Justin Timberlake to play MTS Centre in August

A few weeks back I posted a hilarious video featuring Justin Timberlake and Andy from SNL singing 'Dick In a Box', and now that I hear he is coming to Winnipeg on August 25th, I am tempted to buy a ticket just in case he performs it. I've heard it is a rarity on his tour though, so I'll likely save my money. For those still interested, there is no ticket information available yet, just a date and a venue.

Also, Winnipeg's The Weakerthans are hitting The Garrick on April 28th as part of Nuna, a nine day Icelandic celebration taking place from April 22-30. Also on the bill is Icelandic band Fabula. I know nothing about them. Tickets are $24.50 and go on sale Friday.

Lucinda Williams will be playing her first ever show here on June 17th at the Burt. Tickets are $39.

Current rotation: Field Music

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Field Music - Tones of Town

I've been listening to UK's Field Music latest release Tones of Town for the most part of my day, and it is arguably the reason I'm in such a great mood (the alcoholic beverages I've consumed have also helped). The songs on this record are catchy but at the same time feature unusual arrangements - testing your patience at times, but ultimately rewarding any time spent giving them a chance. I just love this disc.

Their myspace page is here. Give their songs a shot, especially 'A House is not a Home' and 'Working to Work'.


Current rotation: Field Music

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Willie Nelson is coming! Willie Nelson is coming!

Well I'll be damned. Country legend Willie Nelson is stopping by our great city for a show at the MTS Centre on June 22nd. Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning and slated to be $65/$55/$45. That's not toooo bad, I guess.

Other show news...

Conflict are at the Albert on June 5th w/ Ab Irato. Tix are $15 at Into the Music and Music Trader.

The Robot Ate Me (great name!) are also at the Albert on April 13th w/ Run Chico Run and Kram Ran. Tickets are $10 in advance at Music Trader, Into the Music, and Kustom Kulture.

Reverend Horton Heat play the Zoo on May 12th. Opening acts are Aggrolites and Murder by Death. Tickets are $15 at the Osborne Village Inn.

I also learned earlier Memphis will be the opening act for Apostle of Hustle when they play the Collective on May 15th. For Stars' fans out there, Memphis is Torquil Campbell's other band.

Oh, and Anthem Red play the Collective on April 14th. Their record was one of the few local releases to receive the prestigious "A" grade from Uptown.


Current rotation: Stars

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Winnipeg Concert Announcements - Finger 11 + Nelson

Finger 11 will be at the Burt on May 7th. Opening acts are slated to be San Francisco's Strata and Winnipeg's own Inward Eye. Tickets are on sale Saturday at ticketgouger..er.. master for $32.50.

This Finger 11 announcement has enticed me to consider a list of my top five WORST shows of all time since, to this day, the Finger 11/I Mother Earth sans Edwin concert at Le Rendezvous was the most godawful excuse for a rock event I've ever seen. This occurred AT LEAST seven years ago and still makes me mad (on top of it all, my jacket got stolen and there was $5 in the pocket...just thinking about what I could do with that $5 makes me even madder). I'll get back to you on the other four WORST shows of all time - I need to do some serious thinking first.

In other news, Nelson (they're still around?) are at the MTS Centre on June 19th (a Tuesday). Tickets go on sale Friday.

Current rotation: Stars / Interpol

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Thinking in Lists - Revisiting my top 5 shows of all time

Over the weekend I read High Fidelity by Nick Hornby and have been thinking in lists ever since. I've subsequently decided to compose some music-related lists on my blog but remembered I had already posted a top 5 shows of all time list a week and a half ago. Oops. So much for my original idea.

For now, I thought I'd revisit that list and post the actual dates the shows occurred. After all - as pointed out by a friend of mine - the Smashing Pumpkins have come here twice. Wilco too (AT LEAST twice).

So, here is my top 5 shows of all time list with dates:

1. Sigur Ros in Minneapolis on September 24, 2005
This was unreal. If you haven't seen them, I suggest you make a point of doing so.

2. Wilco in Winnipeg on July 1, 2006
Jeff Tweedy is surreptitiously emerging as one of the best contemporary performers and songwriters.

3. Final Fantasy in Winnipeg on September 13, 2006
I wasn't really a big fan before attending this show. Boy, did that change after seeing Owen Pallett (FF) live.

4. Radiohead in Vancouver on August 30, 2003
There is a reason Radiohead is considered a modern version of the Beatles.

5. The Smashing Pumpkins in Winnipeg on September 24, 1996
This was the first real concert I've attended, and as far as my memory stretches, I loved every minute of it.

More lists to come...

Current rotation: Interpol/Imitation Electric Piano

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Winnipeg concert news: Interpol & more!

Earlier today I scored a couple Interpol tickets through ticketmaster online, and - out of sheer curiousity - checked back about an hour later only to discover they're sold out. So, if you didn't manage to secure tickets for this potentially dynamite show, then you're out of luck. Although, they could always end up at a bigger venue if demand is high enough. I wonder if the Burt is booked that night...

