Wednesday, November 16, 2005

The Dandy Warhols - November 15, 2005 The Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver

Courtney Taylor and the Art Of the Immaculate Putdown

AKA The Dandy Warhols come to Town

Review by Nick at Feed Your Habit

Hat perched insouciantly on his head, floppy fringe falling directly down over his eyes and reaching the bridge of his nose, pouty lips and louche look in his eyes, Courtney Taylor is the consummate dandy rock star. His angular physique and languid rock star pose while singing into his 2 microphones set up, all scream look at me. “I’m a Rock Star”. Frankly it works and I’m not a horny 19-year-old girl like the one behind me emitting piercing shrieks of “Anton” uh-wrong band hope it works out for you though.

Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Courtney Taylor-Taylor.
DiG! Casts a long shadow over the Dandy Warhols, every preview mentioned it and the band must surely be sick of answering questions about it yet preconceived notions of artists personalities can and probably do affect ones level of enjoyment of the art on a purely visceral level. Let the mystery be I say.

So I came to the show not having seen DiG! but having read a lot about it and furthermore have yet to pick up the last 2 releases. Indeed my first introduction to their live show was a long gone Web cast where the band finished with a 10 min maelstrom wall of guitar sound. Yet what do I find but a pop band with a martial bent? (Sadly the Dandy’s Trumpeter was left at the border due to custom issues). No stodgy amateur marching band but a band with spring in their steps “Knees up Mother Brown” a “sproingy” sound most evident in “Bohemian Like You” which at the 60 min mark when the show finally took off came bouncing out of the speakers trampoline style. It’s their most readily accessible and identifiable tune but the groundwork was laid for the shows energetic up-tick by “Boys Better” which features those rapid chord changes which propel this song (and others in their repertoire) along in a finely tuned synchromesh fashion. No surprise then that they cover “Hells Bells” by the masters of riff based rock AC/DC.
Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Peter Holstrom
“Boys Better” also highlights another of the bands strengths. I’m no musician myself but I couldn’t help thinking how tight they were. Drummer Brent De Boer who surely has the best rock star hairdo around, stick your fingers in the electric socket afro style was spot on throughout the show and contributed a lot of melodic harmonizing vocals especially as Courtney’s voice sounded somewhat hoarse and broken. Zia who finished the show off with “Daisy on My Toe” is personality personified (and sexy as all heck) on keyboards and sundry weird sounds and guitarist Peter Holmstron understated but an integral part of the team.
Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Oh and if you want to heckle a rock star then be prepared for a slow turn in your direction, eyes slowly seeking the source, mouth forming words to reply but rather a lazily raised eyebrow with top left lip curling in derision. Ah the art of the immaculate putdown.
Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Zia Macabe

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Detroit Cobras - November 8, 2005 Chop Suey, Seattle Washington

Anyone, everyone, who knows me, knows how much I love the Detroit Cobras. If I had only one desert island band, they would have to be it. Sadly, circumstances prevent them from touring in Canada, but it was a fabulous excuse for a road trip!!
Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Racehl Nagy
Chop Suey is a weird little club. It's sort of got this asian theme with red chinese lanterns around, and the smallest stage I've ever seen for a band. The stage is about two feet off the ground, so you feel really close and personal with the band.

Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
I have a total girl crush on Rachel Nagy.
Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Maribel Restrepo
Maribel Restrepo is a tiny spitfire. She suffered an asthma attack, and guitar strap problems and still the show went on.

Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
I got to meet Rachel after the show. She was totally great! Yes, I have a picture with her, and if you know me, you can check out my other blog.
Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
For More Photos, Click Here

Monday, November 07, 2005

The Magic Numbers- November 6, 2005 Richards On Richards

Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Romeo Stodart
Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com

Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Michele Stodart
Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Angela Gannon
A lot has been written about the Cheshire Cat grin of Romeo Stodart, and it was on full display tonight. In fact they may have been the happiest band I've seen in a long time. They seemed genuinely surprized and pleased by the enthusiastic turnout and put on a truly (I'll try not to use the obvious "magical") amazing performance.

Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
To view more photos, click HERE

For an actual review, click HERE

Friday, November 04, 2005

Ben Sigston - November 3, 2005 Railway

Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com
Photo Hosted at Buzznet.com

I met him during the Western Canadian Music Festival. He was with his bassist Joel, who was hilarious. (See above photo. You get the idea.) Anyway, short story shorter, you must check them out.

  • Ben Sigston at MySpace
  • Ben Sigston Official Website

  •