Back from the Future

2010-10-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

So I know the last time I wrote was in February. Sure, a lot has happened since then, including a pretty great tour and four months of unemployment/fun/travelling, but that's all in the past, and I'm about the future, man.

Needless to say, The Album Project is on pause for the unforeseeable future, as all my records are in storage and I live in a closet.

Moving forward though, I guess I will try to make this interesting again.

Here's an amazing video.

Go Canada Go!

2010-02-23T12:45:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from space via iPhone

LiveCity

2010-02-14T13:29:00.000-08:00

Wilco! Fireworks!

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Con't.

2010-02-12T21:26:00.000-08:00

Fireworks were pretty cool though. Go Wayne!

- Posted using BlogPress from space via iPhone

Opening Ceremonies

2010-02-12T20:33:00.001-08:00

Real snooze-fest.

Cute Little Snakey-poos

2010-02-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

Mic Check

2010-02-08T20:14:00.001-08:00

Testing out BlogPress for iPhone! Wow, technology.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Battle Snakes in Studio

2010-02-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

They did some recording as well.

Crazy Heart

2010-02-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

I saw this movie with a friend in LA in a theatre with reserved seats! (best idea ever). I didn't know anything about it but I'm really glad I saw it. Jeff Bridges, a longtime favourite of mine due to the amazingness that is The Big Lewbowski (and The Last Unicorn, but I digress), puts on an incredible and heartfelt performance about the life of an aging country music star. A must-see.

Shame about Colin Farrell though.

This Weekend.

2010-02-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

Come see friends Carpenter, Bel Riose and Dead Voices play the shady-est corner in Vancouver. This will be a really fun show. Featuring filming for something super awesome to come!

Go to this: Party at the Moontower

2010-01-28T13:20:00.000-08:00

This is the only show that matters this week. Well, the only one I know about and am stoked on. Prepare for things to get slow because of the Olympics.

Battle Snakes: @ Pat's - January 16, 2010

2010-01-26T23:24:00.000-08:00

First show of the season!

Vinyl File: Cold War Kids "Audience"

2010-01-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

I know I've been posting a lot of Cold War Kids-related content lately, but hey, what can I say, I have an obsessive personality. My recent travels to Los Angeles to see the show resulted in amazing concert experiences, new vinyl and a slightly damaged bank account (but let's not talk about that). CWK just released a fancy new EP on 12" vinyl, and the songs are fabulous. I don't want to ruin my post/review for The Album Project (hmm... C's, that should be posted in like June haha) but let's just say pick it up if you can.

Video: Cold War Kids "Audience"

2010-01-20T15:20:00.000-08:00

Current Read: Microtrends

2010-01-17T14:54:00.000-08:00

Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes
by Mark Penn

From the author who identified "Soccer Moms" as a swing group during Bill Clinton's presidential campaign, this book attempts to identify and explain the small sub-groups within North America that will drive future change. Cited as an exercise in "nano-sociology", Microtrends is an easy-to-read book for those interested in culture and demographics, especially businesspeople who subscribe to The Long Tail concept. So far, I like recognizing myself in some of the trends, and how the assertions made by the book are backed up by statistics and facts. An interesting read while I take a little break from the Sci Fi.

Video: Battle Snakes "Lover Like Lion"

2010-01-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

Or come see this band tonight! Better yet, do both! See you there!

Video: Operastrike "Outrun"

2010-01-15T13:12:00.000-08:00

Come see this band tomorrow!

Shows This Weekend: January 15-17

2010-01-13T11:19:00.000-08:00

What happened to this? My apologies...

Cortez the Killer, Tenant, Operastrike
Saturday, Jan 16
@ Pub 340

Battle Snakes, Pretty Vanilla, Street Legal Dirtbike
Saturday, Jan 16
@ Pat's Pub

*Do both!

100 Monkeys
w/Blue Violets
Sunday, Jan 17
@ Venue

Thrice: Deadbolt vs. Life

2010-01-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

Remember these days? I miss 'em. Not because I hate new music or feel like those were my salad days, but because I remember how I felt being the kid in the crowd seeing my favourite bands live for the first time. I still have an amazing time seeing bands that I love, but that first experience can never be recreated.

