in other solid local acts.

You can add the new hardcore punk band Repetitions to that list.

Roughly a year in the making, the band was built around some home jamming between legendary punk drummer Sean Boone (The Posers, The Hard Liquors, PFOD) and guitarist Stef Paulton. At the beginning of the year, the rhythm section was completed when Ash Richtig (The Heat Seeking Moisture Missiles, NeanderTHRALL) on bass. After a lengthy search for a female vocalist, the band unexpectedly found a voice from Jay Buston, a vocalist best known as the throat behind PFOD and Clusterfuxx and a member of The Posers.

They’ve been using social networking to create a buzz, as punk veterans salivated at the thought of two formers members of The Posers and PFOD would be bringing back the legendary 90’s Windsor hardcore vibe to a new audience, with other musicians who bring experience in newer scenes. They released demos of songs without vocals (prior to Buston joining) and then demos with full vocals once Jay laid some down.

They recently U-Streamed one of their rehearsals, enticing fans to watch their creative process and to see the magical wonder of watching an early session in a band’s career when all the members are still full of the virginal spark of anticipation.

They make their long awaited debut this Saturday April 2  at the legendary Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, basement level) opening for local heavyweights Hammerdown and The Heat Seeking Moisture Missiles.