CanCon Container Ship

Rocking and Rolling on Essendene and Montview

2010-10-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Progressive Thinker and The Blisterin’ Barnacles Perform at the Airfair Lounge

It was a cool October school night when the Blisterin’ Barnacles (TBB) and The Progressive Thinker (TPT) performed right in the heart of Old Historic Downtown Abbotsford. With two excellent D.I.Y. Abbotsford bands performing for free, the Airfair Lounge was packed

with plenty of punks and a healthy dose of hipsters.

And where else would one want to be on a Thursday night? At Casey’s where people were drinking dangerously and fighting despite the very costly security presence? Or at a greasy downtown Abbotsford pub full of the good vibes that come with people at a place for the

music and the scene? Take your pick and to each their own.

Anyway, TPT took to the stage sometime around 9:40pm and these lads immediately got to work on putting on a rock and roll show. TPT dished out a great serving of spastic energy and the crowd was digging every moment of it. With over a decade in the local music scene TPT certainly knows how to perform.

By the time TPT got onto their second song, You Are What We Like To Eat, the band were jumping around on top of tables, chairs and amps. For Jason Nicholas, guitarist and vocalist of TPT, it is all about the stage shenanigans and this time he kept blasting a foghorn at random intervals. However, the foghorn could barely be heard as the guitars and bass were really loud.

It was so loud that it also drowned out the drumming of Stu Hood. Maybe something could have been done but loudness typically defines a TPT show. Besides, there were still plenty of shouting and epic guitar riffs to enjoy. When TPT performed The Constitution, Will Sabotage, lead singer of TBB, was handed the mic and he provided the main vocals for that and a few other songs. It was really neat to see that kind of music scene camaraderie.

TBB were next up at the greasy Airfair Lounge. TBB had a line-up change as their bassist Davey Cuthroat fell off a ladder at work and broke his arm. So in came Captain Haddock (Zach Bell) to fill in. Either way it was sliced, there was plenty of swashbucklin’ sass at this pirate punk party.

Starting off with their song Masturbatory Habits, TBB quickly got into their zone and this made the sea of punk vests on the floor itching to mosh. They all wavered side-to-side with the music until TBB played Just Say Fuck. Then the moshing started and right away lead vocalist Will got flattened.

Once TBB played the local punk anthem Brewsers Rock N’ Roll, the moshing reached a climax and people in the pit were in a cathartic state. And on the rad punk music went. It was great to hear a cover of the Screeching Weasel song Cool Kids because here were TBB making the AirFair into a real cool club although you could have been a part of it.

TBB will be performing in Chilliwack on Sat, Nov 6 with Eugene’s Axe and The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets. As for the AirFair Lounge, it is quickly becoming the choice spot for live unpolished and gritty music in Abbotsford. The greasy bar always hosts Harma White

on Wednesdays. Then on Sun, Oct 24, B.A. Johnston and the Magnificent Sevens will stop by to Abbotsford to perform with Fraser MacLean and The No Regretskis. So see you at the next show and as Stephen O’Shea of TPT and You Say Party! says, “support your local music scene because it is the only one you got.”

Black Mold - Snow Blindness is Crystal Antz

2009-09-21T19:27:00.001-07:00

Artist: Black Mold
Album: Snow Blindness is Crystal Antz
Label: Flemish Eye
Release Date: 11 Aug 09

Calgary’s Chad VanGaalen has a side project known as Black Mold. Throughout the Black Mold release called Snow Blindness is Crystal Antz, instrumentals create flawed melodies that are layered with electronic sounds. As this is the sort of music one can appreciate if up for the task or just simply ignore, the resultant sound-scape may find a place as someone’s background music during studies. Check out tracks like Toxic Lake, Rotten Walls or Gummed Desk if one wants to be reminded of the 8-bit video gaming experience. If one still could not get enough of the soundscapes that VanGaalen crafts, the album comes with a verification code to download hours of extra tracks.

Territories by Two Hours Traffic

2009-09-21T19:25:00.001-07:00

Artist: Two Hours Traffic
Album: Territories
Label: Collagen Records
Release Date: 8 Sept 09

The bane of many bands’ existence is following up a hit album with something at least comparable if not better. Attempting to top a hit album is PEI’s Two Hours Traffic (THT) with their latest release called Territories. THT starts off with some potential in tracks like Noisemaker, Wicked Side and the title track Territories as it really seems like the catchy pop hooks are still there. However, despite having Joel Plaskett as a producer again, THT’s new album Territories soon fizzles into melodramatic mediocrity. Then again, maybe it is just one of those albums that takes time to absorb.

The Immaculate Machine and a Lengthy List of Lovers Do Chilliwack

2009-09-15T09:14:00.001-07:00

The Immaculate Machine
Lengthy List of Lovers
11 Sept 09
The Chilliwack Arts Centre

Something is going on in Chilliwack. It seems that the days of only ever having obnoxious punk shows is going to the wayside in favour of indie rock shows at the ole Chilliwack Arts Centre. The fine folk of the Bookman on Wellington Avenue seem to have taken the helm and got The Immaculate Machine of Mint Records to perform with A Lengthy List of Lovers. It must have been ages since the last show was ever put on at the Chilliwack Arts Centre but here was a manifestation of the old days.

From Vancouver, A Lengthy List of Lovers were to warm up the wide age range of people already in attendance. After a draw for prizes A Lengthy List of Lovers strutted on stage wearing some spacey looking outfits that had vintage connotations of what the future should look like. Making up the band were Alyson Fun on synthesizer/vocals and Daniel Brard on programming/guitars. Using the programmed beats and the abilities of the synthesizer, the group would get on with haunting vocals and chord progressions while the guitar rocked out.

The sound of A Lengthy List of Lovers has this feeling of The Organ in the vocals and the synthesizer whereas the sound of the guitar slightly emulated Doolittle era Pixies. At some point A Lengthy List of Lovers, who are clearly older twenty-somethings, made reference to a movie called the Wizard which was really a commercial for Super Mario Brothers Three. It seemed to whoosh over the heads of all minus the other older twenty-somethings. A Lengthy List of Lovers was a delightful way to start off a good show.

From Victoria and of Mint Records, The Immaculate Machine has been around the block a few times. Their hook ridden music is a definitely a treat for Chilliwack even if they are fielding a mostly new line-up. Brooke Gallupe as the only one still there and with regards to Kateryn Calder on keys/vocals, her role was spilt into two parts. What was once done by Calder is now done by two people. The Immaculate Machine was fielding a guitarist/vocalist and a bass guitarist in her place. Add a new drummer and the dynamic of the band was definitely altered a bit.

Despite a new dynamic, The Immaculate Machine were still on their game and playing a mix of old and new songs. The first few songs were off of their newest album High On Jackson Hill before kicking off with Come On Sea Legs and then Dear Confessor from their Fables album. The fielded vocalist was able to imitate the rich and full sustained notes Calder would sing and did great on Broken Ship. But during the encore, the new drummer messed up on the drum solo during No Such Thing As the Future. However, to pick the ball back up, the drummer extended the solo and added a new twist before the guitars started to strum again.

It was a great night at the Arts Centre for the fifty or so people in attendance. The Immaculate Machine show is evidence that the independent music scene in Chilliwack will not be left to the devices of obnoxious all-ages punk shows just yet. For fans of tapping their toes or disinterestedly dancing along, one can hope that the persons at the Bookman will continue putting on this particular branch of music.

The Danks, Are You Afraid of the Danks Album Review

2009-09-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Name of Artist: The Danks
Album: Are You Afraid of the Danks
Label: Collagen Music

As the Danks hail from PEI and share members with Two Hours Traffic, the immediate comparison is a bit apparent albeit a bit off the mark. The more appropriate comparison would be to something like the Strokes with a heavier pinch of the good ole rock and roll of the 50s and 60s. The Danks start off with What We’re Doing and keep on trucking with poptastic songs. While the vocals are less scratchy than an earlier E.P., the more polished sound still has the ability to surgically strike with smart pop bombs before withdrawing a bit. But since the lads of the Danks are proficient technically, the withdrawal is to a place where something catchy is still going on and the Danks are staging themselves for the next pop barrage.

Owen Steel Album Review

2009-09-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Name of Artist: Owen Steel
Album: E.P.
Label: Food Clothing Shelter

One look at the silk-screened graphics on a recycled paper sleeve, the E.P. by Owen Steel already oozes with the DIY grassroots attitude of the New Brunswickian Food Clothing Shelter label. As if sitting around an ocean-side bonfire with friends, the overall sound and style of Owen Steel is this slight Jack Johnson twinge of a guy playing songs out of his well-traveled, black composition book. Albeit not over-mastered and produced by millionaires for billionaires, Owen Steel is still distinct from folk music by forlorn surfers. For instance, listen for grassroots references to New Brunswick in tracks like VW Van and S.I.S.A. (Summer in Saint Andrews). In the end, the biggest shame about the release by Owen Steel is the way it ends after only four tracks.

CiVL Pinheads Win the 1st Annual Punk Bowlers Ball!

2009-08-31T18:46:00.000-07:00

Written by Amos Evans of CIVL's Psycho Radio.
Originally posted on CIVL.ca on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 7:49 pm.

"CiVL came out to support the 2009 Punk Bowlers Ball at Rev’s Lanes in Burnaby B.C., on August 28 to help support the cause of Punk Rock Bowling in Vancouver. Assembling a rag-tag team consisting of Adam Nathe of Mostly Punk and Blues, Amos Evans of Psycho Radio, Dustin Ellis of The Freaky Freaky Show and Larry Portelance of The CanCon Container Ship, the CiVL Pinheads turned out to be the Cinderella story of the tournament. Aided by a handicap system that allowed these mostly novice bowlers to compete against the much more experienced teams, the Pinheads scrambled into the top 16 in 15th place, slid into the top 8 in 6th place, squeaked into the top 4 in 4th and bowled their best game in the semi-finals, entering the final match seeded #1.

Coming up against the heavily-favored Legendary Lane Smashers, and with a 140-pin handicap not seeming insurmountable by the well-experienced Smashers, the final was a nail-biter through and through, literally coming down to the last few balls. When the dust had settled, the Smashers had only beaten their mild-mannered opponents by 129 pins, securing victory for the unlikeliest of champions.

Many thanks go out to all those that helped, including The Ramores, Los Furios, and Blacked Out for playing at the Lanes, as well as Impeders of Progress, FatTooth, The Banned, and The Jolts, for givng the night a great Punk Rock sendoff at the Cobalt.

Check out the Punk Bowlers Ball website for more info on next year’s tournament."

“So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish” Fredericton!

2009-08-31T11:18:00.000-07:00

This episode of the CanCon Containership is the last to be prerecorded in the CHSR campus and community radio station that serves Fredericton on behalf of Saint Thomas University and the University of New Brunswick. This past summer, the great people of CHSR have graciously let me use their facilities and even took to putting the CanCon Containership on their programming schedule. In turn I shifted my show promotions to include Fredericton happenings.

CCCS friends from Fredericton deserve much gratitude helping to inspire and keep the CanCon Containership afloat while in eastern Canadian waters. First and foremost, thank you Jesse Russell, CHSR Technical Director for helping me figure out the gear of CHSR and helping me out with all the minor technical issues I ran into. Then I must thank Nick Scott, former CHSR Programming Director, for adding the CanCon Containership to the CHSR programming schedule. Then Zach Atkinson, The Capital Complex’s promoter, for putting on so many great and memorable shows. Then another thank you goes to James Boyle, Forward Music Group manager, for giving me some free CDs and tipping me off to other sources of free CDs like Killbeat Records.

Unfortunately, despite the introduction talking about how much gratitude the CCCS has for Fredericton, today's CCCS episode is going to be pretty much all things of the west. You see, when I prerecorded the show, Fredericton listings were sparse and pretty much nonexistant. So I had to scrounge the listings of British Columbia's Lower Mainland. Which were also sparse. But as per the CCCS norms, all music will be CanCon and chances are some of these great acts will make their way to Fredericton sooner or later.

The CCCS manifest for this week:

Sun Wizard - In the Mornin’
Mother Mother -Body of Years
Debra-Jean Creelman - Home Tonight
Vows - Cold Feet
Analog Bell Service - I Guess
The Ludvico Technique - 16:22
Katastroyka - Perestoika
Plus Perfect - Stalingrad
Hard Feelings - Douche Chills
Napalm Willy - Knee Deep
Pompoir - The Mexx
Devin Townsend Band - Canada

Download the CCCS here!

Feel Good at Folly Fest or Wreck'r At the Vancouver Grease and Grind

2009-08-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well the summer is winding down. But the music coming through in Fredericton and the Lower Mainland of BC is not. Do not be shy and do head on out to support the local music scene by checking out some of the diverse things on the go in either locale.