Thrice vs. Alkaline Trio: Stupid Kill

2010-01-08T23:31:00.000-08:00

by Legion of Doom

Mashups are more often misses than hits, but I really love this one. Legion of Doom is Chad Blinman (production/engineering with the likes of Get Up Kids, Saves the Day) and Trever Keith (of Face to Face fame), and their punk/rock/indie mashups are some of the better ones I've heard. Check out their myspace for more.

Killer New Jams: Solitary Sun

2010-01-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

I have not become so jaded that I'm not still super stoked to discover new killer tunes. My latest party comes from the fabulous Aaron Wolff. You may remember him from such Canadian metalcore acts as The End. His new band, Solitary Sun, will rock your face off and then not call the next day. I have yet to see them live, but I have been known to blast the new jams while driving, cleaning my house, sitting in a room staring at the wall, whatever. I love 'em all, but if I had to pick a favourite, it'd be "It's alright, I'm alright". And "Bone N Flesh". Damnit, too good.

Get in on the ground level, kids.

Solitary Sun myspace.

Tegan and Sara: Hell

2010-01-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

This tour starts tomorrow in Vancouver! Worldwide theatre tour, so there's a show near you. A lot of the dates are sold out, but there should be tickets available in some markets.

Hell from Tegan and Sara on Vimeo.

About The Album Project

2009-12-26T23:11:00.000-08:00

Visit my sister blog, The Album Project, and read about my challenge. Only a few more days, I'm a little scared!

Dustin Kensrue: "This is War" Video

2009-12-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

Nerd Alert: Pluto is a Planet Again!

2009-12-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

You just can't take it away from Pluto. I, for one, am happy to have the little guy back in our solar system, though it does mean I'll have to stop using the joke "when I was your age, Pluto was a planet".

"Some people may find it difficult to handle a planetary paradigm shift, but shift happens, whether we like it or not."
- From Pluto Debate is About More Than One Little World

Shit Vids: Battle Snakes Recording Gnar Party

2009-12-21T00:48:00.000-08:00

I enjoy making shitty videos. For posterity.

Embedding sucks. Go here to watch the non-cut-off version on YouTube.

Undercover Brutha's 3

2009-12-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

Featuring:
Neverland (Michael Jackson)
Wheezler (Weezer)
Party Wolf (Andrew W.K.)
Mantera (Pantera)
Reinventing Maxel Rose (Against Me!)

Thrice: "In Exile" Music Video

2009-12-16T23:44:00.000-08:00

Best of 2009

2009-12-15T22:37:00.000-08:00

BEST OF 2009 // TOP 10 RECORDS
- Thrice – Beggars
- Manchester Orchestra – Mean Everything to Nothing
- The Low Anthem – Oh My God, Charlie Darwin (re-release)
- Timber Timbre – S/T
- The Dear Hunter – Act III: Life and Death
- Mariachi El Bronx – S/T
- American Steel – Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts
- Propagandhi – Supporting Caste
- Strung Out – Agents of the Underground
- Polar Bear Club – Chasing Hamburg

BEST OF 2009 // RECORDS – HONOURABLE MENTIONS
- Broadway Calls – Good Views, Bad News
- Alexisonfire – Old Crows, Young Cardinals
- Tegan & Sara – Sainthood
- Two Tongues - S/T

BEST OF 2009 // LIVE SHOWS
- Thrice X 5 (LA Warped Tour, Nanaimo Big Easy Fest, LA Avalon, Anaheim HOB X 2)
- Cold War Kids X 2 (Commodore, Long Beach Buskerfest)
- The Bronx @ Richards
- Brand New/Manchester Orchestra @ The Showbox SODO Seattle
- David Bryne @ QET
- City and Colour @ Orpheum
- Gaslight Anthem X 2 (Commodore, w/Murder by Death, Frank Turner, The Loved Ones)
- Strung Out @ Richards
- Silversun Pickups/Manchester Orchestra, Cage the Elephant X 2 @ Commodore
- Band of Horses @ Commodore
- Propagandhi @ Rickshaw
- Mad Caddies/Party at the Moontower @ Venue
- Punk Rock Bowling (Pulley, The Vandals, American Steel)
- Weakerthans/Constantines @ Commodore
- Sled Island (The Bronx, Tricky Woo, Battle Snakes)
- Pilot Speed @ Biltmore
- Sunny Day Real Estate @ Commodore
- Fleetwood Mac @ GM Place
- Coldplay @ GM Place (yeah, I was a hater, but the production value alone won me over)

