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Articles - Podcasts

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Articles - Podcasts

Corbin Murdoch and the Nautical Miles

Corbin Murdoch and the Nautical Miles Wartime Love Song Steeped in sweet melancholy and lyrical charm, Wartime Love Song, the second album by Corbin Murdoch and the Nautical Miles, enchants its listeners with an extended-concept love so...

Vancouver Youth Comes of Age

IGNITE X Toast Of The Town at The Wise Hall May 20th 2009 Tonight The Wise Hall looks like something out of an Elvis Presley movie: the young crowd in fancy dress appropriate to 50’s dancehall goers, as the best youth talent Vancouve...

Rough It Up by One Drop

Sadly, this is One Drop’s final album. There’s worse news, too. One Drop has kicked the can for the last time. Yeah, the band has disbanded after a six year experience. Hopefully they’ll get back together sooner or later, as this five...

Osmose musicale - Review of One Drop's To Hell in a Band Casket

'A must-have for anyone looking for a good time. You're gonna shake your rump on the stompiest sounds around! Lots of styles, well done, raw sound... Will find a place within the collection (and hearth) of people supporting self-produced bands. The ar

In Your Facefest!

Well, it’s that time of year again: Faceplant Studios will be holding their 14th annual showcase June 6th at the Railway Club. With a thirty band line-up assembled from the community of a rehearsal/recording studio the show is eclectic ...

Sun Wizard, Adelaide, MINTO and The Stumblers Inn

The Railway Club, May 15th, 2009 The signature choo choo train circled the ceiling of the Railway Club as Sun Wizard took the stage on May 15th. The first of four Vancouver bands, Sun Wizard warmed up the crowd in their third performanc...

Marble Rye CD release party Friday May 8th

Marble Rye CD release party Friday May 8th w/ The Matinee and Analog Bell Service The Railway is a decent room to watch a few amazing local bands tear it up. Even with a totally irrational layout that makes it appear packed to the gil...

White Lung/Abe Vigoda/Vivian Girls

White Lung/Abe Vigoda/Vivian Girls Biltmore Cabaret April 29th 2009 One unassuming day last summer, I went to the Astoria to see a girl band that was on a label I really love – In The Red. They were called the Vivian Girls, and they ...

It Ain’t Easy Being Subhuman

The venue shift for the Subhumans May 15th gig - from the Anza to the Ukrainian Hall (805 E. Pender) - returns the band to the scene of the famed 1979 Rock Against Prisons benefit, which also included Tunnel Canary, AKA, the female-fronted ...

Cannibal Corpse/The Faceless/Neuraxis/Obscura

April 10th, 2009 Cannibal Corpse/The Faceless/Neuraxis/Obscura Croatian Cultural Center By Marcell Fraser Easter Weekend: there could be no more appropriate time to witness a death metal show such as this, and the more than solid bill...

Bison BC Tour into Europe

From Feb 26th to Mar 21st Bison BC toured Europe. They hit eleven different countries in twenty-four days and played a show every night. I’ve heard somewhere that Europeans love metal so I’m sure it was a crazy good time, and did great ...

Minto Climbs Olympus

Minto Climbs Olympus by Matt Hagarty It's any young band's dream to record an album with such a marquee name as Steve Albini's. Recording with the famed sound engineer/pundit responsible for output from Nirvana, Superchunk, The Stooges,...

Nomeansno at the Royale Banquet Hall

Nomeansno at the Royale Banquet Hall April 3rd By Allan MacInnis Tom Holliston of Nomeansno is a baseball fan, so it was fortunate for him that the band’s recent Japanese tour - only their second in their 30 year history - took plac...

Paul McKenzie Interview Part 2

Paul McKenzie Interview Part 2 CJ: The band formed in 1992. How was starting a punk project in the high-age of grunge music? Paul: I could bend your ear for an hour with a question like that. We knew some bands in Seattle that would set...