If in Fredericton, go check out the beer, art and music festival at the Mataquac dam head-pond called Folly Fest. It goes on Saturday and Sunday August 29th and 30th all day long. Basically, it is a place to drink some tasty pints of Picaroons microbrew, pick up some nifty wares made by local artisans and hear some music.

If in the Lower Mainland, there is no shortage of great stuff going on at one of the many venues on the table. The pick for this week would be the Vancouver Grease and Grind going on at Pat’s Pub Saturday August 29th. Vancouver’s The Grave Mistakes will be opening for Deadmonton’s Raygun Cowboys. For fans of rockabilly derivatives one will be able to wreck’r with the best of them.

The CCCS Manifest this week:

She Roars - Tragically Pop
Westerberg Suicides - No Time For Love
Owen Steele - VW Van
The Belle Comedians - The Big Empty
The Caravan - Choppin’ Wood
First Words - Talk to My Manager
Monark - Illamentary
Hot Live Guys - Bird of Prey
Hot Blood Bombers - Detroit Touch
The Grave Mistakes - Wildwood
Raygun Cowboys - Devil on My Mind
Thee Manipulators - Brass Tax
To the Nines - I Ask You
Raised by Apes - We Will Proclaim

Nature, Celestial Events and Music.

2009-08-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

Whilst biking the 25km distance from Oromocto to Fredericton last Thursday just after dusk, I saw a deer, two cats, a rabbit and a skunk. There was also the fallout of the Persieds meteor shower. It was quite a diverse set of of animals and celestial events to see whilst going somewhere between 25-30 km/hr on a former train route turned green path.

This week's episode of the CCCS comes with an diverse set of genre going on both in Fredericton and Vancouver. Tis the beauty of the CCCS. There is not really a specific genre that will fit the bill. Just stuff that is going on and fits in with my somewhat arbitrary tastes. Just pick some decent waypoints and steady as she goes.

Anyway, there is less than two weeks for me left in NB and soon the paths of the CCCS and CHSR will part ways and it remains to be seen if the paths will run parallel from afar. More to follow but it probably will happen.

The CCCS manifest this week:

Andrew Hunter & the Gatherers - Ocean Crashes
Rich Aucoin - At War With the Cynics
Windom Earle - Kittens Vs Pegasus
Milks and Rectangle - Heart’s the Target
Boxer the Horse - Jackson Leftfield
Wind Whistles - Bats in Flights
E.S.L. - Prove Me Wrong
Greenbelt Collective - Car Planet
Petunia Cold Heart Breaker
Zip Guns - Dirty Pictures
Le Gem - Werewolf
Apollo Ghosts - Scott, Painter
Orphan Choirs - New Rituals
Molten Lava - Put Your Hand in My Pocket

Download this week's episode of the CCCS here!

Capital Bar Complex Vs Olio Fest

2009-08-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

Sooooooo....on the manifest for this week's episode will have two focuses. As usual, the CCCS will promote shows going on at the Capital Bar Complex in which there is no shortage of interesting acts coming through. Then the focus will shift towards western ways to the Olio Festival that is going on in Vancouver the weekend of 13-16 Aug 2009 in multiple venues.

The Capital Bar complex will be having most genres from plain out indie rock to reggae dub stuff and folksy acts. The shows will not only be occurring in the Capital bar but also upstairs at the complex in Wilser's room where the buzz-ridden Christina Martin will take the stage. Downstairs at the Capital, expect the typically awesome fare from Motorleague to friends of New Brunswick's Food Clothing Shelter label.
Shifting to the west coast. The arts and culture festival known as Olio Festival will be occurring and will be taking over just about all the familiar venues like the Railway Club, the Cobalt and more. For more information on the Olio Festival go to www.oliofestival.com to see what is going on. Basically, lots of CanCon culture is on the table and I suggest if you believe in Canada, y'all ought to head on in.

The CCCS manifest for this week:

The Motorleague - Fossils

The Establishment - Economy Radio

Pneumatic Transit - The Melodies

Weak Sized Fish - Growing Old
The Bad Arts - Our Mistakes
Sean Mallory - One Man Show
Christina Martin - The Bike Song
The Shilohs - Carolina
The Magician -Ant/Whale/You & Me
Tight Solid - Ment You Let Me Go (LIVE)
Jaws - Live Like a Slave
Defektors - No To the Night
White Lungs - Breaking Boxes
Channels 3x4 - Apied

Download the episode here!!!

It's BC Day....Well It Was.

2009-08-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Is it August already? Well, on this BC day, expect to hear all manner of music. I cannot forget to mention that it was New Brunswick day as well this August the 3rd, although this episode will not be on until August the 7th this Friday in Fredericton.

Mostly on this week's episode, the CanCon Containership is is following a course that uses many punk waypoints. Then the course takes on a balls to the wall rock and/or roll course with stuff from both coasts and T.O. The finish is with a great mellow band from Fredericton called the Slate Pacific.

Speaking of the Pacific, I have about three weeks left before I get home. I shan't harp on this point too much because being here in NB is pretty good.

The CCCS Setlist this week:

Wax Mannequin - Animals Jump
Kettle Black - You Don’t Say
Hidden Towers - Palms Kissing Palms
The Defektors - Burning Light
Manic Attracts - Shut It
The Living Deadbeats - Liar Liar
Urban Guerilla - Biff Bang Pow
Uptown Riot - We’re Coming After You
Thee Manipulators - Brass Tax
Vapid - Victim
Spreadeagle - Excellence
Maximum RnR - I Hate the Cold
The Motorleague - The Ones You’ve Left Behind
Jimmy Swift Band - Road Rage
The Slate Pacific - Civil War

Download the episode here!!

Some like it hot....Some like it wet...Some like twangy

2009-07-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

So how about this weather? Or how about that small talk? Anyway...for CIVL, the weather is extremely hot. But for CHSR, the weather is extremely wet. Not sure where I would rather be but either way it is not ideal.

Well, there is this episode of the CCCS. We start off the episode with some indie rock stylin's that are going down in the lower mainland of BC. Mostly the Biltmore Cabaret and the Railway Club.

Then the CCCS comes about to stuff with twangy tuneage. An alt-country and folksy twinge that will bring out the cowboy or cowgirl in all of us. Then the CCCS finishes off with some excitement that is going down at the Capital Bar in Fredericton.

Hope you enjoy the music!

The CCCS Setlist:

Hermetic - Preventative Arrest
SSRIs - Honesty
Ghost House - Good Grief
Char2D2 -Take And Send
The Racoons - Tangiers
Lovely Feathers - Family That Doesn’t Know the Game
Koak - Won’t Be Long
Fembots - Good Days
Deep Dark Woods - Nancy
The Good Lovelies - I Want
The Immaculate Mules - Night Like a Trainwreck
Baby Eagle - Bone Dry Christmas
$100 - No Great Leap
B.A. Johnston - You Will Miss Me When the Zombies Come

Download the 27 Jul 09 CCCS Episode here!

How's Your July Going So Far?

2009-07-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Things are not dragging on here in NB. There are far too many shows that have happened and are happening in the near to end of summer future. The same is the case for the Lower Mainland. I hope y'all are taking advantage of the summer season and checking something out everynow and then.

On today's show though, we will start with a heavier tack that may frighten some, but will invigorate others. But if you are of the sort to be frightened, or put off by the heavy stuff, stay tuned. The latter half of the CCCS will fulfill the indie frou-frou needs of people like us.

Special mention goes to the Magician, Hot Moonbeams and Oh No! Yoko. These fine peeps will be playing a show at the Bull And Raven in Abbotsford, BC this Saturday July 11th. It will be a free show and it should be a great time. Click here for a link to the book of face event for more details.

The CCCS Setlist this week:

The Motorleague - You Wear Me Down
Aggressor - Circle of Pain
Reanimator - When The World Burns down
Bison B.C. - Primal Emptiness of Outer Space
To The Nines - I Ask You
GSTs - Beavers Mate For Life
The Killer Whales - You Got Any Ideas Poncho?
Petunia - Cold Heart Breaker
Oh No! Yoko - Courtyard! Bankrupt!
Hot Moonbeams - Kid Glove Yankee
The Magician - NJ vs NJM
Frog Eyes - Idle Songs
The Outliers - Skinny Jeans

Click here to download the CCCS this week!!

Hey Canada! Have A Good One! Birthday That Is!

2009-06-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Well it is officially summer time these days. Even if has been raining here in NB for the past few weeks I won't sweat it. Because we of the CanCon Containership believe that water is essential as it is a leading cure for thirst, droughts, and most fires.

On today's show, heaps of stuff from out east, some from prairie-lands, and a few from BC. Either way one wants to look at it, there are heaps of shows in Vancouver and Fredericton. Speaking of which, you better be going to the Railway Club if in BC, this Tuesday June 30th.

The show pick of the week, if such a thing existed on the CCCS, would have to be the Rah Rah (Saskatoon), Sleepless Nights (Halifax) and Superfantastics (Halifax) show Tuesday, June 30th at the Railway Club. I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I decided to work in NB since now I have to miss this show.

The CCCS Setlist:

The Wind Whistles - Bats in Flight

Animal Names - We Mean Big (Cu Ft)

Axis of Conversation - All We Make is Enemies

The Immaculate Mules - Night Like a Train Wreck

The Sleepless Nights - All Andrew's Friends

The Superfantastics - Great Plains

Rah Rah - Duet for Emmylou and the Grievous Angel

Jon McKiel - 123 My Friends

Raised by Wolves - Can't Pay My Bills

Glory Glory Man United - How Many

Fear of Lipstick - Indie Band

The Creeps - You're Better Off

The Kettle Black - All Work and No Play

The Wind Whistles - House for a Mouse

Download the show here!

Fifty-nine Days Down; Seventy Days Left

2009-06-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

There are many a show going on in the lower mainland this week. Including some lads from the the fabulous Forward Music Group in New Brunswick. Y'all should go on down to the Media Club Friday to support some great music.

On the bill are locals In Media Res, but opening are Share and Grand Theft Bus. If one is a fan of indie rock then it should be a sure fire evening. And pick up a few CDs while you are there! Tis the best place to buy CDs, straight from the band at a show.

By the way, click here for a link to the youtube video of Windom Earle's vocalist busting his wrist.

Of course, the other big show is the Vancouver Grease 'N Grind going down Saturday at Pat's Pub. Haunting horrorbilly excitement oh yeah! The Matadors are in and opening are the Ballgag 'N Chaingang who have this cowpunk feel to them. Hope you enjoy the music!

The CCCS Setlist:

Windom Earle - Kitten Vs Pegasus
Pink Mountaintops - Single Life
The Mohawk Lodge - Heart of Lovers
Ballgag N’ Chain Gang - Battle is Over
The Matadors - Devil’s Elbow Bridge
The Easy Brothers - Easy Street
The Real Deal - Rebel Chant
In Media Res - Radio Friendly
Grand Theft Bus - Don’t Go Say That
Share - Maybe Always
Jenn Grant - Dreamer
Dog Day - Wait It Out
Caledonia - Free Time

Click here to download the podcast!!

The Wind Whistles - Album: Animals Are People Too - Release Date: July 28, 2009

2009-06-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

Love, nature, and being a genuinely rad person seem to be the gist of the Wind Whistles new album “Animals are People Too.” The Wind Whistles start off with charismatic and catchy tracks about keeping it real in Turtle, Judo and House for a Mouse. These tracks feature some delightful drumming and a bouncing bass that fosters folksy lyrics, an acoustic and electric guitar into a pleasant pop package that will not rot one’s teeth with too much sugar. While harmony is something the Wind Whistles exude musically, this tuneful tack is also something the Wind Whistles also exude lyrically. Within the lyrics of tracks like Making Your Own Stuff and Sleeping Lions, there is a manifest message about cultivating a harmonious ecological consciousness.

This ecological message becomes latent in the tracks Bats in Flight and The Sun as the Wind Whistles hint more at matters of life and love. Then the matters of love take over in the track The Fish and the Worm as the story of a breakup or rejection is told quite well. When Tom’s share of the lyrics repeats Liza’s lyrics, it seems to mimic the telling moment of a relationship on the rocks when someone realizes the other is putting the kibosh on it. As it is during this song that the counterbalance between Tom and Liza’s voices is fully realized, it would seem that the Wind Whistles have no issues with catching sail and setting course for excellence.

It's Pay Day And All I Got For You Is This Broadcast

2009-06-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

I am about halfway through my stint in New Brunswick and there has been nothing but busy bureaucracy for my day job and a fantastically fun Fredericton music scene for my evenings and weekends.

But that is not to say that there is not stuff still going on back in BC. I have started to countdown but not because I dislike it here. While NB is just about a home away from home...home is still home and that place is BC.

Anyway, was hoping to play other stuff that was relevant to promoting shows, but unfortunately the interweb in the studio was wonky and I had to improvise. I am sure it is OK because there is a solid amount of great stuff on today's show anyway.