BEST OF 2009 // COMEDY
- Flight of the Conchords @ The Centre
- Arj Barker @ Vogue

BEST OF 2009 // LOCAL SHOWS
- Battle Snakes
- Party at the Moontower
- Dead Voices
- In Bear Country
- Living With Lions
- Carpenter
- The Grave Life
- The TVees
- A Textbook Tragedy

All That: by David Foster Wallace

2009-12-14T23:14:00.000-08:00

Brilliant.

Art Show: Mark Cohene and Tyler Schwindt

2009-12-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 14
@ The Media Club

Culture yo'self! A familiar haunt for most but mixing things up a little! Yes, there will be music from the fabulous Northcote (fingers crossed for the F2F cover again), My Friend John, and Dave Vertesi. But the main attraction is photographs by Mark Cohene and paintings by Tyler Schwindt. What else are you going to do on a Monday night? See you there.

Mark Cohene's website.

Tyler Schwindt's amazing music: Library and In Bear Country (I couldn't find any links for art, so you'll just have to wait and see them at the show!)

Photos: Party at the Moontower

2009-12-12T19:14:00.000-08:00

Dec 5, 2009

@ The Media Club

Photos: Battle Snakes

2009-12-11T23:22:00.000-08:00

Dec 5, 2009

@ The Media Club

"Bike Party EP" Release

Photos: Dead Voices

2009-12-10T23:20:00.000-08:00

Dec 5, 2009

@ The Media Club

Jawbox Reunion... on Jimmy Fallon?

2009-12-09T11:55:00.000-08:00

Photos: War Baby

2009-12-08T23:18:00.000-08:00

Dec 5, 2009

@ The Media Club

Photos: Northcote/A Textbook Tragedy/Slingshot

2009-12-07T23:03:00.000-08:00

Dec 4, 2009
@ The Media Club

The fabulous Northcote, who played tunes off his new CD and an amazing cover of Face to Face's "Blind".

A Textbook Tragedy

Slingshot

Now Playing: Death - "... For the Whole World to See"

2009-12-06T22:17:00.000-08:00

Photos: Polar Bear Club

2009-12-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

Nov 24 @ HOB Anaheim

Photos: Thrice for Thrice

2009-12-04T18:59:00.000-08:00

Nov 23 @ Avalon

Nov 24/25 @ HOB Anaheim

Photos: The Dear Hunter

2009-12-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

Nov 24 @ HOB Anaheim

Cold War Kids: Behave Yourself EP Teaser

2009-12-03T15:23:00.000-08:00

Out January 19, 2010.

STW: December 2-6

2009-12-02T10:48:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's December already! It's cold, but thankfully the rain has subsided for the time being. Here are a few shows to rock out at this week.

Scatterheart
w/Sweetheart, The Left
Thursday, Dec 3
@ Venue

Priestess
w/Early Man, Trigger Effect
Thursday, Dec 3
@ Commodore Ballroom

Matt Goud CD Release
w/Slingshot, A Textbook Tragedy
Friday, Dec 4
@ Media Club

Battle Snakes Bike Party EP Release
w/The TVees, Dead Voices, Party at the Moontower
Saturday, Dec 5
@ Media Club

California Update: Pablove Benefit

2009-11-30T19:32:00.000-08:00

I was in California this past week and a half for some visits and shows.

Saturday, November 21 - After a painfully early morning flight, I had a busy day of catch-ups and went to a fantastic benefit show for the Pablove Foundation.

What a lineup!

Shirley Manson with Tom Gabel on guitar? Yes please!