Oh, and just like with my Feist tickets, I paid nearly 33% extra in fees and taxes. Why is it our government is concerned about banks gouging consumers at instant tellers but not interested in ticketmaster's monopoly over ticket sales? Curious.

It is frustrating having no choice but to pay these astronomical ticket fees. Arghhh.

Other concert news:

Due to high demand, Social Distortion has added an additional show at the Burt. They'll be here on the 27th and 28th of April.

Apostle of Hustle stop by the Collective on May 15th. Tickets are $15 at Into the Music and Music Trader. Pitchfork gave their latest release a 7.0, which, according to their standards, isn't too bad.

Rise Against, Silverstein, and Comeback Kid play the Convention Centre on July 16th.

Oysterband hit the West End on April 15th. Tickets are $22.

Bouncing Souls are at the Pyramid on May 1st (my birthday!) w/ Strike Anywhere, Static Radio NJ. Tickets are $18 at Soul Survivors and Music Trader.



Current rotation: Interpol / Sigur Ros

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!!! (chk chk chk) to play the Pyramid!!!

Zounds!

!!! (chk chk chk) will be instilling their disco-punk at the Pyramid on May 8th. Searching for !!! under google proved to be futile until I learned they are often referred to as chk chk chk. Whatever.

Word of advice to anyone pondering potential band names: don't use ??? or $$$ or even &&&.

Symbols for band names are stupid and ostentatious.


Current rotation: none (I've barely listened to music today...a historic first)

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Interpol is coming to Winnipeg on April 20th at the Garrick Centre!

I nearly sharted in my pants just now - out of sheer excitement! New York rockers Interpol are playing the Garrick Centre on April 20th. Pre-sale tickets are available tomorrow (I think) while general ticket sales start Friday at 10am. I sure hope I can get tickets..

I can't believe they're coming to Winnipeg!

*does spastic happy dance*

Current rotation: Pinback

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I got pretty hot and then I came to in the Chillout Tent

Have you ever listened to a song and been struck by the irresistible urge to replay it? Then, after the second listen does nothing to satiate your appetite, played it over and over again hoping to unlock the mysteries behind why this song affects you so much?

Well, this happened to me today. "Chillout Tent" by The Hold Steady became an obsession for me, and I must have replayed it fifteen times. It is a brilliant track about two protagonists, a male and a female, in need of a break from their lives who head to a concert (separately, they don't know each other) and proceed to indulge in excessive drug-taking to the extent they wind up being taken to the "Chillout Tent" to recuperate.

The story is told by Hold Steady front man Craig Finn. He narrates each character's tale up to their arrival at the Chillout Tent before letting each of them, in separate choruses, vocalize their experience in the Chillout Tent. "They gave us oranges and cigarettes" they boast in their respective choruses. And to conclude the tale, they meet each other while chilling out in the tent, start passionately making out, and never see each other again.

She says:
he was kind of cute.
we kind of kicked it in the chillout tent.
and I never saw that boy again

And then he says:
she was pretty cool
we kind of kicked it in the chillout tent.
and I never saw that girl again.

You really have to find it. It is an incredible, original song.


Current rotation: The Hold Steady (you probably figured as much)

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Hilarious Video ft. Justin Timberlake on SNL

Not only is this video funny (especially when they sing the steps), it is undeniably catchy. I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't think so...




Current rotation: Modest Mouse/Smashing Pumpkins

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My top 5 shows of all time

OK, I have a confession: I'm drunk right now. So, tomorrow I will likely read this posting and question what I've written, but that's what happens when you post under the influence.

Kids, don't drink and post.

Anyways....

I've been thinking about the top 5 shows I've seen (all time) and have come up with the following:

1. Sigur Ros in Minneapolis
This was unreal. If you haven't seen them, I suggest you make a point of doing so.

2. Wilco in Winnipeg
Jeff Tweedy is surreptitiously emerging as one of the best contemporary performers and songwriters.

3. Final Fantasy in Winnipeg
I wasn't really a big fan before attending this show. Boy, did Owen sell me.

4. Radiohead in Vancouver
There is a reason Radiohead is considered a modern version of the Beatles.

5. The Smashing Pumpkins in Winnipeg
This was the first real concert I attended, and as far as my memory stretches, I loved every minute of it.


Current rotation: Califone/Nouvelle Vague

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Andrew W.K. to spin records in Winnipeg? What?

Some strange show news to report...

Andrew W.K. - the epitome of a party animal - is playing a DJ Set (?!) at the Collective on April 10th. Tickets are only $10 at Sk8, Into the Music, and Music Trader. When I first read this news, I thought it was a joke...

What's next? Jimmy Ray to play the spoons at the Pyramid?

Now THAT I'd see!