The Good News - Oh Na Na
The Pack A.D. - Making Gestures
Dylan Thomas - House in The Woods
Jenn Grant - You’ll Go Far
Share - Penmanship
Olympic Symphonium - Intentions Alone
Mt Royal - Fresh
Canaries - Dracula’s Teeth
Tranzmitors - Teen Man
Modern Creatures - Telegram Eyes
The Motorleague - The One’s You Left Behind
Pride Tiger - Let ‘Em Go
The Mohawk Lodge - Wear ‘Em Out

The Trick, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees - The Capital - Fredericton, NB - 11 Jun 09

2009-06-15T21:39:00.001-07:00

There were many options if one was looking for a place to dance Thursday, June 11th 2009 in New Brunswick’s capital city. Obvious and obnoxious options aside, the Capital set the scene for something pleasantly different and home-grown in the Maritimes. On that evening, the one-person act The Trick opened for the headliners Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees. Unless one is not a fan of Canadian cultural products, or not a fan of dancing, there was nothing to not be liked about the evening.

For those who enjoy saying that geek is chic, The Trick has the soundtrack for those all-nighter LAN parties fuelled by energy drinks or places where serious sci-fi insider humour goes on. The brainchild of Fredericton’s Patick Reinartz, the Trick puts out some great electonica that echoes another New Brunswickian artist called A/V. With a good pinch of 80s new wave, Reinartz sang, played an electric guitar or a synthesizer while he frantically adjusted the various electronic doodads that littered the stage.

As the general feel of the Trick is danceable video game music that has some aggression and distortion thrown into the mix, Reinartz could probably play at the Penny Arcade Expo if his lyrics were more video game based. During the set, there were a few times when Reinartz ran into a few issues when his gear seemed to have a mind of its own and cut out. It must be tricky (pun intended) for Reinartz to operate all that gear on his own. Despite this Reinartz was able to pick up the slack and get back into his spastic gestures which suggested that he felt his art deep down to the nerdcore.

Coming from Halifax, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees took to the stage with their bouncy beat that got the Capital kids dancing almost right from the beginning. The music took the same form as the opening act, but was benefitted by a full spread of band members who could focus and formulate their end of the musical spectrum. For more insight, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees’ music seems like it would be the begotten child of Death From Above 1979’s music and Chromeo’s music if music could physically procreate.

Floating above the dance beat of the drums, computer sound effects and funky guitar, the voice of Rebekah Higgs was often like a haunting whale song that one could dance to. Higgs would often sample here own falsetto and throw it into a loop with effects to cause this effect. Higgs definitely felt the groove as she almost had a few wardrobe malfunctions while she boisterously encouraged the crowd to get into it. Generally, not much encouragement was required whenever a recognizable song like “How To Win Friends and Influence People” was played. But it was at these times the Capital kids seriously strutted their stuff.

As Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees had to drive all the way out to Ottawa at an early time Friday morning, they declined the beckoning for an encore. Since the adjective for the Bees is the “Thoughtful” rather than “Irresponsible” or “Impulsive,” it made sense that they tapped out. Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees are travelling west, but will only make it as far as Ontario. So for the cats in the lower mainland of British Columbia, wait out and keep your dancing shoes ready. As for the Trick, keep your eyes peeled and ears to the ground if in Fredericton because he tends to play in and around the town on a regular basis.

Mt Royal, Rah Rah and The Sleepless Nights - Capital Bar - Fredericton, N.B. - 29 May 09

2009-06-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

On an evening after the Fredericton chapter of the Critical Mass Bicycle Ride, two bands from the prairies and one from the Maritimes made music come alive at the Capital Bar Complex. First up were the indie rock lads from Medicine Hat, Alberta called Mt Royal. Second up were indie rock/pop darlings from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan called Rah Rah. Headlining were the shoegazing indie rock roster from Halifax, Nova Scotia called the Sleepless Night. It was a stacked evening that saw many of the local kids come out in force to support their local scene.

If people like their old school organ with a crunchy character to their rock then Mt Royal has it covered. For a lower mainland British Columbian comparison, look to Abbotsford’s Progressive Thinker but for a more widely known CanCon comparison, look to Hot Panda. The comparisons do miss the mark but the crunchy unpolished bit goes with the Progressive Thinker and the old school organ goes with Hot Panda. The vocals were completely different as the raspy nature would seem to indicate a Tom Waits influence.

Mt Royal was complete with bearded hipsters going at their instruments in an intentionally faulty way that still worked. The organist precariously balanced himself on what looked to be an old alto saxophone case while adding to the hip aesthetic of the group. Personal style aside, each song would seemingly start on one tangent but eventually take a turn to a more frantic pace or sometimes a more leisurely pace. For those who decided on showing up late to just catch the headliners, they missed their chance to see Mt Royal who was really setting the bar high for the rest the show.

Saskatoon’s Rah Rah were up next and can kind of be likened to The New Pornographers with their multi-layered, sugary pop ballads that can leave one with no choice other than to develop a sweet tooth. Celebrating gender diversity, Rah Rah was composed of half females and half males in which the vocals were a shared responsibility. The trading off, or occasional duet, between the vocalists provided great counterpoint and balance to a solidly constructed song structure. The violin and the keyboards just added to the wonderful soundscape already set out by traditional rock instruments.

The male vocalist spoke of being drunker than he intended to be but it was of no concern. As the group knows how to put sugary pop together, there were many persons really feeling the excitement Rah Rah had inputted into their music. By the time Rah Rah played their hit song Tentacles second in the set list, many in the crowd were already swaying and singing along. Rah Rah really stepped up to the bar that Mt Royal had set and maybe pushed the bar a bit higher for the headliners. Not that it was some sort of competition, but the evening was going great as far as independent music can get.

Last up and certainly not least were the Haligonian Sleepless Nights who are also on the Forward Music Group label. The lads are currently recording a new album and this was a perfect venue for the Sleepless Nights to play a set list almost entirely not off of their earlier releases. Something else not off their earlier releases were stand-in members such as the bassist for Miles Deck and Fuzz and the mastermind behind electronica artist A/V. Who knows what was up but this did not seem to take away from the ability for Sleepless Nights front-man Aaron Wallace to keep the show rolling.

Early in the set someone who had to be that guy yelled out “Freebird!” With wit, Wallace responded, “Eff that! Let’s play some Zepplein” and got into really rocking out. So much so that the drummer busted a snare and an impromptu mid-set break was thrust upon the show. Wallace found it in him to keep the spirit alive with funny anecdotes. The band really knows how to piece together a wall of sound that features drumming that keeps the music flowing along with some great bass intros and guitar solos. The best part of the evening was at the end of the Sleepless Nights set when Mt Royal and Rah Rah jumped up on stage to support the last song with a grand sing-a-long.

Some points to note are that Mt Royal is wrapping up a tour that managed to fit in Vancouver for Boosh Tuesdays at the Cobalt and even a date in Chilliwack with JPMP. Mt Royal will be wrapping up there tour in their home province of Alberta towards the end of June. As for Rah Rah and the Sleepless Nights, they are heading out west and expect to see both playing at the Railway Club in Vancouver with another Haligonian band called the Superfantastics. This will all be going down on the 30th of June and it ought to be mandatory for fans of CanCon to check this show out.

The Motorleague CD Release with The Westerberg Suicides - The Capital - Fredericton - 28 May 09

2009-06-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

Twas a Thursday night, May 28th at the Capital Bar Complex where all was not quiet, and there were many a creature stirring as it was the scene of Moncton’s Motorleague’s CD release party. Their new album is called Black Noise and it was recently released with Fredericton’s Forward Music Group. Gracing the stage with The Motorleague and kicking things off was another hard rock outfit called The Westerberg Suicides. It was certainly a pair of bands that had a certain sort of ok about them.

The Westerberg Suicides hail from Fredericton and they are definitely a hometown gem. They boded well with the crux of the matter which was to set the tone of the show by assaulting our ears with solid, no-nonsense rock and/or roll. The influences of the Westerberg Suicides seemed to vary from maybe some rockabilly to perhaps punk. Either way one sliced it, the Westerberg Suicides put together a sound that let us know that they got skills and were there to rock.

Sometimes though, it seemed as though the lead vocalist was not meant to try and hit some of the notes he tried to sing. Although it did convey a tragic demeanour, a little bit of awkward cringing would characterize persons who do not like dissonance. Despite this, the overall package would always settle back into the hard-rock holding pattern. It was too bad that there was no merchandise being sold because the Westerberg Suicides need to get some airtime on the campus radio net. Although far from ideal, there is always using CBC’s New Music Canada and/or Rupert Murdoch’s myspace.

For a Thursday night, the turn-out at the Capital Bar Complex was fairly decent and things were lined up quite nicely for the Motorleague. The lads started off strong with the Big Times which is the first track off their album Black Noise. The Motorleague were very effective at transferring the high-pitched fever of the album as they continued on with the track Let It Go. Really though, if one has heard their album which is cut from the same cloth as rock stalwarts like Wolfmother and Queens of the Stone Age, there is nothing much to say. The music was fast, furious and fantastic.

The real fun of the show was seeing the Motorleague put on their show and see the crowd interact with the band. At one point the bassist had his bass strap fall off and Forward Music Group manager James Boyle came to the rescue and replaced the strap. Then to add to the album release party, during the last song Hymn for the Newly Departed, a few friends were invited on stage to sing along with the band. It was a shame that the Westerberg Suicides were allowed to start so late, because the lads of The Motorleague still had a few songs in them to play. But were limited by the 2am timing to shut it down.

Slides - Burn Under Light EP

2009-06-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

There is something comforting about the delicious drone Slides puts forth on their EP “Burn Under Light.” It is like wearing one’s favourite cut-offs whilst walking upstream along the riverbank to tube back down the river over and over again until one has had enough. Slides salaciously starts the EP off with a track called Bottle Full that takes the tone of Superchunk, and other associated acts from the mid to late-90s, but repackages it with a bit more aggression into something standout and saleable.

Continuing on this tack, the second track Bone Market carefully combines crunchy distortion and humble harmonies with the gratifying guitar and the vivacious voice that sits at the edge of falsetto fun-times. The deliberate drums act a great guide whilst Slides glides through some tricky timing and pleasant phrasing. During the third track Weatherman, Slides carries on with this tack and the overall feel harkens to a lazy backyard Sunday before the going for ice cream with friends.

The tragic nature of love is vibrantly visited in She’s An Issue and the minor chord progressions help bring this aspect to the forefront before finishing off with a touching track. Speak Loudly features some great violin action and hints that it will all be ok. If Slides is able to release a full-length album one day, they will defeat what is probably the biggest down-fall to it all. This being that it will only be ok if Slides has more than just a five song EP.

Third Go At Broadcasting from Fredericton

2009-06-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

So here I continue to ramble on about pre-recording my show at CHSR in Fredericton in the SUB of STU and UNB. But there are new developments with this. The good people of CHSR have been broadcasting my show Thursdays at 1:30 PM.

Very rad news indeed. So if you happen to be bombing around the Fredericton area at that time, switch the dial over to 97.9FM and hear the CCCS as it lets the local people in on the best in the CanCon-icopia of awesomeness. Or tell your musician friends why they should send stuff to CIVL, because we have some reach into the merry maritimes.

A shift in my raison d'etre has occurred to facilitate this, as in I will also promote shows in Fredericton on top of my usual fare from the lower mainland. Well, minus any punk houses that want to keep off the radar.

Anyway, the CCCS Set-list for 8 June 09:

Mt Royal -Let In the Light
Tight Solid -I’m Falling Apart
The Progressive Thinker -You Are What We Like to Eat
Fun 100 -Lost In New York
Makeout VideoTape -Slush Puppy Love
The Magician -Ant/Whale/You & Me
Dog Day -Oh Dead Life
Ruby Jean & The Thoughful Bees -How to Win Friends and to Influence People
The Trick -Digital Lullaby
Owl -Good-bye Bye
Share -Date & Time
Smothered in Hugs -Money Came Through
Mardeen -Keep On

Download the podcast here!!!!

Week Two Using CHSR's Fine Fredericton Facilities

2009-06-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

This was week two for the CCCS to use the wonderful facilities at CHSR at UNB/STU in Fredericton. So far so good and Protools I will one day be good at.

On today’s show, just as last week, we will be having a mixture between stuff going on in the lower mainland of BC and stuff going on in the beautiful Fredericton area. Well, mostly just the Capital Bar Complex.

There will be a few other things padding the set list that fit well with the rest. So without further yabbering, the CCCS setlist for June 1st, 2009:

Crystal Castles - Vanished
Hotshotrobot - Kiss My Chernobyl
Handsome Furs - Thy Will Be Done
Slides - Bottle Full
Fox Jawes - Karmonica
Daniel Ledwell- I Have Made You a Mixed Tape
The Ghost Bees - Sinai
The Stolen Minks - Fight!
Los Furios - Anchor
Bravo Juiliet - Vacation
No Horses - Grab Yer Coat
Glory Glory Man United - Friends of the Seen
Slate Pacific - Civil War

Download the podcast here!!!

