I'll Tell Ya What I Want, What I Really Really Want

One of the Spice Girls Melanie C (Sporty?) is playing the Garrick on May 11th.

Yeah...

Current rotation: Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope

Read more...

Drive By Truckers

Southern indie-rockers Drive By Truckers are playing The Garrick on July 1st. Tickets this Friday.

I just test-listened a few select tracks off DBT's MySpace page for the first time and they ain't half-bad.

Current rotation: M83 - Saturdays=Youth

Read more...

And The Winner Is...

Point of clarification: In an earlier post entitled "The Makings Of A Legendary Battle" I pointed out an inexcusable contradiction regarding the announcement of Islands' show at the West End and jokingly noted that my two news sources (WECC's newsletter and PF's newsfeed) must settle their differences by engaging in a steel cage death match.

In all seriousness, I found out that Pitchforkmedia was right and the WECC's newsletter was wrong: Islands will, in fact, be playing there on June 5th. I'm pumped to see these lads since we all know the WECC is possibly the best venue in the city (and Islands are quite good) and it will likely be the last show there for awhile.

Get your tix asap.

Current rotation: Islands - Return To Sea

Read more...

Radiohead - OK EARTH

I was groggily surfing the web this snow-filled morning while draped in the thickest blanket I could find (no heat, because, well, it's spring) when I came across Radiohead's, quite frankly, awesome performance of "House of Cards" on Conan earlier this week. If you're unfamiliar, Radiohead taped a song exclusively for the show from a studio in the UK as their contribution to Earth Day. As Thom Yorke notes, flying from the UK to New York and back emits the equivalent amount of carbon as driving a car for a year. Yeah. Think about it.

After watching this terrific video, I was struck by several things, which I will properly notate:

1. Radiohead are wicked live. I saw them a few years back and clearly nothing's changed.
2. I don't own In Rainbows and I'm really embarrassed by this. Please have mercy on me and don't tell the Indie Music Police, or they'll confiscate my blog. I don't wanna lose my baby!! I swear I'll buy it this weekend. I did, however, PAY $1 to download the album, which miraculously morphed into a $5 charge on my Visa. That's gotta help my legal case.
   
3. Was Thom Yorke's carbon-emissions statistic calculated for a single person flying inside an otherwise empty plane, or flying inside one at full capacity? Honestly, I'm curious.
   
4. I celebrated Earth Day too by not driving my car all day and biking to work. In truth, I completely forgot it was Earth Day and that's what I did anyways.
   

***

How come every time I told someone today that Kid Rock is playing the MTS Centre on July 16th they started laughing?

Ohhhh. I get it now. That IS funny.

Current rotation: Radiohead - In Rainbows

Read more...

The Onset Of A New Segment

I've decided to inject some new life into my blog and introduce a brand spankin' new segment on this cold, cold evening (stream-of-consciousness side note: 10 cms of snow on the way? C'mon!).

Anyways, it's called the "Super-Fun All-Star Sunshine Music Review" (patent-pending, as are most innovative ideas on this blog). The concept involves me reviewing a record in one sentence or less.

Tonight's inaugural entry:
Artist: M83
Album: Saturdays = Youth
Release Date: Sometime earlier this month

One Sentence: "This kaleidoscopic array of dizzying synths, piano dirges, whirlwind guitars, and chilling, co-ed vocals is an early best-of-2008 candidate."

Oh and before my girlfriend reads this and exclaims (WTF!?), this is a version of an email game we play involving band names. I invented that one too.

****

Vancouver's ARCTIC will be playing a show at Mondragon on May 14th w/ The Playing Cards. Doors: 8:00. Cost $5. They'll also be at the Cavern on June 4th. Check out their site for some mp3s and vids. Thanks to Kirsten for the heads up.

Current rotation: British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?

Read more...

Attention Marge Simpson: We Have Also Arrested Your Older, Balder, Fatter Son

Today I received this month's issue of CMJ New Music Monthly, an American-based music mag that comes with a free cd featuring bands I've never heard of but inevitably will in forthcoming months. It's ahead of the times. Anyways, I was shocked (and happy) the monthly complimentary disc included none other than Winnipeg's own Moses Mayes! I've been subscribing for over five years now and honestly can't remember any Winnipeg-based artists being featured in CMJ, let alone being included on the disc. An auspicious sign for the band? Let's hope so.

Sorry for the blurry scan. I'm typing this during intermission, and am quite lazy.

Speaking of Moses Mayes, they will be playing a free show during Jazz Fest on June 29th in Old Market Square (near the King's Head). Should be a good time.

