Norglen are at the Pyramid on May 7th.
Dirty Projectors will get the TV on the Radio party started at the Burt on May 30th.
80s synth/dance/rock pioneers Depeche Mode have announced a massive world tour that does not include a Winnipeg date. I'm actually kinda bummed about this - I was hoping they'd stop by.
And finally, I'm listening to Yeah Yeah Yeahs new record for the first time. Pretty impressed so far.
Infinite Playlist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Zounds! What a snowy mess it still is out there! It was truly a miracle I didn’t get stuck in my back lane – my low-to-the-ground Golf is surprisingly adept at plowing through a foot of snow. Go figure.
Spring has sprung all right.
Anyway, here are some show announcements which should help brighten this glaringly awful unseasonable day.
Heavy metal icons Metallica are slated to blow the ears and minds of anyone at the MTS Centre on October 12.
Joel Plaskett & The Emergency are at the Garrick on May 5th (thanks to Graham for the heads up).
Local folk fav Romi Mayes plays the Pyramid on May 14th.
Strung Out will be there on May 20th with Death By Stereo and This is a Standoff.
Former CCR guy John Fogerty will rock the MTS Centre on June 1st.
Billy Talent, Rise Against, and Rancid are the main draws for June 27th’s Rock on the Range at the CanadInns Stadium.
Soul singer Al Green is at Centennial Concert Hall on June 30th.
The Derek Trucks Band will stop in at The Pantages on June 23rd.
And finally great news under-18ers: Sebastien Grainger's April 10th gig at the Pyramid is all ages.
Mykael's Infinite Playlist: Royksopp - Junior
Have you ever been tired, grumpy, and really not in the mood to see a show? And to add insult to injury, the weather is bonkers and your favourite team, The Edmonton Oilers, are on TV doing battle with The Detroit Red Wings and desperately need your coach potato support? But, since you've already bought tickets you go anyways?
Yeah? Well, then you can relate to my night.
Fortunately, Plants And Animals' show at the Park Theatre was beyond awesome, and I am so glad I went.
Local denizens Crosstown Rivals kicked the show off and were quite fun. They sorta have a vintage indie-dance-rock sound reminiscent of The Strokes, and based on what I heard could be an integral part of the local scene in the years to come.
It was my second time seeing Plants and Animals live, the first being back in October when they were part of the Born Ruffians' show at the Pyramid. Back then, I was completely unfamiliar with them, but was happily engrossed throughout. The next day I bought their record and essentially let it have its way with my ears for a couple weeks. Regular blog readers know it was one of my favourite records of '08.
This time around I was familiar with their sound and could really appreciate the nuances of their dynamic live show - the songs were tweaked just a little by the energetic trio and the end result was something magical. Plus they inserted a couple new tunes into the main set, and I'm sure I'm not the only one eagerly awaiting their follow-up to Parc Avenue.
The only downer of the evening? Edmonton lost. But they probably would've lost had I watched anyway. Well, most likely.
Infinite Playlist: The Go! Team - Proof of Youth
Twas a packed house last night at the Pyramid for venerable folkster Bonnie "Prince" Billy.
BPB aka Will Oldham played a marathon two hour set, drawing from most of his catalogue, and while the show started out pretty rough (first three tunes sounded horrible), the rest of the night was pretty awesome. I particularly dug the electrification of his folk songs - the stark intimacy was tuned down in favour of a raw, slightly distorted sound brought to life by the five-piece band.
And the man himself was a likable, confident, and clearly passionate performer.
Oh, and sorry about the angled photos - had a heckuva time snapping pics. Getting these required me to hack through a thick jungle of people and literally step on some toes. People everywhere!
Infinite Playlist: Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
Montreal's The Dears (above photo) will be one of the first acts to play the freshly renovated West End Cultural Centre this spring. They'll be there on June 6th with Jets Overhead and Black Diamond Day.
Del Barber and his band are holding their cd release soiree at the Park Theatre on April 14th (thanks to Anon for the heads up).
Testament rock the Garrick on May 9th with Unearth and Lazarus A.D.