West Coast Pride at...but not on....Freddybeach’s CHSR....yet.

2009-05-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

Ahoy there listeners of the CCCS on CIVL.ca. This week is a special tack for the CCCS as it was recorded at the studios of CHSR which is located at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Much appreciation is in order as the cool cats of CHSR gave me a helping hand to fasten a good sense of campus and community radio solidarity. Raise your fists! Let your voices be heard! Ok...enough of that vanguard jibbajam.

Anyway, on the CCCS this Monday, May 25th, 2009, there will be a hodgepodge of stuff still local to UFV and stuff local to UNB. Well, most of the tracks heard on the CCCS will be in support of shows in Vancouver as the numbers game tends to trump Fredericton. Not for lack of a powerful music scene in Fredericton, just that there are heaps of venues in Vancouver.

Something to note, my voice is a bit quiet on some of this broadcast. But hey! This is a campus and community radio show, not a polished piece of production that the slick kids at commercial radio, or our friends in nationally subsidized radio, push out to the masses.

Blah dee freakin' dah!

I hope that you enjoy the music!

Motorleague - Face Time With The Boss
The Brains - Turn Around
Rock’n Rebels - Zombie Death Run
SNFU - Head Smashed In a Buffalo Jump
First Reign - This Ghost of Ours
To The Nines - I Ask You
Jones Bones - Jimmy
Sleepless Night - Kids On Fire
Rah Rah - Tentacles
Fuzzcat - Goodman
Thee Manipulators - Paper In My Pocket
Dylan Thomas - Seagulls
Ryan Walter Wagner - West Coast Pride

Download the podcast here!

Moncton’s Motorleague Makes Straight-up Forward Music

2009-05-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

If one cannot get enough of the balls-to-the-wall, thumping rock and roll to practice one’s air-guitar to, Moncton’s Motorleague has it covered. Motorleague has this sound that harkens to the Queens of the Stone Age and Wolfmother. But for a more appropriate local comparison look to rockers Pride Tiger and Spreadeagle. To find the source of these comparisons, check out tracks like You Wear Me Down and Face Time With The Boss. This is where the sometimes dueling and often harmonizing guitars come out with the drums and bass to give one’s ear drums a pleasant and unfettered what for. Certainly a gem of the Maritime music milieu, Moncton’s Motorleague makes music fit for cyclists and rampant runners to give’r on the straightaway like there is no tomorrow.

Unfortunately, this need to keep pushing for heavy, distorted and fast phrasing begets Motorleague’s sonic strengths a wee bit. Sometimes it seems as though the musical ideas were rehashed and reordered to slap something together that was already heard a few tracks prior. Sometimes the drums, although very solid, is haphazardly juggling the polyrhythms to the point where the seams are about to rip apart. An example would be during the bridge in the track Fossils. It must be noted that these are but minor infractions in the path to putting out something that gives New Brunswick something else to be proud of.

Moncton and Montreal Musical Moments C/O The Rock’n Rebels and The Brains - Coconut Grove Lounge - Halifax NS - 16 May 09

2009-05-25T08:12:00.001-07:00

The Rock’n Rebels from Moncton opened for Montreal’s the Brains in an all fest-a-billy in support of the 3rd Annual Maritime Tattoo Festival as the official after-party. But more importantly, this show was in support of the new self-title Brains album that was recently released by Stomp Records. In Halifax after a few nights through the Maritimes with the Rock’n Rebels, The Brains had this Saturday night sorted out as the sure thing even if Kos was playing a free/pay-what-you-want show up the road.

So the Rock’n Rebels took to the stage starting off strong with Harvester of Souls. As East Coast punk-a-billy, the Rock’n Rebels exuded an aura of slick action where the liquor and beer ought to flow freely and the point is to have a rocking time. The mission was clear but unfortunately the local kids tended to stoop behind in the back rather than givin’r with this girl who seemed to be affiliated with the lads. Either the intent was lost or the kids just needed more liquid courage.

The Rock’n Rebels played a smattering of stuff ranging from older era to songs off of their most recent release Nocturnal Hearts. Songs like Blood on the Sun harkens back to anthem-esque punk songs that make one want to shotgun a few cans o’ pilsner before jumping out on the floor to wreck’r. The torrent of toes tapping eventually morphed into kids rocking out just before the Rock’n Rebels had to call it a set. Too bad, because the Rock’n Rebels certainly deserve the audience interaction.

By the time Montreal’s The Brains took to the stage, the Coconut Grove was packed with scene-a-billy kids with all manner of greaser and punk influenced garb and gestures. All was good because it was a good vibe that had little pretence. This trio from Montreal, despite heralding the entire cult zombie phenomena, had this great ability to get people strutting their stuff and wreckin’ like champs. Renee de la Muerte would not have the stoopage and quickly encouraged the crowd to push up and be a part of the action.

Wearing their characteristic zombie make-up they were playing a good mix between new and old for the kids who like pomade. The songs from the earlier album like Hell n’ Back and More Brains were sure fire ways to rile up the crowd as many were singing along and rocking out. The newer stuff would draw a bit less of a sing-a-long response, but would certainly push the crowd to feel the magic of pyschobilly. Natural showpeople and all around rad dudes, the Brains guys seem to be on the warpath to making it up there with pyschobilly heroes like Tiger Army and the Nekromantix.

The Rock’n Rebels are currently working on a new album and look for it probably in the fall to the New Year. Who knows, but maybe if the west shows enough love, the Rock’n Rebels will find themselves coming through town one day. The Brains are on a huge tour in support of their new self-titled album and there is a show at the Vancouver Grease ‘n Grind at Pat’s Pub May 30th 2009. If you miss them there, maybe you can follow them as they head back out east hitting places in the prairies before going to the USA.

Campus and Community Radio Solidarity

2009-05-23T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well, there have been a lot of reviews lately. All stuff I have been checking out in the Maritimes. But as far as what the radio show has been up to, I have been slacking on the updates.

Anyway, this Monday will be a very special broadcast of the CCCS. It was recorded at CHSR here in Fredericton, NB. The kind people of CHSR have graciously allowed me to get involved and to use their facilities to get stuff done.

I am not wanting to jinx anything, but lets just say that small-time syndication of the CCCS is a waypoint the CCCS may head towards. But that all depends, will the so-called Captain Larry of the CCCS be able to weather the high-seas of a well established campus and community radio station like CHSR?

Time will tell, but let it be known that the CCCS will continue to be your faithful friend who knows the way of CanCon coming through the west coast and Fredericton.

By the way, Forward Music Group of Fredericton will be having some of their artists passing through Vancouver on the following dates and I highly suggest you go in and tell them that Captian Larry of the CCCS told you to go:

Share - June 26th 2009 at the Media Club
The Sleepless Nights - June 26th 2009 at the MET
The Sleepless Nights (AGAIN!) - June 30th 2009 at the Railway Club
Grand Theft Bus - June 26th 2009 at the Railway Club

SuperNova - One-Man Star Wars Trilogy - Neptune Studio - Halifax NS - 16 May 2009

2009-05-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

When I was in Halifax last weekend flipping through the Haligonian version of the Straight called the Coast, albeit without watered-down journalism and with a heavy left-wing pinch of what The Republic of East Van has, I came across what was suggested to be a sure thing. It was SuperNova, One Man Star Wars Trilogy. It is what it sounds like, a one man theatre act that puts the entire original Star Wars trilogy, the only one worth my time, into a one hour and a bit, wham-bam-thank-you-m’am show. It was going to occur on the May long weekend. There was no way this could be missed by a person who still has over fifty Star Wars novels and reference books from his high school years fettered away in a box he still lugs around from move to move. It would be inappropriate not to go and appropriate actions had to be taken.

Imagine, sitting with a group of nerdy teens playing Star Wars related video games, sipping on pop and eating chips on another all-nighter. In which, all the kids are making their own sci-fi sound effects, mimicking the majestic music and quoting the movie ad nasuem complete with hysterical laughter about the most subtle of inane nerd details. While I am not pooh-poohing this sort of behaviour, for I was once and still kind of one of these types, there are many a grump and associated person who would opt for the moral high ground on this one and suggest that this is a grievously borderline loss of touch with reality. Oh well, let these sort of people sweat it because this theatre act was not to be missed!

The one man, Canadian Charlie Ross, encapsulated this behaviour and did this with all the awkward mouth spitting that occurs with certain sound effects during the show. For anyone who ever intends on seeing this theatre production, take care to not sit in the front rows lest ye be desirous of spit landing on you for most of the sixty minutes. Obviously, editing had to be done and Ross had to focus on memorable aspects of a movie that spans six hours. Each of the three original flicks was crunched down into twenty minute segments. There had to be things that had to be cut despite being things that one might be looking for but may not get. One example could be the Rancor scene in Jabba’s palace in which C3PO’s shrieks “Oh no! A Rancor!”

For persons who are not familiar with the movies, they would probably be awash in the sometimes convoluted jumps from one scene to the next. But as Ross said in his Q&A afterwards, the movie is incredibly simple in its assertions about good and evil. It is easy to trim the fat and stick to the atypical American minded story of the individual protagonist who pushes through adversity with the help of supporting sidekicks to overcome evil with potentially evil actions. But remember, one can morally justify their actions by saying it was done in the name of good and by a healthy dosage of dehumanizing the antagonist and associated crew. Might be a bit of a rant, but it does stand to reason that the however many millions of persons on the Death Star had families and friends who cared deeply about them. Well, until the supposedly good Rebel Alliance conducted an effective insurgency and blew up both Death Stars and multiple Star Destroyers, foot soldiers and more to boot.

Ross had some great sound effects, including a great R2D2, howling Chewbacca and the wonderful wailing impersonation of a TIE fighter passing by. They always went well with his hand gestures and body movements. Ross’s Darth Vader, Yoda, and his Tusken Raider impersonations were a bit weak, but who can do all the voices perfectly? Probably the most key element to an effective theatre production of the Star Wars trilogy be to get the whiny Luke Skywalker down pat. Ross certainly had that one under wraps. Ross’s “but I was going down to Tosche Station to pick up power converters with my friends” was uncanny. His “noooOOOOoooo! That can’t be! That’s impossible! NoooOOOOOooOOOoooooOOOoooo” could have used more chipmunk in his facial expressions but Ross was still very effective.

There was some great subtext in the show that hinted to things that just didn’t really make any sense in the movies such as the medal presentation scene at the end of A New Hope. It is a grand event that has the newfound heroes of the Rebel Alliance, Luke Skywalker and Hans Solo, receiving medals for their valiant efforts. But for some reason, Chewbacca, who is brown, furry and speaks in a different tongue, did not receive a medal. Yet Chewbacca put himself in the line of fire for the Rebel Alliance and helped win this insurgency battle. Ross humorously alluded to this and it left the audience thinking, just what was George Lucas trying to tell us about diversity and accepting cultural differences?

Anyway, this act is definitely worth checking out if it comes through Vancouver. It is a strong possibility that it already has since Ross has been doing this act for the past seven years, has been to over 230 different cities in 4 different continents. But imagine being the Star Wars nerd who can take his youthful and sometimes annoying mimicking of a sci-fi phenomenon and make a career of it. Just one of those dream jobs one would have to suppose. Next on the platter for Ross is a one man Lord of the Rings theatre act. It came up in the Q&A afterwards and Ross gave us a great taste of it. His Smeagol was par excellence and even though Lord of the Rings will never be what Star Wars is to some, it will be another worthwhile way to spend twenty bucks or so.

The Tom Fun Orchestra and Fredericton’s Toque - Capital Bar Complex - Fredericton NB - 14 May 2009

2009-05-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Ripping up the stage Thursday May 14th were Fredericton’s Toque in support of Cape Breton’s Tom Fun Orchestra at the Capital. It seems to be the norm for Fredericton’s finest forum for fantastic music, the Capital Bar Complex, to put shows on these Thursday nights. So long as the best in Canadian content keeps coming, the Capital has a hack journalist from British Columbia who will maintain a high frequency of patronage.

Toque, formerly known as Jellyroll, whose rock stylin’s keep thumping away a decent pace, do this without overdoing the distortion and loudness. While musically meandering down the halls of great maritime indie rock, the vocalist Matt Gillis of Toque has this low throaty voice with a great ability to be piercingly assertive. It balances well with the low droning fuzzy sounding bass of Erin Breau that can almost seem too loud, but is more than appropriate for the occasion. Combine the drummer into the mix who keeps the band on time and the toes tapping.