The Bronx/ A Textbook Tragedy/ Battle Snakes @ Richard’s on Richards

The Bronx/ A Textbook Tragedy/ Battle Snakes @ Richard’s on Richards April 1st 09 By: Denis Maile My night began with me trying to scalp my ticket out front of Richard’s. I had only just found out that day that I would be on the g...

Bel Riose

Rah Rah, Library Voices, Bel Riose & Bash Brothers The Railway Club Wednesday, February 18 2009 I’m glad I took the night off work this last Wednesday for a little Bel Riose eardrum shakeup at the Railway. In the process I discov...

Agent Orange

Agent Orange, China Creeps, Life Against Death, Plus Perfect The Cobalt, Sun Feb 22nd It’s not very hard to be the hot ticket on a Sunday night, and when Agent Orange was in town what would you rather be doing? Watching some ‘Simp...

The Final Show Vonnegut Dollhouse

Thursday, November 13 at Honey Lounge The crystal chandeliers and velvet couches of Honey Lounge are the perfect backdrop for an eclectic band like Vonnegut Dollhouse. Formed two years ago by keyboardist James Ford and vocalist/guitar...

Cthulhupalooza Promo

Wreaking havoc on the Vancouver scene for more than a decade, The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets never fail to come up with strange and exhilarating new ways to reach out and clutch their victims. Staying true to their uniquely horrid app...

THE BICYCLES – OH NO, IT’S LOVE! Fuzzy Logic

CD REVIEW The Bicycles’ Oh No, It’s Love is not the kind of record that warrants a large, wordy review filled with pretentious journalistic nit-picking. The fact of the matter is simple: Oh No, It’s Love is filled to the rim with h...

Wantmonster – Bruised and boozed.

INTERVIEW Wantmonster are straight off the hard streets of Nelson B.C. Ok, the streets there aren’t very hard, unless you’re afraid of hippies with giant dreads that look like matted down stinky beaver tails, and who isn’t? Wantmon...

Sex With Strangers/ Parlour Steps/ Call The City / Streetlight

Nearly Famous Music Festival Friday, November 14 @ Railway Club This night had a definite New Wave feel to it. A draft choice of late 70's and early 80's influences was bandied about. Streetlight, a four piece of bass, drums, keyboard...

Nearly Famous Music Festival at the Red Room and the Royal Unicorn Cabaret,

Saturday November 15th 2008 What was supposed to be a review of one show has been altered by restless feet and a desire to see a couple of shows if possible in one night. Canucklehead punk veterans SNFU pinned the audience to the mat at...

On the road with Cambridge

Cambridge has been prominent in the Vancouver punk scene since late 2005. Tour is nothing new to them; this is their second cross-Canada run. The first one went quite well up until a breakdown in Brandon, Manitoba caused them to miss some s...

Bison BC- Quiet Earth

Metal Blade Records Bison is the most hyped band in Vancouver right now. Sometimes hype can be a tough thing to deal with, but these fuckers keep coming through every time. Every show is better than the next, so every album is obviously ...

Fake Shark Real Zombie

Fake Shark Real Zombie at Biltmore Thursday October 16 I missed opener The Green Hour to attend the fundraiser at Pub 340 for the guys in The Hotel Lobbyists. A tragedy of that scope has not hit the Vancouver scene in many years and the ...

ELDORADO Suitcase

Redcat Records Some say country-rock died with Gram Parsons premature passing in 1973, casual fans say it’s when the Eagles sold-out and recorded Hotel California, but almost everyone can agree that just as quickly as it came – it w...

The Clips - Matterhorn

Unfamiliar Records. The scene has been hit by the sharp sounds of a new five piece: The Clips. The debut album Matterhorn is made of raw, electric energy mingling among melodies. Lyrically, the album is freeform, created strictly from wh...

White Lung/Crystal Antlers/Fucked Up

White Lung/Crystal Antlers/Fucked Up @ Richard’s on Richards September 7th 2008 The sparse crowd was bewitched by the androgynous shrieking of White Lung’s Mish. As our ears would testify, there may have been no sound check and we we...

TV on the Radio

I’ve heard from numerous sources that the dance floor at the Commodore is supported by a layer of tennis balls, but I’ve never had cause to believe it until TV on the Radio unknowingly put this hearsay to the test. During a visceral tak...