NoMeansNo have added a second Winnipeg date: they'll be at the Park Theatre on April 12th (plus play their previously mentioned April 13th gig at the Albert).
California punkers No Use For A Name stop by the Garrick on May 23rd.
Melissa McClelland is at the Park Theatre on April 21st.
The Liptonians play there on April 9th w/ Flying Fox & The Hunter/Gatherers.
Infinite Playlist: Erasure - The First 20 Hits
Vancouver-based rock band Bend Sinister (Photo: Justin Tyler) are rolling through town Thursday promoting their latest "less prog, more classic" rock longplayer Stories of Brothers, Tales of Lovers. Also on the bill is Montreal alt-rockers Mobile.
Bend Sinister's drummer, Jason Dana, was cool enough to answer 11 questions for yours truly, and by doing so reveals he digs Winnipeg's own Neil Young, Slumdog Millionaire, and even provides a pretty solid answer to my patented Who's Your Favourite New Kid on the Block question.
For more on the band, see Jen from Uptown's article here.
Thanks to Jason for doing this.
1. Where are you right now?
deep in the armpit!!!!!!
2. Where is the best venue in Vancouver to play a show?
The Commodore
3. Who is the best Vancouver-based band (other than your own, of course)?
The Guess Who yo!
4. PC or Mac?
PC. I'm not rich enough for mac and to many restrictions.
5. Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert?
Colbert, no but really, it would be Mercer
6. What is one song you love, but confess to others "it's a guilty pleasure"?
'Hot and Cold' - Katy Perry
7. What was the last great concert you saw?
Neil Young....carried the show...deadly
8. Is Slumdog Millionaire Best Picture worthy?
totally...
9. What are your top three all-time favourite records?
Physical Graffiti (Led Zeppelin)
The Bends (Radiohead)
The Reality of my Surroundings (Fishbone)
10. What book(s) are you currently reading?
Naben has left the band so i have no idea.
11. And finally…who's your favourite New Kid on the Block (Donnie, Danny, Joey, Jordan, or Jonathan)?
I think that an electric or hybrid car is the way to go....
Infinite Playlist: Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Q: What do Iron & Wine, Neko Case, Josh Ritter, Okkervil River, and Great Lake Swimmers all have in common?
A: They're all part of 2009's un-fucking-believable Folk Fest Lineup, further evidence that the benevolent Winnipeg Music Gods are smiling down upon us this year. At this very moment, I am positively brimming with excitement over Iron & Wine and Neko Case coming (her new record is fabulous).
July 9 - 12th can't come soon enough.
Below is the full lineup...so far. Who are you most excited to see?
Irish rock superstars U2 are...maybe coming here. Bono and the boys will be announcing a massive, 100 date world tour on Monday, so, you know, fingers crossed. Surely we have a good chance?
And now for some much neglected/needed show augmentation....
Royal Wood is the opening act for Serena Ryder's March 22nd show at The Garrick.
Bedouin Soundclash are also part of the whole No Doubt soiree taking place July 13th at the MTS Centre.
Both Dope and Archer will take the stage before Black Label Society on March 21st.
Infinite Playlist: Leafs/Oilers on HNIC
Update: presale password for the Tragically Hip's triad of shows is strings.
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Last week I jokingly told a friend Bush will be opening for No Doubt. (Could be dubbed: Family Reunion Tour [of Sorts] - Bush to Reunite and Open for No Doubt who have also Conveniently Reunited).
Ok, the title could use a little work, but you the gist of the theme.
In not-too-far-off show news....Gwen's Beau Gavin Rossdale is coming to town sans Bush. He'll be at the Burton Cummings Theatre on April 22nd.
Canada's favourite rock band The Tragically Hip are playing not once, not twice, but thrice at The Centennial Concert Hall September 9, 10, and 11. Blogger Confession: I've tried to like The Hip. Really tried. Many, many times. But it just ain't happening.
Mastodon are at the Garrick on April 28th w/ Intronaut and Kylesa.
WOMEN play the Lo Pub this Saturday w/ Library Voices and Oldfolks Home.
Infinite Playlist: The National - Boxer
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