Butch Walker

Tom Gabel

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Band of Horses

My New Favourite Weapon: Daytrotter.com

2009-11-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

This site continually blows my mind. Alternate versions and unreleased tracks from some great musicians, recorded and mixed live directly to tape. You can stream or download the tracks for free! I find the reviews to be too long and hard to read (ever heard of paragraphs?) but the music is fantastic, the illustrations are pretty cool and the artist's own description of their songs is both interesting and inspiring.

My favs:
Andy Hull/Manchester Orchestra (as if I needed a SADDER version of their songs)
Cold War Kids (2006, there is also a session in 2009 featuring newer songs off "Loyalty to Loyalty")
Bon Iver

There are heaps of sessions, so find your favourites HERE.

I Love Video on Trial

2009-11-18T07:11:00.000-08:00

I do not watch "music" television because there is no music on it. This is nothing new. But the odd little gem "Video on Trial" makes me laugh hysterically every time.

"The captain going down with the ship is a bullshit rule. You know what else is a bullshit rule? Women and children first. You wanted equal rights?! THERE YOU GO!".

- Boomer, regarding Fall Out Boy's video for "What a Catch, Donnie".

Battle Snakes Bike Party EP Release

2009-11-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

Come party one more time before everyone/thing gets crazy for the holidays. This show will rule, featuring four of my favourite local bands!

Battle Snakes "Bike Party EP" Release
w/The TVees, Dead Voices, Party at the Moontower
Saturday, Dec 5
@ The Media Club

STW: Nov 16-22

2009-11-16T11:27:00.000-08:00

Cat Empire
Monday, Nov 16 and Tuesday, Nov 17
Commodore Ballroom *SOLD OUT*

Built to Spill
Wednesday, Nov 18
Commodore Ballroom

Arkells
Thursday, Nov 19
Venue

Boozapalooza III
f. The Town Pants, Run GMC, Rich Hope
Friday, Nov 20
Commodore Ballroom

Wolfmother
Saturday, Nov 21
Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Billy Bragg
Saturday, Nov 21
Commodore Ballroom

Free Music: Party at the Moontower

2009-11-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

Party at the Moontower are my favourite new local band and four of the most hilarious guys I know. Fresh off a rad gig supporting the sold-out Mad Caddies show, they're playing a bunch around town so you have no excuse not to see them Vancouver!

Check out their myspace here.

Download the "O'Bannion EP" for free (and legally!) here.

Go see them play:
Sunday, Nov 15 @ The Railway Club w/Carpenter, In Bear Country
Saturday, Dec 5 @ The Media Club w/Battle Snakes (EP release), The TVees, Dead Voices

STW: November 9 - 15

2009-11-09T13:13:00.000-08:00

Pinback
Monday, Nov 9
@ Venue (moved from Commodore, tix honoured at the door)

Dinosaur Jr.
Tuesday, Nov 10
@ Commodore Ballroom

Dropkick Murphys
w/The Flatliners, The Mahones
Wednesday, Nov 11
@ Commodore Ballroom
*SOLD OUT*

The Whigs
Friday, Nov 13
@ The Media Club

Puscifer
Friday, Nov 13
@ The Centre

Carpenter
w/In Bear Country, Party at the Moontower
Sunday, Nov 15
@ The Railway

Machester Orchestra - Shake it Out Video

2009-11-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

Manchester Orchestra just released a video for my favourite song off their fantastic latest album "Mean Everything to Nothing". Needless to say, I was stoked to see it. Maybe I'm missing something, but the video doesn't seem to fit with the song, in fact for most of it I felt like I was watching a completely unrelated video on mute while listening to the song on my stereo. I would have liked to see something more sensitive. Also, minus points for 99% of the video featuring lead singer/guitarist Andy Hull, and only a split second of the rest of the band. Anyways, check it out below and make your own opinions.

Shake It Out (Music Video)

Manchester Orchestra MySpace Video

FU Daylight Savings

2009-11-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

I hate daylight savings. It's not even 4pm and it's already dark outside. By the time I leave work it's nighttime, which not only throws off my internal clock, it's bloody depressing. I'm not a farmer, I don't want an extra hour in the morning. You could "fall back" 3 hours and chances are I'd still be sleeping. I want that hour back during a time when I'm actually awake. Shits.

