Finally. Arnold Schwarzenegger starring in Conan the Barbarian: The Musical. "Crom! Crush your enemies! And to hear the lamentations of their women!" See also: Total Recall: The Musical. (Via Super Punch)
Great song. Great video. The toe tapping vibe is infectious.
If this fun She & Him video doesn't make your week 100% more enjoyable I don't know what will. And who ever thought I'd be able to say the phrase Zooey Deschanel and a slow mo hula hoop. But I did! So fun! And Entertainment weekly describes the video as, "With its classroom choreography, meet-me-by-the-lockers eyes, and gymnasium hula-hooping, the clip is a kind of loopy cross between “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” Bye Bye Birdie, and a Gap ad, with opaque tights"
I read about this New Years, but this really puts it into context. Beyonce is a money grubbing idiotarian as the story about her $2 million payday for a private show for Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's kid:
"According to Forbes, she and Jay Z made $122 million last year. Without that show it would have been 120 million, so apparently she just did it to tell the world to go fuck itself. Maybe she can use that 2 million to round up and eat the last few pandas, or fill an oil tanker with ink and dump it into the ocean." - What Would Tyler Durden Do
Burn.
Heard this on the radio the other day. I had no idea that the lyrics were saying this, “This way is a waterslide away from me that takes you further every day…so be cool.” I'm not much of a lyric understander sometimes I guess. (Via SoupSoup)
FRIDAY:
New Moon. New Moon. New Moon damn it. Curse people magazine and their Sexiest Man of the Year issue where RPattz was robbed, or something. Roger Ebert savaged it in his review this week, "“\Sitting through this experience is like driving a pickup in low gear though a sullen sea of Brylcreem." I'm sure this won't stop the Twihards from melting down all weekend. Don't forget your cheap RPattz approved meatballs at Glowbal nerds.
On the other hand, while every teenage girl is at New Moon, little movies should be nice and quiet. You could try Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day or a Nic Cage movie that no one needed a remake of, Bad Lieutenant: Port of call New Orleans. But it is Werner Herzog, so that is good, and it does feature Eva Mendes, which is always good to look at. (Tinsletown).
Speaking of things to look at, check out the Scout Boutique Fashion Show tomorrow will feature Mad Men inspired pin-up designs by Stop Staring and holiday wear by local designer Sweet Soul. (152 East 8th Avenue - right off of Main Street). We're sending our fashionista to cover this, so stay tuned.
SATURDAY
Savage Love author Dan Savage is playing the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (8pm, Tix $25). The narcissist in you can submit questions in advance for additional humiliation when asking those "where do babies come from" stupid questions. it's like an evening with Kevin Smith but not as fun and kind of insulting. What fun.
Something tells me that a bottle of Russian Stoly Vodka (certainly not that lame Swedish Absolute) and a couple hours at the Vancouver Russian Community Centre Christmas Bazaar (11-5pm, Tix $1) stuffing your face would be satisfying. Once you are wasted follow that up with a trip to a real life Etsy show at Cambrian Hall (215 East 17th, 11-5PM, $2) or save yourself the trouble and just get online and look at the wares of Regretsy home of the "Handmade: It looks like you made it with your feet" art.
SUNDAY
Is ZZ Top really playing the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre? Yes, yes they are. (Doors 6:30, Show 7:30, Tix, $85/75) Or if the memories of Back to the Future III aren't enough, there is always the East Side Culture Crawl. If you have an aversion to seeing artists in their natural environment, don't look them in their eyes.
Entertainment Weekly this week (oxymoron? whatever.) has three absolutely retarded musical box sets. Who is buying stuff like this? Well apparently Yo Yo Ma is all like, "What recession?"
Yo Yo Ma: 30 Years Outside the Box.
This bad boy will get you 90, NINETY, CDs. Currently Amazon has this for $620.99 and somehow there are only 4 left in stock. Kind of a bargain since EW said it was $790.
Miles Davis: The Complete Columbia Album Collection.
A bargain compared to that fat cat Yo Yo Ma, this Davis collection is only a modest 71 discs and $266.99. That's $3.71/disc for you accountants and savants keeping score at home.
Last but not least is this AC/DC boxed set. The deluxe edition isn't in stock, so you can get the cheap ghetto version for $39. But it is only 2-discs. The deluxe version is 3CDs, 2DVDs, a record (for what?) and the whole thing comes with a working amp. Best part would be the 5 completely necessary versions of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.
Don't forget, it's Christmas soon. I dare you to buy some of this musical torture for someone you love.
FRIDAY
Cinephiles can check out the Vancouver Asian Film Festival all weekend. I almost deleted this since trying to find anything about these films seemingly involved downloading a 44 page PDF. I hate PDFs when I just want the information on the FILMS! (turns out the navigation labeled "Festival" meant "Films")
Try shorts like Bamboozle: "When Katie, a professional mascot loses the head to her panda costume, she consequently loses her job, and now possibly her life!" Or Vagina Vacation: "After having her 18th child Nicole is ready to have another one right away. However her Vagina is not, and takes off on vacation!" But seriously, I hear White on Rice is pretty good. And any write up for a movie named The People I've Slept With suggests it is like a mixture of, "Sex and the City with Will & Grace in a progressive sex comedy about a carnally adventurous Asian American woman who
Or you could just see something like The Men Who Stare At Goats and actually enjoy yourself. Whatever.