For the general way Toque puts their act together, comparisons could definitively be drawn to Down With the Butterfly and vaguely with Wintersleep. Along with the Down With the Butterfly vocalist, Gillis probably spent time in his teens belting out Eddie Vedder songs. I bet if you asked either of them, they probably love to Do the Evolution and own the soundtrack to Sean Penn’s flick Into the Wild. I look forward to seeing Toque taking the Capital stage one day again and hopefully soon.

Throughout the opening set, I kept wondering how the heck the Tom Fun Orchestra was going to fit on the stage. I have seen them do it before, but for a band that sports the following: drums; an accordion; a trumpet; a fiddle; a banjo; a bass; an acoustic guitar; and an electric guitar with a vocalist on it, it is a very tight fit no matter how one slices it. So much of a tight fit that singer Ian MacDougall banged his head off of Carmen Townsend’s acoustic guitar after fiddling around with a tuner and/or a sound device. In surveying the crowd, this was definitely another one of these quintessential maritime music phenomena that can pack the Capital.

The Tom Fun Orchestra has something in it for everyone and the large and mixed crowd that was really getting into it was a tell tale sign. The first song that got everyone whooping was Marshall Applewhite and the interlude talk of MacDougall was certainly interesting. There were many references to tasty candies and pastries that can keep the sweet tooth in all of us satisfied. Apparently Fredericton is MacDougall’s “cupcake with sprinkles on top” even though his knowledge of Fredericton seems lacking. During his introduction to the Highway Siren Song, he was talking about hopping freights and coming into Fredericton that way. Too bad the last train to chug along into town was 1995. So it’s semantics, oh well.

The last time I saw Tom Fun Orchestra in Vancouver at Pub 340, Carmen Townsend and the Shakey Deals did a mini-set in the middle of the Tom Fun set. It was a welcome surprise, albeit one that made the show drag on. My suspicions were that this might occur again but it was noted that she had lost her voice, although not her animated stage presence, so that when they played Watchmaker the bassist took to singing the backup. It was funny that this girl in the front thought she would sing the back-up and took one of the mikes. But an astute sound person just turned down the levels with the power of mixing board magic.

It certainly was a maritime merry time, but the part that was a bit difficult to swallow was the $12 cover charge. But it was for a really great show that will probably be one of the summer sojourn highlights, so why sweat it? The Tom Fun Orchestra will be going about and playing at multiple dates in Cape Breton in June and a few in Calgary 24-26 Jul at the Calgary Folk Festival. Unfortunately, it seems that Toque does not seem to have any dates in the future. So if you want to get your Tom Fun Orchestra fix or Toque fix, check out their myspace or New Music Canada profiles on the mighty interweb.

The Rough Sea for Laura Peek and Weird Weather for the Superfantastics - Gus' Pub - Halifax, NS - 8 May 09

2009-05-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

After a six hour commute from New Brunswick over the pot-holed and treacherous Trans-Canada highway to Halifax, I checked into Dalhousie Dorms on Coburg Road and then ate some super swell shawarma on Barrington Street. I then walked northward to the artsy Agricola Street where two groups from Ontario and two groups from Nova Scotia were playing that full moon Friday at Gus' Pub. It was solid sounding set that was almost too good to be true for the amazingly low price of five bucks.

Had they not just driven in from Saint John's, Newfoundland, Ottawa's Rough Sea looked like they could have just hopped a freight train or hitched into Halifax. OK, so it's a generalization, but they did have this certain A.L.F. house anarcho-vegan punk aesthetic that screamed militant D.I.Y. and dumpster diving ways. Anyway, after checking out their web 2.0 profile on a certain NewsCorp website, it seemed like there was something genuine about the Rough Seas.

The Rough Sea set solidified this assertion with wit, sensitivity and musical magic as they wooed my ears with their folksy fun. While I stooped and sipped on Olands beer in the back of Gus', the heavy handed Tom Waits-esque voice of Justin Kops; the meek voice of Christina; and simplistic stringed stylin's were at times like something I would want to call gypsy folk punk. When the Rough Seas dug out the ukulele, it seemed like something Andrew Sisk of Share would pull off in a pinch.

The aesthetic then shifted towards hipster modish kids when the lovely Laura Peek & The Winning Hearts took to the small stage. Peek made like she spent many times giving recitals in her youth although now she's all grown up and playing with the boys of the syndicated campus and community radio show about cooking called Let's Get Baked. Anyway, solidly shaping melody and phrasing, Laura Peek has this knack to remind us of what good piano rock is all about. Ben Folds eat your heart out! Or maybe, the Magician of Langley, eat YOUR heart out!

Laura Peek noted that there is another album in the works and it was making her a bit nervous. This new album will be recorded at the end of the month and this show was a chance to sound out their new stuff. This show wasn't characterized by just new stuff as other songs like "Oh Lenny" off her 2007 release "From the Photographs" were played. Not one to keep the crowds left unsatisfied, the catchiest of Peek fare was played and "Stand Right There" finished the set off without any
introductions required.

What's there to say about the next act? The Weird Weather of Peterborough was up and the lads were there to try and keep the flow going. Albeit in a different provincial capital, this was to be my second night in a row seeing them. Maybe it was because of seeing them two nights in a row, or it was the lack of a sound person managing the levels, but they kind of dropped the ball. Nothing against them and their talented ways, but their set seemed uninspired and seemed to drag on. For a more fair assessment, check out the review about the Christina Martin show at the Wilser's Room in Fredericton.

Last up and having to pick up the pieces of a mini-train wreck were the Superfantastics. It seemed like everyone was there including a Chris Murphy (Sloan) look-a-like; someone I have seen play back-up guitar for Joel Plaskett; members of the Sleepless Nights; Vanessa Murnaghan of Owl; the other bands who played that night; and a lonesome hack journalist from British Columbia. Maybe they were tired, or maybe they were just not on their game, but the Superfantastics sombrely went through many of the songs off their catalogue and kind of had problems picking that ball up. It would eventually be picked up and the Superfantastics spark would reignite the musical magic.

Probably more entertaining was this drunken forty-something year old lady who kept muttering to her moustached main squeeze that she was disappointed that no one was dancing. I guess she had not ever had the pleasure of hanging out with disinterested looking hipsters, but she quickly made her way to the floor to drunken dance with her hands in the air like she just didn't care. She tried to drag a fairly fashion minded gal with tattoos out on the floor and after a bit of coercion, the girl relented. Much to the chagrin of the lady, the fashion girl lasted for only one song before moving back into wallflower mode.

It is difficult for me to give the show two thumbs down, but let's just say that it was good thing that this show was only five bucks. To be fair, the first two acts set a solid base that hinted at a potentially epic evening, but the latter half left something to be desired. On the bright side, this was a chance to finally pick up a copy of Laura Peek's album "From the Photographs"; the Superfanstastics "Like Letters" E.P.; a Superfantastics slap bracelet for a friend; and a Rough Sea CD. Also on the bright side, it was a chance for a hack journalist to practice skewering a shitty show without being too mean and to still support the bands with cash that went directly into their pockets. I hope they spent it wisely!

The Tireless Sedans, Adam Guidry and the Hungry Hearts, & Piper Perabo - The Capital - Fredericton, NB - 7 May 09

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

Right after seeing some great stuff upstairs at Wilser’s Room on a quiet and tame Thursday night, downstairs at the Capital there was another show featuring Frederictonian and Monctonite musicians. Headlining this show were Moncton’s The Tireless Sedans and opening for them were Adam Guidry & The Hungry Hearts and Piper Perabo. Many of the persons from the Christina Martin also shuffled down the stairs to catch this show but there were quite a few more people in attendance already.

Adam Guidry & the Hungry Hearts kicked things off with their two vocalists. The one vocalist voice makes me think he spent a lot of time listening to and singing along to Green Day. Maybe even a bit of Rancid too. It was a well put together sound but it seems like I have heard their stuff before. It was not that their music was bad, but sometimes it seemed like the direction of their musical ideas were predictable. This being where they were going next in the chord progression and how they were going to transition from stanza to stanza. The down, down-up, up-down strumming was probably the reason for this but hey, it was fun stuff!

They seemed to have quite the following as there was a great deal of people rocking out in the front row singing along and interacting with the band in between songs. They had this one song that seemed to be trying to capture the east coast anthem market. The song “East Coast Side of My Heart” seemed to really get a response from the kids in the front. They really let loose in their last song and for a moment one could see who they really were as rockers. But unfortunately that was their set and we were on to the next act.

Piper Perabo, not to be confused with some celeb that apparently gets some notoriety for movies like Coyote Ugly, took to the stage with a new bassist. Who knows where Mireille Eagan went but their new bassist seemed to pick up where she left off quite well. At least check out her solo project called Lasso Precise. Always full of interesting anecdotes, apparently Piper Perabo’s first show was at the Northstar bar on the north side of the Saint John River. By the way, for those who don’t know, the Northstar is the only place that has strippers in Fredericton on certain nights of the week. How about them apples? Quite the band mythology! This was the perfect angle to take us into their song “Northstar” which is a heartfelt song about romance with a stripper from one of the classiest of places in Fredericton.

Piper Perabo have a great touch for rock and roll songs that have a generally high pitched, sometimes falsetto voice dancing above a great upbeat tempo. Vocalist Mack Bragdon mentioned that he does “his best work in his sleep” but he was doing quite well here and he was wide awake with a great supporting band of musicians. There was also mention of how this was one of their first shows in a while and was a forum to expose newer stuff they have been working on. We had a taste with the song “Library Voices” which expands on an already distinct and distinguished sound that seems somewhat forlorn and faulty. This is the charm of Piper Perabo and hopefully there will be a few more shows by the end of the summer complete with a new album.

Last up were the headliners from Moncton. The Tireless Sedans can be best characterized as bluesy and definitely having roots in rock gods of the 70s. They were masters of musical modes as Dave Rahmer wailed away on his guitar with intricate solos with great back-up from solid drumming and bass playing, and somewhat meek keyboard backup. Almost from the beginning, due to the look and feel of Rahmer, I kept thinking I was seeing a Tragically Hip clone and it was true to an extent. Really though, the Tireless Sedans do their own thing but the comparison cannot be discounted.

Sadly, it seemed that most of the crowd were not there to support this great Moncton group as after the opening acts, most disappeared into the vestiges of a quiet Fredericton weeknight. It was also a sad that the booming bass of the Phoenix lounge was seeping downstairs and could be heard during quiet parts of songs and during interludes. It must have been quite the party! A memorable song by the Tireless Sedans was “Even the Sheep” because it has this certain quality that movies about the rites of passage use. I could almost see the loner protagonist of this imaginary movie meandering about his town in the formative realization moment before he goes for the gold and gets the girl.

Two shows, one night. A busy little program for the bustling Capital Bar Complex and they don’t seem to be showing any signs of slowing down! There seems to be nothing on the radar in the near future for any of the bands who played the Capital this lazy Thursday night. Adam Guidry & the Hungry Hearts do not have page on Rupert Murdoch’s social networking page where Tom is your first friend (myspace), nor a profile on New Music Canada. Unfortunately, they probably have nothing recorded and if so, this is why. Well, Piper Perabo has one show listed on their myspace, but it is way down the line in late August at the Green Festival in Kent County. The Tireless Sedans have nothing on their myspace and do not have a New Music Canada profile yet. But for more at the Capital Bar Complex, check out their book of face group which routinely updates its members with event invitations.

Weird Weather Was Afoot for Cameron MacLean and Christina Martin - Wilser’s Room -Fredericton, NB - 7 May 09

2009-05-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

On a wet Thursday night in Fredericton, maritime musician Christina Martin and openers Cameron MacLean and Weird Weather were on the bill at Wilser’s Room. In a set-up much like the Forward Music Group’s Sunday Night Songwriter’s Series, the show was already underway as I made my way up the familiar steel staircase in back of Tannery where the Capital Bar Complex is located. Point to note for those not familiar with Fredericton, the Tannery is the entertainment district where multiple watering holes and food places can be found. Other than Dolan’s “Irish Pub” which was jammed with drunks dancing and whooping to cover bands playing the hits, this was a tame weekday night in the Tannery.

Anyway, Wilser’s Room was the place to find genuine acts like Cameron MacLean who was already on stage by the time I arrived. Another accomplished acoustic guitarist of Fredericton, the full finger style plucking was complimented by some very full vocals that hinted at a life of voice training. Not that MacLean’s music needed ballast to maintain musical balance; Maclean had a backup singer who awkwardly sat beside him. She would occasionally inject some more energy into the set while fidgeting with her coffee cup. The thing that stuck out about MacLean’s music was at the end of most musical phrases. MacLean would sustain a hauntingly full note with a little sprinkling of vibrato spice. I bet MacLean’s sustained and haunting voice could even send chills down Stephen Harper’s soulless spine as he and his merry band of neo-cons make more cuts to the arts.