Mariachi El Bronx - Cell Mates

2009-11-04T07:13:00.000-08:00

When I first heard that hardcore/punk/rock favs The Bronx were releasing an album and touring under the alter-ego Mariachi El Bronx, I thought it was a joke. Boy, was I wrong. The result was a truly fantastic (and serious!) mariachi record and a great live show. Below is their video for "Cell Mates", the first single off the album.

STW: Nov 2 - 8

2009-11-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

Metric
Tuesday, November 3
@ Orpheum Theatre
*SOLD OUT*

Mad Caddies
w/The Johnstones, Party at the Moontower
Wednesday, November 4
@ Venue

Raveonettes
Thursday, November 5
@ Venue

Kaskade
Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8
@ Commodore Ballroom
*NOV 7 SOLD OUT, TIX STILL AVAILABLE FOR NOV 8*

Books Were For Burning

2009-11-01T03:48:00.000-08:00

"There must be something in books, things we can't imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don't stay for nothing."

- Guy Montag, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

It's Decorative Gourd Season, Motherfuckers.

2009-10-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

By Colin Nissan from Timothy McSweeney's.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get my hands on some fucking gourds and arrange them in a horn-shaped basket on my dining room table. That shit is going to look so seasonal. I'm about to head up to the attic right now to find that wicker fucker, dust it off, and jam it with an insanely ornate assortment of shellacked vegetables. When my guests come over it's gonna be like, BLAMMO! Check out my shellacked decorative vegetables, assholes. Guess what season it is—fucking fall. There's a nip in the air and my house is full of mutant fucking squash.

I may even throw some multi-colored leaves into the mix, all haphazard like a crisp October breeze just blew through and fucked that shit up. Then I'm going to get to work on making a beautiful fucking gourd necklace for myself. People are going to be like, "Aren't those gourds straining your neck?" And I'm just going to thread another gourd onto my necklace without breaking their gaze and quietly reply, "It's fall, fuckfaces. You're either ready to reap this freaky-assed harvest or you're not."

Carving orange pumpkins sounds like a pretty fitting way to ring in the season. You know what else does? Performing a all-gourd reenactment of an episode of Diff'rent Strokes—specifically the one when Arnold and Dudley experience a disturbing brush with sexual molestation. Well, this shit just got real, didn't it? Felonies and gourds have one very important commonality: they're both extremely fucking real. Sorry if that's upsetting, but I'm not doing you any favors by shielding you from this anymore.

The next thing I'm going to do is carve one of the longer gourds into a perfect replica of the Mayflower as a shout-out to our Pilgrim forefathers. Then I'm going to do lines of blow off its hull with a hooker. Why? Because it's not summer, it's not winter, and it's not spring. Grab a calendar and pull your fucking heads out of your asses; it's fall, fuckers.

Have you ever been in an Italian deli with salamis hanging from their ceiling? Well then you're going to fucking love my house. Just look where you're walking or you'll get KO'd by the gauntlet of misshapen, zucchini-descendant bastards swinging from above. And when you do, you're going to hear a very loud, very stereotypical Italian laugh coming from me. Consider yourself warned.

For now, all I plan to do is to throw on a flannel shirt, some tattered overalls, and a floppy fucking hat and stand in the middle of a cornfield for a few days. The first crow that tries to land on me is going to get his avian ass bitch-slapped all the way back to summer.

Welcome to autumn, fuckheads!

Battle Snakes: Bike Party from Jam Space Party

2009-10-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

Gonna Be a Blackout Tonight

2009-10-23T11:32:00.000-07:00

The best times happen when you take it back to basics. Late-night post-show party/show at the Battle Snakes' jam space. Dead Voices and Battle Snakes each banged out a few songs and then there was a rotating cast of characters. Check out Battle Snakes on Facebook to see more pics. No rest for the wicked.