Judas Priest are playing The MTS Centre on July 30th (side note: the market for aging rock stars/groups rolling through Winnipeg has been booming. I'm impressed these bands are still kicking and touring. I suspect it's easier than finding a real job.).

Current rotation: Washington vs. Philly (Game 7 OT BABY!) / Calgary vs. San Jose (Game 7)

Read more...

Attention Marge Simpson: Your Son Has Been Arrested

So the lineup for this year's Jazz Fest has been announced, and just like with Folk Fest, the festival's name is strictly nominal, actually including artists from a wide variety of genres: jazz, indie rock, blues, roots, folk and so on.

That being said, Jazz Fest features a solid indie-rock lineup including Stars and The New Pornographers performing on separate nights at Pantages Playhouse. Stars will be there on June 20th while The New Pornographers play June 24th. Each show is $28, but as a special reward for die-hard indie-rock fans, ticketmaster is offering a $49 package deal for both events.

Shout Out Out Out Out (why four?) is at the Pyramid on June 26th.

Prairie Oyster is at the WECC on May 26th.

Current rotation: Montreal/Boston

Read more...

The Makings Of A Legendary Battle

According to Pitchforkmedia, Montreal's typical-song-arrangement defiers Islands (shown above) will be brining their pioneering indie-pop sound to the WECC on June 6th. If you're going, I'll see you there.

In contradictory news, the beloved WECC will be closing its doors at the end of May for a summer's worth of renovations (source: The WECC's email newsletter).

So...there's only one way to settle this glaring contradiction:

Painting Over Silence (patent-pending) presents a steel-cage death match:

Pitchfork's Smart-Ass, Yet Prolific News Feed
vs.
WECC's Seemingly Innocuous E-Newsletter

ONLY ONE CAN BE RIGHT!! THE OTHER WILL SUFFER A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE DEATH!

Stay tuned for the dramatic conclusion.

***
In free show news...

Bass Lions, indie-rockers from Toronto, are playing an in-store show at Music Trader on April 25th. As an added bonus, the band will be playing a free gig at the Cavern later in the evening. A solid bet for a Friday evening.

Current rotation: The Montreal/Boston game

Read more...

The Time Traveler's Blog

During lunch today I was reading Audrey Niffenegger's audacious, wonderfully realized debut novel The Time Traveler's Wife when my boss asked me a question: If you could travel back in time just once, where would you go and what would you do?

Now, admittedly, this very big question isn't easy to answer. I suspect the normal, thoughtful mind would want to re-experience some halcyon days of youth or some intense ____ experience (I run a clean blog so I omitted the word); or warn one's self about getting involved with someone destined to break one's heart; or mention the long-term consequences that will come from not studying for an exam or test; or prevent some World atrocity from occurring; or meet somebody famous who's now dead (or maybe they're not dead yet, but you could travel back to, say, minutes ago, anywhere in the world); or etc.

My abnormal, self-absorbed mind didn't consider the above possibilities until well into late afternoon. I instantly thought about all the concerts I could attend now that time wasn't a factor. Beatles and Dylan and Sex Pistols and Joy Division and Clash and Doors! Oh My! My mind forged away trying to find that one essential concert that would likely blow me away -- hopefully forever altering my sense of self -- if I attended. The thing is though, I don't regularly listen to the bands I just listed (I have a hard enough time keeping up with 2008 releases), so witnessing these historical concerts would be just to be there. I realized that given the opportunity I'd feel it were my duty as a music aficionado to be there without truly wanting to be. So I listened to my heart and arrived at this: Radiohead at Glastonbury 97. Ok Computer.

Which concert would you attend?

***
Neil Diamond (?!) will be playing the MTS Centre on Sept 14th. Ticket info not available yet.

The Black Crowes are at the Burt on July 15th.

Motley Crue is at the MTS Centre on August 17th w/ Buck Cherry, Papa Roach, Sixx A.M. and Trapt. Tix range from the moderate ($39.50) to the exorbitant (229.50).

Buck 65's April 29th show at the Garrick has been moved to the WECC. Tix for the Garrick show will be honoured at the WECC.

Def Leppard's show tonight at the MTS Centre has been postponed.

Current rotation: M83 - Saturdays=Youth

Read more...

And Cheese...

ASHES dIVIDE, led by A Perfect Circle founder Billy Howerdel, will be at the Pyramid on July 9th.

Current rotation: Royksopp - Melody A.M.

Read more...

But I Like Carbs...