How do you decide between Soul Asylum in Coquitlam (Red Robinson Show Theatre) and Chantel Kreviazuk in Richmond (River Rock)?
SATURDAY
At the Commodore Ballroom on Saturday night you can see LIGHTS. This keytar playing, comic loving, sci-fi geekery, World of Warcraft tatoo sporting little nerd hottie is perfect for anyone working at EA or who is 40 and never kissed a girl. She should drop the name and go by her Valarie Poxleitner original. Way cooler.
How do you decide between Neil Sedaka in Richmond (River Rock) and Chantel Kreviazuk in Coquitlam (Red Robinson Show Theatre)? Sedaka's Laughter in the Rain is perfect for this dreary day.
SUNDAY
Four words: David Foster And Friends. End of story. Game. Set. Match. (GM Place) The composer of the Expo Theme, St. Elmo's Fire, and more comes to GM Place to soft-rock out with friends like Philip Bailey from Earth, Wind & Fire.
THE VANCOUVERITE PICK: MAD MEN SEASON FINALE
Or you could stay home and catch the season finale (Title: Shut the Door. Have a Seat. Trailer here) of Mad Men. What will happen to Sterling Cooper? Another Takeover? Will Betty really leave Don? Will he go back to the teacher? Will Peggy stop grossing us out with Duck? Will Roger finally dump that drunk Jane? Will he get Joan back to to SC? Will Connie Hilton predict his grand daughter fame whoring? Will Kinsey shave his beard? Will Sal come back? Will Pete go postal? More importantly what will Don be wearing?
Programming Note: Tune in to CBC's On the Coast with Stephen Quinn tonight (5:00 - 5:30). Should be on doing a segment about all things Mad Men.
Great video to start the week off right.
So, back in 2007, Premier Campbell invited a kids choir to come participate in the Olympics. They claim he promised them a spot in the opening ceremonies. He claims it wasn't a specific opening ceremony invite. He has since then offered other ways they can come to Vancouver and help entertain the world. Their response, drop dead (Canadian Press).
"We know what was promised and we're not going to be shuffled around in Vancouver," Chief Mi'sel Joe said in an interview Wednesday."As they (choir members) understood it, they were going to be part of the opening ceremonies. This is what they'll accept."
The article goes on to say the children now need healing. Worst. Choir. Ever. The last thing the opening ceremonies needs is a smug little crybaby glee club.
Friday
Kick off your 3-martini Friday lunch in style. 11:30 AM at the Hyatt Regency (655 Burrard St) you can go deep inside the vast right wing conspiracy and do lunch at the Fraser Institute. It's a lively discussion on how awesome the new HST Tax is. Enjoy a table for $650 or a seat for $65 while lighting cigars with $100 bills y'all.
If that is too "highbrow" for you. Try new movie openings of Saw IV (They've made 6 of these?), Astro Boy, or catch the bearded Salma Hayek in Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant.
Friday is also a bit of throwbacker. You got Blue Oyster Cult at Red Robinson Show Theatre (Boulevard Casino). All you need to know about Blue Oyster Cult I learned from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. And over at the Commodore, Collective Soul the band from the early 90's is back. I mean do you even remember Shine? That was 1993 friends. Wow. And I think they still have that terrible hair.
Lastly, you could escape from all of these with Grape Expectations. This is the adult version of Science World. Wine + Science = Fun! (7-10 pm)
Saturday
Yaletown might still be busy with Taste of Yaletown. Over 20 of Yaletown's joints are still offering special three-course tasting menus for set prices of $25, $35 and $45. Make it drinking game: every time you see small dogs, Lululemon pants, or Ed Hardy shirts you do a shot. Repeat.
But then you could get out of Yaletown and go suburban and see Bob Saget at the Red Robinson Show Theatre. Um, awesome. And maybe if you are opting for the Sagat, you might want to just wait for the banner to be dropped on the Cambie St. Bridge for the Bridge to a Cool Planet enviro-stunt (seemed to have lost the link, too bad). Save on Foods (or Whole Foods for the organic jerks) is just up the street for a dozen of eggs to throw at them for closing the bridge. What for, it might be anyone who follows this part of the bridge shut down, "You can also dress up as your favourite endangered species." Fire away!
Sunday
If you're recovering from the Saturday, you could catch brunch and then rock over the 5th Avenue Cinemas and see Audrey Tatou in Coco Avant Chanel (2110 Burrard at W. 5th)
And what would this weekend be with out kicking it with Peter Mansbridge giving The Bill Duthie Memorial Lecture at the Vancouver International Writers Festival. Wait who's going to do The National? (8:00 pm, Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Tix: $27)
Could. Not. Care Less. That. The Hills. Is. Fake. Just ended episode one of new season with Propellerheads featuring Shirley Bassey doing "History Repeating" while Kristin Cavallari was mesmorizingly bitchy. She made the show. And is very fun. And I'm on team LC.
Great Sunday Video. Sofia Coppola + Burt Bacharach + White Stripes + Kate Moss? I mean really, this is why fabulous, the word, was invented I think. Especially great when you are at the office while the other kids are out playing. (Truth be told, the air conditioning is kinda of awesome. As is the free coffee).
Another Michael Jackson oddity was that he was Pepsi rather than Coke. That explains everything. Or maybe Coke is just more awesomer. And of course Carlton aka Alfonso Ribeiro was the impersonating Jacko in this spot. Of course he was. Absolutely unbelievable. Pepsi fail?