Get Lucky with Tom Holliston!

I’ve always thought that someone should rhyme “Erik Estrada” with “vagina dentata” in a song, and it occurred to me, when I came late and awestruck to the solo output of songwriter and Nomeansno/Hanson Brothers guitarist Tom Holli...

BISON: Locking Horns with Blades of Metal

Over a pitcher of Molson Canadian at the Princeton Pub, while a startlingly able roots-rock ensemble hosts the open stage night behind our table, we ask Bison’s vocalist-guitarist James Farwell how he feels about his band’s recent signi...

Interview with Big John Bates.

1. Hi John. First off, can you introduce yourself, your band and dancers? You can call me John - I play a big Gretsch guitar and do the main vocals - I also do most of the songwriting. The band really began when sCare-oline (upright...

Beck

Perhaps more so than any other artist of his generation, Beck is a master of mutation, reinventing himself with each tour and album. Recent Beck tours have featured lavish, gimmicky stage shows, including life-size marionettes and kitchen t...

Dichotomy/The New Values/B-Lines/Defektors

August 14, 2008 Honey Lounge I was shocked at how many people filled Honey Lounge to see the B-lines and the Defektors off on their tour of the West Coast, especially since the club is usually reserved for dancing college kids. The nig...

Interview with Dusty from the Hits

We have lots to talk about because The Hits have been one busy band. First off, can you introduce yourself and the band and their instruments. Why no bass? Alright, well, I am Dusty and I hit stuff really hard and sing a bit, Lou Slips...

Red Hot Lovers – s/t

The Red Hot Lovers had their cd release party and last show ever on the same night. Talk about rock stars. I would be worried about doing that based on the fact that you might end up with a box of cds in your closet. Hopefully this doesn’...

What Swank Did on Their Summer Vacation.

Swank sashayed out of Van this summer. How many gigs in how many nights? 6 gigs in 6 sweaty nights! It was like a military operation, but with booze. Name clubs and the bands that you played with. The Grateful Fed, Kelowna, The S...

THE BLACK HALOS We Are Not Alone

THE BLACK HALOS We Are Not Alone Acetate God bless Billy Hopeless & the Halos. They’ve earned their entry into that category that bands like Motörhead, AC/DC, & The Ramones (the Holy Trinity of Rock) fit into – you always know wh...

Vancougar - “Canadian Tuxedo” CD/LP release party

w/ The Tranzmitors / Master Apes / Los Tycoons The Biltmore Cabaret July 11th, 2008 Mmmm! The Biltmore, with its refurbished red booths, red lights, cavernous mystery – once the most depressing waste of space in Mt. Pleasant, it is...

The Rebel Spell and the Subhumans- Political Punks Unite for a Cause

When I last interviewed Vancouver punks the Rebel Spell, I was surprised to discover that, long before the band had formed, their singer and principal lyricist Todd Serious knew the Subhumans’ Gerry Hannah. Stepha and Todd were living in ...

LAND- Self Titled

It's a rare occasion when an album captures me with such force on the first listen and keeps me rapt until the closing note, but this one takes the prize. In fact this is one of the best albums i have ever heard. Rob Nicholls and Galen Rigt...

Jonathan Richman

Richards on Richards, July 2 As someone far more familiar with the Modern Lovers than Jonathan Richman’s solo output, I had little idea what to anticipate from his show. All I know is that it took place on my birthday, and Mr. Richman ...

Go Ghetto/Bike/Scatterheart/H.B @ The Railway, Saturday July 5th

Yowza! Saturday night was a melting pot of birthdays, friends, and 4 of Vancouver’s finest bands all under one small jam-packed roof. Getting over the ridiculous layout of The Railway takes some time getting used to if you’re not a regu...

Rich Aucoin – The Peanut Gallery

Fri Jun 20th, 2008 I played an acoustic show with Rich last summer at Hoko’s on an invitation from Ryan of Collapsing Opposites. Rich was touring on his bicycle from his hometown of Halifax to raise money for the Childhood Cancer Founda...