Just Eat Your Sandwich

2009-10-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Exerpt from Punknews.org chat with Thrice

Fan Question: i expected Beggars to be like The Artist in the Ambulance
i guess im kinda disappointed

Dustin Kensrue: Why would you expect that? I would be disappointed too. Sorry. Why don't you just listen to this one for what it is for a little while and see what you think. If I expect a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and bite into a tuna-melt, I'm gonna be a little weirded out. But then I will say, "Oh, I like tuna melts even better. Maybe I should just eat my sandwich and not wish it was something else."

Sainthood - Tegan and Sara

2009-10-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

"Sainthood", Tegan and Sara's latest record, is now streaming on their myspace until its release next Tuesday, October 27. Check it out here.

STW: Oct 19 - 25

2009-10-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

The Grave Life's Last Show Ever :(
w/In Bear Country's First Show Ever and Party at the Moontower
Thursday, Oct 22
@ Media Club

Battle Snakes
w/Hot Blood Bombers, Miesha and the Spanks
Thursday, Oct 22
@ Pat's Pub

The Jesus Lizard
Saturday, Oct 24
@ Commodore Ballroom

Heather Gabel

2009-10-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

I have been a fan of Heather Gabel's (formerly Heather Hannoura) since her work with Alkaline Trio (she came up with the infamous heart skull logo). Since then, she's done countless art pieces, merch/poster designs and crafty items. I ordered a silkscreened print of a collaboration she did with Horsebites, and it arrived today well packaged and with a hand-written thank you note. Class act, and will look great on my wall. It's on sale right now in her webstore (of course like a week after I bought at full price) so if you want some cool art at a great price, pick it up!

Check her out here.

Sober People Can Be Fun

2009-10-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Liam and Mikey of the face-melting Cancer Bats giving a hilarious interview at this year's Sonisphere Festival. I'm posting this slightly dated video to remind you all that Cancer Bats rule, and to tide us over as we eagerly await their new album. According to the ever-reliable Twitter, recording is done!

Birthday Boys

2009-10-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

I have been discovering a lot of killer bands lately outside of my usual punk/rock/hardcore comfort zone that I'd like to share with you all.

First up, Birthday Boys from Ontario. I have yet to see this band live but I have a feeling they will slay it when I do. Harmonies, blazing guitars and some piano thrown in make for some great alt-rock anthems that will have you tapping your foot and singing along. I'm a believer in letting the music speak for itself, so check them out here.

Sometimes I rule.

2009-10-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

I love Manchester Orchestra. Their latest record "Mean Everything to Nothing" has been a constant fixture in my headphones and despite seeing them three times in the past few months (once headlining at a small club and twice with Silversun Pickups), I had been feeling an intense desire to see them again. Absolutely amazing live. Somehow I flailed and forgot that they were opening for Brand New, and while I love Brand New, I just didn't think I could make it work to trek down to Seattle for the show. I was kindly reminded that MO was supporting BN this morning... and somehow managed to borrow a car, get tickets to the show, square it with work to leave early-ish, and get a shift I was supposed to work that night covered, all in about an hour. Soon, my dream will be realized. Trying not to think about the three hour drive there, the border, the three hour drive back in the dark of night, arriving home insanely late, and then getting up for work a few hours after that. Really though, would I ever let myself miss this show?

STW: Oct 13 - 18

2009-10-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

Though I did nothing that would constitute "Thanksgiving-ing", I did enjoy the extra day off. Here are some shows to check out this week.

Monsters of Folk
f. Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes), Yim Yames (aka Jim James from My Morning Jacket), and M. Ward
Tuesday, Oct 13
@ Commodore Ballroom
*This is a 3-hour, collaborative set, so get there early!

Satyricon
Wednesday, Oct 14
@ The Rickshaw Theatre

Slipknot
w/Deftones
Thursday, Oct 15
@ Pacific Coliseum

Battle Snakes Spring Tour 09

2009-10-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Better late than never? Old footage featuring a new song. And it doesn't match up, deal with it.

Bike Party EP December 2009!