Carpet bombed with Michael Jackson news everywhere. Here's a forgotten 2001 performance with Britney Spears where Jackson pretends to be interested in Brit Brit while she struts around stage. MJ's death is like seeing into the future. Also enjoy how he spends a LOT of time touching his headset mike, which kind of defeats the purpose.
On a side note, heard Thriller a bunch of times last night. How did we even bear listening to that obnoxious song so many times. Ridiculous and it's now #1 at Amazon now. As if.
Speaking of mashups. How about a Lily Allen/Littlest Hob one? It's kind of another reason why they invented the Interwebs, isn't it? Uncanny.
This is some great stuff. Zamfir, but live. Genius. This is going to be a great Monday. (via SkeetonMischa)
Human League "(Keep Feeling) Fascination". Serve with a large side of humus, Zohan style. Synthpop is amazing, thank you 1983!
Hopefully a mix of Tarantino will get you where you need to go.
Today is a lot like Life on Mars. I'm guessing actually. Thanks David Bowie.
Graham reports that this "band is gonna blow up." After hearing the song a few times, I can't disagree that We Were Promised Jet Packs are gonna be big after watching this.
Can't wait to be riding the train in Italy later this week. I know, smug right? Anyways, this song is awesome, and reminds me both how awesome the 1998 classic Whit Stillman film The Last Days of Disco was. It cemented Kate Beckinsale as an object of our affection, and featured this 1973 song by the O'Jays. And OMG, Stillman is actually directing his first movie since this with Little Green Men. His first film in 11 years. The man's a genius.
Nice to know that in this difficult time of an economic downturn, Nickleback front man Chad Kroeger is still a complete douchebag. He's being sued for allegedly beating a man up outside of the Roxy. Bravo sir. No word yet on whether or not Kroeger will be sued for his criminally awful hair cut as well. [Vancouver Sun]
Hall and Oats - You Make My Dreams Come True. Playing right now in Vancouverite HQ. As Sean noted, "This is the perfect montage song."
Nice to see that Britney Spears rocked out in our city last night. Let me break it down for you as I get some more first hand reports to come in. And news of course is spreading of he 40-minute delay of game for too much marijuana smoke in GM Place. Causing this Spears spokesperson quote: "We want to apologize to all the fans who attended our Vancouver show tonight for the brief pause in Britney’s set. Crew members above the stage became ill due to a ventilation issue.” Let us remind you this was a Britney Spears concert, not a Phish show — did you guys really need a doobie to get through “Toxic”?" indeed.
1. The city was ridiculous last night. The outfits walking past the Gordo fundraiser, don't any of you have fathers to tell you not to dress like tramps?
2. I got one text from our correspondents, Kirsty and Chelsea on scene at the show: "You are missing out. We have never seen anything like this in our lives! The outfits that some of the girls here are wearing are trashy."
3. You mean like the naughty cop outfit Britney wore in the encore? Shock.
4. Question: No, seriously, who smokes pot at a Britney Spears concert? Seems wildly unnecessary even for this city?
5. Can't wait for the Olympics...Stay tuned.
Ahhh. Edith Piaf. This song is just EPIC. Perfect for a Tuesday that feels like it should be Thursday. But I have no regrets.
I'm sure I am the only one who wasn't somehow gripped by the excitement of the 2009 Junos. But it wasn't until Graham pointed out that Nickelback won big:
Album of the Year
Group of the Year
Fan Choice Award (Thanks Pepsi)
I can only conclude that either the judges were drunk, we are all frosty locked hicks now, or the Junos have so few bands to choose from that they have to select anything Nickelback does, ever. Even a record neither of us could think we've ever heard of. On the other hand you people keep buying their albums. This is like the hardest geometry problem in the world. Not computing. Please stop you are embarrassing us all. Thank you.
PS: Loverboy looks amazing right now. So hot.
The finale of Eastbound & Down was awesome. Better be a season 2 HBO. Don't burn me, Using this classic tune was just awesome too.
Feeling a bit like Tears For Fears this morning. Which is very odd. Very odd indeed.
Things turned around the mood on the shop floor in like 4 minutes with the moth to flame riffs of Martika's anti-drug anthem "Toy Soldiers". So Awesome.
I wish I was friends with Lily Allen. Ribs in bed? Come on that is the equivalent of her father being the owner of a liquor store or sports team. It's not gross at all Lily. At ALL. Reminds me of a trip to Vegas once that ended up with a pork rib following us EVERYWHERE.
Remember when Tom played himself in Costner's The Postman? That was awesome.
Oh great. Beyonce, or Sasha Fierce, or whatever she is calling herself these days is coming to Vancouver on tour. After her Oscar performance, what kind of sicko is going to see this man? I don't get it. Do you think she'll still be singing At Last? Good god. (PR Newswire)
I thought I was only thinking smooth. But my iPod switched to The Pixies. Debaser. Now the day is cooking with gas.
This morning calls for something a little smooth to start off. Ahhhhhh. That's better. Player is way smooth.
Gmac found this new super group, Tinted Windows which Stereogum calls, "On the bright side, at best, it sounds like it might be a (somewhat predictably) Hanson on Fountains record. At worst, it's feeling like the Jonas Brothers if they could sing and featured a Smashing Pumpkin. Think on that while you absorb this fierceness."
Drink that up with your coffee this morning.