Scatterheart: Redefining the Rainbow

There aren’t a lot of modern rock bands running around spouting an ethos of love, harmony and goodwill toward one other. In a market where the gloomy, aggressive or just plain aloof is king, you wouldn't think these kinds of happy cuddly ...

The Restarts, Fear of Tomorrow, The Rebel Spell, System Shit and Spectres

The Sweatshop, June 22nd I walked into the dimly-lit Sweatshop to catch the tail end of System Shit’s wonderfully sloppy set. Who would have thought that a punk gig would start at 7pm? Fear of Tomorrow hit the stage and began to sonica...

Japandroids – Lullaby Death Jams – Independent

The Japandroids are a two piece guitar wailing, drum pounding, singing machine, (do droids get angry when you call them machines?) and ‘Lullaby Death Jams’ is their recipe for a good time. It’s made up of five interestingly good track...

CHINA CREEPS

For any of you fiends who've been dwelling inside rocket-proof domes until recently, the China Creeps -who are Neil on bass, Baxter on guitar, Matt on vocals and Dave on drums - are one of the leading (of what is becoming a tradition of) gr...

The Upsidedown / The Dandy Warhols

Dick's On Dicks, Wed.June.18th With the 2008 Vancouver International Jazz Fest getting under way, the illustrious Commodore Ballroom is pretty well taken for a month or so solid at this time every year. As such, I was not so much surpris...

The Pack AD / Cadaver Dogs / The TVees / Valerie Graham

The Pack AD / Cadaver Dogs / The TVees / Valerie Graham ANZA Club June 20th, 2008 Dave Bertrand So we swagger in with our free stamps and I'm feelin' good – old friends in the house, old friends at the bar, fist of beer; I enjoy the...

Hawaiian Bibles / Land / Owl Drugs / Mohawk Lodge @ The Astoria

Music Waste 2008 Jesus fucking CHRIST!!! This city is a veritable loot-bag of musical talent, and it becomes more apparent to me every time I get my ass out to see some live music that there's much more going on under my nose than I thou...

Swank – Campfire Psalm CD Release

Friday June 6, 2008 @ the Railway Club Expectations were running high for this CD release. Swank’s epic new CD/Karaoke DVD release Campfire Psalms has been greeted with banner press all around. Punters filled the Rail early, imbibing...

MUSIC WASTE 2008:

Pub 340 - June 5th, 2008 MUSIC WASTE 2008: The B-Lines / Dead Ghosts / Get Well Bomb / The TVees Pub 340 - June 5th, 2008 Dave Bertrand For the first time in many moons, I really made the effort to make it out on time for the openi...

Hawaiian Bibles / Ford Pier / Bel Riose / Invasives

ANZA Club - Sat.May.24th I was in a bit of a funk as I made my way down to the ANZA club, already half-cut and looking to have my shit saved by some good ‘ol rock and roll. And with tonight’s amazing lineup, I was sure to have the ...

Stand Down C.D. Release Party

The Glim Project / Incura / Stand Down / Hezzakya Stand Down C.D. Release Party The Penthouse, Fri. May 9th Edward Dinsley I hate being the reviewer who turns up late to a show and all but misses the opening act. Unfortunately, I was...

Derek Miller CD Review

Derek Miller The Dirty Looks Arbor I try to balance the good and bad in my reviews, even if I'm not into the style. I don't like saying it, but the sophomore album from Ontario's Derek Miller thoroughly sucks. It sounds like a bar band...

The Jolts Interview

Who are you? Joey Blitzkrieg: Vocals and guitar Dr. Dylan Danger: Guitar Lector Kurrentz: Bass Matt Von Dander: Drums Mikey Screwdriver is our roadie, mediator and leads a double life as the Death Rider. Dwight Lightning does all ...

“Fergot Mu' Biscuits:” On the Deathstar Tour with The Pack A.D. (Part One!)