Sometimes the World Smiles Upon You

2009-10-08T15:11:00.001-07:00

Last night, while walking home from Bouncing Souls/Youth Brigade/Saint Alvia/Off With Their Heads, I had a stroke of good luck. The show was at The Rickshaw, which is a great new venue but in the scummiest part of town. I live, work and play in East Van, so I walk with my head down, mostly to scan my route for dog poo/needles/random junkie paraphernalia, and admittedly, avoid eye contact with strangers (read: socially awkward). My sharp eyes (with the help of very strong contacts) spotted what looked like a $5 bill on the ground. It was actually a $5 bill and two $20 bills! $45! The irony of this find two blocks from the most cracked-out corner of town (Main & Hastings) was not lost on me, and yes, I did feel a bit bad for rejoicing in this windfall despite not really needing the money, but it was 1am, there was no one around, and I was having a shitty day. Hooray for me.

Trick or Treat

2009-10-08T07:16:00.000-07:00

Time to start thinking about those costumes people. I have yet to personally know someone whose costume has been as epic as my friend's Bender costume. He works in metal fab. and his getup was so accurate and amazing, I spent most of Halloween in awe.

My costume this year...

The Take Away Shows

2009-10-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

The Take Away Shows are an amazing concept developed by La Blogotheque in Paris. Unusually staged, live performances are filmed in one take in a variety of locations, offering the viewer a unique and intimate performance existing somewhere between a live concert and music video. The videos allow people to experience the true genius and artistry of the artists, when all the bells and whistles are stripped away, and you are left with simply the artists, their talent, and their songs.

Two of my favourites:

Arcade Fire - "Neon Bible" in a freight elevator & "Wake Up" in the middle of the crowd.

Cold War Kids - "St. John" backstage of a television studio

Pilot Speed/Pilate

2009-10-06T01:04:00.000-07:00

Oct 5
@ The Biltmore Cabaret

Pilot Speed myspace.

Arj Barker

2009-10-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite comedians. You may recognize him from such roles as "Dave" on Flight of the Conchords, but his stand-up comedy is lolz-arious. He was just here recently as part of the Comedy Fest and I laughed until I cried. Below is one of my favourite bits, watch the whole thing, he saved the best for last.

Shows This Week

2009-10-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

Pilot Speed
w/Elias, Jason Bajada
Monday, Oct 5
@ The Biltmore Cabaret

Bouncing Souls
w/Youth Brigade, Saint Alvia, Off With Their Heads

Wednesday, Oct 7
@ The Rickshaw Theatre

A Wilhelm Scream
w/Living With Lions, The Riot Before, The Artist Life

Friday, Oct 9
@ The Rickshaw Theatre

Gogol Bordello
Friday, Oct 9 & Saturday, Oct 10

@ Vogue Theatre

Juliette Lewis
Sunday, Oct 11
@ Commodore Ballroom

A.I.M.

2009-10-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

The key to un-boring video updates according to Against Me!.

Something about Tom Gabel playing the organ with those long, spindle-y fingers...

New Books

2009-10-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

I got some new presents in the mail today! I like to ignore the fact that the cost of them goes on my credit card and pretend some benevolent fellow nerd sent me some books to enjoy. Is that sort of like sending yourself a Valentine's Day card?

On Tour: Living With Lions

2009-10-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

My good friends and punk rock warriors Living With Lions are heading out on another marathon tour with the killer A Wilhelm Scream and The Riot Before, including a stop at Fest 8! So jealous. Check 'em out coming to a town near you! And while you're at it, pick up a copy of "Make Your Mark" out on Adeline in the U.S. and Blackbox in Canada.

w/In Bear Country
Oct 3 - Corky’s Pub 19+/Chilliwack , BC

w/A Wilhelm Scream, The Riot Before
Oct 9 - Rickshaw Theater/Vancouver, BC
Oct 10 - Studio Seven/Seattle, WA
Oct 11 - Satyricon/Portland, OR
Oct 13 - Thee Parkside/San Francisco, CA
Oct 16 - Knitting Factory/Los Angeles, CA
Oct 17 - Slidebar/Fullerton, CA
Oct 19 - Modified Arts/Pheonix, AZ
Oct 21 - Rock Bottom/San Antonio, TX
Oct 22 - Emo’s/Austin, TX
Oct 23 - Prophet Bar/Dallas, TX
Oct 24 - Meridian Red Room/Houston, TX
Oct 25 - Good Times Tavern/Houma, LA
Oct 26 - Gallery 13/Columbus, GA
Oct 28 - Backbooth/Orlando, FL
Oct 29 - Churchills Pub/Miami, FL