Roving Vancouverite Music Editor GMac caught a show on Friday and was still raving about Chantel Upshaw all morning today. "Saw this chick play on Friday," says GMac. "Super charismatic. Needs to be signed, like right now. Was unreal, all of the stuff here is pretty mellow but she was playing some really poppy stuff, and she has an amazing voice." Somebody sign her quick so I never have to go on her myspace or her facebook again.
Catch her next at Raw Canvas on March 7, 2009.
Jam on this one. Genius.
I've gone crazy for French pop. Graham got us into the rather unfortunately named Chat. I have no idea what she is talking about, but this song, and the whole album are amazing. That is all.
I'm not sure how you translate epic in French, but this song is killing it right now. How do those goosebumps feel. God damn. (Via my new favorite blog French-moi.)
Heard this song for the first time in like ever this morning. Who doesn't remember the glory days of the post-disco ska movement?
An interesting update on yesterdays post about the 50th Anniversary of the plane crash killing Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper. I knew my Dad always told me he locked him self in the college radio station. Sure enough he emailed me his story after seeing the post. Here it is:
"On that famous day - my friend Bob Taylor and I locked ourselves in the radio shack at Victoria College and played Buddy Holly records all day - Mind you the music could only be heard in the cafeteria, the ladies commons room, and he men's commons room. commons were like lounges. Small audience but the only audience we had."
Thanks Dad. Great story.
At least the Youtubes have preserved the fine art of watching a 45 play for all eternity. Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the day Buddy Holly, Richie Vallens, and The Big Bopper's plane crashed - The Day The Music Died. Vancouver's Red Robinson was the first to drop the needle on it.
I was surprised during the last episode of The City to hear a cover of The Pixies' 'Where is My Mind' by Yoav. It almost created some sense of emotion in the characters - like they actually had feelings. Love that this all went down outside of Cafeteria which I once went to for a meeting with my friend Melissa.
Tubthumping by Chumbawamba was #1 this week in 1998. I can't even believe this song is 10-years old. (Via Pink is the New Blog). And they are still going? And touring? Wow.
I'd forgotten how awesome the ballads of the early 90's were. This video helped bring it all back and was also, kind of, on the Forgetting Sarah Marshall Soundtrack albeit performed by the band, "Aloha Sex Juice."
Not sure why this song was in my head today. But it was, after I got the sounds of Buena Vista out of my head.
Jo was watching another marathon of 'Supernatural', and the show does play some pretty awesome music from what I can hear. Just heard this Huey Lewis & The News gem, 'Back in Time'. Makes me want to watch a Back to the Future marathon, like now.
Here's the thing, i'm addicted to watching lip dubs. Lip Dub: Mariah Carey's All I Want for Xmas from Julia Allison on Vimeo.
Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra doing a sweet looking 1957 Christmas. I like this almost as much as my favorite Bing and Frank doing 'Did you Evah?" from High Society circa the same era. Frank's hair looks amazing in both. Enjoy.
How the heck is it December 23rd already? I mean really. The shopping yesterday was an absolute nightmare. And it was liberating not to care since I was already mostly done and just along for the ride. Chapters had the worst lines, Future Shop had long lines, was packed, but if you looked in the middle of the store there were two other checkouts that had no one (FAIL), another trick at Future Shop is to find a sales person and make him ring up your crap, the whore will do it for the commission, HMV was 25 person or so line upstairs, but walk up and pay with no line downstairs (FAIL). The hidden checkouts are really worth looking for.
Lily Allen covers Britney Spears Womanizer. Kind of amazing.
Zooey Deschanel singing in Elf. She's delightful.
Had a catch up with two old and dear friends tonight that culminated in a viewing of some Chuck Sugarman Midnight Special. May favorite was either the crowd dancing during Le Chic or marveling in the wonder that is Chuck Mangione.Seriously, his website is insanely amazing. This is the anthem of the week. Its pure wonder, like a unicorn. Enjoy
At some point a few weeks ago, this song was rolled out during our day. Totally Killer. Just groove it. Bonus for the video just showing the record playing.
I found this video of Zooey Deschanel singing Dream a Little Dream of Me while I was watching You Really Got a Hold On Me for her project "She & Him" with M. Ward from their album "Vol.1"
Jezebel opens up a pretty big discussion with a very bold statement that this Peter Cetera song, "Glory of Love" from Karate Kid II is the reason that the 2nd installment of the franchise. I says what?
Here's evidence to the contrary, being Karate Kid's You're the Best Around by Joe Esposito. And yes, this debate is clearly going nowhere. "You have to set an example even in the face of stupidity. Everybody who follows Karate Kid knows that the Original Karate Kid movie is the only true Karate Kid movie. Now am I right or wrong?"
Not sure how this Pilot's Magic popped into our heads today at work, but I'm pretty sure that it sparked about 45 minutes of cheese ballads to be played. Needless to say, the 1974 live version kind of rules.
I'm not sure what shocks me more. That Matthew Sweet's 100% Fun album and single "Sick of Myself" is like 13 years old, or that his "Girlfriend" came out in 1991. Jesus. Almost positive that this makes me aged as I claim it is my favorite song called girlfriend - distant second to Avril's ridiculous song?
GORBACHOV: THE MUSIC VIDEO - BIGGER AND RUSSIANER from Tom Stern on Vimeo.
Just got this over the wire from our pal Tim. And yes, Tim, it probably is the best music video ever.
Is there ever bad time for The Pixies version of Head On? And seriously when was this a good idea: Lullaby renditions of The Pixies? (Via Adfreak)
Note: Black Francis is playing the Media Club August 6, 2008.