Next up were Peterborough’s Weird Weather, who is a trio consisting of two guitarists and a drummer. They feature members of the many in The Burning Hell and sort of follow a similar tack. Opening with “A River Runs Through Her,” the boys seem to have some twang and a slow steady beat that gently picks up the pace ever so slightly before working itself in a mini-wall of sound. At most times, the fellows were mild mannered on stage until the mini-wall came out and the lads delicately demonstrated they have a little rock star hiding in each of them.

At times though, Nick Ferrio was at danger of over-singing his songs with his Neil Young-esque voice. It sort of disturbed the sound, but he was generally good to go in the realm of the deliberate and heartfelt genre. The drummer Mike Duguay pulled some double duty and had a little synth next to his drum set which added a different dimension to the music at times. What was mildly humorous was the general style demeanour of Jay Swinnerton because it reminded me of Joshua Jackson’s character in the CanCon film One Week. Though looking intensely thoughtful and distant like Jackson’s character, Swinnerton displayed some great guitarist skill and made the music come out of the closet.

Last up was Christina Martin who picked up an East Coast Music Award in St John’s last February for the NewCap Radio Pop Recording of 2008. Martin was also nominated for three Nova Scotia Music week nominations and won two of them. These were for the Female Artist Recording of 2008 and the Pop/Rock Artist/Group Recording of 2008. Martin kicked things off with a great cover of Share’s “Subject to Change” and soon demonstrated how she is a true and natural showperson. Martin is full of witty and outright hilarious anecdotes that range from how Anne Murray’s son hit her car on tour and the story behind some of her songs. For example, the song “Daisy” is named after her father’s dead cat she did not like, is about two friends who would both confide in her about their dislike for each other, and how she took the side of one of her friends.

A great singer-songwriter, it is no wonder that Christina Martin is cleaning house in maritime music awards with her twangy tunage and wispy vocals about love, heartbreak and all things associated. Not overly emotional or full of angst, Martin deals with the matters of the heart well and makes me appreciate being in love. Martin spoke of her past year being a full circle, which started in the same place, Wilser’s Room, nearly a year ago. Martin was still shakily finding her stage presence in one of her first shows as she opened for Share and Old Man Luedecke. Now look at her go! What made the Martin circle more complete was an impromptu addition of drummer Zach Atkinson of Share to the mix. Remember that she played one of her first shows with Share and started this show off with a Share cover.

The most terrible things about the show were these loud party persons priming up with pints and the steep prices for a CD. Both Christina Martin and Weird Weather charged $15 for their albums which was five more than my student ways were budgeting. I begrudgingly coughed it up because I knew the money went straight into their pockets and would subsequently support their respective tours. What’s two pints of beer anyway? Christina Martin is still on the road with multiple dates in the USA; a show in Sussex 22 May; a show in Saint John 23 May; and many more. Weird Weather is going to be capping off their tour soon in their hometown of Peterborough by playing a show with Shotgun Jimmie and Attack in Black 13 May. Cameron MacLean will not performing anytime soon according to website sources, but look for him chilling out in the coffee shops on King Street.

Logan’s Run with Jon and Roy – Wilser’s Room – Fredericton – 3 May 2009

2009-05-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

All was quiet on another spring evening in New Brunswick until the fabulously Frederictonian Forward Music Group put on their Sunday Night Songwriters Series at Wilser’s Room. The series is not meant to be a rock and/or roll racket; rather a serene event in which visiting and local talent are matched to play something conducive to Sunday evenings. Wilser’s Room, an intimate venue with great pints on tap, was just right for the lads on the bill that featured Victoria’s own Jon & Roy. Originally the Haligonian group Quiet Parade was supposed to start the event off, but unfortunately they were no shows. So Logan, vocalist for the Slate Pacific of the Forward Music Group label, did a solo set to kick off this particular Songwriter’s Series.

Just after arriving and getting a pint, Logan Hawkes started things off and a drunken elderly fellow wearing a CN hat politely proclaimed to me, “I don’t like his voice. What do you think? Do you like his voice?” I politely told him it was not bad and he seemed upset he had no back-up on this one. Hawke’s voice was on hauntingly on key and sincerely soulful as he delicately dished out heartfelt lyrics much to the chagrin of that elderly fellow. The elderly fellow left mid-way through the set and the only other ruckus during the set was an air compressor in the back that threatened to overpower the sound situation.

Thankfully, Hawkes is a very accomplished guitar player who can strum to simple chords before breaking out complicated finger style. As Hawkes is able to fuse guitar and voice so well, the minor interruptions were slight blemishes on a well put together opening set for the Sunday Night Songwriter’s Series. Not bad for a guy who came into the show bill at the last minute. While I was looking forward to seeing Quiet Parade, which features members of the Sleepless Nights who are also on the Forward Music Group label, Hawkes was a very welcome shift before Jon & Roy took to the stage.

Victoria’s Jon & Roy sat in the front supporting Logan but as soon as he was done, they quickly got set up to serenade the Fredericton venue with a dynamic and delightful set. On the radar for some time in Victoria and Vancouver, Jon & Roy were on a short wham-bam tour through the maritimes and this was their last show before heading westward. Jon & Roy are able to shape and control their sound very well with a great balance between bass, guitar, drum and vocals. Their bassist, Ryan Tonelli, seems like he would be at home in a funky groove band while the drummer, Roy Vizer seems like he would be at home playing in jazz ensembles and Jon Middleton seems right at home in this group.

The music of Jon & Roy is a great mix between folksy fun, reclusive reggae roots, and this certain something that hints at Victoria vigour. Especially when Vizer breezily bangs on his bongos while not overstepping his place in Jon & Roy space. Maybe offering the benefit of doubt should be extended since this was a lazy Sunday evening, but towards the end the show it was dragging on a bit. The songs ideas sometimes came around to the same tack as before so it sometimes seemed like one had heard the song before. Anyway, this is nothing that another pint and a more careful study of great musicianship could not solve.

Stay tuned for more Sunday Songwriter Series put on by the Forward Music Group throughout the summer at Wilser’s Room which is a part of the wonderful Capital Bar Complex. Also, Logan Hawkes’ group the Slate Pacific will be playing multiple dates throughout the maritimes starting with Fredericton June 5th at the Capital and Halifax June 6th at the Seahorse Tavern. This will all be in support of the recently released E.P. by the Slate Pacific. Sadly, despite a name that hints of a certain western ocean, for my British Columbian friends, there are no dates out there yet. The same goes for Jon & Roy who are probably taking a well deserved break.

A High Kick Full of High Jinx From the Stolen Minks

2009-05-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

Coming out of Halifax, the lovely ladies of The Stolen Minks start off strong on their 2008 album High Kicks as they "Bring It" to we, the fans of the CanCon cornucopia of awesomeness. Although personal suspicions suggest some scum punks and all ages show attendees could still find away to militantly mosh to the Stolen Minks, their sound holds that pop punk sensibility that could get the hipsters awkwardly dancing in a pretentious art snob wankfest. See you at the latter scene, but if you happen to be in a drunk in a dank punk-house basement, have fun anyway.

Pulling no punches: the quirky bouncing beat; the simple chord progressions; and the riot grrrrrl vocals harkens back to 90's eraMint/Lookout Records bands like Cub, Go Sailor and the Groovie Ghoulies. Sure there are probably other obvious or orthodox comparisons, but go with what you know, you know? Unfortunately, High Kicks seems to lack a certain something that is in their earlier E.P. and Family Boycott album. It is often difficult to make out what the vocals are on about because the heavily distorted guitars tend to overpower them. Setting criticisms aside, the Stolen Minks "start it in the east" with a superior air of confidence that suggests we should "hear it in the west."

Perhaps for listeners of CIVL Radio, this will be the case because the Stolen Minks have graciously sent some CDs to our growing music library. If you cannot wait for one of the hosts to play them, pop onto the New Music Canada website and have a listen to "Bring It" or "Reflexes" off their High Kicks album. Keep in mind, there are many other salacious samplings of what these great gals got cooking in Halifax. Check out other Stolen Minks songs like "Fight" or "Boys on the Floor" for a bigger picture of what they have to offer.

Unfortunately, unless one is in a position to get some musical take out at one of their Maritime shows, we out west will have to go with the musical delivery services of CIVL or New Music Canada. Cross your fingers, because hopefully the Stolen Minks can come around again to one of the respectable lower mainland venues to give it to us in person. The Stolen Minks did come around last February in support of High Kicks, but who's to say they will not grace us with their presence again? Who knows what new albums they have cooking, but they are probably going to be good.

Capitalizing on Hospital Grade Slides and Pneumatic Transit - Capital Bar Complex - Fredericton NB - 1 May 2009

2009-05-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

The first official show of my four month sojourn in the Maritimes took place Friday May 1st at the Capital Bar Complex. A venue that got into the top ten of CBC Radio Three's Best Live Music Club back in February. A small and cozy place, it is on the Maritime indie music circuit for the type of bands that are featured on my CIVL radio show The CanCon ContainerShip. On the bill were Hospital Grade from St John, Pneumatic Transit from Hamilton, and an extra surprise that was not on the event listings. Also from Hamilton, Slides were already into their set when I meandered into the place.

Slides can be best characterized as indie rock complete with the deliciously droning sound that's lasciviously layered. They reminded me of mid-90s bands like Superchunk and quickly got my toes tapping whilst sipping on my tasty pint of Picaroons Best Bitter. It was pleasant that the Capital raised their stage a bit because even while stooping in the back, I could see drummer Chris Hampton as he made interesting facial gestures whilst keeping the band on track.

At times, the phrasing progression of Slides is awkwardly arranged but it must be noted that seemless phrasing progression is something reserved for polished prima donna cake eaters who spend heaps of time being tweaked in the studio by other prima donna cake eaters. Not for lads who independently produce their art. I hope that these CanCon cool cats swing through the Lower Mainland one day because it will be worth the effort to be there.

Next up were another from McMaster University's town of Hamilton. Pneumatic Transit is one of those clearly Canadian combos that, at times, seems to draw upon elements of Everything I Love For-era Hayden vocals in additions to the rhythmical rock that other CanCon artists like Wintersleep have mastered. Do not be fooled by the Hayden comparison because it is not unfettered angst, rather Adrian has it in him to belt out the throaty vocals that probably help keep throat lozenge companies in business during the off-season.

These fellows have a knack to keep the musical ideas flowing and their musicianship makes me think the members of Pneumatic Transit have other interesting projects under their belts. They seemed like natural showpersons and kept the audience entertained between songs with funny anecdotes and non-sequitors. The lads have graciously agreed to send CIVL their In The Future We Will Run on Air EP so expect to hear some of their stuff on air soon. If they release a full-length, it ought to be quite the catch so look forward to it.

Last up and headlining were Hospital Grade from St John, New Brunswick. Somewhat of regulars at the Capital, Hospital Grade seems to be coming from a plethora of interesting influences and their sometimes spastic sound is super swell. While the lads are clearly accomplished musicians, the only downfall to Hospital Grade is that they try to jam too many musical ideas into one. I think these guys spent their high school listening and playing punk because the elements underlie just about every song on their album and it really seems like they are ready to unleash it.

However, they opt for the post-punk and indie moral high-ground as they put together something that is deeper than what immature punks normally offer. I had to smirk as Jason Odgen hesitantly introduced their song If I Said Helvetica as their "single." It was a vague reference to Sook-Yin Lee's CBC Radio One show called Definitely Not the Opera which played that song in the beginning of April after an Olympic Symphonium interview.

It was a solid evening and will be looking forward to seeing more great stuff at the Capital Bar Complex here in Fredericton. Keep an eye out for Pneumatic Transit news because they should be in the Lower Mainland sometime later this summer. Also, if one is so inclined, Hospital Grade will be making their way out to the west coast June 4th. The only catch is that you will have to dig out your passports, go south of the 49th parallel and blow on by Washington state to Portland, Oregon. The only other option, lest they come to the lower mainland, is that you could spend some time here in New Brunswick where they play lots of local shows.

CCCS Leaves BC and Goes To NB

2009-04-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

So the CCCS is a bit under stress these days and this show outline will be bare bones while we get the gear together.

April 20th....a smokey day for some; the birthdate of Hitler; the Columbine High anniversary and the cusp between Aries and Taurus......such a busy day as far as trivia!

It must be noted that this is the last broad/podcast before I leave this Saturday for a summer in a bureaucratic sort of job.

But being back on track, all of the music today, except for the Olympic Symphonium, are playing somewhere in the Lower Mainland in the next week or so.

So check them out:

The setlist:

Thunderheist - Sweet 16
Wintergloves - Invisible
Shotgun Jimmie - Waist Deep in the Water
Attack in Black - Hunger of the Young
Raygun Cowboys - Devil on my Mind
Hermetic - Curmudgeons Club
Tight Solid - A Great Love/Quebec in the 70s
Thee Manipulators - Paper in my Pocket
The Isotopes - Heatseeker
The Isotopes - Suicide Squeeze
The Deep Dark Woods - Nancy
Bravo Juliet - Apples and Orchards
Olympic Symphonium - Pieces
East Side Magic - Y'all Ain't Ready for This
Classified - Maritimes
Weakerthans - Civil Twilight

Download the podcast here by right clicking and "saving as"....