FEST 8
w/Crime in Stereo, Protagonist
Oct 30 - FEST 8 @ Bar 1982/Gainesville, FL

w/A Wilhelm Scream, The Riot Before
Nov 1 - Landshark Cafe/Jacksonville, FL
Nov 4 - Ottobar/Baltimore, MD
Nov 5 - The Fire/Philadelphia, PN
Nov 6 - Knitting Factory/Brooklyn, NY
Nov 7 - Jerky’s Bar/Providence, RI

The Bronx @ Richard's on Richards - April 1, 2009

2009-09-30T17:21:00.000-07:00

Richard's on Richards, the site of so many of my greatest punk/rock and music-related memories, now lies as a pile of rubble. Rest in pieces, my friend.

Here is a video of one such occasion, I guess you could call this my finest professional moment. And a killer show at that. If you look closely you can see me rocking out stage right next to the big guy in black.

Snake Patrol

2009-09-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

Get your very own Snakes at Snake Patrol.

New Home

2009-09-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

Noise Annoys has changed names and homes. Mostly because I was too lazy to renew my domain and because no one ever understood what I was saying when I said "Noise Annoys". Buzzcocks reference aside, here it is. New... improved? We shall see.

Read More Music

Back from the Future

Go Canada Go!

LiveCity

Con't.

Opening Ceremonies

Cute Little Snakey-poos

Mic Check

Battle Snakes in Studio

Crazy Heart

This Weekend.

Go to this: Party at the Moontower

Battle Snakes: @ Pat's - January 16, 2010

Vinyl File: Cold War Kids "Audience"

Video: Cold War Kids "Audience"

Current Read: Microtrends

Video: Battle Snakes "Lover Like Lion"

Video: Operastrike "Outrun"

Shows This Weekend: January 15-17

Thrice: Deadbolt vs. Life

Thrice vs. Alkaline Trio: Stupid Kill

Killer New Jams: Solitary Sun

Tegan and Sara: Hell

About The Album Project

Dustin Kensrue: "This is War" Video

Nerd Alert: Pluto is a Planet Again!

Shit Vids: Battle Snakes Recording Gnar Party

Undercover Brutha's 3

Thrice: "In Exile" Music Video

Best of 2009

All That: by David Foster Wallace

Art Show: Mark Cohene and Tyler Schwindt

Photos: Party at the Moontower

Photos: Battle Snakes

Photos: Dead Voices

Jawbox Reunion... on Jimmy Fallon?

Photos: War Baby

Photos: Northcote/A Textbook Tragedy/Slingshot

Now Playing: Death - "... For the Whole World to See"

Photos: Polar Bear Club

Photos: Thrice for Thrice

Photos: The Dear Hunter

Cold War Kids: Behave Yourself EP Teaser

STW: December 2-6

California Update: Pablove Benefit

My New Favourite Weapon: Daytrotter.com

I Love Video on Trial

Battle Snakes Bike Party EP Release

STW: Nov 16-22

Free Music: Party at the Moontower

STW: November 9 - 15

Machester Orchestra - Shake it Out Video

FU Daylight Savings

Mariachi El Bronx - Cell Mates

STW: Nov 2 - 8

Books Were For Burning

It's Decorative Gourd Season, Motherfuckers.

Read More Books: Fahrenheit 451

Battle Snakes: Bike Party from Jam Space Party

Gonna Be a Blackout Tonight

Just Eat Your Sandwich

Sainthood - Tegan and Sara

STW: Oct 19 - 25

Heather Gabel

Sober People Can Be Fun

Birthday Boys

Sometimes I rule.

STW: Oct 13 - 18

Battle Snakes Spring Tour 09

Sometimes the World Smiles Upon You

Trick or Treat

The Take Away Shows

Pilot Speed/Pilate

Arj Barker

Shows This Week

A.I.M.

New Books

On Tour: Living With Lions

The Bronx @ Richard's on Richards - April 1, 2009

Snake Patrol