Kind of all sorts of amazing is this mashup of the old animated Star Trek series and William Shatner's cover of Pulp's "Common People."
This great Kermit doing Needle in the Hay a la Royal Tenebaums is pretty wicked awesome. And honestly, kind of caps off quite the day. On the other hand, that video + the 2nd one = me watching the opening sequence to the movie and that actually salvaged the day.
Did watching the Weird Science last night and in particular the end, where Garry and Wyatt drop off Deb and Hilly really spark the first post in like forever? I think it did. Gulp...
(Photo: Monceau)
January hasn’t been the kindest month for the pocketbook. Your credit-card statement from the holidays left you wondering why in the hell you spend large bills on people you can’t stand. Your RRSP account went down like a champagne bottle on New Year’s Eve thanks to the Yanks’ wacky concept on how to pay for a house (or not). And you had to shell out a couple of hundred on those snow tires you should’ve bought four months ago.
Now, Mardi Gras is coming up and you’re in the mood to get funky. But you want to keep it cheap and casual. Luckily, this past weekend one of the best bands going was in town. Had the deadbeat editor been able to post, he would have been able to tell you about this Friday:
"For just $13.50, you can get in Saturday night to see Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. The notoriety of the bluesy Vermont band is rising fast Stateside. Their 2007 release “This is Somewhere” finished sixth in the year-end listener poll at WDST, the coolest radio station you’re not listening to, and this appearance in Vancouver presents the best value you may see in 2008. Don’t pass it up."
Here are the highlights for the Vancouver music scene for February (***-I have my tickets; **-If I could afford it, I’d go; *-Give me a freebie and I’m there, and I’ll buy the first round):
Feb. 5: Editors/Hot Hot Heat, Commodore**
Feb. 5: The Kon Tikis, Railway Club*
Feb. 8: Dustin Bentall, Run GMC, Bourbon*
Feb. 10: Matt Costa, Commodore*
Feb. 11: Jim Bryson, Media Club*
Feb. 11: DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, Commodore**
Feb. 12: Feist, Orpheum***
Feb. 13: Wyclef Jean, Commodore*
Feb. 14: Sean Costello, The Yale*
Feb. 15: Mika, Orpheum**
Feb. 16: Ladyhawk, Commodore*
Feb. 17: Marilyn Manson, Queen Elizabeth Theatre*
Feb. 18: John Mellencamp, PNE***
Feb. 21: Corb Lund, Commodore**
Feb. 21: Bonobo, Richard’s on Richards*
Feb. 22: The Hives, Commodore*
Feb. 26-27: Johnny Winter, The Yale***
Feb. 27: Gregory Isaacs, Commodore*
Feb. 28-29: Daniel Wesley, Commodore**
Not a bad start to a Friday with solo work from Weezer's Rivers Cuomo out. Sounds purdy and the mustaches in full effect and it also features trampolines!
So Conan O'Brien is back on the tubes. And the idea of him doing Radiohead's 'Creep' on Rock Band and then doing Beastie Boys 'Sabotage' as Edith Bunker is, well, pretty funny.
(Blue Rodeo at Bluesfest XXXIII. Photo credit: jessica @ flickr)
So what’s with the lame New Year’s Eve in this burg anyway?
Sure, the action on Granville Monday night was more lively than usual, but watching a countdown on an unspectacular clock makes us look more Mayberry than Olympian. Just throw together a stage outside the Commodore, stick an amp, a drum set and a mike stand on top, drop a giant inukshuk at midnight and trawl out 54/40 for some rockin’ tunes.
Seems simple. Toronto can do it.
All it would take is a little bit of effort. Then again Vancouverites aren’t about work, are we? Ah, well, I guess our sleepy little town will never be all it can be. Too bad, since we could do a hell of a job of throwing a bash with the climate and all. What the city needs to do is enlist the help of some NYE veterans, like the guys from Blue Rodeo, who’ve gotten Nathan Phillips Square in TO hopping numerous times in sub-zero temps.
The Little Canadian Band That Could stops into town for a two-date set at the Orpheum this month. I’ll be in the second row in the Orchestra Pit – come by and say, “Hey, hey, I guess it hasn’t hit me yet, I fell through this crack and I kinda lost my head…”
If you’ve never seen Greg Keelor, Jim Cuddy and crew, shame, shame. Resolve to support great musicians this year, starting with these venerable and humble guys who Rolling Stone once said are “good enough simply to let the music do the talking”.
Here are the highlights for the Vancouver music scene for the first 31 days of the new year (***-I have my tickets; **-If I could afford it, I’d go; *-Give me a freebie and I’m there, and I’ll buy the first round):
Jan. 4: Pride Tiger, Cobalt*
Jan. 8: Birds and Kites, Media Club*
Jan. 10: Fall From Grace and the Vincent Black Shadow, Plaza Club*
Jan. 11: Big and Rich (with loads of guests), Pacific Coliseum**
Jan. 11: Patti Labelle, River Rock*
Jan. 11: Mark Farina, Commodore**
Jan. 12: Michael Buble, GM Place**
Jan. 14-15: Blue Rodeo, Orpheum***
Jan. 15: Classified, Plaza Club***
Jan. 18-19: Amanda Marshall, River Rock**
Jan. 18: Hedley and Pride Tiger, Croatian Cultural Centre*
Jan. 18: Shuyler Jansen and Deep Dark Woods, Railway Club*
Jan. 19: Hedley and Pride Tiger, Commodore*
Jan. 19: SNFU, Red Room*
Jan. 21: Dan Deacon, Richard’s on Richards*
Jan. 24: The Bravery, Richard’s on Richards***
Jan. 25: Loverboy, Commdore* (just for the laughs)
Jan. 26: Macy Gray, River Rock**
Jan. 28: Silverstein and IllScarlett, Croatian Cultural Centre*
Jan. 31: Chris Smither, St. James Hall***
Sinatra and Deano singing about some sort of magical Marshmallow world? You betcha.