Current rotation: Wilco

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Dinosaur Jr. and Social Distortion to play Winnipeg! Oh my!

Every now and then I am surprised by which acts roll through Winnipeg. Today was one of those bewildering days since I read both Dinosaur Jr. and Social Distortion will be playing (separate) dates here.

While both are a welcomed shock, I can't help but wonder why acts I'd be willing to bend over backwards for NEVER come here. Surely Sigur Ros, Bjork, Stereolab, Iron and Wine, Beck, Belle & Sebastien, and Radiohead would be able to charge a ton for a ticket and still sell out the suitable venue. No? But then I remember we have a high entertainment tax (I think) and are geographically located away from a lot of major cities (Minneapolis is the closest at a solid 8 hours away plus problems at the border). So, I guess I should be happy anyone comes here...

Show details:

Dinosaur Jr. (original lineup too!) play the Garrick Theatre on May 29th. Tickets go on sale Friday and are around $30 plus fees and taxes.

Social Distortion - with only one original member, singer Mike Ness - play the Burt on April 27th. Apparently it has been over a decade since they were last here. I was but a lad then. Tickets range from $29.50 to $37.50 plus taxes and fees.

Other shows:

What the Free Press dub's "Italy's answer to Evanescence", Lacuna Coil, play the Garrick on May 22nd. Did Italy need an answer to Evanescence? Tickets are $21 plus taxes and fees.

Vancouver's Front Line Assembly will be front and center at the Pyramid on April 21. Go industrial rock! Tickets are $20 plus taxes and fees.

Hellogoodbye, from Cali, will greet Winnipegers at the Burt on April 14th. Tickets are $16 or $19 plus taxes and fees.

Hamilton singer-songwriter Tomi Swick will be at the Garrick on April 14th. Tickets are $17.50 plus taxes and fees.

You'll notice I wrote "plus taxes and fees" after each ticket price. This was intentional since I meant to drill home this point: never underestimate "plus taxes and fees". On Friday I bought two Feist tickets online for $29.50 a pop, and I wound up paying $10 in taxes and fees PER TICKET.

$20 in fees for two tickets!! Gimme a break you asshole gougers. And the saddest part of this whole ordeal is there is no alternative.

Current rotation: Nick Drake

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An anti-climatic ending to my Pinback adventure

So

It turns out many months ago I left my Pinback cd in a friend's car and he had forgotten about having it until he read my search and rescue mission post the other day. How's that for an anti-climatic ending?

Being a good sport though, he sent me a hilarious email demanding $1 000 000 ransom for my album. Highlights from his email include the silly image above and the text below:

"I have your Pinback CD. Bring $1,000,000 cash in small bills to the corner of B and M by 10:00 PM tomorrow if you ever want to listen to your precious CD again. If you do not comply, I will mail it back to you in pieces. First I’ll send you the jewel case… with the plastic hinges broken of course. Then I’ll send you torn pages from the booklet. Finally, I will send you plastic pieces that at one time resembled the CD you loved so."


Current rotation: Deerhoof/Pinback

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Sad days ahead - I can't find my Pinback cd

A few months back I could not find my copy of Pinback's brilliant debut and - until just now - realized I have not found it yet. Fortunately, I have it on mp3 BUT I still like the hard copy version.

So...here is my search and rescue plan for locating it:

1. Look through my entire cd collection for a third time. This is always a good time. Last time I found my copy of Joe Pesci's album which is a guaranteed crowd favourite.
2. Open all potential cd player sources (cd alarm clock, cd changer, cd rom, etc.). I'll leave my car's player until last because of plan #3.
3. Look through my car (this will be done in conjunction with plan #2). I always find treasures under my seats like sunflower seed shells and suckers with fuzz on them.
4. Make a list of all people who could have possibly borrowed it and hunt them down through some means of communication.
5. Staple flyers that read "missing: one Pinback cd" on nearby tree trunks.
6. Contact my local authorities...hopefully someone is a Pinback fan and understands.

I'll keep you updated as I embark on this search and rescue mission.

Pinback rules.

Current rotation: Nathan

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A couple notable Winnipeg shows

If you're into Norwegian metal than be sure to check out The Invaluable Darkness Tour at the Burton Cummings Theatre on May 5th. The headliners are Dimmu Borgir, a metal act from Norway, and they'll be playing with Unearth, Devil Driver, and Kataklysm. Just visiting their websites scared me, so I'll likely not be attending this... j/k

Also, Winnipeg's The Wyrd Sisters - who graced the headlines a lot last year because of their vendetta against Warner Brothers for having characters named "The Weird Sisters" appear in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire - are at the Garrick on March 29th. Frankly, I didn't think they had much of a case so it was no surprise they lost their lawsuit. Tickets are $20 and available at McNally Robinson, Prairie Sky Books, and Rainbow Resource Centre.

Current rotation: Imitation Electric Piano / Stereolab

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