These gals...crazy. Vancouver to Toronto for a single gig. Fly home. Immediately pack the tour van. Cross the border at night. Drive 15 hours to a poorly attended Monday night show in Denver. Who does that? The Pack A.D., mofo, that's who....

Last Plague / Hezzakya / Simian Rue

Royal Unicorn Cabaret April 25th, 2008 A pointless evening, overall; I came for Black Betty – Black Betty did not come! Ana was sick. They were replaced by the comparable, admirable Hezzakya, with huge double-stacks of amps-amps-amps ...

In the House with CADENCE WEAPON (and his Fridge Full of Condiments)

I'm a white rocker, born of Abbotsford. All through high school I associated rap music with delinquents farting bass out of Honda Civics and punching people. But time passed, and at SXSW in Austin this past March, I stumble upon the Canadia...

As I Lay Dying / Misery Signals / August Burns Red / Evergreen Terrace

As I Lay Dying / Misery Signals / August Burns Red / Evergreen Terrace Croatian Cultural Centre, Tuesday April 29th Until this impeccably brutal show, I believed the Croatian Cultural Centre was to be avoided at all costs, but the na...

BLACK MOUNTAIN CD Review

BLACK MOUNTAIN In The Future Jagjaguwar When I hear Stephen McBean’s slowly-picked A-minor guitar intro for “Stormy High,” I’m almost tricked into thinking it’s a cover of “Hell’s Bells,” but then the swing-time Black...

PARLOUR STEPS: Nothing Ambiguous about Determination

It always does me proud to discover a local band making quality music that's true to the landscape of this varied terrain. Rocky, cool, stormy, eclectic, thoughtful and laid back, these words only begin to describe the Parlour Steps sound. ...

AGING YOUTH GANG

There were moments of giddy transcendence a few weeks back when this very magazine held its official Launch Party featuring a host of Vancouver talent, among them a long-standing (but largely overlooked punk band) named Aging Youth Gang, wh...

BISON HAVE HORNS

For those unknowing, Bison are Vancouver’s currently-reigning champions of The Riff, trafficking in mercilessly heavy, sludgy, and addictive sonic terror. Think discarded beer cans peppered with shotgun holes, full-size back-patches, pall...

CROP CIRCLE: Maintaining the Mystery

Crop Circle may have taken their name from the controversial 70’s phenomenon, but they have also managed to contribute to a more recent enigma: the earworm. Traditionally, this little beastie takes the form of a trite pop song (think Ms. ...

Camille Miller CD Review

Camille Miller Somewhere Near the Truth Independent Camille Miller’s voice is the centerpiece of this recording. A finely honed instrument that's passionate, soulful, and downright riveting, without being overbearing. Camille's song...

Cadence Weapon: Afterparty Babies CD Review

Cadence Weapon Afterparty Babies Big Dada 4/5 Canada doesn't produce a whole lot of hip-hop in general, let alone the sterile mall haven of Edmonton. As such, the sophomore album from Rollie Pemberton (aka Cadence Weapon) is going to ...

THE BUTTLESS CHAPS: A Decade of Rooteus Maximus

In the ever-changing world of indie-rock, be it Vancouver or elsewhere, it’s a respectable feat to maintain a working band for ten years…and the Buttless Chaps have been doing just that, with no signs of wearing out or slowing down. Cor...

The Rebel Spell

The Cobalt Feb 29th, 2008 If Vancouver were a jungle and we were all chimps, Todd Serious and Chris Rebel would have their own separate little bands. Chris’ pack would be more violent and smaller, and would conduct raids into Todd’s...

THE HOTEL LOBBYISTS

Eazy-E, Bone Thugs, Big Tymers, you name it: the bitches-n-money ghetto-rap is slamming the minute I crack the door. Jordie Dammet, bassist for bar-rock goodboys The Hotel Lobbyists (and sideman for country boozer, Shiloh Lindsey), is boot-...

BLACK MOUNTAIN: In the Future In the Now

“Fucking Amazing,” says drummer Joshua Wells about Black Mountain’s current North American tour. “This is the best tour I’ve ever been on. It’s been unbelievable at times! We’ve played a few places we’ve never been before…...