And you're damn right. If I'm posting Bear Force 1 videos, that you need some S Club 7 Christmas too. And yes, my postings this week consist of mostly Youtube. Deal with it.
If there is a song that sums up a cold Monday in December, this is it:
Yes, Graham. This is "Easily The Best Video Ever Made". And yet, his new reality show Father Hood looks not so good. What up?
(Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium, Photo credit: Rock and Racehorses)
If you didn’t know better you’d think New Jersey had decided to invade the Lower Mainland. Bruce Springsteen tix just hit Ticketmaster for the Boss’s March 31 show (got mine!). Meanwhile, the Devils skate over to the Garage to face the Canucks on Dec. 18.
Before they arrive, Bon Jovi charges into town on their steel horse — and with more makeup than five hetero males should ever carry — for back-to-back dates at GM Place on Dec. 15 and 16. I normally wouldn’t get excited about an obscenely overpriced ticket that’s more about commercial sales than artistic merit, but this tour is in support of a new album, “Lost Highway”, that’s damn good. Bon Jovi could always put on a stadium-rocking show that rivals most acts, now they’ve got some really outstanding tunes to fill the space while you’re waiting to hear “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer”.
The other two big-name shows at GM Place are the Spice Girls (Dec. 2) and Van Halen (Dec. 5). But you’re not shelling out for that junk, right?
Here are the highlights for the Vancouver music scene for December (***-I have my tickets; **-If I could afford it, I’d go; *-Give me a freebie and I’m there, and I’ll buy the first round):
Dec. 3: Tori Amos, Orpheum**
Dec. 7: Tower of Power, Red Robinson Theatre*
Dec. 8: Apostle of Hustle, Plaza*
Dec. 9: Sharon Jones and the Dapkings, Commodore*** (Go see this show!!)
Dec. 13: Shonen Knife, Richard’s on Richards*
Dec. 13: The Blakes, Media Club*
Dec. 15 and 16: Bon Jovi, GM Place***
Dec. 31: Tom Cochrane, Red Robinson Theatre**
Remember 20 years ago when Canadian music went from laughable (oh, hey, BTO’s on the radio again) to pretty damn cool in what seemed like a matter of months? Thanks to VideoFACT and MuchMusic (which actually played videos in their entirety back then), Canadian acts were showcased nationally and many of us liked what we saw and heard. Actually, we liked it a tonne. From 1986-1989, the Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Sarah McLachlan, Tom Cochrane & Red Rider, and 54-40 all released debut albums to critical and commercial success. Before their arrival, DJ’s were stuck with such a lack of home-grown choice a drinking game could be played every time a Canadian Content regulation was fulfilled. (That’s “Standing in the Dark” by Platinum Blonde, they're from Canada - take a shot!) Luckily for us, our best musicians got their due. Those of us who have enjoyed their careers from the beginning felt a sense of national pride that we could produce talent more than capable of holding its own on stage with whatever came out of New York or London or Sydney.
Since then, Canada’s continued to produce outstanding acts, but the corporate machine has won out. If this was still 1987, Kathleen Edwards, Matt Mays, Stars and Classified would be as successful as the Hip, Maestro Fresh Wes and McLachlan were then. While the critical acclaim for Canadian music has never been greater, commercial success isn’t there unless you can land a deal with Apple to get your video constantly shown on iPod commercials (are you sick of “1-2-3-4” by Leslie Feist yet?). Instead, bland, gimmicky acts get the attention and many of us have to dig for the great music within our borders.
One of the best comes to town this month when Broken Social Scene plays the Commodore. These guys and gals aren’t only among the most talented bands going, they’ve got the coolest collective around. Based in Toronto, they only have two permanent members (Brendan Canning and Kevin Drew), but the band can at any time include 19 musicians who drop in and out of recording sessions. When they play live, you never know who you might get. BSS members include Feist, Jason Collett, members of Stars, Metric, Apostle of Hustle and Treble Charger. They play award-winning music that’s ambient, psychedilic and, at its best, mesmerizing. Hear ’em play songs by Drew on Oct. 25 and don't surprised to see something of an encore on Oct. 29 when Apostle of Hustle (aka Andrew Whiteman) takes the stage. (Watch Apostle of Hustle - National Anthem of Nowhere)
(Black Francis, Credit: Will Fresch)
Here are my highlights for the Vancouver concert scene in October (***-I have my tickets; **-If I could afford it, I’d go; *-Give me a freebie and I’m there, and I’ll buy the first round):
Oct. 1: Klaxons, Commodore*
Oct. 1: The Aliens, Richard's*
Oct. 2: Chris Cornell, The Centre**
Oct. 2: Built to Spill, Commodore***
Oct. 2: Dick Dale, The Yale*
Oct. 3: The National (with St. Vincent opening), Commodore***
Oct. 3-4: Black Francis, Richard's*
Oct. 4: Down, Commodore*
Oct. 6: Foreigner, Red Robinson Theatre*
Oct. 6: The Weakerthans, Commodore**
Oct. 10: Nick Lowe, Richard's***
Oct. 11: Mondo Generator, Commodore*
Oct. 12: Sum 41 and Finger Eleven, GM Place*
Oct. 17: Kanye West and Ludacris, GM Place**
Oct. 17: Tokyo Police Club, The Plaza Club*
Oct. 19-20: 54-40, Commodore***
Oct. 20: Final Fantasy, Richard's*
Oct. 20: Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie, GM Place*
Oct. 21: Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift, GM Place*
Oct. 21: The Mobius Band, Media Club**
Oct. 25: State Radio, Richard's**
Oct. 25: Broken Social Scene, featuring songs of Kevin Drew, Commodore***
Oct. 26: Justin Nozuka, Media Club*
Oct. 27: Brandi Carlile, Commodore***
Oct. 29: Apostle of Hustle, Commodore***
Oct. 30: Henry Rollins, The Centre**
Oct. 30: Boys Like Girls, The Plaza Club*
Oct. 30: Billy Joel, GM Place**
This video is amazing for a variety of things. For one, Peter has an incredible mustache. It's also featured in the Wes Anderson short Hotel Chevalier that Steve Jobs doesn't care if we see. It's still super awesome.