You can tell the first round of the NHL playoffs (aka pure hockey bliss) have started this week cuz I'm infrequently updating. Don't worry, the initial high will wear off soon and near daily updates will resume.

Arts & Crafts denizens The Constantines play the pyramid on June 18th.

The New Meanies are there on April 25th.

The lineup for this year's Nuna (Icelandic) festival has been announced. Highlights include: Icelandic popsters Sprengjuhollin at the Garrick on May 9th with Torontonians Major Maker (featuring Lindy Vopnfjord of Icelandic descent) and Winnipeg's own Paper Moon (whom I'm told sound like The Cardigans). Also, Electronic Icelandic god Johann Johannsson will be at The Gas Station Theatre on May 10th.

Back to the games...Go Washington!

Current rotation: Washington/Philadelphia...Ottawa/Pittsburgh during commercials

Read more...

Presale Passwords

In a surprising move, the normal presale password ROCK has been changed to a possibly less generic one LYRIC. This is valid for both Oasis's and Feist's upcoming shows at the MTS Centre.

Try OASISINET too (for Oasis not Feist).

Current rotation: Yo La Tengo - And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out

Read more...

Feist-y

Fresh off winning 1 2 3 4 5 Junos (sorry for the already overused pun), renowned Canadian songstress Leslie Feist announced she will be playing her largest show to date in Winnipeg: at the MTS Centre on October 20th. Tickets go on sale Friday.

Oh, and have no fear Oasis' fans, they confirmed, on their site, their Winnipeg September 1st concert date. Pre-sale tickets go on sale Wednesday.

Current rotation: Sufjan Stevens - Various Tracks

Read more...

Filling In Glaring Holes

I've had a busy week school-wise and just now realized how lackadaisical my updates have been: I've missed a lot of minor shows (plus some show amendments) and while the majority of these shows take place at smaller venues, they are undeniably a vital part of our city's beloved music scene.

So, *takes deep breath* here goes:

Juno Nominee Jully Black is at the Garrick on May 24th.

Suzie McNeil is at the WECC on April 18th.

Airbourne is at the WECC on April 14th. Unfortunately this show is already sold out.

Todd Snider's April 6th show at the WECC is cancelled.

Teenage Head is at the Albert on June 2nd.

Theory of a Deadman is at the Burt on June 9th.

Oh, and two days ago I announced Oasis were coming to town. My lone source was a banner I stumbled across on The Free Press's site, and I still haven't been able to find any corroborating evidence for this show. If you take a look at Oasis's tour schedule though, it makes sense to come here after Calgary.

Current rotation: The Go! Team - Proof of Youth

Read more...

Oasis? In Winnipeg? Huh?

The Gallagher brothers Liam and Noel will be bringing their band Oasis to the MTS Centre for a September 1st date. Ryan Adams (that's Ryan NOT Bryan) and The Cardinals will be opening for them, which is a pretty awesome opening act. I'm tempted just to go for them.

Ticket info isn't available yet.

Didn't Oasis once arrogantly claim they'd be bigger than The Beatles?

Current rotation: Yo La Tengo - Summer Sun

Read more...

Hives at the Burt

The Hives must love Canada.

After challenging and losing to three members of the Vancouver Canucks (Edler, Sedin, and Sedin) in a hockey game back in February, the Hives must have caught the infectious hockey fever that pervades Canada (get it?) since they just announced a full scale Canadian tour, including a stop in our NHL teamLESS city on May 20th at the Burt. Tickets are currently on sale if you use the presale password (ROCK). I just tested the password out and it entitled me to general admission floor seating. I'm not a fan - in fact I always mix them up with The Vines - but I appreciated their love for the greatest game on Earth (and quite possibly the universe).

Maybe they'll challenge ex-Jets to a hockey match. Hawerchuk and Steen must be around here somewhere...

Current rotation: My Morning Jacket - Z

Read more...

April Fools!

Yesterday's post was, of course, an April Fools joke.

Radiohead are not coming here (unfortunately). I doubt they ever will.

Current rotation: Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days

Read more...

A Real Shocker

I nearly fell over when I read this in the paper today.

Rock trailblazers RADIOHEAD are playing The MTS Centre on Sunday August 17th!

Tickets go on sale next Wednesday through Radiohead's fanclub and on Thursday through ticketmaster if you have the presale password (psst. it's RAINBOWS). The downside is tickets start at an astronomical $89 and range up to $159!!??!!

I saw Radiohead four summers ago in Vancouver and I gotta tell ya, it was a spectacular show.

Don't miss this glorious opportunity to see these lads from Britain!


Current rotation: Vampire Weekend - S/T

Read more...