"Would you explain why it's not a hobby?"

2009-04-13T17:11:00.000-07:00

Attention on deck!

Larry Portelance here, the host of the CanCon Container Ship on CIVL.ca and this Easter Monday I was sooooo dedicated that I still came in.

The show starts off Jian Ghomeshi's old/current band Moxy Fruvous in honour of one of the best live radio interviews I have ever heard. It wasn't necessarily that it was the most enlightening interview, rather it was just what it was, a topsy-turvy PR event. Now here I am participating in this more than I need to. But click here to see a great spoof done by Shane Nelkin (lead singer of the Awkward Stage) and Tariq Hussein from CBC Radio 3.

The Set List:

Moxy Fruvous - Energy
The Stolen Minks - Minks Riot
The Maynards - In The CIA
The Superfantastics - Turn On Me
Owl - Goodbye Bye
L'Ananas - Hot Dog Doodle
The Good News - Our Love Is A Crime
Gob - Underground
The Defektors - No to the Night
Brent Randall & His Pinecones - These Days, These Knights
Mother Mother - Hay Loft
Bravo Juliet -Pretty Like Gasoline
Share - Hill
SSRI - Honest

Because I am too lazy and my computer is about to die....stay tuned for the show listings later on tonight or tomorrow.

Please send all complaints, queries and kudos to canconcontainership@civl.ca

Download the podcast here BTW. I must warn you though, the servers are wonky and the quality may have been affected.

CCCS does April!

2009-04-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

Yes that is right. It is April now and it is nice and sunny outside.

This week, many things coming off the CanCon containers that outline a whole slew of local shows that are going on this upcoming weekend in and around the Lower Mainland.

Just another routine and respectable route for the ship to meander through before coming about to dock.

The List:

Petunia - Steel Toothed River
Dylan Thomas - Rainbowes and Arrows
Jon-Rae Fletcher - Maria
The Parallels - Listen to Them
The Spitfires - No Good Man
SpreadEagle - Thunderhoof
Fuzzcat - Goodman
Uptown Riot - We're Coming After You
The B-Lines - Leaving
The Real McKenzies - Chip
Rumours (St John's) - Chain
The Stolen Minks - Reflexes
The Memories Attack - Connections
The Tranzmitors - Are You Going To Take Me
Two Hours Traffic - Sure Can Start
Metric - Succexy

CCCS's Show Log:

Thursday - April 8th 2009:

Casey's On Campus: Exit 200; & Harma White.

Friday - April 10th 2009:

Pat's Pub: Uptown Riot; Fuzzcat; & The Remedials.

The Biltmore: Jon-Rae Fletcher; & Sleepy Sun.

The Railway Club: The Parallels; Dylan Thomas & the Vancouver Vipers; Pretty Vanilla; & Mode Moderne.

An undisclosed Abbotsford punk house: The B-Lines; Blisterin' Barnacles; Fight United; & CMG.

Saturday, April 11th 2009:

Pub 340: The Real McKenzies.

An undisclosed Abbotsford punk house: North or Die; Greater than Giants; Everyone Everywhere; & Above This City.

Sunday, April 12th 2009:

Montmatre Cafe: Petunia.

The Mafuggin' Cobalt: Spreadeagle; The Spitfires; & Battlesnakes.

Download the show here!

One More Day In March

2009-03-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

On the agenda:

1. For some reason the show was a bit quiet. If you turn it up, you can still hear it.

2. Please send complaints/kudos to my email at:
a. CanConContainerShip@civl.ca;

3. Please listen to the podcast by:
a. Subscribing w/ your preferred media player;
b. Just download it here by right clicking & "saving as"; or
c. Check at the bottom of the page for details.

4. Please ensure you tell your friends and acquaintances who may or may not be Canadian cultural nationalists.

5. Please still be receptive to worldly influences but do not forget about what's going on right here in the CanCon cornucopia of awesomeness.

6. Please click here for a link to semi-hilarious CanCon humour referring to article 5.

Ok....enough of that passive aggressive bureaucratic jargon stuff fit for jamtarts!

This spring show started out by tacking to some twangy tunage; then came about the starboard way with 'A-billy derivatives; & then came about the port way with some pop-punk. Most of the tracks are doing what the CanCon Container Ship (CCCS) intends on doing, which is to highlight things happening in the local area. Being Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack and Vancouver.

And following these currents, the CCCS went with some un-polished pop-rock and some BC metal. I even tried using a real record player for a recent addition to the CIVL.ca music library.

The list:

BABY EAGLE - Bone Dry Xmas
CORB LUND - Lament for Lester's Cousins
UNITED STEEL WORKERS OF MONTREAL - Sad Lover's Lament
THE BRAINS - Hell N' Back
THE MATADORS - The Evil Eye
SHOTGUN JIMMIE - Captain Howdy
SHOTGUN JIMMIE - Cereal
B-LINES - Burnt CDs
B-LINES - Busy Man
TRANZMITORS - Live a Little More
HOT PANDA - Whale Headed Girl
ZILTOID THE OMNISCIENT - Planet Smasher
FIRST REIGN - Killing Our Kind
THE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS - Godspeed You Death Wolf

Upcoming shows of a noteworthiness nature:

Tuesday, March 31st:
- THE B-LINES at the Cobalt.

Friday, April 3rd:
- The TRANZMITORS at Pat's Pub.

Saturday, April 4th:
- UNITED STEEL WORKERS OF MONTREAL at Pat's Pub; &
- HOT PANDA at the Media Club.

Friday, April 10th:
- THE B-LINES at some undisclosed punk house in Abbotsford somewhere.

Download the MP3 here!!!!

Tranzmitting Tunage to the Turd Ferguson

2009-03-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

CENSURED!!!!!! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READ!!!!!

Sometimes it is just nice to be able to see shows that are in your backyard rather than going through the ritual of first getting into the city, seeing the show. The fun is finding a place to crash or just accepting that you will get back home at unconventional hours. Last Saturday night the show was at the set at the local punk-house called the Turd Ferguson. Down in the basement, local groups Above This City, North or Die and the Blisterin’ Barnacles opened for Vancouver’s the Tranzmitors.

For anyone familiar with the pop-punk aspects of Mint Records in the late 90’s, the Tranzmitors are full of associated alumni. So when the event invitation came to me through a popular online networking website, I did not believe that they were actually coming because of this Mint records rep. Was I wrong to doubt a punk rocker? Some might say no but in this particular case, I was wrong and the Tranzmitors were there.

By the time I arrived, Abbotsford’s Above this City were already on stage. Thankfully it had not been raining too much and my short trek through the slippery slopes of the Turd Ferg backyard was without peril. Upon entering the smoke-filled basement, I was struck by the young faces that were overpowering my eardrums with Refused-esque hardcore with a heavy pinch of punk.

As the place slowly filled with more music-minded malcontents, I sipped on a can of inexpensive beer and easily enjoyed the moment. These lads were more than I was expecting and it was a great way to kick off an evening. But I need to spend more time listening to their stuff away from the sound issues of a basement show.

Next up and having recently returned from a tour through Alberta, North or Die took their stage. I say their stage because most of the lads live in the Turd Ferguson. But anyway, their NOFX-inspired stylin’s were a sure hit for the malcontents in attendance. The kids erupted once the guys started with their “Poor Man Salvation” song.

Arguably their best song, it draws upon some ska roots and the awesome ability of celtic punk bands to have alcoholic anthems for two reasons. One, the song has two bars of shouting ‘drink’ on the beat without odd synchopations. Second, because all the local malcontents seemed to know the song intimately. One and two make it easy to consider this a de facto Abby punk anthem. It was funny to see the keyboard guy from the Tranzmitors get caught off guard as he suddenly found himself in the midst of a pit. Not saying the guy hasn’t been in mosh pits before, but the fervour of the Abbotsford North or Die kids were heard alright.

So the Blisterin’ Barnacles were next with their lewd, crude, swash bucklin’ ways. The general feel of this scum punk band from Abbotsford is something best heard in a dank punk-house with bad ventilation, terrible sound and lots of smokers. For the Blisterin’ Barnacles, I will refrain from drawing too many punk comparisons. It must be noted that most of my sporadic knowledge of punk comes from riding in my friend Dan’s car from time to time over the years.

Suffice to say, Barnacles’ music is short, crunchy and something those summertime squeegee kids from Montreal would listen to. So next time you see those squeegee kids, who make your suburban lives uncomfortable during a drive through east Van, you can suggest some music. There will be no more locking your doors and pretending they don’t exist as you too have some street cred. You know know about the Blisterin’ Barcnacles from Abbotsford who play at the Turd Ferg.

Last but certainly not least, The Tranzmitors took the stage down at the ole Turd Ferg and let us know what some good hook-ridden, pop-punk sounds like. With former members of the Smugglers and the New Town Animals, the Tranzmitors carry years of knowing how to put together some infectious walls of sound. What first got me noticing this band a few years ago is their general XTC feel. But not this tangent, it would be too deep for this brief article.

I tried to hold my own as I was “dancing in the front row” to their great songs like “Plastic Genocide” & “Alma Blackwell.” But the unruly mosh pit and the suffocating smoke overpowered me and I had to leave for a bit. Maybe I am getting old. Or maybe I am just a whiner. But you know what? Second hand smoke is neither conventional nor appropriate. Other than that, great show and we all ought to be looking forward to seeing the Tranzmitors wherever they may play or other great shows at the Turd Ferguson.

By the way, check out the Tranzmitors this Friday at Pat’s Pub. Saturday at Pat’s Pub, check out the United Steel Workers of Montreal; or head over to the Media Club to check out Mint Records band Hot Panda. A jam packed weekend and my student ways will not make it all happen.

Still working on it.

2009-03-29T20:40:00.001-07:00

Will be making adjustments as my photoshop and tablet skills improve....

Juno What’s Goin’ On In Vancouver This Weekend?

2009-03-23T21:27:00.001-07:00

On the 29th of March in Vancouver, the musical cream of the Canadian content crop is going to get their chance to go down as the best of 2008 in the annual Juno awards. With over thirty categories, there is a rather diverse set of genres represented. Generally, to be the best in the Juno’s top five hyped categories of Fan Choice, Artist, Group, Album and Single of the year is to be doing well commercially and gaining attention in the associated popular press. So what’s a cynical and pretentious armchair-activist hipster supposed to think of this?

It is not likely that the unsigned independent artists are going to be walking across the gala stage in droves to give heartfelt speeches that thank a laundry list of people who helped manage every aspect of them. Before they go hobnob with the likes of Celine Dion and others with monikers about giving small change back, at classy after-parties. Well maybe not all nominees are the bane of the pretentious cynic’s existence as the New Group of the Year category seems to have some promise. My picks for this category are the Plants & Animals with the Crystal Castles a bit behind.

Incidentally, there will be a showcase for independent Canadian musicians. At JunoFest, one can check out the type of stuff that one would hear on my radio show on CiVL.ca called the Cancon Container Ship. Anyway, straight off the website, JunoFest “takes place on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, each night from 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.” One can catch the events at such places like: Pub 340; Richards on Richards; the Media Club; the Biltmore; The Commodore Ballroom; and all manner of venue the shades of independent music tend to frequent. It will definitely be a CanCon "cornucopia of awesomeness."

The fun starts Thursday with an outdoor street show that some western Canadian airline is sponsoring. There will be three stages up and down Granville in the 800 block for this and each will be brought to you by some sponsor. This street show happens every day from Thursday March 26th to Sunday March 29th. There is the Tom Lee Music Stage presumably inside Tom Lee music on Granville Street; the WestJet stage in from of the Commodore ballroom; and finally, the Radio Stage somewhere else on the ripped up Granville Street.

Thursday, catch groups like Toronto’s Times Neue Roman on the WestJet Stage; Victoria’s Hot Hot Heat, Newfoundland’s Hey Rosetta!, & Vancouver’s Said the Whale on the Vancouver Radio State. Hopefully the weather holds up and/or they have some decent cover.

If my student ways could afford it, I would try to attend quite a few shows Friday and Saturday nights at one many of the venues.

Friday night top of the list is Hey Rosetta! and Said the Whale at the Media Club. Also worth checking out is Times Neue Roman who will perform at Pub 340. If I was unable to get into the other two venues, I would go to the The Penthouse to see Vancouver’s Spreadeagle and Pride Tiger dazzle the stage. Or maybe go check out Vancouver’s Bend Sinister, a band I have heard good things about, at the Bourbon.