Okay. I'm not sure this is cool, but Mandy Moore singing Rihanna's Umbrella is pretty awesome. And it feels like our 7 months of rainy monsoon season may start today. Posting this video isn't cool, but whatever. And really whats with these three points 1. What is with all the extreme closeups of Mandy? 2. Honestly Mandy, would it kill you to rock some high heels? 3. Creepy Klingon head Rihanna in video format in the background.
Somehow on Friday night I ended up watching this ridiculous music act at the Railway Club. That 1 Guy, who seems to play some sort of vacuum cleaner or something - he apparently calls it his magic pipe. It was totally sureal, almost as sureal as watching the three idiots doing Dr. Pepper shots at the bar like it was 1994 all over again. Whatever, I'm over it.
Oh Britney what the hell was that? I think Perez kind of summed up the whole disaster best. It was a terrible award show too - one long commercial for The Palms. I'm just pissed that we didn't get to see the Tommy Lee vs Kid Rock fist fight. That's hot.
This Cadbury ad is making the rounds. Gorillas playing drums are totally rad.
I'm probably way late to the game of enjoying Richard Cheese, but whatever. My mind is fairly mushy, since I entered the utterly ridiculous 3-Day Novel contest. What was I thinking. 100 pages and 25,000 words of pure drivel into the mail shortly. I'm sure Starbucks enjoyed the extra money this weekend. Bastards.
PS: Richard Cheese is freaking amazing! that is all.
The concert scene is supposed to cool down come Labour Day. Not this year for Vancouverites. September offers more hip-shaking, head-banging, toe-tapping, shroom-tripping good times than any month since … hmmm … well, I’ve been here. Every week has multiple shows that are must-see for music fans and they’re spread through the Lower Mainland’s many outstanding venues (civic strike permitting). There are even a couple of days where it’s hard to decide who to see. On Sept. 17, Mute Math plays the Commodore while Editors headline at Richard’s on Richards. Tip the door guy and see if he’ll let you run from one to the other between sets (might work at Richard’s, but not the stricter-than-a-nun’s-ruler Commodore).
Rock fans are especially happy because three iconic bands – the Flaming Lips, Smashing Pumpkins and Arctic Monkeys – strum into town. Squealing girls get to see Justin Timberlake and old folks will breathe some Aqualung with Jethro Tull. The Canadian scene is represented by singer/songwriters Matthew Good and City and Colour (aka Dallas Green). (Yeah, Honeymoon Suite’s coming too, but we’re highlighting the good, remember.)
Even when things go bad they work out just fine. Trashy Amy Winehouse cancelled her Commodore gig for Sept. 24, but that only means the guy scheduled as her opening act – Scottish sensation Paolo Nutini – becomes the headliner. Way better value as far as I’m concerned. And when the Orpheum can’t be used because of the no-end-in-sight civic strike, Crowded House’s show for Labour Day Monday was moved to Malkin Bowl, one of the best outdoor venues in the country (as long as it doesn’t rain).
Here are the highlights for the Vancouver music scene in September (***-I have my tickets; **-If I could afford it, I’d go; *-Give me a freebie and I’m there, and I’ll buy the first round):
Sept. 1-2: Gladys Knight, River Rock**
Sept. 2: Tokyo Police Club, Plaza Club*
Sept. 3: Crowded House (with Pete Yorn), Malkin Bowl***
Sept. 5: Justin Timberlake, GM Place*
Sept. 7: Spoon, Commodore**
Sept. 7: Wolf Parade, Richard’s**
Sept. 7: Velvet Revolver, Pacific Coliseum*
Sept. 8: Brian Jonestown Massacre, Commodre**
Sept. 12: Richard Thompson Band, Commodore*
Sept. 12: Sean Kingston, Plush*
Sept. 13: Medeski Scofield Martin and Wood, Commodore**
Sept. 14: King Yellowman, Commodore*
Sept. 17: City and Colour, Orpheum***
Sept. 17: Mute Math, Commodore*
Sept. 17: Editors, Richard’s**
Sept. 18: Flaming Lips, Orpheum***
Sept. 18: Hot Hot Heat, Commodore*
Sept. 20: Matthew Good, The Centre*
Sept. 21: Peter, Bjorn and John, Commodore**
Sept. 23: Perry Farrell’s Satellite Party, Commodore*
Sept. 24: Smashing Pumpkins, PNE Forum**
Sept. 24: Paolo Nutini, Commodore**
Sept. 24: Josh Rouse, Plaza Club*
Sept. 25: Korn, Pacific Coliseum*
Sept. 25: They Might Be Giants, Commodore*
Sept. 29: Jethro Tull, Red Robinson*
Sept. 30: Arctic Monkeys, PNE***
Sept. 30: The New Pornographers, Commodore*
Of course she's not. Amy Winehouse, who was set to play Vancouver's Orpheum in September has postponed her fall US-Canada tour. Gawker suggests this is to "to focus on getting her liver back in condition for her October/November 'Drinking Myself To Death' tour of the U.K. and Europe." I was really looking forward to this trainwreck coming to town. Bummer. [Gawker]
Elvis died 30 years ago today. Because of that, and a bunch of other things like trying undertstand that at somepoint last night I heard somebody refer to The Stone Temple as the "Stone Tizzy", posting will be light. Thanka verra much for your patience. [Elvis.com]
At some point a coworker ripped out an ad for some music acts in Vancouver playing in the next month and handed it to me. The fact that on September 1st you could see Billy Bob Thornton in all his glory live deep in the heart of Coquitlam no less, at the Red Robinson Show Theatre is ridiculous + amazing. Or cray-zee. not sure which.
PS: I think I could do a whole feature on Mr. Thornton's website. Like how amazing his greeting is.
Looks like The Lamplighter will be going dark after tonight's final show. [Georgia Straight]
I cannot emphasize how much the Commodore Ballroom rocks as a venue to see live music, but of course it helps when the show itself is amazing.
Last night, Jarvis Cocker took to the stage and if I said the show was great, that would be an understatement. Obviously the many years he spent fronting the incredible Pulp have helped him develop a great performance style. Quirky and funny, his clever banter was second only to the dramatic timing of his musical choices. Ending with the song Black Magic right before the encore was a decision of staggering genius.
And just as an aside, if you're a big fan of the Chuck Taylors, the Commodore is seriously the place to go... At one point we spotted four identical pairs of black All-Stars, all in a row. I believe there was a his 'n hers matching set as well. Totally adorable.
OK... Your ex-wife is fresh out of rehab, no one bought your album and you can't get real job because you heart your bling just a little too much. What do you do? Well... if you're Kevin Federline, you start your own search engine. What makes this search engine the most special (and I'm kind of thinking short-bus special), is the fact that you can win K-Fed merchandise.
Google is shaking in its boots.
Who knew that eating a curry and good music went so well together? I was almost distracted by the food and nearly missed catching this songstress' performance on the Brit Awards a couple of weeks ago. More than a little bit of fun and full of soul...
The source for your daily double shot of hyper caffeinated snark-ridden commentary, news, events, and trashy gossip about Vancouver.
Notes on the long overdue "Vodkapocalypse" - January 8, 2010
"...Gets my nod of approval as a real Vancouverite" - [Dock Currie, Metro Vancouver]
"...one of the online tastemakers driving buzz in Canada" - [Misty Harris, CanWest News Service]
"Best Way To Stay Humble" - [Georgia Straight]
Send your tips, news, ideas, & complaints here:
vancouverite@thevancouverite.com
Editor:
Jackson Murphy
"Not So" Contributing Editors:
Luke McCullum and Josee Thibault
Art Direction:
Graham MacInnes
Published by:
The Vancouverite © 2005 - 2010.
Media
Pop Candy
Upcoming (Van Events)
Cinematical
TV Squad
The Shotgun
Inkless Wells
Reason "Hit And Run"
Bourque Newswatch
Ad Rants
News 1130
24 Hours
CKNW AM 980
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Magazine
Georgia Straight
The Province
Recommended Goodness
Egotastic
Design Observer
Exquisitely Bored in Nacogdoches
Pajamas Media
Grid Skipper
The Gutter
Cool Hunting
Golden Fiddle
Un-Vancouver
US Weekly
Defamer
Seattlest
Gothamist
Gawker
Vancouver Blogs
Vancity Allie
Bloated Penguin
Mostly Lisa
Vancity Buzz
Julia Pelish Photography News
Monica Hamburg
Raincoaster
Gus's Place
Purrrlescence
John Bollwitt
Meg Fowler
Jonathon Narvey
Vancouver Events
Industrial Brand Creative
Gus Greeper
Miss 604
Mike Browne
VanRamblings
Metroblogging Vancouver
Jak's View From Van
Immutably Me
Kitsilano.ca
Public Eye Online
Urban Vancouver
Beyond Robson
Darren Barefoot
Breebop
Vancouver Food & Drinks
Full Bodied
Urban Mixer
Urban Diner
Vancouver's CityFood
Vanvouver Coffee
Vancouver Gossip
Rant Vancouver
Joy's Journal
Haute Gossip
Chasing Vancouver
Lainey's Entertainment Update
Hollywood North Report
Craigslist
Vancouver Sports
Canucks Hockey Blog
Notes From The Nat
Orland Kurtenblog
Vancouver Style & Cool
BOOOOOOOM!
The Conveyor Belt
The Fabrika
Tourfilter Vancouver
Vancouver Sweetspot
Vanmega
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Canada License.