As far as Saturday night at JunoFest goes, the priority of work would start out by going to: Richards on Richards to see Edmonton’s highly danceable Shout Out Out Out with Vancouver’s great pop rock secret (for now), the Good News opening. Had I not seen them twice already, Montreal’s Plants & Animals at the Railway Club would make my list, but it should be on yours. If these were not working out, Abbotsford’s You Say Party! We Say Die! is playing at the Biltmore Cabaret and at the Mohawk Lodge is taking the stage at Pub 340. At JunoFest, it would be quite the feat to get to all the things worth checking out.

Please keep in mind that my picks do not do justice to the musical multitude going on this weekend. Check out JunoFest.ca for more information on which artists are playing and where they are playing.

On a completely different, yet related note, Chilliwack’s Whitey will be playing at Casey’s on Campus this Wednesday the 25th of March in support of the Visual Arts Student Association.

Also going on this Saturday the 28th of March here in Abbotsford will be Vancouver’s The Tranzmitors. They will be playing at the Turd Ferguson with Abbotsford’s North or Die, Blisterin Barnacles, & Above This City opening.

Lots of great stuff going on right here in the valley and concert season is gearing up yet.

23 March 2009 - Starting Spring Off Right

2009-03-23T16:41:00.001-07:00

-Ooooops!!! Someone left the mute buttons on the mixer for the mike and I didn't notice...so...my bad! It was remedied though!

On the CanCon Containership this Monday:

-We take a look at some of what's going on at JunoFest, a corporate sponsored event which will have many independent musicians from Canada playing at it;

-We will also hear about some other artists in the local area;

-A request, one mentioned on air by Jay Mitchell of SUS for some Devin Townsend Band and one not mentioned on air by Nathan John Moes of CiVL's Pop Music From Around here; &

-Connecting the dots of the above with other choice music picks.

The Setlist:

Tape Deck Brothers - 8 Bit Pirates
Crystal Castles - Reckless (in background during Absolute Style PSA)
Shout Out Out Out - Procastinator's Fight Song
The Good News - Oh Na Na
Joe Abernethy - Hello To Sun
Said the Whale - This Winter I Retire
Mohawk Lodge - Wear 'Em Out
Ryan Walter Wagner - West Coast Pride
Pride Tiger - A New Jones
Devin Townsend Band - Storm
3 Inches of Blood - Skeletal Onslaught
First Reign - Where the Ocean Meets the Sky
The Olympic Symphonium - Rewind

Shows going on:

Juno Fest 2009 at many different venues in Vancouver. Keep an eye out for:
-Media Club Friday night with Said the Whale and Hey Rosetta!;
-Pub 340 Friday night with Time Neue Roman; &
-Richard's on Richards with Shout Out Out Out and the Good News.

First Reign in April somewhere.....more information coming....bzxxxtt....wait.bzzzzzzcccxxtt out....over.......bzzzzzzzzzzzzzccccctttczzzzzcxxxx.....

Download the MP3 here!!!

16 March 2009 - Super Second Sound Session

2009-03-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to download the podcast for the CanCon Containership, click here, or at the bottom at the page where it says "download the podcast here."

This week on the CanCon Containership:
-Co-hosts:
-Nathan John Moes, host of Pop Music From Around Here; &
-Johnny K, host of the Vinyl Spinner.

-Content:
-Starting with stuff from right here in Coast Salish territory; &
-Moving east through Quebec to Newfoundland.

BTW, Nathan was right about the drummer of Tight Solid...being Ryan Walter Wagner. But as far as being the former drummer of the Paper Lanterns, Bart Newman of Hermetic is.

The Setlist:

TIMES NEUE ROMAN - Record Store
CRYSTAL CASTLES - Reckless
RAISED BY WOLVES - I Like to Howl
NORTH OR DIE - Poor Man's Salvation
TRANZMITORS - Look What You're Doing to Me
REBEL SPELL - Dec 8th, 1980
TIGHT SOLID - I'm Falling Apart
SHOTGUN JIMMIE - Muse Sick
SUPERFANTASTICS - Tonight, Tonight
RUBY JEAN & THE THOUGHTFUL BEES - You Don't Miss Me
SHARE - Small Town War
HEY ROSETTA! - Lions For Scottie
UNITED STEEL WORKERS OF MONTREAL - Green Means Go
STOMPIN' TOM CONNORS - Bush of Buctoche (aka the Doot Song)
OLYMPIC SYMPHONIUM - Intentions Alone
GRAVITY WAVE - Buffalo Jump

Other news:

The Video for the Superfantastics song, Tonight, Tonight. It has a nostalgic Sesame Street feel.

Times Neue Roman playing at Juno Fest in Vancouver, from March 26 to 29. Specifically, see Times Neue Roman play:
-At the street party on Thursday, March 26th 2009; &
-At Pub340 on Saturday, May 28th 2009.

Abbotsford's North or Die are going on a tour through the Alberta and back. A few local shows:
-At the Cobalt on Monday, March 16th 2009; &
-At the Turd Ferguson House on Saturday, March 28th 2009.

As mentioned in the post for last week's show, the Tranzmitors will be playing:
-At the Turd Ferguson House on Saturday, March 28th 2009; &
-At Pat's Pub on Friday, April 3rd, 2009.

The Rebel Spell are playing in Chilliwack this Friday, March 20th 2009 at the OAP Hall next to Twin Rinks.

Shotgun Jimmie will be playing at teh Biltmore on Thursday, April 3rd, 2009 with Attack in Black.

Hey Rosetta! at Juno Fest in Vancouver. Catch them live at the Media Club, Saturday March 28, 2009.

See The United Steel Workers of Montreal at Pat's Pub Saturday, April 4th, 2009.

Download the podcast here .

How to Subscribe to my Podcast

2009-03-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

To subscribe to my podcast:

1. Open itunes, click on the 'advanced' tab, then click on "subscribe to podcast."

2. Then, copy and paste the following url into the box:
http://live.civl.ca:8085/rss/The%20CanCon%20Container%20Ship.xml

3. Then, Bob is your uncle. Unless, of course you do not use itunes, then in which case:

a. Look on the blog post for the show, find the phrase that says, "download here";

b. Then right click on it, and click on "save link as"; &

c. Make sure you save it somewhere you can find it!

Hope you enjoy the music!

lep

DuoFest III - Pat's Pub - 13 March 2009

2009-03-15T14:30:00.001-07:00

Initially, the evening was to be spent at the Biltmore seeing The Sadies and Julie Doiron for $20. This show was apparently in support of the olympics that are apparently going on next year somewhere here in Coast Salish territory. But, I just don't get sports, felt a bit stingy, and will probably be able to see these acts sometime in the summer whilst in the Maritimes.

So it was off to Pat's Pub, this freaky Friday the thirteenth, to see what DuoFest III was all about. Being that theme of DuoFest is two member bands, Hermetic, Tight Solid, Quite Testy and JPMP jr were on the bill. Since two member bands can be just fine, and Hermetic were the winners of a recent battle of the bands at some other non-important university, this show had potential for an interesting time.

An act hailing from Chilliwack, JPMP normally has a stage presence of four but not at DuotFest, hence the addition of "jr" in the moniker of JPMP for this night. The musical theme or concept of JPMP seems to reflect the safe nostalgia of g-rated, elementary school sing-a-longs. Either it was intentional, or there was an aloof sound person, but the vocals had some sort of an annoying effect that disgruntled their overall sound. It very well could have been intentional as JPMP has this Ween-esque sound. Heck, they even took the time to attempt some Ween during their set. Anyway, see these cats open for the Rebel Spell in Chilliwack this Friday, March 20th at the OAP Hall by Twin Rinks in Chilliwack.

It would not be appropriate to talk about the music of the second act right away because the lead-singer/bassist had a tantrum on stage when people got up to go for a smoke. He aggressively asked them where they were going, kept telling them not to go, and then started into prominent expletives that he probably would not say to his mother. He finished the rant by calling the girls "bitches" and then meekly stating that there will probably be a fight later in the parking lot. So yeah, Quite Testy is an appropriate moniker for this act. But ok, sometimes their Red Hot Chili Peppers feel was acceptable, but the singer ought to get over his over-inflated sense of self-entitlement.

Tight Solid came up next and their crunchy, unpolished nature seemed more like what I was expecting to encounter at Pat's Pub on a Friday night. Which is either: some sort of rockabilly derivative looking really cool with their 50's inspired aesthetics; or some sort of urban hipster group playing music we can try out our latest ironic shtick to whilst drinking cheap ironic draft. Tight Solid had the earmarks of lads doing some sort of side project and their rock and pop elements got my toes tapping whilst sipping on some satisfactory beer. It was a shame there were not more people to see Tight Solid who pull off a great rock sound with just the two of them. There ought to be some great stuff from these fellows who originally come from Langley soon, be it with Tight Solid or with their other projects.

Last up were Hermetic who are definitely involved with other acts past and present. As stated on their NMC profile, “Hermetic is a two-piece band comprised of Eric Axen (Painted Youth) on baritone guitar and Bart Newman (Paper Lanterns, Animal Names) on drums.” It was nice to see something I have played on the first episode. Despite some garbled sound management, the lads pulled off a great set including their songs Curmudgeons Club and Preventative Arrest. Hermetic’s high tempo thumping ways has Axen’s crunchy pop hooks dancing over the driving rhythm of Newman’s spastic syncopations. Although it is a guitar and not a bass guitar accompanying drums, the constant and slightly off-key singing and their general feel gets me thinking of the more or less defunct Duotang of Mint Records. Catch Hermetic at Funky Winkler Beans on East Hastings, Saturday March 28th.

lep

CiVL Associates

2009-03-11T01:21:00.000-07:00

The following are people that I have co-hosted shows with, and in no particular order:

Nathan John Moes - Pop Music From Around Here

Johnny Komitoudis - The Vinyl Spinner

Nathan is the one who encouraged me to cohost a few shows with him in which we focussed upon pop music from the East Coast:
-Dec 17, 2008 - EPISODE 4 // Pop Music From Around There

-Feb 18, 2009 - EPISODE 14 // Pop Music From Around There w/ Larry Portelance

Johnny K is a very interesting personality who does well for CiVL. I spent time on air with him last week, March 4th for about 20 minutes. Next week, Wednesday, March 18th, Johnny K and friends will do an re-enactment of the Shakespeare classic, A Midsummer Night's Dream from noon until 2pm. I may, or may not attend....but probably!

Now back to an interesting read about Rush journalism. Then one about Anne of Green Gables.

Yes.....it is all about CanCon!

9 Mar 2009 - First Broadcast Ever

2009-03-09T17:35:00.001-07:00

What to say...I have yet to listen to the podcast so that I can be my own worst critic!

But here is the setlist for this show:

THE NEW TOWN ANIMALS - Radio Nation
THE TRANZMITORS - Plastic Genocide
PETUNIA & THE LOONS - Cold Heart Breaker
THE MAGICIAN - Seven Seas
LAURA PEEK & THE WINNING HEARTS - Stand Right There
HERMETIC - Preventative Arrest
3 INCHES OF BLOOD - Lord of the Storm (Upon the Boiling Sea)
THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND - Vampira
FIRST REIGN - The Ghost of Ours
THE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS - Got Caught
HOT PANDA - It's Worth Eight Dollars
THE CREEPSHOW - Sell Your Soul

Some other details:

The Tranzmitors, 28 March 2009 at the Turd Ferguson House w/with The Blisterin' Barnacles, North or Die and Above this City

Petunia and the Loons show dates!!! Click here!!

The Petunia and the Loons youtube video I mention.

The Magician...aka Nathan John Moes of CiVL.ca plays the UFV SUS Battle of the Bands Thursday, March 12th, 2009 and maybe Thursday, March 19th, 2009.

First Reign, is playing Saturday, April 18th, 2009 in Brutalfest at the Maritime Labour Centre.

Oh boy...lots of shows and so little money!

Anyway, it is time to keeping plunking away at papers!

Aye aye and good bye!

lep

First Past the Post

1980-12-22T00:34:00.000-08:00

I am Larry Portelance, your humble host of the CanCon Container Ship on:
-CIVL Radio, Mondays from 3pm to 4pm; &
-CHSR Radio, Fridays from 3pm to 4pm.

The aim of the CanCon Container Ship is to bring listeners of CiVL radio the best in Canadian music. All manner of genre will be considered from:
-metal to alt-country;
-folk to electroclash;
-pop to punk; &
-all the shades in between.

Here on the CanCon Container Ship, as long as the music, the artist, the production, and/or the lyrics are Canadian in origin, they will have a foot in the door.

It is also essential to mention that some invisible hand does not plot the course of the CanCon Container Ship. Rather, the course of the CanCon Container Ship is plotted by the following in no particular order:
-My arbitrary and sometimes obnoxious taste in Canadian music;
-The shows I have gone to, want to go to, and know that are happening nearby; &
-Friends, associates and acquaintances of the CanConContainer Ship.

I hope you enjoy the music!

lep